All this had been a lot to absorb and, as a result, Christine was totally spent. She had sadness at having lost her grandmother but now there was a sense of pride to think of her family heritage; something that she and her daughter could proudly hold onto forever. "Rosemary, I don't know how I can ever thank you for what you have done for us," she said looking her squarely in the eyes. "Can I take you for lunch at that nice little café that you have down the street. That would be the least I can do." Rosemary told her how the last time she was in the café was at the invitation of Captain Palmer and how he had insisted that Rusty come along as well. "Well, that settles it, how can they refuse a little fella like Rusty." They wandered along and soon Christine noticed the infirmary that was in town and part of the main street. "Of course, you'd have to have a medical facility here in the town." she remarked. Rosemary smiled proudly, "Our wonderful doctor is Faith Carter and she is snowed under seven days a week. She is so diligent and dedicated to her work. Would you like to meet her?" asked Rosemary. They were already there so they wandered straight in to be confronted by an emergency that Faith was trying to attend to. She was in the next cubicle busily attempting to reduce the blood flow for a father who had fallen from a wagon which had lost a wheel on rough ground. They saw a young boy sitting very distraught with his mother. He had sustained a nasty splinter in his hand which was bleeding and very painful. He had fallen from the wagon onto some wood on the side of the road. Christine immediately went to the little boy and asked if she could have a look. It was nasty and had to be attended to without delay. She found on Faith's tray, some implements and hid them from view. "My name is Christine, what's yours," she asked the mother. "I'm Jenny and this is my son Bart. That's my husband George in the other room, He knew that wagon needed fixing ages ago." Christine smiled at the little boy who was bravely trying to deal with the pain of his injured hand. "Jenny, I want you to hug your brave little boy as hard as you can when I say so. Bart, you aren't going to have any tummy left after your mum squashes you." Bart was frightened, "Is it going to hurt?" Christine grinned at him and said, "You are going to be too busy trying to catch your breath to worry about whether it hurts or not. Are you ready mum?" They had three goes at it and poor Bart was nearly crushed. They were going to have another go but they realised that the splinter was gone, and it hadn't even hurt. Christine cleaned and dressed the wound and applied a bandage just as Faith appeared from around the corner in bewilderment. She noticed Bart sitting comfortably in mum's arms and hardly looking in any discomfort whatsoever.
"My goodness," she exclaimed, "I'll be out of a job here soon." She sat down quite exhausted. "Jenny, your husband will be fine, but he will be a bit worse for wear for a while, I want him back here again in a day or so. He can complain all he likes but he will need to rest for a few days. Tell him he's on his last legs or something if you have to." Jenny was quite overcome as she hugged her son, "Thank you so much, whoever you are, you fixed up my little boy after he was in so much pain. You were wonderful." Christine advised the mother to make sure that she would bring the boy back the next day for the doctor here to make her own inspection. Faith thought that it was about time for some introductions to occur. "Hello, I'm Faith Carter, the one who is always run off her feet in here because there are little ones who always seem to get cuts and abrasions even though I tell them to be careful." She glanced glaringly back into the other room. "There are some fathers who don't listen to me either." Rosemary looked around and was horrified to see that Rusty had jumped up and sat with Bart to help keep him company. "Oh no, he's not supposed to be in here, sorry Faith, in all the excitement and turmoil we didn't know he was in here." Faith was unperturbed, "I remember him, he was the one who wouldn't let any of us near the grave. He seems to like Bart." Rosemary took Christine's arm, "Faith, this is Christine Glover and her little daughter Marie. She has come all the way here because she is Mrs Reynolds granddaughter. She saw an article in a newspaper and saw Rusty's picture in a copy of our newspaper."
"Elizabeth, I'm glad I caught you before school starts." said an out of breath Florence. "I know that Amy is at the stables right now and I wanted to have a quick word with you." Elizabeth had been very pleased to hear that Florence had taken Amy into their family without question but now, there seemed as if there was a problem that must have arisen. "Florence, whatever is the matter, you look so worried." Elizabeth ushered her into the classroom and sat her down. "Elizabeth, a couple of times, something with Amy has made me wonder about her. Like, for instance, I noticed the two books that was so nice of you to give her to read. I saw her looking at the illustrations and now the books are just sitting on the shelf untouched. She told me that she never had a chance to ever go to school. Elizabeth, it worries me to think that she may not be able to read or write. I would absolutely hate to embarrass her because I know that I'm prone to putting my foot in it from time to time." This answered a few questions for Elizabeth as well. "Florence, I've noticed her gazing at the school when she exercises Sergeant for me. It's as if she wishes she could be a part of going to school and learning like the others. She obviously feels that she has missed out along the way." Florence added, "She specifically asked about you, Elizabeth and whether you liked being the teacher here in Hope Valley, that must mean something."
The mother and the two patients headed gingerly and very thankfully out the door of the infirmary on their way to going home. Jenny could have been extremely angry with her husband with his negligence causing the injuries to himself and the boy. Faith managed a weary smile, "I'm so glad you were here, Christine in the right place just at the right time. You saved that child a great deal of anxiety." Rosemary piped in, "Faith, Christine was telling me before how she has just attained her qualifications in the nursing profession so that is how she knew what to do. I've never been so amazed to watch someone like her in action today." They smiled at each other as they watched the two little girls sitting quietly together playing with Rusty. "I could really use someone like you here Christine with your expertise in cuts and abrasions. It's a shame that you are only here for only a little while and will be soon be leaving us." said a very wishful Faith. Christine was very deep in thought because of her morning's events, what with reading her grandfather's letter and the visit to the grave of her grandmother. "When I leave here, it will be to start a new life, goodness knows where and I'm not looking forward to it in the big city somewhere. My foster parents have already left for Europe and heaven knows when and if I will ever see my husband again. Marie is always sad being in the big city and now I look at her here enjoying her time with her new friend Emily, not to mention Rusty. Faith, if you are serious, and you need someone, I'd be happy to make a new life here in Hope Valley" She motioned Emily to come over. "Emily, I know that Rusty was my grandmother's dog, so I suppose that makes him mine now. If I give him to you will you look after him and let me come and play with him sometime?" Emily hugged her and had a big smile for everyone.
Elizabeth had barely considered that Amy might have an issue with reading and writing but, now that Florence mentioned how Amy had never gone to school, it was quite conceivable that there could be a problem that needed some attention. She thought that it was best to avoid any sort of confrontation or placing Amy in an awkward situation where she would reluctantly have to sadly admit that she didn't know how to read anything at all. Maybe, instead, it was possible to put her in a position where she might talk herself about how she had never been to school and would say how she had never had any opportunity to learn lots of things including reading. She thought how wonderful of Florence to take care enough to notice something like that and want to figure out how to fix it. Elizabeth had two harmless plans in mind that might initiate some response from Amy so that they could get started on her eventual academic career of sorts. After all, people with lesser opportunity had been able to graduate from college.
"Christine, that was a really nice thing that you did for Emily yesterday, I think she loves Rusty more than us." laughed Rosemary as the two mothers sat on the front porch. They watched their little ones throwing the ball to each other along with Little Jack who had come along earlier with Elizabeth. As usual, Elizabeth was in a rush to head off for school, but she was happy to take the time to be introduced to the town's new acquisition. After seeing the lady who was going to be Marie's schoolteacher only reaffirmed her snap decision to live and work in Hope Valley. Rusty had learned over a good deal of time that he was expected to give the ball back obediently and not continually run away with it. He fitted in nicely with his three friends. Rosemary smiled and reflected on when they first saw him, "Christine, it was Rusty that brought us all together. If not for him, we might not have ever met your grandmother and I hate to think of those consequences. I can't bear to think that the letter from your grandfather might have disappeared in the clean-up and gone forever. You'll be happy to know that Rusty sleeps with Emily at the end of her bed every night."
