Chapter 1

Elizabeth Thatcher walked into her best friend's café, Abagail's café. She has been coming here for three years since she moved to Hope Valley. In that time frame, Abagail has become a trusted friend, a confidant, and an honorary sister. She went to the café every morning on her way to school for coffee. If she got out of bed when her alarm went off the first time, she would have a little breakfast. Usually, she snoozed her alarm most mornings; so, she often purchased a cup of coffee with a scone to go.

She hated to be late for school. She loved her job as a fifth-grade teacher. She loved her students, every one of them as if they were her own. She would always make sure they had all the supplies they needed, many times she bought them herself to give to the students.

She sat at the counter waiting for Abagail to finish with her customer. She walked up with a cup of coffee and a blueberry scone. "Oh, Abagail. You are priceless." Exclaimed Elizabeth. "I'm running on time today; may I have a pancake and a side of bacon too."

Abagail smiled, "The cook is already working on it."

"Great."

"Have you heard the latest news about the crime wave in town?"

"No, I haven't watched the news this morning."

Abagail sighed, "There was another break in at the hardware story sometime last night. Chief Avery was here this morning to purchase coffee. He is frustrated and wanting to bring someone in to help him catch the criminals. Mr. Yost was inside the store. This is the first time they broke into a place with someone there. It seems they are getting more reckless."

"Oh my, is he ok?"

"Yes, he is scared to death but ok."

"Does he think it's more than one person?"

"I'm not sure, He didn't go into too much detail."

There has been a crime wavy for the past four months in Hope Valley. Nothing major, but the crimes were becoming more frequent and growing in seriousness. It began with simple burglary and now the break ins were becoming bolder and more serious. People were becoming nervous with the increasing crime wave.

"I know he is working hard on this." Exclaimed Elizabeth.

"I think he has some theories, but nothing concrete. He is working hard on this, but he has limited resources."

Elizabeth acknowledged her best friend's statement. Hope Vally was a small town in the countryside. The people were kind and looked out for each other. Neighbors took care of each other when needed and checked in with each other constantly. There were two patrol officers serving Hope Valley. The young man and young woman were good officers, they were young with very little experience. Chief Avery was looking to retire soon and was hoping one of them would step up to take his place. So far, he was still hoping.

"Who could he bring in? We are not that big of a town and the state will not be involved unless something major happens. The crimes haven't been too serious."

Abagail smiled at her friend. She took the plate from the pass through window and placed it in front of Elizabeth. She smiled looking at her food, Abagail's Café was the best eating place in town. "Oh, this looks great! But I need to hurry so I won't be late for school. I don't want to give Ms. Blakely an opportunity to be upset with me today."

"She is always upset." Both ladies laughed as Abagail stepped away to help a new customer when they sat down at a table.

While eating, Elizabeth pulled out her cell phone to check messages and social media. She had a Facebook account, but rarely used it. As a teacher she wanted to limit social media activity. She used it as a tool to keep up with family and close friends.

She noticed a text message from her mom. She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath before reading the text. She already knew what it would say.

Beth dear. I hope you're doing well. When you come home, we have a new friend who moved into a new home down the street. He's single and only in his early forties. See you later dear.

She placed her phone down with a little too much emphasis. "Your mom trying to set you up again?" Laughed Abagail.

"Yes. Why does she do that?"

"She loves you and wants you to be happy. You know she doesn't mean anything bad with it."

"I know. I just wish she would back off. I'm not looking for a guy right now."

Secretly, Elizabeth wanted a relationship, but not just some relationship. She wanted what Abagail had with Frank. They were so in love with each other it was sickening at times. She wanted a forever love that moved her to her soul. A love that made her toes tingle by the simplist touch. Someone who was at home waiting for her, and she couldn't wait to get home to him. She wanted someone she could lose herself in and be better for it. So far, no one has met those criteria.

Before moving to Hope Vally, her long-term boyfriend, Charles Kensington, was unhappy with her moving so far away. They grew up together and started dating their junior year of high school. Though they went to different colleges, they continued dating. After a month of moving back home after graduation, she broke the relationship off because it wasn't working. To be honest, it was much more than that.

