It had been two weeks since Mabel had left and Jack was beginning to wonder if she would ever come back. He was gettin' too old to be wastin' time.The woman was much younger than him, that was true, but he didn't see it would be a problem. Jack longed to have a family and he saw Mabel as the woman he wanted to spend his remaining time with. She was ornery and stubborn by times, but that was part of the attraction, she was strong. He was certain Mabel had feelings for him, although he wasn't sure how deep those feelings ran. She had commented many times how she didn't need a husband. He would have to convince her she was wrong.

"More coffee marshal?" Dom asked, as he approached the table with a fresh pot.

"Thanks Dom."

"I was just wondering....if there was any word from Miss Nestor?" the bartender asked.

"Ah...yah, old Jeramiah said he talked to 'er the other day durin' his stopover in Bragg Creek. Seems her Ma is still real sick."

"That's a shame," Dom replied thoughtfully, "I'm sure she'll have to return soon, no matter what happens the school can't stay closed much longer."

Jack nodded, taking a mouthful of coffee. He hoped Dom was right. This empty feelin' he had was gettin' annoyin'.

"Marshal!" He heard a familiar voice. Looking up Jack saw Gabriel Couteau approaching his table. Turning the chair backwards and straddling it in his usual manner, Couteau invited himself to sit.

"Bring me a whiskey Dom!" he commanded. "Where is Mabel? I stopped at the school, but it is closed." he inquired. "Don't tell me she has quit already?"

"No," Jack answered, "she went to Bragg Creek a few weeks ago, her Ma is real sick and they're hold up there."

"Mrs. Nestor ? She is a fine woman.....hasn't had much of a life with that husband of hers. I must go to Mabel at once." Couteau tipped back his glass and drank the whiskey in one mouthful.

"I thought her folks didn't like you?"

With a grin Couteau explained "Ah, that never stopped me before eh marshal!"

Jack felt a sudden twinge of jealousy. Couteau had a history with Mabel and the marshal knew her feelings towards him were very strong. The half breed seemed to have a firm hold on her affections. Jack wondered if there had ever been anything between the two of them. The way Mabel spoke, they had spent alot of time together, both as children, and later as adults. It would have taken them months to travel the Carlton Trail from Battleford to Fort Edmonton, and life on the trail can get pretty lonely. He shook the thought from his mind.

"Ain't much point in leavin' tonight," Jack tried to stall him, "it'll be dark in a couple 'a hours."

"Then that will bring me two hours closer to my sweet Mabel by nightfall." Couteau smiled as he rose from his chair. It was an innocent comment and he was unaware of the turmoil he had just stirred up inside of Jack Craddock.
Heading towards the general store Gabriel knew that his appearance would probably cause trouble, Mabel's father did not approve of their friendship and had made it quite clear that Gabriel was not welcome in his presence.

Jack sat starring at his empty cup. He didn't notice Dom observing him from behind the bar.
The barkeep was aware of the marshal's interest in the teacher, he knew the signs well. He himself had gone through the same emotions with Sally Duffield, and it was marshal Craddock who finally convinced him to acknowledge his feeling towards her, it was a narrow escape as Wendell MacWherter had also set his mind on winning the woman's heart. Now Dom and Sally were officially courting.

"Excuse me...marshal. Forgive me for interrupting...but, I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with Mr. Couteau." He sat himself at the table without waiting for an invitation.

"It ain't none 'a yer concern Dom." Jack replied, feeling sorry for himself.

"Well, it seems to me," Dom continued, "that miss Nestor would be so pleased to see you. Why don't you go to Bragg Creek?"

"It's a two day ride....who's gonna watch Bordertown?"

"Well corporal Bennett of course, and if there is any trouble on the American side, I'll be here to help. I can arrest people." Dom replied helpfully.

"Uhuh." Shaking his head, marshal Craddock laughed as he walked out of the saloon and into the cool evening air. Maybe Dom was right. He should be the one with Mabel, not Couteau. But Jack didn't know her family, he'd feel outta place with 'em, he was sure of that. With a feeling of dispair Jack headed for home.

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

The dawn of another day brought renewed hope, and Jack had made up his mind to go to Bragg Creek. Couteau would beat him to it, but he'd deal with that later. With his gear packed and ready to go, he led his horse from the stable.

