Chapter 2: Struggling over a decision

When Faith learned that the new doctor in Hope Valley wanted to stay and open a practice and keep her on as his nurse she was happy to accept. She could not imagine doing anything else other than being a nurse or not leaving Hope Valley which had become her new home over the past two years when she originally came to help an injured resident in place of a doctor who could not get away from an important task where she worked in Union City. She did not intend to stay but at the last minute decided to after a breakup.

After the new doctor had opened his Practice in town Faith started to form a close friendship with him. The doctor's name was Carson Shepard. They always seemed to learn more about each other as they worked on helping the residents of Hope Valley whenever they came into the infirmary, or they had to ride out to see patients who could not come into town because of their age or for other reasons.

As the months went on Faith was starting to fall for the doctor who was also her boss, and coworker as more than a friend. She was not sure what to do about it, she did not know is she should tell him or not how she felt as maybe he did not feel the same way about her. She was also afraid to start a new relationship as she was just getting over her engagement to someone else. She had broken it off because he had wanted her to stop being a nurse. She would not quit or give up her job, so she decided to stay permanently in Hope Valley and maybe one day find someone who would let her stay being a nurse. She was also nervous to admit to Dr. Shepard her feelings of him she had as well. She decided to wait to see what he would do first or to try to gather clues whenever they would be working to what his feelings were so they could at least be on the same page in terms of their attraction to each other before she said anything.

A few weeks later

Dr. Carson Shepard one morning about seven months after opening his practice noticed that Faith kept glancing his way every hour and he did not know why. He thought maybe and said to himself, ~could Faith Carter my nurse and assistant be falling for me, starting to like me, what should I do? Should I admit to her I am falling for her~, he thinks to himself as he is working five feet across the room from where Faith was busy restocking the supplies in the cabinets.

As Faith was restocking she noticed Carson was noticing she was looking at him and thought to herself, ~ could he possibly wonder if I am falling for him and too scared to admit it to him, what should I do~, she thinks to herself as she continues putting away band-aids, prescription pads etc.. Faith is also thinking to herself, ~maybe I should go and ask Abigail and Elizabeth for some advice about if I should let Carson know I am falling for him. Maybe I will go after work later this afternoon~, she tells herself as she switches to folding some clean sheets to be used for the infirmary cots later in the future.

As Carson is looking over some of the patient files he is thinking to himself, ~maybe I should go ask for some advice from Jack about how to let Faith know I am falling for her, he will know what to do, he has been in this same position I am in now. In fact I will do just that later this afternoon~, as Carson finishes his train of thoughts.

Later in the Afternoon

After both Faith and Carson had finished their work for the afternoon at the infirmary, Faith makes her way over to Abigail cafe to track down Elizabeth and Abigail since she knows she can find Elizabeth there most days after school, while Carson goes over to the Jail to find Jack to talk to and ask for advice.

As soon as Faith gets to the cafe she spies Elizabeth at a table by the door and approaches the table. Once she is in front of Elizabeth she says;

"Elizabeth could I ask you for some advice" Faith asks

"Sure Faith, I will be Happy to" Elizabeth responds

" Well for the past couple of months as I am getting to know our new town doctor Carson Shepard, I am starting to fall for him and liking him as just more than a friend and coworker, but I don't know how to admit it to him or if I should. What should I do Elizabeth" Faith asks

As faith was talking Abigail had walked into the room and caught most of what she had asked Elizabeth so she says to Abigail as Elizabeth is thinking of what to say

"any advice, Abigail" Faith asks

"well if you are falling for him, just try to find the right time to" Abigail says

"yes what Abigail just said. Also, I was in the same position as you when Jack first showed up in town. As we got to know each other, I started to feel the same way, and I finally got up the courage to tell him so, so you too can gather up the courage to tell Dr. Carson how you feel when you are ready and when you think will be the right time to" Elizabeth responds

"Thank you so much Abigail and Elizabeth for the advice. I will find the right time to tell him when I am ready" Faith responds

After Faith finishes her conversation with Abigail and Elizabeth she leaves the café to go home and to try to think of the right time to tell Carson how she feels and will try to over the next few day as they work.

Meanwhile across the street at the Jail and the towns Mountie Office Carson was asking Jack for advice on what to do about his feelings he was having about Faith his assistant and nurse. Just as Carson was closing the door Jack was coming out of the adjacent room and when he saw Carson Jack said;

"is there a problem, did you need me to investigate anything Dr. Shepard" Jack asks

"No thanks Jack, I just came to ask you for some advice" Carson responds

"sure, what kind of advice do you need" Jack replies

"well as you know I have not been in town very long and you know I have kept Nurse Faith Carter on as my nurse when I opened my practice a few months ago. As we have been getting to know more about each other these past few months I have started to have feelings for her as more than a friend, but I am to scared to admit it to her or if I should, what should I do Jack? I don't want to lose her as my nurse either if she think us getting together will affect are work relationship as she is great at what she does " Carson replies

"well that is a tough situation. I was I the same position as you were when I first came to town and was falling for Elizabeth but was too nervous to admit it to her for a while, but I finally did and I am glad I did as I could not imagine having her by my side or in in my life as my life long partner and wife . So if you have feelings for Faith Carter you should find the right time that you think is right to let her know how you feel about her" Jack replies

"I will. Thank you Jack, I knew I could count on you for good advice" Carson responds

After he finishes his conversation with Jack, Carson goes home to think over as to when he thinks will be the right time to admit his feelings for Faith to her, and if he should do it at the infirmary or plan a special occasion or to taker her somewhere to tell her where it will be more private without he rest of the town knowing just yet or walking in on them while they talk. Carson decides to wait a few days to see what Faith will do first before making a final decision as what to do.