"Good Afternoon" Jack came up to Abigail, Cody and the girls as they were walking out of church on Sunday.
"Hello Jack" Kate smiled as they all greeted him.
"I can't help but notice that you come with quite the group now Abigail." Jack smiled placing his hand on Cody's head.
"We do have a wonderfully full house, speaking of which will we be seeing you for dinner tonight Jack?" Abigail asked smiling at him. Jack had been around more and more often since New Years.
"Oh I wouldn't want to impose" Jack started
"Oh Jack, you should know by now your always welcome at our table, dinner is at six don't be late" Abigail sang happy as she and Cody headed toward home with Clara, Jack and Elizabeth grinned after her.
"May I go to Anna's?" Kate asked turning to Elizabeth.
"Of course, don't be late for dinner!" Elizabeth called as Kate hurried over to her friends.
"Well, just me and you then." Jack smiled at Elizabeth, offering her his arm as they began walking toward town.
"Wait, take a walk with me?" Elizabeth said giving him a soft smile as she gently pulled him in the other direction.
"Alright" Jack smiled allowing her to lead him down the lane. They chatted as they walked slowly, It was a cold winter day but despite the air being cold, the sun was warm on their faces. And Jack wasn't going to complain about temperatures if it kept Elizabeth wrapped around his arm warming them both.
"Where are we going?" Jack chuckled as they walked down the lane by the row houses.
"Here" Elizabeth smiled stopping. Jack looked up greeted by the sight of the old row house he knew so well.
"What are we doing at Abigail's old house?" Jack asked.
"I haven't told Kate yet but, I'm thinking of renting it!" Elizabeth said the excitement in her voice.
"Doesn't Joe Craddock live here?" Jack asked trying to match her excitement but not quite finding himself able to. He had his own surprises he had been thinking about and Elizabeth buying a house of her own didn't quite fit into his plan.
"He just took a job in Cape Fullerton. And with Clara and Cody here, Abigail could use the extra space. Cody is basically sleeping in the hallway in a bedroom made of blankets, and even Clara's room is so small. But the real reason is, it's time for me to put down roots here. Hope Valley is my home, it's the place I love." Elizabeth said turning away from the house and looking at Jack.
"And the people you love, right?" Jack asked giving her a little smirk.
"You could say that" Elizabeth said matching his teasing as always. Jack just grinned leaning in and kissing her cheek sweetly before they both turned back to the house. Elizabeth sighed clasping her hands together excited.
Monday afternoon Elizabeth sat at the table in the kitchen trying to read essays as Clara hurried down the stairs.
"Sorry to interrupt I need your opinion" She said rushing past Elizabeth with an arm full of fabric.
"Sure" Elizabeth looked up as Clara held two dresses in front of her.
"Green or blue?" Clara asked.
"Are you trying to impress someone?" Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.
"no, I'm just wondering what to wear to help in the cafe tomorrow" Clara said quickly.
"MMMM" Elizabeth gave her a look letting her knew she didn't believe her for a minute as Cody came thundering down the stairs.
"Has anyone seen my baseball glove?" Cody asked shuffling through Elizabeth's books and papers on the table looking.
"Have you checked your bedroom?" She asked him trying to straighten everything as Cody messed it up.
"It was here before supper" Cody said looking under the table as Elizabeth glanced around not seeing it.
"Elizabeth! Did you look in your trunk for the piano music Viola sent? I wanted to start playing tomorrow." Kate asked as she came down the stairs.
"So, what do you think?" Clara asked holding up the dresses again as Cody again shuffled her papers.
"Umm the green one it brings out your eyes." Elizabeth said turning back to Clara who thanked her and headed back up the stairs as Abigail came down.
"Elizabeth?" Kate asked again
"Cody let's let Elizabeth work, don't bother her now" Abigail said.
"Have you seen my baseball glove?" Cody asked turning to Kate.
"No, and I haven't seen my piano music either" Kate said pointedly to Elizabeth.
"Don't you both have homework?" Elizabeth asked looking between the kids.
