Elizabeth couldn't take her eyes off Jack. What could she do to help him feel better? Every time he stirred, she reached out to him, wanting to comfort him. He would cough while struggling to sit up and bang his fist on his chest. He would take a sip of water and then lie back down, breathing hard. He seemed so uncomfortable and Elizabeth felt so helpless. She dipped the cloth in the pan of cool water, squeezed and wrung it, holding back her tears. She patted Jack's face gently until he dozed off.
"Jack," she whispered, "you have to get well." She bit her lip to hold back her tears. She gently rubbed his arm and then sat up straight, trying to be strong and in control of her own emotions, "This is no time to get sick and neglect your duties Constable Thornton." Almost as soon as she completed the declaration, she crumpled, overcome with worry.
"Miss Thatcher?" Barkeep Tom Travois watched her care for Jack, but he was now worried about Elizabeth. "If you'd like to have something to eat, I can keep an eye on the Constable."
"No thank you Mr. Travois, I'm just fine." Elizabeth sat up straight.
"Very well then," he rubbed his chin, "I'll bring over a pot of tea for you both."
"Thank you, that will be very nice," she looked up at him and forced a smile. She continued to dab Jack's face and neck with the damp cloth.
Tom returned and put the tray next to the cot, "You know, he's a strong young man, I'm sure he'll be fine." He tried to encourage Elizabeth.
"I hope you are right." Elizabeth responded. "Do you think the other doctor will arrive soon? What if we run out of medicine?" Her voice was shaky as she looked toward the door.
"I think the company doctor has things under control. People are better," he looked at Jack, "and I know the Constable will be better soon. Have faith Miss Thatcher." Tom nodded and walked away.
"Faith….I have faith." She looked down at Jack, "I have faith in you Jack. Faith that you will get well. Faith that our future will be bright, happy and filled with joy." She wiped a tear from her cheek and leaned down. "Jack, I need you, I need you to watch out for me." She scanned his face with her dewy eyes, "Remember, you have to be here to make sure I don't stub a toe because I am such a princess you know." She laughed softly, "And what am I supposed to do if a spider should come crawling?" She leaned closer, "Jack, did you put that spider in the boat just to scare me? No, I suppose you wouldn't do that…would you Jack? Well I know you didn't put the snake in the classroom, but you saved me then too, didn't you Jack?"
Jack stirred and moaned. Elizabeth took his hand in both of hers and brought it to her lips for a moment. "Jack… I wish I could do something for you, you've done so much for me, but please know I'm here for you and I'll always be here, if you'll have me." She tried to smile but instead a sob emerged, and she moved closer to him, "I never would have thought coming here to teach, to fulfill that dream, that I would meet you. That was the last thing on my mind. I never thought much of having a beau, I didn't have very many at home. I wanted to teach." She looked up, remembering. "Things started so shaky for me here, the stage getting robbed, all my belongings gone, the teacherage burning down." Her eyes shot down to Jack, "Oh, did you know about that Jack? I burned down the teacherage! Well, maybe it's good that you didn't know about that, you would have just teased me incessantly about it wouldn't you?" She suppressed a chuckle and wiped a tear from her eye. "Then along came you. You! We sure didn't hit it off from the beginning did we Jack? You know, I could never tell if you were interested and whenever I did think you were, you made an abrupt turnaround! You confused me Jack." She squeezed his hand and shook it slightly remembering the times he walked away, leaving her wondering how he felt. "But I knew in my heart how I felt. I knew that you were the one. Yes, you're the one….just like you told me. Jack, that meant everything to me to hear you say those words." Elizabeth was finally smiling, "You're the one….hmm, Jack, you mean everything to me. Please get well, please." Elizabeth put her face down on his arm, fighting back tears.
"Elizabeth!" Abigail came rushing into the saloon. Elizabeth jumped from the surprise. "This is Dr. LeClaire, he's brought medicine for Jack." Abigail touched the arm of the man accompanying her, a tall, serious looking young man in a dark coat clutching a medical bag.
"Hello Miss Thatcher," he shook Elizabeth's hand and looked over at Jack, "if you'll take my coat, I'll take a look at the Constable." He quickly handed his coat to Elizabeth and removed the stethoscope from his bag. He sat by Jack and gently shook his shoulder, "Mr. Thornton, I'm Dr. LeClaire, I'd like to listen to your heart and lungs to see how you're doing." He moved his stethoscope over Jack's chest, listening closely.
Jack's eyes blinked open and he whispered, "Elizabeth?" When he realized it was not Elizabeth hovering over him, he turned to see her nearby. "Hello?" The doctor helped Jack sit up and then listened along his back.
