"I'm glad you came to have lunch." Elizabeth smiled as Jack pulled a sandwich out of his basket handing it to her before pulling out another for himself.
"Me too, we should do this more often." Jack smiled as they sat on the front steps of the school watching the children play.
"How was your morning?"
"Mr Brown's pig got out and ran head first into the well, luckily he was so fat he got stuck. I walked up to the back half a pig sticking out of the ground." Jack chuckled making Elizabeth laugh.
"That would be wonderful to add to my story!" She cried picking up her notebook and writing it down.
"So is Kate in your story?" Jack asked.
"The leading lady does have a sister she cares for yes." Elizabeth nodded.
"What about Abigail?"
"Well every frontier women needs a trusty best friend."
"Am I in your story?" Jack asked.
"There is a Mountie named Theodore." Elizabeth grinned at him.
"Oh, tell me about him?" Jack asked leaning back on his elbows on the step behind him biting into an apple.
"He's hard to describe." Elizabeth said softly watching him.
"Maybe I could read what you've written."
"I haven't quite finished yet." Elizabeth shook her head.
"I will tell you what, you let me read what you have written so far, and I will cook you dinner tonight." Jack raised his eyebrows.
"You drive a hard bargain." Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him.
"Seven this evening at your place?" Jack asked holding out his hand. Elizabeth smiled as she handed him her notebook.
"I bet I'm a better cook then Theodore." Jack shrugged making her laugh.
"Elizabeth." Abigail called entering the school house after the children had been dismissed.
"Abigail, this is a surprise" Elizabeth looked up as Kate turned from washing the boards noticing how worried Abigail looked.
"I was wondering if I might walk home with you today? I could really use one of our talks." Abigail sighed.
"Of course, let's go to your place." Elizabeth quickly gathered her books.
"Can I come?" Kate asked.
"Yes, you will find out anyway." Abigail nodded as Kate grabbed her own books and lunch pail and they left the school house.
"What's this about?" Elizabeth asked as they started the walk back to town.
"A women showed up to the cafe this morning, she said she was Cody and Becky's aunt, their mother's sister. She plans to take the children back to Davenport with her." Abigail sighed.
"She can't do that!" Kate cried.
"She can, she's their family, and she has a big house and many wonderful things to offer them, more then I have." Abigail sighed.
"Oh Abigail I can't imagine what you must be feeling." Elizabeth sighed taking her friend's arm.
"She can't give them the kind of things that you have. Money and big house's aren't everything. We know!" Kate said as Elizabeth nodded.
"Just the same, having family that can provide for their needs is a real blessing." Abigail said. They walked in silence for a minute.
"Do they know yet?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, I will tell them as dinner." Abigail sighed. Elizabeth nodded putting her arms around Abigail. Kate looked up at her and they shared a look, both feeling upset but wanting to support Abigail. Abigail had always been family to them, they often ate more meals at her dinner table then their own unless Jack was over. And Cody had become a part of the family and now Becky was feeling like a good friend to Kate that she was back. And Kate knew Becky looked up to Elizabeth as a women who had gone to collage just like Becky wanted to. Kate sighed, why did everything have to change just when it was feeling so good. They walked into the kitchen off the cafe and Abigail stopped short looking surprised. Kate glanced around Elizabeth noticing a women she didn't recognize talking to Becky and Cody and assumed it was their aunt.
"This is a surprise, I thought we agreed I would tell them myself tonight." Abigail said sounding a little put off, even more so coming from a women who was usually so sweet and kind.
"There was nothing to do at the hotel so I thought I would come by and meet the children" The other women said. She was blond, about Abigail's age and wore fancy clothes, like she had the money that the Thatcher's did. Cody ran over to Abigail looking upset.
"Is it true? Are we going to live with her?" Cody asked.
"Yes sweetheart, it's true." Abigail said with a little sigh. Cody turned running up the stairs and they heard the door to his room slam. Becky looked unsure as she looked at Abigail.
"I should go talk to Cody, I'll be right back." Abigail said putting her hand on Becky's arm before going up the stairs. Elizabeth quickly walked to Becky's side as if offering her some kind of comfort or protection. Kate hung back trying to stay out of the way.
