"Elizabeth! Why is he here! What are you going to do!" Kate yelled running after Elizabeth as she marched back to town.
"I knew Henry Gowen was getting mad. But I needed supplies for the class. I never thought he would go so far as to fire me." Elizabeth cried.
"What are you going to do?" Kate asked again chasing her down main street.
"I need to talk to him. Get Jack at the saloon, tell him to meet me at Abigail's." Elizabeth said marching into the Mayor's office as Kate hurried down the street.
"Mayor Gowen why is there someone in my classroom claiming to be the new teacher?" Elizabeth asked. Walking right up to Henry Gowen as he sat at his desk. Since giving up the mine Henry had been quieter in town. But he still had a big presents and was disliked by many people for being unfair and easily manipulated with money.
"It's not your classroom, Miss Thatcher, it's the towns." Henry said.
"answer my question." Elizabeth said trying to keep her voice normal, she was so mad, she didn't think she had ever been so mad in all her life.
"A letter in your employment file was brought to my attention, and given the contents, well I was forced to replace you."
"What letter?"
"According to this you used your family's influence and the promise of financial gain to secure your first teaching assessment. That's quiet a serious allegation." Henry frowned pulling out a piece of paper.
"That isn't true" Elizabeth said firmly.
"Well it is according to Thomas Higgins. Superintendent of schools for the western territories." Elizabeth took the letter reading it over for herself.
"He was the superintendent in Hamilton before I move here." Elizabeth said.
"Well then apparently he can be trusted." Henry said.
"He's lying" Elizabeth said coldly.
"He is a well respected official so you'll forgive me if I take his word over yours." Henry said giving her a little shrug.
"This isn't over" Elizabeth said firmly as she turned leaving his office.
"This is low, even for Henry Gowen" Abigail said a few minutes later as Elizabeth sat with her, Kate and Jack in the back room of the cafe."
"Henry Gowen doesn't like being told what to do. He probably hired someone who wouldn't care as much about the children as you do and therefor not care that not everyone had equal chance with things like books and slates" Jack muttered shaking his head.
"Why did he just find the letter now?" Kate asked
"That letter is a forgery Elizabeth, we're going to prove it, and you will be back in the classroom in no time I promise." Jack assured her.
"It isn't a forgery Jack." Elizabeth said softly.
"What? You would never write something like that." Kate frowned.
"No and I didn't. But when my grandmother heard Higgins was sending me away, she tried to use money and influence to keep me in Hamilton." Elizabeth said. Kate sighed, of course, that's something Grandmother would do.
"But you didn't take the job in Hamilton." Jack said.
"No, I turned it down to come here." Elizabeth nodded.
"Then why did Higgins write the letter?" Abigail asked.
"Revenge" Elizabeth said with a sigh.
"Revenge?" Kate echoed.
"For what?" Jack asked. Elizabeth turned to Kate who was watching her with wide eyes. Abigail caught it placing her hands gently on Kate's shoulders.
"Sweetie will you go help Clara in the cafe for me?" Abigail asked. Kate looked like she wanted to argue but Jack gave her a nod.
"Alright" Kate nodded going through the doorway into the busy cafe. Elizabeth took a deep breath looking up at Jack who was standing in front of her.
"When I met with Thomas Higgins, he made… Advances" Elizabeth said in almost a whisper.
"Oh Elizabeth" Abigail whispered taking her hand. Jack's face turned stern and his ears red with what Elizabeth could only assume was anger.
"I turned him down." She said quickly.
"Of course you did." Abigail nodded.
"And that made him angry." Jack said.
"I just never realized how much. He must've written the letter as soon as I started working here." Elizabeth said as Jack started to pace in front of them.
"So you didn't know about it until now?" Abigail finished.
"Right" Elizabeth nodded softly.
"But now that the letter has come to light, I can't be a teacher, not in Hope Valley, not anywhere." Elizabeth said trying to hold back the tears.
"Then you will visit this Thomas Higgins and get him to tell the truth." Abigail said firmly.
"That's right, I have to ride out for a job tomorrow, but I will be back in two days and we will go to Cape Fullerton and find him as soon as I get back." Jack told her nodding.
"That's very sweet of you Jack, but I have to leave as soon as I can." Elizabeth said.
"I will be back in two days time" Jack nodded.
"No, this is my reputation and my career, my students are to important to me. It can't wait." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, I'm going with you then." Abigail said standing up.
