Amidst the destruction, Abby's thoughts drifted to her late husband Noah, and her beloved son Peter. They were taken from her in the blink of an eye, victims of the merciless blast that had claimed so many lives. But as she stood there, surveying the wreckage, a quiet resolve filled her heart.

Tragedy may have scarred Valley Spring, but it was also a place of resilience and strength. As the townspeople gathered around her, offering words of comfort and support, Abby felt a glimmer of hope ignite within her. She knew that they would rise above the ashes, rebuilding not just the physical structures but also the spirit of their community.

Amidst this tumultuous time, a sense of renewal stirred within Valley Spring. A new school teacher named Elisabetta was set to arrive soon, bringing with her the promise of education and inspiration for the young minds of the town. And alongside her, a new Constable named Seth Thorndlike had taken up residence, ready to uphold justice and safety in Valley Spring.

As Abby looked out at the town she loved, she knew that they would overcome this tragedy together. They would rebuild, heal, and forge a future filled with love, hope, and an unbreakable sense of community. With Elisabetta's arrival and Seth's presence, a new chapter was about to unfold for Valley Spring—a chapter marked by resilience, strength, and unwavering determination to rise from the ash

Flash Back three months before both Elisabetta and Seth had arrived a world fire burned down the school and several buildings and the mine exploded killing forty-seven men with a mouth time

Flash to the present day at school temporarily in the salon

I'd like to talk about what I expect from you I expect you to pay attention when I'm speaking. I expect you to raise your hand when you would like to speak. Please don't leave your seats without asking, and please… [distant whistle blows] — Please, don't talk while I am— CHILDREN, WAIT! YOU DIDN'T ASK FOR PERMISSION! SID DOWN, PLEASE. STOP! YOU'RE ALREADY BREAKING MY RULES! I'M WARNING YOU, EVERYONE, — WHO LEAVES THIS CLASSROOM WITHOUT PERMISSION — Elisabetta said

Miss Letcher? Rachel said

— A written notice to their Parents. — Elisabetta said

Miss Letcher? Rachel said

Yes. What is it? Elisabetta said

I'm Rachel and no disrespect, but you shouldn't try and stop them. Rachel said

And why is that? Elisabetta said

The whistle is from the mine. It means some more of the daddies have been found. Rachel said

Found? Elisabetta said

Yes, ma'am. Now their folks can take them and bury them properly. Rachel said [distant whistle blows] Everyone, follow me. Elisabetta said

Neighbors, We have done what we promised today, we dug out the last of the lost men. Now, I know that these past three months have left us all feeling like well, like, there ain't nothing right in this world. But besides finding the brave men who lost their lives, we found something else today. And I hope it'll bring comfort to at least one Coal Valley Family A mine said [Murmurs and gasps from the crowd at the mine] [as wood Plank was held up with writing on it]

What's it say, teacher? A little boy said

"Forgive me, Pa." Elisabetta said

Ladies, I promise, that I'll take good care of this plank until it's decided what we're going to do with it. Martin said

The miner, one of our own— spent his last minutes on this earth writing those words to his family. We should be the ones who decides where it goes. Mr. Palmer a mine said [the crowd Murmuring In Agreement]

I'm going back to my office, Mr. Spurlock. Kindly step aside Mr. Palmer. Martin said

This ain't your decision, Mr. Godwin. This is a matter for the miners and the widows to decide, and you're neither, sir. Mr. Palmer a mine said

Step aside now, Mr. Palmer. Martin said

Or what? Or you'll run me down? Is that what you want, Mr. Martin, huh? One more dead miner! Mr. Palmer a mine said

Break it up. Move back. Seth said

Who is that, Miss Letcher? Rachel said

That's a Mountie. Elisabetta said

Sir? Would you like to tell me what's behind this commotion? Seth said

We had a mine disaster in this town recently. Martin said

I'm aware of that. Seth said

Today… this was found, but the identity of the deceased miner who wrote it is unclear. Now, understandably, everyone is very emotional about it. But this a distraction that we can ill afford. Martin said

No one is gonna be thinking about that job until we find the owner of that message. Mr. Palmer a mine said

There is no reason why both can't happen at the same time. Folks, the only fair way to judge who should have it is for all the widows to submit a sample of their husband's writing to Mr. Godwin as evidence. I'm sure he can come to a decision in three days. Seth said

And who might you be, young man? Martin said

My name is Seth Thorndlike I'm the new constable of Coal Valley.

The next day when Elisabetta is preparing lessons for the day

Oh. Hello. Seth, I didn't know anyone else was here. Elisabetta said

Good Morning, Elisabetta, I am staying in one of the rooms upstairs until something more permanent can be arranged said, Seth

I'm sorry I'm afraid I may have left you with some of my chalk dust Elisabetta said

No. No chalk dust, now I feel cheated Seth said

Now, if you'll excuse me, Seth, as much I would love to talk, I have reading materials to prepare for my student's good day Seth. Elisabetta said

Sometimes later in the saloon

Boy 1 I'm saying it's a lie.

