A/N I am aware that When Hope Calls is the TV series name but I assure you I had this title name for years before it came out.
Chapter 1:
One cold winter day, Ms. Thatcher's schoolhouse was very busy.
"Ok, Class I am going to dismiss you early since the snowstorm is getting worse." she said, smiling as her class cheered.
"Hurray for blizzards'' Cody Stanton yelled.
Opal Weiss walked up to Ms. Thatcher.
"Mommy says Brownie and I can walk home on our own now." she said, holding her teddy bear who was Brownie.
"That is wonderful, Opal. Just make sure you get there before the storm hits." Opal smiled up at her teacher and walked out the door.
Ms. Thatcher sat back down and started grading papers.
...
The blizzard had gotten worse in the hour that Ms. Elizabeth Thatcher was grading papers. Suddenly, Mountie Constable Jack Thorton ran in.
"Elizabeth, have you seen Opal?" he said frantically.
"Mrs. Weiss said she never came home. I've already asked around. Abigail said she saw her going towards their house, but the storm might've started before she got home. She might be lost. I want you, Lee, Carson, Frank, Jessie, Murray, and Bill to ride out with me. We will split into pairs going in all directions. I have the rest of the men combing the town." He said as Elizabeth packed up her things.
"Let's go." She said.
They went outside to find the group ready to go.
"Elizabeth and I will go west. Lee and Carson go east, Frank and Bill go north, Jessie and Murray go south. Let's move!" he said as they all went their directions.
...
"Opal."
The two called as they went deeper and deeper into the forest. Jack had a lantern. The blizzard was at its worst when they saw a light. They called again.
"Let's check out the light." Jack said to the freezing Elizabeth.
The two walked up to the light which was actually a house. They went inside. What they saw brought tears into their eyes. Inside the house were three people. Opal, a crying girl, and a dying Mountie. The girl had his Mountie jacket over her shoulders.
"Daddy, Daddy, Please don't die. Please." she cried.
"Elina, my friends are here. They will help you." Opal said standing next to the girl.
The Mountie was in bed. The bed was close to the roaring fire. The only large pieces of furniture that were in the cabin was a stove, table, two chairs, some chests, and another bed. The dying man saw Jack.
"Please, take care of my daughter. She is a Mountie in her own way." he said.
Jack walked forward, saluted and answered.
"I will." There were tears in his eyes.
The man took his last breaths.
"Daddy, No!" The girl screamed.
Elizabeth went to her.
"Oh you poor, girl. We will take you back with us. Don't you worry." she said softly.
Crash! A tree branch slammed through the window glass. Glass went everywhere hitting Opal and Elina in the process. Elina was hit hard, but Opal was hit even harder.
"Is everyone ok." Jack said, taking in the damage.
Opal was crying. Her arms and face were cut. Elina only had her wrist cut. Elizabeth was unharmed; she was just scared. Jack pushed one of the cabinets in front of the windows. Elizabeth was holding Opal.
"I will get bandages." Elina said her face was deadpan.
Jack had blocked the window and had started sweeping up the glass when Elina walked up to him.
"I'll do that." she said, giving Elizabeth the bandages and taking the broom.
Elina still had the Mountie jacket on when Jack started asking questions.
"What is your father's name?"
"His name was Zachary Sheperd." she said.
There were now tears in her eyes but she didn't start crying.
Elizabeth interrupted "Are you any relation to Carson Sheperd?"
Elina smirked "I wish I could say no. Carson Sheperd is my older brother." she said scornfully.