"I should introduce myself. I'm Caroline Hastings, the children's aunt" The women said.
"I'm Elizabeth Thatcher, the school teacher in town, and this is my sister Kate" Elizabeth gave her a smile.
"I had no idea this would cause such an upset" Caroline said.
"He will be alright it's just a bit of a shock that's all" Elizabeth said kindly.
"Becky, why don't we have breakfast tomorrow morning before school? We can talk and get to know each other." Caroline said.
"Ok" Becky shrugged sounding unsure.
"And don't you worry, we will get you fully out of this wheel chair in no time. I'm thinking a trip to Switzerland might do you some good."
"That sounds like fun." Kate said trying to get Becky to smile.
"I'll see you out." Elizabeth said walking Caroline to the door.
"It sounds like you will get to do a lot of cool thing." Kate said sitting down across from Becky.
"I know, it's just a surprise I guess. We were just getting used to the idea of staying here." Becky sighed.
"You will come back and visit, you can come in the summers, when school is out." Kate smiled as Elizabeth came back into the room and Abigail came down the stairs.
"How's Cody?" Elizabeth asked softly as the girls started their homework and she was helping Abigail set the tables for the dinner rush.
"He's upset, he want's to stay. He is afraid I, and all his friends will forget about him. I feel terrible." Abigail sighed.
"Poor boy" Elizabeth sighed.
"I assured him that would never happen, I know they will be fine with their aunt. I just wish it wasn't so far."
"I know, I do too. I feel like Becky and I were getting close, she truly is so smart and talented. I would love to be able to tutor her, I believe she could go to collage one day." Elizabeth nodded.
"Well their Aunt certainly has the money to send her. Maybe they are better off."
"I don't believe they are better off with her then with you. But I don't believe she's a danger or a harm to them either."
"I hope so" Abigail sighed.
"I'll wash the dishes." Kate said standing up after dinner and clearing the three plates.
"Thank you." Elizabeth gave her a smile.
"Here boy, someone mine as well eat this" Kate smiled putting a plate of burnt potatoes on the ground by Rip.
"So besides the burnt mashed potatoes, was the rest of dinner good?" Jack chuckled.
"It was wonderful, and they only burnt because the flames jumped I don't think your entirely to blame for that." Elizabeth smiled as Kate laughed.
"Thank you, I will have to try again. I did say I owe you dinner for letting me read your book." Jack nodded.
"So what did you think?"
"I just, I felt like there needed to be more." Jack said.
"More Mountie Theadore?" Elizabeth asked giving him a smile.
"no, just more stuff." Jack shrugged.
"Stuff?"
"Yeah, like a shoot out!"
"I don't write shoot outs" Elizabeth frowned.
"It could be great! Think about it, Theadore, he takes on the Garrison Gang, it's three against one, damsel is in distress…" Jack said getting super into it. Kate looked at them over her shoulder as she and Elizabeth shared a look.
"Or how about this…Theadore comes down with a very bad case of Laryngitis and he can't come up with anymore great suggestions." Elizabeth said.
"Your not mad at me for giving you ideas are you?" Jack asked.
"No, of course not, it's just sometimes I doubt myself. I doubt that I will ever be able to write anything good enough to be published." Elizabeth sighed.
"Listen, there are not enough women who are writing about what life is like on the frontier. Or what it's like to raise a child that isn't your own. You have something very important to say." Jack said firmly giving her a smile.
"Maybe I just need a little more encouragement." Elizabeth sighed.
Jack glanced back seeing Kate's back was turned to the wash bucked, he leaned in kissing Elizabeth softly.
"How was that?" He he asked giving her a smile when he pulled away.
"Encouraging" Elizabeth grinned back making him laugh.
"Why do we have to pick up Cody and Becky today?" Kate asked as she and Elizabeth were walking to school.
"They are having breakfast with their aunt in the saloon."
"I didn't even know the saloon had breakfast. It must be pretty yucky, they should just eat in the cafe." Kate said
"I think their Aunt Caroline is trying to get to know them without Abigail around around."
"Who wouldn't want Abigail around?"