"Oh Abigail you don't have to do that." Elizabeth said.
"Yes I do. Your not going alone." Abigail said firmly.
"What about the cafe, and Cody?" Elizabeth asked.
"Clara can take care of both for a few days. I will go pack and we can take the first stage out tomorrow." Abigail said heading up the stairs.
"Thank you" Elizabeth said.
"I'm worried about you" Jack said softly stepping towards Elizabeth now that they were alone.
"Don't be." Elizabeth said.
"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?" Jack asked.
"I am sure, But Jack, I need you here. I can't take Kate with me. I.. I don't want her around this, around that man. She needs to stay here in Hope Valley where I know she will be safe and away from all of this. I know Rosemary and Lee will be happy to have her with them. But I need you here with her. I have never been away from her and the only way I feel comfortable doing that is if I know your here with her." Elizabeth said.
"Of course, I will take care of her. I promise." Jack said firmly.
"Thank you, I have to go talk to her and pack my bags." Elizabeth sighed.
"I'll see you later." Jack nodded softly as she left.
"But why can't I go with you!" Kate cried sitting on Elizabeth's trunk as Elizabeth put aside dressed and shoes to bring with her.
"Because, I have to figure out what is going on, and while I do that I need to know that you are here and safe." Elizabeth said softly.
"But why did he write that letter?"
"Do you remember when the new minors where here. And Billy Hamilton was in town and Jack told you not to go near the new men alone?" Elizabeth asked.
"He said he didn't trust them." Kate nodded.
"You have been lucky, that in your life, you have only known kind, upstanding men like Jack and Uncle Henry and Lee and the men in town. Not all men are like that, and Thomas Higgins is a man who is not like that." Elizabeth said softly.
"Did he hurt you?" Kate whispered.
"No, but he was mad that I didn't let him. That's why he wrote the letter, that's why you can't come with me. I need to fix this, and I can only do that if I know you are safe."
"Elizabeth I think you should wait for Jack to go with you." Kate said.
"I can't, Abigail is coming with me. And I will be just fine. Jack needs to go away tomorrow, but he will be back the day after and I want him here with you." Elizabeth said firmly as there was a knock on the door and Rosemary let herself in.
"Elizabeth I just heard what happened and I want you to know you have my full support!" Rosemary cried walking up to them.
"That's very sweet of you Rosemary thank you. I was actually just about to come over I need to ask you something. Abigail and I are going to confront this tomorrow morning. We will be gone for a few days, can Kate stay with you and Lee?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course! Oh of course darling don't think about it for a minute we would love to have her." Rosemary gave Kate a smile putting her hand on her shoulder warmly.
"Thank you, she would be fine on her own but I just feel better knowing she wasn't alone in the house. Abigail is coming with me, but Jack will be back in two days and he will be around as well." Elizabeth said.
"Oh of course, we will have a lovely time Kate I promise" Rosemary assured them both.
"Thank you" Kate smiled softly.
"Let me help you pack your things, don't worry Elizabeth, we are all behind you in this. Mark my words, that Mr Higgins messed with the wrong teacher." Rosemary said.
"Thank you" Elizabeth gave her a smile.
"Elizabeth" Jack called hurrying up to the stage coach stop early the next morning.
"I'm glad to see you" Elizabeth gave him a smile.
"I need to ride out so I can be back as soon as I can but I wanted to see you off" Jack said taking her suitcase from her and putting it up on top.
"Alright, now, do as your told. Go to school, help Rosemary around the house. Eat your dinner and say your prayers before bed." Elizabeth said turning to Kate.
"I will" Kate nodded.
"I know you will. I love you, I will be back in a few days, I promise" Elizabeth said giving Kate a long hug.
"Safe travels, make sure you give him what he deserves." Kate said holding her tightly as Jack helped Abigail with her bags. Elizabeth released Kate and Jack helped her into the coach as Abigail said but to Kate. Elizabeth put her head out the window as Jack stepped up so he was even with her.
"I still think I should be going with you." Jack sighed.
"I will be fine." Elizabeth assured him.
"I will take care of Kate. And I will be right here when you get back." Jack promised.
"That's what makes this easier." Elizabeth said softly as Jack reached up to kiss her lovingly before hopping down. Elizabeth blew Kate a kiss as the stage rolled away and Kate and Jack stood together watching it until the cloud of dust behind it was gone.
