Chapter 8
I am lost in thought as I walk from Abigail's to meet Nathan for morning rounds. It's been a few days since Nathan and I had our talk. I have gone on rounds with him every day. He really is a nice guy. I feel like I am lying to Elizabeth by not telling her, but I don't want to cause Nathan any embarrassment. I am not sure what to do. About the time I am passing the mercantile sweet Opal comes out. I haven't seen her since I was discharged. She sees me and her face lights up. I've been needing to talk to her. "Mountie Jack! I am so excited to see you! Are you better? Are you going to start being our Mountie again? I am so happy you are ok." I squatted down to talk to her. "I still need rest and Dr. Carson hasn't released me to go back to work but since we have Mountie Nathan maybe I will find something else to do. But I have been needing to talk to you. I want to thank you for helping me wakeup. I heard you thanking me for getting you out of the fire. Your sweet voice is what helped me wake up. I am glad you came to see me that day, but I guess now you are my hero. I don't know if I would be awake if you hadn't." She had a puzzled look on her face, "Mountie Jack I can't be a hero I am just a little girl. Remember you won an award for being a hero. I just wanted to tell you thank you, that's not what heroes do." I smiled and took her little hand, "Do you remember what I said in my speech that day? I said that there were ordinary people doing brave things and they don't get awards. Opal you are my hero. Thank you for coming to talk to me." She smiled a huge smile. She hugged my neck. Elizabeth was leaving Abigail's and saw Opal hugging me. "Opal is everything okay? Jack is she okay?" she said in concern. I stood up. "Oh, everything is fine." Before I could continue Opal in excitement said, "Mrs. Thornton, I am Mountie Jack's hero! Did you know I was his hero? I helped him wake up! He said he heard my voice and wanted to wake up." Then Opal looked confused. She turned and looked at me. "Mountie Jack before you heard me did you know I was grateful for you rescuing me. Mrs. Thornton said you did." Elizabeth looked at me and smiled. I squatted again, "I did, Opal, I knew you were grateful. Even though you didn't say it I knew. But I sure am glad you came to tell me, or I may not have woken up." Opal smiled. Elizabeth said, "See I told you he knew. Now we need to get to school before we are late." She reached her hand out to Opal. Opal grabbed it then turned to me, "Bye Mountie Jack, I am glad I helped you." I smile, "Me too Opal. You and Mrs. Thornton have a good day at school.
I was finishing saddling Sarge when Nathan rode up. "Have you already been on morning rounds?" Nathan jumped down, "No I just needed a morning ride to clear my head." "Is something wrong?" I asked. Nathan hesitated, "I went to talk to Carson. I think you are doing great and should be released to return to your post. You have done great these last few days and this is your post. It always has been yours and now that you are back, I think it is time for me to be reassigned. I shouldn't be here anymore. I have put in a request for a transfer." I was shocked, why would he do that? Is this about Elizabeth? "Why? Why would you leave? I am not sure that I am ready. I still get tired quickly and I am not sure I will be returning as a Mountie. I am not sure I can risk my safety again. I must consider how it will affect Elizabeth and Jack. I can't put myself in that type of danger again. And Hope Valley has you. You have done a great job here and everyone loves you. You are a part of Hope Valley now." In disbelief he said, "Jack you can't be serious. I know you had said it before but I thought doing morning rounds would remind you of what you are missing. You must return as Mountie of Hope Valley. This is your home. This is where your life is. You are the hero of Hope Valley. Everyone was so excited when you were brought back here for Carson and Faith to care for you. You should have heard the buzz of excitement from everyone. You are so loved by everyone. Hope Valley needs their Mountie back. I know being a Mountie is your calling. I see how much you love doing rounds and visiting the residents. Elizabeth would never ask you to give up your calling." "You're right she hasn't and is wanting me to return to my post. That's why she wanted me to do rounds with you. I can't risk putting Elizabeth through that heartache again. She has been through enough. I understand you wanting to back away from Hope Valley out of respect and I appreciate that but why so quickly. Is there something else going on? Is it because of our talk about Elizabeth? I haven't said anything to her about your feelings. I have been debating if I should. I don't want to betray either of you but by not betraying one of you I will betray the other. I just don't want to cause any problems between you and Elizabeth." As he mounted his horse he said "Jack, I appreciate you trying to protect me, but Elizabeth is your wife and if you feel like you need to tell her then you should. I should be gone soon, and it won't matter anyway. But let's do rounds and not worry about it for now. It is a beautiful morning for a ride."
