Takes place after Fort Clay revelation and before Ned and Florence's wedding. Part of the Challenge of the Heart stories.
Elizabeth was finishing up cleaning the kitchen. Jack was down for his nap. Elizabeth would be getting ready for Ned and Florence's wedding. Elizabeth saw a figure in red out of the corner of her eye. Elizabeth did not have the strength to speak with Nathan. She heard a knock on the door. She would politely tell Nathan to go home.
When Elizabeth opened the door, it wasn't Nathan.
"Joey?!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Elizabeth. It has been too long." Joey said. Joey was one of Jack's friends from the Mountie's.
"Please come in." Elizabeth said. Joey stepped into the house. Elizabeth closed the door behind them. The two hugged. The last time she had seen Joey was when he, Elizabeth and Jack had dinner together near Fort Clay.
"It has been too long." Elizabeth said.
Joey broke the two of them apart.
"But you haven't changed a bit." Joey said.
Elizabeth blushed.
"Where is the little guy?" Joey said referring to Jack.
"He's upstairs taking a nap." Elizabeth said.
"Oh. Sorry." Joey said quietly.
"Please come have a seat." Elizabeth said motioning towards the couch. Joey took a seat.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Elizabeth asked.
"No. I'm fine." Joey said.
"How long are you in town?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm on my way out. But I had to stopped by and see you." Joey said.
Joey noticed a picture of Little Jack on the end table.
"Is this him?" Joey asked.
Elizabeth nodded.
Joey examined the picture.
"Looks like he has Jack's smile." Joey said.
"Yes, he does." Elizabeth said.
"I'm sorry it has taken me this long to come see you." Joey said.
"Don't worry. I know that life gets in the way. You having your first child and dealing with your mother's death." Elizabeth said.
"I want to thank you again for your kind note. It was nice to know you were thinking of us in our time of loss." Joey said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"So, what brings you this way?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm tracking some outlaws. And with Constable Grant as the best tracker in the Mountie's, I wanted to ask him a few questions." Joey said.
"How well do you know Nathan?" Elizabeth asked.
"We aren't best friends. But I have met him a few times over the years. His reputation is impeccable." Joey said.
Elizabeth shifted in her seat.
"You don't agree?" Joey asked.
"The other day, Nathan revealed that he disobeyed orders and was suspended from leading the new recruits in their training mission. Jack was the one who took Nathan's place." Elizabeth said.
"Yes, I know." Joey said.
"You knew?" Elizabeth asked.
"After you left, Jack wanted to know what happened to the man that originally was supposed to lead the training mission. I told him that Nathan had disobeyed orders by arresting cattle rustlers before they headed toward the border." Joey said.
"What did Jack say?" Elizabeth asked.
"He would have done the same." Joey said.
"That sounds like him." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, those in upper ranks tend to forget what it was like in the field. Sometimes you have to go on instinct. And if I remember clearly, Nathan was cleared of those charges and given an accommodation" Those cattle rustler were vicious and had already killed innocent people." Joey said.
Elizabeth didn't say anything.
"Jack's death was a tragic accident. It had rained the night before. Even Jack was hesitant of going out But followed orders.' Joey said.
"Why didn't Nathan just tell me when we first met?" Elizabeth asked.
"I don't know. Maybe he knew what loss felt like and didn't want to open an old wound." Joey said.
"He told me that he felt like it was his duty to watch over myself and Jack." Elizabeth said.
"That doesn't surprise me either. There is an unwritten rule within the Mountie's that we look over our own and the families of other fallen men." Joey said.
"Have you heard of a man transferring to a town to watch over a widow and her son?" Elizabeth asked.
"No. But I know some men who send money to families of those who died in combat. Jack would have done the same thing that Nathan did in a heartbeat." Joey said.
Elizabeth nodded.
Joey looked at his watch.
"I'm afraid I have to be going." Joey said.
"Oh yes, me too. I am going to a wedding." Elizabeth said.
"That sounds fun." Joey said.
Elizabeth walked Joey to the door. The two hugged.
"Don't be a stranger for too long." Elizabeth said.
"I won't" Joey said. He smiled and tipped his hat. Elizabeth watched as he rode off.
Elizabeth went and got ready for Florence and Ned's wedding. As Elizabeth was combing her hair, she went back to a memory after Jack's friend Doug had died. Doug's mother was being escorted back home and wanted to talk to Jack. Mrs. Burke had given Jack Doug's Saint Christopher medal.
"Doug went in my place. Please forgive me." Jack said to Mrs. Burke.
"Oh. My Doug's death isn't your fault. He wanted to lead those men." Mrs. Burke said.
If I'd gone, he'd… he might still be alive." Jack said.
"God has a plan for us. I don't understand it, but my Doug was happy because God called him to do what he was doing. And that… brings me peace. Jack, I pray that you are granted peace too." Mrs. Burke said.
Elizabeth sighed. She looked at Jack's picture that was sitting on her night stand. She sat down on the bed.
"I know it isn't Nathan's fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. It was an accident." Elizabeth said to the picture.
"It all makes sense now. Why Nathan is reserved. Why every time he tried to ask me out, he would get tongue tied. All those unspoken moments. It was because he felt like he was dishonoring you. But he wasn't. Because God has a plan. I may not understand it, but there is a plan. And I need to bring Nathan some peace. I truly believe in my heart that it was not his fault.