As miners began coming to the saloon to see the doctor, Abigail, Elizabeth and several other women helped those who needed a bed get settled and then helped with the cooking and comfort measures. Elizabeth worried about several of her students, as well as Abigail, who she felt was working too hard and might be susceptible to becoming ill. She went to Jack, who was helping Tom, the barkeep, move tables.
"Jack, I'm starting to worry about Abigail, she is vulnerable and she needs to rest."
Jack dabbed his sleeve to his brow, "I agree, but now that Bill is feeling better, I think he may be able to talk her into getting some rest," Jack replied, turning his concern to Elizabeth, "How you doing?"
"I feel fine, I'm just worried."
He touched her arm, "We'll do the best we can and hopefully this will all pass quickly rather than linger."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, appreciating Jack always trying to be comforting, "I'm afraid we may not be able to take our walks, there is too much to do."
Jack pursed his lips, knowing she was right. "I know, I'll miss them, but we can look forward to them after everyone is healthy again, but for now I better head back to the mine to keep an eye on things. I'll see you later, maybe we can share supper?"
Elizabeth nodded and then watched him leave the saloon feeling appreciative of how dedicated he was to the safety and now the health of the community. Her heart was so full of caring and emotion for him and especially the happiness about their courtship and how they were learning more about each other. She smiled thinking of how much she also liked the kisses they shared. "Oh my, get to work!" She stopped her daydreaming and went to assist Abigail.
"Is Jack okay," Abigail asked.
"Yes, he's fine," Elizabeth smiled.
"Well, from the look on your face, he's more than fine," Abigail smiled. "Jack has really taken charge helping with all this hasn't he?"
"Indeed, but that's the way he is." Elizabeth smiled.
"Yes, a true Mountie… duty first." Abigail saw the smile fade from Elizabeth's face. "Are you worried about something?"
"No, not worried, but things are going so nicely, I don't want anything to change that."
"Have faith Elizabeth."
Jack arrived at the mine to find Henry Gowan outside the office, "Mr. Gowan, how are the men fairing today?"
"I wouldn't call it a good day Constable. I suppose the saloon is filled with sick miners today, because there doesn't seem to be a lot of men working here," anger evident in his voice.
"The women have things under control, they're working with the doctor and hopefully we'll get through this quickly and without issues." Jack said confidently.
Gowan shook his head; the confidence of Jack Thornton rattled him, yet in some ways he wished Jack was a Pinkerton and worked for him. "I hope you're right Constable."
"I'd like to talk to some of the miners. I want to see if there are a lot of family members ill. If we can get a picture of what we may be facing I think it would help the doctors."
Gowan narrowed his eyes, "I don't have a problem with that."
Jack left Gowan's office and walked about the miners, talking and gathering information.
Back in town, the saloon was starting to look more like a hospital. Tom and others helped serve water and food. Elizabeth's desk was used to hold the medicine and she and Cat Montgomery were recruited to assist the doctor with preparation of medicine dosages. Before anyone realized it the afternoon had flown by and it was night fall. Elizabeth went outside concerned that Jack had not returned. She went to the jail and found Bill Avery doing paperwork at the desk.
"Bill, how are you feeling?"
"Still a bit weak, but overall much better, thank you."
"Glad to hear that. I was hoping Jack was here," Elizabeth looked around.
"He is not, I assumed he was at the mine."
"Yes, he must still be there," Elizabeth didn't hide her concern, "I'm going back to the saloon." She stopped at the door, "I'll be happy to tell Abigail that you're feeling better."
Bill smiled, "I'll send Jack over, but I suspect he will stop there before here," knowing Jack's first priority would be seeing Elizabeth when he returned to town.
Later, Elizabeth and Abigail headed to the café, "I think you should stop at the jail to see Bill," Elizabeth said giving her friend a glance.
"Yes, we should both stop. Jack should be there by now." Abigail said.
"I hope so," Elizabeth responded, "Bill's face lit up when I mentioned your name earlier. I'm sure he has missed spending time with you."
