"You can't be serious!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Why would you arrest me?"
"James died this morning, Elizabeth. His parents are pursuing legal action against you, claiming that you pushed him," Jack explained.
"I didn't touch him! I hate him, but I would never hurt him. You have to believe me."
"I do believe you, Elizabeth, and even if you did push him, we have a good case for self-defense." He took a seat in the chair beside her bed. "We'll almost definitely be able to clear you of the charges, but I have to do this first."
"So, what now? Are you going to handcuff me and take me to jail?"
"No," he assured her. "Because you're injured, we've decided that you'll stay at the infirmary. You just won't be allowed to leave without myself or Bill with you."
"Well, I can't get very far right now, anyway," she joked, motioning to her broken leg. "It's not like I'll be able to run."
"Elizabeth," he put his hand on top of hers, just for a moment. "Um, there's something else."
Her heart fell at his tone. "What is it?"
"The Spencers are on their way to Hope Valley. But you don't have to worry," he added quickly. "We won't allow them to have any contact with you."
"But they'll be able to speak with the children. What if they convince them that this is all my fault?"
"I don't think you need to worry about it. William and Emma trust you. They have no reason to believe the Spencers over you."
She sighed, leaning back into the pillow. "How am I going to tell them that their father is dead?"
"You'll figure out a way. And I promise, they'll be okay. They still have so many people around who love them."
"Except I'm going to be in jail."
"The infirmary," he corrected. "Under arrest, but the children don't need to know that." He stood. "I'm really sorry about all of this, Elizabeth. We'll get everything figured out. I promise."
...
"How are you feeling?" Faith asked a few minutes after Elizabeth got settled in at the infirmary. "You didn't get too jostled on that trip from Union City, did you?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "No. I'm fine."
"I'm so sorry about everything that's going on, Elizabeth. I've told Jack that I can give a statement to the lawyers or testify before a judge on your behalf if I need to."
"Thank you, Faith." She leaned back into the pillow, tears filling her eyes as everything finally sank in. She was finally free of James, but there was still a mountain ahead of her, an uphill battle. She thought of the mountains that surrounded the valley that she now considered her home, of the men who had traversed them, facing the perils those mountains held in search of a better life. The hope they must've held, the faith they had.
She tried to hold onto whatever hope was left in her heart. Hope that one day, she would be free of the Spencers for good, that she and her children would be free to live without fear.
She startled when Faith gently touched her hand, having been so lost in thought that she had forgotten the young woman was still in the room.
"Are you hungry?" Faith asked. "I can have something brought over from Abigail's."
"I'm not really hungry right now, but thank you."
"Well," she patted her shoulder, "I have some paperwork I need to finish up, so I'll leave you to rest now. Just call out if you need anything, though. I'll be nearby."
Elizabeth nodded in acknowledgement, watching Faith step around the curtain and disappear from her sight. She turned her head, feeling the cool pillow beneath her cheek. Despite having been confined to a bed for many days already, exhaustion settled over her. After the events of the day, she gladly submitted to it, drifting into a restless sleep.
...
"Now remember, your mom got hurt pretty bad," William explained to the children as they stood outside the infirmary. "She has a cast on her leg and her arm is all wrapped up."
"And she might still have some bruises on her face," Grace added. "But the doctor in Union City said she'll be okay. Just be careful when you go in. Don't jump on the bed, and don't hug her too tight."
"Yes, ma'am," little William replied.
"Is daddy still at the hospital?" Emma asked innocently.
William sighed. "Your mom will talk to you about that, sweetheart." He took the little girl's hand. "Let's go see her."
Grace led the way, quietly opening the door. Faith greeted her cheerfully before rounding the curtain to notify Elizabeth of her visitors.
William picked up Emma, carrying her around the curtain to where her mother was waiting. Grace followed, pausing when she noticed little William hadn't joined them. Peeking toward the door, she saw the little boy, seeming to be frozen in place, his eyes wide as he stared at the curtain. The bouquet of flowers that he had eagerly collected as they walked to the infirmary hung limply in his hand.
"William?" Grace approached him, crouching down to his level. "What is it? Don't you want to see your mom?"
