Chapter 14

Dedication and Love

By: Randi Elkins

It has been a little over a month since the incident at the saloon. Nathan has almost completely healed from the bullet wound. I am sure Faith tending to him so closely didn't hurt. Rosemary is doing great. Her pregnancy is progressing as needed. Lee caters to her every need and after all they have been through, I don't blame him. Carson cleared me for full duty if I balance my work and my rest. I still haven't told Elizabeth that I want to return to my post. I need to talk with her tonight because General Collins phoned last week to inform me that he needed my decision by this Sunday, or he was going to assign someone else.

As I finish up morning rounds, I keep thinking about returning to my post. I want to wear my red serge again. I want little Jack and our new little one to see me honor my calling. Elizabeth has been resting most of the morning due to nausea. With Elizabeth being so sick I don't want to upset her, but I must give General Collins an answer. Abigail was watching little Jack while I was doing rounds. When I walked into pick him up Bill was telling him a story. Little Jack sees me, "Daddy!" He jumped down and ran to me. I picked him up and began to tickle him. Bill stood, "Have you talked to her yet? You know Collins is getting impatient. You have to make a decision." "I know, but Elizabeth hasn't been feeling well and I don't want to upset her. But I am headed home to talk to her about it. I hope she will understand." "She may be upset but Elizabeth is a rational woman. I know she understands the importance of honoring your calling."

When we got home, Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen table that was covered with papers. As I got closer, I realized it was the letters she had the community write about me for Jack Jr. The book she had written was on the table as well. "What's all of this? Is everything alright?" I asked her. She smiled softly, "Yes everything is fine, but I think we need to talk. I have been thinking about you returning to your post. General Collins called while you were out asking if you had decided yet. Why didn't you tell me were considering returning?" I sat down beside her, "I didn't want to upset you. I have been wanting to talk to you about it since the incident at the saloon. I knew that night that I had to return. I was going to say something that night, but you were so upset when we got home, I decided I would wait. Then your nausea became worse. I just haven't found the time I thought was right to bring it up. I was planning on talking to you tonight about it. I am sorry you found out from General Collins. What is all this here? Why do you have these letters out?" She took a deep breath, "I have been thinking about asking you not to return after the shooting at the saloon. I have been feeling guilty because I know you would never ask me to give up teaching. You respect my calling as a teacher and I should respect your calling as a Mountie. I pulled out these letters just to read to remind myself of what an amazing Mountie you are. You are not just a good Mountie you are a good man. I know you would walk away from being a Mountie if I truly wanted you to. These letters remind me that you are good at what you do. I can't let the fear of what could happen keep you from being a Mountie. Pick up any of these letters and you will find the love that the people of Hope Valley have for you. Here read this one." She hands me the letter and I read it out loud.

Dear Little Jack,

When I first came to Hope Valley, I had a hard time adjusting to having people care for me. I was an orphan. My sister and I had run away from where they had placed us because we didn't want to be split up after our parents died. Once your parents and my mom, which I called Ms. Abigail then, found us they began to take care of us. My sister was very ill and had to go to the hospital for better care. Mom told me I could stay with her. It was nice having a mom, but it was hard for me to adjust to having someone take care of me. I was rebellious at first, getting into mischief and not doing as I was told. I believed I didn't have to do as I was told because they weren't my parents. Mountie Jack took me aside and explained he lost his dad when he was young. He understood my pain. Your mom told him how my dad and I used to pretend to be in the Light Brigade. That afternoon Mountie Jack put me on Sarge, and we pretended to be in the Light Brigade. When you are old enough, I want to pretend with you. Mountie Jack showed me he cared about me and I want you to know that I care for you too. I will be here for you just like your dad was for me. When I grow up, I want to be a Mountie just like your dad. Mountie Jack was a good man and I miss him every day.

Sincerely,

Cody

I looked at Elizabeth with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat. "Cody wrote this. I didn't realize that us playing Light Brigade meant so much to him. What a sweet meaningful jester to promise to be there for Little Jack as I was for him. I didn't know he wanted to be a Mountie, but I should have guessed when he saluted me when I was leaving for the Northern Territory." Elizabeth smiled and handed me another letter. "You want me to read another letter?" "Yes, I think it is good that you read what you mean to Hope Valley. It has taken me sitting here reading these letters to realize that I can't ask you to not return to your post. I am still scared something is going to happen to you, but I can't let my fear stand in the way of your calling. Now read that letter."

Dear sweet Jack,

When your mama asked me to write this letter, I had a thousand wonderful memories flood my mind. You see your daddy and I knew each other before we came to Hope Valley. Matter of fact at one point we were sweethearts. So, picking just one memory is hard. Your daddy was an amazing, brave, kind, giving, generous and gentle man which made him the perfect match for your mama. He loved her deeply and that is one of my favorite things about him. Your mama and daddy have a story book romance, and everyone knew they were each other's destinies. The love he had for your mama was deep and true, but he never let that stop him from honoring his calling as a Mountie. There were a couple of times that he wrestled with being here with her or honoring his calling. But ultimately, he honored his calling and though it was hard on your mother she never stood in his way. I wish you could have seen them together to see the love they had for each other. I don't know if this is what your mama was wanting me to write but I thought it was important that you knew what a dedicated eternal love they had. If he were here, he would be the best daddy and love you just as much. Uncle Lee and I will do our best to help you know your daddy through our memories and show you the love he would have shown you.

Love,

Aunt Rosemary

I looked over at Elizabeth and she had tears streaming down her cheeks. "Jack I can't stand in your way. I know this is what you were destined to do. I am honestly terrified that I am going to lose you again, but Rosemary's letter reminded me that the strength of our love will carry us through any storm we face. Hope Valley needs you. You are their beloved Mountie Jack. You need to find time and read all the letters so you can see how much you mean to the town." I wiped the tears from her cheek, feeling so guilty for putting her through this. "Thank you for understanding and giving your blessing for me to take my post again. I can't begin to understand what you are feeling, what it must have been like when I was away. You are the strongest woman I know. I love you so much!" I leaned in and kissed her. "You need to phone General Collins to let him know. I know he is anxiously waiting to hear from you."

I made the call with an excited, nervous and guilty heart. I know Elizabeth gave her blessing, but it isn't easy for her with good reason. General Collins was excited to hear I would be returning. He said he would come into town in the next couple of days to work out the details between Nathan and me.