(Jack's POV)

The town began to settle in a rhythm with the Farmer's Market now well underway. I decided to sell small art pieces. Just flowers or landscapes, but it was still something. I didn't have as much time for my art due to work, but back home, I'd work on it while Beth was doing homework or asleep at night.

I'd been sent a telegram the other day that someone else was coming soon to take my post. This meant I could head back to Hope Valley, but my work wasn't completely done here.


I knocked on the door and heard some ruckus before she answered. "Constable Thornton, what brings you here? Did Matthew get into more trouble?"

I smiled at her, "No, not at all. I was actually hoping to speak to you, if that's okay?"

Her eyes held a whole world of secrets and she spoke softly, "That's quite alright. Please, come in."

Her house was small. It was a little cabin just outside of town, but it suited Margaret and Matthew quite nicely. Her dining room table was made from big tree trunks, and she gestured to me to have a seat on the bench, while she sat across the tables from me.

"Constable, you really turned this town around with the Farmer's Market. And I saw your artwork last week. It's very nice."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. I've always loved drawing and painting. I did it a lot before my wife passed, and I started picking it back up in my free time after I adopted my daughter."

"You have a daughter?"

"I sure do, she's my pride and joy." I pulled out the drawing and showed it to Margaret. "Beth Thornton, after her mother. Her middle name, I should say. Her first name is a family name, but I decided to call her Beth…" I trailed off realizing I was very off topic.

"Why are you here Constable? Your daughter is beautiful, but I hardly doubt that's why you're in my neck of the woods right now."

"Yes, you're absolutely right, my apologies," I put the drawing away and continued. "My time here is coming to a close soon, but I would like to continue getting to know you. I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in me writing to you once I leave?"

Margaret smoothed out her dress and thought for a moment. I could tell by her fidgeting that she felt the same way I did, she just didn't want to admit it. "I think that would be quite alright, Constable."

"Please, call me Jack."

"Constable Jack. It will surely be different without you around, but I know we'll be okay. You really get through to these kids here. A lot of them have been through some hard times, our family included."

"My father was a mountie. He died on the force. I know what it's like to lose someone you love dearly, in more ways than one. I just want them to know that they can pick themselves back up and be okay."

"Well that is very noble of you, going down your father's path. And you've certainly made an impact here. My Matthew is actually doing his schoolwork again. Not all the time, but you know, baby steps."

We chuckled a bit together. I couldn't wait to get to know Margaret more. It felt like this was our first moment together, I wanted more moments like this.

"Well Margaret, I should get going, I don't want to intrude," I pulled out a piece of paper, "This is my address back in Coal Valley. I don't know when the next mountie will be here, so-"

"I get it, don't send a letter tomorrow, you won't be there." Margaret said as we walked towards the door. "Jack," she said my name like Elizabeth once did. "This clearly seems to be your first time with… these things since your wife passed. I'm gonna be honest, it's not mine. There were men, but they didn't last very long. But I can tell you won't be like them. So calm down a bit, I'm not going to bite your head off. I do apologize for giving you that impression when we first met. I have a lot of history and baggage, I just tend to keep my head down in life."

"Margaret, I don't want to hurt you."

"I know," Our faces got close, I could feel her warm breath on my cheeks. "Good day, Jack."


(Abigail's POV)

On my way back to Jack's house after work, I stopped by the Mercantile to see if there was any word from Jack. Ned did in fact have a message for me, stating that Jack was coming home soon! Oh, I couldn't wait to tell Beth when she got home from school. Until then, I had one more stop to make before heading to little Beth.

"Hi honey, how was your day?" I slid my arms around my husband from behind, as he put a book back on the shelf in our bedroom.

"A lot better, now that you're here," Frank turned around and we began to kiss. "Say, you're home early. What's the occasion?"

"Jack will be on his way home soon, so I thought before life goes back to normal, we all have dinner together at his house."

"Back to normal? You aren't worried you'll see less of Beth, are you?"

I rolled my eyes and smiled a bit, "Know I don't know what you're talking about."

"Mmhmm, well I'd love that. As I'm sure would Cody. He's playing baseball with some of his friends near the schoolhouse."

"How has that been going, by the way?"

