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

Chapter 7

The weekend came. Mary Alice was pretty excited for the miners games, and the dance. It was going to be a pretty busy weekend. Friday night was the Miner's Dance. And Sunday was the Miner's games. Mary Alice was really excited for everything.

Friday evening, Jack was helping Mary Alice get ready for the dance. He helped her bathe and get dressed in a white dress. He put two bows in her hair.

"You look beautiful, princess." Jack complimented.

Mary Alice smiled.

"Ready to go?" Jack asked.

Mary Alice nodded.

They headed to the saloon, where the dance was being held. They saw Ms. Thatcher.

"You look very pretty, Mary Alice." She complimented.

"Thank you, Ms. Thatcher." Mary Alice signed.

"Jack." Elizabeth greeted.

"Elizabeth." Jack returned the greeting, before turning to his daughter. "I'll grab us something to eat."

Mary Alice nodded.

He came back a moment later with two plates of food.

As they were eating, Kendra and her father approached them.

"Hi Mary Alice. Constable Thornton." Kendra greeted.

Mary Alice waved to them.

"Hello Kendra." Jack returned the greeting. He addressed Kendra's father. "It's Peter, correct?"

"Yes, Constable." Peter replied. "Good to see you guys again."

"You guys too." Jack said.

"Certainly is a nice thing the town is doing this weekend to welcome the new miners." Peter said, making conversation with Jack while their daughters talked.

"Yes, it is." Jack agreed.

"Daddy, can we dance, please?" Kendra asked.

"Of course, sweetheart." Peter said.

"Mary Alice, do you want to dance?" Jack asked. Mary Alice nodded.

Jack lifted Mary Alice out of her chair and carried her over to where everyone was dancing.

"Who's that Ms. Thatcher's dancing with?" Mary Alice asked.

"That is one of the miner's, Billy Hamilton." Jack answered.

"Are you okay with that?" Mary Alice asked.

"What makes you think I wouldn't be okay that?" Jack asked.

Mary Alice shrugged.

Jack looked at his daughter. He was now realizing that he underestimated how observant his daughter was. It was always hard for Jack to tell how much Mary Alice understood. The two of them had found ways to communicate, but it still wasn't easy. There were plenty of times when Mary Alice got frustrated when even he had a difficult time understanding what she was trying to say, but they always found a way to figure it out.

They spent a little more time at the dance before heading back to the jailhouse.

On Sunday, it was the Miner's Games and everyone was excited. Jack and Mary Alice met up with Kendra and Peter.

"Are you guys going to do some games together?" Jack asked.

"I think so." Peter said.

The two ended up doing the egg toss and they won.

"Hey Jack." Peter said, a little bit later. "We need an extra person for tug of war. Care to join?"

"Sure." Jack said. Mary Alice and Kendra cheered their dad's on and their side won.

"You girls having fun?" Peter asked as he and Jack walked back over to them.

The two girls nodded. Jack noticed Mary Alice yawning.

"Looks like someone is getting tired." He said. "It's been a busy weekend, hasn't it?"

Mary Alice nodded.

"Do you want to go back to the jailhouse?" Jack asked.

Mary Alice shook her head. She was having fun with Kendra.

"Ally, you'll see Kendra tomorrow." Jack said. "Why don't we go back to the jailhouse and get ready for bed."

Mary Alice sighed.

"Maybe Kendra can walk you to the jailhouse." Jack said before turning to Peter. "If that's alright with you."

"Sure. Go ahead." Peter said.

"I apologize." Jack said. "Mary Alice gets tired out pretty easily and it's been a busy weekend."

"It's alright." Peter said. "It's understandable."

"I know you guys have been here only a short time." Jack started. "Your daughter has been very kind to my daughter already and I'm grateful for that."

"Yes, they seem to be getting along quite well." Peter said.

"It's not easy for Mary Alice to make friends, so I'm glad she's making some."

The two men bid each other goodbye and Jack headed towards the jailhouse.