Saturday morning found them out in the small yard behind the house again. Abigail and Elizabeth were scrubbing dresses in the wash bin while Kate was going back and forth hanging them on the line.

"Days like this I miss home" Elizabeth sighed as she wrung out a dress banging it on the side of the washtub.

"Let me guess, clean, steamed, dresses magically in your closet every morning?" Abigail asked.

"Yes" Kate and Elizabeth smiled looking at each other.

"Oh this isn't so bad, just wait until you have to sit in there when the temperature is below zero. Abigail nodded toward the outhouse laughing.

"Oh dear" Elizabeth shivered at the thought as Kate made a face.

"You get used to it" Abigail laughed as Kate and Elizabeth turned to each other and giggled. They were just getting back to work when they heard a banging sounding like it was coming from the other side of the house. They turned to each other and hurried to the front of the house where a man was nailing a paper to the doorway of Abigail's row house. Elizabeth recognized him as one of the men usually following Mr Gowen around.

"Is there a problem Mr. Sperlock?" Abigail asked a man was getting down from the porch making his way to the next house.

"It's all in the notice Mrs. Stanton" He said gruffly making his way down the road. Abigail quickly ripped the paper from the doorway reading it. Kate watched her face fall as her eyes went over the words.

"What does it say Abigail?" Elizabeth asked.

"I have 14 days to leave my house." Abigail whispered like she was stunned.

"Why? They can't do that?" Elizabeth asked taking the notice from her hands and reading it herself.

"They have every right, This house is owned by the mine. There is no longer anyone living here who is working for the mine." Abigail sighed.

"But this is your home." Kate said.

"I know, I don't want to leave it." Abigail shook her head at Cat Montgomery came walking up to them.

"It's just the widows who are getting this Abigail." She said waving her own notice.

"They are making room for more minors and their families." Abigail nodded.

"What can we do? I have my three children in the home. I have no place for us to go." Cat said.

"I don't either," Abigail sighed.

"We will figure something out" Elizabeth told her gently glancing at Kate. Truth was she had only been teaching for a little over a week, and though she had every intention of moving out of Abigail's house and finding a place of their own, but she couldn't afford to do it now on only a weeks pay. She could ask her grandmother for the money but Elizabeth had no intention of doing that. She had left home to create a new life for herself, doing so out of her grandmothers wallet would defeat the purpose. They had two weeks to find a place to live before she and Kate would be out on the streets with Abigail and most of the other mothers and her students.

"Elizabeth is right, tell all the widows we will hold a meeting tonight in the Saloon, maybe we can figure something out." Abigail said. Cat nodded going back down the walk to spread the word.

"Abigail, it's going to be ok" Elizabeth offered gently.

"Of course, no sense in worrying about it now. Come on girls let's finish the laundry" Abigail said giving them a tight smile and leading the girls back behind the house.

"She's so brave." Kate whispered.

"She has to be." Elizabeth sighed.


That night 20 women gathered in chairs around the empty Saloon to talk, Elizabeth hung back trying to offer support but knowing she didn't exactly fit in with them.

"I already wrote to my mother back east, we will be going to live with her." One women named Florence Bleakly said.

"That's probably a good idea" Abigail nodded. Elizabeth noticed that Abigail commanded a lot of attention from the group of mothers whenever they were together. She seemed to be someone they looked to for support and advice. It made her proud of Abigail.

"Well I don't know what to do. We have no family and I don't want to leave Hope Valley. My three children were born here this is the only home we know" Cat sighed.

"I don't want to leave either but it seems we may have no other choice." Spoke up another women.

"May I make a suggestion? What if you pooled your money together and hired a lawyer?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because little Miss Princess, we don't have the money for that. I am barely scraping by with my husbands pension as it is. I don't have any money for any extras" Florence huffed. Kate glanced up at Elizabeth from where she was sitting on the table beside her.

"But maybe Elizabeth has a point. Maybe there is something we can do if we work together instead of just giving up." Abigail said softly.

"Like what exactly?" Another women asked. Kate glanced at Abigail who seemed like she had an idea.


"What's this?" Kate asked picking up the hat that was on the table the next morning.