Elizabeth strode into the stables next morning on a mission with a plan in mind. Laura was available as previously arranged to sit with Little Jack who was still in bed as Elizabeth headed out in the early morning. She soon had Sergeant and another horse saddled ready for Amy when she would arrive. It would be nice to have some company out on the track. Amy soon appeared beaming and more than ready for work but a ride with Mrs Thornton was going to be fun. Elizabeth took her out and showed her the stretch of land that she owned and the rock that she would always sit upon. "Little Jack's father and I would sit here in the breeze for ages. He died a few years ago on a police training mission, he was a Mountie like Nathan. He never saw his little son." Amy was horrified to think that this nice lady who was prepared to help her could have endured such tragedy. "How was it that you could recover from something like that," cried Amy. Elizabeth reflected on one of the most difficult times of her life. "It was a long time for me but eventually the community and all the children helped me by just being there in support when I needed it." They sat there together, and Amy could see, as they stared out over the horizon, how special this place was for Elizabeth. "Come on," said Elizabeth, "I have somewhere else to show you." They mounted up and set off at a walking pace, "Would you like to see where I work Amy, where I have to hang the children upside down when they are naughty." Amy could see Elizabeth grinning as they rode down the lane.
Simon was particularly keen on staying one step ahead of the two men serving their light sentences. Captain Foster's report and added assessment confirmed his suspicions that these two men had little regard for anyone else and that this position was never going to change. He had started hunting through records and began to find that there was quite a dossier on the file which he thought would prove to give him some advantage. There was a substantial list of known associates looking like a rogue's gallery. He noted again that the recorded home address was in the general district of Union City and how they were already repeat offenders. How they got off with a sentence like this was a mystery to him. The judge obviously took offence at Nathan's judgement on the young woman which led him to perform his sworn duty in an unprofessional manner. Simon started going through the list of unsavoury associates to find any who may be useful in providing a form of introduction if needed. He was convinced that they would already be contemplating their next job within a day of getting out of prison. His initial plan was to include a ride out to their last known home address and use one of his selected contacts if necessary, to say how he was sent to possibly work with them.
Amy stopped and took in the view of the most beautiful little building standing alone on the little rise close to the pond. "It's beautiful isn't it Amy. I was away with my parents for a while and when I came back my late husband surprised me with our new school. He had received a reward for bravery, and he used it to finance the school. It meant that school didn't have to be an afterthought in the saloon anymore." Amy was close to tears at the thought of a man doing something like this for the community without a thought for himself. "Come and have a look inside." smiled Elizabeth. Amy was hesitant as she had never been inside a school classroom before, but she walked up the steps with some encouragement from Elizabeth and slowly entered the room. She was silent as she slowly glanced around the room for the first time and then she saw the sign, The Jack Thornton School. She turned and hugged Elizabeth and asked tearfully, "Was that his name?" Elizabeth answered, "Yes Amy, the children affectionately referred to him as Mountie Jack and they all loved him dearly. It took a year or more after Jack's death before we got Mountie Nathan and we all love him just as much." Amy was overcome with the thought of what the school was all about and how it had got there in the first place.
"I always wondered what it must be like for the other children when they would come to school each day. Mrs Thornton, do you mind if I sit in one of the places for a little while?" Elizabeth was choked up herself at seeing this young woman who had been deprived of an education through no fault of her own and thought how Nathan had made the right decision for her. "You are very welcome Amy. This should have happened for you years ago." Amy stared at the writing that was there on the blackboard, "Mrs Thornton, I have no idea what any of that means, is that something that the children understand?" Elizabeth replied, "The younger children might not understand but the older ones would who have been learning for five years or more. You mustn't be frightened by any of this, everybody learns things in stages. Many people have come from across the sea, over the years to a new land and they had to start all over again from nothing. Can you imagine grown ups having to learn how to speak a new way and learn how to read and write all over again." Amy was listening very intently at this, "Mrs Thornton, is it too late for me to learn to read?" Elizabeth took both her hands, "Not if you let me and everyone and all the children help you. It will open up a whole new world for you that you never thought existed." Elizabeth was relieved to get this far, "Amy, I'm going to find a couple of books that the little ones would start with so that you can see how it all works." She sat there in awe and wonder as Elizabeth told her of the true story of Florence Nightingale and how she helped so many people in really horrific times. "She will always be known as 'the lady of the lamp' and be remembered for a thousand years or more." Amy decided that she wanted to learn everything all in one day, but Elizabeth convinced her to be patient.
Simon soon selected someone from the listing who was currently residing in a different prison system than these two men many miles away so the whereabouts of this man would be unknown to them. The file showed that the three of them had come into contact with each other many times in the past. His contempt for these people was growing each day. They possessed no scruples and regard for their fellow folks and would have no hesitation in gaining things by any means necessary. He now had a suitable and believable story for the existing residents, if any, who might be living at the homestead. He was to make sure that he would look scruffy and unkempt enough to convince them that he was not long out of prison and looking for companions of his own kind. All this time he was annoyed at the judge who should have delivered a proper sentence to avoid causing him to have to conduct this charade for the girl's safety. Captain Foster's report could not have been clearer.
The weekend came along, and Sunday service had three new additions who were warmly welcomed into the community. Elizabeth had wanted to get Amy into this place and talk to her before her lack of an education could become an embarrassment for her. She had been pleasantly surprised how Amy had reacted and was pleased to think that everyone was going to be rushed off their feet trying to keep up with her. Already, her thirst for knowledge was becoming a hit with Ned and Florence and all the children. She had not been phased or shown any instance of frustration if she never understood something that she had been shown. The children got to take turns at reading to her and she was amazed how even the little ones who had not been at school very long were able to show some of the skills that they had learned. Florence had proudly invited her along to the Sunday service and started to treat her as a loving daughter.
Anyone who had the need recently to attend the infirmary had met Christine, the new pleasant looking nurse in the district. She hadn't been there very long, but she had settled in well and was proving to be a huge asset and had already taken quite a load away from Faith. She had the opportunity to frequently visit the grave of her grandmother and just spend some time quietly. She would give thanks many times for the little piece of her grandfather that she would hold very dear. Today was the first time that Amy, Christine and Marie got to meet Pastor Joseph Canfield as he presided over the service. He had taken the time to discover the circumstances of both these women and his welcome to them included how we all arrive somewhere from different backgrounds. He stood them up without embarrassment and officially welcomed them into the Hope Valley community. Marie had sat happily with Emily who had smuggled Rusty into the service. A very red-faced Rosemary was horrified at seeing him inside the church and told him very sternly to be very quiet.
