"Good Morning" Kate smiled coming back out of her room a few hours later as Elizabeth was making breakfast.
"Morning, breakfast is almost ready, there is fresh orange juice from Abigail." Elizabeth said as she stood over the stove. Kate went up to her hugging her from behind.
"What's this?" Elizabeth smiled turning to look at her.
"I know it's not easy, Jack being gone." Kate said softly.
"It's not, but we will get through it, just as we always did, me and you." Elizabeth said with a little shrug.
"I will go take care of the barn chores and be in to help you with breakfast." Kate said putting on her coat
"Kate, I know Jack asked you to take on the extra responsibilities these next two weeks. Thank you for being so willing and helpful." Elizabeth said as Kate opened the door.
"Of course, you and me right?"
"You and me" Elizabeth smiled as Kate went out to the barn.
"Wooh!" A voice called from outside as they were putting their coats on after cleaning up breakfast. Elizabeth opened the door seeing a horse and little buggy outside the house as James jumped down.
"James?" Kate asked looking around Elizabeth surprised.
"Morning. Constable Thornton asked me to give you a ride to school and back while he's gone." James said giving them a smile.
"Oh my goodness, James you certainly don't have to do that." Elizabeth cried.
"It's no problem Mrs Thornton really, I like driving the team and Mr Spokes is letting them stay in the livery durning the school day free of charge." James said.
"Well let me get my books and we will go, thank you James." Elizabeth went back into the house as Kate climbed down the stairs meeting James at the bottom.
"Thank you, you didn't have to do this." Kate smiled.
"Jack asked, and I was happy to help." James smiled taking Kate's books from her and putting them under the seat in the buggy.
"Well, I won't pretend that it's not wonderful to see you extra early in the morning." Kate smiled making James grin as Elizabeth came out of the house shutting the door behind her. Willow bounded down the porch running to James as he smiled petting the puppy.
"James can I at least offer you something for your trouble?" Elizabeth asked as James put her books next to Kate's under the seat.
"No ma'am. I am happy to help"
"Well, how about on our way home we stop at Abigail's for some tea and cake on me then?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, I can't turn that down." James smiled making Elizabeth laugh. Kate smiled watching as he helped Elizabeth up into the buggy and carefully placed a wool blanket over her lap. Then he helped Kate into the back seat before climbing up and picking up the reigns and whistling to the horses. Kate smiled as they wagon rolled down the path, maybe these two weeks would go by quickly after all.
"Oh Elizabeth I am so glad I caught you!" Rosemary cried hurrying out of the dress shop as the girls walked by on their way to Abigail's Saturday afternoon.
"Is everything alright?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, yes of course, let's go get a cup of tea I have something for you" Rosemary stepped between the sisters linking arms with each of them leading them down the road to Abigail's.
"Afternoon you three" Abigail smiled happily as they walked into the cafe.
"Hi Abigail, it seems we have been taken captive." Kate gave her a smile as Abigail ushered them over to a table in the quiet cafe.
"Oh hush now you came with free will." Rosemary frowned.
"What did you want to show me Rosemary?" Elizabeth chuckled.
"Oh yes! Now I know your going to call me silly for this, but just you wait." Rosemary smiled putting her basket on the table as Abigail sat down with them.
"Rosemary I would never call you silly!" Elizabeth shook her head.
"Well maybe you better! I certainly deserve it but I saw this and I couldn't help myself! Oh the image in my mind…" Rosemary went on clasping her hands together and turning her head in her dramatic way.
"Well what is it!" Kate asked interrupting her.
"Cat Montgomery ordered this fabric for a dress she wanted made a few weeks ago, and there was extra after. Not enough to make a dress, even one for a child, but there was just enough for a little baby dress…" Rosemary grinned.
"Rosemary! What if the baby isn't a girl?" Elizabeth chuckled.
"Oh well it's you and Jack, we all know you plan on filling that house up, if this one isn't your bound to have one girl in the mix! Lord help us all if there's six little Thornton boys running around town." Rosemary frowned a little making everyone else laugh.
