CHAPTER 8

Later when Jack awoke, he found his mother at his bedside instead of Elizabeth. It was Sunday, and with Jack now out of danger,Elizabeth had gone to morning church service with her family.

"Jack. You had us all worried." She leaned in and kissed his forehead, then took a seat in the chair.

"It's good to see you, Mother." He smiled.

"Oh, my dear, I'm so glad you are all right. I've been praying constantly."

"Thank you." He was still feeling weak and wished he could properly greet her.

"Son, how are you feeling?"

"Weak, but all right."

"Good! So! Tell me about Elizabeth. Your last letter said you were going to propose. But I didn't see a ring on her finger?"

"I was just about to propose, but I walked in on Charles proposing to her in the school."

"Charles?! I thought they were just friends? Well, before all of this."

"He didn't think so and wasn't willing to give up. But Elizabeth turned him down. I left before that, then received the orders and had to leave Hope Valley without being able to see or talk to her."

"Oh, Jack, that must have been so difficult. Well," she patted his hand. "It seems things are remedied now. Elizabeth is a wonderful young woman. I'm very happy for the two of you."

"I'm very blessed."

Yes you are, and don't you forget it!" she smiled at him.

Seeing his mom brought back many wonderful memories. But as they spoke, his mind kept going back to Elizabeth at the scene of the shooting. She could have been shot by a stray bullet. He also recalled times his mother was left by herself raising two boys while her husband was off on Mountie business. He remembered her sitting by her father's bedside when he was injured, and later weeping uncontrollably following his death. This time it was Jack who had come close to dying. He began to consider Elizabeth in that situation, and doubt began to creep in and grab hold. How could he expect that of Elizabeth? She had already expressed concern in the mine, and she was right to be. Who was he trying to fool. Of course his line of work was MUCH more dangerous than that of a teacher. Then his memories of visits to her family in Hamilton crept in and of her parents' disapproval of his status in society. Over the next several hours, he thought about it more and began to see only one clear option…

When Elizabeth returned late that afternoon, Jack was quiet and distant. She was puzzled. She tried carrying on a conversation with him, but his replies were short.

"Jack, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired." Elizabeth nodded but wasn't convinced. He'd been getting better and stronger. Why was he now so tired?

"Elizabeth, you need to go home and get some rest tonight."

"I don't need any rest. I'm not going to leave you."

"I'm fine. And my mother is here."

She continued to protest, but he started to get agitated, so she reluctantly honored his request. He looked down as she gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek. She left the hospital confused and concerned.

The next morning Patrick came to see Jack at Jack's request. He handed papers and a pen to Jack. Jack looked them over and quickly signed before changing his mind.

"Jack, are you sure you want to do this?" Patrick asked as he took the paperwork from Jack.

"Yes," came the quick reply.

"All right. I'll get them submitted." He turned to leave. He passed Elizabeth at the door as she was just arriving.

"Constable! It's good to see you!"

"Good to see you, too, Miss Thatcher." He gently touched her on the shoulder, and she saw a hint of compassion in his eyes. She didn't quite know what to make of it, but he quickly departed before she could say anything further.

She turned her attention to the patient. "Jack, you're up!"

"Yes. I think I'll make it, thanks to you and Mother and the hospital staff." He hesitated. "Elizabeth, we need to talk." She didn't like the tone of his voice, but she said nothing as she sat down in the chair next to his bed.

"When you came into my life and my feelings for you grew stronger, it...it changed everything. I convinced myself I could have both my job and a relationship with you. But getting shot…I realize now…I've been selfish in thinking that."

"Jack, what are you saying?"

"You were in danger because of me. This…us…it's not going to work. I can't put you through it. You need to be safe. And you deserve so much more than I can give."

"Jack, don't be ridiculous. You don't mean that." She tried to dismiss his words, but the look on his face told her otherwise. "What's gotten into you?" He remained silent, looking away. "Don't do this! I love you! I won't leave you. I don't care about fancy things. I only care about you. I'll be by your side not matter what!"

"I want you to have a better life, one you deserve, and one without worrying about whether I'll come home or not. Your father was right in thinking I'm not right for you. There are reasons, valid reasons, Mounties are discouraged from marrying, and I can't deny that any longer."

"We've been through this before. And my father has changed. He is all right with us now. Please, don't do this. Don't push me away!" She reached out to him to touch his cheek. He drew away. She grimaced as tears rolled down her cheeks. Quietly she said, "You said in the mine we could get through anything together. Where is that man now?" She saw his jaw tighten as he turned his face further away from her. He'd made his decision and was sticking to it.

"I just signed paperwork requesting a transfer from Hope Valley so it'll be easier," Jack told her, delivering another blow.

So that's why Constable O'Reilly was here and acted as he had. She was angry now. "Nothing will make this easier for me. But I'm sure you'll recover just fine while you chase your beloved pirates and whiskey runners!" With tears streaming down her face, she abruptly turned and walked to the door.

"Elizabeth." She stopped and turned back to him, waiting. Hoping. But he had no other words. He just looked at her.

"Goodbye, Constable," she said quietly.

Jack cringed but remained silent. She was right. Their relationship was ending, and he was now just another Mountie to her. She turned and walked out, closing the door behind her as if closing the final chapter of a favored book with a sad ending.

She met Faith and Anna in the hall. Through her tears, she told them what had just happened.

"He's been through a lot. He has to work through his trauma and emotions. I believe with time and prayer, he will come around," Faith told her while giving her a gentle hug.

Anna frowned and went immediately to her son's room. "Jack. What are you doing?"

"Mother, don't. I did what I had to do. There's no point in talking about it." He peered out the window, not really looking at anything, just resolute in his decision.

"This is not how I raised you." He turned further away. Anna turned and closed the door, leaving him alone to sort through his thoughts, praying silently as she went, trusting that he would figure this out in time.

However, time passed, and Jack wouldn't budge. Elizabeth came to the hospital a few times to visit with Anna and Faith and find out how Jack was doing. While he was healing physically, they told her he hadn't changed his mind, although they were confident he would eventually. She stayed away from him. But on the day she determined would be her last visit, she quietly approached the door to his room. It was half-way ajar. She peeked in and saw him resting with eyes closed. "Goodbye, Jack," she whispered with tears in her eyes. A sob escaped her as she turned to leave. Jack opened his eyes and glanced at the door just to see her turn and walk away. He wanted to call out to her; but he didn't; he couldn't. His heart broke.

Elizabeth went to say goodbye to Anna. "It's been nice to get to you know, Anna. I'm glad we met."

"Elizabeth, don't give up. He loves you very much."

"Thank you, Anna, but his mind is made up. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I can't keep going on like this. Take care of him. And please tell Faith goodbye for me when you see her. She's been a good friend."

"I will," Anna replied with tears in her eyes. She hugged this young woman she had quickly grown to love and then watched her walk away.

To be continued...