"Cody let's look upstairs, he will get to his homework, he wants to practice so he gets as good as the other boys." Abigail told Elizabeth with a smile.
"Just as long as he studies for his arithmetic test!" Elizabeth called as Cody ran back up the stairs.
"He will" Abigail nodded following him up.
"Elizabeth?" Kate asked again.
"Katie, I can't look for it right this minute." Elizabeth sighed.
"Well can I look for it in your trunk?"
"Fine, but only the music, if I find you wearing my earrings tomorrow your sleeping on the porch! And finish your essay!" Elizabeth yelled after her as Kate went back up the stairs muttering something. Elizabeth sighed placing her head in her hands turning back to her stack of papers as the door opened and Rosemary walked in.
"There she is" Rosemary sang and Elizabeth wanted to scream but instead she just looked up offering her a tight smile.
"Our dedicated teacher burning the midnight oil, oh Marco Polo, the thrill of discovery! The thrill of new land…" Rosemary read over Elizabeth's shoulder.
"Rosemary." Elizabeth said cutting her off knowing Rosemary could go on with her dramatic story telling.
"Sorry, I was hoping you could help me with something." Rosemary said.
"You know now is really not a good time" Elizabeth said looking down at her papers.
"This won't take a moment" Rosemary said ignoring her
"Ok" Elizabeth sighed knowing she had no other choice.
"I was wondering if you could give me a few classic quotes on love for my advice column for the news paper" Rosemary said.
"Sorry Rosie, Elizabeth has plans." Both women turned as Jack walked in.
"Oh she does?" Rosemary asked. Jack nodded.
"Oh right, I almost forgot!" Elizabeth nodded silently thanking Jack for the smooth save.
"Sorry Rosemary maybe another time" Elizabeth said standing to get her coat.
"Of course, what plans?" Rosemary asked.
"Private plans" Jack said with a little shrug knowing it would drive Rosemary crazy to not know.
"Kate, I'm going out with Jack." Elizabeth called up the stairs as a loud thud was heard and Cody let out an excited yell and there was loud chatter of Abigail and Clara as Kate appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Alright" She said as Cody pushed past her running down the stairs and Elizabeth had to dodge getting run over by him as he raced out the door.
"Cody! Wait your coat" Abigail chased after him.
"Let's go" Elizabeth turned to Jack as he chuckled and the slipped out the back door.
A few minutes later they were seated in Jack's office. Rip curled up by the stove and food Jack had picked up earlier from Abigail's warm on the table.
"This is just what I needed" Elizabeth sighed contently.
"An evening in jail?" Jack teased glancing at the empty jail cell across from them.
"An evening with you. And some piece and quiet. There are so many people needing so many things at Abigail's, I can't remember what peace and quiet is like." Elizabeth shook her head making Jack smile.
"It's not exactly dinner at the Ritz"
"It's the company that counts" Elizabeth smiled at him making Jack chuckle. They both turned as the door opened and Bill Avery walked in.
"Oh I'm sorry, I'm interrupting" He said.
"It's ok" Jack said giving Elizabeth a look that told her he was sorry.
"Can I borrow some of your shoe polish?" Bill asked coming in and closing the door behind him.
"Yeah, you got a date too?" Jack asked trying to hint at something.
"Not exactly, just a meeting with some mounties in Maddison tomorrow morning, my that smells good." Bill said glancing at the table.
"Would you like some?" Elizabeth asked trying to be polite even though Jack gave her a look.
"Oh that's awful nice of you Elizabeth, thanks." Bill reached out taking some of the rolls before going into the back room. They could hear him clattering around as Jack shook his head.
"To a romantic evening together, just the two of us" He said.
"One of these days" Elizabeth chuckled as they clinked their wine glasses together.
"Alright, I am handing back your essays, look them over, as a whole you did very well." Elizabeth said handing out papers to the older students. She caught Kate's eye and glanced at Cody's empty seat.
