Sunday morning they went to the outdoor church, and Kate had to admit it was much better then sitting in the stuffy church in Hamilton. It was clear most of the town came to this service, rather then the one held in the Saloon with an actual minister. The outdoor services were lead by Cat Montgomery, and they were held in a clearing in the woods just outside town under the trees where the men had cut benches from logs. This warm spring morning Elizabeth sat with Kate between her and Abigail. Both girls wore their best dresses for Sunday and had sun parasols to keep the sun off them. Elizabeth was listening as Cat spoke about forgiveness as Kate fidgeted with their new bible, Elizabeth was just about to take it from her when in a flash of red Jack slid into the empty space next to her.

"Heathen!" Elizabeth whispered

"I don't know what your talking about?"

"Only heathens are late to church" Elizabeth answered.

"Only heathens whisper in church." Kate leaned over Elizabeth to whisper making both Elizabeth and Jack suppress a giggle. Abigail glanced over raising her eyebrow in a friendly way. Cat finished talking and one of Gowen's security mine men stepped up.

"That was a wonderful service." He said.

"Thank you for coming" Cat answered clearly uncomfortable. The man tipped his hat and walked back to the back of the clearing. Elizabeth watched him whisper to another man and they both left.

"Why does the mine feel the need to send their spies to a church service?" Elizabeth whispered.

"It's clear people in this town don't trust each other." Jack answered softly.


"Oh Mrs. Montgomery! So nice to see you." Elizabeth smiled almost bumping into her outside the mercantile Monday afternoon.

"Miss Thatcher, how are you?"

"Wonderful thank you, I wanted to talk to you actually, Gabe has been doing much better in class."

"His behavior at home has changed as well, he is becoming my sweet boy again, I have't seen that since his Pa died."

"We all grieve atndifferent times, I am glad Gabe is getting past his grief."

"So am I, we seem to be finding our new normal without their father, its bitter sweet but ultimately good" Cat nodded as they started down the path from town to the row houses.

"Kate and I attended your service Sunday, you have an amazing way of lifting our hearts and leading everyone in their prayers." Elizabeth said.

"Thank you, I never meant for it to become such a big production to tell you the truth, but I am glad I can offer people some comfort." Cat smiled.

"You truly do, I can't help but think it must make Mr Gowen mad though, the mine pays to have a reverend here and it seems like most of the town comes to you instead."

"It's the truth, but I can't turn anyone away. It started after the mine explosion I used to gather up the children and we would go to the grove and they would listen to my stories on Sunday afternoons. Just something to get their minds away from all the loss for a few hours. After a while the parents started coming as well and it turned into what it is. That and the church burning down… It's bad enough we have school in the saloon I understand folks not wanting to worship God in there very well." Cat chuckled. Elizabeth nodded her agreement.

"How are you and your sister getting along here?" Cat asked turning to Elizabeth with a warm smile.

"Very well, Kate is making friends with the other children which is wonderful to see. And I love teaching, everyone has been so kind to us." Elizabeth smiled.

"Your a good teacher, I am sorry we doubted you when you first came. I think the formal wear threw us off. But you are so good with the students. Helping Gabe with his Pa and Emily just adores you."

"Emily is so sweet. All the children are." Elizabeth smiled stopping outside Abigail's row house.

"Is Abigail in? I have some canning jars to bring her."

"She left on the stage early this morning. Her cousin in Sever took ill, she's better but Abigail wanted to go help out for a few days."

"That sounds like our Abigail, well you and Kate must come to dinner one night this week then. We would love to have you."

"Thank you, I am sure Kate would love that too. I am not much of a cook yet. Abigail left us some leftovers in the icebox but we will be stretched thin to make it until she comes home" Elizabeth laughed making Cat smile.

"Of course, see you later Miss Thatcher." Cat gave a wave continuing down the road as Elizabeth stepped into the row house with a smile.


"Hi Jack" the voice made Jack jump as he turned. He was by the cleaning behind main street and didn't think anyone would see him here.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" He smiled at Kate.

"I was playing hide and seek with Laura and Rose, but their ma's called them to go home and I saw you over here. Can we go for a ride on Sergeant again?" Kate asked turning to his horse who was tied up to a tree nearby.

"Does Elizabeth know your here?"

"No, she walked home with Mrs Montgomery after school. But she said I could play until dinner time" Kate said. Jack looked up, the sun was still pretty high, dinner was still about an hour away.

"If you give me a little while to look around here I will give you a ride home." Jack nodded.

"Ok, what is this place?" Kate asked looking over the blackened wood and mess that littered the brown grass.

"This was where the old church was. The reverend came by he said he thinks it was burned down on purpose, I'm trying to look into it. Stay back alright, I don't want you getting hurt." Jack said as he made his was over the wood carefully, Kate hanging back.

"Are you looking for clues? To solve the mystery?" Kate asked intrigued. Jack chuckled.

"I guess I am." He nodded. Kate was quiet for a minute as Jack moved around some wood looking under piles.

"Jack, why would someone burn a church down?" Kate asked quietly.

"According to the reverend it happened right after the accident, people were hurt and mad."

"At God?"

"Sometimes with bad things happen to good people we don't understand why and people blame God. It's not his fault but there is no one else to blame." Jack said gently. Suddenly something caught his eye and he bent down picking up a can of something that was charred and black.

"What is that?" Kate asked as Jack held it up.

"I'm not sure"

"Is it a clue?"

"Possibly, I will bring it to my office to look at it a little closer." Jack said putting it in his pocket and walking back over the rubble to where Kate was standing petting Sergeant.