"They are going to be fine." Jack said firmly.
"I know" Kate sighed.
"Where are you going now, school doesn't start for a few hours?"
"I'm helping Clara in the cafe, then after school I'm going straight to Rosemary's" Kate said.
"Good, I have to go. But I will be back tomorrow evening, I'll come find you and we can have dinner at the saloon alright?" Jack asked.
"Sounds good." Kate nodded.
"Alright, I will see you soon, have a good day." Jack gave Kate a warm hug that she felt they both needed.
When the bell rang for school Kate followed her friends past a stern looking Mr Stoneman into the classroom.
"He looks mean" Laura whispered.
"Elizabeth said to he kind to him. It's not his fault." Kate sighed as they took their seats and the other children hung up their things everyone chatting as they sat down.
"Good morning. My name is Mr Stoneman. I shall learn your names presently. But in the meantime let us get right to work. Who can recite the homework from last night?" He asked. Everyone glanced at each other.
"Miss Thatcher never makes us do that." Cody said.
"You will raise your hand when you want to speak! And what is this?" Mr Stoneman asked going up to Little Opal and pulling out the stuffed bear she always brought everywhere with her.
"Hey give that back!" Opal cried.
"There will be no toys in my classroom!" Mr Stoneman said.
"This is not good." Laura whispered Kate just shook her head.
"Recess of over!" The voice boomed as Kate glanced up from where she was playing the piano. Apparently Mr Stoneman had said it a few times but he couldn't be heard over the chatter of the children playing in the classroom. On rainy afternoons Elizabeth always let them play inside, making the room loud but fun as they were aloud to make paper planes, draw, play piano and do other things to get their energy out.
"Enough!" Came the yell as the ruler smacked down hard on the teachers deck making them all freeze.
"Take your seats at once! There will be no recess for the rest of the week." Mr Stoneman said as everyone hurried to their seats. Elizabeth would never dream of something so violent, or addressing her students so aggressively.
"Philip, why did you not turn in your homework assignment." Mr Stoneman asked when the class was quiet.
"Miss Thatcher said, if I couldn't do the reading, I didn't have to finish it, she would help me." Philip, the newest and one of the youngest students answered.
"Miss Thatcher is no longer your teacher."
"But I can't read without help and my Pa worked at the mill last night." Phillip said.
"Then you will receive and F on this assignment and stay after class." Mr Stoneman said. Kate and Laura turned to each other in shock.
"He's awful" Laura whispered.
"I can't believe it! He can't do that to Philip. He can't do that to any of us." Kate whispered.
"When is Miss Thatcher coming back?" Sarah asked turning around to Kate.
"I hope soon" Kate sighed.
"Excuse me! Miss… Who are you?"
"Kate Thatcher sir."
"Thatcher, of course I would have known. Well Miss Thatcher do you need to stay after class with Philip and remember how to behave in a classroom?" Kate bit her lip about to say no when she stopped.
"Yes sir" She nodded.
"I beg your pardon!"
"Yes sir, I will stay after class" Kate said firmly bring to keep her voice from shaking.
"Very well, now who can recite the math, yes you young man." Mr Stoneman said turning his attention to the other side of the room.
"What are you doing?" Laura whispered.
"I'm going to help Philip with his work. Elizabeth would never let anyone fall behind like that and his father is working again tonight. I will help him with his reading so he doesn't get even further behind." Kate said firmly. If Elizabeth had to be away fighting for the class, Kate could help her out and fight the same war right here at home.
"I'm sorry I'm late" Kate said hurrying into the cafe sitting down with Rosemary and Lee.
"That's alright, how was you day?" Lee gave her a kind smile putting down his paper. Kate frowned seeing Mr Stoneman sitting behind them working.
"Was it awful?" Rosemary asked.
"I had to stay after school. So did Philip. He took away Opal's bear, Cody and Robert both spent the whole afternoon standing in the corner. He's mean." Kate whispered.
"Oh! Look at that man! With his nasty red pencil" Rosemary turned in her seat to watch him.
"Well he is the new teacher." Lee sighed.
"Well I think it is just a shame that he took away Elizabeth's job." Rosemary said turning back to them.
"It's not his fault Gowen hired him." Lee said softly.
"Lee's right. Mr Stoneman, as stern as he is, didn't fire Elizabeth he just filled the position." Kate sighed.