"I was helping Clara with breakfast, I didn't see him when I left." Kate shrugged. Elizabeth just shook her head.
"First we are going to start with our English lesson today, I'm going to write a sentence on the board and I want you to tell me the parts of speech." Elizabeth went to the board starting to write, they all turned when the doors opened.
"Cody! You are twenty minutes late" Elizabeth said firmly as Cody slipped into his seat.
"Mrs Stanton said I could practice baseball before school." Cody said not looking the least bit sorry.
"Before school, you still have to be here when the bell rings"
"She said it would be ok" Cody shrugged.
"Well I think you misunderstood her" Elizabeth sighed turning back to the board.
"Well Jack this is quite the undertaking" Lee said across town as Jack stood with him outside the sawmill.
"I built the church, I'm pretty sure I can build a house" Jack said.
"Yes, but this isn't just any house we are talking about, where are you planning on building exactly?" Lee asked.
"Well you know Besser's plot of land, Just west past the grove?"
"Oh yeah, nice view from up there" Lee whistled through his teeth impressed.
"Yeah best in the valley, so how much?" Jack asked.
"What? For the lumber for this house?" Lee asked.
"Yup"
"Oh Let me draw up an estimate and I will get back to you" Lee said.
"That's great Lee thanks" Jack smiled.
"I'll even throw in some extra lumber because your such a good friend. I'm guessing this is also something to keep just between us?" Lee asked.
"If you don't mind yes. It's kind of a surprise and I don't want it spoiled yet." Jack said.
"You bet" Lee smiled at him.
"Elizabeth!" Jack said spotting her walking home from school that afternoon as he came home from his rounds.
"Afternoon" Elizabeth smiled as he fell into step next to her taking her books from her hands.
"I want to apologize for dinner at the jail last night." Jack said.
"It's the thought that counts" Elizabeth smiled at him.
"I know, I want to make it up to you though"
"How?"
"A snack in the stables?" Jack teased as Elizabeth giggled slapping his arm playfully.
"I actually have a place we can have dinner anytime we like." Elizabeth smiled.
"Yeah, Abigail's" Jack nodded thinking he knew what she was talking about.
"No, the Thatcher Sister's" Elizabeth said pulling a key from her pocket and holding it up for him.
"The row house?" Jack asked. Elizabeth nodded.
"As of today it's mine, I'm on my way to tell Kate now" Elizabeth smiled.
"That's wonderful" Jack grinned.
"I think so. As soon as we have a dinner table you will be the first one over."
"Sounds like a plan, in the mean time why don't you, Kate and I grab some dinner tonight in the saloon?"
"That sounds lovely. I'm going to take Kate over to the house, why don't you come by a little later and you can help me figure out what I need to do to make it livable and then we can go get dinner?"
"See you then." Jack smile.
"What do you think?" Elizabeth asked opening the door to the old row house.
"I think it's Abigail's old row house" Kate said looking around unimpressed.
"It's our home now, I bought it, I went to the bank during lunch" Elizabeth said.
"You did?" Kate cried turning to her surprised.
"It's getting to crowded at Abigail's, this way Clara can take our room and Cody can have her's. And we will have our own space, and you get your own room. Imagine that, separate beds and rooms for the first time in years!" Elizabeth said. Kate looked around smiling, liking that idea.
"It needs a paint job, and some furniture of course. But I think we can make do just fine." Elizabeth smiled.
"How?" Kate asked still in shock.
"I saved money from my teaching salary by us living with Abigail, and the rent isn't very much. Do you like it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes! It's wonderful" Kate grinned as there was a knock on the door.
"We have company" Elizabeth smiled as Kate opened it.
"Jack, welcome to our house, sorry about the lack of furniture can I offer you a seat on the floor?" Kate teased making them laugh as he stepped in.
"I like it, it makes it look bigger" Jack smiled.
"Which room is mine?" Kate asked glancing up the stairs.
"The one we used to sleep in" Elizabeth said as Kate hurried up to look at it as if it might have changed.
