They made it to the row houses just as it was nine o'clock. Jack knocked on the door. No one answered. Elina gripped the porch post. Jack knocked again, harder this time. The door opened. Jack and Elina let out a sigh of relief.
"I've been waiting for you. Jack what are you doing here?" she asked, smiling.
"Elina and I must talk with you." Jack said his eyes serious.
She let them both in. "Elizabeth, I heard Mr. Crane talking to Billy Hamilton. He said they would get your money if they had to kidnap you." She finished worriedly.
Elizabeth sank to a chair.
Jack went to her. "Elizabeth, will you listen to me saying that I don't want you to go anywhere alone?" Jack said, holding her hand. She nodded. "I will escort her wherever she needs to go when you are busy" she said nodding to Jack. He nodded. Jack left.
That night, Elina watched Elizabeth's door. Jack watched her window. The next morning, Elizabeth woke up to find Elina in her Mountie uniform. She was standing right outside the door. Elizabeth smiled. She got dressed and walked downstairs. They found Bill Avery, Pastor Frank, and Jack drinking coffee in the dining room.
Elizabeth gasped. "What are you all doing here?" she asked.
"Elina asked us to watch your window and door. We've been taking watches." Jack said.
"I'm touched." Elizabeth said.
They then left for the school. Elina stood right inside the door to the school. The day went well. Well sort of. When the two were walking home from school, Mr. Crane caught up to them. What he didn't know was that under Elina's cape her hand was on her knife.
"My dear Ms. Thatcher, I was wondering if you would like to go with me to the annual miner's dance?" he asked, his smile sickly sweet.
"I will think about it." she said smiling and started walking towards the jail. They went inside. Jack was drawing a picture of Elina, Elizabeth, and Jack standing in the front of Abigail's Cafe.
He quickly looked up. "Jack, Mr. Crane asked Elizabeth to go to the Miner's dance with him. I was thinking Bill and I could fill in for you so you could take Elizabeth." she said smiling. She left to meet Carson at the cafe.
"Well, I guess there are going to be two Mounties at the dance. I could take you." Jack said quietly.
Elizabeth smiled. "I would love to go with you Jack." She said smiling.
"Well, as long as you let Elina dance with me occasionally." Jack said laughing.
Elizabeth nodded. Jack kissed her lightly on the forehead. Abigail then came in. This was all planned, Abigail would bring her to the cafe then Jack would bring her back after dinner. She found the two laughing about something. Elizabeth left with Abigail. Jack smiled, staring after her.
The night of the Miner Dance, Elina and Bill were there in their official capacity. Elina was in her Mountie uniform. Bill was standing in the corner. Abigail was there with Frank Hogan the pastor. Katie Yost was there with Murray. The Coulter's were there. Mr. Crane was there too. Elizabeth and Jack came in several minutes later. He is in his Mountie uniform. Elizabeth was wearing a very becoming pink and white dress. They were both smiling widely as they started to dance.
When it was time for Elina to dance with Jack, Frank moved to dance with Elizabeth just as Mr. Crane noticed. Abigail moved to Bill. Many people stared at the two Mounties, one young, one older, dancing with each other. They were both smiling. Mr. Crane walked by them and jammed his heel down on Jack's foot. He doubled over in pain.
"Snake," Elina growled.
She helped Jack to the side of the saloon.
Elizabeth went to Jack. "Are you ok?" she asked.
He grunted as a reply.
"I'll walk you to the jail." Elina said.
Jack gingerly got up. He almost fell. Elina let him lean on her. She was lucky she was so tall. She walked them to the jail with Frank. When they arrived, Elina set Jack down. He could barely walk. Elina took off his shoe.
"Pastor Frank, go with Elizabeth and get Carson." she said. They left.
"Jack, your foot is broken." she said, frowning.
She felt around his foot. He became pale with pain.
"Boy, you just don't have good days anymore" she said trying to smile.
She moved his foot. He yelled in pain.
"Sorry. I'm going to set it ok. I want you to think of Elizabeth's face ok." she said.
He nodded. She set his foot. He doubled over in pain. Elina looked surprised. She put his foot in a splint. Carson and Elizabeth ran in. Jack was still slumped over her. Carson ran to Jack. He smiled at Elina.
"Good job," he said as picked up Jack and laid him on the cot. "Go take care of Elizabeth," he told her.
Elina went to Elizabeth who had slightly fainted from the shock.
"Elizabeth, Jack will be fine. Carson, I'm going to get Nurse Carter and Ms. Stanton." Elina ran out of the jail.
She found Ms. Stanton and Nurse Carter talking to Shane Cantrell. "Ms. Stanton, Nurse Carter! We need your help. Hurry, follow me." she said worriedly.
Shane, Abigail and Nurse Carter. They followed her to the jail. The woman started when they saw Jack. Abigail went to the sobbing Elizabeth. Elina turned back to Carson.
"There's something else wrong with him. He shouldn't have fallen unconscious from me setting a bone." Elina said, feeling Jack's forehead.
"I agree." Carson answered. "He's burning up. Maybe he's just overworked. He has been staying nights at our door and trust me I've been trying to convince him to go get some sleep." she said even more worriedly.
Carson and Nurse Carter stayed with Jack all night. Elina also stayed with Elizabeth. Abigail went back and forth to the cafe bringing coffee. Elina was tired but she wouldn't leave Jack's side. Elizabeth had to walk to school with Bill. Two hours later, Cody ran into the jail.
"Elina, Ms. Thatcher is gone." he yelled.
Jack sat up way too quickly and fell back again.
"What?'' Elina whispered.
"She went to find Opal and didn't come back. We looked and waited but she didn't come. Mr. Crane is teaching now''