"Come on, hope on I will give you a ride home." Jack smiled swinging Kate onto Sargent's back before swinging up behind her.


The next afternoon they were finishing lessons as Jack came down the stairs.

"Last one, can anyone tell me what this Latin word is?" Elizabeth asked. Kate's head was buried in her own latin book a many chapters ahead. Most of the Coal Valley children were learning Latin from the very beginning.

"Does it mean sun?" Emily asked.

"That's right Emily, very good, and now class you are dismissed, go out and enjoy the sunshine" Elizabeth smiled. The children cheered picking up their lunch pails and sipping outside. Kate closed her own book looking up giving Jack a smile.

"Jack! Did you find out what that can was you found by the fire?" She asked placing her book on Elizabeth's desk.

"I did, it's whale oil. I found a dead end after that though, the mercantile doesn't sell it and I can't see anyone in Coal Valley having a use for it, but keep your eyes open for me" Jack said.

"I will" Kate nodded seriously.

"Go on and play if you want, we need to get home soon" Elizabeth said. Kate nodded running to join her friends outside as Jack turned to Elizabeth.

"I wanted to formally apologize" He said gently

"Oh, for what?" Elizabeth asked erasing the board.

"I didn't give you enough credit when you first came here. I was rude and I am sorry, you surprised me" Jack said.

"Apology accepted." Elizabeth gave him a smile

"You know I know some latin too." Jack said.

"Really?" Elizabeth asked surprised.

"Yes, it's not just you big city people. Country folks can have good schooling too"

"Oh I know, especially if your mother was a teacher, so tell me, what do you know?" Elizabeth teased.

"Well let's see, it has been a while. But I know you are bella" Jack said. Elizabeth froze looking at him.

"Is that right? Did I say it right?" Jack asked.

"You did" Elizabeth nodded clearing her throat.

"See, I told you, good day Elizabeth" Jack smiled tipping his hat to her as Elizabeth tried to regulate her breathing. Jack left the saloon heading down the street. Elizabeth quickly gathered her things and left calling for Kate who was playing jump rope.

"You look… what's the word Abigail uses.. flustered" Kate said running to catch up with her taking their lunch pail from her.

"I am not" Elizabeth said quickly touching her burning cheeks.

"Did Jack say something to make you turn red again?" Kate asked smiling.

"Kathryn Thatcher." Elizabeth shook her head but she was smiling too, she couldn't lie to her sister.

"I knew it" Kate smirked. Luckily she dropped the conversation after that. Elizabeth however was still playing a pervious one over and over in her head.


"There's Jack" Kate said pointing down the lane as Jack came by with Sergeant at a fast trot the next afternoon as they walked home.

"Good Afternoon Jack" Elizabeth called to him with a smile. To their surprised Jack rode by without so much as a smile or nod in their direction. Elizabeth huffed in annoyance, as Kate watched him go.

"Why didn't he say hi?" She asked

"Why that man does what he does or doesn't do is beyond me" Elizabeth grumbled.

"Maybe he was in a hurry for some mountie business" Kate said trying to get ride of Elizabeth's fowl mood that seemed to have come on.

"Maybe, come on" Elizabeth sighed continuing on her way to the row houses.


"Abigail can I ask you something?" Kate asked that evening as she was outside helping Abigail with the weeding and Elizabeth was inside working on school work. Kate had taken to the hobbit of changing into the plain dress she had been given when they first arrived right after school. She was often helping Abigail in the garden or playing with the other children. Something that her new dresses didn't allow for with all their pedcoats and matching hats. More often then not she was barefoot too because her white boots were not suitable for actually walking around in. Abigail was sure the sight of her now would give her grandmother a stroke for sure, but Elizabeth didn't seem to mind as long as she washed her feet before crawling into the bed the girls shared. In fact she was starting to look more like a Coal Valley girl with her long hair in a braid and her plain shorter dresses and no shoes.

"Certainly," Abigail gave her a smile.

"Why can Jack put Elizabeth in such a bad mood so easily?" Kate asked.

Abigail ducked her head to hide her smile.

"What did Jack do?" She asked.

"He rode past us on his horse today without even looking at us. Elizabeth said hello but he didn't hear her. She was upset he didn't say hi."

"Well those things can happen with adults, sometimes. Her feelings might have been hurt that Jack didn't see her." Abigail offered.

"Well three other people rode by us on the way home and she wasn't so much as bothered that they didn't say hello." Kate said.

"It's a different feeling with Jack I think." Abigail offered.

"I know, she fancies him" Kate smirked.

"Cleaver girl." Abigail nodded giving her a smile.

"But why doesn't she just tell him them?"

"It's something you will understand when you get older. In the mean time, this is an adult secret and Elizabeth, I'm sure, would not want you telling anyone else. Especially Jack." Abigail said her smile fading as she turned firm.

"Oh I know, we had adult secrets from Grandmother before. I don't tell Elizabeth's secrets and she doesn't tell mine. Elizabeth used to call them sister secrets. They were only for each other to know." Kate nodded.

"And this is certainly one of them. If you have any other questions you can come to me. But it should stay between us until Elizabeth or Jack are ready to do something about it." Abigail said.

"Abigail do you think Jack fancies Elizabeth?" Kate asked after they had worked in silence for a few more minutes.

"Well I can't be sure, but I would think he does from what I have seen."

"He should. Elizabeth is the best girl there is." Kate said.

"I would certainly agree with that." Abigail smiled as Elizabeth came to the back door.

"What are you two doing out here?" She asked giving them a smile.

