Elizabeth was drawing a picture on the board the next morning before school when a voice made her turn.

"Is it true you are taking another teaching job back east?" She turned quickly seeing Jack standing in the empty room with her.

"I have an offer, my grandmother's doing, she is worried about us" Elizabeth said.

"Well that is understandable, with everything that has gone on here lately" Jack nodded.

"I have been thinking a lot about this, you and Rosemary have a history, and you have a great deal in common." Elizabeth said

"That's not true" Jack said softly.

"From what I can see it is" She said. They weren't fighting or cold anymore, but there were not where they had been before Rosemary came into town and it was visibly bothering both of them.

"Elizabeth.."

"A man doesn't purpose to a women and get over it so easily, I need you to think long and heard about your feelings. Before you make a decision you might regret." Elizabeth said her eyes sparkling with tears that didn't fall.

"If that is what you want, then I will" Jack said nodding.

"Thank you" Elizabeth nodded

"I should go before school starts" Jack said.

"Yes."

"I will see you later?" He asked

"you will" she assured him giving him a little smile before he left.


"I feel as though I have been replaced" Elizabeth sighed as she walked with Abigail through town later that night on their way to the town meeting.

"Oh that's not true" Abigail assured her.

"Speaking of change, is it my imagination or are you getting prettier every day?" Elizabeth asked her friend smiling. Abigail was wearing the back of her hair down now and it fell just past her shoulders. It looked beautiful and different from the tight knot bun she had worn everyday before.

"Oh it's your imagination, and a little make up" Abigail sighed.

"And the hair, and this dress and you put fresh flowers in the cafe today!" Elizabeth smiled raising her eyebrows noting the new dress Abigail was wearing as well.

"A gift from Bill, he thought it could use some brightening up"

"Oh I'm sure thats the only reason, maybe you are not just mourning the past but looking towards the future as well?" Elizabeth asked gently.

"Perhaps" Abigail said softly and Elizabeth dropped it not wanting to push her. They made their way into the saloon as Kate caught up with them. It was crowded but they found a seat next to Cat. Kate was surprised to see Rosemary sitting on the other side of the room with Dottie and some of the other women from town. Jack was standing in the back. When the meeting started one of the men from town was speaking first. He was one of the only survivors from the mine accident a few months before the girls had come. He had lost his leg in the mine and could no longer work for the company. But he was good with a hammer and nail and did a lot of other work for the town.

"Thank you all for coming, I wanted to first start tonight with something I have been working on" He said as he reached behind him unrolling a paper for everyone to see.

"I made up some plans to build a new church and school house" He same. Everyone smiled as Kate turned to Elizabeth grinning. A school house was exactly what they needed!

"We will need to raise some money among us for supplies, but if we can, I can build it and help bring Coal Valley back to where it was" He said. The room instantly turned more somber. As bad as everyone in town wanted a new school, not many people had an extra penny to spare to put towards it.

"This is a wonderful idea, but I am afraid no one has money to spare, I know I don't" Florence Bleakly said speaking for everyone.

"I understand, we are all in the same predicament, but we have to start somewhere" He insisted.

"I think Mr. Miller's plan is exactly what this town needs" Henry Gowen the mine owner spoke up from the back of the room. Everyone turned to look at him as he stood.

"Of course the company can't put up all the money but we can put in a sizable donation" He said. Whispered went through the crowed as Kate glanced at Abigail who was shaking her head.

"If we take his money the company will own the church and the school. We have been paying Miss Thatcher out of our own pockets to avoid just that" Abigail said quickly standing up. Elizabeth's eyes widened watching her brave friend.

"The company already owns us Abigail, the houses we live in, the streets we walk in, even your Cafe." Florence said.

"At least we would have a proper place to worship, and a school house without minors walking through at all hours" Dottie nodded. Elizabeth suddenly found herself standing next to Abigail before she even realized she was out of her seat. Now it was Kate's turn to watch them both in shock.

"I believe children can learn anywhere, be it a school house or a saloon" Elizabeth said firmly backing up Abigail.