Charles was very controlling and limited her friends. He was always possessive and overbearing. All through college, she was grateful they were in different states. They talked a couple of times a week, though he called every day. She used the excuse that she was studying or working. She was serious with her studies, and he knew that. She always told guys who would ask her out in college that she had a boyfriend back home. This was a great way of getting out of dating. She worked a small, part-time job to help pay her bills in school. She didn't have too. Her family is wealthy, but she felt she needed to do her part in paying her way through school.

She hoped things would change with Charles when she moved back to her parent's home after graduation. They did change but only for the worse. He was more controlling and more possessive. She matured in college and knew this relationship was not going to work.

When she ended the relationship, she felt the weight of the world off her shoulders. Then she heard all the things he did. Behind her back, he limited all her friends, threatened any boy who showed any interest in her, and tracked her every movement. The relationship soured her on all relationships. She was in no hurry to be involved with another man.

Moving to Hope Valley was a great move for her. She was learning so much about being a teacher. She blossomed as a teacher and was learning new things every day. She loved her children and she enjoyed learning new techniques to help them grow as students. She quickly became the most popular and successful teacher at Hope Valley Elementary School.

She was a rock star as a teacher. It was her calling. She loved the kids and took care of them. All the other teachers would ask for their children to be in her class. Her calling as a teacher was apparent to everyone.

"Elizabeth, she is being a typical mother. You are twenty-seven years old, and she wants you to be happy. She also wants grandkids."

"Why is that happiness always connected with a man? My sisters can give her grandkids."

"Viola is engaged but can you see her as an instant mother? She is a nice lady, but she is so…"

"Dry." Elizabeth finished the statement as both ladies laughed.

"Yes. Dry. And Julie is a tumble weed. She must settle first before she gets married and that isn't happening anytime soon. One day, Elizabeth, one day a man will knock you off your feet before you ever realize it. You will forget all that Charles has done to you. This new guy will sweep you off your feet and I will enjoy watching it happen. It will take a special man to do it, but I know he is out there somewhere."

"Keep dreaming Abagail. That will never happen. Now, what does Chief Avery plan on doing to stop the crime wave?"

Chief Bill Avery was sitting at his desk looking over the reports from all the crimes over the last few months. He couldn't connect the dots but knew they were connected somehow. He knew he needed a fresh set of eyes to look at everything. Maybe they can see the connection he couldn't. He picked up his phone to make a call.

"Charlette. How are you doing?"

"Bill, I'm doing well. How are you doing?"

Bill was in the academy with Charlette's late husband, Tom. They became good friends and remained so until he was taken in the line of duty almost two decades ago. Charlette was devastated with losing her once in a lifetime love. She pulled herself up with help of friends so she could raise her two sons, Jack and Tom. When Jack received his degree and went into the police academy, she was proud and scared to death. Proud in the fact that Jack wanted to be like his father, who was the best man Charlette knew, and scared that he could have the same fate as her true love. She trusted her son to make the best decision for himself, he always did, but that didn't remove the fear she had over his choice of occupation. After all, she is a mother.

"I'm doing well Charlette. But I am having some trouble I need help with. Is Jack still in that special group at the station?"

"Yes. He is an investigator now. The youngest in the police department."

"Do you think a lifetime friendship will entice him to come and give me a hand?"

"Maybe. He loves the job, but he is getting a little bored with this program."

"Well, I may be able to help him out there if he can help me with my problem." Bill's thoughts instantly went to thinking Jack would be a great person to take over for him when he retires.

"Let me give you his cell number. He hasn't heard from you in forever. He would love to catch up with you."

"Thanks, Charlette. I really need his help with this problem. It's not dangerous but I'm afraid it may lead to that if it isn't solved soon."

"No problem, Bill. Take care of yourself and my boy if he heads that way."

"Abagail, I need to run. I'm going to be late."

"No worries, Elizabeth. I will put this meal on your tab."

"Only if you actually bill me for it this time. Every time I come in to pay for my tab there is never anything on it." She smiled at her friend.

"Oh, you know those silly computer systems." Winked Abagail.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll see you later. Love you sis."

"Love you too."

Elizabeth ran up the steps of her school just a couple of minutes before she wanted to be there. She walked down the hall and before stepping into her classroom, she heard Ms. Blakely speak.

"Elizabeth, it's nice of you to join us before the kids show up."

