In Hope Valley Jack finally made it back to the jail about midnight after being gone 3 months. He didn't want to see anyone yet especially Elizabeth. He just wanted to go to bed and sleep. He didn't stop and camp because he didn't want to come back in the daylight hours. He opened the jail and brought his stuff in after he got Sargent settled at the livery. He set his stuff down and locked the door. He got washed up and changed into his night clothes. He turned the lamp down and crawled into bed. He was so tired he just wanted to sleep but his mind wouldn't stop. He just kept tossing and turning until he was so exhausted he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. No one knew he was back so when he woke up he made coffee and had a cold biscuit left in his satchel. While he ate his biscuit he wrote up his reports since he left Calgary. He just about had them finished when someone was at the door. Bill unlocked the door and came in. Shocked that Jack was sitting at his desk writing. Jack looked up and said, good morning Bill. Bill says, hey Jack didn't know you were back yet. Yeah got in late last night. He got up to shake Bill's hand. Bill pulled him in for a hug while shaking his hand. Bill asked, how was the assignment? You were gone a long time. Yes, it was gun runners. It took us a long time to catch all of them. It spanned 3 Provinces. Some of them went all the way north just to get away from the law. What's going on around here? Been quiet? Yeah nothing that I had to do a report on thank God, Bill says.

Are the children ready for school now, Jack asked? Not really, Bill says. Jack laughs and asks, not ready for summer to be over? Bill takes a big breath and says, no they don't care for the new teacher, Miss Adams. Jack jerks his head up and asks, new teacher? Why isn't Elizabeth teaching? Bill clears his throat and says, uh, Jack, Elizabeth doesn't live here anymore. She left right after school ended in June. No one has heard from her. She left you something in the back room. It was on the desk but I moved it back there. Bill says, I'll leave you to it. Meet me for lunch at Abigail's when you're done. Jack looks at the back room and says sure. Bill walks out and closes the door behind him. Jack goes to the back room to see what she left. He picks up the package and takes it back to his desk to open. He untied the twine and pulls the paper off. He turns the item over and to his surprise it was the picture that he gave her when he told her she was the one, the only one. He drops down into his chair, shocked that she would give it back. He had wanted her to have it. He held the picture in his hands staring at it for several minutes before he set it down to open the letter.

Dear Jack,

By the time you get this I will be gone. I can't stay and watch you walk or ride or even teach in the school you built for me and not want to be with you. You are the love of my life and yet you want nothing to do with me. I'm sorry that Charles came to town and proposed but I did turn him down Jack. I told him that my future was with you and that I was in love with you. I told him that he had to stop with this because I was done with him trying to get me to marry him. I told him my future was here and NOT in Hamilton. I'm not going to my parents in Hamilton as if crawlingback home. I'm going where no one knows me so maybe I won't see that red serge of yours everywhere I look. Jack you are my one true love. I will NEVER love again because no one can love me like you did. I truly hope you find love again because you deserve someone that will treat you like you deserve to be treated. Someone that can use a privy without shivering, ha ha. With a broken heart I have to say goodbye. The picture, I can't look at it without crying so I give it back to you. You can decide what to do with it. I'll ALWAYS love you Jack Thornton from the bottom of my heart.

Best wishes and love

Elizabeth

He was wiping the tears that were slipping down his cheeks. He folds the letter back up and puts it back in its envelope. He lays the letter on the back of the picture and wraps the picture back up. He sets it back in the back room just where he found it. He leaves and goes to the cafe to meet Bill for lunch.

He managed to make it across the street without seeing anyone. He knocks on the back door and goes in. He shuts the door and says, hello Abigail. Abigail turns and sets her towel down and grabs him and hugs him tightly. She says, oh Jack I'm so glad you're back! She cried on his chest for a minute or two then leans out and asks, how are you doing? He says, I'll be fine eventually. She leads him to the kitchen table and asks, what can I get you to eat? I have beef stew or roasted chicken. He says, stew please and a cup of coffee thanks. She fills his plate and sets it down in front of him with biscuits. Pours a cup of coffee and sets it by his plate. She says, I'll be right back. She finished taking the last of the dirty dishes to the sink before she turns the open sign around to close. She comes back and gets a plate and cup of tea then sits down with him to eat her lunch. They eat in silence until Jack pushed his plate back and says, that was delicious Abigail! I've missed your cooking! He takes a sip of his coffee then asks, did she have to leave Abigail? Oh Jack, I tried to get her to stay. I told her that you all would work it out but she said I didn't see the look on your face and the look in your eyes. She said she had never seen that look on you before. She just barely made it through the school day without crying. She'd come in and go straight to her room and cry herself to sleep most nights. Jack says, I think it's for the best. He gets up, kisses Abigail on the cheek and leaves.

Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Wynn and Elizabeth's train pulls into Lacombe. Wynn went to make arrangements to get to Pine Springs. He goes to the NWMP office to see if he could get someone to drive them out. Constable McMurphy said he was told Wynn was coming and to have a ride ready. Being Deputy Commissioner helped a lot when things needed to be done. Him and Constable McMurphy drove to the train platform. Constable McFarlin drove the other vehicle to take the trunks. Aunt Elizabeth and Elizabeth rode with Wynn and Constable McMurphy. It didn't take but about 20 minutes to get to Pine Springs. They pulled up to the cabin that Elizabeth was staying in. They unloaded Elizabeth's trunks and carried them inside. Wynn took his and his Elizabeth's trunk to his brothers. The 2 Mountie went back to Lecombe in one of the vehicles leaving one with Wynn to bring back when they left. Aunt Elizabeth and Elizabeth got to work putting her things away. Aunt Elizabeth says, we will go back to town and get you some food tomorrow. We are eating at Phillip and Lydia's, Wynn's brothers tonight. Wynn will be back after us in a bit to take us over there. After dinner they sat around with their desserts and tea getting to know her. They told stories about Wynn and her Aunt. They could tell that Elizabeth was going to be well loved by everyone in the community. They said their goodbyes and Wynn took Elizabeth back to her cabin.

The next morning Wynn and Her Aunt took Elizabeth to the school to see what was there and what was needed. Elizabeth made a list of items that was needed but it wasn't long at all. They headed to town. Aunt Elizabeth and Elizabeth went about getting the things she needed for her house and for the school. They went for tea and scones at a little tea shop in town. Wynn decided that she needed a new sofa and coffee table and 2 more chairs for her kitchen table. He also got her a small desk and chair. There wasn't much room but those were a necessity. The cabin had a chair in the living room but nothing else. The sofa was a small one and would fit nicely in there with enough space for her desk. Everything would be delivered that evening. After tea they made their way back to her house. Aunt Elizabeth put the groceries away while Elizabeth went to the school and put everything away there. She had brought the crate with her that she got in Vancouver. She made a note that she would start cleaning the school tomorrow. She walked back home. After Aunt and Uncle left she sat at her table and had a cup of tea. She looked around her home and realized that this was the first time she would actually be completely on her own. Her first home. Uncle Wynn had stacked wood for the fireplace next to it and filled the box next to the stove. Aunt Elizabeth had hung the new curtains. They were white lace with white cotton backing. You couldn't see through them at all. She was thankful for that.

A while later there was a knock on her door. It was her Aunt and Uncle and another man she didn't know. Her Uncle says, you have a delivery. She says, I didn't order anything Uncle Wynn. He laughs and says, I did while we were in town. I got you a sofa, desk with a chair, 2 more chairs to go with your kitchen table. Are they going to fit Uncle? Yes dear, they will. Him and the man unloaded and placed them in their spot. She was surprised but they did and had plenty of room to move around. Aunt Elizabeth had brought a rug for in front of the fireplace and 2 for the bedroom next to her bed. She also brought a nice thick comforter for her bed from home. It was one that she had loved while she was their home in Vancouver. After everything was done she said thank you to the gentleman and he left. She offered her Aunt and Uncle a cup of tea. They sat at her table drinking their tea and talking. She said, you know this is my very first home by myself. I thank God Abigail taught me how to stand on my own 2 feet and to be strong. Aunt Elizabeth spoke up and said, Beth dear, you have always been a strong woman. You will realize that you are very capable of standing on your own 2 feet. Abigail just gave you the opportunity and push you needed. After all, you are a Thatcher. We don't run from, a challenge Elizabeth finished the sentence. They both laughed. Wynn spoke up and said, you know Beth the folks around here aren't much different than the ones in Hope Valley. They help each other. I grew up here. This is home. Sure there are some new faces but their still the same families. I wouldn't be surprised that after school starts that you have your meals prepared for and waiting on you when you get home from school. Oh Uncle please tell everyone that they don't have to go to all that trouble. Beth dear that is just how it done here. They just want to be sure you're taken care of. I'll let them know that you are capable of taking care of yourself but they might still do it. Oh and they have a barn dance coming up in about a month or so if you want to go. I won't be going this year Uncle. It's way too soon. But thanks anyway. They stood and kissed her goodbye and said they would be back tomorrow. She said goodbye and walked them to the door. She watched them drive off. She closed the door and locked it.