"Just the weeding" Abigail offered. Kate held up a weed she had pulled to prove it.

"Come on inside and finish your homework Katie it's bedtime soon." Elizabeth waved her in.

"Can you wait until I get home from school tomorrow to put the tomato plants in?" Kate asked.

"I will for sure." Abigail promised. Kate threw her arms around her in a hug before hurrying inside.

"You spoil her" Elizabeth said coming to stand next to Abigail. Elizabeth still always wore her new dresses and fancy shoes. They often came with matching feathered hats, shawls and other accessories most people in town had only seen in catalogs.

"I do no such thing! She's such a good girl, I enjoy having both of you around. It's been a while since I was able to care for a child. She filled the silence that had blanketed my home since my Peter died." Abigail said smiling after the door Kate had gone into.

"You can tell her, if she becomes a nuisance. She has so much more freedom here then she's used to. At home every hour of her day was always accounted for. Schooling, piano, tea time, meal times, voice lessons, sewing hour. I think not having that has made her a bit wild." Elizabeth sighed as Abigail got up wiping her hands on her apron.

"Elizabeth, don't worry about that. I think she is truly starting to enjoy it here. I hardly ever heard her make a peep to anyone except you when you two first arrived. Now she has friends and she's learning so much about gardening and people and real life outside of proper manners for tea. She's such a sweet girl, and you will always teach her wrong from right. It's ok to give her the freedom to find what she likes for herself. Abigail offered gently.

"She is so much happier here. She was so… suppressed at Grandmothers. She was so unhappy to come here but now she is happier then she was at grandmother's. Who knew she was a wild west girl at heart." Elizabeth smiled.

"You know, your not so out of place yourself here anymore. You don't cringe every time you have to use the outhouse, You know how to do the laundry by hand and you worked the butter churn yourself Sunday. It may be taking a little bit longer but you are just about as wild as your sister." Abigail raised her eyebrows making Elizabeth laugh.

"I suppose we are finding a home here. It's been almost a month, the amount of time I told Kate we would talk about if we were staying longer or not. Truthfully at this point I have no desire to leave, and I can't imagine she does either." She smiled.

"Well good, because I don't want either of you going anywhere" Abigail smiled linking her arm into Elizabeth's as they made their way into the house.


"Good morning children time for school!" Elizabeth called opening the doors to the saloon the next morning. The children stopped their playing and rushed to gather their books and lunch pails before coming to the door.

"Good morning, Eli, hello Emily what a pretty dress, hi Gabe" Elizabeth tried to greet each student by name as they smiled at her running into the building.

"Miss Thatcher, my Ma was wondering if you could come by after school today. She said it was real important" Gabe told her. Elizabeth could tell by the look on his face that he was worried. In the past 3 weeks from when he stole the plank of wood, Gabe had come a really long way. He was no longer the troubled boy starting fights and giving Elizabeth trouble. He was now one of the older students that helped her with the younger ones, she she knew he had stepped up at home too being the oldest of the three children and the man of the house now.

"Of course Gabe let her know I will be by." Elizabeth nodded.

"Thank you ma'am" Gabe nodded.


All that day there was no sign of Jack who usually popped in at least once during the day on his way up or down the stairs from his room above the saloon. The children enjoyed seeing him and Elizabeth was starting to enjoy him being part of their day as well. When school ended she dismissed the students and quickly gathered her things. Gabe, Miles and little Emily were waiting for her as she left the school house.

"Ma's worried, but she won't tell us why" Emily said softly.

"Don't worry dear we will figure it out there is nothing to worry about. Kate why don't you go with Emily and Miles for a walk around the lake?" Elizabeth offered. Miles was Kate's age but Emily was only six in the first grade and if Cat wanted to talk about something troubling maybe it was better if the children were out of the house.

"I want to go home to Mama" Emily whispered.

"Come on, we can catch frogs on the rocks, I bet Kate never did that before" Miles said grabbing his sister's hand.

"Umm no, but I will be glad to watch you" Kate offered making a face.

"Go on, we won't be long" Elizabeth nodded and Emily reluctantly let her brother tug her along to the lake just outside town as Kate ran alongside them.

"Do you know what this is about Gabe?" Elizabeth asked as they both started towards the Montgomery home which was just a few row houses down from Abigail's.

"No Ma'am. Ma's not saying anything" Gabe shook his head.

"Maybe you should go play baseball with the other boys then, so your Ma and I can talk. If there is anything you can do to help I am sure she will let you know" Elizabeth said gently.

"She's not going back into the mine again is she?"

"I hope not Gabe, we will figure something out, run along." Elizabeth said gently. Gabe nodded and jogged off to join the other older boys who were playing baseball in a nearby field. Some of the boys were Elizabeth's students. Others wore black clothes and black hands and Elizabeth knew they were mine workers, older boys, who should be in school but had to work. She sighed, it hurt her heart to see kids not much older then Kate having to do the hard work of the mine, especially now that she knew what working down there was like. She shook her head walking to the row houses.

Cat let her in and Elizabeth quickly explained that the children were away for the afternoon so they could talk. Cat smiled her thanks ushering Elizabeth into a chair and pouring her some tea. Despite how hard Cat had been on her when she first got here, Cat was quickly becoming a friend to Elizabeth.

"Constable Thornton was here yesterday, he was putting something away in my shed and he found my cans of whale oil, he started asking me questions." Cat started saying.

"Whale oil? What on earth could he need to know about that?" Elizabeth asked frowning. She was still annoyed with Jack for ignoring them yesterday.

