It was the day before school got out for two weeks, and Elizabeth's mind kept wandering as she mentally went through her checklist for Jack's sixteenth birthday and Christmas. She was having the students take exams on each subject before the break, so they would be able to spend the holidays without worrying about schoolwork. She pulled her shawl tighter, acknowledging the chill in the air from the cold front that had moved in overnight. Stomach growling, Elizabeth looked at the clock and realized it was nearly noon and time to send the kids out for lunch.
"When you finish your math test, please put your papers on my desk and find your lunch," she stood up and announced. "If you want to go outside, bundle up because it's cold. You are welcome to stay in the foyer or come back into the classroom when everyone is finished."
As the first students began trickling out, she heard the younger class stomping to go outside in their snow boots and squealing in excitement at the snow that had fallen all morning during class. Before long, the older class had all cleared out of the building. Katie Yost had just put on her hat and gloves to go supervise her class at the same time Elizabeth was taking her coat off the hook in the hallway. A loud scream of pain was heard from where the children were playing.
Both teachers reached the source of the continued wails after running as fast as they could, while carefully navigating the patches of ice that had formed after a rainstorm the night before was followed by freezing temperatures and was covered by a layer of snow. Little Diana Jennings was on the ground with blood oozing from her head after slipping and hitting it on a rock. Jack had reached her first and took charge, covering the little girl with his coat to warm her up, then tearing a large strip from the bottom of his shirt which he carefully put over the wound while applying pressure to try and stop the bleeding. "Miss Yost, will you go get Dr. Burton, since it is just down the street? It might take longer to place a call, and you can bring him right here. Mom, please take the rest of the students inside so we don't risk further injuries."
Stunned by her son's calm and the command he took of a crisis, Elizabeth simply nodded and motioned for the students to follow her back into the schoolhouse. She kept watch through the large front window, feeling love and pride in her teenage son as he spoke softly to Diana while waiting for help to arrive.
Katie Yost made it to the infirmary in record time and slammed the door shut just as Dr. Andrew Burton closed his last caught-up file. Out of breath, Katie rushed over and grabbed the doctor, pulling him toward the door. "There was an accident," she gasped, tears blurring her vision. "Please, come quickly."
A strange sensation he couldn't quite pinpoint, ran through Andrew's entire body as the woman he only knew as Ned Yost's daughter, the schoolteacher, started dragging him out of the infirmary. He had seen this type of behavior many times during a crisis, and normally he was composed and able to settle them down; but this time, something was making his own heart beat a little faster. Clearing his throat and placing both hands on her shoulders, he caught her beautiful brown eyes with his own and momentarily forgot what he was going to say. "Um, hello," he stammered. "You said there is an emergency? Let me get my coat and bag, then you can take me to the person who needs help."
As the doctor was rushing to find his coat, Katie took a deep breath. "It's one of my students. I'm Miss Yost, one of the teachers at the school. You probably know that. I think she slipped on the ice and hit her head. Please hurry, it was bleeding a lot."
"Try not to worry, Miss Yost. Head wounds are notoriously bloody, but the bigger worry would be if she has a concussion. Please take me to her, and we'll get her fixed up as good as new."
Giving the handsome doctor a faint smile, Katie led him quickly back to the schoolyard. They found Jack Thornton singing a Christmas carol softly to Diana as faint whimpers had replaced the crying from earlier. "Dr. Burton, I'm so relieved you were in the office. I applied pressure to the wound and the bleeding slowed down. I also made sure she stayed awake and asked her to tell me who and where she was. I didn't dare move her anywhere until you got here."
Impressed by the young man's natural ability to think rationally in a stressful situation, Andrew patted his back and nodded with approval. "You did well, son. Let me look her over, then you can help me carry her to the infirmary for a more extensive check-up. Her pupils look normal, so I think she'll be just fine. She might need some stitches, but I would rather do that in a more sterile environment. Miss Yost, here is a clean bandage, can you hold this over the wound while I complete my examination?"
Dr. Burton was so kind and caring with Diana, that it caused Katie to observe him even closer. He was in his late thirties, probably in reality only seven or eight years older than herself; but he always seemed much older and out of her league. She had dated a few boys in her college days, one in particular she got close to marrying the first year she taught school. It didn't surprise her that after turning twenty-five, finding someone close to her age to marry became almost non-existent in Hope Valley. Each summer, she would go on trips across the country and around the world with some teacher friends she had met through the years who were also single. Their group dwindled when a few of them did find love and get married, but three of them still kept their yearly tradition. They entered their thirties, fully expecting to become "spinster teachers", as they were sometimes called. She nearly jumped as Dr. Burton placed his hand over hers that held the bandage on Diana's head.