"It's a lantern hat. See this wick right here is lit when you go into the mine. So you can see what your doing without having to hold a lantern in your hands." Abigail said. Abigail was dressed in her husbands old clothes. She and the other women had decided the night before that they would go work in the mine. They were hoping to make a deal with Henry Gowen, if they clear the passages still blocked from the cave in, they get to keep their houses.

"Was Peter afraid of the mine?" Kate asked.

"Kathryn, eat your breakfast" Elizabeth said firmly trying to change the subject.

"No it's ok, he was, everyone is a little nervous to go down. But it also meant he was an adult. Most of the men and boys in this town work in the mine. It was work but it was fun too. He had friends down there, he used to come home with some crazy stories of his day. It was kind of like he forgot the danger" Abigail said with a small smile.

"He was very brave" Elizabeth said gently.

"He was" Abigail nodded

"Your brave too" Kate said giving Abigail a smile. She returned it squeezing her hand across the table.

"You girls get on to school I'll clean up" Abigail said raising to clear the plates.

"Oh no, you have a job to get to as well, we will help" Elizabeth said. Kate nodded taking her and Abigail's plate to the wash bucket.


"What's all that?" Kate asked as she and Elizabeth approached the saloon seeing a number of boxes stacked up outside the front door.

"Must be a delivery for the saloon" Elizabeth shrugged as they got nearer the saloon owner came out frowning.

"I hope you have a way to move these boxed Miss Thatcher" He said gruffly.

"I'm sorry are these for me?" Elizabeth asked suprised.

"Unless they changed the way whiskey is spelled they aren't for me" He said pointing to the words on the box.

"Heavy books!" Kate cried reading it.

"Grandmother must have sent them. They came so fast! Let's bring them inside" Elizabeth cried as Kate dropped their lunch pail and Elizabeth grabbed a box. She struggled with it for a minute as Kate watched. Jack Thornton came out of the Saloon on his way to work. He tipped his hat to Kate making a show of looking up and down the street as Elizabeth continued to struggle with the box not wanting to make it look like she couldn't do it.

"Need help?" Jack asked coming up to her.

"I.. Well if you must" Elizabeth said as Jack picked up the box and effortlessly lifted it into his arms.

"After you" He smirked at Elizabeth who barely held back an eye-roll as she went ahead opening the door. When all the boxes were inside Jack took a crowbar opening each one.

"Look at all these books! Grandmother really out did herself. The students will love this." Elizabeth sighed running her hands over the pile of books in each box.

"Is this for the students too?" Jack asked holding up a pristine white boot from a box filled with dresses and shoes.

"Ahh our clothes!" Kate cried rushing over and pulling out the pinkest and fluffiest dress Jack had ever seen. Elizabeth just gave him a look taking the cover off another box.

"Oh a journal, I have to much to write about already" She said pulling out another book.

"Be sure to write about how babysitting you is keeping me from chasing the whiskey runners and pirates" Jack said.

"I thought we were passed that" Elizabeth sighed turning to him.

"We wont be, as long as you are still tied to your families apron strings so I am" Jack said firmly. Elizabeth opened her mouth to argue but the children started coming in.

"Good day Constable" Elizabeth said as a way of getting rid of Jack. Jack tipped his hat and left.

"Children put down your lunch pails and gather around look at what I have" Elizabeth cried with delight.

"Wow! I have never seen so many books!" One boy cried peering into a crate.

"Is this yours?" A girl asked Kate pulling out a white dress and matching hat.

"Yup" Kate grinned.

"Children, not those boxes, over here please" Elizabeth said.

"What's so great about old books anyway?" James one of the older boys asked.

"Well with books we can study anything, the amount of things we can learn about now is endless" Elizabeth said table to hide the excitement in her voice.

"What's it matter when we won't be able to live here anyway." Gabe asked. The emotion in the room suddenly turned somber. All the children nodded looking down at there feet or at each other.

"I don't want to leave Coal Valley" Laura whispered. Elizabeth nodded understanding how they all felt.

"Children, grab a work book, now in your own words I want you to finish this sentence. Coal Valley is my home because…" Elizabeth wrote on the board as everyone pulled a workbook from the crate and found a seat to start writing. After an hour she stopped them and sat back as each child stared their stories. Of heartache and family and starting over, of loss and finding a home. When they ended Elizabeth looked over her restless class, even Kate kept watching the window. They all had the same worry in their eyes. Their fathers had died and now their mothers were down in the mine today. For the first time Elizabeth felt that Kate was truly fitting in knowing Abigail was in the back of her sisters mind, just like she was her own. She understood now what Abigail had told her about being gentle and teaching the children to find life again after loss.