She sat down at her desk and pulled out some paper and an envelope. She started a letter to Abigail. She told her all about her Aunt and Uncle coming to her next teaching job. Telling her all about it being her first school too. That she's living in the same house as she did all those years ago. She told her all about her home, describing every little detail from the lacy curtains to the rugs in her bedroom. Yes she still had an outhouse but she was use to that. She asked how everyone but Jack was doing. She asked how the children liked their new teacher. Not one time did she mention Jack. After a long 2 page letter, P.S. don't tell anyone you got this letter please. I'm not ready yet. Love and miss you. She folded the letter and put it in the envelope. She would have Uncle mail it tomorrow. She finished her tea and set the cup and saucer in the sink. She went to her bedroom and got ready for bed.

The next morning Aunt and Uncle was there bright and early. They knocked on her door. She opened it and invited them in. She fixed them breakfast of bacon, eggs and biscuits. She set the juice and coffee on the table. They all set down.Uncle said Grace. While they were eating she asked, Uncle the next time you go to town will you get me a vanity for the bedroom? I have nowhere to put my brush and jewelry box. I need a place to hang my clothes up also. There are nails to hang them on buy I would rather not hang them on a nail. A small one is all I need and a dozen hanger please. Her Aunt laughed and said, I had to use those nails. Oh, Aunt Elizabeth I didn't mean anything by what I said. It's ok Beth dear. I didn't have the money for a clothes closet when I was here. I only brought 4 every day dresses and one Sunday dress. Uncle Wynn said he would take care of it. They got up and Elizabeth and her Aunt cleaned up the kitchen and put the dishes away. Wynn asked if they wanted to take a ride and see some of the countryside? They agreed.

It had been 3 months since he had seen Elizabeth. He thought he would be passed the heartache but he was wrong. He sees her everywhere he turns. When he walks down the street he sees her bedroom window and thinks of her. He goes in the saloon and sees her when she taught school there. He goes into the cafe and he sees her there in the kitchen helping Abigail. He rides past the school and sees her sitting on the steps watching the children playing at recess or having lunch. No matter how hard he tries, he can't get her off his mind. At night she's there in his dreams. He sits at his desk and can't take it anymore. He decided that he can't be without her. He has to find her. He sends a letter to headquarters because if he sent a telegram then Ned would know what he was doing. He waited and waited. He went to the mercantile and asked if he had gotten a letter? Ned said, sorry Constable not today. He decided he would talk to Abigail. He went to the cafe after the lunch rush. He knocked on the back door and walked in. He walked over and got a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. Abigail came out of the dining room and said, oh Jack I didn't hear you come in. Abigail, can I talk to you for a minute? She knew this was coming because he had been down in the dumps for awhile. She sat down and asked, what is it Jack? He takes a deep breath and says, have you heard anything from her? She didn't want to lie to him. She thought real quick and said, Jack I have but she's asked me not to tell anyone especially you. She said she wasn't ready for anyone to know where she was but I will tell you she didn't go back to Hamilton. Yeah she told me that in the letter she left for me at the jail before she left. Abigail I messed up this time and I don't know if I can fix it. I thought I could let her go but I can't. She's my life and I can't do without her. Jack you let you head rule your heart this time. She's trying to move forward not on. Do you understand what I'm saying Jack? Yeah I do. I've hurt her really bad this time. I just wish I knew where she was so I could go to her and show her how truly sorry I am. When you write to her please tell her I'm sorry. I will Jack but I don't think a I'm sorry is going to fix this. I know Abigail, I know. I've got to find her. Don't tell her I'm looking for her please. She'll just run again. I won't Jack, I promise. Just know that I'm praying for both of you. Thanks Abigail.