"Well let's see it!" Abigail said excitedly. Rosemary reached into her basket pulling out a beautiful tiny little light pink dress. A white ribbon tied around the waist and lace was on the bottom hem and the sleeves.
"Oh Rosemary!" Kate gasped as everyone else seemed at a loss for words.
"It's so small I can't believe we are going to have a little baby that small!" Abigail gave a teary smile as Elizabeth reached out gently taking the dress to look it over still speechless.
"I just pictured this beautiful little baby with your big blue eyes and Jack's dark hair, I saved some of the ribbon to make a hair bow as well.." Rosemary shrugged.
"It's beautiful Rosemary! Thank you I love it" Elizabeth said standing up and giving Rosemary a warm hug.
"Well I am just so excited for you, I saw the fabric and it was just speaking to me." Rosemary said trying to brush off her thanks.
"I sure hope your a girl, of your going to be dressed as one of the prettiest boys in town." Abigail said rubbing Elizabeth's belly making them all smile.
The first week that Jack was gone went by both fast and slow. School was busy as they settled into the new year after Christmas. Elizabeth was working on finding a replacement teacher hoping she would find one soon so she had time to train them and get them used to her classroom. Kate was spending her time trying to balance, school, working for Abigail and helping Elizabeth do everything around the house. They were thankful for James, Bill, Lee and Abigail who all helped out and often came by to do the barn chores. Rosemary invited them to dinner almost every night and between her and Abigail, Elizabeth had hardly had to touch the stove. By the time evening fell they were both tired and it made the nights seem not as long.
"Try this one." Kate said picking up a cookie she had made off the tray and handing it to Elizabeth who was sitting at her type writer. With her little free time Elizabeth had started writing another book hoping to finish it when she was off school once the baby came.
"Kate these are amazing." Elizabeth sighed as she took a bite.
"Abigail showed me how to make them with melted chocolate in the middle." Kate said taking a bite of another one as Elizabeth bit into hers again closing her eye and sighing.
"Kate, you are getting as good at Abigail at baking." Elizabeth said making Kate smile. Kate had been helping Abigail more and more since Clara was working mostly at the dress shop now. Abigail was teaching Kate to bake and cook and Kate was quickly becoming very good. She had certainly learned faster then Elizabeth did. There had been talk around town about Kate being a partner with Abigail at the cafe because she was becoming almost as good as her. Of course there was no question Kate would finish school, but Abigail had made it very clear that Kate had a job with her as soon as she wanted it.
"I thought Jack would like them. I can make another batch for when he comes home." Kate said.
"Jack would love these. I got the telegram from him that he is on his way back tomorrow. He probably has about a four day ride but he should be back soon." Elizabeth nodded.
"He will have to move the dresser into the baby's room when he comes back. I bet Rosemary and Clara will be making more and more clothes now." Kate said.
"I think you are right. I'm also almost positive I saw Abigail stashing baby blankets under the safe when I came in yesterday catching her off guard." Elizabeth nodded.
"I can neither confirm or deny the fact that she might be up to almost a dozen of them by now." Kate laughed making Elizabeth smile. Willow heard them laughing and got up her tail wagging she she put her head in Elizabeth's lap asking to be scratched.
"This might be Jack's last trip until the baby comes." Kate said putting the tray of cookies back on the table.
"I'm hoping so. I can't imagine him being gone closer to when the baby is due." Elizabeth nodded.
"So this might be the last time it's just you and me for a long time." Kate said giving her a little smile.
"I miss Jack, but I have enjoyed our quiet nights together. It's like when we first came to Hope Valley."
"We have both been busy, you with Jack and the baby and me with school and friends and helping Abigail."
"And James." Elizabeth added giving her a little smile making Kate blush a little.
"James has been very helpful since Jack left. I know Jack asked him to do a few things but I also know James has done a lot of extra things too that Jack didn't ask. Please tell him how grateful we are that he is helping out." Elizabeth said.
"I will" Kate nodded.
"James reminds me a lot of Jack, he has a kind heart."
"He does, I enjoy spending time with him."
"You know I think you are to young to be seriously spending time with a boy, but if you are, I am glad it is someone as sweet as him."