After the service, Elizabeth invited Amy, with the permission of the Canfields, to visit their home. This arrangement had been organised previously with an ulterior motive. She had avoided drawing any attention to Angela's blindness in any discussion about learning but now, Amy had noticed her in the church service and had become curious. She was quite upset and could not believe that there was a pretty young girl here with the loveliest smile who couldn't see anything. Elizabeth tried to stop her from being despondent about Angela and said how she was the reason that she had brought her here. Amy loved Mrs Canfield right from the outset. After Florence and Mrs Thornton, she didn't think there could be anyone else as wonderful as them. "Welcome to our home Amy and welcome to Hope Valley. We all hope that you will find yourself in our little town and never want to leave us. You are in very good hands with Mrs Thornton, you will see very soon what she has done for us and we are eternally grateful to her." Amy was amazed how Angela knew her way around at home and how she received no help and didn't expect any. "Mrs Thornton has taught me how to read Amy." Of course, that was going to be impossible because she couldn't see. Elizabeth sat down with both girls and Angela showed Amy something absolutely amazing. She had it explained to her how somebody somewhere years ago devised a special system to enable blind people to read. "If there is a need for something there are very clever people who will spend their time and won't rest until they figure out how to do it. I will take you for a ride on the train sometime Amy," smiled Elizabeth. Amy, this is called Braille and the persons who invented it has done something special for blind people all over the world. These people can attend school confidently and maybe even graduate from university." Amy watch in awe as Angela ran her fingers over the protruded little patterns of raised dots on the special paper. Elizabeth watched as Amy took it all in and showed the love and care for someone who appeared disabled. She now realised that Angela was anything but disabled and looked to be a happy and contented young girl. "Now Amy, we have something else for you to see that is quite special." said Elizabeth. They all went inside, and Angela sat down to the piano and started playing. Amy could not believe what she was now witnessing, a blind girl who was able to bring such joy to others by performing the most wonderful sound that anyone could hope for. "A man from the other side of the world wrote this piece of music many years ago. Angela learned how to play this just by listening to it and working it out herself. It is called Moonlight Sonata and it is very famous. Amy wanted to sit there and listen forever.
The children could see as the days and weeks went by that Amy was gradually starting to recognise some of the words when they were associated with pictures over and over again. One little girl brought out a different animal book and showed Amy how the names of the animals were below the pictures. "What on earth is that?" cried Amy as she pointed to one picture. "That's a kangaroo and it is only found in a country called Australia. That's a long, long way from here." said the clever little girl. Amy found that she was learning something new every day, none more so than when she sat excitedly listening to Allie reading Robinson Crusoe to her. They got all that story into those pages of that little book. She thought how fortunate it was for people to be able to understand how to read, there must be hundreds of books on all kinds of stories. "You know Allie, I'm going to tell Mrs Thornton that I'm going to be able to read to my own children when I grow up." Allie showed her a magazine which had a recipe on how to make cream puffs. "It says here what ingredients you need and each step that is needed so that you can get it right the first time. Even if you follow the instructions, it is still hard not to make a mess," laughed Allie. She showed her an advertisement which described how to buy a pattern for a dress so you could make it by yourself. Amy was really starting to understand how being able to read would help you learn to make things and even see what life was like many years ago. She hadn't even started yet with numbers and any form of arithmetic.
The day came closer when the two men would be finally be released from their incarceration and possibly wind up back at the homestead. Simon figured with his calculated assumption that it would be reasonable to assume that they would most probably return there as they wouldn't have anywhere else to go. He decided to make a start a week in advance of the release date and show up at the homestead with his story intact and well-rehearsed. He stopped short of the place and surveyed the area to try and gain some assessment. The homestead was situated in an isolated location with no out-houses to speak of and the upkeep looked terrible. There was no garden of any note and fences were in a bad state of disrepair. He knew that he shouldn't, but he could not help but assume that the condition of the place may reflect on the type of folk living there. A person inside had heard a disturbance and the arrival of someone. Before Simon could dismount, he was met with an older man brandishing a shotgun on the doorstep. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" He wasn't pointing the weapon at him, only having it there for his own protection. Simon sat right where he was not wishing or feeling the need to force the issue. "Jake Stillman sent me here to see Jed and Buck. I was in the same prison cell with Jake and I only got out the other day and I decided to come straight here." The man on the doorstep looked at Simon and decided after a while that he had no cause to think that he was not telling the truth. "Well, you're in luck, Jed and Buck got out yesterday and showed up here for an hour or so." Simon was shocked and did his best not to show it. This was the very thing that he had been working for the last month or more to try and avoid. "Where are they now?" he asked. The man's reply put Simon on even more of an edge. "They rode off to Hope Valley, they said that they had some unfinished business there. Where they got their horses from, I don't know. They said that they would be back around midday." Simon had no other option now but to wait. The anger was welling up inside because he was supposed to be advised if there was any change to the release date. Apparently, these men had been given early release supposedly on good behaviour. He told the man of his plan how there was going to be serious money coming their way if they wanted in.
Florence could hear the familiar creaking of the floor early in the morning and she smiled as she knew that Amy was on the move again to get ready for the day. She was planning to get her work done at the stables so that she could sit again with some of the children at recess time and maybe they would read to her. She wandered happily and carefree in the early morning light over to the stables. She strangely noticed a cart hitched up with a horse just outside the main doors and thought that it was rather unusual. Maybe someone was planning an early trip and had got everything ready early but there didn't seem to be anyone around. She stepped inside and was immediately grabbed from behind with a hand over mouth to prevent her from screaming. She was bound and gagged in minutes with a hood placed over her head and dumped into the cart and then they were on their way out of town. The cart moved slowly so that they wouldn't draw any suspicion if they were noticed by anyone from the main street. Amy was frightened and helpless and felt sick as the gag was making it hard for her to breathe. She couldn't scream out even if wanted to. She couldn't see because of the hood over her head. All she could feel was the rumbling of the cart as it sped up when it was out of the town.
The cart was dispensed with at the place where the two men had hidden their stolen horses about four hours ago. The horse from the cart was unhitched quickly and soon Amy was ordered aboard, still with her hands bound tightly, and then the three of them rode quickly on the way to the homestead. When the hood came off, she immediately recognised them from before. She couldn't speak other than moan as the gag was going to stay intact for the entire journey. They had remembered that she was very capable on a horse, so having no saddle was not going to be a problem. They had also remembered from the courtroom that she was regularly working in the stables, so they had planned the abduction from there. They took the back roads and didn't expect any interference. It was a very uncomfortable trip for Amy and the only stop made was when they saw the homestead and the unfamiliar horse tied up out the front.
They were wary and had guns drawn as the pulled up out the front, "Ben, come out here." yelled Jed. "Everything is alright, Jed. This man knows Jake and has come here with a job in mind." Simon stepped out with Ben and introduced himself as Joe Murphy. "I was in the same cell as Jake and he pointed me in your direction." Simon got his first sad look at Amy and he knew straight away that she was to depend on him getting everything right or else they could both be in trouble. He thanked his lucky stars that he was there for her but unfortunately, he couldn't let her know. They took Amy off the horse and removed the gag and she immediately started to plead for her life. "Please let me go, I won't say anything, just let me go and please don't hurt me," she cried. Simon's heart broke to see this young lady being placed in this most awful and terribly uncompromising situation. "You should have thought of that when you stopped us from getting away at Hope Valley before. We did two months in jail because of you and you are going to pay for that." Amy was crying as Buck stretched out to slap her. "You don't have to do that," intervened Simon, "someone is going to pay good money for her release, so we don't want any bruises." Simon shoved her into the corner out the way.