"Don't you defend him Lee! What happened to Elizabeth is horrid! And to make matters worse he sounds like he's doing an awful job" Rosemary said pointing to Kate about what she has just said.
"I know it's upsetting, Elizabeth is my friend too, but she's trying to fix it and there is nothing we can do." Lee said softly.
"I think I'm going to go over there and give that man a piece of my mind." Rosemary said.
"oh no" Kate said.
"Sweetheart I think you should just sit… there she goes" Lee sighed as Rosemary got up not listening to either of them as she marched over to Mr Stoneman's table.
"Here, this is why I always eat out with a paper" Lee said handing Kate a few pages and putting his in front of his face to hide behind. Kate chuckled doing the same as him.
"Mr Stoneman I need to talk to you." Rosemary said firmly as Kate peeked out over the paper.
"The children in this town have come a long way because of Elizabeth Thatcher. She has transformed them from sticky, uncivilized, little hooligans into… Well into little people who are on occasion quite tolerable be around." Rosemary said. Kate covered her giggle glancing at Lee who rolled his eyes. Rosemary had come a long way as well. She used to dislike children, sometimes she still pretended to, but she was first to jump at the chance to help Elizabeth in the classroom now.
"But since you have arrived they have become quite sullen and unhappy." Rosemary went on as Mr Stoneman took a sip of his tea before looking up at her.
"I don't believe I caught your name Mr Stoneman said, his calm voice a contrast to Rosemary who had worked herself up by the end of her speech.
"Rosemary Coulter" She said.
"Coulter.. I don't believe I have a child by that name in my class" Mr Stoneman said packing up his papers.
"I actually don't have a student in the class" Rosemary said.
"Hmm, well when you do, we can talk. Good evening" Mr Stoneman said picking up his bag and leaving the cafe as Rosemary huffed her annoyance.
"Well I declare.. If I ever met such a rude man in all my life." She said sitting back down.
"Darling you were the one who interrupted him first." Lee pointed out gently. Kate smiled a little. Lee and Rosemary had this way of evening each other out that together made them perfect.
"Well, let's order dinner and we can go home. I have a wonderful night planed for us with dancing and reading and chocolate, It's going to be a wonderful sleepover." Rosemary gave Kate a smile.
"That all sounds lovely but I have homework and chores at our row house." Kate said with a little shrug.
"Oh... yes... Well give Lee the list of chores, I'll help you with your homework and we can move on to better things." Rosemary waved it off.
"Oh no Lee I couldn't.." Kate started.
"You sure can, I plan on making myself scarce while you girls are having your party anyway." Lee gave her a smile.
"Thank you, sounds wonderful" Kate smiled.
Kate sat on the steps of the jail with Rip at her feet the next day after school. The second day with Mr Stoneman had not gone any better, in fact Kate was surprised all the children made it through the day without anyone getting hit with his ruler. Kate had never been afraid in school, it was such a strange thing to fear her teacher durning the day. At least Philip had handed in his homework she had helped him with the night before. At lunch the whole class had sat together by the lake instead of breaking off into their groups as they usually did. It was like all the students were banning together against Mr Stoneman and how strict he was.
"Rough day?" Bill Avery asked coming to sit beside her.
"Yes" Kate sighed.
"Well, this to shall pass. If I know one thing about your sister it's that she will fight this until she's back in that classroom with all of you." Bill said gently.
"I miss her, and school is awful, it's just hard they are happening at the same time." Kate nodded.
"Well, here's some relief coming for you" Bill nodded down the road. Kate glanced up to see Jack riding back into town.
"Jack!" Kate cried as Rip started backing and they both got up running to him.
"Hey! Hey there, this is quite the welcome party" Jack smiled getting off Sergeant and catching Kate in a hug before petting Rip to quiet him down.
"We missed you, it's been awful since you and Elizabeth left." Kate said
"What happened?" Jack asked.
"The new teacher is so mean, he's awful Jack. He's mean to the little kids, everyone misses Elizabeth and I'm trying to help but he really doesn't like me because he thinks I'm doing it in spite because I'm her sister" Kate said.
"Well I got word from Abigail while I was away, she and Elizabeth are coming in on the stage tomorrow night." Jack said.
"It's fixed! She can teach again?" Kate cried.