"Old Joe Craddock didn't really take care of this place like Abigail did, but it will make a fine house one day" Jack said looking around at the stove and dusty walls.
"I can't wait" Elizabeth grinned.
"Are you and Elizabeth really moving?" Laura asked at lunch the next day.
"Yup. Elizabeth bought Abigail's old row house."
"We're going to be neighbors!" Anna grinned.
"I'm just happy to have my own room, and some space. It's so packed at Abigail's. I love living there but Cody's stuff is in our room because all that fits in the hallway is his bed, and there are always people everywhere. There's only two bedrooms above the cafe and somehow we have squeezed 5 people into it with Elizabeth and I being the only ones who share." Kate sighed.
"I bet you will miss it when you leave."
"Your right, I will miss them all and I have a feeling the row house is going to feel very big just the two of us."
"Even compared to your grandmother's home in Hamilton?"
"Even so, this is a true home, I just hope it's not to quiet."
"Don't worry, I'm sure Mountie Jack will be there often enough" Anna said making the three girls giggle.
"What's so funny you three?" Elizabeth asked walking up to them.
"I was just telling them about our new house" Kate smiled.
"You girls will have to come and play with Kate now what we have the room." Elizabeth nodded giving them a warm smile.
"Miss Thatcher, you will still be our teacher right?" Anna asked.
"Of course, I am not going anywhere, just a little further out of town." Elizabeth nodded.
"Can we come help you clean it up?" Laura asked.
"I insist, we need all the help we can get, maybe you three can even paint Kate's new bedroom."
"Yes!" The girls cried making Elizabeth laugh.
"Five more minutes until the bell girls" She smiled making her way out to the field where the little children were playing tag.
"I can pick up some varnish from the mercantile if you want to start on those floors tonight" Jack offered as the three of them walked home after school.
"Thank you, but I would like to do the repairs myself. Kate and I discussed it being our house and our project." Elizabeth said as Jack turned to her surprised as Kate nodded.
"At least let me help you move your things in?" Jack asked.
"I will take you up on that" Elizabeth said.
"Yes, my bed is heavy" Kate nodded making them laugh.
"Alright back to work, see you later" Jack smiled handing Elizabeth her books back as he crossed the street to the jail.
"I'll go get the nails and sandpaper from the mercantile if you'd like?" Kate offered.
"Thank you" Elizabeth nodded handing Kate her money purse Kate climbed the steps greeting Abigail warmly just as she was coming out of the store.
"Elizabeth" Abigail said coming out of the mercantile as she walked by.
"Afternoon" Elizabeth smiled at her.
"I just spoke to Cody and he said you held him after class" Abigail said matching Elizabeth's steps.
"I didn't want to, but this was the third time this week he was late" Elizabeth sighed.
"He practices baseball before school, he just wants to fit in."
"He still needs to be on time" Elizabeth said gently.
"Well, boys will be boys" Abigail shrugged.
"They still have to get to school on time."
"Well it's a big adjustment for him."
"Abigail It's not just his attendance. He doesn't pay attention and he hasn't turned in his homework." Elizabeth said gently.
"He's having a hard time being back at school after everything he has been through."
"He needs to try a little harder."
"You think I'm being to easy on him?" Abigail asked.
"I think you are being over protective, and I understand why, I just don't think it's helping him." Elizabeth said softly making sure Abigail understood where she was coming from.
"Well thank you for letting me know" Abigail gave her a little smile. Elizabeth knew Abigail was hurt despite how careful she was.
"Abigail I know this is hard, we all what what is best for Cody, I am just trying to help. I am willing to work with him you know that, but I can't give him anything if he's not willing to at least put in some effort." Elizabeth said.
"I know, thank you." Abigail gave her the same smile going into the cafe as Elizabeth sighed staying out on the porch.
"It's not that I'm surprised she moved out on her own, I just didn't think it would happen so soon" Jack said leaning against a stack of wood as they stood outside the sawmill
"Your not sure how you feel about it?" Lee asked turning to him.