Marie greeted him outside. "Good luck Jack." she smiled.

"Yah...well just remember, if Bennett asks, I had ta go to Fort Benton all right?"

The Doctor nodded.

"It ain't none 'a his business comprende?"

She nodded again.

"Good morning Marie," Clive called out cheerfully as he strode across the street. "Jack, where are you going?" he asked, pointing to the load the marshal's horse was carrying.

"Bragg Creek," Marie announced.

"Marie!"

"I'm sorry Jack, but I think it is so romantic," she swooned. "Jack is going to tell Mabel he loves her Clive."

"Really?" Clive smiled broadly, "How sweet of you Jack, it makes me feel all warm inside"

"Mind yer business woodpecker." Jack scowled as he mounted his horse. The marshal rode out of town leaving Marie and Clive behind him, in the dust.

As Jack made his way along the trail that followed Turtle Creek, he remembered the day he had taken Mabel to Indian Ridge. That's where he would take her again.
He had just stopped to dig some food out of his saddlebag when heard the sound of the approaching stage.

"Mornin' marshal!" Jeremiah wove.

"It's afternoon Jeremiah!" Jack laughed.

As the stage rolled by, the driver hollered back, "Ya know that teacher yer always wonderin' 'bout? Thought you might be curious ta know she's headin' back to Bordertown."

"Hold up!" Jack hollered. Catching up with Jeremiah, he pointed to the coach, "She in there?"

"Nope....she was. Then that half-breed feller 'a hers came along and she left with him. Probably headin' cross country."

- - - - - - - -

Marie saw Couteau and Mabel when they rode into town, her long green skirt was flapping in the wind as she sat with her arms tightly wrapped around Gabriel's waist.
"Marie!" she hollered, when she spotted the doctor in the doorway of the store.

"But I thought..." Sally glanced at Marie and saw the look of disappointment on her face. "Oh, the poor marshal."

Mabel hurried up the steps towards her friends, both women embraced her warmly. "I've missed you both so much."

"What are you doing here?" Marie asked.

"I decided I couldn't stay away any longer. The children were missing their lessons......and I was missing Bordertown."

"How is your mother?" Sally inquired in a concerned voice.

"She's recovering nicely, the doctor says if she stays in Bragg Creek for the winter to convelless she should be fine by spring." Mabel said cheerfully. "How are Jack and Clive?"

The look that came over their faces caused Mabel to worry. "Marie... is something wrong?"

"No, of course not. They are both fine." Marie noted "Jack had to go to Fort Benton for a few days, but he'll be back soon."

Before leaving to take a hot bath, Mabel asked the doctor if she would post a sign in the store saying that school would reopen the following Monday. That would give her a few days to get her lessons in order.

- - - - - - - - -

Four days later, there was still no sign of Jack.

"Clive, I'm worried," Marie spoke as they sat on the bench outside the detachment.

"Come on Marie, you know Jack. The stage driver said he spoke to him, so he knows Mabel is here and not in Bragg Creek. He's probably just had second thoughts. He's hiding somewhere, he'll be home soon."

"But he is jealous of Mi'seur Couteau."

Clive grinned, "A little competition never hurt anyone."

"But Jack is so sensitive and he hurts so easily." Marie spoke with tenderness.

"Jack! Are you kidding? He's probably having the time of his life...while I protect the town."

"Mornin'." They turned when they heard the marshal's familiar voice.

"Jack! Where were you?" Marie asked as she flung her arms around his neck embracing him.

"No where's." He didn't tell them he had riden into town under the cover of darkness the night before.
He continued inside with Clive and Marie on his heels.

"Mabel is back Jack." Clive added smuggly.

"I know." he replied, reaching for the coffee pot.

"Will you be seeing her later?"

"Clive!" Marie admonished the corporal with a stern look.

"Ain't you got someplace you gotta be Bennett? I'm sure that little queenie 'a yers don' t pay ya ta sit around all day."

"Jack....will you join me for some tea? We can talk." Marie asked sympathetically.

"I ain't in the mood Marie." Craddock left his untouched coffee on the desk and made his way outside. Walking back to his cabin he heard Gabriel Couteau coming out of the saloon. Ignoring the half-breeds attempts to get his attention, Jack walked inside and closed his door.