The infirmary was dark as Elizabeth lay in the bed staring up at the ceiling. Her whole body still ached, though the intense pain she had endured for a while had subsided for the most part.
By the time Rosemary and Lee had arrived, Elizabeth had managed to get to her feet and make it to the sitting room. Her hand clenched the locket that Lucas had dropped, silent tears still fell from her eyes, and her son had crawled up in the arm chair next to her. Jack sat silently and very still, his only movement was to softly pat his mother's hand from time to time. Elizabeth had wanted to pull him into a tight embrace but her body ached too much.
Her friends had not bothered knocking. Then again, this wasn't the first time that they had gotten a call from Little Jack asking them to come because the boy was scared. The first time, Lucas had been yelling. The sound enough had scared Jack. The second time had been after the first time Lucas had hit her. She couldn't remember what she had said, but her husband had slapped her across the cheek. Elizabeth had been so shocked she had simply crumpled to the floor and cried. That was where Rosemary had found her when she had arrived.
This time, Rosemary and Lee found her sitting in the sitting room. As Jack had told Rosemary on the phone that his mama had fallen down the stairs, Lee wanted to take her to see Dr. Simmons. Elizabeth had tried to claim she was fine but that was when the cramps had started. When Lee had asked if Lucas knew, Jack innocently stated 'Lucas just left'. Elizabeth had seen the accusations in Rosemary's eyes but as more cramps had come over Elizabeth her friend had kept them to herself. Instead, Rosemary had reached out for Jack as Lee had helped Elizabeth to her feet.
Now, hours later, Elizabeth felt like she had been through a war. She was tired, sore, and wasn't sure she had any more tears left to cry. Though Dr. Simmons had said that nothing seemed to be broken, she had lost the baby. The miscarriage had been just as painful as labor had been without the joy of holding a baby at the end. Even Rosemary's presence through the whole ordeal had brought little comfort. Right about now though, part of her wished she had let her friend stay.
Elizabeth felt guilty for wondering if this wasn't for the best. Perhaps it was better not to bring another child into the home she lived in. It wasn't a happy home. Sometimes she felt bad that Jack had to grow up in the current situation. At least now she would not need to fear telling Lucas that she was pregnant. She did not need to find out first hand if Lucas would treat the baby different from he did Jack because it was his or not. She was not even sure which scenario would be worse.
Elizabeth had already sworn the doctor, Rosemary and Lee to keep her secret. No one needed to know she had ever been pregnant. She would not need to face the pitying eyes of her neighbors about losing a baby she had not even been sure she wanted.
Guilt smote her. The baby had done nothing. The baby had been innocent. Elizabeth felt like she was a horrible person as she lay there alone with her thoughts. Rosemary had wanted to stay with her tonight but Elizabeth had insisted that it was not necessary. She told her friend she would feel better if she and Lee just kept an eye on Jack for her tonight. That the way she felt, she would probably sleep most of the night anyway. Dr. Simmons had echoed that sentiment, saying that he would be on hand all night in case anything came up. The doctor had also asked the Coulters to stop by his house and let his wife know he would not be home that night.
The quiet breathing that Elizabeth heard beyond the curtain was probably from the doctor. She wished she could sleep. Dr. Simmons had definitely thought she would sleep with the medicine he had given her, but though it seemed to have helped with the pain, she still couldn't sleep.
Elizabeth reached up to brush some of the tears aside. She then rested her hand on her chest. As she did so, she felt a small, cool lump there. With her fingers she explored what it was and realized that the locket she had been clenching had been fastened around her neck. She couldn't remember who had done it or when it had happened but there was something comforting about it.
More than anything, Elizabeth wished that Jack could be here with her. Jack would have understood. Jack would have rejoiced at the news of a baby. She never would have worried about telling Jack she was pregnant if he had still been alive when she found out about Little Jack.
"I am sorry, Jack," Elizabeth whispered. "I just do not think I am capable of finding love again. I think the chance for me died with you."
Elizabeth let her hand rest over the locket as she stared into the darkness. More than anything, she wished the oblivion of sleep would claim her but she remained painfully aware of the misery her life had become.
Nathan could not shake the uneasy feeling he had after seeing the new school and meeting Ally's teacher. It seemed like a good enough school. Ally's teacher seemed competent enough but there was not the passion for teaching that he had found in Elizabeth when they had moved to Hope Valley. Nathan worried that his daughter might lose some of the enthusiasm for school that Elizabeth had sparked in her.
The one thing he was sure of was that he had not appreciated the comment about uprooting a child in the middle of the school year was irresponsible. Nathan had bit his tongue. Starting an argument with the teacher on his second day in town would not be a good thing.
