"Sarah," Jack sighed, running his fingers gently over the little bundle's head. "Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for months."

"I know, Jack, and I'm sorry. I just couldn't."

He looked down at the little baby in her arms. "She's beautiful. How old is she?"

"Almost three months now and doing well."

"I wish you'd have at least wired me."

"I needed to do this on my own terms, Jack. Please understand."

Elizabeth and Mike shared questioning looks between one another as they stood behind Jack and Sarah while they talked.

Sara looked past Jack towards Elizabeth and smiled. "Your wife looks worried, Jack. Perhaps you should introduce us."

"Oh! Yes I should." He turned sideways to include both women in the conversation. "Elizabeth, this is Sara Reynolds. Her husband Martin and I were in the academy together years ago. We fought together in the North as well."

Elizabeth thought for a moment. She remembered Jack sharing stories with her about Martin in his letters. Martin had been killed in action in the Northern Territories before ever getting the chance to meet the beautiful little baby his wife now held.

"Sorry for eavesdropping," Elizabeth smiled bashfully. "It's so nice to meet you, Sara. And who is this beautiful angel?"

"This is Annie. My little light in the darkness." She raised the baby up to her lips, kissing her soft head.

"May I?" Jack held out his hands for Annie and Sara carefully placed her in Jack's arms. "Hey there, little one," he spoke softly. "Wow, aren't you something?"

"You know, Jack, Martin wanted you to be our baby's godfather. I don't know if he ever asked you though."

"He mentioned it," Jack smiled at the baby. "I'd be honored. Though something tells me that you didn't come all this way just to tell me that. Am I right?"

Tears released from her eyes as she shook her head. "No, you're right. I'm so glad to see you! I didn't know what else to do. I told myself I wouldn't ask for your help but I didn't know what else to do at this point. I got on the stage and now I'm here. Mr. Hickam saw me at the depot and was kind enough to bring me to find you."

"Thank you, Mike. Come, let's all have a seat." Jack handed Annie back to Sara and then pulled two chairs over from a nearby table.

Mike looked at the seat that was meant for him with uncertainty. Why Jack felt the need for Mike to stay was beyond him but when Sara looked up at him with that quiet and innocent smile. It was a beautiful smile. A smile that took hold of Mike's heart. Not romantically, but a sense of protectiveness came over him for Sara and Annie. He sat down, unwilling to leave.

"Alright, I want to hear everything," Jack said. "But first, I'm so glad you're here. I've been worried about you. Second, when I told you at Martin's funeral that if you ever need anything I would be there for you, I meant it." She nodded. "Tell me what's wrong?"

"I couldn't stay in Elder Brook anymore. Not without Martin. The townspeople were kind, mostly, but I could see him everywhere I looked. The manager at the cafe I was working at said I couldn't work there once the baby was born and some of the men from the mine there were beginning to…"

"To what?" Jack asked, his eyes turned very protective.

"They were beginning to take an interest in me, and not in a way that suggested respect."

Mike let out a harsh breath. Before he could stop himself he spoke, "You can breathe easy here. You're safe in Hope Valley."

"Mike's right." Jack squeezed her shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you here. Where are you staying?"

"That's a very good question," she laughed nervously. "Two nights ago one of the men from the mine showed up at my house in the middle of the night, drunk as could be. I scared him off but I knew he'd be back. The next day I sold the few pieces of furniture I had and got on the stage and came here. So, as you can see, very little planning went into this endeavor."

"That's all right," Elizabeth spoke sweetly. "We have an extra bedroom at the row house. Will you and Annie stay with us?"

"Oh no, I couldn't impose."

"It wouldn't be an imposition, Sara. You and Annie are like family to Jack, and thus me as well."

"My wife speaks the truth," Jack said with a loving smile toward Elizabeth.

"Jack, Elizabeth, you are too kind but I remember what it's like to be a newlywed." She just for a moment and then looked sorrowful. She missed Martin dearly. "Is there a hotel or boarding house perhaps?"

Jack sighed, he knew Sara well enough to know that she would do everything to forge her own path. "Mary Claire runs a boarding house just on the edge of town."

"Which direction?" Sara asked standing.

"Sit back down, please," Jack laughed. "Why don't you get some lunch with us first and then we can figure this out. Abigail's food is the best in the frontier."

"Something does smell heavenly," she agreed, sitting back down.

For the next hour the four sat enjoying their lunch as they passed the baby around the table so that everyone got a chance to eat.

Jack filled Sara in on everything that had happened since he'd returned from the north. She was eager to hear all about his wedding to the woman she had heard much about in the letters her husband had sent her. Martin would go on and on about how Jack would never stop talking about the woman that he had left behind. He understood, it was easy with how badly he missed Sara.

