Constable Jack Thornton was walking down the boardwalk of Hope Valley, greeting the people that passed. Some smiles and returned the greeting, others didn't even look at him and walked away.
"Don't worry about it Constable", a gruff voice said, "just be glad that you're not in my position, then everyone would act like you don't exist".
Jack turned to find an older man in a weathered hat, whittling a pine plank.
"Henry Gowan", the man said, reaching out to shake Jack's hand, "I'm the first shift supervisor for the mill".
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Henry".
Henry Gowan scoffed at the remark and went back to his whittling. Jack, realizing that he would not be getting anything more from Henry Gowan in way of conversation, moved on, bidding Henry farewell. As he made his way to the constabulary he noticed that there was a new inhabitant of Hope Valley, a beautiful blonde woman who was working by herself to bring boxes into what he had been told was the old mining company's storehouse. Gallantly he walked over to help her. Excuse me Miss, may I help", he asked, setting his hat aside, picked up a box and carried it into the building.
"Yes, thank you.. Jack"?
Jack looked at her, puzzled, until it clicked in his mind.
"Nurse Faith Carter"?
"Oh Jack, it's so wonderful to see a friendly face", Faith said, hugging his neck.
"What are you doing here", he asked, returning the friendly gesture. He had met Faith after pulling his brother Tom out of a nasty knife fight. They had become good friends while Tom was staying in hospital, and he had even developed a little crush on her, but she had a fiancee and his wild spirit was not ready to settle down. Now here she was in Hope Valley, as lovely as he remembered, but nothing compared to Elizabeth Grant.
"Well, Mayor Stanton sent a wire to Hamilton, saying that the town needed a Doctor so.. here I am", she said, beaming with pride, "set that box down right there".
"So I got it wrong, Doctor Faith Carter".
"Oh Jack, you can call me whatever, the title just let's me practice medicine on my own".
"Well, it's wonderful to see you Faith, I'll see you around", he said. As they had talked they had unloaded the last of the boxes and bags from the wagon and had everything in a neat pile, according to Faith's direction. As Nathan turned to leave he found Elizabeth in the door, arms crossed, with an accusatory expression.
"Hi Elizabeth, is everything okay"?
"Oh yes", she said, a little too calmly for Jack's comfort, "I was just wondering who the new woman was".
"Faith Carter", Faith said, "I'm the new doctor. Jack was just helping me unload my equipment, he and I go way back".
"I could tell", Elizabeth said, looking at Jack.
"Well, I must be going, by now", she said, turning away and marching off. Leaving Faith behind Jack followed after Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, wait".
Elizabeth stopped and turned, hurt on her face.
"Elizabeth, what's wrong"?
"I.. I don't know, I just saw you hugging that woman and.. I know we're not courting, but I just felt so.. so jealous".
Jack smiled and took her hand, kissing it. Elizabeth blushed deeply.
"Jack", she whispered, "we're in public".
"Then you have assurance that what I tell you is nothing but true", he said, still holding her hand. Elizabeth could see the truth in his eyes.
"Elizabeth, I don't know how soon is too soon, but whenever you are willing and ready, I'll be here".
Elizabeth smiled sadly, looking deep into his soft, blue eyes.
"I don't think I am ready", she said softly. She looked in vain for any trace on Jack's face, or in his eyes, any indication that he might be upset. Instead she found understanding.
"When you are ready, I'll be ready. This is your life, Elizabeth, I'm just glad to be a part of it".
It had been an accident, but Allie Grant was feeling very guilty. She and Fiona had been hanging the main line for the telephone when Cody had approached the ladder she was on, picnic basket in hand. He had called out to her and, as she brought her hand down, the hammer slipped and hit him in the head. Quickly she and Fiona carried his lean 6'1" body over to the infirmary. She was still chastising herself when Cody stirred, finally waking up aft a couple hours.
"Hello Mr. Stanton", Dr. Carter said, checking his eyes, "is everything in focus, or blurry"?
"Ugh.. right now I've really got to stop getting hit in the head", he said.
Dr. Carter chuckled lightly, "I think he'll be fine, Ms. Grant, why don't you go get some rest"!?
"But what about Cody, is he going to be okay"?
"He'll be fine, I'm just going to keep him overnight to make sure he doesn't have a concussion".
"What if he does"?
"Then I'll take care of him, but it is very unlikely that he does, seeing as he remembers what happened".
Reluctantly relenting to the doctor's recommendation Allie kissed Cody goodbye, on the cheek, and left the infirmary.
"You better be careful Cody", Faith said, dabbing his forehead with a damp rag, "that girl may just marry you".
Cody sighed, looking after Allie's wavy image through the window.
"I don't think so", he said, sadness tinting his voice, "soon she'll be leaving. I can't do anything about that".
Amidst the many things that were on her mind, Elizabeth couldn't stop thinking about Allison Grant. Nathan's neice. She knew that Nathan had had a sister, but he rarely talked about her, let alone her daughter. She wished she had known the whole story, why Nathan never talked about his family, why that poor girl looked so frightened when she saw Elizabeth, running away from her.. no, not from her, from something else.
My My My.. what on earth could Allie be running from? I hope y'all aren't disappointed so far. If the chapters aren't long enough please let me know. My first WCTH story averaged about 4k words per chapter and that burnt me out. 1k works better for me, especially with my schedule, but please leave your opinions and I will take them into consideration (especially your opinions about the story, I love reading them).