He put forward his plan about the payroll that was coming in today at a neighbouring little town not far from here and it was going to be an easy target. Nobody was supposed to know about it, but he had someone on the inside who provided all the information. "We could get it all and be gone long before anyone could do anything about it because there is no permanent law officer working in the town." Jed and Buck had accepted this new man readily as they knew Jake Stillman very well as someone who wouldn't be wrong and lead them astray. Amy looked a forlorn picture sitting in the corner with no one caring for her. She was frightened for her wellbeing, but she was also upset thinking that everyone would believe that she had run off after all the support that they had given her. She had missed recess time with the children and the morning exercise with Sergeant. Florence had taken her in as her own daughter and would be distraught to think that she had let her down. "If I get out of this, they will never accept me back again." Simon could see the fright and the sadness on her face. He was so close to her and so badly wanted to take her hand to give her some reassurance that everything was going to be okay, but he dared not to.
Elizabeth had gone to the stables to ask her if she had enjoyed the service and the visit to the Canfields. It was unusual not to find her there and she noticed that no work had been done in the stables so far. She wondered whether she was still at the Mercantile with Florence for some reason. Elizabeth decided to check back later or ask her during recess time when she was always at the school with the children. Recess came and went and there was no Amy to be seen anywhere. This was unusual and Elizabeth was becoming rather concerned so she decided to ask one of the older children to go and ask Doctor Faith if she had seen Amy at all. Maybe she had hurt herself and was there at the infirmary being looked after. Cooper knocked politely on the door and saw the smiling nurse Christine. He remembered seeing her at the service being welcomed into the community by his father. "I'm sorry to bother you but Mrs Thornton was wondering if Amy might be here." Faith came from around the corner, "Hello Cooper, is anything wrong, you look concerned?" Cooper replied, "It's just that we haven't seen Amy anywhere this morning and she always comes to recess time to be with us." Faith thought that she may still be at the Mercantile and it wouldn't hurt for him to check there before returning to class.
"These pistols get so filthy inside the barrel; I saw one backfire once and it nearly blew the man's fingers off." said Simon as he busily attended to his weapon. "I came by this one yesterday, right in front of a man just outside of the prison. He didn't even know it was gone as I departed with it. He didn't look after it very well though, it needs cleaning so it can be reliable for when we do the job this afternoon. They won't even know what hit them if we get there just at the right time." Simon looked like he knew what he was doing, "Let me clean yours for you, we don't want any foul-ups at the agency when we strike." He couldn't even manage a glance at poor Amy lying there with her hands bound looking so helpless. This was what it was like to see someone held at the mercy of someone who couldn't care less about her. He hated it and he was having trouble keeping it all together. Anyone who could inflict this on a young girl like Amy deserved to be where he was going to put them for a very long time. His only consolation was reminding himself that if it all went well, he would have her back home later in the evening.
Cooper ran over to the Mercantile hoping that she was there, and he could get back to school. "No Cooper," said Florence, "she left here very early this morning to get her work done quickly at the stable. I don't know why she wants to work in that grubby, smelly place with all those horses, but she seems to like it." Cooper said how she spends time with them all at recess time but wasn't there today. This caused Florence some concern, so they immediately headed to the jailhouse to see Nathan and get his advice. Nathan had been keeping a watchful eye on Amy from afar and had left everything in the capable hands of Florence, Mrs Thornton and all the children. He had a smile on his face every day as he saw the wonderful progress that she was making remembering how he had decided to give her the chance that she deserved. "Nathan, that girl loves those children and Elizabeth and she tells me every night how they all would read to her and help her understand some of the words. She wouldn't miss this unless something was wrong." Florence was now looking very worried and Nathan hugged her to try and reassure her that everything would be okay. He went down to the stables and saw that no work had been done there at all today. Sergeant was still there in his pen probably wondering why Amy hadn't taken him out this morning. Three things went through his mind, the first would be totally out of the question, the second one would assume that she was hurt somewhere and needed help. He set out on horseback and after about ten minutes he saw the abandoned cart which may or may not mean anything. There was no sign of her anywhere and he was starting to become concerned himself. He raced back to the jailhouse very wary of the third option. He made an urgent phone call to the prison where he was informed that the two men had been released one week early on good behaviour. They knew that Nathan had wanted to be informed but their phones and communications were out of order for two days and had only just been rectified.
The time soon approached when Simon and the other two would set out on their quest for easy money. "This is going to be like stealing candy from a baby," gloated Simon. He said how they were allowing about half an hour for the payroll to be delivered and the guards would then depart after a while when everything would be secure. "Ben, keep the girl here and we will bring you back a tidy sum for your efforts. Amy didn't even look up as they headed out the door and rode off. It was only about a twenty-minute ride at a steady reasonable pace to the tiny little village which had the agency and a couple of little shops to cater for the folk in the district. "Nobody even knows it's here except I've got inside information that I'm not supposed to have." smiled Simon. They stopped on the outside of town to decide the next course of action. They're not expecting any visitors let alone any trouble, so we should be able to wander up to the front door and just move on inside. The plan was going so well as they innocently tied their horses up to the rail out the front. They burst in through the front door and Jed roared with pistol extended, "We're not going to waste time, we want the payroll right now and make it quick." There were three men behind the counter and one at a desk on the side. They all had their hands in the air except for the one getting the bag with the payroll. One man behind the counter went for a gun which caused Buck to fire. The man gripped his chest and fell to the ground. Jed and Buck looked at each other in horror and then panicked and raced out the front door. They were confronted by six Mounties who apprehended them forcefully and placed them under arrest. The man who fell to the ground behind the counter stood up and gave Simon a dummy payroll and understood why he was in a hurry to leave. All the men in the building were Mounties from Union City headed by Constable Grey. Simon had secretly replaced live ammunition with blanks while he was cleaning the weapons back at the homestead.
The Mounties made sure that Simon could leave quickly without the two men seeing him depart. Along with armed robbery, they would have to deal with a murder charge which would mean life in prison without release. Greed and the thought of easy money was going to cost them their freedom. Constable Grey had got word of the early release and hurriedly put the plan into action even though he couldn't get warning to Simon. A red flag on a stick displayed clearly out the front was to indicate to Simon that everything was in readiness. He galloped at speed not wanting Amy to have to endure this torment any longer than necessary. There was only one issue remaining and that was Ben with his powerful shotgun. He would need to see and believe that the raid had been successful and that he now had a great deal of money to spend. That should be enough to get Amy out of their quickly and safely. He knew that Ben would hear the horse approaching and would be looking out the window. Simon had the bag with his share clearly visible as he pulled up to the front gate. He had a smile on his face as he entered the front door and then gave the bag to a jubilant Ben who still had his shotgun in his hands. "It went like a dream," said Simon. "Jed and Buck are keeping a lookout while I get the girl." Simon grabbed poor Amy harshly and, despite her efforts to pull back, he shoved her out the door and forced her onto his horse. He had never seen anyone so terrified as she cried and begged him to let her go. "Please don't hurt me, I just want to go home. Please let me go," she cried. He galloped quickly down the road and soon got out of sight from the homestead. He knew that four Mounties would soon be descending on the homestead and Ben would be placed heavily in custody. Simon then stopped and got Amy down from his horse.
Amy was now very frightened and begging for her life and was on her knees in despair at the thought that he was going to hurt her, "Please, I just want to go home," she begged in distress. He brought her to her feet and hugged her tightly. "I'm so sorry you had this happen to you. I promise you that you will never have to go through anything like this ever again. Those men will never hurt you again." She was trembling with fear but somehow his soothing voice seemed to cut through the terror of what she had endured all day. He picked her up and found a log for them to sit for a while. She looked at him and saw the tears in his eyes as he said, "I have two best friends, Nathan and Mrs Thornton and that's where I'm taking you soon." She hugged him so tightly and the trembling eventually dissipated. His gentle soothing voice was all that she could hear but what he was saying didn't mean anything to her. After a while he took her arms away so that he could stand. "Maybe this will help," he said as he fossicked around in his saddle bag. She tried to watch through her tears as he took out his red serge and put it on and did up the buttons. There was no smile, but she finally knew that with this man, she was safe. "Are you ready to go home yet Amy?" asked Simon.