"Unfortuniatly your replacement may disagree" Mr Gowen said quickly.

"My replacement?" Elizabeth asked narrowing her eyes at him.

"I assume, since you are leaving us" Henry said. Whispers filled the room again as Kate gasped, how had word gotten out so quickly? She hadn't breathed a word to anyone and Abigail was a trusted friend, she would not have said anything.

"Is that true?" Cat asked turning to Elizabeth

"No, its true I received an offer of a position, but I haven't…"

"When were you planing on telling us Miss Thatcher?" Florence asked interrupting Elizabeth.

"She obviously wasn't" Dottie said.

"Who's going to teach us!" Gabe cried from where he was standing with some of the other children.

"You just got here! You can't leave us!" Laura cried and Kate thought her friend look like she was about to burst into tears.

"I don't want you to go" Emily said softly.

"Nothing is decided yet, but I won't go until you are all settled. I promise, I won't just leave you." Elizabeth said turning her attention to the children who were all watching her now.

"Well, this is pointless, no one can afford to built the church and school, even if the mine does put up money it's not enough." Florence said frowning.

"And if we aren't going to have a teacher there isn't much point anyway" Dottie said as people started to get up the meeting clearly over. Elizabeth sat back in her seat as Cat gave her a sad look.

"May I go catch up to Laura?" Kate asked.

"Yes, go on" Elizabeth nodded as Kate chased her friend out of the building.

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" Laura asked when Kate caught up with her.

"It's Elizabeth's choice and she hasn't decided yet. She asked me not to say anything." Kate said softly.

"I knew you always thought you were better then us." Laura frowned.

"I don't. Honestly, it's because of what happened with the gang.. Laura!" Kate yelled after her as Laura kept walking. Kate sighed watching her go before turning back to the cafe.


Elizabeth sat on the cafe porch that night with Rip at her feet. Jack was making his rounds for the night and Rip being the lazy dog he was had no desire to try to keep up with Sergeant. But whenever Jack left the center of town Rip always found Kate or Elizabeth to go sleep next to. Now Jack rode up to the porch tying Sergeant to the railing as he hopped off.

"Waiting up for me?" Jack asked giving Elizabeth a smile.

"Of course not"

"Yet here you are outside in the middle of the night." Jack said giving her his classic grin.

"I like to see you home safe from your rounds at night" Elizabeth said softly.

"Oh yeah?" Jack asked raising an eyebrow.

"Don't push it" Elizabeth whispered giving him a look that made him chuckle.

"I am sorry about what happened at the town meeting" Jack said.

"thank you" Elizabeth sighed.

"I want you to know, weather you decide to leave or stay. I support you. You are a wonderful teacher Elizabeth and you deserve to teach in a real school, not a saloon. But I have faith that that will happen here, sooner rather then later." Jack said.

"The school house doesn't really matter to me, it's the children." Elizabeth sighed.

"This town needs you Elizabeth." Jack said. Elizabeth gave a small smile looking down at her boots.

"Not just this town" Jack added softly and her eyes shot up from her shoes meeting his as he gave her a smile and she tried to hide her surprise.

"It's getting late, I should probably turn in" Elizabeth said softly trying to hide her blushing.

"Of course" Jack nodded. Elizabeth turned going into the cafe kitchen as Jack smiled after her.


After church on Sunday before Cat said goodbye to everyone Mr Miller stepped to the front again.

"I just want to share some wonderful news with you all, thanks to an anonymous donor, we received all the money we need to build out new church and school house, we will start in within the next few weeks." He said happily. Everyone started clapping and talking.

"Who was it?" Kate asked Elizabeth who was smiling.

"I have no idea" Elizabeth said as then looked around trying to guess who it was.

"I assume we have Mr Gowen to thank for this?" Dottie asked.

"I am not at liberty to disclose the donor, but I feel obligated to say it was not Mr Gowen" Mr Miller said

"Elizabeth, was it your grandmother?" Cat asked.

"No it wasn't, but I believe it was from someone equally generous with far less money to spare" Elizabeth said turning to the back of the group. Kate followed her eyes landing on Jack who was watching her. Everyone turned to look at him and Kate swore his face almost turned as red as his serge coat.

