This might squeak in as an entry for July's SNS Challenge to alter the Fort Clay scenario... and I doubt it's going where you think ;-)
Chapter One
"Here you are, Mrs. Thornton."
The older woman smiled at the surprised but pleased look on the face of her newest guest. It was the same one on every recent bride's face as they got used to hearing their new name and title, and it was always a pleasure to witness. Fortunately for her, she and her husband ran a bed and breakfast, so she got to witness that little bit of joy frequently.
"Thank you, Mrs. Summers," Elizabeth smiled as she accepted the proffered key. It had been just over a week since the wedding, and it still caught her off guard every time she realized her dream had come true. She was Mrs. Jack Thornton. Finally. The months that he'd been away in the Northern Territories had been long and miserable. Yes, she had her friends and her life in Hope Valley, but it wasn't the same without the man she loved beside her.
She was trying not to think about the fact that in just a few short days, they would be separated once again, but at least this time she had a good idea of when he would be coming back to her. Jack had accepted a prestigious assignment leading a training mission at Fort Clay. They had changed their honeymoon plans, foregoing a baseball game in Chicago for camping under the stars and sweet little bed and breakfasts along the route to his assignment. Once they got to Fort Clay, Elizabeth would take the stage back to Hope Valley, and Jack would follow in about eight weeks.
"I'll see that your things make it up to your room," Mrs. Summers interrupted Elizabeth's thoughts once again. "Why don't you go freshen up and then you and your husband take a walk into town? It's a beautiful evening, and I know you've been sitting in a wagon for most of the day." She smiled again as the handsome groom joined them from getting his horse settled in the barn. "Go on," she insisted, shoeing them towards the door. "I'll make sure there's something for supper if you don't eat in town. Now go!"
Elizabeth ducked into the washroom to freshen her face and fix her hair and then, taking Jack's hand with a grin, they followed their hostess's directions and walked into town. They stopped to look around at the mercantile, agreeing to return the next day to pick up some tokens for their friends back home, and got some cookies from the bakery. When Jack saw that the blacksmith was still open, he wanted to ask the man to take a look at Sargeant before they continued on to Fort Clay the day after tomorrow.
"He's not used to pulling a wagon this much. I just want to make sure he's fit and ready to go when it's just him and me leading the men." He paused, a wry grin coming to his face as he looked at Elizabeth. "I saw a bookstore at the corner there. Why don't you head there, and I'll meet you in a few minutes?"
As the feeling of being surrounded by books was nearly as wonderful as her husband's presence, Elizabeth agreed. Beaming, she leaned up to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before she walked away, thrilled that such a display of affection was acceptable now that they were married.
Married. She was lost in her happy thoughts as she made her way down the street, barely noticing that she was passing the town's saloon on her way.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes."
Elizabeth looked up, startled by the stranger's voice and overly familiar greeting. Unlike everyone else she'd met since they arrived in Rockville, this man did not give the impression of friendliness. His clothes were of fine quality and his beard and mustache well kept, but there was something in his eyes that immediately made her uneasy. This was not a man to be trusted.
"Excuse me?" she replied coolly. "I am certain we have never met, so I hardly think the sight of me should be any sort of relief to you." She started to walk past him, but he stepped into her path.
"Oh, I beg to differ, my dear," the man drawled. "It is a relief, not to mention quite a pleasant surprise, to find such a refined and beautiful woman in a place like this."
He was clearly, as her mother used to put it, 'putting on airs'. Just like many of the men Elizabeth had met back in Hamilton, he thought he was better than the people around him and believed himself irresistible. He was wrong on both accounts.
"Uh hmm," Elizabeth answered skeptically. It was taking all of the etiquette lessons ingrained in her since childhood not to storm away. Instead, she tried once again to politely skirt him and move along. "Excuse me," she said, forcing a smile. "I have somewhere to be."
"Oh, surely you can spare a few minutes for a fellow traveler," the man insisted, yet again blocking the boardwalk. "You're obviously not from around here. I'm just passing through. Allow me to buy you a drink while we share our journeys." He reached for her and gestured towards the saloon behind him.
"No, thank you," Elizabeth replied haughtily, through being polite. As the man moved towards her, she stepped down into the street and around him, turning to remain facing him as she continued to back away.
He gave her another confident grin, like he was sure he could win her over. "Please, Miss- "
"That would be Mrs. Thornton," a welcome voice interrupted.
