The Mountie's Daughter(A When Calls the Heart fanfic)

Chapter 3

A couple days had gone by. The plank of wood found in the mines was still all anyone could talk about around town. Widowers were continuously producing handwritings from their late husbands to Mayor Gowen to prove the plank belonged to them. Some of the older boys at school were still arguing over who it belonged to.

It was currently lunch and recess time at school. Mary Alice was sitting at a table, eating her lunch and playing with her doll. She hadn't made any friends yet. It was always hard for her to make friends.

After school, Mary Alice was sitting at a table with Ms. Thatcher. She was teaching Mary Alice how to write.

"Most kids learn to read before learning to write because of when they start speaking." Elizabeth explained. "But since you haven't learned to speak yet, I'll teach you to write first. That way you'll have more ways of communicating without needing to talk."

Mary Alice nodded.

Elizabeth started with writing each letter of the alphabet and helped guide Mary Alice's hand as they wrote out each letter.

Mary Alice smiled because she was learning and someone was actually wanting to teach her.

After a little bit, Mary Alice looked up to see her father standing off to the side.

"Hi pumpkin." Jack greeted her.

Mary Alice wheeled herself over to him and put her arms up, wanting to be picked up.

Jack picked her up. "Oof. You're getting heavy." He teased.

Because of her small size, she really wasn't that heavy.

Mary Alice made an eating motion.

"Hungry?" Jack asked. Mary Alice nodded.

"Well, we actually got invited to have dinner with Mrs. Stanton tonight." Jack said.

"You did?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Jack replied before looking back at his daughter.

"So, how about we get you cleaned up beforehand." Mary Alice nodded.

"I'll see you both later, then." Elizabeth said before leaving the saloon.

Jack brought Mary Alice up to their room. He drew her a bath and helped her bathe. He then grabbed a nice dress and helped her get changed.

While Jack was drying and combing out her hair, Mary Alice was drawing on a piece of paper. She tugged at her father's sleeve.

"What is it?" Jack asked.

Mary Alice pointed to the page.

"Is that you and Ms. Thatcher?" Jack asked.

Mary Alice nodded and started writing the letters of the alphabet. They weren't as neatly written as Ms. Thatcher's or even when she help guiding Mary Alice's hand. They looked pretty sloppy. But, Jack certainly didn't care about that. He was very proud of his daughter and just happy she was learning.

"That's wonderful, sweetheart." He said, kissing her on the side of the head. "Ready to go?"

Mary Alice nodded.

Jack picked her up and brought back down to the saloon. He placed in her wheelchair and they headed to Mrs. Stanton's house.

Jack knocked on the door and Abigail answered.

"Hello Jack. Mary Alice." She greeted. "Come on in."

Jack lifted Mary Alice's wheelchair into the house.

"Thank you for the invitation." He said.

"Of course." Abigail said. "Your dress is very pretty, Mary Alice."

Mary Alice smiled widely.

"She says "Thank you." Jack said.

"Make yourselves at home." Abigail said. "Dinner's just about ready."

"Elizabeth, could I have a word with you for a moment?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth nodded and the two stepped outside.

"I wanted to thank you for Mary Alice." Jack started. "She was very excited to show me what you had taught her today, so thank you for trying with her.

"Of course." Elizabeth said. "She's such a sweet girl."

They went back inside and sat at the table.

Abigail noticed Mary Alice moving her food around.

"Is something the matter?" She asked. "Does she not like something?"

"Not at all." Jack started. "She just doesn't like her food touching and eats in order."

Abigail nodded.

During dinner, Jack asked Abigail about her husband's involvement with the mines. Much to Elizabeth's chagrin, as she kept trying to get him to stop.

After dinner, Jack helped clear the table.

"Thank you so much for dinner." He said. "It was wonderful."

"I'm glad you and Mary Alice could join us." Abigail said.

Jack and Mary Alice bid the two goodnight and made their way back to the saloon.