"Doesn't anonymous mean anonymous anymore?" He asked with a shrug. Kate laughed as Elizabeth gave him a wide smile.

"You donated your reward money, all of it? For a church?" Rosemary asked not masking the displeasure in her voice.

"And a school" Jack added with a shrug not taking his eyes off Elizabeth when he spoke to her.

"That is so noble" Rosemary said covering up her unhappiness.

"Three cheers for the constable!" Abigail cried.

"Hurray!" Kate yelled with everyone else.

"No folks please sit down, I was just doing my job. Helping the people of Coal Valley, you have all become so important to me. Especially one person." Jack said glancing at Elizabeth. Kate raised her eyebrows grinning up at her sister as Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"Thank you Jack, and your generosity has made me all the more found of you." Rosemary spoke up before Elizabeth could say anything. Abigail opened her mouth in shock as Elizabeth turned to Rosemary. Kate hoped Elizabeth would slap her this time. Even Jack opened his mouth to correct her but Mr Gowen spoke up first.

"I would also like to thank the constable for his gift to our town" Mr Gowen said firmly as they all turned back to him.

"We are all so thankful for the new church and school." Cat said as everyone turned back to her. She wished them all a wonderful week and the crowed broke up.

"Jack gave the money? All his money?" Kate asked.

"It appears he did, he did a wonderful thing for this town" Elizabeth said smiling again despite what the awful Rosemary had just done.

"Oh Elizabeth, he didn't do it for the town." Abigail said.

"He dd it for you!" Kate cried.


Elizabeth opened the door to the Saloon as Kate followed close behind her. The air was getting cold, especially in the early mornings and the short walk to school made Kate glad they lived in town now.

"Umm Elizabeth" Kate whispered as Elizabeth was closing the door behind them.

"Oh children!" Elizabeth turned and gasped surprised to see all the children in their seats already.

"You are either very early or I am very late" Elizabeth cried trying to remember if her morning had been any different then it usually was.

"We wanted to get here before you today Miss Thatcher." Laura said as Kate hurried to join her at the table in the middle where she usually sat shooting her friend a questioning look. Rosalie ran up to Elizabeth handing her a piece of paper.

"It's the flowers in the spring. You never got to live here in the spring and I wanted to show you how pretty they are so you will stay." Rosalie said proudly.

"It's beautiful, thank you" Elizabeth said giving her a hug.

"We made you this" Rachel stood giving her a large card.

"We love you Miss Thatcher, you brought us sunshine" Elizabeth read it quietly as she saw all the children's names on the inside.

"Thank you all." She whispered tears gathering in her eyes.

"Happy tears or sad tears Miss Thatcher?" Emily asked.

"A bit of both I suppose, I love you all so much." Elizabeth whispered.

"We love you to Miss Thatcher, your the best teacher we ever had." Laura said as Elizabeth gave her a smile. Kate smiled at the other children around the room. It was clear how much they cared about Elizabeth, she had made such a difference in their lives, but they had made a huge difference in her sister's life as well.

"You have all taught me so much, we sure have come a long way haven't we?" Elizabeth sighed as she started walking to the front of the room where her desk was.

"I want you all to know I made a decision about my teaching job next year." She said her back was turned as she was placing the papers on her desk. The room was silent, Kate watched her in surprise, a few minutes ago it was all so uncertain. It seemed like Elizabeth had come to a decision just now and Kate held her breath.

"I love Coal Valley very much, you all mean so much to Kate and I. We found a home here and we found such wonderful friends here." This time Elizabeth turned meeting Kate's eyes. Kate gave her sister a nod, whatever Elizabeth decided, she was behind her.

"That's why I decided we are staying right here, for a long time" Elizabeth said.

Hurray!" The children all cried as Elizabeth smiled through her still teary eyes. Kate couldn't stop the smile across her face if she wanted to as she grinned at her sister across the room.

"Are you staying because of us or Mountie Jack?" Gabe teased making everyone laugh.