"Thank you for forbidding me from seeing him even if you think I am to young." Kate said. Elizabeth gave her a sweet smile as she stood up from her desk going to help her sister clean the kitchen.
"I trust your judgment, and I trust that you won't do anything beyond what you know is age appropriate. We came from a world where I was forbidden to court people who were not to Grandmothers standers and I didn't want that for you. I just want to be your big sister, help point you in the right direction, be here to support you and talk to you. But I never want to tell you how to live your life. We left that Kate, sometimes I feel like you did all your growing up here and you forget what it was like there. We were lucky to live with Grandmother. But if we were to stay I would have never been able to have the life I have now, and I love my life." Elizabeth smiled running her hands through Kate's long waves.
"I love our life too." Kate smiled.
"Good Afternoon" Bill called from the barn as James rode up with Kate and Elizabeth in the wagon after school a few days later.
"Bill, what are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked giving him a smile.
"Storms coming it. Looks like we might be in for a bad one. I thought I would come and secure the barn down and make sure everything was alright." Bill said.
"I will help, I'll put extra food in for the animals incase it is still bad in the morning." James said as Bill helped Elizabeth down from the wagon seat.
"Thank you, we appreciate that." Elizabeth said as they turned in surprise to see a wagon driving up coming to a stop as Lee and Rosemary climbed out.
"Storm is coming in, we thought we would come see if you need anything." Lee said as he helped Rosemary climb down.
"Wow everyone is here." Kate laughed.
"We will finish up here in the barn if you want to close the shutters" Bill said as he and James headed to the barn.
"You got it." Lee nodded grabbing the ladder and going over to the back porch.
"I don't like the idea of you two being here alone during a snow storm. Who knows how long we will be stuck under snow." Rosemary said.
"We will be fine, with all this help, we are prepared." Elizabeth said as they went into the house and Kate started making tea.
"Well regardless, suppose something happen and you two are here alone with no way to get help." Rosemary sighed picking up the tea cups.
"Oh they won't be alone." Abigail said as she came through the front door with a basket in her hands.
"What are you doing here?" Kate asked giving her a smile.
"Cody is staying with Robert tonight, until the storm has passed, his father hurt his knee last week and Cody is going to help Robert with the barn and shoveling. So I thought I would come ride out the storm with my girls. Should anything happen we will have each other." Abigail said giving them a smile as she set her bag down going into the kitchen helping herself to a cup of tea.
"How wonderful!" Rosemary cried.
"Thank you Abigail." Elizabeth smiled.
"No thanks needed. I have found myself missing the quiet nights we used to have together, and this gives us just the reason." Abigail smiled.
"Jack sent a telegram a few days ago that he was on his way home. I suspect he's still two or three days away, do you think he's stuck in the storm?" Elizabeth asked glancing out the window.
"I am sure he heard of it coming and found shelter somewhere. It may delay him a day or two but I don't worry about Jack. He will probably hunker down in the nearest town until it passes." Abigail said brushing off Elizabeth worry. Kate nodded, Jack was used to this kind of thing, he would be fine.
"The barn is all set and the animals have enough food until tomorrow night." James said coming into the house
"Thank you James, would you like some tea?" Elizabeth asked.
"No thank you, I should get home and help Pa with our farm." James said.
"Well if the storm is as bad as they say school will be canceled tomorrow, will you make sure everyone knows?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes Ma'am." James nodded.
"I will walk you out." Kate said quickly standing up and meeting James at the door. She closed it behind her to the three women watching from the kitchen.
"Thank you for all your help. Elizabeth says thank you too." Kate smiled wrapping her coat around her.
"I will come by once the worst of the storm passes to help you clean up and do the cores." James said.
"You don't need to."
"I want to, besides I live closer then Bill, it's easier for me." James said with a little shrug.
"Maybe if it's not to cold we can go for a ride in the snow?"
"Sounds great. I'll see you soon."
"Bye" Kate smiled as James gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before heading down the stairs.
"It's so white out there you can't even see" Kate said squinting at the window as the snow blew past the next morning. The storm had indeed been everything Bill said it would. The howling wind had happened soon after they were finished with dinner and snow had been falling hard all through the night and into the morning. Kate wasn't even sure they would be able to open the door the way it was pilling up on the porch.