"It's complicated, come on" Elizabeth sighed pulling open the saloon doors. It was quiet, a few people were eating but it was easy to spot who they were looking for.
"Sorry to interrupt, Abigail told me to come get you guys, it's time for school." Elizabeth said.
"Ok" Cody nodded quickly putting down his fork.
"come on I'll help you." Kate said taking hold of the handles of Becky's wheel chair. She still used it for long distances such as walking to school or being out of the house for a while. She was still trying to build up her strength.
"You go along I'll catch up" Elizabeth said as the three children left.
"Humm, I guess they weren't hungry." Elizabeth frowned looking at the hardly touched breakfast plates. Cody at least, was known to gobble down his breakfast and ask for seconds most days.
"Or maybe they didn't like the company." Caroline sighed.
"Oh, they just need to get to know you, and they are probably a little scared."
"Oh me?"
"No. Of the future. Cody has gotten used to things here, and Becky was just starting to find her passion." Elizabeth offered.
"Which is?"
"Science and math." Elizabeth smiled unable to hide how proud she was of Becky.
"Oh no, she won't have time for that. With the social season starting, not if she is going to be presented this year." Caroline smiled and Elizabeth couldn't hide her frown.
"Well there's always time for things you love." She said softly.
"And she is going to love being a debutante" Carline smiled. Elizabeth frowned, she remembered her days as a debutante, they were long and hours were spent on the way to sit and walk and dance. Something told her Becky would't love it anymore then she had, which wasn't much.
"Well, if you will excuse me, I should go get to school" Elizabeth said giving her a polite smile as she left the saloon.
That afternoon Elizabeth walked up and down the center of the school house smiling at the project each child was working on.
"This is coming along nicely Laura, I like the pictures you used." Elizabeth smiled.
"Cody your train looks lovely, but you might want to look over your paper for some mistakes I circled."
"Yes Ma'am" Cody nodded softly.
"Becky, the judge comes in two days, don't you want to finish your project?" Elizabeth asked looking over at Becky just staring at her half built bridge and papers.
"What's the point? Aunt Caroline won't let me to go school even if I win the scholarship." Becky sighed.
"You can't give up, and you have to show your Aunt what matters to you. You have come so far Becky you can't quit now" Elizabeth whispered.
"ok" Becky nodded picking up her pencil. Elizabeth sighed looking over her class again.
"Alright, you may all put your things away, class is dismissed for the day." Elizabeth rang her cowbell. The children quickly gathered their things putting them away and hurrying outside.
"I'll help you work on your project at Abigail's" Kate offered to Becky.
"Me too, we can do them together." Laura smiled.
"Thank you." Becky nodded as they walked out together. The classroom was quiet, the last of the children leaving as Jack walked in.
"Hi" He smiled.
"Hi, it's good to see you" Elizabeth cried wrapping her arms around his neck holding him tightly, she felt Jack frown a little as she pulled back.
"Rough day?" He asked.
"How did you know?" Elizabeth sighed.
"You always hug a little tighter on those day." Jack said.
"I suppose you bring me comfort when I need it." Elizabeth said giving him a smile making Jack grin.
"It was fine. It's just hard to see Cody and Becky so out of sorts."
"I know, hopefully they settle in soon with their Aunt." Jack nodded sympathetically.
"I hope so" Elizabeth nodded.
"Miss Thatcher" A voice called making them both turn as Cody stood in the doorway.
"Oh Cody, did you forget something?" Elizabeth asked.
"no, I just wanted to bring you something." Cody said handing her something wrapped in paper.
"Oh" Elizabeth said surprised taking it and unwrapping a glass vase, just like the one Cody had broken when he first came here.
"Oh Cody it's beautiful." Elizabeth whispered as he took her breath away.
I'm sorry it's not as nice as the one I broke. I was saving up for a better one. But since I am leaving I won't have time to get it." Cody said.
"This is every bit as nice, and very special because It came from you." Elizabeth told him as she knelt down facing him and gave him a hug.
"Mountie Jack can I ask you something?" Cody asked turning to Jack when she let him go.
"Anything Cody" Jack nodded.
"Miss Abigail said I was the man of the house. But since I'm leaving she's going to be alone again. While I'm gone can you look out for her?" Cody asked.
