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

Chapter 4

AN: So, I'm going to add that Mary Alice communicates with sign language, as well as drawing.

One day, Jack was strolling around town. As he got closer to the saloon, he could tell it was lunch and recess as he heard kids laughing and playing. Just then, he heard a commotion near the saloon that didn't sound playful. Jack looked over to see Mary Alice fighting over something with Emily Montgomery. He rushed over to them as Elizabeth noticed the commotion too.

"Hey, hey." Elizabeth said. "Girls, stop."

As Jack approached, he saw the girls were fighting over Mary Alice's Bitty Betsy doll. It was her favorite toy. Amongst the fighting, Mary Alice's wheelchair tipped over and Jack grabbed her before she fell.

"Girls, what's going on?" Elizabeth asked.

"I was just trying to play with Mary Alice, but she wouldn't share her doll." Emily explained.

"Lunch and recess is almost over." Elizabeth said. "Why don't you go back inside and we'll talk about this later."

Emily nodded and went inside.

"I'm sorry about Mary Alice." Jack said as placed his daughter back into her wheelchair. "It's alright." Elizabeth said.

"I know school is still in session, but is it alright if I take her out a little early?" Jack asked. "I'll talk to her."

"That's fine." Elizabeth said. "I'll see you later, Mary Alice."

Mary Alice just waved, looking a bit embarrassed.

Jack wheeled her over to the jailhouse, lifted her out of the wheelchair, and carried her.

"Where are we going?" Mary Alice signed.

"I thought we would take a ride." Jack said.

Mary Alice had a confused look on her face, until they reached the stables and she understood.

"Hey boy." Jack greeted Sergeant, his horse. "Ready for a ride?"

Jack placed Mary Alice on the horse and got on behind her. He started Sergeant slow and then had him at a steady trot. They headed to a clearing. Jack stopped Sergeant and lifted Mary Alice off the horse, after him. He sat her on a tree stump, that was on its side.

"You okay?" Jack finally asked Mary Alice.

Mary Alice nodded.

"I suppose it'd be redundant to ask how school's been going?" Jack asked.

Mary Alice looked at him confused, not knowing what "redundant" meant.

"It means there'd be no point in me asking because I already can guess the answer." Jack explained. Mary Alice nodded.

"I know it's not easy being the new kid." Jack explained. "Especially when you're a little different and you haven't had much experience in an actual school."

Mary Alice nodded, again.

"I also know it's not easy for you to make friends and it's not easy for you to express your feelings." Jack continued. "Emily wasn't trying to upset you. She was just trying to be nice and play with you."

Mary Alice looked down with a guilty look. "I'm sorry." She signed.

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." Jack said. "Emily's the one you should be apologizing to."

"Will you apologize for me?" Mary Alice signed. "I am sorry, but I can't exactly express that in a drawing."

"Sure." Jack said.

"Daddy?" Mary Alice signed.

"Yes, sweetheart?" Jack asked.

"Are we going to stay here for awhile?" Mary Alice asked. "I know with your job we move a lot, but I like it here."

"Yes, we'll be here for awhile." Jack said.

"Then, can we find a more permanent place to stay?" Mary Alice asked. "The saloon's getting really loud with the new miners."

Jack chuckled.

"Yes, I'll look for something." He said. "Until then, we can stay in the jailhouse."

Mary Alice gave him a look.

"There's a bedroom big enough for the two of us." Jack said.

Mary Alice just shrugged.

"You know, this land would be a beautiful place to live." Jack said.

Mary Alice nodded in agreement.

"Maybe, I'll buy it one day. Build a nice house for the two of us and a swing set for you." Jack said. "How does that sound?"

Mary Alice's eyes lit up at the idea.

Jack chuckled again and kissed his daughter on the side of the head. "I love you so much, baby girl." He said. Jack looked at the tree stump. He took a pocket knife out of his pocket.

"What are you doing with that?" Mary Alice signed.

"You'll see." Jack said. He bent down and started carving something onto one end of the stump.

"What'd you write?" Mary Alice signed.

"Come look." Jack said, picking her up.

Written was "The Thorntons. Mary Alice. Jack."

Mary Alice smiled.

"Now, how about we go back to the saloon and apologize to Emily." Jack said.

Mary Alice nodded.

A few minutes later, the two arrived back at the saloon. Elizabeth was there with Emily and her mother, Cat.

"Hello, Mrs. Montgomery." Jack greeted.

"Hello, Constable Thornton." Cat greeted. "Ms. Thatcher just filled me in on what happened with the girls today."

"Yes. I'm very sorry for what happened today and so is Mary Alice." Jack said. "Mary Alice doesn't have much experience going to an actual school or playing with children. She's not used to sharing her toys and it's not easy for her to express her emotions. I know Emily was just trying to play with Mary Alice."

"It's alright." Cat said. "There was no real harm or injury. Come Emily."

Mary Alice started wheeling away.

"Uh. Where are you going, little miss?" Jack asked. "Don't you have a tutoring session with Mrs. Thatcher."

Mary Alice sighed.

"I don't see any harm in skipping one lesson for a day." Elizabeth said.

"Thank you." Jack said.

"Bye, Mary Alice." Elizabeth said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Mary Alice waved before heading off with her father.