"Look, I like that she's an independent women, and I get she has Kate to think of too. But…"
"This doesn't exactly fit into your plans right? This is why your house was a secret?" Lee asked as Jack trailed off.
"Maybe" Jack sighed.
"Ahhh" Lee smiled at his friend.
"Look I would take it as a good sign, it means she is putting down roots here and moving away from Hamilton for good." Lee said.
"Well that is a very good sign" Jack agreed.
"You bet it is. Women like to make a place their own, it's called nesting"
"Nesting?" Jack asked as they started walking towards Lee's office.
"Nesting, today Elizabeth moves into her own place, down the road she moves into yours" Lee said nodding to Jack.
"Just be patient and buy her a nice house warming gift." Lee said patting Jack on the back as they climbed the stairs to his office.
"Alright, thanks" Jack nodded as Lee opened the door stopping short when he looked inside, Rosemary was grinning in his office. What was usually just his dark wood desk, tables and papers was now lace covered. With curtains, a rug, candles and throw pillows.
"So, what do you think?" Rosemary asked grinning as she widely gestured around the office. Jack held back a laugh at Lee's face as he looked wide eyes around his office.
"Nesting" Jack whispered slipping out of the office as Lee shot him a look.
"There, my worldly positions" Elizabeth smiled as Jack followed her into the row house carrying a little table.
"Well, at least we will still have plenty of floor space" Kate chuckled placing the chair she was carrying at the table as Jack set it down.
"Those who travel happy, travel light" Jack smiled at her.
"At least I have a desk to write on." Elizabeth smiled going over to the new desk she had bought and carefully dusting it off.
"Yes, but something is missing" Jack said
"What?" Kate asked walking over as Jack knelt under the desk carefully pulling out something draped in a red cloth.
"What is this?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's a house warming gift" Jack smiled. Elizabeth pulled off the cloth gently and Kate sucked in a breath as the beautiful glass vase on the desk.
"Oh Jack it's beautiful" Elizabeth whispered.
"Now I just need to get you some flowers" Jack smiled.
"It's perfect just as it is" Elizabeth smiled setting it in the center of the desk rubbing her fingers over it lovingly as Kate went into the kitchen.
"Just like you" Jack smiled gently kissing her cheek.
Friday Elizabeth stood in front of the class talking about their science project.
"Since this is a group project you all need to chose one or two partners. I will let you pick if you show me you can pick responsibly." Elizabeth said as the children grinned at each other.
"Go on move your seats, Gabe will you please pass out the project and you may get started until lunch." Elizabeth smiled as the children jumped up quickly settling next to their friends.
"Partners?" Kate asked turning to Laura.
"Of course" Laura smiled.
"Miss Thatcher" Elizabeth looked up as Cody stood in front of her desk.
"I don't have a partner" Cody whispered.
"Oh let's see" Elizabeth looked around the room. She briefly thought about pairing Cody with Kate and Laura but then remembered her conversation with Abigail the day before. Cody needed to make friends and she could certainly help him.
"Why don't you go work with Miles and Robert" Elizabeth said pointing to two boys Cody's age.
"Everyone has friends but me" Cody looked back at the boy with a sigh.
"Your new, it can take time to make friends in a new school."
"I don't want to be partner with anyone" Cody shook his head.
"This isn't a choice Cody, everyone is going to work together, come on I will walk you over" Elizabeth said standing up ad gently leading Cody over to the group of boys.
At the end of the day before dismissing the children for the weekend Elizabeth wrote the English lesson on the board.
"This week, we are going to be writing about memories. I want you each to pick a memory that can be happy or sad or scary and write about it. Older children we will be talking about first person writing as well as the use of adjectives. I really want to feel your emotion in your essay." Elizabeth dressed the class.
"I'm going to write about last Christmas when we took the train back east to stay with grandma" Emily said.
"That is a wonderful memory Emily, who else would like to share a memory?" Elizabeth smiled.
"I'm going to write about when we moved here, that was scary and happy." Kate said.