"Gabe, that is a very inappropriate question!" Elizabeth shook her head but she was still smiling.

"That means Mountie Jack" Rachel called. Elizabeth giggled covering her mouth and suddenly everyone was out of their seats. Kate was the first one to her side throwing her arms around her sister and everyone followed surrounding their teacher in a hug as she tried to hold them all in her arms and listen as everyone talked at once. It was a few long minutes before they all calmed down and returned to their seats. Elizabeth caught Kate's arm as she walked away gently pulling her back.

"Are you ok with this? I know I said we would talk about it but.."

"Elizabeth, I'm happy, promise, are you sure?" Kate asked.

"Very sure" Elizabeth nodded.

"Can I go tell Abigail?" Kate asked bouncing on the her toes with excitement making Elizabeth giggle again.

"Very well, then hurry back!" Elizabeth said as Kate nodded taking off through the door not putting her shawl on.

"Well, since we still have a few minutes before school starts and we are all here so early, what do you say we start today with a game?" Elizabeth asked. All the children cheered in response.


"Abigail!" Kate yelled tearing into the cafe her face red from running in the cold.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Abigail cried running from the kitchen worried. Breakfast hadn't started yet and luckily the cafe was empty. She searched Kate's face trying to see what was wrong but Kate was just smiling.

"We're staying. Elizabeth said we're staying!" Kate yelled.

"Oh that's wonderful!" Abigail cried hugging Kate tightly to her.

"I have to get back to school but I had to tell you!" Kate cried when she let her go.

"I'm so glad you did. I'm so glad your staying." Abigail had tears in her eyes as she held Kate's face in her hands.

"Me too, your the best home there ever was." Kate said with a grin. Abigail kissed her forehead.

"Run along to school now, we will celebrate when you girls get home" She said.

"ok, see you later!" Kate cried hurrying out the door and running back down the street. Abigail watched her go smiling. She felt herself relax and wondered if she had been so tense for days now. She knew she had been hardening her heart to protect herself from the girls leaving. The news that they were staying came as such a relief she felt like she could breath again.


"I'm sorry I got mad at you the other day" Laura said as she and Kate were eating lunch.

"It's alright"

"I was sad you were leaving, I didn't want you to go."

"I know, it doesn't look like we are going anywhere. I miss home, but I like it here. I think your the best friend I ever had."

"Even in Hamilton?"

"Yes, everyone here is so much nicer then Hamilton, You, Abigail.."

"Mountie Jack" Laura added as they both giggled.

"Do you think Elizabeth will court him?"

"Yes, as soon as that dreaded Rosemary leaves. I think Jack truly cares about her." Kate said nodding

"So do I, do you think that's what love is?"

"Yes, it's that thing that keeps making them both turn the color of Jack's mountie coat whenever the look at each other to long" Kate laughed.


Elizabeth picked up the rag getting ready to erase the board at the end of the day. Kate was collecting the books and stacking them up. They both turned when they heard the doors open and Jack walked in wearing his regular clothes taking off his hat.

"Hi Jack" Kate smiled at him noticing the thin wrapped package he carried under his arm.

"Hey little shadow, how was school?" Jack asked sitting down in a chair next to her.

"We had a fun day." Kate smiled not wanting to give away to much information. Something told her that was Elizabeth's place.

"Rip misses you, think you come stop by on your way home and play some fetch with him?" Jack asked.

"Yeah" Kate smiled

"Think I could borrow your sister for a while?" Jack whispered leaning closer to her.

"Take her." Kate smiled as Elizabeth turned around.

"What are you two whispering about?" She asked with her hands on her hips.

"Take a walk with me?" He asked her.

"Is there a reason for this walk?" Elizabeth asked raising an eyebrow at him.

"There is" He nodded trying to hide the package behind his back. Elizabeth glanced at Kate.

"I'll wash the board and go help Abigail with the cafe after I play with Rip" She said with a smile.

"Thank you" Elizabeth whispered picking up her shawl.

"Thank you" Jack mouthed opening the door for Elizabeth to leave to Saloon as Kate smiled after them.


"How was your day?" Jack asked.

