Jack Thornton Jr. stepped off the train, set down his bag, and looked around. Though the landscape seemed vaguely familiar, he didn't have a perfect recollection of the town he had grown up in until he was five years old. Ten years. That's how long he and his mother had been gone from this town that had won her heart as a young school teacher. It was where she had met his father, Jack Thornton, Sr. They had fallen in love and eventually married, but his Mountie father had been killed in a training exercise after only a few weeks of marriage. He was a product of their short-lived life together. Wondering what was taking his mother so long, he turned around and immediately saw her exit the train with another woman who hugged her and waved goodbye.
"Found someone you know, Mom?" Jack asked. "Why am I not surprised?"
Elizabeth scowled playfully. "Did you think I wouldn't know anyone on my way to a town I lived in for over 10 years? That was Mrs. Davis, who sent several children of hers to my school through the years. It was great to catch up with her. I asked for our luggage to be delivered to Lee and Rosemary's home later today, so for now what we have in our carry-on bags will have to do."
Looking around, Jack seemed puzzled. "Where are Uncle Lee and Aunt Rosie? I thought they were picking us up." Just then, they both heard a very familiar laugh and knew exactly who it was coming from. Jack looked on as his mother squealed and ran to Rosemary where they greeted each other with a big hug, mixed with a lot of laughter and tears. He saw Lee watching the two friends, then a look of shock and surprise landed on his face when he saw a very tall and grown up Jack Thornton standing there.
"Jack, you have really shot up since we saw you last summer. You look just likeā¦" Lee paused, trying to force the words out.
"You look just like your father," Rosemary remarked, finishing her husband's sentence. She rushed over and gathered up the teenage boy in her arms, squeezing him tightly. "Daniel and Daisy can't wait to see their favorite big cousin. Shall we be going back to our house?"
Jack smiled at the mention of Lee and Rosemary's ten year old twins. Just when the couple had given up on ever having their own children, they found out they were expecting. Much to everyone's surprise, they were blessed with twins. It was a difficult pregnancy, but thankfully all had gone well and the Coulters finally got their wish to become parents! Daniel and Daisy were only six months old when Elizabeth took Jack back to Hamilton to live with her ailing parents.
The year 1920 was a whirlwind of tragedy for the little Thornton family. Elizabeth had been engaged to Lucas Bouchard, but kept postponing the wedding as arguments grew more frequent and intense. Jack remembered the gentleman who almost became his step-father, and how he had never warmed up to the man in the fancy suits. Lucas was determined to have Elizabeth put all of her energy into becoming a famous author, and struggled to support her in teaching, which was her real passion. He also worked closely with Mr. Landis to get the district to take over the Jack Thornton School, in hopes it would give Elizabeth more time to write and ease her worries about running the school.
When Elizabeth finally found out that Lucas had a hand in her losing the independent school built by and named after her late husband, it was the final straw. She gave him back the ring, and he put the Saloon up for sale the next day. Last she heard, he had gone to New Orleans to start a business venture with a friend. Hope Valley had experienced growth with the new factory that began producing jobs then goods that year. A bigger new school was built to accommodate all of the new students. They offered Elizabeth a teaching position at the new district-run school, but before she could make a decision she received a phone call that changed the direction of her and Jack's life. Her mother, Grace Thatcher, had a life-altering stroke and her father William was also in failing health. Viola was living in England with her husband Sir Lionel and their children, and Julie called begging Elizabeth to come home and help her take care of their parents for as long as they held on.
An all-girl's academy had a teaching position open in Hamilton near the Thatcher's home, and the principal personally called to extend an offer to Elizabeth. Things fell into place quickly, and before the residents of Hope Valley knew it, their beloved teacher and her little son had moved to the big city.
Leaving the train station, the four of them climbed into Lee's car and drove through town before turning and going to a new development over the hill behind the school/church building that Constable Jack Thornton had built. Tears stung Elizabeth's eyes and she grabbed her son's hand to feel his strength. Lee and Rosemary had brought the twins to visit every other year in Hamilton, and they had vacationed together a few times, but Elizabeth hadn't felt strong enough to return to Hope Valley until now.
Jack might only be 15 years old, but he had grown even taller than his father was and had the build of a man, not a boy. All his life he had wanted a real father, but after they went back to Hamilton his mother never tried to find a new husband. A few rich gentlemen had shown interest and she had gone out on a few dates, but never allowed things to get serious. Even though Jack was very young when they went back to Hamilton, he never felt quite like a city boy. After both of his grandparents had passed away, they let her father's business associates take over most of the company. In the previous year, 1929, the stock market crash had almost destroyed them. Luckily, William Thatcher had been smart to diversify his investments, and all three daughters were given a solid inheritance. Unfortunately, it was nowhere near what they would have gotten if not for the crash and economic downturn.