Abigail shook her head, "I think he is just happy to be feeling better, I doubt he was thinking about me."
"I don't know about that, I think he's had you on his mind. Maybe now you can continue your courtship."
"I can't deny I would like that, but have to get the town healthy first." Abigail forced a smile.
In the jail, Bill was very happy to see the ladies, "This is the best part of the day, having you lovely visitors."
"Jack isn't here?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, I thought he was with you at the saloon." Bill replied. "I'm sure he will be back shortly," trying to reassure an obviously worried Elizabeth.
"I think I'll go wait at the café," Elizabeth excused herself.
Bill pulled a chair to the desk for Abigail, "Jack's just probably lost track of time, he's so dedicated…"
"Yes, he is, to the town and to Elizabeth," Abigail looked at Bill, "it's good to see you feeling so much better. You have color back in your face again."
"Thanks in part to you. I may have been very sick, but I know you were here, beside me, nursing me back to health."
Abigail felt her heart pound at his statement, "I only supplied the chicken soup."
"Served with your tender care," he reached for her hand.
"Bill, that's very sweet," Abigail responded.
"Once I'm back at one-hundred percent, I intend to repay your kindness." Bill smiled.
Elizabeth paced in the café, concerned over Jack's whereabouts. He could still be at the mine, arguing with Gowan perhaps. Could they have fought? Gowan wouldn't hurt Jack would he? "Oh stop it Elizabeth, you're getting yourself all worked up," she picked up the cup of tea she made. "Oh, this is awful…." The tap on the door interrupted her.
"Jack! I'm so glad you're back!" She sighed with relief.
"I'm sorry it's so late," Jack walked in and put his hat on the chair. "I hope you didn't wait for me for dinner."
"I didn't even think of dinner. I can make you something to eat." Elizabeth was wringing her hands.
Jack reached out and took her hands, "No, it's fine. I took the opportunity to talk with the miners. I wanted to see who might be sick within their families. Gowan was actually quite cooperative."
"I wish I had known. I wondered where you were."
"You knew I was there," Jack replied tersely.
Elizabeth looked at him, "Yes, but ….well, I'm sorry." She hadn't heard that tone in his voice in a long while.
Jack shook his head, realizing how he sounded, "I'm sorry….I'm tired."
"I'm sure you are," Elizabeth put her arms around him wanting to comfort him. "You really should go and get some sleep."
"Hmm, this feels like a good place right here." Jack rested his head against hers and held her close. "I could get used to this…"
"Hugs?" she pulled back a bit to look into his eyes and smiled shyly.
"Coming home to you, getting a nice warm hug, having nothing to do but go to bed," he stretched his back, leaning back slightly.
Elizabeth blushed, "Oh…well, yes." She dropped her arms to her side and stepped back.
Feeling her pull away, Jack cleared his throat, "Did I say something wrong again?"
Elizabeth sighed, loving the concern in his face, she didn't care what he said, her heart knew what he meant, she pulled him close, "Jack, you don't say the wrong things, just…it's been a long day and we both need some rest." She reached up and brushed the back of her hand against his face.
"Hmmm, how am I supposed to leave when you do that?" Jack whispered. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips.
She always loved when he kissed her hand, the way he closed his eyes and his eyelashes fanned on his cheeks. It always brought her back to that moment when he formally invited her to dinner and she was frozen in place at his affectionate request. "You need your rest Jack. You can't take care of everyone else and not take care of you," she whispered.
"In a minute," he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his face against her neck, "I'm quite comfortable right here for now."
Elizabeth gave him a squeeze. They stood holding each other, appreciating the alone time and the tender caring they shared. She loved these moments. Jack's breathing was all she could hear.
"Jack, are you falling asleep?"
"No…." He stepped back and wiped his eyes, "Ah, no."
Elizabeth laughed softly, "Let me walk you to the jail, just to make sure you get there." She picked up his hat and took his arm and they left the café.