"We all have a reason to be scared today, but let's remember there is a reason for every fear we face and hardship we suffer, to make us all stronger people" She said gently as all eyes were on her. The children nodded their agreement.

"Miss Thatcher, can we say a prayer for our Mama's?" Emily, Gabe's younger sister asked.

"I think that would be wonderful." Elizabeth nodded.


The sun was setting when the door to the row house opened and Abigail stumbled in, her face and clothes black with coal dust.

"Abigail! Your here! Elizabeth made dinner. I helped!" Kate said excited to see her.

"Kate let her come in" Elizabeth said gently seeing how tired and sore Abigail was written all over her face even under the coal dust.

"It's just stew" Elizabeth shrugged it off as Abigail took off her coat slowly, clearly in pain.

"Thank you Elizabeth, but I think I would fall asleep in my plate" Abigail sighed sitting down to take off her shoes.

"I wish there was something I could do to help, do my part" Elizabeth sighed reaching for Abigail's lunch pail.

"Oh Elizabeth you are, you are tending to the children so we can work, that's the most important part. They need you now" Abigail said gently offering her a smile.

"You go rest. I will keep a plate warm for you" Elizabeth offered.

"Thank you" Abigail said winching as she stood up.

"Your not going to eat with us?" Kate asked her face falling.

"She missed you" Elizabeth whispered to Abigail knowing it would make her smile.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, let me wash up and rest and maybe I will come out to say good night" Abigail offered limping into her bedroom. Elizabeth sighed glancing out the window where Jack sat on his horse overlooking the row houses as all the minors were walking home.

"Kate bring the wash basin and clean rag to Abigail" Elizabeth said before heading out the door making her way to Jack.

"You are just everywhere aren't you?" She asked as she approached his horse.

"I'm just keeping an eye on things" Jack said

"I see, and not doing anything to help?" Elizabeth asked.

"The law says I can't take a side" Jack said firmly.

"Until you have to kick all these widows and their children out of their homes" Elizabeth said crossing her arms on her chest.

"If I have to yes, but that doesn't mean I will like it, it's because it's the law." Jack said

"Well luckily you won't have to" Elizabeth said firmly.

"What makes you think that? These women have taken on in impossible task." Jack said.

"Why because they are women?" Elizabeth asked frowning.

"Says the women who needed help carrying her crates into the school this morning." Jack said.

"You think I'm weak?" Elizabeth practically growled.

"What I'm saying is, if there was ever a time for you to use those big city brains of yours, now would be it." Jack said gave her a knowing nod and turned his horse headed back towards town.


"Your not hungry?" Elizabeth asked as Kate stared down into her bowl. Kate looked up giving her a look as she picked up one of the rolls Elizabeth had made and banged it on the wooden table. It sounded like a rock hitting the wood.

"Ok so I never cooked before, I just need practice!" Elizabeth shouted in a whisper voice frowning.

"Well you could have! Your never going to marry making rolls like this" Kate shot back.

"This was the first meal I ever made" Elizabeth hissed.

"And hopefully the last" Kate smirked.

"If you don't like it you can go back to Hamilton to live with Grandmother!" Elizabeth practically yelled forgetting Abigail was sleeping in the next room. Kate's face instantly fell and Elizabeth knew she had crossed a line. They didn't often fight, but they were sisters after all and they didn't always agree.

"I'm sorry Katie, I don't mean that, I'm angry from a talk I had with Jack earlier." Elizabeth said gently.

"What did he say?" Kate asked not needing to tell Elizabeth she was forgiven, they always forgave each other.

"He said I should use my big city brains and figure it out" Elizabeth sighed.

"As if we would know what to do!" Kate cried.

"I know! I mean what does he expect we just… Elizabeth started and then tampered off.

"What?" Kate asked.

"Maybe we can figure out what to do." Elizabeth whispered. Standing up and lighting the lantern.

"How?" Kate asked.