Selling the house in Hamilton to family members who could afford it seemed like a wise decision, so Elizabeth wouldn't be stuck with the costs of running such a large household. Julie had married two years previously and moved to Montreal with her well-off husband who was not as affected by the economic crisis. Elizabeth and Jack had been left alone in a house way too big for just the two of them, so it was a relief when the house sold. All Elizabeth could think about was going "home". Rosemary called her the same day the sale of the house went through and told her they had an immediate opening at the Hope Valley School for a teacher of the older students up to 17 years old. Again, it seemed like divine intervention to have things fall into place so perfectly.
Lee stopped the car in an open field, and Jack tried to remember why this place was important. Elizabeth immediately gasped and put her hand over her heart. She slowly got out of the car and walked over to a big fallen log. She leaned down and ran her fingers across something Jack couldn't quite see from the distance he was standing. He walked over and saw a heart with the initials J.T. + E.T. Jack Thornton + Elizabeth Thatcher he thought. This must be our land.
Elizabeth never could part with the land Jack had purchased right before he died. She had received many generous offers through the years, but that piece of property was worth more in sentimental value than any amount of money she could receive. Now it would be the perfect spot to finally build a home, and live out her life in the company of beloved friends who had been her family for so long during some of the best and most difficult times of her life.
"I remember you bringing me here to play while you sat on this log and wrote in your journal," Jack softly spoke as he put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder.
She looked up with tears flowing down her cheeks and put her arm around her only son. "Your father was a good man, Jack. I'm so sorry you never got to know him and have him teach you all the things he would have wanted you to know."
Moving down to trace his fingers over the heart with initials that Jack Sr. had carved, Jack Jr. looked up with a smile. "Mom, you gave me the world and always made sure I knew everything about Dad. You knew what he would want to teach me, and I have learned those lessons. I already feel closer to him being back here. I never felt like I fit in with the city kids, and I'm excited to get back to my roots and closer to my dad and the town that brought you and him together. I can see why he bought this land to build a house for you."
"Come on, son. Let's get settled at the Coulter's house and see those adorable twins." Elizabeth and Jack walked back to the car where Lee and Rosemary waited patiently for them to have a moment of remembrance as they adjusted to being back where so many important moments happened for the Thornton family. They drove in silence the rest of the way, but when they pulled into the driveway, Elizabeth gasped. "Oh my goodness! Your home is beautiful!"
Daniel and Daisy were on the front porch excitedly waiting to see their friends. When Jack stepped out of the car the two of them rushed over and nearly tackled him. "Hey you two! Are you going to show me around your house?" He tousled Daniel's hair and Daisy shyly giggled while a light blush spread across her face. She nervously took Jack by the hand and led him to the front door. It was a large two story white home with green shutters and a wrap around porch. When the twins were old enough to start walking, Lee and Rosemary knew they had to finally build a bigger house on the land Lee had purchased when he first came to town.
Walking up the front steps, Elizabeth turned around and faced her dearest friends. "Your home is even more incredible in person than what you described. I don't know why I stayed away for so long. I feel like I'm finally home again, and Jack never was fond of the city. As much as I enjoyed my time teaching at the all-girls academy, it was never the same as what I experienced teaching the children of Hope Valley. I know a lot has changed, and it will be different teaching in a district school with multiple teachers. I am excited to teach my son for the first time, and of course to be just down the road from you. I missed being your neighbor."
"We are delighted to have you and Jack back to be our neighbors again," Lee promised. "If you'll excuse me, I must go put out some fires at the office. See you ladies in a few hours."
Rosemary led Elizabeth in the front door and insisted she sit down in a comfortable chair in the living room. "Let me get you some tea and cookies, then I'll show you to your room where you can freshen up and get some rest before dinner. I thought we might eat at the cafe tonight since we were busy getting ready for you to come and I didn't have time to get my shopping done. I'll have Lee pick up some things on his way back home from the office."
Laughter coming from upstairs put a smile on Elizabeth's face. She knew Jack had always longed for younger siblings, and he had always been close to the twins. She stood up and walked around the room surveying all of the photographs and knick knacks the Coulters had picked up on all of their adventures around the world. She marveled at how Lee and Rosemary had lived such a full life, but always found their way back to the community that brought them together...and that was all because of Jack Thornton. How she missed him, and the life they were cheated out of when he met an untimely death. She stopped at the photograph from her wedding, a day when everything seemed perfect. Now her focus was on her son, but he would be an adult in just a few short years, and then she would be alone. Of course she would have her friends, but she wondered if her choice to remain single had been the right one.
