SEPTEMBER 11,1918

It had been raining and overcast for the past week, and Elizabeth and Jack were ready to get out of the house. "Mama, can we go for a ride and see Papa?"

"Sure, sweetheart," Elizabeth said. "Can we stop and see Mountie Nathan and Newton too?"

"We can try, but if he's working, we won't be able to," Elizabeth said, hoping to see them herself.

Sargent was happy to see Jack, and after mounting, Elizabeth moved her foot so Jack, using the stool she kept there, mounted to sit in front of her. She let him have the reins as they walked towards the cemetery.

The sun finally poked through the clouds as they tied Sargent to the nearby tree. Smiling, Jack said, "Hi, Papa!" Jack said. Giggling, he ran happily over to where his father's grave was. She smiled as she paused to get a few things from her saddle bag when she heard the sound of yapping followed by her son's delighted laughter as he called out, "Mama! Look!"

Elizabeth turned to see that Jack was playing with a puppy. A basset hound puppy who, on closer examination, a female that looked a lot like RIP. She froze as she bent down beside her son to play with her. It looked malnourished and obviously a stray. "Can we keep Oscar Mama?"

She thought about it for a moment, and then, as she looked at her son's puppy dog eyes, she caved. "Okay, Jack, but you will have to learn to help take care of her. Also, Oscar won't do for the puppy because it is a girl pup. Do you have another name in mind, sweet boy?" Elizabeth asked, laughing as the puppy knocked Jack over, giving him kisses. Jack looked up and, feeling the warmth of the sun shining on his face, said, "Sunny!"

"Sunny?" Elizabeth asked.

"Uh Huh, because the sun is shining on the day, we found her," Jack said.

"Sunny is perfect, sweet boy," Elizabeth said, eyes glistening. They sat there for a little longer and then decided to head home. Elizabeth watched in amazement as Jack introduced Sunny to Sargent.

"Sargent, this is Sunny, and she is our new puppy. Sunny, this is Sargent, my papa's horse." Sargent moved his head as if acknowledging the animal and then resumed eating grass. With careful maneuvering, they mounted, and Jack held on to Sunny while Elizabeth worked the reins and held on to him. The puppy was surprisingly calm during the ride. As they neared, the livery Bill was unsaddling Hero. "Uncle Bill, come meet Sunny!"

"Bill turned as always with a bright smile at Jack's call. "Hey, little man, who is Sunny?"

He turned fully to see Jack holding up the puppy. "This is Sunny! Mama and I found her near Papa's grave."

Bill looked at the dog in shock and then up at Elizabeth. Their eyes glistened as they recalled another dog, another Jack, and another time. "I could use your help?" Elizabeth said softly, indicating the boy and dog.

"Oh, of course," Bill said. "Looks pretty skinny, too, and most likely a stray."

"Jack, I need you and Sunny to sit over there while Uncle Bill and I take care of Hero and Sargent, okay sweetie."

"Yes, Mama!" Jack said but stopped in front of Hero and said, "Hero, this is Sunny our new puppy. Sunny this is Hero, my Uncle Bill's Mountie horse." Then just before he sat down, he saw that Newton was in his stall and had to repeat the introductions. Bill and Elizabeth watched, chuckling at the antics of both boy and pup, delighting in the giggles erupting from him. Then they turned and quickly settled the horses before walking into town as Jack insisted Auntie Abigail, Uncle Lee, and Auntie Rosemary had to meet her. All were struck by the charming coincidence and were charmed by the pair. Before they finished their rounds, there was no one left who hadn't met the new addition to the Thornton household. It was Allie and Nathan who escorted the trio home, to the delight of everyone.

A WEEK LATER

Elizabeth and Nathan were sitting on the steps of her rowhouse, watching Jack, Allie, Emily, and Opal play with Sunny in the field across the road. It had become their custom of late to sit and talk about the books they read or other general topics on their mind. They were talking about their mutual interest in Mary Shelley when they saw Cat excitedly running toward them with a letter in her hand. Nathan stood up and indicated for Cat to take his place next to Elizabeth while he leaned against the post.

"Elizabeth! Nathan! I have the best news!" Cat had said. "I had a letter from Rachel asking if she and Gabby could stay with Emily and me. When Gabe returns from the war, they plan on returning to Hope Valley for good."

"That's wonderful, Cat," Elizabeth said. "I know you will be happy to have Rachel and your sweet granddaughter here. Why don't the three of us go in, I'll make us some tea, and you can tell Nathan and me all about it." Elizabeth said, giving Nathan a questioning look as she stood. He nodded and informed Allie and Jack they would be just inside.

The ladies had already gone inside when Nathan entered. Since the day was fair and balmy, he decided to leave the door open. Elizabeth had just put the kettle on, and as he approached the table, she nodded approvingly at the open door. Not for the first time had he been struck with the feeling of home when they had found themselves doing tasks like this. It always felt natural for them to work together, caring for their children and acting like a family unit.