Boy 2 you're dead wrong

Boys, remember the rules. No talking while I'm talking. Elisabetta said

Boy 1 is too! Ma says my pappy wrote it.

Boys, you're not listening to me. Elisabetta said

Boy 2 you're a liar

Boy 1 takes it back!

Stop it! Elisabetta said

Stop it this minute Elisabetta said

Boy 3 Show him! (Kids shout encouragements)

Boys, stop it Elisabetta said

After School

Oh, Elisabetta, Just in time for dinner. Would you mind setting the table for three Abby said

Remember how you said the first few days might be a little bumpy? Well, you were right. Elisabetta said

Oh, black and Blue, too, it appears. What happened? Abby said

Some boys got in a tussle over the message on the wood. I stepped in the middle and caught the worst of it Elisabetta said

Never step between two coal boys when they're mixing it up. Abby said

I need to get them interested in their lessons, but I've never been through anything like what they've been through before and I don't know how to help them Elisabetta said

When Peter was little, I was the only teacher he had. He was so bored during his lessons; sometimes he would nod off like an old man in a rocker Abby said, (Chuckling)

So, what did you do? Elisabetta said

Levity, I added a little levity to the learning. Abby said

(Knock on door)

Oh, would you mind? Abby said

You. Both Seth and Elisabetta said

Nice Shiner Seth said

It's my first, Actually, but I think I earned it. Elisabetta said

Good evening offers Abby said

Evening, Mrs. Stanton. Seth said

We're glad you could make supper on short notice Abby said

To tell you the truth, I'm not too popular in town yet supper invitations aren't exactly pouring in Seth said

Well, we're very happy to have you here, aren't we, Elisabetta? Abby said

"Happy" isn't the word for it. Elisabetta said

Do you like it? Abby said

Very much, ma'am, the artist has a wonderfully colored composition Seth said

You know art, do you? Abby said

A little. My mother taught me to appreciate different techniques and subjects Seth said

Is she an artist herself? Abby said

No, A teacher a most honorable profession, in any event, a very talented artist Seth said

Was my late husband, God rest his soul? Abby said

I'm so sorry for your loss; I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to have them both go into that mine every day. Seth said

well, most days, I didn't about it, you know I just went about my business and I pretended I didn't know what they were doing, or how deep into that mountain they really were, and when their shift ended and they'd come, sometimes laughing sometimes grousing always covered in that coal dust Abby said

did they ever talk about the danger? Seth said

He didn't need to it's an unspoken contract that every coal miner makes between himself and his family. Abby said

Mrs. Stanton, can you tell me what you remember about the day of the explosion? Seth said

I'm sure Mrs. Stanton, doesn't want to discuss that subject now Elisabetta said

It's okay, Elisabetta. I don't mind, I remember everything the explosion was so loud it shattered windows and rattled the whole house then it dawned on me what had happened no one said a word. We didn't need to. All we could think to do was run. There are no words for what we felt and what was in our hearts. But they never came home Abby said

Thank you so much for coming office was it really necessary for to her relive the worst day of her life Elisabetta said

I'm inquisitive I gather the information it is part of who I am. Seth said

It's insensitive but apparently, that's part of who you are, too it seems to me that a town whose church and school burn to the ground and whose mine explodes, killing half the town's population, wouldn't warrant investigation of Elisabetta said

In the time that I am here to stay here, Miss Letcher, I fully intend to investigate all suspicious events that have taken place, which is why I was asking questions tonight Seth said

So, do you think you can see something or talk to someone for a few moments and deduce all sorts of facts that everyone else has missed? Elisabetta said

Sometimes. Seth said

how clever. Elisabetta said

I know after just two minutes of talking to you Elisabetta that you weren't wearing your shoes or dress and that you weren't disappointed when you found out I was coming to dinner Seth said

how could you know that? Elisabetta said

You're walking on the outside of your feet to compensate for your shoes pinching, and your dress is three inches too short and a little tight around the waist and it's your still you did forget I went to school with you did into you Seth said

And not being disappointed about seeing you at dinner Elisabetta said

That was just a guess Seth said

How dare you! Elisabetta said

The next afternoon, Elisabetta writes a letter home

Elisabetta: in closing, I hope I've conveyed that despite the hardships I experienced coming here, I am for want of nothing, standing strong on, my own two feet, a proud Letcher just like you raised your loving daughter, Elisabetta Postscript, I would, however, mention that they have me teaching the children here in an actual saloon, so school supplies or anything of cultural value you could send me, I would be eternally grateful. Good afternoon, Miss Letcher Seth said

Afternoon offices Thorndlike. Elisabetta said

Do you think that we could dispense with the offices and could we go back to you call me Seth. Seth said

Ok, you may call me Elisabetta. Elisabetta said

Ok, Elisabetta, it is. Seth said

Have yourself a good day, Seth. Elisabetta said

Post-Postscript Please greet my younger sister for me and pass along that I've yet to see any whiskey runners, However, I have run into some cowboys, outlaws, and one very handsome, annoying office how I went to school within Hamilton.