'Grab your shawl, follow me" Elizabeth cried throwing her shawl over her shoulders. Kate put on her own quickly following Elizabeth out of the row house. They walked through the dark town and into the Saloon where Elizabeth placed the lantern on the table picking up a pile of the new books.

"Start reading, anything you can find on property ownership" Elizabeth said handing Kate a stack.

"Ok" Kate nodded as they both opened the books and began reading in silence.


Jack came downstairs a few hours later in the middle of the night surprised there was a light on. He found Kate curled up in the corner of the room, her shawl folded as a pillow and Elizabeth's larger one thrown over her as a blanket. Elizabeth herself was asleep, her head on an open book stacked up on top of two other books. He smiled to himself noticing the little paper she had ripped to make book marks and the large pile of books next to her all marked. An even larger pile on her other side unread yet. Shaking his head Jack went over to the closet pulling out two blankets. He draped one over Kate careful not to wake her. Then he put one over Elizabeth's shoulders before blowing out her lamplight and going back to bed.

"Miss Thatcher" Emily whispered. Elizabeth's brain felt like mush as she opened her eyes. She suddenly woke up when she saw she was surrounded by all her students.

"Oh Children! I am sorry" She cried standing up.

"Miss Thatcher there's something on your head." Rachel pointed out. Elizabeth looked up pulling a little yellow paper off her forehead.

"Do you want us to start our math Miss Thatcher?" Gabe asked.

"Yes please" Elizabeth nodded as the children started picking up their books and taking their seats. Elizabeth glanced at the paper.

"Use the children to help with the research" She whispered reading the words she recognized in Jack's handwriting. Elizabeth quickly made her way over to where Kate was sleeping. She had tried to convince her to go back home last night after it got late but Kate refused to leave her and had fallen asleep reading. Elizabeth had tucked her into the corner to finish her own reading with the plan to bring her home in a little while. Until she had fallen asleep herself.

"Kate, Katie wake up it's time for school." Elizabeth gently shook her awake.

"Ughhh everything hurts." Kate moaned as she sat up looking around.

"Did I sleep on the Saloon floor all night?" Kate asked.

"Yes, I fell asleep too, but look, Jack stuck this to my head" Elizabeth showed her the note.

"He stuck it to your head?" Kate asked raising an eyebrow.

"Just read it" Elizabeth sighed.

"Use the children… that's it!" Kate cried.

"Pass out the books, Children listen up we are skipping math today. Kate is passing out books to you all and I want you to look through them for these words. Home, house and property" Elizabeth said writing the words on the board.

"What are we doing Miss Thatcher?" Rachel asked.

"We are trying to save our homes and help the mothers in the mine" Elizabeth smiled.

"Hurray!" The children all cried.

That night Abigail and Kate both went to bed early but Elizabeth stayed up again going through each book and each mark the children had put on the pages with the words on them. She was on the 12th book, the other ones proving useless. Her eyes were tired and she didn't know how she was still awake. Her eyes scanned the page again.

"Domain act" She whispered. Grinning as she read it, then reread it. She let out a squeal running up the stairs and rushing into the bedroom.

"Kate! Kate wake up!" She cried practically bouncing on the bed.

"What?" Kate muttered.

"I found it out. I figured out how they can keep the houses" Elizabeth squealed.

"How?" Kate asked sitting up equally as excited now.

"Domain act of 1901, if they make changes like renovating or painting then the house is theirs, they own it" Elizabeth said pointing to the book.

"So we just have to paint?" Kate asked.

"We just have to paint, tomorrow morning before school we will go to the mercantile and buy up all the paint and start painting the row houses" Elizabeth smiled.

"But that's so easy!"

"No more having to go down to the mine, no more worrying about losing their houses"

"I'm so glad" Kate sighed.

"Me too, ok go back to bed I will be up in a minute, we both need sleep" Elizabeth smiled


The next morning Kate walked with her sister as they made their way to the mercantile. Finally in their own dresses. Kate wore the pink one, her skirts gathering right above her brand new boots, her matching hat keeping the sun from her eyes. Elizabeth wore a pristine white dress and hat with feathers coming out of it. Kate skipped along happy, glad that she was finally in her own clothing.

"Grandmother was so kind to send up dresses, She must have known even if she just sent us money we couldn't get dresses like this here" Kate said.

