Joe had always been quiet. Unlike the other boys in town, who seemed unable to go more than a few minutes without making some kind of ruckus, Joe was content to stand at the sidelines, simply observing. The only surviving child of older parents, it was hard to say if it was his basic nature, the way he'd been raised or a combination of both.

So when Lisette, a pretty schoolmate whose parents owned the town's general store, began making special efforts to chat with him, he was amazed. Lisette was always surrounded by other people, both boys and girls, and certainly didn't need to be reaching out to anyone else. Even adults smiled indulgently whenever she was near. But for some mysterious reason, she did; and before long, the two were often seen together, walking home from school or strolling along the edges of town. Joe wasn't usually much of a talker, but Lisette had a way of getting him into conversations. Sometimes they spoke about the books they were reading in school, or what was going on in town. Other times, Lisette would ask his opinions about various things, from the previous night's snowfall to what kind of work he wanted to do when they finished school. .

To an outsider, probably none of their conversations would have seemed particularly remarkable. But for Joe and Lisette, they were a steady path toward a solid relationship and eventual marriage at age nineteen.

The Moodys' life together ended all too soon, when a wagon accident led to Lisette's death. She was barely in her twenties, and the couple had not yet even had time to produce the children they had eagerly awaited. At first, friends and neighbors encouraged Joe to move on. Surely there was some young woman in Brookfield, Hope Valley, or another area town who might make a good match? Certainly Joe was too young to remain alone forever. But he always shut them down as politely as he could, until finally people stopped making suggestions. Lisette's father had passed away two years prior, leaving the store to his daughter and son-in-law. Joe found that interactions with the customers - polite and friendly, yet a bit removed - was all he could handle.

Joe had been a widower for over a decade when Maggie Parsons came to town. Of course he'd known a new nurse would soon be arriving - who in Brookfield didn't know every bit of news? But he hadn't really paid much attention. He was a relatively healthy man who didn't imagine he would have much need for any medical attention, any more than he had from the town's elderly doctor.

Then when Maggie did arrive, it happened to be at one of the worst times in Joe's life. The mercantile had burned down, destroying both his livelihood and his residence. He had gazed at the pile of ashes and felt utterly defeated in a way he had rarely felt before. The idea of rebuilding made Joe feel both mentally and physically exhausted. It reminded him of that myth that Lisette had told him about when they were kids, about the man forced to spend all of eternity pushing a boulder uphill, only to have it roll back down again. So, Joe though, it might just be easier to leave. The fact that he really had nowhere else to go didn't seem relevant.

Thankfully, his friends and neighbors had come together, saved him from himself. They knew him better than he'd ever imagined. With their help, Joe was able to start a new store, slowly easing his way back to his familiar old existence.

Yet one thing was definitely different. From the start, Joe was keenly aware of the nurse's presence. He truly didn't understand why, just that he'd catch a flash of quick movement, of sandy hair bouncing, and find his entire body paying attention. From the outside, Maggie Parsons was an ordinary woman, like countless others Joe had known throughout his life. But as he listened to her soft English accent, watched her gently caressing one of the youngest orphans or adeptly bandaging an injured rancher, he had the strangest feeling that she would be significant to him.

Despite Joe's protests, Maggie's sharp medical eye had caught sight of his bad shoulder, a result of the wagon accident that had taken Lisette's life. She had encouraged him to try some exercises that would alleviate the frequent pain and discomfort. Before long, the two had become good friends, often finding time to visit and chat during their respective workdays or to join forces in helping the children at the orphanage.

Now it was 1918, three years since the day Maggie had arrived in Brookfield. The influenza pandemic had been ravaging the globe for months, coming to Canada with the soldiers returning from the war in Europe. Thankfully, Chuck and Grace had returned home as the war escalated in England. Grace had been filled with guilt, leaving the new orphanage behind under such uncertain circumstances, but Chuck had convinced her they needed to take care of their own children, two-year-old Emma. There was also the Brookfield orphanage, where their help would also always be needed. And so the family had moved in with Lillian, her husband Gabriel, and the orphans..

These days, Chuck had all but abandoned his veterinary practice, he and Maggie traipsing around the area trying to care for influenza patients. Everyone worried about his being exposed and bringing it home, but there really wasn't much choice in the matter. Medical personnel of any kind were in high demand everywhere, so Chuck and Maggie were all that Brookfield might expect to see anytime soon. It was their duty to help wherever and whenever they could.

Except - what happens when the medical personnel get sick?

Despite Chuck's and Maggie's best efforts to protect themselves with gauze or cheesecloth masks over their faces and constantly washing their hands, they knew they were limited. Doctors and nurses around the world had desperately tried anything that might even remotely help, from aspirin to ice baths to Vicks VapoRub. There didn't seem to be anything certain, however. Some patients recovered, some didn't. Some had mild symptoms, while others were horribly ill for weeks.

Now Maggie had been stricken.

She had gone into town for supplies - no one could enter Joe's store, of course, only leave their lists on the door for him to fill and in turn leave in crates outside for eventual pickup. But Joe had been anticipating her needs, ordering as much aspirin and other supplies as he could manage, for her weekly pickups.

Seeing him through the store window, Maggie had waved a hand at Joe as she bent down to lift a crate marked with her name. Suddenly she staggered, futilely grabbing for a rail as she crashed to the ground.

Although he knew he wasn't supposed to, Joe dashed outside, grabbing Maggie's shoulders and pulling her against him as they struggled to get her back on her feet. How could he not help? He wasn't entirely sure what should happen next, however. Maybe Maggie was simply overworked and exhausted, not actually ill? Although Joe fervently hoped, he knew that wasn't likely the case. His mind reeled. Then, thankfully, he caught sight of Chuck and Grace, walking along the perimeter of their property. He hollered and waved frantically at them, hoping they'd hear and see at a distance. The two immediately dropped whatever they were doing and came running.

Joe and the Stewarts helped Maggie home, with the men's sturdy arms guiding her down the wooded path. then Grace easing her out of her dress and corset in favor of a comfortable flannel nightgown. Trying hard to suppress her coughing, Maggie was quiet in a way that she almost never was, which was most frightening to those who knew her.

They helped the nurse lay down, then covered her with the patchwork quilt as she began shivering violently.

"What do you need us to do?" Joe asked uncertainly.

Maggie just shook her head, which seemed to require great effort.

"Just let me rest a little while," she mumbled, eyes already closing.

Chuck gestured to the other two as he stepped away from the bed.

"She'll be all right for the moment," he said. "But she's going to need someone to stay here and take care of her, and there really isn't anyone. Maggie doesn't have family in town, I have to keep seeing other patients, whose families are taking care of them, and Grace is busy with all the kids. Besides, as awful as I feel saying it, I really don't want Grace exposed to an influenza patient so closely. But honestly, I don't see any other options except for her or maybe Lillian to stay here a few days."

Joe took a step forward.

"I'll do it," he said.