"I look forward to reliving that" Elizabeth grinned making the children laugh.
"Cody, do you have a favorite memory?" Elizabeth asked trying to push Cody to participate.
"It's stupid" Cody shook his head.
"No it isn't" Elizabeth said quickly.
"Well, my dad would say we were soldiers in the light brigade." Cody said.
"He's right that is stupid" Robert muttered making the children next to him laugh.
"Robert!" Elizabeth turned to him but before she could discipline him anymore Cody was on his feet.
"take it back!" Cody yelled pushing Robert.
"That's enough boys" Elizabeth said firmly holding Cody back, glad they were still small enough she wasn't risking another black eye getting between their fight.
"Now apologize to one another" Elizabeth said as Cody sank back into his seat.
"Sorry" Both boys muttered.
"That's all everyone, class dismissed" Elizabeth sighed as the children jumped up. Cody stood trying to get past her but Elizabeth put her hands on his shoulders.
"Cody wait" She said gently guiding him to the front of the room as the other children filed out.
"Your not in trouble" She said sitting down in the desk facing Cody who stood in front of her looking defeated. Elizabeth felt herself struggling, she wanted to be a fair teacher to all her students. And she tried to be a different women who stood in front of the classroom then the one who sat at the dinner table with Cody every night. The women who sat at the table with Cody could joke with him and Kate, and help him say his prayers and brush his teeth and walked to school with her and Kate every morning. But the teacher couldn't let him get away with not doing homework and fighting in school. But she knew Cody was hurting, she knew his hurt all to well and she wanted to help, both her student and the little boy her best friend had taken in as her own.
"Tell me the rest of the story?" Elizabeth asked.
"We used to ride horses" Cody said softly.
"I'm listening" Elizabeth gave him a kind smile encouraging him to go on.
"He would say, honor the charge they made, honor the light brigade."
"I was thinking, since you didn't turn in your paper on Marco Polo, maybe you would like to write about the Charge of the Light Brigade?" Elizabeth asked offering the little boy a warm smile.
"Ok" Cody smile.
"Ok, go play" Elizabeth nodded her head to the door as Cody smiled running outside.
Saturday morning Elizabeth pounded a nail into the floor trying to smooth it out, not hearing the back door open.
"Hello" Abigail called.
"Ahhh!" Elizabeth cried jumping a little turning and giving her friend a smile.
"Don't you look the part" Abigail laughed at Elizabeth wearing a plain dress and apron, her long curls tied back and covered with a handkerchief.
"I have somehow managed to make the creak in this floor board worse" Elizabeth shook her head.
"Impossible, it has always been like that, gosh I have missed this place" Abigail smiled looking around.
"You have a lot of good memories here don't you?" Elizabeth asked.
"I do, it looks different."
"Well, Mr Craddock was never one to concern himself with appearances was he?" Elizabeth sighed running her hand over the dusty floor board as she stood up.
"Apparently not. Where's Kate?"
"She's in her room with Laura and Anna, they are helping her choose a color and set up her things. I'm second guessing my offer to let three girls paint a room, but it is Kate's own so I suppose it will be alright" Elizabeth glanced at the ceiling as giggles from upstairs floated down.
"It will, it will help it feel more like home to her. Whats next on your list?" Abigail asked setting the basket she had brought down on the table.
"Oh an ice box, fix the doorknob, clean the chimney, a fresh coat of paint.. Yup I'm practically finished." Elizabeth laughed.
"Well why don't I help you later, Clara can take over after the lunch rush and we can have a painting party." Abigail offered.
"I would love that."
"I'll bring Cody, he wants to come help you."
"How is he doing?" Elizabeth asked.
"Good, I told him he had to finish his essay before going out to play" Abigail nodded.
"He'll come around."
"I know, thank you for talking to him yesterday, it seems to have made a difference."
"Your welcome, I am glad he's doing better."
"Me too, muffin?" Abigail asked holding up the basket she had brought.
"Mmhhmm yes." Elizabeth's mouth started to water at just the small as she grabbed one.