"She was, we must write to her tonight to thank her" Elizabeth nodded in agreement. Their grandmother had always given then any material object they ever could need or want. Her own attention and love were the things that were lacking, but Elizabeth supposed they made up for that with each other.

"What color should we paint Abigail's house?" Kate asked.

"We will have to see what Mr Yost has"

"I think we should paint it purple"

"Purple!" Elizabeth laughed as Kate giggled. They had been so worried the past few days it felt good to laugh again. They climbed the steps together.

"Good morning Mr Yost" Elizabeth greeted him with a smile.

"Good Morning Miss Thatcher, what can I do for you?"

"We would like to buy up all the paint you have. Along with brushes and whatever else we need for a big painting project." Elizabeth said as Kate nodded grinning.

"Oh my is this for a school project?"

"You could say that" Elizabeth shrugged.

"Well to buy all the paint supplies, that will cost you a pretty penny Miss Thatcher." Mr Yost frowned.

"As you can see Mr Yost, I have quite a few pennies" Elizabeth said discreetly pulling out most of the money Grandmother had sent along with their other things.

"Well then Miss Thatcher, right this way let's go look at what I have" He smiled.


"The Domain Act states that if you make changes yourself to the house such at new floors or painting, you then own the house." Elizabeth said loudly as all the women stood gathered around Abigail's porch that evening after school and they had come home from working in the mine.

"So we paint the outside?" Cat asked.

"Yes, we have the paint here and if we work together we may be able to get all the houses done by morning" Elizabeth grinned. The women all shared a look nodding and smiling at each other. Kate smiled watching over them seeing how helpful Elizabeth had been.

"Well ladies let's get started!" Abigail smiled as everyone began picking up a paint can and brushed just as a wagon pulled up.

"Miss Thatcher!" They all turned to see Mr Gowen getting out of the wagon being driven by one of his men.

"I just came from there mercantile, it seems Mr Yost made a mistake, he forgot all this paint was already spoken for." Mr Gowen said walking over to Elizabeth.

"That's impossible, paid for this this morning." Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him.

"Your refund, and a note from Mr Yost explaining what had happened." Mr Gowen said handing Elizabeth an envelope. Elizabeth took it defeated as two more men got out of the wagon picking up the paint jars and loading it away.

"Domain Act, I did my research too." Mr Gowen whispered to Elizabeth before climbing into the wagon and everyone watched silently as they drove away.

"Well, that's that." Cat sighed.

"And now I'm a day late in packing and no dinner on the table for my children." Florence shook her head as everyone started leaving heading down the road to their own houses.

"How did Mr Yost forget?" Kate asked.

"He didn't Henry probably offered to pay him double plus your refund if he wrote the note." Abigail shook her head.

"Abigail I am so sorry!"

"It's not your fault, it was a good idea." Abigail sighed putting her hand on Elizabeth's arm gently and then going back inside.


"Miss Thatcher" Elizabeth looked up as Emily stood in front of her desk the next day.

"Yes Emily?"

"My Ma says I have to leave my books here today. She said we cant take them because we won't be coming back to school anymore and they are yours. We have to find a new place to live. But can I please keep my reader? I never had a book before and I like listening to the stories before I go to bed" Emily said.

"Did anyone else's mothers tell them they won't be returning to school and to hand in their books?" Elizabeth asked. At least half the class raised their hands looking around.

"Children you may keep your books, they are yours to study and learn no matter where you are." Elizabeth said.

"I really don't want to leave Miss Thatcher" Laura said sadly.

"Me either." Gabe sighed. As the rest of the class agreed. Elizabeth looked over her students sadly before making up her mind.

"Children class is dismissed until further notice, please go straight home" Elizabeth said standing up and gathering her books. The other children picked up their things and started making their way out of the school house. Elizabeth was glad to see them all head towards the row houses where most of them lived and none lingered in the streets like they usually did to play after school.

"What are you going to do?" Kate asked following Elizabeth out of the school practically having to run to keep up with her.

"I'm going to go help Abigail and the other mothers. I'm going into the mine" Elizabeth said.

"NO!" Kate yelled grabbing Elizabeth's arm.

"Kate my mind is made up" Elizabeth said as they made their way down the lane.