"So, does Gabe know what he wants to do when he is done serving?" Nathan asked, smiling gratefully as he noticed Elizabeth had placed some of his favorite cookies on a plate to go with their tea. She returned the smile and added a wink in silent acknowledgment. Cat couldn't help noticing and inwardly smiled as they seemed oblivious to what the rest of the town had already seen. An unofficial blended family was being created, and the town prayed for the day it would become a reality.

From what Rachel wrote, Gabe had written to Lee to inquire about employment at the mill. Lee said he would be honored to have a soldier working for him when Gabe returned. She also mentioned that James Fremont, who is also in the same unit as Gabe, is talking about doing the same. You remember James, don't you, Elizabeth?" Cat said with a smirk.

"How can I forget James." Elizabeth chuckled. "Between him and Gabe, I got my first black eye on my second day of teaching.

At Nathan's raised brow, she said, "Remember I told you about the plank that was found?" Nathan nodded. "Well, they were still trying to determine which miner wrote it and whom it belonged to. Gabe and James got into a fight over whose father was the author. When I tried to break up the fight, my face got in the way of a fist. I learned never to get in the middle of two coal boys mixing it up, as Abigail would say. Any time after that, I would carry something to guard my face." They all laughed at that as she showed them using a vase that was on the table.

"I remember that Jack had commented something like 'nice shiner' or something like that," Elizabeth said, chuckling. "I thanked him as if it were a great compliment and said I was quite proud of it."

Once again, the others laughed. "I remember those early days between you and Jack," Cat giggled.

"We definitely had our moments, especially when we first met," Elizabeth said. "When is Rachel returning?" Elizabeth asked.

"Next week," Cat said, taking a sip of her tea. "I have to say that it will be nice to have someone else to wait with."

"I know," Elizabeth said softly. "I remember how hard the waiting was when Jack was in the North. I got so depressed and dreaded every paper that was printed. After he first left, horrible headlines talked about the enormous losses the Mounties had taken. Sometimes it would be whole squads taken out during an ambush. Followed by endless days of waiting and praying for Jack's next letter."

"I'd go running to Abigail in tears carrying the paper, and she would remind me that I would be seeing headlines that spoke of them but getting upset wouldn't help. I finally just avoided the newspapers and trusted that if I needed to worry, Bill or Abigail would tell me. With this war, the fight isn't even on our soil, so I can't imagine what you're going through, Cat."

Nathan sat in thoughtful silence, debating within himself whether or not he should speak. Reaching a decision that he hoped would bring a measure of peace, he said, "Ladies, if I may?" At their nod, he said, "Speaking from the other side of the coin, it is just as hard for us, you know.

"What do you mean, Nathan?" Cat asked.

"We worry about our families and if they are okay. We even feel guilty about putting them through all the worry." Nathan said. Elizabeth sat there reeling from his words. She had blamed Jack for leaving and, at times, in anger, told herself that he didn't worry. But to hear that he worried as much and still had his job to do tore at her heart.

"Not to mention seeing other women and children suffering atrocities and cruelties and, at times, picturing one of our own family in that situation," Nathan added.

"Jack spoke of that when he was home at Christmas," Elizabeth said suddenly. "How he saw the people up there at the mercy of the gun runners and realized it could be anybody, even in Hope Valley. It was why he said he couldn't let anything happen to them. That as miserable and lonely as it was being away from home, it was worth the sacrifice, knowing that he was doing what he was called to do." Elizabeth said, eyes glistening.

"I remember one thing that had haunted him the most was when he commanded a squad. A young recruit had come to him the night before, scared, and he told him it would be okay. Jack had even put him in the back, thinking he would be safe. When the squad was ambushed on patrol, the recruit was killed. When Jack came home, he was devastated by losing the men under his command and the other atrocities he saw. The only thing he wanted to do was try to get on with his life, but his memories were haunting him. He was closed off initially, but as Jack talked to me, he was finally able to process what had happened to him."

"Oh, Elizabeth," Cat said solemnly. "I had no idea that was going on with him. We noticed that he was more introverted than he had been but thought he was just tired."

"Thinking about it now, I don't think the horrors of what he saw and even had to do would have ever left him fully," Elizabeth gazed into Nathan's eyes, and he could see the unspoken questions as she wondered how much he had endured and seen. As they talked, Nathan could see that Elizabeth indeed saw the value now in the sacrifice that was required, whether it resulted in losing one's life or simply their peace of mind. She was also right that Jack would have carried those scars for the rest of his life. He knew that Elizabeth's love would have helped Jack achieve a somewhat altered sense of normalcy. It was something that Nathan had been longing for since he lost Colleen.

"We are fighting for what is right, hoping to make a difference in the world. One that will make it a better place for our families and future generations. While at the same time, we are doing what our heart calls us to do or, in some cases or instances, demands. How we appease that calling may vary, but the force that drives all of us is the same." Nathan said.