Perhaps things would work out. At least Ally and Opal were in the same class. Ally would have her friend to help her through this transition.
Reaching the NWMP office, Nathan took note of the horse tied out front. From the gear secured behind the saddle, he concluded that Riggins would be wasting no time in taking his leave of Hope Valley.
Walking inside, Nathan found himself almost immediately face to face with another Mountie. Nathan came to an abrupt stop and took in his replacement.
Constable Asher Riggins looked to be about twenty years older than himself though Nathan knew the age difference to be about half that. There was no doubt this man had led a harder life than he, and Nathan figured that he'd seen more than his share of hardships.
"Constable Grant," the Mountie said in a tone that would make Bill seem like a pleasant guy.
"I am," Nathan replied. "You look like you are ready to be done with this town," he commented.
"I am," Riggins replied. "I hate small towns. Besides I do not think anyone is going to miss me. Apparently I am in love with the laws too much."
Nathan nodded. "Hope Valley does move at its own pace. Things are a bit more laid back then other places, especially the city."
"Yeah, well I have no patient for that. Laws and rules exist for a reason and when people do not follow them that is when people get killed," Riggins replied.
Nathan got the distinct impression the man was not talking just about Hope Valley with that statement.
"I suppose the townsfolk are outside with pitchforks waiting to drive me out of town," Asher replied.
"I did not see any pitchforks on my way over," Nathan replied. At least the man knew he rubbed people the wrong way. That was something at least. "Where are you off to now?" Nathan asked the man.
"Winnipeg," Riggins reply. "I finally get to leave Alberta and all the bad memories behind. Stay single Grant. Women aren't worth it. They say they love you and will wait for you, but then after you risk your life serving this country, chances are they will fall for the first man who offers them a bouquet of flowers."
That comment told Nathan more about the man than most residents had figured out about their Mountie this past year. The sting of Elizabeth's rejection was still fresh enough that Nathan felt for Riggins, who seemed to have actually been involved with the woman that had chosen another guy. He and Elizabeth had never been on a date. Perhaps her hesitation every time he managed to say something sentimental should have told him to something.
"Safe travels," Nathan told him, holding out his right hand to his fellow Mountie. "I hope things are better for you in Winnipeg."
"Thank you," Riggins said, shaking his hand.
Riggins took a few minutes to tell Nathan the current issues that needed to be monitored and then the man grabbed his riffle off the desk, put his campaign hat on his head and strode out the door.
It was no wonder Riggins hadn't fit well in Hope Valley. The man clearly had demons following him. Nathan knew that feeling but while Nathan had let Hope Valley start to chase some of those demons away, Riggins had clearly been determined not to get attached. Perhaps the man would do better in a city.
Nathan looked around the office. He had no doubt he could find plenty to do with catching up on things just in the office today. Despite the long ride from Calgary though, Nathan felt the pull to go saddle up Newton and do rounds. He wanted to see for himself that things were status quo in the area. Perhaps this afternoon he would sit down at the desk and start sorting through paperwork.
Turning, Nathan left the office he had just arrived in. Riggins was already riding away from town as Nathan headed out to the livery where Newton was waiting.
Leaving Gabe Montgomery to continue working on the layout of the latest addition of the Valley Voice, Rosemary left the newspaper office. Along with Gabe she had another young man, Kane Neeve, helping her with the paper these days. Though Kane was a talented writer, it had been Cat's eldest son, returned from going to school back east in Hamilton, that had kept the paper going during her pregnancy. Even now, Rosemary was grateful knowing that Gabe could keep things running smoothly with her only coming into the office a couple of days a week. The rest of her days were spent at home with her young daughter.
Gabe had studied journalism and had worked for a newspaper in Hamilton. Hearing from his mother that Hope Valley had a newspaper, Gabe had written to Rosemary asking her if she needed help with the paper as he wanted to come home. At Lee's insistence, she had told him yes. It was a decision she had not regretted. Rosemary did not know how she would get by without Gabe's help these days.
Rosemary walked from the Valley Voice toward the infirmary. She had checked in with Elizabeth before going to the office. Her friend had been silent and sullen. Not that Rosemary could fault her for that. Even having known the pain of longing for a child, Rosemary could not imagine how it would feel to be carrying a baby only to lose it. If she had lost her little Aster Renee Rosemary did not know how she would have found the strength to go on. She was sure she would have with Lee's support.
