A/N THis is my second Ft Clay rewrite Heart Story submission. This is the first of 3 chapters.
FORT CLAY - 1915
They had arrived in Fort Clay three days ago, and those days had flown by, Elizabeth surmised as she snuggled next to Jack on her last morning with him. In just a few hours, she would say goodbye and head home. She was feeling a bit chilly, and her husband was like a heater and made the best snuggle buddy. She couldn't believe they had been married for two weeks already.
Being Mrs. Jack Thornton was amazing, and oh, how she loved him. She prayed that these two months would go by as quickly as the past three days did. For the first time, she was finally getting a taste of Jack's struggle every time he had to choose duty over her. Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to stay with Jack, but she had a responsibility to her students and to Hope Valley.
"What are you thinking so hard about Mrs. Thornton?" Jack said, smiling at her as he opened his eyes and gave her a tender look.
She sighed contentedly and drew closer. He was so handsome, and every inch of him was all hers.
She leaned over, kissed him, and said, "How much I'm going to hate the return trip to Hope Valley without you and having to sleep alone. You have quite spoiled me, Jack Thornton, and right now, two months seems like forever."
"Well, you know that works both ways because I will have to adjust to sleeping alone and will probably have a roommate that snores," Jack replied. "But at least you will have Nathan and Allie for company for the majority of your trip."
"There is that, and I'm looking forward to it. That Allie is such a spitfire, and I have enjoyed being with her while you and Nathan completed your turnover. It still doesn't seem right that Nathan is being forced to transfer, though, because of a decision that seemed like the right one. How will this affect Nathan's career in the long term?"
"It can hold him back from future promotions and maybe even future posting opportunities. There is just something that doesn't seem right. While I am here, I am going to see what I can do to get it reopened and evaluated. I would have done the same thing and probably been commended if it had been me. It seems almost like it was personal rather than professional."
"Well, if anyone can figure it out, you can, my love," Elizabeth said.
Jack smiled and leaned over to capture her lips. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."
"I'm just stating the facts, my love. Now since we only have a few hours before I have to leave, how about you devote yourself to giving me a proper send-off?"
Jack smiled and took her in his arms. "You read my mind, although I intend to be everything but "proper", Mrs. Thornton." Then pressed his lips to hers and did precisely that.
All too soon, it was time to say goodbye at the stage depot. After one last kiss, Jack helped her up into the stage before handing her bag to the driver. Allie was next, and she quickly took a seat beside Elizabeth!
"I'll keep you posted about what I uncover, Nathan. I promise I will do my best to get you justice.
"Thanks, Jack; I appreciate that you are even trying."
"You would do the same for me, Nathan."
"That I would, Jack. Take care!" Nathan said as he boarded the stage.
FORT SIMPSON – 1916
Nathan sat at his desk, looking at his new orders in relief. You are hereby ordered to report to Hope Valley. Allie would be thrilled, and it wasn't far from Brookfield. The name sounded familiar, but he wasn't sure why. But he liked the sound of it, and after the year that he and Allie had, they could use some hope. With a sigh, he stood up, headed home to tell Allie, and began packing up.
HOPE VALLEY – 1916
Elizabeth had gotten word that a new Mountie was assigned to Hope Valley. She had known it would happen, but it was yet another reminder that Jack was not coming home. Squaring her shoulders, she approached the stairs, determined to face her fear and welcome him to town. Taking another deep breath, she entered the jail. The Mountie was bent over, working intently on paperwork, and didn't notice her.
"Hello," Elizabeth said.
The Mountie looked up, and she stood there in shock as she stared into a familiar set of icy blue eyes. He stood up, equally shocked. "Elizabeth."
"Nathan, oh my goodness," Elizabeth said, smiling. She quickly walked toward him and hugged him, which he gladly returned. Suddenly he knew why the town name was familiar. It had been Jack's old posting, and he was his replacement.
She looked around eagerly and asked, "Where is Allie? Is she with you too?"
"She is at my mother's but will be arriving after I get settled in the row house next week."