I was sitting on the jail's front porch waiting on Nathan to change out of his uniform so we could go work on the house. As I sat there, I looked over main street and memories flood my mind. I have made so many memories here. Hope Valley is my home. I was so upset when I was assigned here but now, I can't imagine living anywhere else. I am lost in thought when I see General Collins riding in. I stood and step down to the street. I grab the reins of his horse as he jumped down. I tied up the horse on the post. "General Collins sir, how are you? Is there a problem?" He came up and patted me on the back, "Jack you are a sight for sore eyes. I can't believe what you have been through. You pushing the recruits out of the way of the avalanche was very brave. You have always been one of the most dedicated Mounties I have met. How are you feeling? I received word from Constable Grant that you were ready to take back your post here in Hope Valley. I will need to speak to your doctor first. I have to verify he has cleared you to return to work." What do I do? General Collins expects me to return. How do I tell him that I am not sure I am. "General Collins sir, I believe Nathan was a little bit hasty in requesting a transfer. I haven't spoken to Dr. Shepherd about my clearance but honestly sir I am not sure I will need it. After everything that is happen, I am not sure I will be returning to my post here in Hope Valley. I am not sure I am going to resume my position as a Mountie at all. I must consider my wife and son. I don't know if I can risk having them go through all of that pain again." Nathan stepped out of the jail surprised to see General Collins as I was. "General Collins, I wasn't expecting you… Are you coming to give me my new assignment?" General Collins had a scowl on his face, "From what I am understanding you requested a transfer prematurely. Jack hasn't been released from his physician's care and to my disappointment and surprise Jack just informed me that he may not be returning to his post. Jack, I have to admit I understand your reasons, but I can't believe your wife would request you not return." I explained, "Sir, she hasn't, she is doing her best to get me healthy so I can return. It is my decision. I can't risk putting her and Jack Jr. through all that pain again. Sir my greatest privilege was being a Mountie, it was always my calling in life. With all honesty I will miss every part of what it means to be a Mountie and all the responsibilities that come with it, but my wife and son have to come first." I noticed Carson coming out of the infirmary, "Carson can you come over for a minute?" He waved and headed our way. General Collins spoke up, "Nathan why would you act without consulting Jack or his doctor? Is there a reason you are wanting to be relocated from Hope Valley?" Nathan replied, "Sir I was trying to do the respectable thing and back away from Jack's post. I wanted to make sure he knew I understood that Hope Valley is his post. I did speak to Dr. Shepherd about how well Jack was doing on morning rounds and that I felt he was ready to return to work." Carson spoke up, "Yes sir he came and spoke to me. I have been giving it some thought, and I see how well Jack is doing and upon a complete recheck I would be willing to release him to halftime duty. He still must rebuild muscle mass, gain strength and adjust to doing the rigorous work of a Mountie. Jack is a quick healer and I think he will be at full strength soon rather than later, but I don't want to rush it." General Collins looked at me, "I guess it doesn't matter if he has decided not to return to his post. Nathan are you agreeable to staying on as constable of Hope Valley? Unless there are reasons you don't want to stay." Nathan looked thrown off guard. I think he was fully expecting me to return so that he would be reassigned. "I would be happy to stay on; I just wanted to ensure that Jack will get his post back if he decides to return." About that time Elizabeth walked up and I didn't want her to know about our conversation, so I tried to leave quickly. "Good Afternoon General Collins." She said. "I didn't know you were coming into town. I guess you wanted to check on Jack's progress so you could assign him his post here. He is doing very well; he has been doing morning rounds with Nathan. In the afternoons they work on our new home." Before I could intervene, General Collins spoke up, "Well Mrs. Thornton I did come to check on Jack but also wanted to talk with Nathan about his transfer request. But now I don't have to concern myself with Jack's condition since he has decided not to be reinstated with the Mounties." "NOT being reinstated as a Mountie. What is he talking about Jack? I didn't think the decision had been made yet. When did you decide that and when where you going to tell me? And Nathan why would you request a new post without talking to Jack? Are you ready to leave Hope Valley?" She was clearly upset with me and Nathan, but I suspect with me more. "Elizabeth lets go home and discuss this." I said trying to save Nathan from her anger and to have the conversation about my decision in a private setting. "General Collins if Jack was cleared to return would you assign him to Hope Valley? Where would you send