School is due to start next Monday. Her Aunt and Uncle are leaving today. They stopped by to have breakfast and say goodbye but promised to come back maybe for Thanksgiving. She told them that she would be at their house for Christmas. They said that's a date and looking forward to it. She hands Uncle a letter to mail for her when they get to town. He says he'll mail it for her. She thanks him. With one more hug and kiss goodbye, they were gone. She watched them drive off and closed her door. She decided to go for a walk, not far but a short walk. She walked past the school down a little path and found a stream. She sat down on a fallen log took her shoes off and dipped her feet in the cool water. It wasn't cold but just right. She pulled her book out and started reading. She could her children playing in the distance. She sat and listened to their laughter. She was excited to meet them all. After a while, she dried her feet off on her underskirt and put her shoes and socks back on. She got up and headed back home. She fixed her a snack of cheese and fruit and a glass of tea. She sat at her table looking out her window above her sink. The thought of Jack entered her thoughts. Wondering how his case was going. Was he safe? What would he think when he gets back? Lord, I do still love that man with all my heart. I just want him to be happy and safe. She wipes a stray tear away as she turns from the window and says, what should I do now? She wasn't ready to tell her parents where she was and why she was there. She knew eventually she would have to but not yet. That would open up a lot she wasn't ready to deal with. She would just stick to writing Abigail and her Aunt and Uncle for now. She sat at her desk, ran her hand across the top of her desk, and said, I promise Aunt Elizabeth I will do my best to make you proud. I will take care of your and Uncle's little community. I will see that the children get the best education I can give them. She pulled out her planner and started getting it ready for the first week of school.
Monday was here. She woke up early with excitement about starting her new life in a town where her Aunt had started. She fixed her breakfast and packed her lunch. She grabbed her basket and headed to the school. She unlocked the door and stepped inside. With a startling glance, she looked around the room and noticed that all her students were there. She asked, what are you all doing here so early? Jenny Delaney, Phillip and Lydia's granddaughter stepped forward and said, we all wanted to be here to welcome you on your first day. Elizabeth stepped forward with a smile and said, thank you all so very much! With handshakes, she met them all. She knew she was going to have a wonderful year with all her students. She walked to the front of the class, set her basket on her desk, and said as she picked up her chalk and wrote on the chalkboard, my name is Miss Elizabeth Thatcher. She turned to the class and asked everyone to please take their seats and we will get started. She asked if you all would stand one at a time and tell me your name and a little bit about yourself while I do attendance that would be helpful. After the last student sat down everyone was in attendance and she had 23 students ranging from age 5 to 16. 2 would be finishing this year. She stood and said, it's nice to meet all of you. I need to find out where you all are at so I'm going to hand out papers with easy to hard problems on it. Do what you can. There is no rush to do them all. Just do what you can. Put your name in the top right-hand corner. She took each stack and handed them to the students at the front for them to take one and pass the rest back. She turned and wrote the spelling words on the board. She walked around the room taking note of what each student was working on. By the end of the day, she was happy that she had come. It was a good day. By the end of the week, she had got to know all her students and where each of them was at in their studies.