"This little one is going to be alright," he assured her. "Go back to your other students. Jack will help me take her to the infirmary where I can get her stitched up; but if you wouldn't mind calling Mr. and Mrs. Jennings to meet me there and take her home, that would be most helpful."
Pulling her hand away abruptly, Katie nodded. "Of course. Thank you, Doctor."
"Andrew, please," he insisted with a grin. "I hope we meet again soon under happier circumstances."
Trying to suppress a giggle, she answered, "Katie. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other around. Thanks for taking care of my precious student. Get feeling better, sweetheart."
"Ok, teacher," Diana whispered, putting her head against Jack as he lifted her gently and followed Andrew to the clinic. Katie watched them for a minute, then went inside and made the call to the Jennings home.
Lee signed the last contract of the year for his business with Nathan. He had pushed as many clients as possible to January, but a few prominent people insisted on their projects being completed before Christmas with a promise to help promote the company. Working around the clock, Nathan was working hard to have everything finished by the 23rd so he could take time off until after he returned from his honeymoon. Because he was working at Lee's shop where the bigger pieces of furniture fit better than his shop off the barn, Rosemary offered to pick up Elizabeth and the kids from school so he could work longer.
Elizabeth invited her best friend inside for some tea while the twins ran to the barn with Jack to see the horses. "It sounds like your son was a hero again today," Rosemary observed.
"He does have that natural ability to take charge during a stressful situation," Elizabeth acknowledged. "He gets that from Jack, and probably learned some things from Nathan also. But it still doesn't make me want him to become a Mountie."
Looking compassionately at her friend, Rosemary patted her friend's hand then sipped her tea before commenting. "I think we have to let our kids make decisions regarding the course of their lives, whether or not we want them to do certain things. If Jack feels the call to be a Mountie, what other choice do you have other than supporting him?"
Standing and looking out the window in the direction of the barn, Elizabeth sighed. "I know. I just hoped he wouldn't put us through the worry and heartache it could bring. I can't deny that he is noble and brave just like both of my husbands have been."
Rosemary decided to change the subject before Elizabeth ended up in tears. "Tell me what you know about your honeymoon. Has Nathan given you any clues of where you are going and what you are doing?"
Sitting back down across from her friend, she excitedly divulged, "All he's told me so far is that we will be in Union City and stay in his little cottage part of the time. I'm very interested to see Nathan in the city where he was Superintendent and a very prominent figurehead. He has staff at his house there, Rosemary. Who is this Nathan?"
They laughed together at the thought, the tension from their previous conversation melting away. "Tell me about your plans after Christmas. You are going to visit Lee's family in Vancouver?"
"Mmmmm," Rosemary responded, swallowing a bite of cookie. "Susanna moved to be closer to Rachel's family after her husband's death last year. This will be the first time we make it out to the coast to see them all since she's been there. I feel bad we won't be able to keep Jack while you are out of town."
Elizabeth took the last sip of her tea and shook her head. "No need. I think time with Allie and Robert will do Jack good. Plus, he loves little Colleen. We all need to be with family during the holidays."
"Well, you and Jack are family to us, too. I'm glad it worked out for him, as long as Robert's little sister isn't around too much?" she teased.
Before Elizabeth was able to reply, Jack came through the back door closely followed by Daisy and Daniel, who eagerly shared all the details from seeing the horses. Insisting she had to cook dinner before their father got home, Rosemary shooed the twins out to the car with promises of spending more time with their friends the next evening.
Friday dawned bright and clear. Although it was still quite cold, the sun warmed the ground and melted most of the ice that caused so many problems the day before. It was uneventful in the morning; but in the afternoon, the classes combined for a Christmas party full of music, treats, and a secret Santa gift exchange with homemade gifts from everyone to a person whose name they had drawn from a hat the week prior. Both teachers were amazed at the creativity and thoughtfulness of each student.