"I thought she was dead," he whispered. "She didn't move."
"Oh, sweet boy." Grace pulled him into her arms. "I know you were scared. She'll be just fine, though. Don't you want to see for yourself?"
He just shrugged.
"Here." She held out her hand. "Let's go together."
Hesitantly, he slipped his fingers into his grandmother's hand, walking beside her until he caught sight of his mother lying on the bed.
William had already taken a seat in the nearby chair, and Emma was in his lap, unsure of what to think of all that was going on.
"Hi, Willie." Elizabeth smiled, reaching a hand toward him. "I was just telling Emma that I've missed you both so much."
His little eyes swam with tears, the sight of her awake and talking—so different from the last time he had seen her—was overwhelming. "Mama."
"Oh, my sweet boy. Come here." She patted the bed beside her.
Grace helped him up, and he immediately dropped the flowers and put his arms around his mother, taking care not to hurt her. She felt his tears dripping onto her arm, and her heart broke.
"I love you, William. I'm right here. I'm going to be just fine."
Feeling left out, Emma started to squirm, waiting for her grandfather to place her on the bed, too. "Mama." She joined the embrace, accidentally bumping Elizabeth's sore ribs.
She hid her grimace, trying to stretch her good arm around both of her children. "I'm so happy to see both of you."
"Mama?" Emma looked up at her, her dark eyes bright. "Where's daddy?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath. She'd had hours to come up with a way to break the news to the children, but nothing had seemed right. If she were being honest, she felt nothing but relief when she thought about James's fate, but she knew it would be different for the children.
"Well," she took Emma's little hand, staring at the tiny fingers laying across her palm. "Your daddy was hurt, too. He hit his head when he fell, and that hurt his brain."
"Is he still in the hospital?" Emma asked. "Is the doctor making his brain better?"
"Sometimes people are hurt too bad, and the doctors can't do anything. Your daddy was hurt too bad, and he…" she paused, finally deciding just to come right out with it. "Your daddy died."
"No!" Emma cried. "No! He didn't die!"
"I'm so sorry, baby, but he did." Elizabeth stroked her hair. "I know you loved your daddy. But you still have me, and grandma and grandpa, and your aunts and uncles."
She felt the little girl tuck her face into her side and sob. She looked over at her parents, at a loss as to how to comfort her daughter.
"Mama?" William touched her arm. "Does that mean daddy can't hurt you anymore?"
She nodded. "That's right."
He met her eyes, his face serious. "Good."
"Willie, you know it's okay to feel sad about this."
He thought about her words for a moment. "I'm sad that Emma's sad." He reached out to put a hand on his sister's back.
Sometimes Elizabeth couldn't believe little William was James Spencer's son. Aside from looks, it seemed William inherited absolutely nothing else from his father. Her boy was so intelligent and empathetic, wise beyond his years. And he certainly experienced more in his short life than anyone should. But she was so grateful for him, and for Emma. As much as she wished she never experienced the pain she had during her marriage to James, she knew that it was because of him that she had her two amazing children. It hurt her to think that James never saw them as the blessings they were.
"Children," Grace spoke. "Why don't we go over to the café and have some dinner? I'm sure your mom needs some rest. We can come back later before we return to the house."
"Thank you," Elizabeth mouthed to her mother. She was still exhausted from her recovery, and now her emotions were drained as well. She hoped that her parents may be better able to comfort the children than she was at the moment.
William picked up his granddaughter, and she nuzzled into his shoulder, her little body still shaking as she cried. He put a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "We'll be by later. And I want you to know I already have my lawyers working to clear this all up. We won't let that family do this to you."
She gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, father."
Grace leaned down to kiss her cheek before helping little William from the bed. "You just rest now. Don't worry about a thing."
Tears filled her eyes. A peace had come over her, and she knew that somehow, everything would be okay. "I love you all so much."
...
Little William wandered down the stairs, finding his grandfather tying his shoes as he prepared to leave the house.
"Grandpa?" He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Where are you going?"
"Good morning, Willie. I'm just going into town for a little while this morning."
