Bill Avery looked around the small office. He remembered the first day he had stepped foot inside. Jarrick Thornton, just a Constable at that time, not even Sargent yet, was so much like Thomas was when he was a Mountie. Thomas Thornton was the man who saved his life during the war in the southern territories twenty-five years ago when Jack was barely a newborn. After Jack's father had passed away. So many times he wished he could have told Jack the truth, but his sworn oath to Thomas and Charlotte held his tongue fast.
But life goes on and so does every day business in Hope Valley. Bill walked to the wood stove by the desk and poured his morning cup of coffee. Strong and black, that was the way he had always drunk it. Twenty-three years of Mountie life drove certain things into a man's daily routine, such as no sugar or creamer to take the bite out of your coffee. On the desk was a note from Wynn, telling Bill to look after things until he got back. He hadn't said where he was going or for how long he would be gone.
Bill hadn't taken to the new Constable to much. He hadn't heard anything about him. His records from the training facility at Regina were no help either. The man didn't have a record, which was good...and bad. Good because he had no trouble with the law and bad because Bill couldn't get anything about his past, who his father was or who his mother was. He didn't have any pictures of family, only a few sketches of Carson Shepard's sister-in-law. The kid could draw, that much Bill could say. But nothing else. Nothing that said to Bill that the kid could be trusted. To many times Bill watched good Mounties go bad, all because he hadn't done a thourough search of their past. The last time it cost the life of Thomas Thornton. Now Bill windered who's life was at risk next.
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The wheels of the train clicked and clacked as the Iron Horse sped along the rail line. The rocking motion was almost enough to put a man to sleep. But the man in question was a Mountie, or so he had been told. It didn't matter, he would sleep when the job was over. He hadn't been given much of a choice. They hadn't told him why he was taken, or why they had a dead man that looked just like him. Every memory was a blurred image in his mind. He remembered being trapped between dirt and rocks, being pulled free and that body, that man, taking his place in the rubble. About two weeks later the leader threw a paper to him and said, "Your dead to the world Thornton. Do your part and it won't be permanent". The picture in the paper was unfamiliar, although it looked identical to the man who had taken his place. He hadn't looked in a mirror yet, not that it would matter. He knew it would only add to his confusion. His life before the last year and a half was gone.
But there was one mystery he wanted solved. There was a brunette who haunted his dreams. Her face, hidden in shadow, always eluded him. He felt he would know her if he saw her, but any brunette woman he saw was unfamiliar and not his woman. Was she even his? No, he couldn't focus on that right now, he needed to keep his mind in the present. Looking out the window he saw the forked mountain ridge, the halfway point to Carter's Junction. Standing he stretched the aches from his back and legs, then he walked through the aisle to the back door. Outside the car he could feel the rushing air that was so refreshing. To his right on the opposite car was a ladder. As he reached the top he heard three more sets of footsteps come up the ladder. He hadn't bothered learning any names, his gut told him that he wouldn't be around long enough after his part of the job was through for it to matter.
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Elizabeth Thornton, along with Baby Jack and Abigail, walked down the main street of Hope Valley, idle chatter being exchanged between the two. Mostly their walk consisted of the townsfolk stopping to stare and coo at Hope Valley's brand new citizen. It warmed Elizabeth's heart and made her swell with joy and pride to see how well she and Jack Jr. were so well cared for. At first she had insisted on doing things herself, but with the strong wills and stubborn natures of Rosemary Coulter and Abigail Stanton Elizabeth didn't stand a chance. And now she was so grateful for all the help she had been given. As these thoughts ran through her head, one in particular stood out in Elizabeth's mind. Jack should be here.
Abigail looked at Elizabeth and saw the same look in her eyes that had been in her own for so long after Noah and Peter had died. Quietly she hugged her friend with her right arm. "You know what the beautiful thing about this town is Elizabeth"?
"What's that"?
"No matter what happens, this town will help pull her citizens up by their bootstraps and continue on with life. And every once in a while give 'em a good kick in the rear if needs be".
"Abigail"! Elizabeth admonished her friend, albeit with a smile on her face. "Still', Abigail continued, 'if one thing carries on after were gone, it will be the integrity of the people who live here. Oh, I can see it now Elizabeth. One day soon this town will be lousy with motorcars and telephones. I just pray this town will remain the same after all that time has passed".
"Abigail Stanton, your starting to sound like a visionary".
"Well I blame Henry Gowan and that newfangled catelog sitting in the waiting room of the infirmary".
"Speaking of which, how is Henry"?
"Oh, you know him, he never says much and when he does he reassures you he's fine, though I never buy it myself".
"Well, at least he's on the right path now".
"Yes, I've spent many nights praying for him and now it's all up to God".
"Yes it is. Oh dear, I'm late for my lunch with Charles, do you mind keeping an eye on Jack jr. for me"?
"Of course not,' she said, walking away with the stroller, ' c'mon JJ, lets see what trouble you and aunt Abigail can cause". Elizabeth smiled at the duo as they strolled away. Her life was definitely blessed.
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Elizabeth couldn't help but feel that Charles was up to something. He seemed on edge all through lunch, and as they walked around town he kept looking at his watch. "Charles"? Elizabeth asked, taking a sip of her tea. "Hmm, what? I'm sorry". He said smiling, turning away from the door. "I asked how are things going with your fiancee".
"Oh, they are great. I was actually just, thinking about her". Elizabeth looked once at him with her teacher scowl and he caved. "Okay, something else has been on my mind but I promise you, you needn't concern yourself about anything". Just at that moment Ned Yost walked in, holding a telegram. "Mr. Kensington"?
"Excuse me Elizabeth. Yes"?
"The telegram you've been looking for is here".
"Thank you". Taking the telegram he returned to the table, setting it beside his plate.
"Charles, if that is business we can put off lunch until your finished".
"It's all right, it's just... It's fine".
But his fake smile convinced Elizabeth otherwise.
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Wynn Delaney had watched a ghost walk by. For so long he had thought he was dead, yet here he was. He was practically a stranger, his scarred face almost unrecognizable with it's jacged scar on the left side of his face and a thick beard hiding the rest. But Wynn wasn't fooled.
The man formerly known as Jack Thornton found the strange man's face familiar, but once again unrecognizable. So he didn't let it get to him as he walked past and away from the man. He knew what his job was, but he sensed that John, the leader, was hiding something from him, something that he felt could change the course of the plan. He didn't focus on that, right now he had a job to do. He was halfway through the last car when he felt the tell tale drop, small but noticable, that told him they were on a bridge. The bridge before Carter's Junction.
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Abigail Stanton sat with baby Jack in the Mayor's office, every so often smiling at the baby who, in turn, smiled and waved at her. She felt blessed to have little Jack, after all, hus father had meant so much to her and her town.
Her joy was short lived as she saw Sheriff Bill Avery rapidly approaching. She prayed that nothing was wrong.
"Something's wrong", he said, barging into the office.
"What is it Bill"?
"Delaney is gone and I haven't heard back from Mountie Headquarters on his whereabouts so I'm going to go find him".
"Be safe Bill".
Bill Avery turned and shot her his signature smirk.
"Always".