Alrighty guys, quick recap, the real Jack is married to Elizabeth, his twin brother is in the grave, they are not identical which allows Wynn to pass off any similarities as coincidence, Charity is going to be the after school tutor/substitute teacher/librarian, which frees up Elizabeth to spend time with Jack and Jack jr. After Charlotte gave up Jack's twin he was adopted by Wynn and Elizabeth Delaney, who eventually had a son if their own, Wynn jr. This makes Jack Wynn's brother by association.

So, I decided to let Jack retire simply because the man needs to rest. His PTSD won't get worse, and he's got Elizabeth, Bill, Abigail, Lee and Rosemary to help him, and we all that once Rosemary Coulter sets her mind to something she is an unstoppable force. Jack will keep busy building the cabin and, eventually, something may or may not happen to bring him back into action. Until then, here is chapter 8.

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Alexandru Ciobanu stood patiently in front of the red clad mountie as he waited for hin to finish his call. The mountie was young, but already showed signs of having seen his fair share of strife.

The mountie placed the receiver of the phone back on the rest and looked at Alexandru, clearly surprised by the man's appearance.

"Hello", the constable said, rising to shake the man's hand, "I'm constable Delaney".

"Alexandru Ciobanu, I'm looking for mayor Abigail Stanton".

"I hope you don't mind me asking Mr. Cio

..."?

"Ciobanu".

"My apologies".

"It's okay constable, I understand".

"Well, Mayor Stanton's office is across from from here".

"Thank you constable, you have my thanks".

As Alexandru Ciobanu was leaving he ran into Jack Thornton.

"Forgive me sir", Alexandru said, continuing his path out of the small building.

"Who was that"? Jack asked.

Wynn continued to watch Mr. Ciobanu as he made hhis way to the Mayor's office.

"I don't know".

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Abigail Stanton sat back in her chair, sighing with frustration as she brushed loose strands of hair back behind her ear. It was only the morning and she was already tired. Cody was becoming older and would soon be a teenager, and he was starting to show it. Just that morning she spent nearly an hour just getting him ready, not to mention making breakfast and helping prepare the menu for the diner's lunch and dinner.

She was in the middle of re-tying her bun when someone knocked on her office door.

"Come in".

A lean man with a mustache stepped in, a wide brim hat in his hands.

"Hello, I am Alexandru Ciobanu, are you Mayor Stanton"?

"Abigail, please have a seat Mr. Ciobanu".

"Thank you. You have a very lovely town Abigail, I'm sure you are very proud".

"Thank you Mr. Ciobanu, and thank you for answering my ad, we've been in need of a pastor for a...for a while now".

"Of course, I myself have been looking for a home ever since leaving Transylvania and I hope you and your town find me a fit spiritual leader".

"I'm sure we will. If you like I can find someone to show you the town. I'm afraid I'm busy this morning, but I'm sure.."

At that moment Abigail saw Henry Gowan across the street. She smiled. She walked outside and called him over.

"Mr. Ciobanu, this is Henry Gowan, a very good friend of mine. Henry this is Alexandru Ciobanu, he's our new pastor".

Henry smiled and shook Alexandru's hand.

"Welcome".

"Henry, would you mind too much showing Pastor Ciobanu the town"?

"Well, seeing that Lee has given me the day off I'd be glad to".

Turning to Abigail, Alexandru took her hand in his.

"Thank you very much Abigail for this wonderful opportunity".

"You're very welcome Alexandru".

Releasing her hand Alexandru followed Henry down the street, his wide brimmed had casting a shadow on his face in the morning sun.

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As the sun rose high Henry and Alexandru took their lunch at Abigail's Cafe. Clara, Abigail's daughter in-law, sat the two men at a table.

"What can I start you gentlemen off with"?

"I would like a glass of water if bvb you don't mind".

Hearing the stranger's unusual accent threw Clara off a bit. Her reaction wasn't lost on Henry who intervened.

"And I'll have an ice tea, thank you".

"Alright, I'll be back with your drinks".

Leaving two menus Clara left, but not before sneaking a glance back at Hope Valley's latest arrival.

"So', Henry said, 'where exactly are you from"?

"I am from Transylvania".

"Transylvania, as in Dracula"?

Alexandru chuckled. It wasn't the first time he had heard that.

"Yes".

"So, what's it like"?

"War torn", was all Alexandru said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything".

"It's alright Mr. Gowan, my country's history is very violent. Before I left there had been many revolts among the poorest citizens of Transylvania, none successful, most everyone killed, including my brother".

"I'm sorry".

"So am I". That was the last Alexandru said about it. His burdens would be borne alone. Henry didn't ask anymore questions, knowing, more than anyone, about demons of the past.

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Elizabeth smiled as the last student left for recess. Her smile turned to wonder as Henry Gowan and a strange man walked down the path and up the stairs and entered the school house.

"Good afternoon Henry, who's your friend".

"Elizabeth, this is our new pastor, Alexandru Ciobanu".

"Welcome to Hope Valley, Mr. Ciobanu".

"Thank you, Ms. Elisabeta".

"I don't mean to be rude gentlemen, but I have to prepare for the second half of my lesson".

"Of course, we wouldn't want to keep you from your duties, good day".

As Henry and Alexandru walked away, something about the man seemed familiar, but then again, it had been a long day.

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Nobody payed anymind to Rosemary Coulter as she hurried towards her husband's office. Living in Hope Valley would make one accustomed to the young Mrs. Coulter's dramatics. It didn't surprise Lee Coulter anymore to here his office door slam closed, he just smiled because it meant he would get to see the love of his life, even if it was noon-day.

"Hey Rosie, what's got you so worked up"?

"Oh Lee, promise me that nothing will happen to me".

"Always, but what's wrong"?

"There's a vampire in town".

"A vampire"?

In spite of his wife's despair Lee couldn't help but chuckle.

"Leland Coulter, this is no laughing matter".

"Sweetheart, vampires aren't real".

"Of course they are, haven't you read Dracula"?

"Is that what this is about? Some book some writer made up"?

"It's not made up Lee. It's based on the real life figure, Count Vlad Dracula, you can read about him in the encyclopedia in the library".

"Okay, I'll bite, is this about our new pastor"?

"We have a new pastor? Oh thank God, maybe he knows what to do about this vampire".

"Sweetheart, take a look out the window.

Looking out of her husband's window Rosemary saw Henry Gowan and her "vampire" walking towards the schoolhouse.

"Oh Lee, that's him".

"Rosie, that's our new pastor".

"He is"?

"Yes, and he's no more a "vampire" than you or I. I'm just glad that I could nip this in the bud before it got out of hand".

"Well, maybe not".

"Alright, who did you tell".

"Only Florence".

"Only Florence? Sweetheart, you may as well have stood in the middle of town and shouted it into a megaphone".

"I know I know, but maybe it wont be so bad"!?

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Alright guys, I am proud to introduce to you Alexandru Ciobanu, Hope Valley's new pastor. He hails from Transylvania and is a former soldier in the Transylvanian army(more on that in later chapters). He came to America to seek redemption and after being born again he became a pastor and is in search of a place to call home, and hopefully he will find that in Hope Valley. I hope ya'll love him as much as I do. so what do ya'll think, will this vampire nonsense be taken care of quickly, or will the townsfolk be getting their torches and pitchforks? I love y'alls comments and opinions. As always, I love ya'll, dear readers, and hope to see ya'll next time.

Sincerely

Ficmaniac12