Hope Eternal Ch. 15
5
Chapter 15
Not a Hero
By: Randi Elkins
It's been a couple of weeks since I returned to active duty. Since coming back to Hope Valley I have wrestled with the decision but being a Mountie is engrained into who I am. Seeing myself in my red serge was exciting, it was exhilarating knowing I would ride through Hope Valley as Constable Jack Thornton once again. Seeing myself in uniform confirmed for me I was doing the right thing by returning. But even in my excitement I carry a heaviness knowing how Elizabeth feels. I can't blame her for being scared. She has endured so much these last few years. I believe anyone in her position would feel the same. Elizabeth knew the risk she was taking when she decided to marry me. Even knowing something could happen I don't think any of us thought it would happen especially so soon into our marriage. I wish I could promise her nothing was going to happen, but I know I can't promise her that. The only thing I can promise is to be as careful as possible. But after all she has been through, I wish I could promise more.
The morning is cool as the sun rises just over the mountains. I am sitting on the porch drinking coffee and enjoying the beauty of the view. Little Jack and Elizabeth are still sleeping so I have taken this quite time to reading some of the letters the town's people had written. Some of the letters recall stories hailing me a hero. I don't like being called a hero because I was only doing the job I vowed to do as a Mountie. As I read those letters labeling me a hero my mind drifts back to the day of the landslide. It was a day like any other, it was a cool sunny day perfect for routine training exercises. The recruits were doing great with their training. Those young men understood the work and dedication that's required of a Mountie. We had just continued training after lunch when I heard the crack and rumble as the rocks and mud gave way. I can remember leaping in front of two of the recruits pushing them back. I can hear Arnold screaming for the other recruits to get back. Then I remember the initial strikes of the rocks and mud, for a brief moment I could hear them scream mine and Arnold's names. I don't remember being pulled from the rubble. The next thing I do remember is the excruciating pain while doctors and nurses hurried around me. I couldn't open my eyes and as a darkness fell over me, I could hear one of the doctors say he didn't expect me to live. I don't know how long I was unconscious, but I do remember slightly emerging from the darkness as the nurse was changing some of my bandages. I still couldn't open my eyes even though I tried. The nurse spoke to me with compassion as she explained everything she was doing. She called me Arnold when she apologized for hurting me as she removed some tape. I wanted to tell her my name but instead I said Elizabeth's. The nurse called out for the doctor, but I don't remember him coming in. Several times I emerged from the darkness just enough to hear what was going on around me. I was never able to open my eyes because the darkness had control over me. Once I came out just enough to hear Abigail at my bedside talking about Elizabeth. I want to open my eyes so desperately, but I was still in the dark constricting tunnel unable to get free. Elizabeth's voice was the next thing I heard. I could hear the anguish in her voice as she told me she loved me and still I couldn't get free from the darkness. I wanted to be able to tell her that I loved her too, but I couldn't. I heard her again but this time she was telling me that I was back in Hope Valley. Each time I could hear what was going on around me, but I couldn't open my eyes. I wanted desperately to escape the clutches of the darkness that consumed me. I heard sweet Opal's voice as she was telling me how grateful she was that I saved her from the fire. She apologized for not telling me before I went away. She explained that Elizabeth had told her that I knew she was thankful for being saved, but she wanted to tell me herself. I knew I had to tell that sweet innocent girl that I really did know how grateful she was. I fought against the darkness harder than I ever had. I had slightly more energy than I had previously, and I used all I had to pull myself free of the darkness. I remember the brightness of the light as I opened my eyes. I called out for Elizabeth and within moments she was by my side. I was still in a fog, but I had escaped the darkness. Carson and Faith bustled around me telling me to lie still. Now some several months later I am completely healed and back on duty. I am sitting on the front porch of the home I always wanted to give Elizabeth. I have her, little Jack and another little one on the way but all of that seems so unfair. Arnold and Susan were planning a wedding, dreaming of their life together but all of that was lost when Arnold died. How is it fair that I get to live my dream and Arnold doesn't? The day of the landside Arnold's sacrifice saved many Mountie recruits. And with that sacrifice Susan lost her dreams but Arnold's heroic actions ensured that the other recruits had the chance to live theirs.
I sat on the porch until I heard movement and voices in the house. From the porch I could hear little Jack talking loudly but not until I opened the door did, I understand what he was saying. "Daddy, where are you? DAADDY?" he said almost in a scream. I saw him standing in the kitchen, so I snuck up on him, "Here I am!" He jumps and Elizabeth squealed. I guess I surprised her too. "Jack Thornton you startled me!" She said flustered. I picked up Jack and went to stand next to her. "I am sorry. I was just trying to surprise Jack." Elizabeth smiled, "Well I think you surprised us both. Is everything alright? You got out of bed early." "Yes, everything is fine I wasn't sleeping well so I sat on the porch and read some more of the letters. It was nice to sit alone in the quite to read the letters. Some are wonderfully lighthearted and sweet. Others tell these embellished stories of some heroic conquest I went on. The smallest thing became some huge heroic act. One of the former miners wrote about when the board with the inscription was found. He wrote as if I did some amazing task by having the widows submit handwriting samples to find the appropriate owner. That was not heroic at all, I was simply doing my job to maintain peace and to find the rightful owner. It makes me uncomfortable when I read those letters, but I think since they believed I had died maybe they embellished the story so little Jack would think I was a hero." I leaned in kissed Elizabeth on the cheek as she took Jack from me. "I need to get dressed I don't want to be late for morning rounds." As I left the kitchen Elizabeth called my name, "Jack, you are a hero to me."