"I guess he has been looking into the fire at the church, in the remains he found a can of burnt whale oil, he thinks that's what started the fire." Cat said.

"But Whale oil hardly even burns. Mostly it just smokes and stinks to high heavens, my father used to use it on his boats" Elizabeth said.

"I know, but he has been asking questions and poking around. I am frightened." Cat said.

"Well he doesn't know anything yet. How could Jack think you burnt down the church?"

"I have three children to support, I cant afford to be getting into any trouble."

"You won't. Jack has no idea what he is doing with this. Anyone who thinks you would set a fire needs their head examined" Elizabeth said firmly.

"I just wish I could get rid of this idea that something bad is going to happen" Cat sighed.

"I know" Elizabeth nodded when suddenly the door burst open and Gabe came in carrying Emily.

"She fell into the lake trying to catch the frogs" Kate said as she and Miles followed. Emily was crying and dripping wet with cold lake water.

"Oh dear! Gabe start the stove to heat some water, Miles bring the wash bin. I am sorry Miss Thatcher."

"Oh it's no trouble, you have your hands full, thank you for the tea" Elizabeth quickly set her cup down.

"Thank you for the talk, and keep your ears open?" Cat asked.

"I will, I will talk to you tomorrow" Elizabeth assured her ushering Kate out of the house closing the door behind them as they made the short walk a few houses down to their own row house.

"What did Mrs. Montgomery want?" Kate asked.

"Oh just more of Constable Thornton sticking his nose where it doesn't belong" Elizabeth muttered.

"Your not going to get grumpy over Jack again are you?" Kate asked looking up at Elizabeth worried. Elizabeth bit her lip from saying anything else smiling down at Kate, putting her arm around her.

"No, I'm not. Tell me did you catch any frogs?" Elizabeth asked.

"No way!" Kate cried making Elizabeth laugh as they entered Abigail's house.


The next day Kate sat in the saloon as Elizabeth gave a math lesson. Now that Kate had friends she no longer sat off to the side by herself, she enjoyed sitting with Laura and Miles with the other kids.

"Now when Luis and Clark came over the mountain they saw what river?" Elizabeth asked. Many hands went up and she smiled at her class.

"Gabe" Elizabeth called on him when suddenly the door opened and Jack walked in.

"I am sorry to interrupt but I need a minute of your time." He said. Elizabeth gave him the most annoyed look Kate thought she ever did see.

"Right now?" Elizabeth asked.

"It can't wait" Jack said firmly. Kate glanced at Laura as Elizabeth sighed.

"I will be one minute children. Open your books and read ahead to the next page" Elizabeth said pulling Jack to the back of the room.

"Now you have time to talk to me constable?" She asked shortly.

"I'm sorry about the other day, I was trying to help Cat." Jack said.

"By accusing her of burning down the church?" Elizabeth whispered.

"No, of trying to eliminate her as a suspect, but it is not proving easy" Jack said.

"Try using some common sense, what makes you think it wasn't an accident?"

"I am not ruling that out, the there is jeopardizing evidence against her Elizabeth." Jack said gently.

"You can't think she would jeopardize the welfare of her three children by doing something so foolish" Elizabeth said, she had lost her annoyed tone now.

"That's why I need your help, I would like to speak to her children" Jack said.

"No, no way" Elizabeth said firmly.

"I need someone who can tell me where she was, there is not a soul on town who can vogue for her whereabouts the night of the fire, maybe her children can. But if she is in the room with them I can't legally get their story." Jack said.

"Absolutely not" Elizabeth said again just as firmly.

"Elizabeth, she may be in a lot of trouble. If I am going to have any chance of ruling her out, it's the kids." Jack said gently. Elizabeth thought about it then sighed.

"After school." Elizabeth said.

"Thank you" Jack nodded his thanks.


After school Elizabeth released everyone asking the Montgomery children to stay back. Gabe and Miles were old enough to look up at her worried but little Emily just smiled.

"Kate, go on and play outside please" Elizabeth said. Kate nodded following Laura out of the saloon as Elizabeth sat down next to Emily and the boys gathered around her.

"Constable Thornton is going to ask you guys some questions. Elizabeth said gently as Jack slipped in through the door.

"Are we in trouble?" Miles asked.

"No, no one here is in trouble, he just has some questions to ask. But it is important you tell the truth." Elizabeth said. Gabe was watching her worried.

"No one is in trouble here Gabe." Elizabeth told him gently. Gabe nodded.

"I would like to speak to Miles first, if you don't mind waiting with your sister outside" Jack said stepping forward and speaking to Gabe.

"Come on, I will wait with you" Elizabeth held her hand out to Emily who took it and happily followed her out. Gabe shuffled along and when Elizabeth closed the door he stood up on the bench watching through the window. Elizabeth could tell he was worried, she was able to entertain Emily but Gabe seemed to want nothing to do with it just kept watching inside.

Jack sat with Miles for a while before sending him out and calling Gabe in. Gabe was with him for a few minuted before Jack let him out. When he called for Emily she instantly got wide eyes and hid her face in Elizabeth's neck. Jack just looked at Elizabeth and nodded.

"I'll come with you, come on, this is just a little game Constable Thornton likes to play" Elizabeth said gently leading her inside.

"Emily, do you remember a service they had at the church before it burned down. With lots of pretty candles and storied about the men in the mine?" Jack asked.

"Like my Papa?" Emily asked. Elizabeth saw Jack's face soften

"Yes like your papa, did your mother go to that service with you?" Jack asked.