Nathan stood in the jailhouse and threw his hands in the air. He had no idea what could have happened and no clue of what to do now. He could see that they would have to search everywhere just in case she was hurt after being thrown from the horse. After Cooper had returned Elizabeth decided to cancel classes for the day and get the children and their parents to look everywhere for her. Her thoughts were cast back as it seemed like it was Nathan all over again. She couldn't bear the thought of going through all that again. Florence was in a terrible state because she knew her new young daughter and that she would not have run off. This was going to be her home forever. Elizabeth had a quick ride out to the land where she had taken Amy to recently. It was all to no avail and she returned sadly. Florence even searched through the Mercantile in the vain hope that she would just magically appear.
Amy clung tightly to Simon and never uttered a word during the entire return trip. There was no hurry even though he knew that they would all be starting to worry back at Hope Valley. She hung onto the sound of his voice as they strolled along. He was telling her about how he first met Nathan and how Mrs Thornton had helped him when he was wondering about what to do with his daughter. Nathan had helped him when his daughter was in danger. Amy still remained silent and she was sad because everyone would all think that she had run off at the first opportunity and didn't care about them all. Why would they want her back now after this and after everything that they had done for her? "They are going to be so pleased to see you Amy when we get there. We still have a long way to go but you are safe now. You will never have to go through this again while I'm around." He thought he must have said this to Amy about forty times during the journey. His thoughts were for the love and compassion that he felt for this young girl and then they went to the two men who so callously inflicted this terror upon her and then he thought of the judge. He had no hesitation at laying the blame for all this squarely at his feet. She clung so tightly to him and remained silent.
Back at Hope Valley it was late afternoon with the sun starting to set and they were running out of options and ideas. It seemed that their worst fears were going to be realised and that she may have been abducted right under their very noses. She had said all along how frightened she was that those two men might come back for her because she didn't let them escape when they had the chance. If that was the case, then all they could do would be to make phone calls to every police station that they could think of. The search continued again until they all met back in the main street in total despair. They were all looking to Nathan for an answer but unfortunately, he was just as desolate as everyone else.
Down the end of the street they could barely make out the lone rider carrying something in his arms. "Look," yelled Allie who had been searching with the children since recess time. They all strained and looked to see who it was in the twilight and soon wonder turned to relief as they could see Amy hanging grimly onto Mountie Simon. Florence couldn't believe her eyes and was crying as she hugged Elizabeth. Nobody had known anything all day and they still knew nothing even though she had just reappeared two minutes ago. Nathan went over to Simon and Amy just as bewildered as everyone else, but he was thankful that, whatever it was, it was all over. There would be many questions but none right now. "Take care of her Nathan, she's had quite a day," said a visibly shaken Simon. Nathan tried to take her, but she refused to part from Simon. Nathan helped both of them down from the horse and Faith and Christine rushed to see to the forlorn looking girl. With Nathan's help, they managed to get her into the infirmary for a quick check-up. Nathan reluctantly left her in the capable hands of the doctor and nurse and went to see Simon. He wasn't there more than a few seconds when he immediately summoned Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, I've never seen Simon like this, he's really shaken up." She hugged Simon who now had a major release and was inconsolable. "She was there on the floor begging for her life. They didn't care about her at all. She was defenceless and frightened for her safety. I never want to see anything like that ever again." wailed Simon. Fiona came and sat with him as well and put her arm around him. Simon was a good friend and she was not about to forget how he was there for her when Nathan was missing.
"What on earth has happened today," as a tearful Elizabeth asked Nathan. The best thing for Simon, he thought was to have Elizabeth and Fiona there to support him and help him settle down. Nathan was shattered at seeing his good friend in such a state but decided to head to the infirmary to check on his new little sister. How was it possible that Simon was there when she had needed someone he thought along the way? "Thank Heaven for Faith and Christine," he thought. He waited outside and Faith came to see him. "She's extremely traumatised but she is sitting up and looking around at least. I can't imagine what she's been through today, but it is now over for her. She's going to need some time with us all to help her. Can you bring Florence here and you may need to carry her to her room at the Mercantile after a while? I'm not even going to risk her being on her feet for a day or so." Nathan headed back to the jailhouse and saw that Simon had been put to bed in the cell and was out for the night. They shut the light and left the phone off the hook.
Bill, like many others had stood helpless as he saw Simon bring Amy back after they had spent the greater part of the day searching and agonising over what may have happened to her. She had made her way into the hearts of everyone and now it was heartbreaking to see her in distress. It was hard to have a clear head, but he had seen Simon fall asleep from exhaustion and Amy now safely in Faith's and Christine's care. "Nathan, we need some answers here but the first thing to do will be to let Union City know where Simon is and that he is safe with us. Fiona, you should ring Janie and do the same if you can get through. Something has happened here, and I suspect that Simon has saved that girl's life." They went to the Mercantile with Fiona who could operate the town's switchboard and soon Nathan was speaking with a very relieved Constable Grey. "Is the girl alright?" he asked hurriedly. Nathan was astounded as he listened to Constable Grey's account of the days' events. "Simon has been following this case for weeks at the request of Captain Foster and had formulated his plan to infiltrate the two men's movements once they got out of prison so that he could ensure the girl's safety. He only rode out there today to where he expected them to eventually be and he must have found out that they had been released a week early. Once we found that out we set up a phony robbery scene and now those two men are back in custody back where they belong. He had planned to watch and shield the girl from any attempt on her safety. Nathan, I've never seen a man more focussed."
Nathan thanked him and hung up the phone and had to sit down while he tried to outline everything to the others. "Simon was right, they both have had quite a day." Fiona set about attempting to get through to the hospital at Union City. Nathan and Elizabeth left her to the long wait while the staff hunted for Janie, so that they could return to the infirmary. They cast a look at the jailhouse on the way where there was a man sleeping. "Sleep tight Mountie Simon, you've earned it." said Elizabeth. Nathan was annoyed at himself as he always expected himself to be one step ahead of any situation but this time, he had known nothing. He also had known of the oncoming release date and was planning to set his own trap if any attempt was made to abduct Amy. They walked in the door of the infirmary and saw Amy sitting up. "Mrs Thornton," cried Amy as she thrust out her arms. Elizabeth rushed to her arms and hugged her tightly, "We are so thankful you are back with us and safe, we're never going to let you out of our sight ever again." Faith spoke gently with Nathan, "The first words she spoke were when Florence came in, she was insistent that she had never just run off and she never would. We are all going to have to reassure her for a long time."
Amy had seen Elizabeth first but then she noticed Nathan who had been standing quietly with tears in his eyes in the background. "Nathan," I promise I never ran off; this is my home and I never want to leave you." She sounded like she was pleading with him to believe her, "Amy, I know you didn't leave on purpose, we had people out looking for you all day because we love you. There are fifty or more people outside anxiously waiting to find out if you are okay. They love you more the they do me or even Mrs Thornton." This was the first time that she was able to manage some sort of a smile all day. He hugged her so tightly and marvelled at how she had managed to capture the heart of the entire town in such a short time. How could she possibly ever think that we thought she might leave us without a care. Faith added, "She hadn't had a drink or anything to eat all day, how can anyone be so callous and uncaring. Florence, would you like to have Nathan help you take Amy home now?" Nathan carried her and she hung on tight to him as townsfolk cheered.