"No, apparently Thomas Higgins is as low as ever. Elizabeth is writing to some of the other women who were in her class. She thinks she can get others to come forward and there for bring this Higgins man to trial. But she has to write letters and wait for replies. But these are all things she can do from home. She sounds just as eager to get back as we are to have her back." Jack said.
"At least she will be here" Kate sighed her face falling again.
"What do you say you and I go for a ride huh? Then we can grab some dinner before I take you to Rosemary's for the night?" Jack asked nodding to Sergeant knowing that always cheered Kate up.
"Sounds wonderful" Kate smiled.
After another long day at school Kate did her pile of homework quietly in the cafe with Cody and Laura the next afternoon.
"I don't understand this math" Cody sighed putting his head in his hands.
"Let me see?" Laura slid over glancing at his book.
"Oh, Cody you know how to do this, remember Elizabeth said use your fingers." Kate said frowned.
"Mr. Stoneman saw me using them today. He said we weren't aloud." Cody shook his head.
"Then do it under your desk." Kate winked at him making Cody smiled as Sarah and Hattie came in.
"Kate, can you help us with our reading?" Hattie asked.
"Sure" Kate nodded as the younger girls pulled up a chair.
"Here let me see your books" Laura took them opening to the page of the story.
"When is Miss Thatcher coming back?" Sarah sighed.
"Today, but she can't teach us yet" Kate said as Clara walked over.
"My we have quite the study group" She smiled.
"Are we taking up to much space? We can move to the back."
"Nonsense, the Cafe is quiet until dinner, would a few cookies from the oven help you all concentrate?" Clara asked.
"Yeah!" They cried.
"Coming up, Kate can you help me with the dinner rush until the stage gets here?"
"Sure" Kate nodded following Clara into the kitchen to get some cups of milk.
"I know you have been stepping in a lot lately to help the younger children. Elizabeth will be really proud to hear that when she gets back." Clara gave her a smile.
"I'm just glad she will be back today." Kate sighed.
Dark was falling as Kate and Jack stood at the stage stop.
"Homework still?" Jack asked as Kate sat next to the lantern her book on her lap.
"We have to know the reading well enough to recite it in the morning." Kate sighed.
And what good does that do you? The point is to understand what you read, not memorize it word for word." Jack sighed. Kate just shrugged.
"I haven't seen kids playing outside for three days now. Your all buried under homework from the minute school is out. When do you have a chance to have some fun?" Jack asked.
"Mr Stoneman doesn't believe in fun. That's why he took away our recess too." Kate sighed.
"The sooner we get Elizabeth back in that classroom the better." Jack shook his head. Kate just nodded.
"Here comes the stage" Jack said and Kate jumped up closing her book as it rolled around the corner into town.
"Thank the Lord" Kate whispered as it came to a stop in front of them. Jack opened the door and helped Elizabeth down. She wrapped her arms around him for a second before letting him go and opening her arms to Kate as Jack helped Abigail down. Kate rushed into her holding her tightly, surprised Elizabeth was holding her just as hard.
"Well, they look glad to be home" Abigail said softly as Jack helped her down and they reached up to take their bags.
"Kate had had a rough few days." Jack sighed.
"Elizabeth as well. It seems they were apart when they needed each other the most." Abigail nodded.
"They are back now, and we can work on getting Elizabeth back in that classroom." Jack said.
"I pray someone answered her letters" Abigail sighed as the sisters finally let go of each other and Kate gave Abigail a hug as Elizabeth went back to Jack.
"I missed you." Jack said kissing her gently his hand resting on the small of her back just wanting to hold her close.
"I missed you too. I wanted you with me, I thought it would be ok but it felt awful and all I could think of was how I wished I had waited and brought you and Kate." Elizabeth sighed.
"Your home now and we will get it worked out." Jack assured her.
"Why can't I just stay home and study with you." Kate sighed as she and Elizabeth walked into town the next morning.
"Because you have to go to school. It's important and we don't want any more reason for Mayor Gowen or Mr Stoneman to be mad at either of us. We have to play by the rules Kate." Elizabeth sighed.
"Besides Clara told me you and the other older kids were helping the younger ones. They need you, I need you there looking out for them." Elizabeth added.
"Alright, you look tired" Kate said looking up at her sister.
"I was up all night writing the letters." Elizabeth sighed. They both looked up as the bell started to ring. Elizabeth glanced at the stern faced man standing on the steps ringing the school bell as the children rushed pasted him. She frowned, she truly believed in treating each child by name and with a smile every morning.