"Yes. I promise I will look out for her." Jack nodded seriously as Elizabeth turned to him.
"Shake on it?" Cody put out his small hand. Jack took it in his much larger one giving him a firm handshake.
"Thank you" Cody gave them a little smile before leaving the school house again. Jack turned to Elizabeth watching Cody go with tears gathering in the corner of her eyes.
"Need another one of there?" Jack asked putting his arm around her.
"Yes" Elizabeth sighed allowing herself to be wrapped up tight in his arms. This time there was nothing funny to Jack about to comfort he was able to bring her.
The science fair came up quickly but everyone was ready as Elizabeth helped each child set up their projects. From little Opal's project about bears all the way to Laura's big weather cloud they hung from the ceiling. Most of the town was there as well, watching the judge as he carefully looked over each project. Elizabeth went to stand by Becky as he looked over her's.
"How are you supporting the load?" The judge asked her looking at her model bridge.
"Half with suspension wired half with trusses." Becky said quickly.
"Her calculations are here" Elizabeth smiled pointing to the plaster board. Many people had gathered around Becky's project now and Kate was happy for her, forgetting about her own project as it seemed everyone was holding their breath for Becky.
"And you didn't help her?" The judge asked Elizabeth.
"Oh no sir" Elizabeth said quickly.
"This is collage level work, We have a winner" He smiled.
"Hurray!" Cody cheered as everyone clapped. Abigail reached out giving Becky a hug while Elizabeth squeezed her shoulders.
"Is her mother here?" The judge asked. Kate watched Abigail about to open her mouth but Caroline stepped forward instead.
"You can talk to me" she said.
"You must be very proud." The judge beamed.
"I .. I am" Caroline nodded.
"Even if she doesn't win the scholarship in the next round, and frankly I don't see why she wouldn't. She needs to enroll in a technical university." The judge told Caroline firmly.
"I will think about that" Caroline nodded.
"Will the winner join me up front for a photo?" The judge asked moving to stand by Elizabeth's desk. Becky glanced up at Elizabeth who gave her a nod and Becky stood from her wheel chair shakily making her way to the front of the room herself as Abigail watched her with a teary smile. Everyone clapped again as Becky accepted her award and smiled proudly for her picture.
"Elizabeth" Kate whispered peering into her sister's dark room. The moon shown through the window but not enough to create enough light to see much.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked sitting up quickly.
"I had a dream that Aunt Agatha and Uncle Henry came and made me leave and go back to Hamilton to live with Grandmother." Kate whispered.
"It was just a dream Katie. Your just sad about Cody and Becky leaving tomorrow." Elizabeth said softly.
"They can't do that can they? If Cody and Becky's Aunt can take them what if ours can take me?"
"Come here, that wouldn't happen." Elizabeth pulled back the blankets a little, allowing Kate to slid into her bed.
"The children are going to live with their aunt because she is their family. Just like you are my family. Abigail isn't their family."
"But she loves them just like they were, besides they never even knew they had an aunt." Kate frowned.
"I know, but unfortunately it's not the same. You are my family, no one is ever coming to take you." Elizabeth said firmly.
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart, and even if they did, I would just pack my bags and go right along with you." Elizabeth whispered.
"What about Jack? And school?"
"You are more important to me then anything else, though I have a feeling if you and I left, Jack wouldn't be far behind." Elizabeth said making them both laugh a little.
"We will write them letters, and I bet they will come back to visit."
"It won't be the same." Kate sighed.
"No it's won't" Elizabeth agreed.
"Abigail is going to be sad."
"Yes, she will be sad."
"I wish they didn't have to go."
"I know, me too" Elizabeth sighed.
"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?" Kate whispered.
"Of course" Elizabeth nodded putting her arm around her. Kate fell asleep soon after, her breath even but Elizabeth found she was wide awake. It had been a long time since Kate had needed comfort like this in the middle of the night. Usually she seemed like such an adult now, but times like this, when it felt like they were about to be saying good bye to a piece of their family, Elizabeth didn't mind at all if Kate fell asleep tucked into her side. It was a nice comfort to both of them.