After their meal was over, Sara placed her napkin on the table, straightening her posture.

"Thank you for that. I don't think I've had such a delicious meal in a long , can you please point me in the direction of the boarding house. I'd like to see if they have a room available."

"It's just back down Main Street," Mike said, wiping his chin and standing. "I'll take you, if you'd like. It's on the way to depot for me. If you're comfortable with that, that is."

She looked to Jack who nodded, letting her know she was in good hands. "Yes, thank you."

Elizabeth stood and hugged Sara. "I'm glad you're here. Please, join us for dinner tonight?"

"I don't want to be a bother."

"You're no bother! You're with family now, remember? Please join us."

"Sure." Sara smiled, finally feeling a little peace. "Thank you."

"Wonderful!" Jack smiled. "I'll come by the boarding house and pick you and Annie up around 5:30."

"Thank you Jack, Elizabeth. Really."

…..

On the way back to the row house, Jack reached for Elizabeth's hand, but it wasn't there waiting for him. Instead, she held her hands folded tightly in front of her. Glancing up, he noticed tight wrinkles on her forehead. She was thinking awfully hard about something, he just didn't know what. Neither said a word the whole way back.

"I think I'm going to go lay down." Elizabeth headed up the stairs without another word. Jack followed her all the way into their bedroom.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands in her lap.

"You were quiet the whole way back. It was like I wasn't even there beside you."

"It's fine. I'm fine, Jack."

"Are you certain?" He raised an eyebrow.

With a heavy sigh, Elizabeth laid back on their bed, holding tight to a small embroidered throw pillow she'd made for Jack. It was supposed to be just a Christmas present, but with his return from the north, it became a wedding gift. "I'm just embarrassed, that's all."

He curled up behind her, wrapping her in his arms. Speaking to her in a gentle voice he asked, "Embarrassed about what?"

"Let's just say, when Sara walked in the cafe and you rushed to her I thought… well, I didn't know what to think."

"Wait." He rolled her over on her back so he could see her face. "You didn't think Sara and I… or that Annie was... Oh, Bella."

"Crazy, I know." She tried to roll back over but he stopped her.

"It's only crazy because I would never, ever be with anyone else but you. You're my everything, Elizabeth."

"That's the most ridiculous part, I know that! There's just these months of your life that I know nothing about now. Months that included people I have no idea about. It's like we were living separate lives. I should have gone with you."

"No. No way. It wouldn't have been safe!"

"Yet Sara was there, right?"

"That was different."

"How? How was it different?"

"First off, she wasn't in the deep of the Northern Territories. Elder Brook is near the outskirts of where we were stationed for a while. We did a lot of supply runs there."

"Well, then I could have stayed there."

"And what about your students? Bella, we talked about all of this before I left."

"I know but, Jack, missing you and not knowing if you were still alive nearly did me in."

"Bella, up there… it was so dangerous and unpredictable and if you had been there, I would have always been worrying about you. You are such a distraction. I couldn't have distractions when my life and my men's lives were on the line."

"I understand. I just feel like we missed so much… so much time we could have had together."

"We can't change the past, but we do have the future. Martin and Sara didn't get that."

"Promise me you'll never leave me again."

"Promise." Jack bent down lightly pressing his lip to hers. "I never wanted to leave in the first place. You know that."

"I do." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him over her as her lips teased the side of his neck.

Jack felt himself losing control as he pulled back, grinning lovingly at her. "See what I mean? Such a distraction."

Almost an hour and a half later, Elizabeth slided out Jack's warm embrace and out of their bed.

"Where are you going?" he asked as she began to dress herself.

"We had a very… active afternoon. I need to begin preparing dinner."

"It doesn't have to be fancy."

"I know, I just want to do something nice for Sara."

"I love that about you. What can I do to help?"

She thought for a moment. "Could you go to the mercantile and see what fruit they have? I could make a pie or cobbler for dessert."

"That sounds delicious. Fresh or preserved?"

"Either."

Now fully dressed, with his worn stetson on his head, Jack trotted down main street. His blissful smile showing the world just how ridiculously happy he was with his life.

Stepping out of the mercantile just as Jack climbed the steps, was Mike Hickam. He was carrying a box of various items. Things like soaps, lotions and linens.

"Hey, Mike!" Jack waved.

"Oh," Mike stumbled with the load. "Jack, hi."

"How'd things go with Sara? She and Annie all settled into the boarding house?"

"Um, not exactly."

"No? Where are they?"