"Thank goodness Bill and Lee came to close everything up, and the animals are settled for the morning as well, hopefully the storm has slowed down by afternoon." Elizabeth said adding another log to the fireplace to keep the house warm.
"Bill left extra food for them if not. They won't starve to death in one day. It's not safe to try and go to the barn in this. I grew up hearing awful stories about men being lost on the open prairie because they couldn't find their way to the barn in a blizzard. You might only miss it by a few feet but you can't see in all the white. Men just kept walking and walking out into the open not knowing which way they came from." Abigail shook her head kneading the bread at the table.
"What happened to them?" Kate asked .
"Some were never found, One I heard of was found frozen to death five steps from the door." Abigail said making Kate shiver as Elizabeth pulled her shawl tighter around her.
"You grew up on the prairie Abigail?" Kate asked.
"Yes ma'am. Wasn't a neighbor around for miles. I think the closest one was almost a full day's walk. I had my Ma and Pa, three sisters and four brothers." Abigail nodded.
"It must have been scary during a storm like this. I don't know what we would have done without the extra help. Even if I did know how to secure a house and barn for high winds, I don't think I could get up a ladder anymore" Elizabeth sighed.
"Well we certainly wouldn't want you too. But I have no doubt you girls would be able to manage whatever you needed to." Abigail told her giving her a kind smile.
"Never the less, I'm glad we're living in a town full of friends." Elizabeth sighed again getting up from the couch. She had been restless since the storm hit that morning and Kate was glad Abigail was with them to help take care of Elizabeth.
"She's restless, she's afraid Jack is riding in the storm" Kate whispered to Abigail looking up from where she was studying at the table near her. Though if she was honest her mind Haden't been on her lessons for almost an hour now.
"Elizabeth why don't you get off your feet, worrying won't do you any good." Abigail offered gently.
"Abigail I am fine" Elizabeth shook her head but sank into the other chair by the table with Kate and Abigail.
"How about a card game while we wait for the bread to cook?" Abigail offered with a smile.
"I'll get the cards" Kate agreed closing her book and putting it away. They were just sitting down again when there was an urgent knock on the door.
"What in the world!" Abigail cried.
"Who is out in this?" Elizabeth gasped as Kate hurried to answer the door. A tall figure came in covered in snow as Kate struggled to shut the door behind it against the wind and snow blowing in. The figure was all bundled and covered in white snow as Abigail and Elizabeth rushed over. Elizabeth reached up pulling down the scarf exposing bright green eyes.
"Jack!" Elizabeth gasped recognizing the eyes as they all helped to unwrap the scarf the rest of the way exposing his whole face.
"Jack!" Elizabeth cried when his smile and rosy cheeks came into view throwing herself into his arms not caring that he was dripping with snow.
"Kate hurry and warm some water on the stove" Abigail said as Kate rushed into the kitchen and Abigail continued to pull off all Jack's layers.
"Jack Thornton your lucky you didn't catch your death out there. You are by far the most insane man I have ever met." Abigail shook her head clicking her tung at him. But Kate knew she wasn't really mad.
"What were you doing out in this storm?" Elizabeth asked as all Jack's outer layers were now off and Abigail hurried him into a chair putting his feet in a bucket as Kate poured the warm water into it.
"Oww" Jack hissed his toes defrosting in the water.
"Trying to catch his death that's what" Abigail shook her head.
"I couldn't stand it wait it out. I knew I was only a few miles from town when it hit. Luckily I have made my rounds so much I know my way with my eyes closed and so does Sergeant. It was slow going but we made it just fine." Jack said as Elizabeth sank down into a chair next to him and Jack wrapped his arm around her.
"I couldn't stand to be away from you for another night." Jack said giving her a little smile. Elizabeth grinned kissing him quickly not caring that Kate and Abigail were watching them.
"Well, I will warm you some soup and see about getting you a hot bath." Abigail said.
"You are crazy Jack." Kate laughed shaking her head.