"What's going on, I just saw all the children walking home?" Jack asked as he rode up to them.

"I dismissed school" Elizabeth said her steps hurried. Jack pushed Sergeant to a trot to keep up with them.

"Why?" Jack asked.

"I'm going to help out in the mine" Elizabeth said firmly opening the door to the row house. Jack slid off his horse following Kate in who was still begging Elizabeth to change her mind as she followed her up the stairs.

Jack felt his own stomach flip, it was bad enough to know so many women were working down there. Elizabeth being down there made him feel worse for some reason.

"Don't go!" Kate begged again as she followed Elizabeth who was rushing down the stairs of the row house.

"I second that" Jack nodded as he was standing downstairs waiting for her.

"We are a part of this town, I want to do my part to help out." Elizabeth said firmly putting on the jacket. She had dug through Abigail's closet and found some old clothes she believed belonged to her son Peter and put them on, Kate begging her not to every step of the way.

"Elizabeth please don't, its so dangerous" Kate said

"It's ok. Abigail is down there, so are the other mothers. We will take care of each other, it will be ok" Elizabeth reassured her gently.

"I don't want you too" Kate said practically in tears as Elizabeth tied her hair into an even tighter bun then she usually wore.

"I have to." Elizabeth said but was interrupted by a knock on the front door. Jack answered it allowing two women in, they were two of the few who's husbands didn't work in the mine, they were of higher standing and dressed nicer the the rest of the town. Not as nice as Kate and Elizabeth but still showed they were separate from the rest.

"What can I do for you ladies?" Elizabeth asked.

"Danny came home and told me school was out, that you were going to help in the mine? Need I remind you that we pay you to teach the children Miss Thatcher?" One of the women said.

"I know, I am sorry, but right now all those children in my class can't get any work done because they are afraid of losing their homes, or worse their mothers. I am trying to step up and do my part." Elizabeth said firmly. The other women opened her mouth to argue but Jack took a sweeping step next to Elizabeth.

"Miss Thatcher wants to do her part to help out the children. I for one find it very commendable and brave of her. I wish I had such a platform to make a difference in my work" Jack said firmly.

"Very well." The women nodded not wanting to argue with Jack. They gave Elizabeth a nod and left the row house as Jack turned to her.

"I don't agree with what your doing, but that doesn't mean I don't understand why your doing it" He said in a whisper stepping close to her.

"Thank you." Elizabeth nodded.

"Don't go" Kate begged again.

"I will be back, before sunset I will be back ok. I promise" Elizabeth dropped to her knees in front of Kate.

"pinky swear" Kate held up her pinky and Elizabeth wrapped hers around it giving Kate a nod.

"Don't light the stove, or the candles, we should be back before it's dark. And don't leave the house, you can read and study but I need to know you are safe here, ok?" Elizabeth asked.

"Ok" Kate nodded.

"I'll keep an eye on her, you worry about you" Jack said placing a strong hand on Kate's shoulder.

"Thank you" Elizabeth said truly meaning it with all her heart. Jack's kind smile showed he knew that. Elizabeth stood with a deep breath and left the row house making her way to the mine.


"Oh no" Abigail cried as she lost the grip on the post she was trying to hold against the wall. She almost fell to the ground but someone behind her reached out helping her push it tighter against the wall. Abigail turned seeing Elizabeth behind her.

"What in the world!" Abigail cried as they pushed it against the wall with enough force for it to stay.

"I know I'm the last person you expected to see here" Elizabeth said.

"No, but I think your the last person you ever expected to see here!" Abigail chuckled.

"I just want to help" Elizabeth said gently.

"Hand me that mallet and wall wedge" Abigail said.

"Here you are" A voice from behind them said.

"Mary, Grace…what are you all doing here!" Cat Montgomery cried. They all turned to see the large group walking towards them and getting started.

"If little miss princess can help so can we." Mary smiled. This time Elizabeth didn't cringe at the nickname. The other women in town had quickly heard about her going into the mine and had followed her. Now there were double the number of women working.

"Well then, I think we may just get this done" Abigail smiled to Elizabeth.