"Go on don't be late, have a good day." Elizabeth said giving Kate a smile.
"Bye" Kate forced a smiled back as she hurried the rest of the way to the school house. Elizabeth sighed watching until the doors closed behind the children.
"Elizabeth" Jack's voice made her turn as she saw him walking over.
"I thought I might find you here" Jack said.
"I just wanted to walk Kate to school" Elizabeth sighed as he reached for her hand.
"Are you ok?" Jack asked. Elizabeth took a deep breath before shaking her head and wrapping her arms around him. Jack held her tightly knowing she was finding comfort in his arms feeling her tense body soften.
"I know" Jack whispered when she let him go. He wrapped his arm around turning her from the school and leading her back to town.
"I sent all the letters out this morning, I just hope I get an answer soon." Elizabeth said as they settled into the cafe for breakfast.
"You will, and if not you just write more letters" Jack assured her.
"I just hope I can afford the postage." Elizabeth chuckled and Jack offered her a small smile.
"Something is bothering you too, I can tell." Elizabeth said gentling reaching across the table to take his hand.
"The job I had brought me to headquarters in Buxton. There was a lot of talk about the war up north." Jack sighed.
"Your worried about Doug" Elizabeth said finishing his thought.
"I'm worried about all the men fighting up there."
"I say a prayer for them every night."
"I do to. But from what I hear I'm not sure prayer are going to be enough." Jack sighed.
"What else can we do?" Elizabeth asked.
"That's just it" Jack whispered.
"What is?" Elizabeth asked. Jack slipped his hand from her's sitting back.
"I need to do my rounds. I will see you tonight." Jack said tucking one of her curls behind her ears giving her a smile as he stood up.
"Open your practice exams and begin now!" Mr Stoneman boomed through the classroom. Kate sighed opening up her booklet looking at the list of math problems in front of her.
"Can I borrow your eraser?" Anna whispered, Kate reached to hand it to her when a ruler smacked down on her desk making everyone jump.
"No talking!" Mr Stoneman said firmly. Kate put her head back down as their teacher continued to pace the middle row between the two sets of desks.
"Cody are you using your fingers?" He asked a few minutes later.
"I can't do it the other way" Cody said softly.
"Then you will fail your exam and I will tie that hand behind your back." Mr Stoneman said loudly. Kate glanced at Laura in horror as Cody looked scared.
"Miss Opal that is not how we hold the pencil!" Mr Stoneman said now smacking his ruler on little Opal's deck and the little girl burst into tears.
"Stop doing that!" Kate yelled suddenly losing her patients. She knew as soon as she had said it, it was a horrible thing to do, but it was to late now.
"Who said that!" Mr Stoneman yelled turning around.
"I did" Kate said standing up.
"Oh, Miss Thatcher I should have known" Mr Stoneman said.
"You can't keep doing this to the little kids! Your not teaching them, your scaring them." Kate said.
"I know you might believe the way your sister coddles this class is better…"
"She doesn't coddle us! She cares about our education. She is smart and kind and there for us. She's more then just out teacher she's someone we can turn to for anything, and she makes sure we know that." Laura said standing up. She went to the front of the room giving Opal a hug trying to sooth her.
"We like Miss Thatcher better! She's a better teacher then you will ever be!" Cody yelled. The ruler came down on his desk with such a loud smack Kate was surprised it didn't break in two. Emily was crying now and Gabe stood up blocking his sister from the teacher.
"Let's go." Gabe said taking Emily's hand. He nodded to Miles who also stood up.
"Sit down! Take your seats at once!" Mr Stoneman cried.
"Come on Opal." Kate said lifting Opal into her arms as the other children stood as well.
"Come back here!" Mr Stoneman cried as they started filing out of the classroom.
"I'm scared" Sarah said whispered.
"It will be alright." Kate said softly as they all marched down the stairs towards town.
"What do we do now?" Cody asked.
"I have an idea" Laura said grinning at Kate.
"Elizabeth?" Kate said opening the back door into the kitchen of the cafe where she was sure she would find her sister.
"Katie? What are you doing out of school? Are you sick?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, I.. we… we walked out" Kate said softly opening the door all the way reviling the other twenty kids standing behind her. They all stood silently not sure what Elizabeth was going to do.