"No, Mrs Stanton took us." Emily said.

"Do you know why your Ma didn't go?" Jack asked.

"No, when she came home the next morning I asked her but she was to tired." Emily said.

"You mean when she came home later that night?" Jack asked.

"No, the sun was up. Mama got in bed with me when the sun was up." Emily said. Elizabeth glanced between her and Jack, from the look on Jack's face she knew that wasn't good.

"Emily are you sure, think really hard" Jack said gently.

"Yup, the rooster was crowing too" Emily nodded.

"Thank you Emily, you were very helpful" Jack gave her a kind smile.

"Why don't you and your brothers head on home.?" Jack asked. Emily nodded slipping out of her chair.

"Did I get all the answers right Miss Thatcher?" She asked.

"The truth is always right Emily, you did just fine." Elizabeth told her, Emily smiled skipping out the door.

"Cat is hiding something, she told me she was home later that night" Jack said.

"Later that night or the next morning what does it matter?" Elizabeth asked.

"It means she's lying about something, and I am going to find out." Jack said picking up his hat.

"Well I am going along" Elizabeth said firmly.

"I don't think so, your authority ends in the classroom" Jack sighed.

"If you are going to wrongly interrogate an innocent women and a friend of mine I am going to be there" Elizabeth said practically stomping her foot.


An hour after sending the children home Elizabeth stood outside the Montgomery home with Jack. She wanted to be smug over winning the argument and allowing her to join him, but she couldn't, not when he was arguing with Cat over what time she came home.

"I didn't burn down the church." Cat said firmly.

"You told your boys you were home later that night, but Emily says it wasn't until morning, where were you?" Jack asked.

"Not burning down the church" Cat said again.

"Ma, what's he doing here?" Gabe asked opening the door. Miles and Emily quickly followed.

'Children go back inside" Cat said gently.

"No" Gabe said firmly, Miles and Emily made no move to go in as well. Cat turned to Elizabeth her eyes begging.

"Come on children, let's get to your homework, open your readers" Elizabeth quickly ushered the youngest two inside.

"Gabe go inside" Cat said again.

"Not while he is here" Gabe said firmly. Elizabeth glanced at Cat who just nodded to her and Elizabeth closed the door.

"Why is Constable Thornton here?" Miles asked as Elizabeth sat at the table and Emily climbed into her lap.

"Oh he just has some more of his silly questions" Elizabeth tried to brush it off but now both of the smaller children were scared.

Gabe came back in not 5 minutes later slamming the door making the three of them jump.

"He took Ma to the jail!" Gabe yelled. Emily burst into tears and Miles was hardly holding back his own.

"Oh children it's ok, it's ok" Elizabeth soothed gently trying to gather them all into her arms.


Jack came back an hour later. Elizabeth had put away all the homework in her effort to console the children. Kate had come over to play dolls with Emily and Elizabeth was attempting to play checkers with Miles as Gabe stood brooding overlooking everything. It wasn't great, but there were no more tears. A knock on the door made them all look up as Elizabeth hurried to open it allowing Jack into the front room.

"This is from Cat, for her children" Jack said handing Elizabeth a slip of paper.

"You arrested an innocent women in front of her son today Jack." Elizabeth whispered her voice was a hiss of anger at him.

"She wouldn't talk to me until we got back to the jail. I am riding out right now to check out her story" Jack said, the look on his face told Elizabeth her knew it had been an awful thing, but he didn't have a choice. Her own voice softened as well.

"Why not just give her the benefit of the doubt?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because I have to treat everyone equally. Elizabeth if this was Henry Gowen we were talking about you would have no problem with my actions today" Jack said.

"She didn't do it" Elizabeth said.

"You would be surprised what people can do when they are hurting and angry. I hope that is not the case and I am hoping to prove her story, but I need you to trust me and wait" Jack said.

"Than don't let me keep you." Elizabeth sighed opening the door to let Jack out.


"These don't look right" Gabe said putting a plate on the table as Elizabeth stood over the stove. Emily sat with her head down as Kate and Miles were setting the table.

"What are they?" Miles asked.

"They are your mothers bisects. I followed the recipe exactly." Elizabeth said.

"I wish Mama was here, her bisects don't make a sound" Emily said as Kate put one in her plate and it landed with a thunk.

"Maybe you could soften them up with some gravy" Elizabeth offered placing the bowl on the table.

"Alright here we are" She said pulling a pot from the oven and placing it on the table. She lifted the cover and a puff of smoke came out. They all gathered around to look at the charred remains of whatever had been in it.

"Oh children I am so sorry!" Elizabeth cried.

"I ain't hungry anyway." Gabe said. There was a knock on the door and everyone looked up again. Kate hurried to open it allowing Abigail inside.

"Thank the lord" Elizabeth sighed as Abigail came in carrying a pie.

"I thought you could use a hand, oh my, what's for dinner?" Abigail asked.

"Apparently apple pie" Kate said taking it from her and placing it on the table.


After dinner Abigail helped get everyone ready for bed reading to Emily while Elizabeth helped Kate and the boys rush through their homework. She stayed with the children for the night so Elizabeth and Kate could go home and sleep.

"What's going to happen to them?" Kate asked Elizabeth as they lay in their bed, both unable to sleep.

"Hopefully Jack returns tomorrow with Cat's story checking out and their mother is home to put them to bed tomorrow night." Elizabeth sighed.

"And if he's not? Suppose Jack can't prove she's telling the truth?" Kate asked.

"We will pray that God gives Jack the mind to do that. And that Cat and her children find piece tonight and can start tomorrow fresh and together" Elizabeth whispered.

