Dear Hearties Fanfiction Readers: It's been awhile since I've written a When Calls the Heart-inspired story but season 4 inspired me. Some words and phrases in season 4 elicited some strong emotions: "take a walk with me," "Cody is going to die," "you can call me Mom," "I have to go." Such words give us all the feels! We have to be careful with our words at times while at other times just a word can mean so very much. So, this story is, of course, made of words, as all stories are, but we will, also, be focusing on words that can be so powerful. Be aware that it is very much a work-in-progress as I am writing it as I publish it. Please be patient with me as I am a bit of a perfectionist with my writing- meaning it can be a slow process for me- and family and real-life so take the front seat. However, I do very much want to tell this story and I hope you will enjoy it.

Powerful Words

Chapter One

kind (adj): of a good or benevolent nature or disposition; mild; gentle

"Give him back!" Earl Wyatt demanded.

"But I was just teasing Opal?" Maggie replied, obviously a bit nervous to face the older, much taller boy.

Earl glanced between the two girls and noted that Opal was smiling, not appearing to be upset in the least that Maggie was holding her much loved Brownie. "Well, nobody takes Brownie from Opal," he told Maggie, his voice softer and less demanding. "Not even just teasing her."

Maggie handed the small, brown toy bear back to her friend.

"It's okay, Earl," Opal assured him. "We were just playing. She loves Brownie almost as much as I do!"

Earl nodded and gave Opal a wink before heading back to join the older boys playing marbles.

Elizabeth Thatcher watched the exchange between her students as she sat on the steps of the school. She'd finished her lunch and had just pulled out paper and pencil to write another letter to Jack. As she checked on her students, she mulled how to start to her letter. She hadn't had a letter from him in over three weeks. He never really shared any news of what he was doing. Instead, he'd write about his dreams and hopes for their life together when he returned. She loved reading that. She truly did. Yet, she had to admit to herself that she really wanted to know what her fiancé was doing. She worried so about him fighting those terrible gangs in the Northern Territories. He had obliquely referred to the fight, telling her in a few of his letters that he tried to forget things he'd seen or that it was hard to ask his men to do some of the things they'd had to do. She closed her eyes, imagining all sorts of horrible things her dear Jack was seeing and doing. She felt the all too familiar sensation of tears welling in her eyes again and tried to coax her brain to happier thoughts. She called up the very happy memory of Jack's proposal months ago that happened so very near to where she was sitting now.

"Miss Thatcher?"

Elizabeth's eyes flew open as Emily's voice cut into her reverie. "Yes, Emily? What is it?" she asked her young student.

"Robert just spotted another skunk and now he's chasing it," she told Elizabeth. "He chased it back behind the school!"

Elizabeth's eyes widened with shock and concern. She dropped the paper and pencil on the step next to her as she quickly stood. "Robert!" she called loudly. "You stop chasing that skunk now!" She rushed around the corner of the school and spotted Robert running away from the school. "Robert! I said to stop NOW!" she yelled.

Robert heard his teacher's call and stopped short. He watched as the skunk raced off towards the bushes. "Shoot!" he muttered with frustration.

"Robert, come back here," she instructed him before turning to the rest of her students. "Alright, recess is over, children. Time to head back inside for our Science lesson."

The children dutifully moved toward the school, though some muttered groans of disappointment that playtime was over. Robert made his way back around the school, glancing over his shoulder for another glimpse of the skunk. Elizabeth scooped up the pencil, paper, and her lunch basket before leading the students inside.

Author's note: Hope you enjoyed chapter one! Hang in there…I know chapter one was short but chapter two is on it's way! Thanks so much for reading!