Somehow, Jack picked Daisy's name and drew a portrait of the Coulter twins on their porch the way they often sat there. Immediately, she ran into Jack's arms, knowing it was from him. Sarah felt a twinge of jealousy, even though she knew it was irrational. Her gift from one of the younger girls, was a hand-sewn apron which she tried on, much to the delight of the giver. Sarah had crocheted mittens for Ben, who treated them like they were his most prized possession. From across the room, Jack watched Sarah laugh, a sound he loved more than just about anything. Their eyes met, but neither were willing to be the first to initiate an interaction in public right now.
Once school was out, Jack left with the twins to spend time together until the Coulters went to the Grant home for the dinner they had previously planned together. Elizabeth decided since it was a sunny day, she would walk over and surprise her husband. He was finishing the last piece of the dining set that, once done, would be the last thing he had to build until it was a new year, and they were back from their honeymoon. As she finished buttoning up her coat and saying goodbye to Katie, she noticed Dr. Burton walking inside the school carrying a beautiful Christmas bouquet. Her eyebrows raised, wondering what really happened during the little accident rescue the day before.
Andrew felt even more nervous after passing Mrs. Grant on her way out and his way into the schoolhouse. His mind wouldn't stop going back to the connection he felt with Miss Katie Yost as they tended to a hurt child. He wondered why they hadn't noticed each other the past several years but didn't want to risk letting it go years more before he actually gave getting to know her better a chance. He knew the community often talked about him and how he was still a bachelor. Honestly, he had the desire to get married and have a family; but as the years went by, Andrew kept so busy that he never took the time to look for a wife or even ask anyone on a date. He was beginning to feel an emptiness in the quiet moments recently and hoped to find a way to fill the loneliness. He peeked inside the classroom labeled "Miss Yost" and observed her humming Silent Night as she straightened up the room before locking the school for the holidays.
Finally in the Christmas spirit after the student party, Katie hummed her favorite Christmas carol as she worked. Her eyes scanned the room, suddenly stopping at the door, where Dr. Burton stood in a suit holding flowers. She felt color rise to her cheeks as she picked up her coat and basket full of gifts from her students. "Docto…Andrew. How are you? I was just getting ready to go home."
Feeling his mouth go completely dry, Andrew swallowed hard. "Miss…uh, Katie. I brought you these. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings brought them to me for helping Diana, but you are the one who made sure she was alright and came to get me. I thought you might enjoy them. If I'm really being honest, I wanted an excuse to come and see you again. I have to be out checking on patients all over the community during the next few days before Christmas, but I wondered if you would like to accompany me to Christmas Eve services at the church? It would give us a chance to spend some time together in the middle of the festivities. Then if that goes well, maybe you would want to have dinner with me after Christmas sometime?"
Her heart fluttered as she took the flowers and added them to the top of her heaping basket. "That sounds nice," she answered timidly. "How about we start by you walking me home?"
"With pleasure," Andrew agreed, taking her basket and offering his arm. She locked the school doors, then took his arm as they walked toward her home a few blocks from the school.
After an intense six weeks of nonstop work, Nathan was finally done…at least for a couple of weeks. His leg throbbed as a result of not resting it as much as he should have, but he hoped the extra rest during this much-needed break would help the healing continue. His tea was close to running out again after relying on it so heavily during his heavy workload days. He reminded himself to go see Andrew again before Christmas. Clearing the stain and brushes, then cleaning them thoroughly and packing up his own supplies he would take back to his workshop off the barn, was one of the last tasks he had to complete. He couldn't wait to get home and be with his family.
As she walked by the sawmill office to the shop and warehouse off the back, Elizabeth noticed their car parked outside. Hoping her husband would be nearly ready to go home, she quietly walked inside where she ran her fingers along the beautifully stained wood tables, chairs, and other trinkets that would soon find their ways in many homes as Christmas gifts. Nathan was nowhere to be found; but as she walked through the building, she heard a familiar sound out back.
Sneaking out the back door, her heart skipped a beat when she saw Nathan chopping firewood to be used in the little stove that warmed Lee's shop. One large curl hung down over his forehead and sweat trickled down his neck despite the cold. Nathan's flannel jacket was on top of a pile of stumps, leaving him in just a Henley and suspenders. It was the first time she had seen Nathan be so confident in his wood chopping since the accident. She thought back to his struggles soon after they had been reunited months earlier in the year and was proud of the progress he had made. His muscles tensed with each strike of the ax, sending little shivers down her spine.
Turning to grab another log, Nathan spotted his wife staring in his direction. He threw down the ax and picked up his jacket. "I must have lost track of time, I'm sorry," he apologized. "I just wanted to replenish the wood I used the past few weeks for Lee's other workers who may need it while I'm gone."
