Jack placed his arms around Mabel's waist, touching the small of her back he pulled her closer. His lips brushed against her forehead and he closed his eyes for a brief moment. Feeling a nervous lump in his throat, he swallowed hard, his mouth was dry. Looking down he saw her trusting smile. Why wasn't she nervous?
Mabel traced her hands along his upper body and without moving her gaze from his eyes, she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled his face to hers. Their lips met, awkwardly at first, Jack opened his mouth slightly and pressed his lips harder against hers, Mabel responded. His embrace tightened and completely enveloped her, their bodies were pressed firmly together now and Jack felt his heart race and his muscles stiffen, he thought his lungs would explode as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Jack." she whispered softly, "Jack?"

The marshal bolted upright in his bed, beads of sweat ran down his face, his body was damp.

"Jack!" Mabel rushed to his bedside, "What's wrong? Are you ill ?" She felt his forehead with the palm of her hand and determined there was no fever.

"Leave me be woman!" he shouted in frustration, "What in tarnation are you doin' sneakin' around a feller like that?"

"I wanted to return this," she said, holding up the hatchet he had loaned her the day before." I knocked, but when you didn't answer I assumed you had already left for work, so....well...I was just about to place it on the table when I heard you moan, I was afraid you were in pain. You must have been having a bad dream."

"Ah...yah...a bad dream." he stammered. "Now git out!" He said angrily, "You ain't got no business bein' in here, it ain't proper...git! Go on!"

Mabel stopped to throw a stick of wood in the stove as she passed by. So Jack was a little grumpy first thing in the morning, she would have to remember that. She couldn't help thinking he looked fine, even at first light, with his hair all mussed up, he had a rugged handsomeness that she felt hard to ignore. Closing the door of the cabin behind her, she looked at the time piece that hung around her neck, she had to hurry or she would be late for the bell.

- - - - - - - -

When Jack walked into his office Clive Bennett was sitting at his desk with a piece of paper in his hands and a glum look on his face.

"It's about time you got here Craddock," he said waving the paper in his direction.

"What's that?" the marshal asked as he reached for the coffee pot.

"It's a note from Mabel's father, a rider brought it in this morning, just before daylight. Apparently Mr. and Mrs. Nestor have been held up in Bragg Creek due to an illness. He requests that Mabel join them at once."

"Huh. Who's sick Clive? Does it say?"

"Her mother. It sounds very grave," he paused.... I think you should be the one to tell her Jack. If Couteau were here..... but aside from him, I think it would be best coming from you."

"Ferget it corporal. I ain't no good at bad news." Jack insisted.

"You ain't no good at much Jack," Clive mocked, "But you're supposed to be her friend, so do it!" he insisted as he shoved the letter into Craddock's hand.

Jack hated this, he was no good with words. How was he supposed to tell Mabel her Ma was dyin' ? She'd probably cry and he wouldn't know what to say. No doubt he would say somethin' stupid, he always did when he was uncomfortable. Knocking on the schoolhouse door, he walked in. The children turned to see who had broken the silence and Mabel smiled at the man she had disturbed earlier. At least he didn't hold a grudge.

Removing his hat Jack began, "Uh...sorry to disturb ya ma'am, but it's real important that I have a word with ya....in private."
Some of the children giggled. They had seen the marshal with Miss Nestor on several occassions, some had heard their parents suspicions whispered in another room after they had gone to bed, most were of the opinion that Miss Nestor and marshal Craddock were courting.

"All right children, continue with your silent reading. I'll just be outside...no talking." she said firmly.

Jack followed her through the door and stood uncomfortably, looking down the street and cursing Bennett under his breath.
With a look of concern, Mabel touched his arm, "Jack? Is everything all right?"

"No it ain't Mabel," he said, looking at the paper. "This came for ya this mornin', Bennett says yer Ma is real sick."
Passing the letter to her, Jack watched the expression on her face as she read. Her hands trembled and he wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't, not here where everyone could see.
She finally looked up at him and he saw the tears welling up in her eyes.

"What time does the stage leave Jack?"

"It ain't in yet.. so ya got lotsa time."

She nodded and gave him a greatful smile as she lifted the latch on the door. "Thank you Jack." and she closed the door behind her, leaving him on the step feeling helpless.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

At a quarter past two the stage driver came out of the saloon and bellowed, "All aboard!"

Marie walked Mabel to the coach and gave her a tender hug and a few words of encouragement before she boarded. Passing her small travel bag to Jeriamiah, Mabel climbed in. She was wearing her green skirt with white victorian blouse and a woolen shawl was draped over her shoulders. Her parents would be pleased at her appearance, thinking the old Mabel was long forgotten, it seemed important to her that she please them now. Waving goodbye to Marie she quickly looked around the boardwalk for Jack, he was nowhere in sight.
Craddock was watching through the window of his office, his heart ached as the stage turned the corner and disappeared out of sight. Mabel was gone.

"Jaaack!" Marie called to him as she opened the door. Finding him standing by the window she knew he had watched Mabel's departure. "Why didn't you say goodbye?"

"I ain't no good at goodbye's Marie," he said, moving towards the gunrack on the wall behind his desk.

"She is coming back you know," Marie smiled lovingly. The marshal tried so hard to hide his feelings, but the doctor had known him for a long time and she was aware that Mabel Nestor was special to him. Feeling that Jack needed some consoling she offered to have dinner with him.

"Not tonight Marie," he apologized, "I got things I gotta do." He removed his gun from it's place on the wall and sat down. Rooting around in the clutter that was strewn about on his desk he found the cleaning rod and proceeded to clean the weapon.

"I understand, your job as a marshal keeps you very busy. But you still have to eat," she encouraged.

Jack made no attempt to reply and Marie decided to leave him be. She wanted to tell him he should go to Bragg Creek and be with Mabel in case her mother should die. But she knew it wasn't her place to make that sort of suggestion, and Jack Craddock was not the sort of man to do something so spontaineous. When it came to matters of the heart, Jack was a very private man, and Marie knew he would resent her interference.

"All right, but if you change your mind I am having dinner at the usual time". As she turned to leave Craddock stopped her.

"Marie.... how long you s'ppose she'll be gone? I mean....I'll wager they can't keep the school closed for too long can they?" he asked hopefully.

"Not long Jack," she giggled, "dinner at six?"

"Bennett gonna be there?"

"Just you and me Jack."

He nodded, "I'll be there."