"Are you going to see mama again?"
"I might stop by to see how she's doing." He stood up, reaching for his jacket hanging by the door. "But first I'm going to speak with the Constable."
"Can I go with you? I want to talk to Mr. Mountie."
William crouched down, putting a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "It's grown-up stuff, Willie. You need to stay here with your grandma and Emma."
"Please? I didn't tell him."
"Didn't tell him what?" William questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"I saw daddy hurt mama. Mr. Mountie asked if we saw it, and I didn't tell him."
"Well," he straightened up, "I suppose you can come with me. Go get dressed, and I'll tell your grandmother that you're coming with me."
Half an hour later, the two entered the jail, finding Jack seated at his desk.
"Hello, Mr. Thatcher. William." He stood, inviting them to sit. "Are you in town to see Elizabeth?"
William sat, lifting his grandson onto his knee. "We're going to stop by later, but I wanted to bring by a telegram I received from my lawyer, and Willie here wanted to tell you something." He handed a small folded paper to the constable.
He glanced briefly at the words on the page before looking up at the little boy. "What was it you wanted to tell me, young man?"
"I saw my daddy hurt mama," he explained. "He was walking funny, like he does when he drinks the stuff in the brown bottle. He missed the stairs, and he pulled mama down, too."
His eyes widened for a moment. He cleared his throat. "You're sure that's what you saw?"
He nodded emphatically. "I heard you tell grandpa that mama's in trouble, 'cause she pushed daddy, but she didn't."
"I know she didn't. And thank you for telling me what you saw. That's very helpful, William."
The little boy beamed. "Does that mean mama isn't in trouble?"
"I hope so." He glanced up at Elizabeth's father and smiled. "I'll go send a wire to the judge in Union City and let him know about this and what your lawyer said. We may get this cleared up sooner than I expected."
...
"Hi, Faith," Jack greeted the nurse when he stepped into the infirmary. "Do you think I could speak with Elizabeth?"
She looked at the clock, noting the time. "It's late, and she really needs her rest. Can this wait?"
"It won't take long. Please? It's very important."
Faith sighed. "I'll let her know you're here."
She disappeared behind the curtain for a moment. Jack heard a short conversation happening, muffled enough that he couldn't make out anything in particular. He stood up straighter when Faith returned.
"Five minutes," she instructed.
"I only need two." He gave her a little nod of thanks before rounding the curtain.
Elizabeth was sitting up, pillows propped up to support her. "Faith said you had something important to talk to me about."
"You're free, Elizabeth." A smile played on his lips. "I sent a wire to the judge in Union City. He spoke with your father's lawyer, and between their conversation and the evidence we provided, he agreed that the Spencers have no case against you. Once Faith clears you to leave the infirmary, you'll get to go home. Not to the jail."
"The case was dropped?" she questioned, the news still sinking in.
He nodded, his smile widening. "Yes. You're cleared of the charges."
"What about the Spencers? Are they still coming to town?"
He shrugged. "Yes, as far as I know. But they have no case now, so we can just send them right back home."
She shook her head. "They aren't just going to drop this. They'll find some other way to go after me."
"Then we'll fight that, too. But Elizabeth," he reached out to place his hand on hers, waiting for her to pull away. He was pleased when she didn't. "You haven't done anything wrong. And you don't know that they'll come after you again. My mother always told me not to borrow trouble. You have nothing to worry about right now, except getting better so you can go home to your children. Okay?"
She inhaled deeply, thinking over his words. Finally, she nodded.
"Good." He removed his hand from hers. "I should get going now and let you rest before Faith yells at me," he joked. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"But I'm not under arrest anymore," she teased. "You don't need to keep an eye on me."
He laughed. "True. Take it easy, Elizabeth."
She watched him go, wondering why butterflies filled her stomach at the sound of her name on his lips, wondering why it felt so good to have the warmth of his hand on hers.
Wondering if, perhaps, there was something there. Something she was now technically free to explore.
After Faith helped her lie back on the bed again, she let her mind drift there. Instead of dreading the Spencers' visit, she filled her thoughts with the future, a future without fear. A future where she could experience true love.