"If someone ever took you away I would be so scared." Kate said.

"Well there is no danger of that, get some sleep Katie, we should go over and help Abigail get them all up in the morning" Elizabeth said. Kate nodded curling onto her side. Elizabeth reached over and pulled Kate to her, she felt the need to have her sister a little closer tonight.


The next afternoon Elizabeth dismissed school and everyone ran outside to play. Now instead of just having Kate who hung back after school the three Montgomery children also lingered as she cleaned up her classroom.

"Miss Thatcher, are you going to make dinner again tonight?" Miles asked biting his lip.

"No, Mrs Stanton will come over with dinner again."

"When will Mountie Jack be back to let Mama out?" Emily asked.

"I'm not sure, I don't know where he was going or who he had to talk to. But I hope he is back very soon." Elizabeth said gently.

"Can we go see Ma?" Gabe asked.

"Oh children I'm not sure…" Elizabeth started.

"Yes please! Please!" Emily and Miles were begging.

"Kate go over to Jack's office and find out if it's alright." Elizabeth asked. Kate nodded leaving the school.

"Well if we can see her or not we can certainly send her some things, what do you say we go to the mercantile and pick out some snacks you think your Mother would like?" Elizabeth asked. Even Gabe seemed to smile at this suggestion as they all hurried down the road together and each child got to pick something. Kate came hurrying in finding them there.

"They said it was ok, there's a man standing in for Jack while he is gone." Kate said.

"Wonderful" Elizabeth smiled as two more women from town came in.

"Oh, Miss Thatcher, we just heard about Cat." One of them said.

"Yes, it's very unfortunate but Constable Thornton is on his way to straighten it all out now" Elizabeth said gently.

"Oh course" One smiled as they headed to be back of the store where Gabe was looking at pocket knives.

"Such a shame! I can't believe she did it. All those days I sat next to her in church" One of the women whispered. Elizabeth closed her eyes against the voices praying that the children hadn't heard. Emily and Miles were still picking out candy with Kate but Gabe suddenly ran out of the store.

"Gabe, Gabriel!" Elizabeth called but he didn't turn back.

"Kate stay with them." Elizabeth yelled as she chased Gabe across the street and into the office where Cat was sitting in the jail cell.

"You did it didn't you! That's why you won't tell us where you were that night! You did burn down the church!" Gabe yelled as Elizabeth ran into the office after him.

"Gabriel how could you say a thing like that?" Cat cried.

"Why are you lying?" Gabe asked angry tears gathering in his eyes.

"I know this is hard for you, I just need you to trust me a little bit longer" Cat begged. Gabe shook his head at her angrily stomping out of the office as Elizabeth watched him before turning back to Cat.

"They are worried." Elizabeth said gently.

"I know, I am too" Cat sighed.

"I should go.."

"Of course, thank you for caring for them, truly it means so much" Cat gave her a tight lipped smile as Elizabeth followed Gabe out.


Later that afternoon Elizabeth was helping the Emily with her homework when there was a knock at the door. She opened it stepping aside.

"Good Afternoon Reverend Anderson" she smiled allowing the towns paster into the house.

"Good Afternoon Miss Thatcher, I wanted to come by and see how the children were doing?"

"As well as can be expected, though they will be much better when their mother is home." Elizabeth said gently.

"I understand, Cat and I may have had our difference, but when it comes to the children that is another mater entirely" He nodded. Suddenly there was yelling and a bang from upstairs. Elizabeth glanced at the ceiling where Gabe and Miles could be heard yelling at each other and fighting.

"Oh dear, I had better see to them" Elizabeth sighed

"I understand, I can come back another time."

"Thank you excuse me" Elizabeth said hurrying upstairs as the yelling for louder. She hurried upstairs to fine Gabe laying on the bed with Miles standing over him hitting his as Gabe held a stuffed bear out of his reach.

"Boys, come on, Miles off your brother" Elizabeth yelled pulling Miles off and setting him on his eat.

"Give it back!" Miles yelled as Gabe teased him again waving the bear.

"That's enough" Elizabeth said giving Gabe a frown as she snatched it from him and handed it to Miles.

"Gabe you are the oldest, I need your help not for you to be teasing your brother." Elizabeth said firmly.

"What does a ten year old need with a stuffed bear anyway" Gabe snarled.

"Ma made it I want it!" Miles yelled.

"Baby" Gabe whispered running down the stairs and Elizabeth heard the front door slam.


The next morning Elizabeth went to visit Cat in the jail. It was Saturday Gabe and Miles had gone to play baseball and Abigail had offered to watch Emily for the day. Kate had hung back as well, Emily had been pretty attached to the older girl and Elizabeth was proud her sister was so taken to helping her.

"I'm sorry about Gabe, he tries to act like a grown man, but he is still a child and when he gets frightened he gets angry at himself, he take it out on others." Cat sighed.

"I understand, it will all be over soon." Elizabeth said gently.

"I don't know about that" Cat sighed.

"I thought.. I thought Jack was riding out to confirm your story?" Elizabeth asked.

"I guess you will know soon enough.. please, sit" Cat pointed to the stool as she took a seat on the bed on the other side of the bars.

"My husband Joe, was a good man Miss Thatcher, he was a wonderful father, he risked his life everyday to go into the mine to provide for us, but he was troubled, he had a problem, one that no one, not even the children know about." Cat whispered.

"I don't understand.."

"He liked to gamble" Cat sighed. Elizabeth nodded she had heard what gambling can do to a man.