Elizabeth sighed with relief and her smile grew brighter as Jack came up beside her, putting his left arm securely around her waist as he held his right hand up. "Corporal Jack Thornton. And you are?"
The other man scowled briefly as his eyes dropped to rings on her left hand. He quickly schooled his features before he replied curtly. "Lucas Bouchard."
Jack smiled politely, slipping into Mountie mode. "So, what brings you to Rockville, Mr. Bouchard? My wife and I are on our honeymoon. We saw that little bed and breakfast outside of town and just had to stop for a couple of days."
Lucas Bouchard took a step back. The mention of Jack's rank had clearly made him uneasy, though he was trying to hide it. "Just passing through," he replied. "Far be it for me to interrupt your honeymoon. Perhaps I'll see you around town before you go."
Jack nodded but didn't say a word as he and Elizabeth turned to go, his arm still holding her close. When he glanced back, Bouchard was watching them. Jack raised his fingers in a quick wave, chuckling as the other man scowled and hurried back into the saloon.
"New friend of yours?" he teased.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, sighing heavily and grumbling now that they were alone. "He's like Billy Hamilton with a beard!" She paused, smiling to herself as Jack laughed at her comparison. "Honestly, he's just like the men I knew back in Hamilton, only with less money. All flash but no substance."
Jack couldn't help but chuckle as he held her just a bit closer for a moment. "Well, I've got plenty of substance, just not much of the money part. Does that mean your father would like this Bouchard fellow more than me?"
Elizabeth stopped, pulling Jack to a halt beside her and making sure she could meet his eyes when she replied. "I will take substance over superficial any day, and so would my father. I'm sure he would see right through this Lucas Bouchard. I just know there's more to that man than meets the eye. He's up to something."
Jack grinned as they started walking again. "You trying to take my job now?" he teased. "I'm the Mountie. I'll be doing any investigating if it comes to it."
As they'd planned, the newlyweds walked back into the town the next day. Both being gregarious and friendly, they stopped to talk with nearly everyone they met, from a little boy reluctantly shopping with his mother to the pair of grey-haired ladies talking over tea outside the bakery. Jack, of course, bragged about being the luckiest man in the world to be here on his honeymoon with Elizabeth, while she extolled her husband's brave feats as the Mountie. It was clear to everyone that the two were deeply in love.
They were in the mercantile, debating what to get for Bill since they'd picked out some new kitchen towels for Abigail, when there was a commotion at the front of the store. Jack immediately rushed to help, unsurprised to encounter the man from the night before. Lucas Bouchard was trying to push his way past the crowd to leave, but Jack stopped him.
"What seems to be the trouble?" he asked, keeping an eye on both Bouchard and the elderly gentleman glaring at him from the counter.
"That scoundrel stole my watch!" the older man exclaimed indignantly. "I caught him with it! Just now!"
Jack turned, raising his brows in question towards Mr. Bouchard. Lucas rolled his eyes and scowled. "I did no such thing," he proclaimed. "I merely picked the watch up off the floor. I was putting in my pocket for safe keeping until I had a chance to ask the store owner if he knew who it belonged to."
The store owner shook his head. "He didn't say anything to me about finding a watch. And I know that one is Harlan's here. I've seen him with it every day since I was a boy here helping my dad stock the shelves."
The town's sheriff arrived before Jack could ask any further questions. "I'll turn things over to you," Jack said after filling the man in on what he'd learned so far. Catching sight of Elizabeth peeking around the corner of one of the aisles, he smiled. "I promised my wife no Mountie business until we get to Fort Clay."
"Don't let him fool you," she retorted, coming to his side. "He would be more than happy to help you investigate. I'm not about to stand in the way of upholding the right."
"I don't want to cause any trouble," Harlan said apologetically. "I don't think I dropped the watch, but I didn't actually see that man take it."
"We are more than happy to look into things for you, Harlan," the sheriff assured him gently. "It's no trouble."
A smug smile on his face, Lucas took a step back, prepared to leave. Elizabeth, having moved back into the crowd as Jack and the sheriff asked their questions, saw the cocky grin and shuddered. Seeing a crate sitting next to the door, she gave it a gentle push across the floor with her foot. With Mr. Bouchard's next step back, he tripped on it, losing his balance, and falling just inside the door.