The sun was setting as Elizabeth followed Abigail and the other women out of the mine. She knew her face must be as black with coal dust as theirs was. Her clothes were dirty, her hands were blistered, she had never done physical work in her life and she felt like she would never move again. But she was proud of all the work they had done today and the two week deadline they had been given was looking like they actually might reach it. She looked out at the town as Jack's red jacket came galloping over and his eyes caught her's. He tipped his hat giving her a sweet smile. Suddenly Kate slid off the back of his horse from where she had been hidden behind him.

"Elizabeth!" She yelled running over not caring about her new dress and boots and she threw her arms around Elizabeth tightly sighing with relief. Elizabeth held her tight although her muscles ached she didn't want to let her go.

"You were on a horse!" Elizabeth cried in surprise. She and Kate were probably the only people in Coal Valley who had never actually ridden a horse before.

"Did you finish?" Kate asked.

"Almost, we have to go back tomorrow, but look, I'm ok! After some soap and a good night's sleep I will be good as new. We almost cleared the mine and then we will be back to school on Monday with all the children, nobody will have to leave" Elizabeth said.

"Good" Kate smiled giving Abigail a hug.

"Let me put this away and we will go home to make supper" Abigail smiled holding up her card.

"Jack and I made dinner, we made pancakes because that's the only thing he can make, but I didn't light the stove he did. We picked fresh strawberries and got milk too. Then we rode around town making sure everything was safe and that the other children were looked after. Then we came here to meet you" Kate said.

"Pancakes sound like a wonderful supper" Abigail smiled pulling Kare into her side again. Elizabeth turned to Jack who was still over seeing everything.

"Thank you" She mouthed. He nodded giving her almost a bow before turning Sargent and riding away.

"How are your hands?" Kate asked looking at Elizabeth's blacked and bleeding hands.

"They will mend, come on I'm starving." Elizabeth waved it off as the three girls made their way home.


Saturday morning Elizabeth and Kate stood outside the mine office looking over the long line of women waiting outside. Elizabeth was glad to be back in her new fancy dresses and not borrowed men's clothes. Although she would admit she had enjoyed not wearing a corset all day.

"Do you know what a big deal this is?" Elizabeth asked Kate.

"It means everyone gets to keep their houses" Kate nodded.

"Not just that, these women own property, they own their houses. The mine isn't hanging over them and they don't have to worry about losing their homes anymore" Elizabeth sighed with a smile.

"And we get to stay with Abigail." Kate smiled. Elizabeth nodded as Abigail came out of the office a piece of paper in her hands.

"I have the deed to my house, we aren't going anywhere" She smiled showing it to the girls. Kate and Elizabeth hugged her tightly between them.

"I am so glad" Elizabeth smiled

"Me too!" Kate cried.

"We couldn't have done it without you, you saved our houses" Abigail told Elizabeth squeezing her hand.

"Just doing our part" Elizabeth smiled as a voice behind them cleared his throat.

"Good morning Constable." Elizabeth greeted him.

"Hi Jack" Kate smiled Elizabeth turned to her appalled. Jack chuckled winking at her.

"I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me?" Jack asked Elizabeth.

"Oh… well I.." Elizabeth started turning back to see Kate and Abigail grinning at her.

"You go on, we can stop at the mercantile to celebrate with some candy sticks." Abigail smiled as Kate nodded.

"Alright" Elizabeth nodded placing her feather hat on her head she and Jack took off to the path that went around the pond.

"You did a really great thing for this town" Jack said as they walked a path through the woods just outside town.

"I didn't do it alone of course, thank you for the note by the way, but did you have to put it on my head?" Elizabeth asked

"Well I didn't want to wake you, you were snoring so loudly" Jack said.

"I do not snore!, ladies do not snore." Elizabeth cried in horror.

"ok" Jack chuckled

"Thank you again for keeping an eye on Kate when I was in the mine."

"Well she's the only kid in town without a sibling or some other family to look after her while all the mothers were gone. She's a good kid though, we had fun."

"She is good." Elizabeth nodded.

"So did you do any writing in the journal yet?"

"Of course that's what it's for" Elizabeth nodded.

"Anything about me?" Jack asked.

"That is why it's called a private journal" Elizabeth raised his eyebrows at him.

"That means yes" Jack smirked. Elizabeth shook her head not agreeing or disagreeing with him as they walked on.