"He would play cards with the men in the next town over. Often he would win, but more often he would lose, he kept chasing that big win. There was no talking to him, I couldn't keep him from going."

"oh Lord" Elizabeth whispered.

"He dug himself into a deep deep hole. There was a card shark who say a desperate man and just kept giving him more and more credit. A week after the mine… disaster, that man showed up looking for his money."

"Did you explain that your husband was gone and you couldn't repay him?" Elizabeth asked.

"He didn't care, he wanted what he was owed. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't go to my friends for help and… Joe was a good, good man. There was no way I could let this town think poorly of him. Mr Sperlock was the only one who knew" Cat whispered. Elizabeth sucked in her breath. Mr Sperlock was one of Henry Gowen's mine men. He was like a body guard for Gowen doing his dirty work always looking gruff and mean. He scared the daylights out of Elizabeth and Kate to even walk near them in the street.

"Mr Sperlock player cards with the same men, and Joe, he knew I was in trouble. He came and offered to help. He said he would pay off the debt if I would just… be… friendly to him." Cat sighed. Elizabeth gasped softly.

"He played off me worries for my children, he thought I was actually weak…" Cat said as tears were gathering in her eyes.

"I am so sorry" Elizabeth whispered.

"I told him I would rather live in a tent and starve I would never…" Cat shook her head and Elizabeth reached out taking her hand.

"What about the card shark?" She asked gently.

"It took a while, I used almost all of Joe's death pension and there were a lot of sleepless nights making candles. But finally I paid it back all on my own. The night of the fire." Cat said.

"That's where you were, settling the debt" Elizabeth whispered.

"Yes, Jack is trying to track down the card shark and I pray he will confirm my story." Cat sighed.

"Why not just tell the truth to begin with? Why go through all this?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because I am not the only one who adored my husband Elizabeth, because my children. My children who lost so much, I couldn't taint their memory of their father" Cat was crying now.

"I understand, but what if Jack can't find him, what if he's not willing to admit to Jack he pressured a widow into paying a debt?"

"That's a risk I will have to take" Cat said strongly.

"You would rather keep your husbands secret even if it means going to jail for a crime you didn't commit?" Elizabeth asked.

"I have not looked that far into the future" Cat sighed.

"I hope you don't have to" Elizabeth whispered.

After leaving the jail Elizabeth walked into the woods outside town. She knew there was a little one room cabin there with someone she needed to talk to. She walked up knocking on the door.

"Mr Spirlock?" She called. There was no answer and she tried again.

"Mr Spirlock it's Miss Thatcher" She said a little louder.

"Well Miss Thatcher, what bring you out here" A voice called from behind her. Elizabeth turned to see the man walking up from the shed outside the house. Elizabeth tried to ignore her racing heart as she gave him a polite nod. The man was rough looking, she had seen him around town enough to know his face, but he was never particularly kind. And now that she was alone in the middle of the woods with him she was realizing how uncomfortable he made her feel.

"I was just at the jail talking to Cat Montgomery. I know you know about her husband and the troubles he had" Elizabeth said trying to sound brave.

"Yes I do" Mr Spirlock nodded,

"I was wondering if you had told this to constable Thornton? It might help with Cat's story." Elizabeth asked.

"Well I can't say I have. But I don't see how it would help her any, I don't know where she was." He said crossing his arms.

"It would" Elizabeth said just as firmly.

"Miss Thatcher I am not in the business of making up lies."

"I am not asking you to.."

"I am not sticking up for the Montgomery women just because she found herself in some hot water" Mr Spirlock was close to yelling.

"You don't know that, it could be very helpful" Elizabeth firmly but trying not to lose her temper. She had never spoken to a man like this before.

"Get off my land Miss Thatcher!" My Spirlock was yelling now waving his arms.

"Good Day." Elizabeth practically growled turning her back she heard Mr Spirlock go into his house and slam the door. Elizabeth let out a huff her fear was high but her anger was even higher. She looked around the woods as she was leaving and something by the shed caught her eye. She went over finding a burnt patch of ground with charcoal covering it. She bend down picking up a piece and smushing it between her fingers before bringing it to her noses instantly drawing back as the small. Whale oil! Jack had said he thought Whale oil was used to light the fire at the church because he found the bunt remains of a can in it. But Cat was the only one he know of who used whale oil.

"I told you to get!" A voice behind Elizabeth said making her jump to her feet. Mr Spirlock stood behind her now, a gun in his hands.

"You did it! You set the fire to frame Cat! You burnt the whale oil here then put it in the remains of the church to make it look like she did it! Elizabeth yelled.

"Stop talking!"

"She's an innocent woman you had no right…"

"Enough!" With that he raised the gun pointing it at her. Elizabeth gasped falling backwards in her surprise and her haste to try and get away. He stepped closer to her the gun still pointed at her. Looming over her with a wild look in his eye.

"You have no right to judge me" He said as Elizabeth tried to back up, still on the ground as he just stepped closer. She was cry, sure he was going to shoot her, she couldn't figure out a way out, they were in the middle of the woods. Oh why had she come here? This was the silliest thing she had ever done. She wasn't brave! She wasn't made for this life! Oh what would Kate do! He clicked the gun putting his finger on the trigger when suddenly a horse nickered and a red coat flew out of the trees. Jack raced past on Sergeant using the butt of his own gun to knock Spirlock in the back of the head. He fell to the ground next to Elizabeth unconscious.

"Jack!" She yelled

"Are you ok?" Jack yelled not looking at her jumping from Sergeant and picking up the gun Spirlock had dropped from his hands as Elizabeth jumped to her feet.