At the jail, Abigail and Bill were discussing plans for caring for the sick at the saloon. Elizabeth and Jack came in, "Good evening," Jack said.
"Well, glad to see you've been found Jack….," Bill stood.
Jack smiled, "Yes, I'm fine. How are you feeling? Better I suspect," he looked at Abigail.
"Much better," Bill smiled, exchanging glances with Abigail.
"Well, I think it's time we all said good night, tomorrow will be another busy day," Abigail looked at Bill, "sleep well."
"You as well, thank you for everything," Bill touched her arm.
Jack and Elizabeth awkwardly looked around the room before looking at each, "Good night," she finally said.
Abigail helped, "Elizabeth, wait outside for me for a minute would you, I want to say something to Bill." She then motioned for Jack to follow her.
Jack took Elizabeth's arm and led her out the door. Elizabeth kept looking back, "What was that all about?"
Jack didn't respond but spun her around and into his arms, "She was giving me an opportunity to say good night to you."
"Jack, she…." Jack's kiss interrupted her. "Hmm, I'll have to thank her later."
Abigail went to the window. Bill was surprised by her spying, "I can't believe you're watching…"
Abigail put her finger to her lips, "Shhh" then motioned for him to come and look. "Young love, it's so wonderful."
Bill looked out the window and then down at Abigail, "It isn't so bad when you're not so young either."
Abigail looked at Bill for a moment and then scurried to the door.
They both stepped out onto the porch, "Good night," Bill touched Abigail's arm.
"Have a good rest," Abigail replied.
"Sweet dreams," Jack whispered in Elizabeth's ear. "We'll watch from here to make you get there safely."
"Such a long walk!" Abigail joked, "Good night!"
Elizabeth took Abigail's arm, "So, did you enjoy your time with Bill?"
"Yes, I'm so glad he's feeling better."
"Do you think he would ever consider settling here in Coal Valley?" Elizabeth gave her a side glance.
"Why would he do that?" Abigail asked.
"I could think of a reason," Elizabeth responded. The two ladies giggled and entered the café.
The next morning, the ladies arrived at a saloon bustling with activity. Cots filled with miners coughing, the doctor had his stethoscope firmly planted on a miner's chest, ladies were scurrying around with water cups and Tom approached Abigail. "We've had a rough night here, a lot of these men are very ill. We even have some of the children over there," he pointed to the back section of the saloon.
"Oh no," Elizabeth hurried off to the children.
"I hope we can handle all this," Abigail surveyed the busy room.
The doctor called for Tom, "I think we have several severe cases over here." The morning pressed on, while not adding any new patients to the sick room, several appeared to grow weaker. "We have to bring down the fevers, once they get a high fever, well; it usually isn't a good outcome." The doctor instructed the ladies to do what they could to offer water and cool clothes to the infirmed. Elizabeth worked alongside the mothers caring for the children. Abigail and Bill Avery brought food from the café, imploring the caregivers to take nourishment.
The doctor summoned Bill and Tom, "We have a miner who has succumbed. I don't want to cause alarm, but we must do something."
Bill and Tom took charge and arranged for the burial of the miner and coffins to be built, just as a precaution.
In the afternoon, Abigail and Elizabeth finally stopped to rest and share a pot of tea. "No one else has gotten sick, maybe this is the worst of it," Abigail said, surveying the room.
The door burst open and in walked Jack aiding an obviously ill miner. "Hope you have some free beds, there are three more outside like this one." Jack said. Bill and Tom rushed over to help.
Elizabeth went to Jack, "Please, come sit down and have some tea."
Jack nodded, "Okay, for a minute. I need to get back to the mine."
Abigail spoke up, "Jack, you need to eat and take a break. Now sit down."
"Yes Ma'm," Jack replied.
Elizabeth poured him some tea and put a plate of sandwiches on the table, "I hope that is the last of the men to fall ill."
Jack touched her hand, "I hope so too. I really hope so."