Michael Grant loved spending time with his Auntie Abigail, but he loves running away from her just as much. He found it funny, whenever she discovered him to be gone she would be thrown into a right tizzy, wandering all over town; but this time it was not for amusement that he wandered off, in fact he was not wandering. The young man knew exactly where he was going.

Jack Thornton was beginning his daily report when he noticed the soft thudding of tiny feet on wood planking. He looked up to see the sweet face of Mrs. Grant's four year old son.

"Good afternoon young man, may I help you", he said, as if playing along with the young child.

"Did you know my daddy", he simply asked, causing Jack to smile a sad smile.

"I knew of him", Jack simply said.

"What does that mean"?

"Simply put, I heard stories about your father, how he stopped a group of bandits, bad guys that steal from people"..

"that's not nice"..

"no it's not, I also heard about how he saved his friends when he had to go and defend his home when more bad guys wanted to take it away".

"My daddy was a hero", Michael said, obviously proud of his daddy.

"Yes he was. So, that is what I mean when I say I knew about him. I wish I did know him".

Jack was taken aback when the boy walked over to where he was kneeling and hugged him around his neck. He was quite tall, and intelligent, for his age, obvious traits he got from his father and mother.

"He would have liked you, Mister Mountie".

"Tell you what", Jack said as he let go of the boy after a brief hug, "I'll give you a ride on my horse, Sargent, if you let me take you back to where you came from".

Smiling happily the child ran outside, directly to stand by Sargent, the shiny black horse looking down and sniffing the boys hair, which sent him into a fit of giggles. Jack chuckled himself, grabbed his campaign hat, and walked outside.

Young Michael Grant stared in awe as his Mountie friend swung up into the saddle. It was a smooth movement that was well practiced from years in the saddle. Jack reached down and, grabbing both of Michael's proffered hands, hoisted him into the saddle.

"Alright kiddo, where to"?

"What time is it"?

"Almost three thirty".

"SCHOOL"! the young man declared, pointing towards the schoolhouse. He couldn't tell time, but he knew when his mommy was ending her work day.

"Hold on tight", Jack said, slipping his hand around the boy to hold him close. Gently he coaxed Sargent into a light canter, sending Michael into a fit of giggles, clearly enjoying himself.

Elizabeth was surprised, to say the least. She was standing on the porch of the school, watching her children leave for the day, when she looked to her left to see the new Constable, and her son, riding up on a horse.

"Excuse me Miss", Jack said in a playful, professional voice, "I found an escaped fugitive you might want back".

"Hi mommy, Mister Mountie took me for a ride", Michael said with glee as Elizabeth brought him down from the horse. Elizabeth was glad that it was Jack that had him. She had only spoken to him once, but she could see the man behind the red surge.

"Thank you Jack, sad to say that he does this alot, but normally he doesn't wander further than to hide under the stairs of Abigail's office".

"I understand, my brother Tom was the same way".

"You have a brother", she asked.

"Yes ma'am. I was stationed in Hamilton for a bit, so I was able to help him out of a bad situation. He's doing good and, by some miracle, got engaged to a Thatcher".

"Julie", Elizabeth asked in surprise.

"You know them", Jack asked, genuinely surprised.

"I'm her older sister, Elizabeth".

"Well I'll be", Jack said, smiling, "I should have put two and two together, seeing as how you're so pretty and all. Well, not that I'm interested in you, not that I wouldn't be... gosh, I'm making myself look foolish, aren't I"?

Elizabeth smiled warmly. It was obvious that Constable Jack Thornton was not well versed in talking to women. She found it quite adorable.

"Don't worry Jack, I know what you mean. You yourself are quite handsome. Not that I'm interested", she said, smirking mischievously.

"Fair enough. So, like I was saying, I knew that a Thatcher daughter came out west to teach, I guess I didn't know what to expect. I do find you pretty, honest".

"Well Jack, thank you for your honesty".

With a tip of his hat Jack walked away to mount Sargent. Hoisting himself into the saddle he heard Elizabeth call out.

"Sargent, would you mind coming to dinner tomorrow night? There's something I want to talk with you about".

Nodding professionally Jack answered in the affirmative and rode off, wondering just what he had gotten himself into.

The first thing that Cody Stanton saw when he and Lee rode back into town that day was Allie Grant sitting astride Mrs. Grant's mare. Smiling wide, she waved him over.
"Well, Miss Grant", Cody said, removing his hat, "It seems like you already know how to ride".
"Indeed I do, Mr. Stanton", she said, sending him a wink that made his legs weak.
"I'm sorry, but Nate's worn out from the ride up the mountain", Cody said, patting his faithful horse on the neck.
"No problem", Allie said. Looking up to see Constable Thornton she hollered, "Hey Uncle Jack, do you mind if Cody borrows Sargent, he needs his daily run".
Cody looked at Allie with a shocked expression.
"What", she asked innocently, "do I have something in my teeth"?
"No.. it's just that, I just assumed you were Constable Grant's neice".
Allie looked hard at the ground.
"I don't want to talk about", she said, her eyes softening as she looked at him.
Cody nodded, dismounting his horse as Jack walked Sargent over.
"Alright Cody, Ol' Sargent here doesn't take kindly to new riders at first, so make sure to take it nice and easy".
"I will sir".
Jack chuckled, "that last part was for you, Allie".
"C'mon Uncle Jack, I always take it nice and easy".
"Alright alright, just be careful you two".
Nodding in understanding Cody and Allie took off out of town at a steady canter before letting the horses pick up the pace at a quick trot. Soon the pair were racing in the open meadow, Sargent taking an early lead, not letting the mare get too close. Soon Cody pulled the reins, letting Allie come up to his side as the horses slowed down to a slow walk.
"Gosh, I knew Sarge was fast, but not that fast", Cody said.
"It's a good thing he's out here in the open country, city life isn't the life for a horse like him".
"So how do you know Constable Thornton, or is that what you didn't want to talk about"?
"It's fine. Jack save my mom and I from my biological father back in Hamilton a few years back. He took us under his wing and did what he could to help my mom. She had tuberculosis and he was working on getting her out this way, but it wasn't in time. Thankfully I was old enough at that time to find work. I started out cleaning the offices at the phone company. That's where I met Fiona, she became my big sister, took me on as her helper and.. that's how I wound up here".
"You know, I hope you don't mind me saying, but the way you feel about Constable Thornton is how I feel about Constable Grant".
"Yeah well, I guess I can't blame him. It wasn't his fault he got posted out here".
Cody thought for a moment.
"C'mon", he said, turning Sargent back to town.
"Where are we going"?
"There's someone you need to meet".