Fiona had finally got through to Janie at the hospital who was on a late shift for that evening. She was pleasantly surprised to hear from Fiona but then became concerned at a phone call out of the blue. "Hello Fiona, this is indeed a surprise, is everything alright. I hear that congratulations are in order; you must be very happy. Nobody knows better than us that Nathan is a fine man." Fiona loved Janie and everything about her, "Janie, I have some news, we have Simon here and he is alright. It was totally unexpected, but it looks like he had been on a case and has saved the life of a young girl from Hope Valley. He was in a mess when he rode in with her and was very upset at knowing that she had been mistreated. He is finally asleep in Nathan's jail cell and hopefully he will get a good sleep until morning. Janie, there will be no one better than you to help him through this when he gets back. We will give him breakfast in the morning, I think he has earned it."
Florence sat with Amy on the bed as people started to wander home happy and relieved that Amy was okay. Many had remembered the long weeks of trial when Nathan was missing but that was all in the past. "Mother, I promised before that I never would leave, and I didn't. I thought that I was never going to see you again and I was so frightened. Who was that man who saved me? I thought he was with the other men, but he put on his jacket just like Nathan's red one." Florence was still trying hard to deal with every mother's nightmare, "That's Mountie Simon, we don't often see him, but he is a great friend to us, and we can never repay the debt and gratitude that we owe him. He has been there for us so many times and he never asks anything in return." Florence sat with her even after she eventually fell asleep. She prayed their little prayer for Amy and herself. She spoke to Amy as she was sleeping, "I'm going to be here with you all night and if you wake up frightened, I will be the first person you see. When you wake up in the mornings, I will be the first person you see, that's a promise." She knew that Amy was going to be very fragile and that a very friendly and caring face would be essential for a long time.
Simon woke late next morning and took some time to figure out where he was. It all slowly came back to him as he sat silently and subdued on the bed in the cell. He was in no hurry as he was sure that Amy was in good hands and the three most awful unscrupulous men were also in good hands. He would see to it that they would go away this time for a very, very long time. Clara had poked her eye in the door very quietly a number of times during the morning until she could see that he was awake and possibly ready for some breakfast. She was also in the crowd yesterday afternoon and could see and feel the weight that had been on his shoulders. She had cried when she saw Amy and thanked God that Simon had been there for her. She also remembered how Simon had been there for her in the past. He was thankful for her kindness and a drink. He also had nothing to eat or drink the day before, but he had not given that a thought. Others were aching to see him, but they didn't want to overwhelm him until he was ready for some company. He could still see the anguish and terror in her face as she pleaded for mercy and it seemed like it would haunt him for a very long time.
A good night's sleep had done wonders for Amy by the morning. Florence had stayed dutifully at her bedside all night She could see the improvement but could also see that the scars of the day before would be there for a long time. Familiar surroundings and people she loved had helped already. They were all going to help her put all this behind her as soon as possible. She was still worried that everyone would think that she had gone away on purpose even though she had said that she didn't. She hugged Florence and said how much she loved her. "I can't bear to think that they won't trust me anymore." Florence got her to look out of the window where she could see the main street. "Last night there were fifty or more people standing out there hoping that you were going to be alright. Not one of them thought that you had ran off. All the children from the school had searched for you after Mrs Thornton cancelled lessons. Finding you was far more important than sitting in the classroom. Nathan came here earlier but I had to chase him away with a broomstick. These are all the people who love you, my dear."
Nathan finally caught up with Simon who, to Nathan's relief, looked decidedly better this morning. He still looked very much on edge and was still recovering from his own traumatic experience from having witnessed Amy being dealt with so badly yesterday. As soon as he saw Nathan his first thought was for Amy. "I think she's going to be fine," Nathan said, "but I couldn't get close enough to find out. Florence chased me out with the broomstick and said to come back later. She had a contented smile on her face, and I could see that she wanted us there just as soon as Amy is ready." Simon was just staring at the wall, "Nathan, when I saw them drag Amy inside, I could have shot all three of them, right then and there and I wouldn't have blinked. When Emily was in danger before, it was different. Thanks to you she was never going to be harmed. This time Amy was at their mercy and no telling what they would have done to her." Nathan reflected on his own incident from the past, "Simon, a few years ago, Little Jack went missing and we hunted everywhere for him. I will never forget the terror in his face when he was being threatened by a wild dog. That is something that I will have forever. Nobody understands better than me."
"I got Fiona to ring Janie to let her know where you were and that you are safe. I rang Constable Grey to tell him where you were and the first thing he asked was about the safety of the girl. He filled me in on some of the details but there is still a lot that I don't know." Simon told him how shocked he was at finding out that those men had been released early and had headed straight for Hope Valley which could have only meant one thing. "They fired only blanks after I switched their ammunition, but we rigged it so that they thought they had shot someone in the agency. They will be facing an attempted murder charge and hopefully they won't see the light of day ever again. Amy should never have been involved at all. I want to be there to see their faces when the sentence comes down. Do you think Florence will let us see her yet?"
They wandered across to the Mercantile, "There was a crowd outside the infirmary last night and they refused to go home until they saw that Amy was alright. I thank God every night that I made the right decision not to press charges and allow her to make her life here in Hope Valley. The other choice would have seen her serve time in prison and that was something I couldn't live with. I heard from Captain Foster that the judge took issue with me deciding her fate rather than him. I will be more than happy to put him straight about Mounties being prepared to make correct and informed decisions. I never dreamed that she would have the effect on the whole town like this. Everybody had willingly rallied around to help her learn to read and write, something she never had a chance in her life." Simon knew that they were both on the same page. The judge would have a lot to answer for. As they crossed the street, they could see two pairs of eyes watching them from the window.
Florence and Amy had come downstairs to meet them and there was no broomstick to be seen anywhere. The fire in Simon's eyes disappeared as he saw the girl who had clung so desperately to him on the four-hour trip back home. She still looked very frail and fragile but the little smile that was on her face showed that she was on the mend and going to be alright. Simon could hardly disguise his tears as he reached out to her. "I never meant for you to have to face this ordeal yesterday," She hugged him and remembered how she felt safe in his presence yesterday when she first saw him with his uniform. "You saved me when I was so frightened, and I don't know what would have happened to me if you weren't there." she cried. Simon had needed to see her now that she was in some sort of recovery. Sandra had told him how Jason had suffered with the sad vision of Allie and Fiona for such a long time. To see Amy now had made his effort and involvement worth every moment. He looked Amy in the eye, "One day I want you to read to me and write me a letter, I will keep it in my pocket forever."
Soon a very focussed Simon was on his way back to Union City. "Goodbye Nathan, I have a report to prepare." He had said as he mounted his horse. Elizabeth and some of the children were determined that they would not have missed saying goodbye to him as they waved goodbye. She spoke to the children in the street, "Amy has had a very bad experience happen to her and she is going to need all of us to help her. Don't ask her about it, just be there for her and maybe she can put it all behind her and get on with her life very soon. We all want her back at recess time don't we." Amy was reluctant to be alone anywhere, so Nathan helped her at the stables because she insisted that she had a job to do. She soon reacquainted herself with Sergeant and they went for their familiar ride around the town. It was going to take some time, but she was on the right track.