She shook her head. "Ms. Blakely. I am not late. Kids are not even here yet. It's seven thirty and the time I am supposed to be here."

"Yes, but you are supposed to be in your class at seven thirty."

"I would have been if you didn't stop me to talk." Sassed Elizabeth.

Ms. Blakely laughed. "Ok. Ok. Go ahead."

She stepped into her classroom looking forward to introducing a new project she wanted to begin with her class.

"Hello, Jack Thorton here." Jack said as he answered his cell. He hated answering the phone when he didn't recognize the number, but he had too. It's part of the job.

"Jack. This is Chief Bill Avery. Do you remember me?"

"Mr. Bill. Of course, I remember you. I haven't seen you or heard from you in a long time. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing well, Jack. Looking forward to retirement, but first, do you have a few minutes?"

"Sure. How can I help you?"

Bill shared with Jack what was happening in his town. How the crimes began and how they progressed over time. Nothing serious but getting more serious of late. He thinks it's more than one person but can't prove it. Bill shared about the town and its importance to him. He also shared information concerning the police force. Jack knew the story. Not about Hope Valley, but this story is the same story he hears all the time when people want him to come to help.

"What makes you think I can be of assistance to you, Bill?"

"Jack, you were the head of you class out of the academy. You are the youngest investigator in the program and receive high marks on everything you do."

"Bill" Jack cut him off. "You shouldn't listen to everything my mom tells you." He said with a chuckle.

"Well, she did say those things, but Superintendent Johnson also said those things."

"Superintendent Johnson? Has he even heard my name?"

"Jack, you are a rising star within the department. Everyone has heard your name and the things you have done. The Toliver gang arrest. They didn't teach that little trick with the table clothes in the academy. The con artist who pretended to be a minster who scammed church after church. Jack, I need your help. This is going to be bad if they aren't stopped soon. I just know it."

"Email me the file and let me look over it."

"Jack, I need you here now. I have the file printed out for you. Can you get here tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, Bill I don't know."

"Johnson said if you wanted to come, he would be ok with it."

"Bill, are you using our family's friendship to get me to come?"

"Not yet, but that was my next step."

"Ok, Bill. I will be there late tonight. I'll catch the red eye and text you when I land. What was the second thing you wanted to talk about?"

"While it's important, I'll wait until you are here."

"Fair enough. See you tonight."

Jack ended the call and placed his phone in his pocket. Jack loved helping people, especially kids. This job allowed him to help, but he hated the travel and the uncertainty of it. He wanted a family. A true love like his mom and dad had. He may have been a teen when his father passed, but he knew how much he loved his wife. He showed Jack how to treat a lady every day he was alive. Jack wanted that. A once in a lift time type of love. Someone he couldn't wait to bet home too. He wasn't sure if he would ever meet her, but he was open to it. He just wasn't chasing it.

Before lunch, Elizabeth asked for the student's attention. They instantly stopped what they were doing and looked at their beloved teacher. "Class, we are beginning a new project tomorrow. We will begin looking around our neighborhoods looking for something to draw."

A few of her students groaned at the thought of having to draw. "What if we are not any good at drawing?" Opal asked.

"You will not be graded on talent. You will be graded on originality and effort. I want you to try your best. If you do that, you will make a very good grade."

"What about all the bad things that are happening?"

She was shocked that her class knew about the crimes. She thought everyone did a good job of shielding the kids, but realized she was wrong. "Class don't worry about that. You will finish your assignments in class or after school before it is dark. You will be safe. Chief Avery is working to solve everything. Trust in him."

Afterwards, she dismissed her class to walk to the cafeteria to eat lunch. A young boy named Cody was hanging back. She walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Cody, is everything ok?"

"Ms. Thatcher, what if I can't afford paper and pencils to draw?"

"Don't worry about that, Cody. I have all the sketching supplies you will need."

"What is sketching?"

Elizabeth smiled. "It's a fancy word for drawing. I have all the pencils and paper everyone will need. So, please don't worry about that. Do your best and enjoy it."

With a smile, Cody hugged her and walked toward the cafeteria.

Elizabeth loved sketching. It calmed her mind and gave her a creative outlet. She hoped to pass this process down to her students. People without real talent could enjoy sketching. She was hoping to pass down this love of sketching to her students.