Along with a great deal of cash, another watch, a woman's broach, a deck of cards, and a necklace tumbled to the ground around him. Everyone stood in shocked silence, even Mr. Bouchard himself too stunned to move. Then one of the women exclaimed, "That's my mother's pendant!"
Lucas paled as Jack grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet. The sheriff stooped to gather the evidence.
"You're the guy who won big at poker last night, aren't you?" the sheriff asked. Looking closer at the cards, he realized the deck was marked. "And now I see how. I'm sure there are a few men in this town who will appreciate getting a bit of their money back. Corporal, do you mind helping me escort our friend here across the street? I think I've got a nice room aaall ready for him. The bed's a little hard, but the view is great, assuming you like steel bars." He snickered to himself as he handed Jack his handcuffs.
Elizabeth watched as the sheriff and Jack marched their prisoner down the mercantile's front steps. As they passed her, she couldn't help but give a smug grin of her own to Lucas Bouchard. When she caught Jack's eye, he was shaking his head and trying not to laugh. He gave her a wink and then turned his attention back to the sheriff and Bouchard.
It had been over a month since Elizabeth had returned from Fort Clay. Jack wrote regularly, a pleasant change from the infrequent missives she'd received from the Northern Territories, and those usually arriving out of order. And unlike before, this time he told her everything, his letters filled with details about the area around the fort, the men he was leading, the food, the morale…even quite a bit about the man who was supposed to lead the assignment but was replaced at the last minute. That story had made her furious, and clearly Jack as well, considering he'd devoted nearly an entire letter to it. Obviously, he also imparted how much he loved and missed her. When she shared the letters with Rosemary, Abigail, Bill, and others around town, she left those parts out. News from Jack was one thing; the expression of their feelings was another.
Still, it grew harder every day to wake up without him. Their brief two weeks together- in Hope Valley, camping out, and that wonderful little bed and breakfast in Rockville- had taught her how comforting it could be to fall asleep and wake beside that perfect someone. Just last night, she'd dreamt that she was walking down the street and turned to see him riding into town, so handsome in his red serge. He had surprised her by coming home early. She ran into his arms, and he held her tight and…. Then she woke up. It had actually brought tears to her eyes to realize it wasn't real, and she couldn't stop herself even now from looking around, just hoping for her dream to come true.
As she climbed the steps of the mercantile, she hoped today would be a day Ned could give her news.
Her excitement making it too hard to wait until she got home, Elizabeth hurried into the café, waving the envelope in her hand. "I got another letter from Jack!"
Abigail Stanton and Bill Avery exchanged a look, pleased for their friend. It was heartwarming to see the joy on Elizabeth's face, especially after all the stress the younger woman had been carrying with her since she'd returned alone from Fort Clay. While it was possible it was just the strain of being separated so soon after their wedding combined with the stomach bug that was making its way through the classroom, Abigail couldn't help but wonder if there was another reason for the teacher's fatigue and loss of appetite.
"Come, you can read it in here where you'll have less of an audience," she declared, quickly moving the coffee pot as she invited the younger woman to take a seat the table. While Abigail resumed mixing the ingredients for a cake, Elizabeth sank into a chair and tore into the envelope with more vigor than usual, causing her friends to chuckle.
It was only a few minutes later that Elizabeth sighed heavily and put the letter down.
Putting the pans into the oven, Abigail turned and asked gently, "Anything you're willing to share?" Elizabeth held the pages out to her, and Bill walked over to read over her shoulder.
My dearest Elizabeth,
I too am counting down until we are together again, and yes, I do promise not to accept any more out-of-town offers for a while. We deserve some time to settle into our new life and build our dream home. You do know, though, that I cannot turn down any assigned duties. As we are now, we will just have to make the best of it should they come.
I have news regarding my return to Hope Valley. Do you remember that swindler we encountered in Rockville, Mr. Bouchard? Well, it turns out he's wanted for more than just the petty theft I helped arrest him for. Under a variety of aliases, he is accused of committing numerous crimes ranging from social misdemeanors like the flirting I witnessed him trying to do with you, to theft, forgery, fraud, and even kidnapping. If convicted of even a portion of them, he is facing quite a long time in jail. What this means for me is that, as one of the arresting officers, I have been called to serve as a witness at his trial in Allenton. Because of that, our last big hurrah of the assignment here at Fort Clay- the overnight mountain expedition- has been postponed indefinitely until my return. Constable Grant will resume leading the daily exercises, keeping the men in shape until I am able to finish their training. And while it pains me that my return home to you has been delayed, I have to admit to being grateful for the reprieve professionally. We have had a series of terrible storms here, and it has been raining almost continuously for over a week now. Not only would that make our overnight on the peak incredibly uncomfortable, but it also means the terrain and conditions would be extremely treacherous. I am hoping things improve by the time I return.
