(No One's POV)

"Abba, did my daddy leave my mommy a lot?" Beth was doing her homework at the café, when she surprised Abigail with that curveball of a question.

"What do you mean, Beth? Of course he would've never left her."

"Like on trips for work and stuff."

"Your daddy did have to leave sometimes, yes. And your mommy missed him so much, just like you miss him. But your mommy also focused on Coal Valley and the people in it to keep her mind off things, and your daddy focused on his work."

"Does he miss me?"

"Beth," Abigail walked away from her dishes for a moment, and sat down next to her at the table. "I know for a fact that your daddy misses you with every fiber of his being. He loves you so much, that he did everything in his power to stay with you here in Coal Valley for this long. This is actually one of the first big trips he's been on since you were born."

"Really?"

"Really. You know Beth, your parents have the biggest hearts of anyone I know. Your mommy poured her heart and soul into helping your classmates and the town as a whole, and your daddy helps people all over, even if it's dangerous sometimes. They always made such a good team together." Abigail teared up thinking about Elizabeth. Even with time, grief still finds it way back in, creeping up on a person slowly, and then all at once.

"Okay. Can you help me with this problem?" Children switched topics so quickly, it was hard to keep up sometimes, but Abigail just hoped that at least part of their conversation stuck. Little did Beth know, the Thorntons were such loving, and strong individuals, and she'd soon grow into her name too.


(Jack's POV)

I stood in the middle of town, handing out fliers. I decided to talk to the General Store manager to see if they were on board with a Town Farmer's Market. Locals would sell their products for discounted prices (so more could afford their goods & services), and it would give the community a chance to build bonds with one another. I just needed more than two people to sign up for it.

Matthew from the other day came up to me, his head hanging low. "Constable? I'm sorry for what happened the other day. I was just trying to help my ma and the others who've been affected by everything. I know I didn't go about it the right way though. Things have just been hard since my pa passed away."

"I understand. I appreciate you coming all this way, and I accept your apology. I think I found a way to help though," I explained the Farmer's Market idea to him, but didn't expect him to have such good advice for me.

"That sounds cool, but you have to remember this town doesn't trust one another, and especially you… no offense. Maybe if you sell something too, it'll help. Also, try to be more personable with folks. Talk to them even when you're not working… and try to not rub them the wrong way when you're interested in them." I raised a brow at him, surprised he could tell how I was starting to feel. "Yeah, I saw the way you two looked at each other. My ma's fragile, but she wouldn't be caught dead admitting that. Just be kind, and don't do anything to hurt her or break her trust."

"You have my word, son, and thank you for your input. I hope to see you at the Farmer's Market, maybe helping others like me."

"Maybe. Have a good day Constable…"

"Thornton. Jack Thornton from Coal Valley."

We parted ways, and Matthew reminded me a bit of my own brother. Tom was a troublemaker, but he had a big heart, nonetheless. As of right now, Beth was an only child, but part of me wished she had someone else too. Cody was basically a brother to her, but he was older now, and wasn't around as much as he used to be. Oh, how I missed my girl.

My conversation with Matthew was ringing in my ears for the rest of the day. "I saw the way you two looked at each other… don't do anything to hurt her."

I couldn't even believe I was letting myself feel like that again, even if it was only a little bit at the moment. I didn't think I could possibly even think about finding love again after Elizabeth, but I also knew she'd want me to go for it, and that was exactly what I decided to do.