"Girls, I brought treats" Abigail called up the stairs.
"Yay!" The older women heard as the girls hurried down the stairs.
"Home sweet home" Elizabeth smiled.
"Alright, you now have enough firewood to last you two winters" Jack said coming in as Elizabeth was washing the walls.
"Glad to know we'll stay warm" She smiled.
"Well there are other ways to stay warm" Jack said stacking the wood by the stove and walking over to Elizabeth. She smiled at him turning resting her back against the wall as he stood in front of her.
"Umm a stove, a campfire or maybe even a blanket?" Elizabeth asked softly, shivering a little as Jack reached up brushing dust off her neck right where the neck of her dress met her skin. She wasn't totally convinced there was even anything there by the way Jack was looking at her.
"That's not exactly what I had in mind" Jack whispered.
"Well, should I keep guessing or are you going to tell me" Elizabeth asked as he reached out taking both her hands in his.
"Where's Kate?" Jack whispered his face just inches from her's.
"Out with her friends." Elizabeth breathed.
"Why don't I show you then" Jack whispered leaning the rest of the way in as his lips met her's. Elizabeth sighed into the kiss leaning her weight against the wall as Jack reached up rubbing the back of her neck gently. Their kisses had gotten more bold lately, they wen't the soft easy kisses of the start of their relationship. They had become longer and harder and tended to leave her breathless when Jack pulled away, not that she was complaining.
"Warmer now?" Jack asked when he let go resting his forehead on her's as they both collected themselves.
"Very much" Elizabeth smiled making Jack chuckle as he reached for a rag to help her.
"Hello, we brought more paint" Jack called opening the door as he and Cody walked in with two more paint cans.
"Just in time" Kate smiled setting her paint brush down.
"Cody would you like to help?" Elizabeth asked as Cody picked up his baseball and glove.
"No" Cody shook his head.
"Cody, put down the baseball and help Miss Thatcher please" Abigail said firmly as Jack went over to start cleaning the stove pipe.
"Here Cody, you can use this." Elizabeth said holding out a paintbrush as Kate dipped her's in the fresh can of paint turning back to the wall.
"No Thanks" Cody shook his head.
"Once he puts that glove on he's lost to the world" Abigail chuckled.
"Men and sport, I will never understand it" Elizabeth shook her head.
"Me either" Kate agreed.
"Alright Cody, why don't you tell us about your essay on the Charge of the Light Brigade?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh I love that poem" Jack smiled.
"I haven't started" Cody shrugged.
"It's due Monday" Elizabeth frowned.
"He's going to do it tomorrow I promise" Abigail said as Elizabeth just nodded.
"Hey Jack! Catch!" Cody yelled throwing his baseball at the same time.
"Woah no!" Jack yelled his hands full of the stove pipe but it was to late the ball sailed across the room and hit the new vase shattering it. Elizabeth and Kate gasped.
"Cody! What did I tell you? Now get that broom and clean this up" Abigail said firmly.
"I don't have to listen to you!" Cody yelled angrily as Kate bit her lip watching them
"Yes you do!" Abigail said in a tone Kate had never heard her use before.
"Cody you need to do as your told." Jack said firmly turning to Cody.
"Your not my father!" Cody yelled throwing his glove on the ground and running out the back door.
"Cody!" Abigail yelled after him.
"I'll get him" Jack said going out the front door.
"I'm so sorry" Abigail turned to Elizabeth as Kate went to the window just in time to see Cody racing by and Jack catching him so quickly it sent Cody into the air before Jack set him back on his feet.
"Let me go!" Cody yelled.
"No"
"I hate you! I hate all of you!" Cody yelled still struggling against Jack.
"No Cody no you don't you don't hate me or any of us. Your upset because you miss your dad. That's why you won't finish your essay or do your school work. Because it hurts to think about him. It hurts to not have the people you love to tell you it's going to be ok" Jack said kneeling down so he was eye level with Cody.
"You don't know anything!" Cody yelled.