One day soon she was sitting quietly in the stable when four visitors came to see her. "Mrs Thornton has sent us to come and get you Amy. She said for us not to come back without you." Amy was reluctant to go as she was still worried that some thought that she had run off before. Her past told her that nobody had cared about her and she had been forced to survive on her own. She dared not to hope that people cared for her here in Hope Valley. "Come on Amy, it will soon be recess time and we don't want to be late." They took her hand and dragged her up and soon she was smiling and on her way to the little school that she loved so much.
Simon returned to duty at Union City and set about the preparation of his report. He did not share the same reluctance as what Jason had displayed previously with report writing. He knew the importance of the document and that it always had to be done accurately and correctly. Constable Grey was the arresting officer in this case and soon both reports were on Captain Edward's desk for his examination. He was annoyed at finding out about how the two men had been released a week early when they had expressly asked for advice in advance. He was going to follow that up personally with the prison authority. He was impressed, however, how the plan was hurriedly revisited when this information eventually came to light. He read Simon's extensive report and asked for him to come and review it with him. He tried to collect his thoughts as he looked at Simon. "Senior Constable Simon Morgan, that's the official recognition, but now I'm talking to you as your friend. I read the initial report and Captain Foster's comments and I share your anger and annoyance. You threw yourself into following the progress of this matter and you can be credited with saving the life of this young lady. I cannot, as your superior officer, order you to alter the contents of your report, but I'm asking you as a friend to take out the paragraph I'm questioning. I am in complete agreement with you and my comments may have been even more scathing than yours. This paragraph could cost you your career and I don't want to see that. You are one of the finest that I've seen, and you came here with great credentials. I can and I will, order you to present this report to Captain Foster at Fort Clay."
Nathan had also prepared his own report and had included information and his own comments. He had no hesitation in providing his assessment of the woeful inadequate determination previously which led to the release of the two men inside two months. There could be no doubt where he lay the responsibility. He, along with Simon was up for a fight. Bill was horrified at the inflammatory nature of this document even if it was true in all respects. "I'm going to have a piece of that judge, said Nathan angrily. "If anyone is going to have a piece of him it will be me." said Bill firmly, "There are people in certain places that do not like being told when they are wrong and they will strike out if they feel reproached." Hopefully, you can keep a cool head and keep this document under wraps. He sympathised and understood Nathan's annoyance.
Simon was getting the same story from Captain Foster who painfully recalled the inflexible judge who had not shown anything other than contempt for the Mounties at the last trial. "If that judge sees this, he will imprison the lot of us." He smiled as he said to Simon that he would like to see his face turn red when he read, the passage. "I also can't order a retraction, but I can tell you what could ultimately eventuate from it. Do you think that our superintendent would sit by and have you placed in contempt of court or similar for doing your job? He would act very decisively and a rift between the judiciary and the force could take years to repair. I suggest that we give this judge the opportunity to see if he can do his job properly and see some reason unlike last time."
Nathan was even more angry as the trial of the two men approached because he and Bill had been advised that all parties involved which included all from the previous robbery attempt were ordered to be present at the courtroom. That meant Amy had to attend but hopefully nothing would come of it. She had just been gradually returning to her confident manner and then became very despondent at hearing the bad news. She didn't want to ever see those men again let alone be in the same room. Nathan reassured her that those men would not be in any position to cause her any harm in any way. They would be much more than despondent knowing that they would be heading for jail indefinitely. She was not reassured in any way and yearned for it all to be over.
Another week went by and soon they found themselves sitting in the courtroom awaiting the entrance of Judge Tierney. Amy sat in between Simon and Nathan and could hardly breathe with fright. She imagined how she might have been here before if not for Nathan's generosity. It was the most forbidding place she had ever seen. Captain Foster and Captain Edwards had introduced themselves to her, but their kind words fell on nervous and frightened ears. They were disgusted that she had been made to appear today. She shuddered as she saw the two men led in under guard and hoped that they hadn't noticed her. "Please just let me go home," she thought sadly as she hung her head in disbelief. "All rise," came the instruction as Judge Tierney entered and sat at the bench. Jason was behind Amy and he was sure that they could've heard him grit his teeth at the sight of the judge.
Again, they all had to wait while he re-examined the extensive reports. He soon addressed the two men as he prepared to pass sentence. "I find your actions intolerable especially when I had given you a light incarceration period. Clearly, you did not learn from this and I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment without any allowance for early release. Take them away." Simon watched steely eyed as the two men were led out of the room. They would stare at four walls and be under lock and key forever. The judge immediately turned his attention to the young girl who was now shivering with fright. "I warned you people if I ever saw this girl in my courtroom." He had still not recovered from the Mountie issuing his own determination without his own approval. Simon immediately rose to his feet aggressively, "Sir, I can provide you with dozens of character witnesses who will speak on her behalf." Judge Tierney was not impressed, "Sit down young man or I will have no hesitation in placing you in contempt of court." Captain Foster rose in his place, "Sir, are you prepared to place the entire garrison of Fort Clay in contempt of court?" Judge Tierney was taken aback and was about to speak when another rose in his place. "I'm Captain Edwards and that goes for the entire force at Union City." There was a deadly silence until one more on the other side of the room rose to his feet. "Sir, I'm Judge Bill Avery of Hope Valley and I will have a word with you now in your chambers." There was no resolution in sight for this stand-off for Judge Tierney so both men retired to behind closed doors. He had seen that these men meant business.
Amy's head was now leaning on Nathan's shoulder. She had resigned herself to her fate. "Nathan, that man wants to send me to prison and he's right. I held a gun and I pointed it at you. I will go to jail and serve out my time, but I will come back to Hope Valley afterwards to start again if you can see it in your heart to have me back. Say goodbye to Florence and Mrs Thornton for me." Nathan sat there stunned at the proceedings of the day. How could it be possible to comprehend that this judge was actually going to order her to prison and have her led out in similar fashion to those men only a few minutes ago.
Bill looked at this man as they sat down. He was elderly and probably not far off a retirement date and well set in his ways. He probably never experienced anyone daring to question his authority in the courtroom. Even so, this man deserved to be treated with respect. "I'm going to explain a few things to you and also tell you a great deal about the people out there who you are about to penalise unfairly." said Bill carefully. Judge Tierney looked like he had heard enough already, and he stood up. "Sit down judge, I have a lot to say and I just might in the process save your career from disgrace." Bill commenced his comments and showed Judge Tierney that he also was well credentialed to pass judgement on a case. "I'm going to tell you about that young girl out there who you seem quite ready to destroy because of your vindictive nature." Bill was getting right to the point and not being prepared to mince words. "She has repaired her life in such a short time after seizing the chance that the Mountie out there sitting next to her provided for her. He didn't have to do that, but he decided to make a calculated judgement and he has been proven right. She is loved by everyone in the entire community and they have watched and helped her start to learn how to read and write and learn about life. Judge Tierney, what would your resolution for her achieve. She would go to prison and you would not give her a second thought as you would return to your well to do family. The reason those men came back after her was because she had held them at gunpoint and put them back in the cell when they were trying to make their escape."
Bill was just getting started, "Now I'm going to tell you about those men in uniform out there. You have made many enemies in you career over the years and these are the men who dedicate their life to your protection. Your treatment of them is deplorable quite frankly. The man who gave her the chance was injured before and was missing for six weeks until he regained his memory and returned. His loss would have destroyed our community such is the regard that is he held in. The Mountie who saved her recently saw his wife die in his arms in the middle of the street. He led the squad of twenty Mounties who searched endlessly for their missing Mountie for the duration without complaint. He knew that your ruling for those two men was manifestly inadequate and his actions saved the life of that girl after her abduction. If something had happened to her you would be facing many awkward questions about your ruling. You owe him your sincere apologies if you can muster some humility. That other young Mountie came of age at Hope Valley just when he was needed at that last attempted robbery. He is part of the future of our country and he knows that he is always welcome at Hope Valley. Judge Tierney, if you can't do your job anymore without malice you should get out and find another vocation. Those men have put themselves out for you and yours for years. It's time for you to do the same. Just remember, this girl could have been your granddaughter."
