Chapter 5:

Once school got out, Elizabeth came to see Jack. She almost fainted when she saw Elina in a Mountie uniform and Jack sitting up on a cot, supervising as Elina went through important paperwork.

"Jack, what happened?"

Jack told her everything. She kissed him on the forehead. "Oh my poor boy." she said smiling.

"You know if I get treatment like this I might start getting hurt more often." Jack said, smiling at them. "I have two beautiful women. One a teacher and the other a very talented girl"

Elina smirked and Elizabeth smiled, "Well, I have papers to grade." she said as she took her leave.

Once she left, Jack sighed. Only five minutes later, the door slammed open.

Pastor Frank came in. "I saw Elizabeth on my way here. She told me about Elina. Tell me if you need any help since Bill is gone." he said.

He nodded to Elina and exited. Their next visitor was Cody Stanton.

"Mountie Jack, Ms. Thatcher told me what happened. Oh, Elina, my mom says dinner's ready if you want to come back with me to bring it over." he said smiling.

"Ok, give me a minute and I will be right there." She said as she got Jack comfortable and put the papers away. She walked out with Cody. She walked ahead of him. It was cold.

"Boy, don't you have a coat?" Elina asked.

"I do but I forgot it. I'll be fine. We're only going down the street anyways." He answered.

"Well, next time remember to bring it ok." Elina said as they walked up the steps to Abigail's Cafe.

She walked inside and stared, surprised. Many people from Hope Valley were there including the Cantrell's and Opal's Parents. Elizabeth walked up to her.

"This is a thank you party for finding Opal." she said smiling.

"And once Jack gets better, maybe you can help me in the school." she added.

Elina didn't answer as she was swept up into the roaring wave of people. She met many people that night, the Colters, Mr. Cantrell, Faith Carter, Pastor Frank, Dottie, Florence Blakely, Jessie, Clara Stanton, Mr. Yost and his daughter, and Carson was even there. Elina didn't like being around too many people and she found herself standing next to Carson.

"You're more comfortable being outside aren't you?" he said quietly.

Elina nodded. She finally slipped away back to Elizabeth's house. She decided to practice throwing her knife. As she was throwing it, Bill Avery had just returned from Cape Fullerton. He heard Elina's knife strikes and decided to investigate. What he saw surprised him. He saw a girl with a pistol in her belt. She was throwing a lethal looking knife. But what surprised him most was that she was wearing a Mountie Uniform. He chose to sneak up behind and that was the worst mistake he ever would make. He grabbed her shoulder. She gasped then ducked out of his grip then cuffed him so he was almost bent over backwards.

"Who are you?" she said.

"I could ask you the same question. And what are you doing with a gun and knife?" he said.

"The Mountie said I could keep them." Elina said. Her other hand was on her pistol.

"Jack?" he asked as Elina nodded. "Ok then we have a mutual friend. I'm Bill Avery." He extended his hand.

Elina let him out of the cuff and shook his outstretched hand. Elina retrieved and resheathed her knife and pistol then shook his.

"Elina Shepherd. Carson is my brother. I am currently staying with Elizabeth Thatcher and am working for Jack Thorton since he is out of action for a while." she said.

"Out of action?" Bill asked. Elina told him how she had taken care of the drunk man.

"I still don't trust you." Bill said side-eying her.

"Well, I still don't trust you." she answered. "The last man who snuck up behind me almost got stabbed." she said icily.

"And who was that?" Bill asked.

"My brother. Well, when he snuck up on me he was several feet behind me and I was about to throw my knife and when I turned around and saw it was him. I threw it so it just missed his head. He will answer that if you ask him?" she said smiling.

"Who's your brother?" Bill asked.

"Carson." Elina said, walking towards the door.

"Well, everyone is at Abigail's Cafe and I have to get to bed so goodnight and goodbye" she said. She climbed back through the window and shut it behind her. Bill laughed and walked down to the Cafe.

"Bill, what are you doing back?" Elizabeth said at the Cafe.

"I almost got stabbed by a girl in a Mountie uniform, she put me in a cuff that I couldn't get out of! and when she went inside she went through her bedroom window." he said his eyebrows raised.

"I know isn't that cool," said Cody, smiling.

"She what?" Elizabeth said, amazed.

"Are you aware that the girl has a gun and an extremely sharp knife?" Abigail gasped while Elisbeth nodded. "She said the Mountie had said she could have them." He finished. "Why is she in a Mountie uniform?" he asked, shooting out questions.

"She is a Mountie. Well, her father who was a Mountie taught her everything. Carson, her brother, taught her everything else. She can even cook better than him" Elizabeth said smiling.

"She has a gun and a knife!" Cody said, his eyes wide and smiling. Bill nodded. The conversation drifted to different topics. Then everyone went home.

The next morning, Elina woke up at five. As usual, she got dressed, she decided to leave her gun. She again jumped from the window. She started walking around town. Familiarizing herself with where everything was. She could hear men stirring. She sat down on a chair on the jail steps. At around five-thirty, she went into the jail quietly, took the broom and started sweeping the steps clear of snow. When she was finished, she started down the street. When she was finished with that she started with the other side. Men started leaving their houses to work at the mill or other jobs. They were surprised to see the sidewalks all cleared.

She saw Bill Avery walking towards her. "You can help Elizabeth in her classroom now that I'm back, you know." he said walking up the stairs.

"I hardly think you are my superior in the art of using a broom or filing paperwork. You do not look like the kind of man that likes sitting around. I don't like sitting around either but I have gotten used to it." Elina said smugly.

Jack was awake when they entered. He was sitting in his chair. "The Doc said to lay down." Elina said.

"Elina, I'll be fine." Jack said smiling.

"Fine, I'll go tell Elizabeth that you are totally fine not following the doctor's orders." Elina smiled and made the motions of going out the door.

"Well, I am still a little tired I guess." he said as Bill helped him to the cot.

"That's what I thought." Elina said, fluffing up the pillow.