"I didn't know how long the storm would last. I didn't want to get stuck in a town for days when I could just keep pushing on and get home to you. I promised you, two weeks." Jack said.
"This is a promise I would have forgiven you for." Elizabeth sighed running her fingers through his wet hair.
"But I would not have forgiven myself." Jack said as Abigail put a warm bowl of soup in his hands.
"Jack Thornton you are impossible." Abigail chuckled shaking her head.
Kate gave James a smile as he and his sisters slipped into the warm school house just before Elizabeth rang the bell. James avoided her eye hanging up his coat and putting the lunchpail away.
"Sleep in this morning?" Kate asked as they slid into their seats.
"I need to talk to you later" James whispered as Kate turned to him surprised.
"Good morning class." Elizabeth smiled greeting everyone as they returned it.
"Today we are going to spend the morning doing something extra special. For the next two weeks we are going to spend time working on a group project." Elizabeth said as the class started to get excited.
"What's the project Mrs Thatcher?" Emily asked.
"Since spring is not so far away I thought we might talk about trees which will be in bloom soon. I want you all to pair up with one or two friends. I will assign each of you a type of tree for you to research and do a project on and in two weeks you will show your report to the class. When spring comes we can go for a walk in the woods and see the trees we did our project on as they bloom." Elizabeth said.
"Mrs Thornton will you still be our teacher in the spring?" Laura asked.
"Well we don't know exactly when spring will be, or when the baby will come. But Mrs Blakey will know about the project and I am certain she will finish it with you if I am out." Elizabeth said.
"Will you come with us Mrs Thornton, even if you are out with the baby?" Emily asked.
"I can't make any promises but I will try my very hardest." Elizabeth smiled. Everyone seemed to accept that answer.
"Mrs Thornton, our Pa said we were leaving after this week." Clara said from the front row.
"What?" Kate and Elizabeth asked at the same time.
"Oh Clara, I told you I would tell her" James sighed.
"But we can't do the project." Nellie shot back at her brother from across the aisle.
"Everyone please take out your readers and do your next lesson quietly. We will do the project after our reading lesson. James can I see you at my desk please?" Elizabeth asked. Everyone took out their books as James stood shuffling his way to the front of the room. Kate opened her book but didn't take her eyes off of James as he spoke to Elizabeth at her desk, both of them talking to softly for her to hear. Laura glanced back at her but Kate didn't look at her trying to read their lips. They only spoke for a few minutes before James returned to his seat still not looking at Kate.
"Your leaving?" She asked him in a hushed voice.
"Katie, quiet please" Elizabeth said using her teacher voice but there was softness in her eyes. Kate turned her head looking down at her book silently.
"Walk you home?" James asked as Elizabeth rang the bell at the end of the day.
"I can't, I promised Elizabeth I would help with the washing and dinner." Kate said picking up her books.
"Kate, I'm sorry." James sighed.
"It's not your fault. I just need need to help out at home today." Kate said glancing at Elizabeth who was talking to Opal at her desk.
"Alright, see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, see you tomorrow." Kate gave him a smile. James nodded leaving as the school room emptied out.
"You ok?" Elizabeth asked as Kate walked up to her desk to pick up her books.
"Yeah, are you ready to go?"
"Kate, it's ok to be upset James is leaving." Elizabeth said softly.
"I know, I'm ok being upset doesn't do anyone any good."
"Do you want to stop by Abigail's for a treat? You might feel better." Elizabeth offered raising her eyebrow.
"I kind of just want to go home if that's ok."
"Sure sweetie" Elizabeth said putting her arm around her as they left the school. The walk home was quieter then usual, the day was mild and Elizabeth had convinced Jack that morning that the walk would do her good.
"You want to talk about it?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, I'm going to take Gracie for a ride, it that ok?" Kate asked
"Sure, I'm here if you need me ok" Elizabeth said taking her books from Kate.
"Thanks" Kate nodded. Elizabeth sighed watching her walk down the path to the back before going into the house.
"Hello" Jack smiled coming in and taking off his boots.
"Hi, how was your day?" Elizabeth asked as Jack bent over the couch to give her a kiss.