Elizabeth sat there stunned and moved by Nathan's words. So much so that if Cat hadn't been there, she might have reached over, pulled him into her arms, and kissed those lips that haunted her dreams at night. He had never seemed so attractive as he did right now. He spoke directly to her heart with the words he used to perfectly describe the call to fight. She knew that he knew she had insecurities about Jack choosing to fight in the North and then Fort Clay. His words reminded her of their conversation when he had been home for Christmas.

He went on to say, "For that matter, there are many civilians that fight the good fight every day in the war risking their lives to hide families that are being hunted. Every day people are working to help get orphaned children out to safer places after their parents are killed. Sometimes that may involve war and removing someone that has become a danger not just to a group of people but to the world if left unchecked."

"Bad things happen if good people do nothing," Elizabeth said softly in wonder seeing Jack's duty in a much different way. Nathan looked at Elizabeth with new eyes realizing that she actually did understand. Suddenly he realized that it was why Elizabeth said she couldn't let him quit the Mounties for her. She would never deny him the ability to answer the call of his heart.

"Nathan," Cat said, "Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It helps to have that perspective. It doesn't ease the worry completely but makes it bearable."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Elizabeth said, eyes soft, not realizing that the depth of her feelings for Nathan was fully displayed. Nathan was taken aback as that spark of hope in his heart grew a bit stronger. Before he could say anything, his head quickly reasserted itself and began the replay the hurt from their past. He had been trying to get past it, and he was worried that maybe he couldn't. Sometimes he doubted his own instincts when it came to Elizabeth Thornton because if things went back to how they had been only months ago, he didn't think he could recover. If she genuinely cares for us, she must make the first move.

"Didn't you say that she recently received her teaching credentials?" Elizabeth asked thoughtfully.

"She did." Cat replied.

"Well, now that the foundry has increased my student population, I can use another teacher. Laura is almost finished, but I believe there are more than enough students to support another teacher. If you think she would be interested, since Gabby is only 3, I'll talk to Lee later and inquire about his thoughts as the mayor. If worse comes to worst, I would be willing to pay her. Even though Angela graduates this year, I would still like to work with her as needed in her braille studies and focus on the advanced and older students. She and Laura could easily manage the younger ones. It's not common knowledge, Cat, so I ask you to keep silent about what I'm about to tell you." After Cat nodded, Elizabeth continued. "We are going to build a school that will accommodate multiple classrooms."

"Oh, Elizabeth, that's so wonderful," Cat said. "I won't say a word, but that would be an answer to our prayers. I would be able to care for Gabby during the day, so that would not be a problem for Rachel to teach. If Laura is going to teach, what are you going to do with Jack?"

"I'll be working on that over the next few weeks, but he will start next year. Abigail said she would help until I could find someone else." Then Elizabeth sighed, "I don't know where the time has gone. I can't believe that he will be four in a few months."

"I know it seems only yesterday he was in your arms at his Christening," Nathan said, a bit misty-eyed.

Cat hid her chuckle, "These two are so in love, and everyone but them knows it. It was apparent too, how much Nathan loved Jack. She could see that he was just as upset at how fast Jack was growing as Elizabeth was. Cat wondered whether he realized that Elizabeth loved Allie just as strongly as she loved her son.

"Since I will be watching Gabby, why don't you let me watch him? It will give Gabby someone close to her age, and I could use the extra money," Cat said.

"If your sure, Cat, I think that would be great," Elizabeth said with relief. "I'm sure Joseph will be happy to have the church be a house of worship full-time," Elizabeth said. "It will also be nice not to have to put everything away each week only to have to put it back Monday,"

"Are you going to name it the Jack Thornton School?" Cat asked.

"We are talking about it, but I think we are leaning toward Hope Valley school and creating a special memorial inside or inside the church vestibule since Jack built it. Nathan created a wonderful design with a vestibule leading to the main hallway with two rooms on each side." Elizabeth explained with a smile. Nathan smiled as he knew of another surprise. Even Elizabeth had been unaware that her father was working on another surprise for her birthday.

"I'd better go," Cat said. "It will be dinner time soon."

"I'll let you know as soon as I talk to Lee, all right?" Elizabeth said.

"Thank you, Elizabeth," Cat replied. "For everything that you have done."

Elizabeth just hugged the other woman in response. Before long, it was just the four of them again. "I was going to make an easy breakfast tonight for dinner, Nathan. Would you and Allie like to join us?" Nathan thought about it for a moment and, smiling, quickly accepted with the condition that she allowed him to help. It was the first time they had shared a meal in a private setting, but somehow, the evening seemed perfect, as if it was meant to be. Later that night, they would recall how wonderful it had been, the four of them sharing a regular evening at home, delighting in each other's company. They all fell asleep with smiles as they dreamed of future possibilities and a dog named Sunny.