"It's been pretty good. I'm glad we had some time to spend one-on-one time with each other. I can't believe he'll be thinking about his 'next steps' soon."

"Oh, don't remind me. I'll be an empty nester again."

"Which will give us plenty of time for just you and me…" Frank kissed me slowly and tenderly, before I realized what time it was.

"As much as I want to see where this is headed, I have a wonderful little Thornton to take care of."

"Oh alright. Goodbye wife."

I peeked around the door and smiled at Frank. "Goodbye, husband."


(No One's POV)

Abigail arrived at Jack's shortly before Beth got home from school, which was perfect timing.

"Hi Abba!" Beth ran to Abigail, her pigtails flying behind her.

"Hi sweetie, how was school today?" Abigail took Beth's hand in hers, as they walked into the house.
"Good. We're doing a project over our pets. What kind of dog is Wheatley?"

"Hmmm, I'm not sure. But you know who might know?" She paused for some dramatic effect. "Your daddy. Who just so happens to be coming home soon."

Beth's eyes grew wide and a smile overtook her face. "Really? He is?"

"He really is. And to celebrate and get ready, why don't we tidy up the house a bit and then Frank & Cody can come over for dinner?"

"That'd be fun. Oh, I can't wait, Abba!"


The two spent the afternoon tidying, cleaning, and reorganizing. Beth made a pile of all of her pictures for Jack and put all of Wheatley's toys away. Meanwhile, Abigail opened up the windows to air them out, and dusted, and swept the floors. The two sang little tunes together as they worked, and then they began setting the table. Abigail made chicken pot pie, a symbol of this big work trip coming to an end, and just as it came out of the oven, Frank & Cody arrived.

"Cody!" Beth & Cody hugged and smiled at each other, and then Beth greeted Frank. "Hi Frank."

"Hiya kiddo, how're you doing?"

"I'm good. My daddy's coming home soon." She grinned and twirled a bit, with her hands behind her back.

"So I've heard, that's very exciting."

"It's time to eat, everyone." Abigail set the pot pie down, while everyone took their seats. Cody and Beth across from Abigail and Frank. After a quick prayer, hoping for Jack's safe return, they dug in.

"Abba, we almost forgot about Wheatley!" Beth almost jumped out of her chair completely. "Can I give him some pot pie?"

"Okay, well, just a bite. Then feed him his actual dinner, okay?"

Beth got up and filled Wheatley's bowl and gave him a few pets. As she returned, Frank leaned into Abigail and whispered "That girl is something else, isn't she?"

"What's been your favorite part of Abba staying with you, Beth?" Cody asked. They had such a touching sibling relationship. It was wonderful knowing Cody still had someone to spend time with, with Becky in Hamilton working now.

Beth scrunched up her face a bit. "I don't know. I think when she helps me with my homework or reads me bedtime stories… like my mommy would've done." The room fell silent, thinking of Elizabeth, but Beth continued. "I'm going to miss you when you go back home, Abba."

"I'll miss you too, sweetie. But remember, I'll always be a 'walk to town' away."


After dinner, they all sat in the living room, while Abigail & Frank talked and Beth & Cody played a bit. Once it was time for the guys to head out, Abigail helped Beth get ready for bed.

"Alright, are you all snuggled in for the night?" Abigail pulled the covers over Beth, who was clearly ready for bed. She was yawning and her eyes were getting sleepy, and you could tell Wheatley was ready too, because he was curled up at the end of the little girl's bed.

"Uh huh… I love you, Abba."

"I love you too, Beth. Sweet dreams dear."


Abigail went to bed that night thinking of when Peter was that little and when she had first met Cody & Becky. Growing up was just a part of life, but it felt like even Beth was growing up before her eyes. She wiped a few tears from her eyes, said a small prayer for her family, and then it was lights out.


Author's Note: With COVID-19, I've been wanting to update my fics more, but my Google Drive was running out of storage. With all of that settled now, I'm hoping to update my fics more! I miss hearing from you all, and can't wait to know your thoughts on my latest chapters. I'll be trying my best to update my three top fics: When Calls a Chance for a New Life, A Call From Danger, and When Calls New Beginnings. So stay tuned! Love you, Hearties!