"Here we are," Rosemary said cheerily as she brought in the tray of tea and cookies. She set it down on the coffee table and joined Elizabeth by the photographs. "Back when we were young and so full of hopes and dreams for the future. You and Jack were so happy together." Rosemary put her arm around Elizabeth and she put her head on her friend's shoulder.
Letting out a sigh, Elizabeth moved over to the chairs by the coffee table and started pouring tea for herself and Rosemary. "Thank you, this looks like just what I need after a long train ride." The two friends caught up while enjoying some refreshment, listening to their children laugh and play together. "Thank you for letting us stay with you until I can find a rental we can stay in until we can get a house built."
"Oh fiddlesticks," said Rosemary. "I told you that you are welcome to stay here until your home is complete, but I understand needing your own space. I heard your old row house just came up for rent, and I already talked to the owners. They are willing to rent to you starting next week. If you want to take a look after dinner, they have renovated those houses to have indoor plumbing and other upgrades that make the homes nice."
Elizabeth sipped her tea, pondering the possibility of living in the same row house again. "I would like to take a look, if only to reminisce and see what they have done with the place. If you don't mind, I would like to clean up and change, then take a little rest."
Gathering up the tray and taking it back to the kitchen, Rosemary then led Elizabeth to a guest room on the main floor decorated in a beautiful shade of mint green with bright yellow accents. She washed up and changed into a cream colored, light summer dress and fell onto the bed where she promptly fell asleep.
Two hours later, Elizabeth woke up and looked at her watch. She sprang out of bed and smoothed the wrinkles out of the bed and her dress, then worked on getting her hair fixed. When she felt put together, Elizabeth went out into the living room where everyone was visiting and looked ready for dinner. "I hope I didn't sleep for too long," she remarked.
"Perfect timing," Lee assured her. "We were just getting ready to go." The six of them squeezed into the car and drove into town to the cafe. Much had changed with the growth of the town, so there were more shops and other businesses. But Abigail's Cafe still remained, just under new management. It was an enjoyable dinner for the Coulters and Thorntons as they discussed all of the many good times they had together through the years.
After dinner, Daisy and Daniel wanted to take Jack to show him the candy and soda shop to choose a treat for later when their dinner settled. Elizabeth requested a walk by herself while Lee and Rosemary accompanied the kids. She walked past the Mountie office and was stunned when out walked the Constable in red serge.
"Mrs. Thornton?!" he called out, rushing over and hugging her.
"Robert!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "I had heard you were the new Mountie in town, and I could hardly believe it. Are you heading home for the night?"
He nodded and motioned the same direction she had been walking. "Allie and I live in Lee and Rosemary's old row house that has been upgraded. Did you know we are expecting our first baby this fall?"
"How wonderful, Robert! I'm not surprised you and Allie ended up together." Elizabeth marveled at the time that had passed since she taught this now-married couple in school, and was very proud at how far this particular young man had come. Seeing Robert in the serge brought a wave of emotions she wasn't expecting. They walked together until they reached the row houses, and a very pregnant Allie was sitting on the front porch waiting for her husband.
"Look who I found wandering the streets of Hope Valley," Robert announced to his wife. "So many people seem to be returning back here these days."
"Hello Mrs. Thornton," Allie welcomed her, slowly moving down the stairs and embracing her former teacher. "I heard you were taking over my teaching position, since I've decided to stay home with my baby."
Watching Robert tenderly put his arm around Allie, Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. "I hadn't heard you were teaching, but I'm sure the students will miss you. But being a full-time mom will be such a blessing. Congratulations."
"I better get my wife inside to rest, because I'm sure she overdid it and made me a wonderful dinner like she always does." Robert had a look of pride as he spoke about Allie. "We will invite you and Jack over soon for dinner so we can get reacquainted."
"I'm sure Jack would enjoy that, as would I. Have a good evening you two." They walked inside the house, while Elizabeth turned to face the home she had known for so many years. It was painted a light brown color with beautiful new railings surrounding a new porch and stairs. Even though it looked different, it seemed so familiar at the same time. She checked the door, but it was locked.
Climbing back down the stairs and onto the street, Elizabeth began walking toward the dock at the pond. As she approached her destination, she noticed a tall man with dark hair coming toward her. He walked with a slight limp and held a cane to steady himself. Even from a distance, something seemed recognizable about the man. Trying not to stare, Elizabeth looked out at the pond, enjoying the view.
Soon she heard a very faint, "Elizabeth?" and she turned around to see who had said her name.
Her jaw nearly hit the ground when Elizabeth figured out who it was. "Nathan Grant?"