"Here's the thing…"

A few hours before...

"Mary Clare, you've got to have something!" Mike politely insisted to the woman running Hope Valley's only boarding house.

"I'm sorry, son, but I'd have to build another room to give it to her. You know how busy the town's been since the mill expanded." The older woman sighed as she looked at Sara and Annie. "All I can say is I should have some vacancies in a month or so."

"Okay, any thoughts on where she can stay till then?"

Mary Clarie grimaced. "There's the saloon."

Out of the corner of his eye Mike saw Sara visibly tense up at that suggestion. "No," he said. "This is Hope Valley, we can do better."

Mary Clare had an idea. "Maybe one of the former settlers still has their tent? Or Mr. Coulter? Didn't he rent tents out to his workers?"

"I could do that," Sara spoke up, shifting her daughter to her other shoulder. "I've lived in a tent before. For a long time actually. My husband was a Mountie."

"Are you sure?" Mike asked. He wasn't sure he liked the idea personally and was pretty sure Jack would not like the idea.

"I'm sure. Let's go find this Mr. Coulter."

They said their goodbyes to Mary Claire, who apologized again for not having a room, but offered to feed Sara anytime at no charge. She even made Sara promise to come for dinner at least twice a week. It was Mary Clare's sweet way of doing what she could.

"The dining room table is also open to you, as well as the sitting room and library," she'd said.

Mike helped Sara into the wagon and headed up the road towards the saw mill to see Lee about a tent.

"Any idea where there is some open land I could put the tent on? Perferrable high ground and not terribly far from town, but not in anyone's way?"

"Jack and Elizabeth have land, but it's a little bit of a hike to town from there. I have some land that's not too far though. You're welcome to any bit of it."

"You do?"

He nodded. Now that he was managing the depot, Mike had made his way in Hope Valley nicely. He had a 20 acre plot of land just south of town.

"You sure I wouldn't be in your way?"

"Not at all. I can even give you a ride into town when needed."

Sara accepted. She didn't know why, but she'd trusted Mike and for the first time since her husband passed, she felt safe.

At the mill, Sara stayed in the wagon while Mike talked to Lee on the porch of his office.

"A tent?" Lee was shocked. "Surely someone could take them in. I'm not sure I like the idea of a young widow and her daughter sleeping in a tent. It's still pretty cold here in the valley. I mean, I know the settlers did, and I didn't like that either. She's a war widow right? This isn't okay."

"I know, Mr. Coulter. Believe me."

"Mike, I've told you before, please call me Lee."

"Alright. Sorry, sir, old habits. You used to be my boss."

"And I've been your friend for years now, Michael." Lee thought again. "Maybe I should ask Rosie. I know she won't mind. In fact she'd love to have an adorable baby around to coo at. Or maybe Jack and Elizabeth. Didn't you say she was a friend of Jack's?"

"Jack and Elizabeth already offered, but Sara doesn't want to be a burden. I have a thought though, but I still need a tent."

"Alright." Lee sighed. "You'll make sure they're safe?"

"I will. Trust me."

They loaded the tent into the back of the wagon and headed out towards Mike's land. As they rode down the lightly beaten path, a nice 2 bedroom cabin came into view.

"Wow, Mr. Hickam. It's lovely."

"Thanks. It was a crumbling little shack when I bought the land. Luckily I have some carpentry skills."

All she could do was nod. The house seemed almost elegant as it sat peacefully in its frontier backdrop. She took her time taking in every little stylized detail, knowing Mike truly put a lot of careful thought and time into his home.

"I'm sure your wife loves it."

"She might, if I had one." Mike laughed. "Let's just say I tend to get nervous talking to women. Makes courting rather difficult."

"Oh," Sara laughed. "You're talking to me well enough."

"Yeah, seems so." He smiled at her kindly as he pulled the wagon to a halt in front of the home.

"So, where should I set up the tent?"

"About that…"

Present time….

Jack vigorously ran his fingers through his thick brown hair. "So what now?"

"We made a trade. She'll rent my cabin and I'll live in the tent."

"Mike…"

"What was I supposed to do? Let a mother and her baby sleep outside? It's not even really spring yet. And for the record, I have no intent of actually charging her rent. She's insisted, but I won't be taking her money."

"Alright, I think that works. What's the box you have there?"

"My house is lacking in things that women like. I'm just trying to be hospitable. She's gone through a lot."

"She'll need a crib or something for Annie."

"Ned's working on that now."

Jack sighed. "I wish Martin was here."

"You two were close?"

"Yeah. More than that, I just wish he was here with his family. This isn't right."