I wish I was packing tonight to come home to you instead of getting ready to leave for Allenton at daybreak. I knew eight weeks apart was going to be difficult and have been trying to console myself with the knowledge that we managed nearly a year apart while I was up north. But things are different now. Knowing that my wife is waiting makes me even more eager to get home. I can't wait to really start our life together. The added days or weeks apart we are now facing make me realize just how much.
I will write again as soon as I can, hopefully with a better idea of when I will be home.
Until then, all my love,
Jack
"Oh no," Abigail murmured, wrapping her arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. "I'm sorry he's going to be delayed."
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied, wiping her eyes and forcing a smile. "At least he's helping put that terrible man behind bars."
Bill nodded in agreement. "And hopefully the mountain conditions will be better when he gets back. I hate to think of what could happen with that many men and horses on wet, uneven slopes. It sounds horrible. A disaster just waiting to happen."
"Perhaps this is God's way of looking out for Jack and his men," Abigail suggested.
"That is a good way to think about it," Elizabeth agreed with a weak smile.
"So, who is Constable Grant?" Bill asked.
Elizabeth's grin was genuine now. "Jack's new friend," she chuckled. Then she turned serious. "Actually, he's the man that was supposed to lead the training mission. Turns out there were some details the powers that be left out when they offered Jack the position." Abigail raised her brows in surprise and Bill scowled, waiting for her to continue.
"Constable Grant has been at Fort Clay for almost a year. That's why Jack's assignment was only supposed to be for two months- Nathan Grant already led the rest of it. Then he got into trouble and the rest of the assignment was taken away and offered to Jack."
"What kind of trouble?" Bill inquired. "Mountie or personal?"
"He was following a band of cattle rustlers. His orders were to follow but not pursue or apprehend until more Mounties were there to support. When he realized the men were going to get away before that backup arrived, he captured them. According to the witness reports, his actions saved a lot of civilian lives, but his superior officer only saw it as disobeying orders. Superintendent Hargraves turned it into this big inquiry, and the board sided in favor of Constable Grant. Hargraves got even more mad and pulled him off the training assignment. He knew there was a lot of prestige associated with it and didn't want Constable Grant to receive any more glory."
"I heard about that," Bill said, sitting back as he tried to remember the details his friend at headquarters had shared with him. "Just not all the names. And Jack walked right into all this?"
"That's terrible!" Abigail exclaimed.
"It is," Elizabeth agreed. "Jack feels awful. He had no idea. He told me he would have done the exact same thing if he'd been in Nathan Grant's position."
"Except that with Jack's legacy status, no one would have been able to pull that kind of garbage," Bill pointed out. "So, they've bonded over their mutual dislike of this Andrew Hargraves? I can't say I blame them."
Elizabeth laughed. "Hargraves was just the start. Now that they've been working together for weeks, they've gotten to know one another. Jack said he's told Nathan all about the virtues of Hope Valley, and of course it's brilliant teacher." She beamed proudly. "Nathan has been the legal guardian of his orphaned niece for a few years now. He's put her needs before his chances at career advancements and doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Jack called him 'quietly confident'. He said Nathan does his job exceedingly well but never brags or puts others down in the process. He leads naturally, not by yelling and ordering people around. The men they are training all respect and speak highly of him."
"It sounds like he really cares about people," Abigail said.
"Jack also suggested that this niece, Allie, could benefit from what he called my 'special kind of teaching'. He said she needs someone who can help her with more than just the things in a classroom. I have to admit, my heart goes out to the poor girl. Her mother died, her father abandoned her…. If it wasn't for her uncle, she would have ended up in an orphanage somewhere."
"Well, perhaps Constable Grant and his niece will be assigned here," Bill suggested. "The higher ups are considering adding a second Mountie to the area. With the railroad coming through, there are more people in all the towns. More people mean a higher chance for trouble and a greater need for order."