Nathan?" Elizabeth spoke ignoring what I have said. General Collins looked a me knowing what he was about to say probably wasn't what I wanted to hear. "Mrs. Thornton yes I am planning on reassigning Jack here to Hope Valley, but I was also going to let Nathan stay here as well. Hope Valley is growing quickly, having 2 Mounties here seems to be in the best interest of the town. Plus, Jack has a family that would need him so he and Nathan could take shifts. But now that Jack has decided to remain a civilian, I will need to find another Mountie to assign here along with Nathan." We were all surprised by what he had said. I didn't even consider that he would allow Nathan to stay on. He is right Hope Valley has certainly grown since I was away, and 2 Mounties make sense. "Sir you wanted Nathan and I both assigned here? I hadn't considered you would allow that. Allowing Nathan to keep his post is part of my reasons for not returning. My wife and son are my main reason but Nathan being reassigned was a concern." I replied. General Collins came and stood in from of me, "Jack please reconsider. Dr. Shepherd said if your exam went well, he would release you to half time duty. Let me assign you here on half time and if you decide you want to surrender your post then you can. Jack you have always said being a Mountie was your destiny, your wife and community support you why not just try it out with no permanent commitment. When Dr. Shepherd decides to release you full time you can decide then if you want to keep the post or not." Everyone was looking at me, I want to accept the offer but what if something happens to me. Elizabeth would have to go through all that pain again. I looked at Elizabeth and she smiled nodding her head in agreement with General Collins. "I know you are worried about what might happen but when I married you, I accepted you for who you are and what you do. Jack you are a Mountie in your heart, remember in the mine you showed me that day that any thing can happen to anyone. Jack do this for me and our son, I want him to grow up seeing the brave man I have told him about. Please just see how it feels then we can decide later if this is what you want to continue to do." While she was speaking, she walked to stand in front of me. I was looking her eye to eye. I knew she meant what she said, and she would be disappointed if I didn't at least try. I looked at General Collins, "Sir upon my health clearance I will take the part-time assignment of constable with the understanding that at any point I can decide to resign." Elizabeth leaped and put her arms around my neck. "Jack that is wonderful! Little Jack will be so excited to see you in your uniform. I have to admit I miss seeing you in as well." General Collins was standing there smiling, "That sounds agreeable to me. Dr. Shepherd when can you do his exam?" Carson looked at me, "I am actually headed to see Hickman. He hurt his leg yesterday at the mill and can't walk. Can you come by in the morning after rounds?" "Sure, that will work fine. General Collins is that soon enough for you?" I asked. General Collins said, "That works fine. Nathan and I have a few things to discuss this afternoon and I will head back to headquarters when the exam is completed." Carson, Elizabeth and I said goodbye leaving General Collins and Nathan to have their discussion.
Elizabeth, Jack and I arrived home. Elizabeth began supper while I read to Jack. Then I put him down to play with his blocks. After talking to Nathan today I think I need to tell her about his feelings for her. I don't want to upset her, but I need to be honest. "Sweetheart, when you have time, I need to talk to you about something." I hope she is going to be okay when she finds out. She sat down at the table, "We can talk now the pot-roast has some time to cook. What is it?" I suggested, "Let's wait until we put Jack down tonight." Elizabeth looked over at Jack playing, "He is content and will play like that for a while, what is it Jack?" I know it will do no good to argue. "Don't get upset but Nathan and I had a long talk a few days ago. He told me something that you need to know. When I first met Nathan, I felt sure he was helping you as much as he was because he is in love with you. I know he is your friend and I don't want that to change but he admitted to me that he is in love with you and has been for a long time." She interrupted me, "Nathan is in love with me that is ridiculous he is my good friend and he has helped out a lot, but I was clear I didn't want to be anything other than friends." I reached out and took her hand, "I know you did, and he respected your wishes. He never crossed that line; he was there for you when you needed him, but he told me himself that he is in love with you. Nathan was very respectful, and we talked a long time. He said he knew nothing would happen between you two, but he wanted to make sure you and Jack were taken care of. Elizabeth, Nathan is in love with you. I am not concerned because I know how much he respects you. He is my friend now and I trust him." There was a knock on the door as it opened, Nathan stepped in. "Jack, General Collins wanted me to work out a schedule. Elizabeth's eyes widened, she stood and all at once she said, "You're in love with me?!"