"So, you're the one taking over the row house on the far end. I live in the one at the opposite end of the rowhouses; we're like bookends," Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, I'm sorry to hear about Jack. I didn't even connect that this was Jack's posting because so much has happened since we last saw you. It wasn't until after we got off the stage that Allie recalled we hadn't gotten your address because she wanted to write to you. Then after we arrived at Fort Simpson, I was sent off on an extended assignment, I got severely injured and sustained a bad concussion, and by the time I got around, Jack had been gone for a while."
Elizabeth smiled. "I appreciate that, Nathan, and I understand. You don't know how much I regretted not getting yours as well. So how did you end up here?"
"I ended up here on my friend's recommendation, Gabe Kinslow, the Mountie in Brookfield. Allie was struggling at Fort Simpson because I was gone so much on missions. Then after I got badly injured, it got worse and began to spill over into her schoolwork. Of course, I think her teachers also had a lot to do with her struggles in class. But that is a story for another time. We were visiting Gabe, and he told me how much he loves being the Town Mountie at Brookfield and thought that being a Town Mountie might be a good answer to our issues."
"I've not met him, but I have met Lillian and Grace when they came through and ended up spending Christmas here. I've never been there myself, but Rosemary has talked about us going for a visit. It is only 3 hours from here by car."
"I knew it was close, and that's why I chose it. If it weren't for Jack clearing my name, I wouldn't have had the option."
"I did know that he cleared your name. It was in one of the last letters I received. Neither of us thought that it was right what happened to you. If I recall correctly, your superior was removed from his posting?"
"Actually, he was fired under dishonorable conditions because Jack was able to find more evidence of his wrongdoing."
I need to get home, but why don't you come for dinner tonight? I'll introduce you to some of my friends, and you can meet my son Jack Thornton Jr although we refer to him as Baby Jack."
"You have a son?" Nathan said.
"Yes, he was born on Christmas Eve in a cabin in the middle of a bad winter storm. I found out a month after Jack passed." Elizabeth said softly. "I never got to tell him he was going to be a father."
Nathan's eyes softened. "I can't imagine how hard it's been for you. If it's not too much trouble, I would love to join you for dinner and meet your son.
"Great, 6:00 o'clock?"
"I will be there. Is there anything I can do or bring with me?"
"No, thank you, Nathan, but I have everything covered. Before I go, though, can I share something with you?" Elizabeth walked outside and down the steps.
"Sure," Nathan followed her down and stood waiting, a bit confused. He could see everyone staring at the two of them standing there and instantly figured out what she was doing.
"When I first arrived here back when it was Coal Valley, the people didn't trust me and were quite skeptical of me, especially since when I arrived, it was a lot more primitive, and I was a typical Hamilton Princess or at least that is what they saw. The mothers wanted to put me back on the stage. Abigail got them to give me a chance because they were stuck with me. After all, it would be a week before the stage came through again. They really put me through the paces. I'm convinced I'm still here because the stage only ran once a week. It may be hard for you initially, but if you are patient, I do not doubt they will also embrace you and Allie. You already have a friend in me, and Jack considered you one as well, so you are starting in a better position than I did. You won't find a better group of people than here in Hope Valley. Welcome to Hope Valley, Nathan."
"Thank you, Elizabeth. That means a lot."
"You're welcome, Nathan," Elizabeth said as she turned and walked away.
Dinner that night went well. Nathan and Baby Jack fell instantly in love. Nathan had him giggling and chortling, and at bedtime, Jack didn't want to leave Nathan's arms.
He made a good impression on Lee, Rosemary, and Abigail. Bill was skeptical, as usual, but Elizabeth could see that he liked Nathan.
Elizabeth lay in her bed and thought back to her time with Nathan. Though she was nowhere near ready to move on, there was just something about Nathan that captured her attention. She was confused by the sensations she experienced each time they touched and wondered why. With a heavy sigh, her eyes began to droop as her body began to relax into sleep. Her last thought as she succumbed to sleep was whether Nathan felt them too.