"No, it's not. Look Jack, my intentions are honorable here. I won't lie and say I didn't notice her beauty, but I understand her situation. I'm just trying to do the right thing. I never met Martin, but if I had a family and something happened to me, I would want them taken care of. That's all I'm trying to do."

"I know, Mike. Thank you."

Just then Carson Shepherd, the town's doctor walked up to the two men.

"Afternoon, you two."

"Carson, good to see you." Jack shook his hand. "How's this day treating you?"

"Alright. Actually, Mike, I could use your help. There's a phone and telegram machine at your office at the depot now, correct?"

"There is indeed. Need me to send a wire or call for you?"

"I do, yes." He handed Mike a piece of paper. "Soon as you can would be great."

"What's it about?" Jack asked.

"It appears I'm in need of a new nurse for the clinic."

"Oh, where's Faith? I thought she'd be back by now."

"She's… we're…" He signed heavily. "She needed more time away."

"I'll get this in for you," Mike gave a reassuring smile.

"Thanks."

The two men watched Carson walk away. He either no longer needed anything from the store and had forgotten about the task entirely.

"Curious…" Jack spoke.

"Matters of the heart…" Mike began. "Never simple."

"Say's Hope Valley's long time bachelor," Jack teased.

"Yeah, and there's one of the reasons right there!" Mike laughed.

….

Laughter surrounded the table of the Thornton home that evening. Elizabeth made a full meal of chicken, biscuits, green beans and mashed potatoes. As they finished, the blueberry pie that was in the oven baking for dessert was filling the house with a delightful aroma.

Still sitting around the table, Jack pressed Sara about her housing arrangement while they sipped their tea.

"Are you sure about this?" Jack asked. "Our offer still stands for you and Annie to stay here."

"I know Jack, and I'm grateful. Maybe I should do that, instead of putting poor Mr. Hickam out in a tent. Though he did say he'd most likely sleep in the barn loft. He says it's warm up there," she chuckled.

"Mike meant what he said too. In fact, I think that barn is nicer than that cabin was when he first purchased it."

"He said the same thing."

A bit later Elizabeth served up the pie and brought it to the living room. Jack rocked his goddaughter while Sara sat looking over the sketchbook Jack had left sitting next to her chair.

"You sure have a real talent, Jack." She turned the page and sighed. "I love this one."

She'd found a drawing of her husband. He was reclined on a log, smiling in his Mountie uniform, sans his serge, his hat resting on his knee.

"It's yours."

"Jack, no. He was your friend."

"Yes, he was, but his favorite thing in life was being your husband." He looked down at Annie. "He wanted so desperately to be your dad, little one. He loved you more than anything, even before you were born."

"Promise you'll help me tell her all about her father. She needs to know who he was."

"It would be my honor."

Elizabeth was standing there, feeling very much like an outsider. "Pie's ready."

"You're going to love this. Elizabeth makes the best, well… everything!"

"Thank you, dear." She leaned down to kiss his cheek.

"Elizabeth," Sara began. "Thank you for everything tonight. This has been the most fun I've had in a long time."

"I'm glad to hear that! You're always welcome here, Sara."

A knock on the door moments later startled them. Jack handed Annie to Elizabeth and walked over to answer.

"Jesse, how are you?"

"Not bad. Sorry to interrupt but there's a situation at the saloon again."

"Someone cheating in a poker game?"

"Something like that. The men involved in the fight are with Carson but there's been some property damage. Maybe you could come take a look?"

"Yeah, I'll head right over. Sara, I'll come back to take you and Annie back to Mike's." He kissed Elizabeth. "Be back shortly."

"Be safe, Jack," Elizabeth smiled lovingly.

"Always, Bella."

The two women sipped the tea and ate their pie in silence for a bit until Sara spoke again.

"You look like a natural holding her. You and Jack ready for one of your own?"

"Very ready," Elizabeth laughed.

"It really is wonderful to finally meet you. Jack talked about you and the future he wanted for you all the time."

"How often did you get to see them?"

"They'd come into town about once or twice a month. Near the end I didn't see them at all. Things had gotten so bad out there."

Sara's eyes filled with tears, but before the first tear fell, she began to laugh.

"Martin would tell me all the time how he wished Jack would just go awol and marry you already. He felt he knew you just as well as Jack did with all those stories he'd tell."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Sara. Truly."

"Thank you, but I'm grateful that Annie gives me a piece of him every moment of every day." She gave Elizabeth a hug. "And I know that Martin would be so happy that Jack and you got your happy beginning."

"I think he'd be happy to know you're safe now, too."

"Yes, that he would."