All of Nathan's hard physical labor was showing in his physique, and Elizabeth couldn't deny how good looking her husband was. But beyond his looks, he was the most loving and kind man she had ever known. His strong hands pulled her close, his eyes searing into hers with a look of deep, abiding love. Not able to even speak, she moved her hands up his muscular arms and around his neck. Their heads moved in perfect sync as their lips met in an electric kiss. Wanting more, but knowing they needed to get home and cook dinner, Elizabeth reluctantly pulled away. "I've missed you," she murmured, resting her head against his solid chest.
"I have been working a lot lately to fill these orders," he admitted. "I wasn't expecting business to pick up quite so fast, but now neither one of us has to worry about our jobs for over two weeks. He grabbed Elizabeth's hand and led her into the shop where he picked up the box of supplies he was taking home and locked up before making their way to the car. "Do you need anything at Yost's before we go home?"
At the mention of the Yosts, Elizabeth thought about Katie and wondered if something might be transpiring between her fellow teacher and the handsome town physician. She told Nathan about her suspicions, and he agreed the two would make a good match after having gotten to know both Katie and Andrew over the past few months. They determined that they had all the ingredients needed for their dinner, so Elizabeth cuddled up to Nathan in the front seat and they drove the short distance home.
Sarah Wolf had been studying for her college entrance exams for hours after school. She would be riding the train to Union City with her parents the week after Christmas to take them but worried she hadn't spent enough time working on her more difficult subjects. Mrs. Grant offered to spend time helping her study, but Sarah didn't want to take away from their family time. Things with Jack were fine, but she had been keeping her distance. Even when they rode horses after dinner at Robert's house, things still felt strained. She saw the way he looked a little hurt when Ben got the mittens from her in the gift exchange. Truthfully, she was learning to crochet from her aunt Millie, who used it as a way to train her hands to have control while performing midwife duties. Mittens for Ben were practice for the ones she was making for Jack's birthday.
Needing some fresh air, Sarah decided to bundle up and take a quick walk before it started getting dark. About a mile down the road, she heard a horse trotting behind her. Much to her surprise, it was Bill Avery on his horse Betty. He slowed down and stopped, tipping his hat in her direction. "Hello, Judge Avery. Just giving Betty her workout?"
"Sarah, good evening," Bill replied. "I did want to get the old gal out moving, but it's a little too cold for us both so I was just heading back to the livery. Are you excited about the holidays?"
She shrugged. "I guess. My college entrance exam is right after Christmas. Once that's over, maybe I can enjoy New Year's."
With a sly look on his face, Bill tested the waters. "I hear Jack is staying with Robert and Allie while Nathan and Elizabeth go on their belated honeymoon. What's even going on between you two these days? I might be old, but I've noticed the way you two are always looking at each other."
Sarah could feel her neck and face suddenly turn warm, even though the temperature was dropping. She was surprised to hear Judge Avery talk about her relationship with Jack, but knew he saw him and Allie as his grandchildren. "We're friends. I don't think with me leaving soon it would be fair to be anything more than that. I care about him very much. Did you hear about how he took care of Diana yesterday? He's going to be an amazing Mountie someday."
Bill nodded his head solemnly. "I had the same opinion as Elizabeth at first, not wanting him to be put in harm's way after what happened to his father; but I realize that when that calling is in your blood, you can't stop it. I've heard all about your skills as a midwife, too. Noble professions of helping people must also run in your family. I'm proud of you kids who heed the call to serve your community." Feeling emotions well up inside, Bill swallowed to keep them at bay. He was grateful to live in a place like Hope Valley where everyone looked out for one another, and kids were being raised to be productive members of society. He loved Nathan and Elizabeth's family, and he had an inkling that despite what Sarah said, Jack may become an even more permanent fixture in the Wolf family. "Well, I better be going now. Don't stay out in this cold too long, young lady. When you see Jack, remind him he promised to come over and help me with a few things. You could do a lot worse than Jack Thornton." With a wink, Bill clicked his tongue and led his stubborn old mare back toward town.
