Coal Valley's new teacher, Elizabeth, is unaccustomed to the harsh life in Western Canada. She's particularly troubled by her new students' lack of enthusiasm for learning: a tragic mining accident, which left several of her students orphaned, has just deeply shaken the small town. It's not an easy start, even for the new Constable, Jack Thornton...
The widows of Coal Valley are hit again by a hard blow: the mining company wants to evict them from their homes to create housing for new miners. But Elizabeth and her new friends aren't going to give up without a fight...
Elizabeth's student, Rosaleen, hasn't spoken a word since the mine accident. Can the teacher help her overcome the trauma? Meanwhile, Constable Jack is investigating the mysterious arson attack on Coal Valley's only church...
Jack suspects Cat Montgomery, of all people, of setting fire to the Coal Valley church. Her son Gabe can't stand the fact that everyone thinks his mother is a criminal...
New miners arrive in town and immediately turn the heads of several young women. One of the newcomers takes a particular interest in Elizabeth, which the suspicious Jack doesn't like at all..
Elizabeth feels torn between Jack and Billy. The next town festival is a perfect opportunity to finally get her mind off things. Meanwhile, Jack is investigating a series of thefts that have been plaguing the town for some time.
After thwarting Billy's plans, Jack gives himself another chance with Elizabeth. But winning the headstrong woman's heart isn't so easy. Meanwhile, Elizabeth desperately tries to save her student Bo from a life as a miner.
The residents of Coal Valley are shocked to see Mr. Miller again after a long hospital stay. To Elizabeth's surprise, the annual foundation celebration is just around the corner. She has her hands full with the preparations.
A surprise for Elizabeth – her little sister Julie is coming to visit Coal Valley and is shaking up the small town. Meanwhile, Jack has other worries: his transfer request has been approved – but now he's in no hurry to leave town again...
With Constable Jack out of town, Abigail tries to gather more information about the mine disaster on her own. Did mine owner Gowen really skimp on safety precautions and cause the deaths of his workers? Meanwhile, Julie's gullibility puts not only herself but also Elizabeth in great danger...
Inspector Bill Avery kommt in die Stadt, um Untersuchungen über das tragische Minenunglück anzustellen. Während Bill und Abigail sich langsam näher kommen, plagen Elizabeth derweil ganz andere Sorgen: überraschend taucht ausgerechnet Jacks frühere Verlobte Rosemary in Coal Valley auf …
Her parents have found Elizabeth a job offer in the city – should she really leave Coal Valley and thus give up the fight for Jack's heart?
An intriguing peddler comes to Hope Valley selling the townspeople his wares and teaching them valuable lessons about joy and giving. And when the townspeople realize that the recently displaced settlers in the area will not have a proper Christmas, they come together to create a special holiday celebration — including a Nativity presentation from the schoolchildren — that will infuse everyone with the true spirit of Christmas.
Trying to stay on Elizabeth’s good side, Lucas sets up a library for the town. Abigail is reunited with an old flame. Allie tricks Harper, Robert and Opal into believing the town has a haunted house. Bill conducts his first trial as a judge. In part 2, Bill and Nathan apprehend an infamous outlaw, “Gentleman Johnny,” and Rosemary and Lee have an overdue talk.
Elizabeth prepares for Little Jack's first Christmas and birthday, missing Jack more than ever. Nathan receives a prestigious job offer in Union City but weighs the downside of leaving Elizabeth and taking his niece away from Hope Valley. Lucas holds a Christmas festival to bring some of his family's traditions to Hope Valley and to impress Elizabeth. A detour on his way to see Faith leads Carson to a stranger in need of his help. Meanwhile, Rosemary and Lee search for the perfect gift for Little Jack, while Bill turns Hope Valley upside looking for a special gift that he misplaced.