"Jack" She was gasping unable to get her breath.

"Elizabeth are you ok!" Jack turned to her now his voice worried as she flew into his arms.

"I'm ok" She said catching her breath as Jack held her to him.

"How did you know I was here?" Elizabeth asked

"I went to the jail to talk to Cat, she told me she told you everything, I knew you would come here." Jack said giving her a smirk as Elizabeth got her breath pulling away from him a little.

"How?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because, it's what you would do. It's what I did, he wasn't any help" Jack said as Elizabeth sighed her heart rate returning to normal.

"Come with me, it's over now." Jack said pulling her away.


They went to the jail, putting Spirlock into the cell and taking Cat out. They walked her home and Elizabeth watched with tears in her eyes as they children ran to her and she gathered all three of them into her arms.

"thank you" Gabe said shaking Jack's hand. Jack nodded to him giving him a wink before leading Elizabeth out. He walked her home where Abigail greeted them at the door shocked by the sight of Elizabeth covered in dirt and hair a mess. Jack briefly explained what had happened and Abigail quickly ushered her inside sitting her down with a blanket and a cup of tea talking to her like a small child. Jack seemed to disappear through all of this and Elizabeth found herself wishing she could have said goodbye before he left. Kate hurried down the stairs just as surprised by her sister's appearance.

"Come here, I have good news" Elizabeth said as Kate hurried over.

"Jack came back, Cat's story checked out and she is back home with the children" Elizabeth said.

"That's wonderful, what happened to you?" Kate asked.

"I was trying to help with the story, I am fine, truly, Jack came." Elizabeth said gently not wanting to scare her sister with the truth. She suddenly realized how mush she truly did understand Cat's story.

"Did Jack save the day?" Kate asked.

"He did, yes" Elizabeth nodded as Kate smiled wrapping her arms around her sister not asking anymore questions.


The next day they gathered in the grove as Cat stood in front of everyone. Elizabeth sat in the front between Kate and Abigail. Emily sat on Kate's other side with Gabe and Miles beside her.

"I wanted to thank you all for your support the past few days with, shall we say my scandalous endeavor, I am happy to be here with you today." Cat said making them all chuckle. Kate glanced around spotting Jack standing up in the back.

"Thank you for coming, enjoy your Sunday" Cat said as everyone stood up and started chatting Cat stepped over talking to Abigail and Elizabeth as Kate slipped away to Jack.

"I heard you saved Elizabeth yesterday." Kate said softly.

"She told you what happened?" Jack asked.

"No, she wouldn't, she doesn't want to scare me. But I know she got into some trouble, thank you." Kate said.

"It's my job" Jack said firmly.

"I know… but I am still thankful you were there" Kate said gently.

"I would do anything for her" Jack whispered making Kate smile as he reached out tugging on her braid. They stopped talking as Elizabeth and Abigail walked over.

"Hi Kate!" Laura called running over as Elizabeth and Abigail greeted Jack.

"Hi" Kate smiled to her friend.

"Do you want to come over for lunch? Ma is making fried chicken and then Pa said he would take us out to the farm to see the new baby sheep, Anna is coming too" Laura asked.

"May I go?" Kate asked turning to Elizabeth.

"Oh please Miss Thatcher can she!" Laura begged. Elizabeth laughed.

"Go on! Just be home for dinner" she smiled as Kate gave her a quick hug and the girls hurried off. Elizabeth gave Laura's mother a wave of thanks before turning back to Jack.

"Do you have plans for Sunday lunch?" She asked him.

"I can't say I do" Jack shook his head.

"Meet me by the lake in an hour?"

"Alright" Jack grinned as she smiled at him walking away with Abigail.

An hour later Jack rowed the boat into the middle of the lake as Elizabeth pulled out the basket of food she had brought.

"thank you for having lunch with me. I wanted to thank you for that little incident we had yesterday." Elizabeth said softly handing him a sandwich.

"You mean the one where I saved your life?" Jack teased.

"Yes" Elizabeth laughed a little.

"I would have done the same for anyone in Coal Valley" Jack said.

"Right of course" Elizabeth said losing her smile a little.

"Though having a minor with a three day old beard jumping into my arms would not have been as pleasant" Jack said with a smirk. Elizabeth shook her head discretely to clear it.

"How's your sandwich?" She asked.

"Very good, thank you" Jack took a bite.

"To be honest I am not the best cook, seems I skipped that talent. You may have heard that around town" Elizabeth sighed.

"NoI didn't" Jack said unable to hold back his laugh. Elizabeth pretend to be annoyed

"Sorry" he laughed as she smiled at him.

"It looks like we have an uninvited guest" Jack said suddenly.

"What?" Elizabeth asked confused.

"Spider" Jack said softly glancing at her shoulder. Elizabeth turned seeing a brown spider sitting on her shoulder crawling towards her face. She gave a little screech lunging forward into Jack who caught her.

"Please" Elizabeth whispered

"Ok hold on" Jack said softly putting his hand by her neck allowing the spider to crawl onto him before putting it on a floating log outside the boat. Elizabeth caught her breath realizing she was still leaning into Jack, also realizing Jack had his arm around his waist to steady her. Oh this was not lady like at all!

"Sorry" She whispered sitting back.

"quite alright" Jack said.

"We probably shouldn't make a habit of that" Elizabeth muttered.

"Certainly not" Jack agreed taking a bite of his sandwich. Elizabeth glanced at them and they caught each others eye and Jack was smirking as Elizabeth held back a smile.