The next morning, Jack woke up pretty much the same way he had fallen asleep: leaning back into the pillows with Elizabeth snuggled against his chest. When she began to stir, she leaned up and coughed a couple of times while Jack rubbed her back encouragingly, "Good morning beautiful."

Elizabeth turned around and narrowed her eyes at him, "I look awful and you know it."

"You always look beautiful to me," said Jack, "How did you sleep?"

Elizabeth leaned back into the pillows and said, "Alright I guess. I had trouble sleeping because anytime I would start to fall asleep, I would start coughing again."

Jack nodded his understanding. He had heard her misery throughout the night. The young couple heard a knock at the door, "Come in," said Elizabeth.

Abigail poked her head into the room and said, "Good morning Elizabeth, Jack." She carried in a tray with a bowl and spoon along with the medicine on it, "I have your medicine as well a bowl of soup. It should help you feel better and try to clear up the phlegm and coughing."

Jack got up from his place on the bed to allow Abigail to enter. Abigail gave Elizabeth her medicine and Jack took his own as the doctor had instructed. Once Abigail was finished, she gave Elizabeth the soup and said, "I have to go make sure they have a substitute for the children today."

Jack patted Elizabeth's shoulder and whispered, "Get some rest and I'll be back to check on you later."

"Okay," Elizabeth nodded, "I love you Jack.

"I love you too Elizabeth," Jack smiled and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him. He went downstairs to find Abigail in a panic, "Mrs. Stanton is everything okay?"

She turned around to face Jack, "Not really. There isn't someone to take over for Elizabeth right now until she gets better."

Suddenly, Jack got an idea, "Mrs. Stanton, would it be okay if I was the town teacher for today? I mean I know I'm in no way qualified to take over, but just for today while they find someone until Elizabeth is well again."

Abigail looked at Jack skeptically, "Jack…"

"Just trust me on this one. Just for today I promise," he said.

"In that case, you have to be over at the schoolhouse soon and you're not even dressed yet," she observed.

Jack looked down and flew out the door, "Thank you Mrs. Stanton. I promise I won't disappoint you or Elizabeth."

Jack rushed back to the jail and dressed himself as fast as he could. He made himself look presentable before going over to the town store.

"Constable," said the store owner, "What brings you here today?"

Jack walked up to the counter and said, "I need supplies to make cards. Paper, pens, craft items, you name it, I'll buy it."

"How many?" asked the owner as he started to gather the items.

"Enough for the town children," said Jack.

The store owner nodded and handed Jack the supplies. Jack paid him and made his way over to the saloon where the children were beginning to arrive. Once they were all settled in their seats.

"Good morning Mountie Jack," they all greeted him.

"Good morning everyone," he said and Rosaleen raised her hand, "Yes, Rosaleen."

"Mountie Jack, where is Ms. Thatcher?" she asked him.

"Boys and girls, I'm sorry to say that Ms. Thatcher isn't feeling well," he said.

"It's' the cough isn't it?" asked Emily.

Jack nodded, "Yes, Ms. Thatcher has a bad cough and she has to stay in bed and rest. And she also doesn't want to make you all sick because she cares about all of you so much," he said and all of the children smiled proudly in between awes.

"What are we going to do today then?" asked Gabe.

"Well, that's why I'm here," said Jack, "Now by no means am I going to be here everyday until Ms. Thatcher gets better, but I am going to be your teacher for today. You'll most likely have someone else tomorrow and until Ms. Thatcher returns." Jack opened the bag and said, "But for today, how about making some get well cards for Ms. Thatcher?"

All of the children cheered happily and rushed forward to obtain paper, writing implements, and craft items. Jack chuckled lightly and the children's enthusiasm. Watching them made him want to have children more and more after he married. When the children were done, Jack collected the cards one by one.

"Do you think Ms. Thatcher will like them Mountie Jack?" asked Emily.

"I think she'll love them Emily," he acknowledged her. Once he dismissed everyone, he slowly made his way back over to Elizabeth. he approached Abigail and asked her, "How's Elizabeth doing?"

"Well, she was doing fine the last time I checked on her. I mean she still has the cough, but that will probably take a while to clear up," she answered, "You can go check on her if you want."

Jack nodded and made his way to Elizabeth's room. He quietly opened the door and asked, "Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth's eyes were closed but immediately opened upon hearing Jack's voice, "Hi," she smiled.

"Did I wake you?" he asked.

"No I was just resting my eyes," she said stifling a yawn.

Jack entered the room and said, "I have something for you."

"What?" she asked curiously.

Jack opened the bag and said, "Well, I was the town teacher for today, and since I don't know much about teaching, I had the children do a little art project today."

Elizabeth looked into the bag and was shocked by all the 'Get Well' cards the children. And they were all different and beautiful, just like the children, "Awe Jack, they're beautiful."

"Thank your students when you get back," he chuckled.

When Elizabeth looked at the last card, the one with a big heart on it, she knew who it was from. She opened the card and read the message:

My Dear Elizabeth,

Well I'm not that great at your job but we're managing. This will be short and sweet, just like you. Get well soon. With all my love.

Your Handsome, Annoying Mountie,

Jack

Elizabeth chuckled and coughed when she read the salutation. She couldn't believe Jack remembered how she described him when they first met. In fact, it wasn't until later she had shown him that one entry in her diary upon arrival in Coal Valley. She looked up into Jack's eyes and said, "I'd kiss you right now, but I don't want to make you sick."

Jack kissed her forehead and said, "That's okay. I know how much you love me without that. But I'd love to hear you say it again."

Elizabeth giggled, "Okay then, I love you Jack."

"I love you too Elizabeth. I love you too."