At the end of the school day, Elizabeth reminded her students how important it was to be home before dark. They didn't openly talk about the crime wave, but everyone knew about it. She didn't want any of her students to be involved.

The final bell rang, and her students quickly stood up and grabbed their belongings and ran to the bus stop. She smiled at their enthusiasm. She loved those kids.

"Have a great day. Be careful." She shouted as they headed to the door.

After the children left the room, she spent some time cleaning up the room. The janitor stepped in when she was almost finished. "Ms. Thatcher, you don't have to clean your room each day. That is why I get paid."

"I know. You work so hard, and I don't want my kids to add to your workload." She smiled at the older janitor. He was a kind man who had a nice smile. He always did a great job in cleaning her classroom.

"Ms. Thatcher, it's my job, but I do appreciate your kindness. Thank you!"

"You're welcome, Mr. Franklin."

She gathered her belongings and began her journey to her car. While walking down the hall, she saw one of her students, Henry, standing on the front steps. "Henry, are you ok?"

He jumped when he heard her voice. "Oh, Ms. Thatcher. Yes. I'm fine. I just got lost in my mind."

"Are you sure that's it?"

"Yes. I…um…I better go or I will miss my bus."

She knew something was wrong. His attitude was different over the last few weeks or so. Something was off, she just didn't know what it was.

Once she walked through the front door of her small apartment, she plopped her things down on the hallway table and walked straight to the kitchen. She was tired, hungry, and thirsty. Before sitting down on the couch after making herself a sandwich and grabbing a glass of tea, her phone buzzed. Without looking at the caller ID, she knew it was her mother. She didn't answer her text from earlier that morning and knew her mom wouldn't give up that easy.

"Hey mom. How are you?"

"I'm good. And you?"

"Great. Just walked through the door and sat on the couch."

Are you sure you're good?"

"Mom, I'm fine." She rolled her eyes as she waited for her mother's response.

"Elizabeth, don't you dare roll your eyes at me, dear."

"How do you do that?"

"Sweetie, I'm your mother. I know you and what you are thinking before you think it."

Why is she always right? She thought. "Honestly mom, I'm fine."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"Mother. Why do you always ask that?"

"I want you happy."

"I know mom. I am happy. If a relationship comes, then it comes. I am not chasing it though."

"Dear, you can't let what Charles did to you sour you forever on a relationship."

"Mom" she said letting out a long sigh. "I'm not. I just haven't meet anyone yet and I doubt I will here in Hope Valley. It's a small town and I haven't meet anyone in the three years I lived here. I'm not looking but if it comes, it will happen in God's time. Ok?"

"Yes sweetie. Just don't close yourself off, ok?"

"I won't mom, I promise. How is dad and my sisters doing?"

"Your dad is always working but he is doing well. Viola is planning her wedding and that is keeping her busy. Julie, who knows. You know how she is."

Ater talking for another twenty minutes, she told her mother she loved her and would talk to her soon. She sat back on the couch and finished her dinner. She already did all her grading and wanted to get ready for her special assignment tomorrow with her kids. She made sure she had all the sketching material for the kids. After that, she pulled her own materials out and began to sketch.

One of the things she loved about sketching is that she didn't have to think. She freed her mind and just drew without thinking about her subject. Many times, she would be surprised at what was on her paper. Today was no different, but the image made her think. There was a picture of a man and a woman. The woman looked a lot like her. Same color shirt and slacks. Same color hair and the same hair style. She didn't draw the facial features, but she knew it was her. The man was a couple of inches taller than she was. He was in blue dress pants with a white button-down shirt and a red stripped tie. He did not have any facial features either but did have brown hair and dimples.

She stared at her sketch wondering where in the world that thought came from. They were holding hands and seemed close. The couple were looking at each other. They were standing in the middle of downtown Hope Valley. She usually didn't sketch people. She always sketched locations, landmarks, or animals. This was new and she didn't know where it came from. She thought, This is from my conversation with my mom and Abagail. They got in my head. She kept the sketch but dismissed it's meaning.

She put away her materials and cleaned up her dishes before heading to bed. She couldn't get the image out of her head as she laid in bed. That is just so strange. She thought.