Jack had received a letter from NWMP headquarters stating that they couldn't find where Miss Elizabeth Thatcher was but would let him know when they did. He was worried that if headquarters couldn't find her then how was he going to? He lowered his head in his hands and started thinking and ran his finger through his hair. I've got to find her but where do I start? I can't sit here and do nothing. His head was spinning out of control with worry. He decided to go for a ride and think. He needs to figure out what to do and then where to start his search. Out in the fresh air, he starts thinking, how is it that the NWMP can't find her? Has she put a no-contact order in? Surely she knows that I'll come to my senses and want to apologize? But you fool you told her that you didn't want to be a couple anymore. But surely she knew I was just in my head. No! You idiot she believed you. He raised his head to the sky and said, oh, Bella, I am so sorry for pushing you away. I can't and won't live without you. It hurts so bad just to breathe without you. I will find you no matter how long it takes me. He heads back to the jail. He hangs his hat on the hook and takes a seat at his desk. He prays for the Lord to guide him. The thought hit him like a ton of bricks. He got back up and headed to the mercantile to send a wire to headquarters. He walked in and said, Ned, I need to send a telegram, please. Ned handed him the paper and a pencil. He wrote,
To: NWMP Headquarters
Requesting time off..stop..to follow up on letter received..stop..will wait for confirmation..stop
From: Constable Jack Thornton
Hope Valley
He handed the paper to Ned and said, Ned, this has to be kept confidential, understood? Ned took the paper and said, yes sir, always. I'll let you know as soon as I hear back. Jack tipped his hat and walked out. He needed to do his rounds. He needed to think. Riding always seemed to clear his head. By the time he got back, it was late. He took Sargent to the livery, unsaddled him, brushed him down, and gave him an apple. He patted his neck and said he would see him tomorrow. He walked into the jail and hung his hat on the hook by the door. He noticed there was a telegram on his desk. He opened it and read it.
To: Constable Jack Thornton, Hope Valley
Request granted..stop..unlimited time..stop..notify when returning..stop
From: Deputy Commissioner Delaney, Calgary
He had to get packed. He looks at the clock. It's 7:30. He goes to the saloon looking for Bill. He walks up and asks, Bill, will you meet me at the cafe, please? Bill finished his coffee and followed Jack to the cafe. They knock and walk in the side door to the cafe. Abigail looks up and says, good evening gentlemen. What brings you by this time of night? Jack leads her to the sofa and helps her to sit. He sits next to her while Bill sits in the armchair. Jack takes a deep breath and starts. I've taken an indefinite leave of absence. I have to find Elizabeth. I'm going crazy here. I've done a lot of soul-searching and praying. I can't go without her. I need her Abigail. I know you know where she is and I'm not asking where she is. So I am going to start my search in Calgary at headquarters. When do you leave, Jack? First light. So I'll ask you not to tell her I'm looking for her because I'm afraid she'll run. Abigail, I need to explain everything to her and hopefully, she'll take me back. Alright, Jack, I won't. But Jack please stay out of your head and listen to your heart. I will Abigail, I promise. I need her like I need to breathe. Bill followed Jack back to the jail. They go in and Bill shuts the door. He looks at Jack and says, Jack what's going on? I was in the street when you broke that poor girl's heart. I heard what you said to her. So what's going on? It's been 3 months, Bill. I can't get her out of my heart. I've tried telling myself that this is for the best but I keep coming back to the same thing. I'm still in love with her. She is the light of my life. I can't live without her. I won't live without her Bill. My heart belongs to her. Bill, I need you to take care of things around here while I'm gone. I don't know how long I will be gone. If you need a Mountie just contact headquarters. They'll send one out here. All I know is I have to find her and hopefully, she'll forgive me for being an idiot and take me back. Ok, Jack, I'll take care of everything here. Travel safe. Send a telegram and let me know how you're doing and when you find her. I will Bill. They shake hands and man hug before Bill leaves. Jack finished packing all his belongings. He opens the drawer on his desk, pulls the box out, and places it in the breast pocket of his jacket. He goes to bed and tries to sleep.
A few hours later he wakes up. He looks at the clock, it's 5:30. It's still dark but he's ready to get going. He takes everything with him including a rifle and ammunition. He saddles Sargent and packs everything on his saddle. He tells him, boy let's go find her. Sargent shakes his head up and down as if he understands. He mounts Sargent and leaves. They walk past Elizabeth's window, he looks up and says, I'm coming, Bella. I will find you. About that time Abigail comes out and hands Jack a leather bag. I've packed your favorite food and snacks. There's also 2 thermos of your Usual. Thanks, Abigail, you're the best! Remember Jack, you're heart. I'll pray it works out Jack. Thanks, he says. He tips his hat and rides off towards Cape Fullerton.