Bill emerged from the room and returned subdued to his seat without looking at anyone. Everybody had heard the intensity and tone without knowing what was said behind the closed doors. They all had to wait for about ten minutes before Judge Tierney emerged from his chambers. His body language gave nothing away as he sat down at the bench. He gazed at Amy and asked for everyone to stand. He could see that Amy had to be supported by Nathan and Simon. "My dear," he said with a kind voice, "You have no case to answer for, the court offers you it's apology and I offer you my most humble apology. You are free to go. Officers, you can take her back to Hope Valley. Which one of you is Nathan?" Nathan raised his hand in acknowledgement. "I respect and applaud your judgement in this case sir," said Judge Tierney, "I will never again oppose a decision made by you people in good faith." As he departed, he paused and acknowledged his fellow judge sitting alone on the other side. Amy was surprised as she could see the sadness in his eyes. She had never had anyone apologize to her in her entire life.
Amy threw herself tirelessly into everything and every part of the community. The children made her learn and recite the alphabet and she was so excited when she could relate the sound of letters when they started turning into words for her. There was the months of the year and the days of the week that she had been made to learn with the help of the irrepressible children teachers. She even helped out in the infirmary where she could, allowing for her minimal knowledge and experience. It was awe inspiring for her to see Christine and Faith go about their business with the minimum of fuss. She loved watching Fiona and working happily in the barber shop. She was never late to the stables as she knew that Sergeant would get impatient for his exercise. She talked endlessly with Mrs Thornton and loved the idea of being a schoolteacher and having the responsibility of nurturing the young children throughout their young lives. The children told her about the book that she had written from the heart which had been something that she had wanted to do from a little girl. "One day I'm going to be able to read your book Mrs Thornton, that's a promise."
One of the children brought some invitations for the little birthday party that she was having soon. Amy showed hers to Florence and asked her what it all meant and did she have to do anything for it. Florence was dismayed for Amy and thought how disgraceful that she had missed out all these years. She didn't embarrass her by asking her about her own birthday because she probably wouldn't know when it occurred each year. She found a way around the problem by mentioning how lots of people never knew their own birthday for many different reasons. Some were given the opportunity to pick their own special day and use that as their birthday. Amy had remembered the story that Mrs Thornton had told her about the famous nurse, Florence Nightingale, the lady of the lamp. Elizabeth and Florence hunted through the multitude of books in the library and eventually found the date when she was born. Amy would now have her own special birthday of the 12th of May every year from now on. Florence gave her a beautiful bracelet with Amy engraved on it as an early birthday present. She was very proud that her birthday was going to mean something for her. Amy repeatedly told the children how fortunate they were, and they should not ever forget it. She practiced writing her own name and had a list of everybody's names so that she could practice them as well. She vowed that no one would ever experience an upbringing like the one that she had been subjected to if she could help it. She always looked and ran her hand over the sign that said, 'The Jack Thornton School' and thought what a wonderful man he must have been. She had seen his photograph and her heart had melted. She listened so intently one day as Mrs Thornton said how it was time for her to revisit the place where he had died and sit by his grave once more.
Elizabeth had agonised for months over the thought of going to Fort Clay again. She couldn't bear it, but she knew that she must at some time and also, there was Sandra who she dearly wanted and needed to meet. She had kept on putting it off until Amy's inspiration finally gave her the strength to face the journey. She had wondered whether she had suggested it to Nathan before in a moment of haste and whether she would have regretted it. It would take all the strength she could muster to ask Nathan again because by then there would be no turning back. She remembered vividly some of the places at Fort Clay and they were all painful memories. Rosemary was there for her as always, but she couldn't make the decision for her. She was becoming more restless each day over this, and she was having difficulty in wondering why she couldn't put it all behind her. It had taken her years to come to terms with the sudden loss of her husband and now she was considering the thought of bringing it all back again. She would lie awake at night after putting Little Jack down and recall the wonderful times that they had shared. She realised one evening that Jack's death had an effect on many more than just her. There would be many Mounties still at Fort Clay who would still remember the tragedy and how it had affected them. She felt that her presence at Fort Clay would serve to honour the memory of her husband and help provide closure for all those men who had lost one of their own. She would talk to Nathan in the morning.
A month had gone by after the distressing courtroom drama when Nathan and Fiona notices Bill sadly reading a big city newspaper while sitting outside his office. There was an article that said, 'It is with sadness, we report the passing of one of our most revered public figures, Judge William Tierney'. It went on to say how he had been battling terminal illness for about two years and he had finally succumbed to it last week. The funeral had been attended by hundreds upon hundreds and there had been no church large enough to accommodate all the people so many stood outside in the cold blustery wind to pay their respects to a great man. Superintendent Mills had spoken at length at the service about the man who had been a great friend who had worked with him over a long and virtuous career. The judge had written his memoirs which were now ready for final print. He had recently expressly asked for an additional comment at the end which he had asked the superintendent to read out at the service. It read, 'Even an old man can learn humility again, sometimes you have to listen even when you don't want to.' Bill knew his words to the judge had to be spoken but he was very sad all the same. They sought out Amy and read the article to her as she sat on her little box in the stable. She had tears in her eyes and began to cry. "I wish he'd have been my father." She grasped Nathan's hand and said firmly, "He knew he never had long to live. I'm going to learn how to write and I'm going to send his family a letter and tell them that I will always have him in my heart."
Nathan and Fiona set about making the arrangements for Elizabeth to attend Fort Clay. Her mind had been made up now that her visit would be a major help to many of the Mounties who had been stationed at Fort Clay for many years. With horses tied to the rear of the carriage they finally set off. She immediately recalled when she sat with Jack as they had headed off back then to have their honeymoon at Fort Clay. There was going to be many deep breaths and heart beats to have as they drove quietly along the track. Fiona held her hand for most of the journey. Elizabeth tried to ignore any familiar sights and had shut her eyes on many occasions. Fiona could not imagine what she would be going through and what she was soon about to encounter. The entrance to Fort Clay had been upgraded over the years but it was totally unmistakeable to Elizabeth's eyes as they approached.
They were met by two Mounties on horseback who were to escort them on the final journey into the fort. There were elevated lookouts who signalled the final anticipated arrival. She told Nathan that she didn't think that she could go through with it. "Just be patient Elizabeth and take a couple of deep breaths and you will see why in a minute. Now, they have asked that you wear your red serge for the occasion." Elizabeth didn't want or anticipate any fanfare but now that there was an official escort for them, it seemed that she would just have to accept what was probably about to happen. As they entered, the entire complement was assembled in parade ground formation as a mark of respect for the widow of one of their own. She could see Simon and Janie who was wearing her red serge as well. The lady in the wheelchair came into view. The men removed their hats in unison as a mark of respect for someone who had been an inspiration to them for years. She was overcome as she alighted gingerly from the carriage and she looked into Sandra's eyes and saw a hundred years' worth of love, kindness and wisdom. "Hello Elizabeth, welcome to Fort Clay, it's been far too long.