"It was wonderful actually. My students are amazing, they never stop inspiring me" Elizabeth smiled thinking about her day.

"Well, you are a wonderful teacher" Jack said making Elizabeth smile.

"I wanted to apologize for Rosemary. I know she has come off as a lot for you. She can be very demanding and I know she has not made your last weeks here easy" Jack said softly.

"Thank you" Elizabeth said softly as she stopped at a little clearing by the brook.

"Is that a gift to say goodbye?" Elizabeth asked looking at the package in his hands.

"I didn't bring you up here to say good bye, Open it" Jack said handing her the package. Elizabeth pulled off the paper gently and peeled it back with a gasp. Inside was a hand drawn picture, one of the most talented she had ever seen. It was herself and Jack, standing side by side smiling up at her. It was perfect, almost as if she was looking into a mirror.

"You made this?" She whispered in shock.

"It's a little hobby of mine, I guess I'm better at doing this then saying how I really feel. Guess I'm not as brave as everyone thinks I am." Jack shrugged.

"Yes you are" Elizabeth whispered. Jack took the picture from her placing it gently on the ground.

"Elizabeth I have been thinking about us as promised, and I keep coming to the same conclusion." Jack said taking a step closer to her so his face was just inches from hers.

"humm?" Elizabeth asked unable to get the real question out.

"Your the one, your the only one and I know I said I would support whatever you decide to do. But I didn't mean it." Jack said. Elizabeth felt a gentle smile spreading across her face as how serious and open Jack was being. This was Jack, beyond the jokes and the serious demeanor he tried to put up sometimes, this was her sweet Jack as only she knew him.

"Don't go" Jack whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere Jack. This is where I belong." Elizabeth said softly. Jack took her hand in his gently giving it a squeeze and took another step forward closing the distance between them. He leaned forward so his face was just inches from hers and then stopped, as if asking her permission, always the gentleman. Elizabeth tilted her head up giving it to him and together they closed the distance as their lips met. She closed her eyes with a soft sigh and Jack thought he was the luckiest man in the world at the moment. Her lips are soft and her eyelashes fluttered on the bridge of his nose. She tasted the way he imagined she would, sweet like the honey she put in her tea. So much relief and happiness filled him he wished it would last forever. As he pulled away gently and their eyes met again and she smiled the sweetest smile he had ever seen and he knew for sure how lucky he was.


Kate was waiting for her on the steps to go upstairs when she came home through the back door. The cafe sounded busy with the dinner rush on the other side of the curtain as Kate looked up at the sound of the door.

"Hi, how was your walk?" Kate asked as Elizabeth sat down beside her.

"Wonderful, but I want to talk to you first. I know I made the decision spur of the moment this morning, and I know you said you would be happy with either choice. I just wanted to make sure." Elizabeth said gently.

"I am, it would be nice to go back, but this is our home now. I don't want to leave all the friends we made here." Kate nodded.

"Good, I am glad you feel that way. I know I told you it would only be a year, but how would you feel about staying? Forever. Making a home here, making a family here?" Elizabeth asked.

"Does that family include Jack?" Kate asked giving her a teasing grin.

"Katie, this is so far off.." Elizabeth started.

"You kissed him didn't you! I can tell, Elizabeth Thatcher your lip is all red!" Kate laughed as Elizabeth blushed and didn't try to hide her smile as Kate gave her a hug before taking her little sisters shoulders and turning to her getting serious.

"Are you ok with this? With Jack, if it did become something, in the future… are you ok with it?" Elizabeth stumbled over the wording, not wanting to get her own hopes up but after what had just happened…"

"Of course, I love Jack, he makes you happy." Kate nodded.

"you and me right?"

"You and me forever, but it's ok if Jack comes too" Kate whispered as Elizabeth grinned pulling her sister into her side kissing the top of her head.

"What did Jack give you?" Kate asked noticing the package. Elizabeth pulled out the picture as Kate gasped looking it over.

"He's very talented" She said.

"He is."

"He likes you a lot."