"Good Bye Cody" Elizabeth smiled as Cody wrapped his arms around her waist the next morning as they waited for the stage coach
"If I write to you, can you share my letters with my friends?" Cody asked.
"I promise I will, and we will write back to you." Elizabeth nodded.
"I think your the best teacher I ever had Miss Thatcher." Cody sighed.
"Thank you sweetheart, we will see you soon alright?" Elizabeth smiled as he let go turning to Kate and Becky walked up to her.
"Promise you'll write?" Becky asked.
"Pages and pages, and I will send you some books and some work books to if you like." Elizabeth said softly as Becky gave her a hug.
"Yes please." Becky nodded.
"You're going to be just fine." Elizabeth gave her a strong smile. Becky said bye to Kate.
"Don't forget your promise" Cody told Jack firmly.
"Never" Jack nodded his face serious, then all the was left was Abigail.
"Well young man, you be good, do as your told and make sure you do your homework." Abigail told Cody. Elizabeth could hear the quiver in her voice as she tried to keep it strong. Cody ran to her wrapping his arms around her waist tightly and Abigail held him to her just as strongly.
"Please don't let go." Cody whispered. Elizabeth felt tears in her own eyes hearing how upset Cody was.
"I have to honey" Abigail whispered her voice was shaking now. Kate slipped her hand into Elizabeth's giving it a squeeze as Jack put a strong hand on both their shoulders.
"No, you don't" Caroline said suddenly making them all turn to her.
"I want what is best for the children, and you were right about what's best" Caroline said.
"Does that mean we don't have to go?" Cody asked.
"I should have seen it sooner, Cody is happy here, this is where he belongs" Caroline said making Cody grin.
"What about Becky?" Abigail asked.
"You can stay until the scholarship competition next week." Caroline said turning to her.
"I can?" Becky cried.
"Yes, you can, and even if you don't win. Your Uncle and I will pay to send you to the finest school in the country." Caroline told her. Kate grinned up at Elizabeth who had tears in her eyes as she smiled to hard to Becky covering her mouth in a happy little laugh.
"Thank you" Abigail said as Caroline turned to her.
"I was trying so hard to do what I thought was right for them. That I couldn't see that, your what's right." Caroline told her.
"I hope you will come and visit" Abigail said.
"I would love to" Caroline smiled.
"You are welcome anytime." Abigail gave her a hug. Kate smiled as Caroline climbed into the stage by herself and they waved good bye before all hugging each other again.
"What do you say we go get you two unpacked?" Abigail asked.
"Yes!" Cody cried.
"Come on! Everyone out of the cold! Lets have a nice hot breakfast together." Abigail smiled as Cody ran back into the cafe with his suite case closely followed by a laughing Abigail.
"What do you need to finish for the science fair next week?" Kate asked Becky as they picked up her bags.
"So much" Becky sighed.
"I'll help" Kate grinned as they walked inside.
"Well, alls well that ends well" Jack smiled picking up the rest of Cody's bags.
"If I do say so myself, that a relief" Elizabeth smiled wrapping herself around his arm as they all went into the cafe for a family breakfast.
"I had another thought about your story." Jack said that night as they sat having tea in Elizabeth's kitchen after Kate had gone to bed.
"Oh, I can't wait to hear it." Elizabeth teased.
"I realized you don't have an ending yet."
"That's because I keep changing it."
"You need to build up to a memorable moment." Jack said
"You have anything in mind?" Elizabeth chuckled.
"I do, Mountie Theadore could save the day" Jack said nodding as Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.
"Or, a leading lady could save the day. She's very handle with a pistol, she's an export horsewomen, her hair never gets messy, and she's quite talented at whittling." Elizabeth said smiling.
"Whittling? She sounds like the perfect women." Jack said knowing she was based off Elizabeth herself.
"Pretty close to it." Elizabeth smiled.
"Well, she's got to have some kind of weakness" Jack asked.
"She had one" Elizabeth whispered
"What?"
"Mountie Theadore" with that Elizabeth gently grabbing the collar of Jack's shirt pulling his face closer to hers as their lips met. They pulled back after a minute and Jack ran his thumb over her soft cheek before leaning in for more.