"Well, I for one would welcome the idea," Abigail declared.
"Somehow, I don't think Jack will see it the same way," Elizabeth pointed out. "As much as he likes this Nathan Grant now, he would definitely see it as encroaching on his territory!"
The whole town gathered at the saloon to surprise their doctor with a birthday celebration. Elizabeth tried to enjoy herself, but despite the festive atmosphere, she just didn't feel well. Her stomach roiled every time she got too close to the table of food, and the number of people crowded into the room made it stuffy and warm. When Florence offered her some coffee and a slice of cake, Elizabeth dashed quickly out the front door, leaning heavily on the railing and fighting to keep her supper down.
A soft hand came to rest gently on her back, carefully guiding her to a bench.
"Are you alright?" Abigail asked.
Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, Elizabeth finally opened her eyes. "I think so," she nodded. "I don't know what happened. I felt fine when I arrived, but then the smell of the food and all the people…"
Abigail was silent for a moment, waiting and watching the younger woman to see if she put the pieces together herself. When she didn't, the older woman smiled, squeezing her hand.
"Has it occurred to you that there might be a good reason for your discomfort?" she suggested, nodding towards Elizabeth's midsection.
Elizabeth looked confused for a moment and then her eyes went wide. She looked down at her stomach and then up again, her fingers moving as she began to count. She turned swiftly to face her friend, hope and uncertainty warring on her face. "Do you really think…?"
Abigail laughed softly and hugged her. "I really do," she replied. "I think you're pregnant, Elizabeth."
"Pregnant?!" Bill's stunned exclamation shook the women out of their reverie.
"That's wonderful!" Carson proclaimed, coming out behind the other man. He'd seen Elizabeth's hasty departure and Abigail's quick exit behind her. When Bill made his way across the room to follow them out, he excused himself to check on them as well. "And obviously Jack doesn't know yet…"
"Well since Abigail just helped me put it all together, no, he certainly has no idea," Elizabeth replied. "Is it really possible? So soon?"
"It only takes once…" Abigial chuckled. Elizabeth flushed, still too stunned to think clearly.
"Do you want me to do an exam?" Carson asked. "We can head over to the clinic now if you'd like."
"But your party!" Elizabeth tried to argue. "Shouldn't we wait until tomorrow so you can go back in and celebrate?"
Carson knelt down in front of the women, putting his hand atop Elizabeth's where it rested on her knee. "I can't think of a better gift than getting to confirm for one of my friends that she's going to be a mother." He stood, holding his hand out to help her up. "You wouldn't want to deny me my birthday gift, would you?"
"You ladies go with Carson," Bill instructed, a grin spreading across his face and tears of joy threatening in his eyes. "I'll go back inside and let people know that Elizabeth isn't feeling well so Carson and Abigail are seeing her home."
"Thank you, Bill," Elizabeth said, stopping to give him a quick hug.
"Aww, don't thank me yet," he grumbled good-naturedly. "I'll do my best, but I can't promise that Rosemary Coulter won't be on your doorstep before you make it home tonight."
They all laughed, aware that the bubbly blonde was indeed a force to reckoned with, especially when she was worried about a friend.
It took Carson only a few very direct questions and a quick exam to come to the same conclusion that Abigail had.
"Congratulations. You're pregnant."
Even two weeks later, Elizabeth couldn't stop smiling. Now that she knew what was causing her nausea and sleepiness, she was able to do something about it- crackers by her bed to start nibbling on as soon as she woke up. Smaller meals more often throughout the day so as not to overwhelm her stomach. Drinking plenty of water and keeping her distance from coffee. She'd found that, even when the smell wasn't bothering her, it tasted funny to her now. I'm going to go through the town's entire supply of tea if this doesn't let up soon, she thought to herself.
"Elizabeth!" Ned Yost called out as she was passing by. "I have a telegram for you. Just came through!" He waited as she hurried up the steps and eagerly accepted the note.
Trial complete. Guilty Verdict. Perfect Mountain. I'll be home soon.
"Good news?"
Elizabeth looked up, unaware that she had gained an audience as she stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her cheeks and beaming. Her hand drifted down to her stomach, and the new life she couldn't wait to tell Jack about. Her eyes glowing brightly, she said the words she knew everyone had been waiting for:
"He's on his way home."