As I arrived in town, I met Nathan in the street. "Where are you going? I thought we were doing rounds together." "I was coming to get you before we start rounds, you need to come back to the jail with me." he replied. "Can't it wait since we are both saddled up?" I questioned. Nathan shook his head, "No we need to go to the jail first then we can do rounds." I didn't understand but I went to the jail anyways.
When I opened the door of the jail, General Collins was standing by the fire. "General Collins sir, I wasn't expecting you." "I didn't notify anyone that I was coming. I didn't want to cause alarm. I came with a specific task to take care of. This evening I would like you and Elizabeth to join me at Abigail's for dinner. Would that be possible?" Dinner at Abigail's with General Collins. This was peculiar because I have never had dinner with him in all the time, I have been a Mountie. "Yes sir, I believe we are available. I will need to make sure we have a sitter for Jack, but I do believe we can be there. What do we owe this honor to?" "You will find out this evening. You need to wear your Red Serge to dinner. I need to go take care of some other business. I don't want to keep you and Constable Grant from your morning rounds. I look forward to seeing you and Elizabeth this evening." He tipped his hat and left. I looked at Nathan and he shrugged his shoulders. "I have no clue what that is all about, but he wants me to come as well." This is very strange, but I couldn't worry about it now we have rounds to do. "When we get close to my house I need to run in and let Elizabeth know so she has time to find a sitter." I told Nathan. "That's fine I need to let Faith know as well when we get to the infirmary."
Rosemary and Lee were able to watch Jack for the evening. After dropping him off we made our way to Abigail's. I must admit I am a little nervous. I don't like surprises, but General Collins didn't give me an option. When I walked in behind Elizabeth, I saw some familiar faces and some unfamiliar. Standing next to General Collins was Curtis Bartlett and Caleb Fleming. Those are the two recruits I pushed out of the way during the landslide. What are they doing here? I see Nathan and Faith talking to a lady but her back was to us so I couldn't see if I knew her. There were also 2 ladies I didn't recognize. I walked in further unsure of exactly what was happening. "Jack, I assume you remember Constable Curtis Bartlett and Constable Caleb Fleming?" General Collins said. "Yes, of course I do. It is wonderful to see you guys, but I don't understand what is going on here." I stuck out my hand to shake each of theirs. "Curtis and Caleb came to me a few months back after hearing you were alive and requested permission to come see you. I appreciated their desire to see you but at the time you hadn't returned to duty. You were also still healing and adjusting to your life with Elizabeth. After you decided to return, I contacted them and told them I would set up a meeting with you. So here we are, and they brought someone for you to meet. Gentlemen please introduce these lovely ladies." Curtis spoke up first, as he went to stand next to one of the ladies, "Constable Thornton I would like to introduce you to my wife, Alice Ray." Then Caleb introduced his wife, "Constable Thornton this is my wife, Annie Fleming." I smiled at them as I took Elizabeth's hand, "It is nice to meet you both and I would like to introduce my wife Elizabeth." Elizabeth let go of my hand to go greet the other wives. Caleb in a chuckle said, "We feel like we know Mrs. Thornton very well. You talked of her often and if it is alright to say, she is just as beautiful as you said." Elizabeth looked back at me and smiled. We stood for a while visiting when I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned it was Susan Cartwright, Arnold Baker's fiancé. "Susan, how wonderful it is to see you. I was so busy visiting I didn't notice you." She spoke up, "I was visiting with Constable Grant and Nurse Faith. General Collins requested that I be here, but I am not sure why. I know Arnold would have wanted me to do what was requested of me." Elizabeth walked up greeting Susan with a hug. "How wonderful it is to see you. How have you been?" Before Susan could reply General Collins chimed the side of a glass requesting our attention. "First, I want to thank you all for coming. I am sure you are wondering what brings us all together. Well, I felt it was important for everyone to be together when I announced that we will honor and celebrate the legacy of Constable Nathan Baker and to honor Constable Jack Thornton for their acts of bravery during the landslide. Their quick actions saved the lives of their fellow Mounties. I have spoken with Mayor Stanton and she has agreed to let us hold a public ceremony tomorrow." Everyone was surprised. Susan hugged Elizabeth as she began to cry. I stand there shocked. I must explain to General Collins that Arnold is the only one deserving to be honored.