Not sure what to think about her encounter with the judge, Sarah walked home with a lot to think about in regard to her relationship with a certain young man she couldn't stop thinking about. Her heart nearly burst when she saw the way he cared for the Jennings girl, but she kept telling herself they could be no more than friends. His sixteenth and her seventeenth birthday was on Christmas Eve, and her parents were married at those ages. Sarah knew the more time they spent together, the deeper she would fall for Jack; but was it such a bad thing? She hadn't considered that both of them had a desire to serve their community. Maybe they had more in common than she thought. She reached her house and went inside to warm herself by the fireplace. It was then she thought up the perfect excuse to go and talk to him the very next day. Singing a Christmas song their class would perform at the Christmas Eve program, she washed up and started dinner to surprise her mom when she got home.
Jack was just finishing up his chores Saturday morning when he heard a car stop briefly, then drove away. He looked across the yard and sucked in a breath as he saw Sarah walking toward the house. Knowing it would be impossible to make it to her before she reached the front door, he decided to stay put instead. Perhaps she was there to see his mom, he reasoned. He went back and sat on the bench by the horses. He heard pounding sounds from the room next door. Nathan had locked himself in his shop very early in the morning, working on a secret project.
At the house, a knock at the door surprised Elizabeth. Nathan let her sleep in after they stayed up later than usual cleaning up from having the Coulters over for dinner. She decided to start on the holiday baking and was rolling out the dough for Jack's favorite Christmas cookies. Sarah was the person on the other side of the door. "Oh! Hello, Sarah. If you're looking for Jack, he's in the barn."
Suddenly feeling hesitant, Sarah almost changed her mind. "I did want to ask you if I could get help with the math part of my test. I'm sure you could, but Jack is probably the best at that subject in the entire school. I only have a few days, but I'm struggling with the really complicated equations."
"You are welcome to go ask him about it," Elizabeth suggested. "I will admit that he is getting better at it than I am now."
Sarah smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Grant. You have been preparing me well for my test, and I hope to make you proud."
Elizabeth looked Sarah in the eye and forcefully assured her, "You have already made all of us very proud. I've heard so many good things about your skills as a midwife, and your grades have been extremely high this year. Don't be too concerned about one test."
With a nod and smile, she made her way down the front steps and across the yard. Sneaking into the barn, she caught a glimpse of Jack drawing in his sketchpad. A portrait of Zeus was coming to life on the page. He turned around and nearly fell off the bench when she surprised him.
"Geez, Sarah, are you trying to kill me?" he blurted.
She quickly slid onto the bench next to him and took the drawing. "Jack, it's so beautiful. You are so talented at everything. Maybe you should save some of that for the rest of us."
He shook his head dismissively. "Nah, I just like to draw. What are you even doing here?"
"I have a proposition for you," she began. "If you will help me with the difficult equations I need to know for my exam, I will give you this hat I crocheted to keep your head and ears warm while riding horses in this weather."
Acting as if it was a hard choice, Jack groaned. "I don't know. How good is this hat? You better let me try it first."
Sarah reached up and pulled the hat over his head, her hands lingering behind his neck. "I think it fits," she nearly whispered, completely lost in his eyes as he naturally put his hands around her waist.
"It seems to be a warm hat," Jack confirmed, trying to take his mind off the nearness of the young woman who constantly occupied his thoughts. "You know I would have helped you anyway, don't you? Come on, let's go to the house and get to work. By the time you need a break, the horses will need to be ridden." He grabbed her hand as they made the short trek across the yard.
In no time, Sarah felt confident in what she had learned. They went for a short horse ride, then spent the afternoon baking with Elizabeth. By the time her father showed up after work to take her back home, she felt like her relationship with Jack was back on track and they remained the best of friends.
"You know her birthday is the exact same day as yours, don't you, Jack?" Elizabeth asked after she was gone. "Your father and I helped Robert make that crib to welcome his baby sister right before Christmas. Their mom hadn't felt the baby move for a few days, but when the crib was finished, she went into labor on Christmas Eve and baby Sarah was born. Just one year later, I gave birth to you on Christmas Eve. You were both beautiful Christmas miracles. Maybe we should have a combined party in the afternoon on Wednesday so we can be done before the church service. I'll call Mary about it right now."
Here we go, Jack thought to himself as he climbed the stairs to go finish the gifts he had been working on for weeks. Inside of his room, he picked up the sketch of Sarah and Colleen and sighed. His feelings for her were only growing stronger by the day. How would he be able to stand it when she left Hope Valley next summer? Not wanting to think about that, he began putting finishing touches on the drawing he planned to give her as a birthday gift at what may now be their combined party. It was going to be a crazy couple of weeks ahead.