"Come on, come here all of you." Elizabeth ushered them in giving them a smile as she sat on the sofa. Opal immediately crawled into her lap still crying as Emily hugged her side, her cheeks still wet with tears, the little children gathering as close to her as they could. Kate and her friends pulled over chairs from the table as Gabe and the older boys sat on the stairs and the other children gathered around.
"We're not going back" Cody said firmly sinking into the rocking chair on the side.
"We want you!" Opal said lifting her face from Elizabeth's neck.
"Yeah" Everyone nodded their agreement.
"School isn't fun anymore" Hattie said.
"He slaps his ruler around. I just know one day soon he's going to start using it on us. And he makes the kids cry." Laura nodded as everyone started talking at once.
"Alright listen to me everyone please" Elizabeth softly called for order. The room immediately went silent, the opposite effect of when Mr Stoneman banged on his desk for them to stop talking.
"I know this is a big change for all of you, and change can be scary. But you can't stay home from school all day. Education is important and like it or not Mr Stoneman is your teacher." Elizabeth said softly.
"But we want you to be our teacher" Emily said.
"I know you do honey, I want that too. But I can't be. At least not for right now." Elizabeth sighed.
"Then when?" Miles asked.
"Hopefully very soon. And until then I need you all to be very respectful of Mr Stoneman." Elizabeth said.
"But he doesn't teach like you do. I don't understand it." Cody said and was met with a chorus of agreement.
"I'll make you all a deal, you keep going to school, and I will tutor you all after school. We can all do your homework together and I will help you with what you didn't understand." Elizabeth said.
"Yeah!" Everyone agreed the room suddenly becoming lighter as everyone was smiling now.
"But we still have to see Mr Stoneman everyday." Rachel said.
"Yes you do, and I need you all to be on your very best behavior." Elizabeth said.
"He won't even let me play the piano." Timmy sighed.
"Maybe we can have a recital next week, and you can play the piano for everyone." Elizabeth offered.
"I have never played in front of people before." Timmy said.
"Well that's ok everyone gets stage fright." Kate offered.
"I don't think I can do it." Time shook his head.
"What if I sing along with you, would that make it better?" Elizabeth asked. Timmy smiled and nodded.
"Alright, I will make you all a deal. It's just about noontime so why don't you do and eat your lunch and play outside. I will tell Mr Stoneman that you will all be back in class and ready to learn in an hour. And after school is out we will meet back here for homework." Elizabeth said.
"Yay!" A few voices cried.
"I can't wait" Opal smiled.
"Me either" Elizabeth grinned as they all stood up, happy again.
"How was your study session?" Jack asked as He, Elizabeth and Kate were walking back from the cafe.
"Wonderful! Abigail said I can use the cafe before the dinner rush. The children were so happy, I can help them still." Elizabeth smiled more excited then Jack had seen her in days.
"What you have done with the children here is special. They are lucky to have you in their lives Elizabeth." Jack said.
"It's not the same as being in charge of the classroom but it's something." Elizabeth sighed.
"How many letters did you write?" Kate asked.
"two dozen. I just hope there is someone out there who is brave enough to tell the truth about Thomas Higgins." Elizabeth sighed.
"There will be" Jack assured her.
"I hope so" Elizabeth smiled slipping her hand into his.
"I'll get us a table in the saloon for dinner" Kate said slipping into the doorway leaving them alone.
"Thank you" Elizabeth smiled at Jack she put her hand on his neck pulling him to her as she stood on her tippy toes meeting their lips Jack smiled into the kiss holding her to him for a minute before the pulled apart just as someone called Jack. They both turned to see Bill walking up looking solemn holding a piece of paper.
"What is it?" Jack asked. Elizabeth felt the smile leaving her face already able to tell from Bill it wasn't good news.
"A telegram came in from mountie headquarters… I'm sorry Jack" Bill whispered handing Jack the telegram. He turned walking aways as Jack skimmed the paper and Elizabeth tried to read his face.
"Jack, what is it?" She whispered afraid of what the answer could me.
It's Doug, he was killed in the line of duty." Jack said his voice cracking as he turned form her looking down the street trying to hid the emotion that came over his face. Suddenly he stepped into Elizabeth pulling her to him holding her in a tight hug.
"Oh, oh Jack" Elizabeth whispered rubbing his back, it was now Jack's turn to draw comfort from her as she held him tightly.