"Well after today I would hope so"

"This will look lovely on your fireplace once your married." Kate teased as Elizabeth playfully slapped her. They girls giggles as Abigail came into the kitchen.

"There you are! I have been waiting all afternoon for you to come home! Ever since Kate told me the news!" Abigail cried as Elizabeth stood to give her friend a hug.

"I hope you don't mind us staying with you a bit longer, I do plan on finding us our own place…"

"Oh Elizabeth don't be silly! You girls are my family and there is no where else I want you to be" Abigail smiled as Kate stood to join them.

"Let me change we will help you with the cafe" Elizabeth said.

"No need, I closed early for the night. We are going to celebrate, I made all your favorites." Abigail said.

"I'll set the table" Kate jumped up going to the shelf.

"How was our walk with Jack?" Abigail asked glancing at the picture and raising an eye brow at Elizabeth with a smile.

"Just wonderful actually" Elizabeth grinned back as Abigail squeezed her hand.


It was late that night as Elizabeth sat up at the small desk writing in her journal by candle light. Kate was asleep in the bed behind her and the picture Jack had made sat on the desk as she gazed at it lost in thought. She heard a door open and close outside, surprised at the late hour she looked out the window and saw Jack standing on the porch across the street looking up at the sky. Elizabeth smiled silently slipping out of the room creeping down the stairs and opened the door throwing her shawl over her shoulder.

"Hi" She whispered walking up to the porch where Jack was leaning against the post.

"Hi, it's so late I didn't think anyone would be up." Jack smiled at her in surprise.

"Busy day, I couldn't sleep yet" Elizabeth smiled.

"Oh yeah, anything exciting happen?" Jack gave her a teasing grin as Elizabeth made a face at him.

"So, Miss Thatcher, looks like you found a place to call home" He said reaching out his hand.

"I certainly did" She smiled placing her hand in his as they both looked up at the clear night sky.

"So beautiful" Elizabeth whispered watching the stars twinkling above them.

"Sure is" Jack nodded in agreement, but he wasn't looking up at the stars, his eyes had never left her face.


"Oh Rosemary, hello" Elizabeth said as Rosemary was came out of the saloon door just before Elizabeth opened it the next morning.

"Hello girls" Rosemary said giving them a polite smile. Kate noticed the carpet bag Rosemary held onto and glanced up at Elizabeth who noticed it too.

"Oh, Rosemary I know we kind of got off on the wrong foot, but I was hoping we could part as friends." Elizabeth said.

"I would like that very much." Rosemary's smile turned from polite to a little more friendly as she started to make her way down the road a few steps.

"Are you going back to New York?" Kate called after her.

"Some day perhaps" Rosemary turned back to them giving Kate a warmer smile then she had given Elizabeth.

"Well where are you going now?" Elizabeth asked trying not to seem to nosey.

"Oh just down the road" Rosemary said lightly.

"What?" Kate asked.

"I spoke to your mayor, he agreed to help me form a theater group. But I can't stay in that forsaken saloon one more minute so I found a place down the road a ways" Rosemary said with a twinkle in her eye as Elizabeth's mouth fell open a bit.

"Oh, how lovely" Elizabeth tried to fake her excitement. Kate forced a smile onto her face. Rosemary leaving would have been easier.

"I thought so, it's just what this little town needs, well see you soon girls have a wonderful day!" Rosemary said turning in her usual dramatic flare and making her way down the road.

"Well, I guess everyone is finding Coal Valley to feel like home" Kate said lightning the mood as Elizabeth turned to her with a smile.

"Hey Kate! Come play hopscotch!" Anna called as a group of the children made their way over from the other side of the road from the row houses.

"Go ahead" Elizabeth smiled taking the lunchpail from Kate as she hurried to join the children. She looked across the street where Jack was mounting Sergeant. Jack turned giving her a wink and tipping his hat at her before riding off. Elizabeth grinned opening the Saloon doors. Down the street Abigail was opening the cafe doors. The children played in the street waving to Jack as he rode by them. The mine whistle blew signaling the start to the towns day. Elizabeth smiled opening up the doors to her school house, and another day began.