Elizabeth stood by, wringing her hands. Abigail whispered, "He looks tired, has the coughing stopped at all?"
"Yes, the coughing seems to have subsided, but he feels so warm." Elizabeth did not take her gaze from Jack. "I'm so worried Abigail."
"Now listen you come and sit down," Abigail took her arm, but Elizabeth refused to move. "Elizabeth…."
"No, I have to take care of Jack." She had that determined look on her face.
The doctor continued his examination of Jack, checking his eyes and throat and feeling his neck. "I'm going to give you some medicine Mr. Thornton, it will help reduce the fever." He poured powder into a cup and added water from the pitcher on the bedside table. Jack complied, drinking from the cup.
The doctor spoke to the ladies, "The fever is the most worrisome symptom right now. His lungs don't sound too bad and his throat is only slightly red. He could use a clean shirt, his sleeve is rather wet…."
"Oh, that was me," Elizabeth blushed and looked down.
Abigail understood, "Elizabeth, why don't you go to the jail and get a fresh shirt for Jack, the doctor can help Jack clean up a bit."
The doctor went to seek out Tom to get some water and towels. Abigail led Elizabeth to the door, "This will make Jack more comfortable, so let the doctor help Jack. You need some air and the walk will be good for you and nothing will happen to Jack while you're gone."
On the porch, Elizabeth sighed, reached for the post and took several deep breaths before she headed to the jail.
She pulled the door open and was surprised at what she saw, "Gabe! What are you doing here?"
"I'm taking care of Rip for Mountie Jack. How's he doing?" Gabe said.
"Oh, that's so sweet of you and hopefully Mountie Jack is on the mend," she reached down and patted the dog, "I'm sure Rip is glad to have someone taking care of him. Aww, you must miss Mountie Jack, don't you boy?" The dog growled and barked. Elizabeth and Gabe both laughed.
"Too bad he can't see Mountie Jack," Gabe took a turn petting the dog.
"Why can't he?" Elizabeth went to the back room where Jack's belongings were, grabbed some clothing from the chest and headed for the door, "Come with me Rip."
Rip sat there, looking at Elizabeth. "Why did I think he would move?" She laughed.
Gabe got the dog to get moving, "Come on boy, where's Mountie Jack? Let's find him, come on."
The three entered the saloon. Tom immediately started toward them, but Elizabeth's pleading look backed him off. "Thank you," she said barely above a whisper.
"Jack," Elizabeth stopped, Jack was under the bed sheet obviously without a shirt.
Abigail came over, "I'll take these clothes for Jack… the doctor will help him." She smiled, looked at Rip, "you take that dog over there for a minute."
Rip wouldn't wait, he waddled over to his master, growling along the way. Nudging his nose against the bed, begging for Jack's attention. Jack laughed, "Hey boy, glad you're okay." He reached and scratched the dog's head while the doctor helped Jack put on the clean shirt.
"I'm not sure a dog is the proper visitor for your recovery," the doctor said. Rip growled at him. "Nothing personal puppy." The doctor stepped back.
"Miss Thatcher, I'm going back to the jail, to keep an eye on things," Gabe looked at Jack, "Glad to see you Mountie Jack."
"Thanks for caring for Rip, Gabe." Jack replied, still petting the dog.
"Miss Thatcher," Dr. LeClaire approached Elizabeth, "if you would give this medicine to the Constable every six hours, it will help bring down his fever and he should be fine in a few days. Can you manage to do that?"
"Yes, of course," Elizabeth took the small bottle.
"Thank you. Can you tell me where I might get something to eat?" He smiled.
"Yes, talk to Mr. Travois. There's a café in town, although it isn't serving meals today."
"Well, maybe tomorrow you can show me where the café is, for now I will go back to Mr. Travois and see what he may have to make dinner and perhaps accommodations." He looked toward the stairs leading to the rooms upstairs. "Don't hesitate to find me if the Constable should need anything."
"Thank you Dr. LeClaire," Elizabeth was grateful.
Jack coughed and Elizabeth rushed to his side. "Would you like some tea?"
"That would be nice, thank you," Jack said. Rip now on the bed, lying at his feet.
"I'll be right back," she hurried to see Mr. Travois.
Mr. Travois was talking with the doctor in the kitchen when Elizabeth walked in.
"Can I please get some tea Mr. Travois? Also do you have any more of Abigail's chicken soup? I think Jack might be hungry." She was almost giddy at the thought of Jack having an appetite.
Dr. LeClaire turned to Elizabeth as Tom prepared a tray. "So, Miss Thatcher, tell me about yourself."