"Ohh long, I am glad we are having a tame winter though. How about you? Doing ok how are you feeling?" Jack asked rubbing her shoulders.
"I'm ok, Kate is helpful at school, she and Laura do a lot of the moving around for me, and the children are so good."
"Good, I'm glad they are going easy on you, where is Kate anyway?" Jack asked.
"She took Gracie for a ride right after school. I was expecting her back by now but I think she might need sometime to herself. James told us he and his family were moving at the end of the week. She's pretty disappointed." Elizabeth sighed going to the stove to check the chicken.
"Why do they have to leave?" Jack asked following her into the kitchen and starting to set the table.
"May's mother has taken ill, she isn't expected to get better and she will have to care for her father once she is gone. They are moving back east as soon as they can."
"That's to bad, the Peterson's were a wonderful addition to this town." Jack sighed.
"I know, Kate won't say it but she is taking it pretty hard."
"Of course she is, she cares a lot about James" Jack nodded
"I know how hard it is to say good bye." Elizabeth sighed.
"Why don't I go see if I can track her down" Jack said standing up.
"No, I should, this needs to be a sister talk." Elizabeth told him as Jack tucked a stray curl behind her ear.
"Why don't you go do that and I will take Sergeant to Abigail's and see if she has any apple turnovers, maybe we can bribe Kate with her favorite food back into happiness." Jack smiled as Elizabeth put on her shawl.
"You are a wonderful man Jack Thornton" Elizabeth smiled giving him a kiss on the cheek as she left the house.
Elizabeth had a pretty good idea of where to go as she crossed the field behind the barn seeing Gracie grazing in the short grass by the pond on the far side of the land. As she got closer she saw Kate sitting idle watching the water.
"I thought I would find you here." Elizabeth sighed easing herself down on the log by the pond.
"Sorry, I know it's getting late." Kate whispered.
"I know you are hurting Katie. I wish you would talk to me about it." Elizabeth said. Kate just shrugged.
"Katie, come on this isn't like you, we talk about everything." Elizabeth pushed her a little more rubbing her growing belly. This seating was not comfortable at all but she was willing to sit here all night if Kate needed it.
"There's nothing to talk about. I am just sad he's leaving" Kate whispered.
"I know, but you can write to each other."
"It's not the same."
"No, no it isn't." Elizabeth agreed sadly.
"How did you know you were in love with Jack?"
"Well sweetheart first of all I was much older then fifteen." Elizabeth couldn't help letting out a laugh.
"Not so much, older, you were only four years older then me when we came here." Kate said firmly.
"Oh goodness you really are growing up aren't you." Elizabeth sighed realizing how their age gap was closing at an alarming rate.
"I know I am to young to court someone"
"But that doesn't make you to young to have a crush. I know this is not what you want to hear right now, but you are so young. There will be other boys, when you get a little older of course. And James can always be your dear friend. I am sorry he couldn't stay, he was a good boy." Elizabeth said gently.
"Jack didn't like him." Kate said.
"Jack just doesn't like the idea of you getting any older, that includes things like boys, and changing your hair and clothes. Jack will be ok, I think he just wishes you would stay his little shadow. And we both know he can be protective of us." Elizabeth laughed a little.
"What happens if you have a little girl?" Kate asked rubbing Elizabeth's belly.
"Heaven help her." Elizabeth rolled her eyes making Kate giggle.
"What do you say you help me get off this log and we go in and get started on some dinner? I think Jack is bringing home something yummy." Elizabeth asked.
"Deal" Kate smiled standing up and reaching down to pull Elizabeth up helping her stand.
"I know it hurts now, believe me I know, but your going to be ok. And James doesn't have to be out of your life forever. It won't be the same as when he was living here but writing and keeping in touch will make you feel better" Elizabeth said softly.
"I know, it's just hard. I'll be ok"
"And if your not, thats what I'm here for ok?" Elizabeth asked taking her hand as they started walking back to the house leading Gracie who prodded along behind them slowly
"Even if your about to burst?" Kate chuckled poking her belly.
"I am always here for you no matter what, you know that right?"
"I know" Kate nodded.