He rides until noon. He stopped to let Sargent rest and he lunched with some of Abigail's food. After he ate he cleaned up his paper and put it in the bag. He walks down to the little stream and finds a rock to sit on. He looks up to the sky and starts praying for guidance. By the time he had finished praying it was getting late. He saddles Sargent and heads to Cape Fullerton. By the time he had arrived, it was too late to go to headquarters so he decided to get Sargent settled at the livery. After he had brushed him he pulled out an apple and gave it to him, patted his neck, and said good night. He went to the hotel for a room and a bath.
The next morning he got up and went over to NWMP headquarters. He walked in and asked if they had received any information about Elizabeth Thatcher's whereabouts. Constable Henry says, sir, may I ask who is asking? Jack says, Constable Jack Thornton of Hope Valley. Constable Henry says, one moment, please. He walks to the back office to check with his commanding officer. He knocks and is told to enter. Superintendent Wilson asked, yes, what is it? Sir, Constable Jack Thornton is here asking for updates on Elizabeth Thatcher, sir. What do I tell him? Do we have an update? No sir. Superintendent Wilson stands and says, Constable Henry if we have nothing then you tell him we have nothing. Is that understood? Yes sir. He goes back to the front and says, I'm sorry but nothing has come in yet. Jack solutes and says, thank you, and leaves. He goes back to the hotel, gathers his bags, and gets Sargent. They walk to the train station. Jack pays for a compartment and Sargent's stall in the livestock car. He goes back and gets on the train heading to Calgary. He enters his compartment and puts his bags on the bed. He takes his Bible out and goes to the chair by the window. He settles in for the 2-day trip.
Arrived in Calgary. He got Sargent and rode to Calgary NWMP Headquarters. He walked in and asked to speak to Sergeant O'Riley. Constable Walsh asked, who may I say is asking, sir? Yes, I'm Constable Jack Thornton. They salute each other. Constable Walsh asks him to wait there. He goes back to the sargent's office and knocks. Come in, Sargent O'Riley says. Constable Walsh says, sir, there's a Constable Jack Thornton to see you, sir. The Sargent says, show him in. Sargent O'Riley stands, Jack comes in and salutes, it's returned. They shake hands. Sarg asks, well Jack what brings you by and out of uniform? Jack says I'm on indefinite leave until I can find Elizabeth. He showed him the letter. The Sargent hands it back and asks, do you think she's here? I don't know Patrick, I was hoping that headquarters had found some information for me. Jack, I haven't heard anything as of yet but has she been kidnapped or something? No sir, I messed up big time. I said something that hurt her or rather broke her heart. Jack, that woman loves you, so how did you manage this? Jack told him everything. Then asked if he could see Deputy Commissioner Delaney. The Sargent says, he's not here at the moment and starts to laugh. Patrick I don't mean to be rude or disrespectful but why are you laughing at me? This is serious. You don't know, do you? Know what, Patrick? Never mind, he says. Deputy Commissioner lives in Vancouver, Jack. He's here once a month. You'll find him there. Why do you need to speak with him, Jack? He's the only one that has been corresponding with me, so I figured I'd talk to him. Patrick laughed and shook his head.
Where are you staying, Jack? Oh, I have to take Sargent to the livery and figure I would get a hotel for the night. No, you can stay with Sarah and me, and I won't take no for an answer. They left headquarters and Jack grabbed Sargent's reins. They walk a few blocks to the livery. Jack takes care of Sargent and gives him an apple. He pats him next and tells him he'll see him tomorrow. Patrick walks Jack back past headquarters a block. They go into the house, Patrick kisses his wife on the cheek and says, Darling, we have a house guest for the night. Jack says, hello Sarah. Nice to see you again. Patrick shows him to the guest room. Jack asks, when is the train to Vancouver? Patrick says, in the morning, 10:00. Jack thanks him. Patrick goes back to the kitchen to say goodbye to his wife and heads back to headquarters.