Elizabeth did not even have the support of a husband at home. Lucas was not the charming suitor he had once been. Though Elizabeth did not talk much about what went on, Rosemary could tell things were not happy in the Bouchard household. The fact that her friend had not told her husband about the pregnancy was evident of that. Now, Elizabeth wanted to keep the miscarriage from him as well.
A miscarriage that Rosemary had a suspicion that Lucas had somehow brought about though she doubted that Elizabeth would ever admit to it. Even if he was not part of the cause, what kind of man left after his wife fell down the stairs.
Rosemary stepped into the infirmary planning on asking Elizabeth what she would like to eat from the café.
"She is not here," Dr. Simmons stated as he worked over a nasty gash on a man's leg.
"You already released her?" Rosemary questioned, surprised. "How did she get home?"
"I did not release her. I got called out to the factory to deal with this and when I came back she was gone. I hope she just went home but I have not had a chance to check."
Rosemary fumed silently. She wanted to be mad at the doctor but she knew she couldn't. Rosemary knew that the factory sometimes kept their town doctor very busy. Lee had told her the town council was trying to get the man help but not many doctors wanted to come out to the smaller towns.
"Can I use your phone?" Rosemary asked.
"Go ahead," Dr. Simmons replied, still working on stitching up the man's leg.
Rosemary moved to the phone. She asked Florence to ring the Bouchard residence, hoping Elizabeth would answer. At least if Elizabeth was home, Rosemary would know she was safe. After two tries though, Rosemary had no more information than she had a few minutes ago.
Not bothering the doctor again, Rosemary left the infirmary. She headed for the NWMP office, thankful that Nathan was back in town. She doubted that Riggins would bother himself with looking for a person who had chosen to leave the infirmary against doctor's orders. The man would have probably been able to come up with some regulation to defend that choice as well.
Rosemary knew Nathan would help locate anyone that someone was concerned about. The fact that it was Elizabeth, she knew that Nathan would make it a personal priority as well. Nathan had once told her that he couldn't let Elizabeth go that easily. She had seen the truth of those words after Elizabeth had chosen Lucas. Though he had respected her choice, Nathan had never stopped loving Elizabeth. More than once, Rosemary had wished she had steered her friend in Nathan's direction a little more. She had been afraid of Elizabeth being with another Mountie though. She had thought Lucas would be the safe choice.
At least Mounties knew how to treat women with respect. Rosemary was now convinced that all Lucas had ever seen in Elizabeth was a challenge. Something to be won and once he did, all the intrigue in Elizabeth had moved along to the next challenge that came his way.
Reaching the jail, Rosemary opened the door and strode in. Nathan looked up from the paper he was reading.
"What's wrong?" Nathan asked almost immediately as he got to his feet.
"Elizabeth fell down the stairs at her home yesterday evening," Rosemary said. She wanted to tell Nathan about the miscarriage as well but she had sworn to Elizabeth to keep her secret. Surely she could make Nathan see the need to make sure she was okay without brining it up. "Dr. Simmons wanted her to stay at the infirmary for a while. However, I went to visit her and the doctor told me she just slipped out while he was out on a call. I already tried calling her home. She is either not answering the phone or didn't make it home. I am worried about her Nathan. Do you think you could try to find her?"
"I'll go look for her," Nathan said without hesitation. "Go back to the newspaper office," he instructed. "I will let you know as soon as I know anything. Does Lucas know what is going on?"
"Lucas left town yesterday on a business trip," Rosemary told him, choosing not to tell him that Lucas was there when Elizabeth had fallen. She had a feeling that both Nathan and Bill would confront Lucas if they knew that information. As it was, Rosemary could see a smoldering anger in Nathan's eyes. She had a feeling Nathan knew without her saying anything.
Nathan simply nodded his acknowledgment of the situation and headed out of the office.
Rosemary stood in the office staring at the door Nathan had just walked through. If she had nudged Elizabeth toward choosing Nathan, would her friend be happier than she was now? Rosemary doubted that Elizabeth could be any unhappier with Nathan than she was with Lucas. Even right after Jack's death, Elizabeth had not seemed as sullen and closed off as she was now. In some ways, Elizabeth almost appeared broken. If it was not for little Jack, Rosemary couldn't help but wonder if Elizabeth would even try to function.
Rosemary's eyes blurred. Reaching up, she wiped away tears before they could roll down her cheeks. Tears would help no one.
After getting her emotions back in check, Rosemary left the jail and headed for the Valley Voice office. She would let Nathan do his job and locate Elizabeth. When he called and told her Elizabeth was safe and at home, and she knew that call would come, then she would make sure she spent the next day or two with her friend whether Elizabeth wanted her or not.