"Yes I do, I do know Cody because I lost my dad too." Jack said. At this Cody stopped struggling against him watching Jack closely.
"It feels like someone took something from you, like there is a giant hole inside of you. But one day that feeling that you are feeling right now is going to go away. And until it does you have me, and Miss Thatcher who know exactly how you feel. And Mrs Stanton, who wants to help you." Jack said. softly.
"It's not fair" Cody whispered.
"no, no it's not. But just because your parents aren't here doesn't mean they aren't with you." Jack said softly. Cody nodded throwing his arms around Jack's neck and Jack wrapped his arms around Cody in a strong hug. Kate glanced back at Abigail and Elizabeth who were behind her now also watching. Abigail put a strong arm around Elizabeth giving her a smile as Elizabeth reached for Kate's hand squeezing it quickly.
"First night in the new house, what do you think?" Elizabeth asked as she and Kate sat around their table the next night.
"It's wonderful, it's quiet" Kate smiled looking around. It was still pretty empty but they had plans to fill it up soon, for now they had beds and a table, a desk, a few chairs, a warm stove and each other.
"The icebox should come tomorrow and then we will have food, and the sofa is coming soon."
"Though we should probably still eat most of our meals at Abigail's least we face starvation" Kate teased.
"Hush you! I am becoming a much better cook."
"You are, you are doing amazing things Elizabeth." Kate smiled
"I love it here, our own home. Now I can start writing again."
"What are you going to write about?"
"Stories of Hope Valley, of all the hope and love and caring that lives here." Elizabeth smiled.
"There is no place on earth quite like this" Kate nodded as Elizabeth picked up the candle and they started up the stairs stopping at the landing at the top each looking into their own bedrooms.
"Are you going to miss me tonight?" Elizabeth teased as Kate lingered in her doorway.
"Not your snoring surly" Kate grinned as Elizabeth wrinkled her nose at her.
"It's good to have our own rooms."
"But you know where to find me if you get lonely?"
"I do, this is a wonderful new step for us. Who ever thought you would own a home?"
"Not me that is for sure."
"Father would be proud of you." Kate whispered watching a small smile cross Elizabeth's face.
"They would be proud of both of us, now let's go to bed it's been a long weekend and school again tomorrow." Elizabeth sighed.
"Good night." Kate gave her a quick hug going into her room. Elizabeth settled into her bed and blew out her candle smiling in the darkness. Across the hall Kate's room went dark and both sisters lay in their own beds for the first time in almost two years. Elizabeth smiled stretching out her arms to either side, there was so much she had to be grateful for in this life.
"Honor the charge the made!" Cody yelled.
"Honor the light Brigade!" Jack joined him. Elizabeth smiled watching Jack and Cody play as Cody sat on Sergeant and Jack lead the horse around the field Monday after school.
"Is it to early to be hopeful?" Abigail asked as they laughed and started walking towards the cafe.
"You know there are going to be good days and bad days. Soon the good will out number the bad" Elizabeth smiled wrapping her arm around Kate thinking of when her sister was little.
"Your right, but I think this is a good start" Abigail nodded.
"What your doing for Cody, it reminds me of the thing I admire most about you." Elizabeth said
"What's that?" Abigail asked.
"You don't give up on people" Elizabeth said.
"It's true, anyone in their right mind would have sent us packing after Elizabeth burnt down the house our first night." Kate nodded giggling as Elizabeth playfully pushed her away and Abigail caught Kate into her side pulling her into a hug.
"Oh my girls, I am going to miss having you two under my roof."
"We will be just down the street and you will see us every day." Elizabeth said firmly.
"You promise?" Abigail asked.
"I promise!" Elizabeth nodded.
"Me too! Elizabeth still isn't a good enough cook even if she is getting better" Kate nodded laughing.
"You are getting much better. You have both come so far, I am so proud of you both." Abigail smiled.
"All thanks to you, we love you Abigail" Elizabeth said.
"I love my girls too" Abigail smiled pulling them both in for a strong hug.
