Valentine's Vignette
Be Mine
By Rebekah Kinney
Author's Note: This is truly a labor of love, however, there is not much labor involved as I love to write as much as I love to run. Enjoy my story, new readers! Please leave a review and your name if you can if you are a guest. I like to thank my guests.
Thank you to all the reviews, favorites and followers of my story. I am very grateful to all feedback. Enjoy.
The day was bright and crisp as Miss Thatcher had been preparing her first lesson of the day. She was at the chalkboard, remembering her first meeting of Constable Jack Thornton. She was so focused on the quote of the day that she did not hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Miss Thatcher!" A voice exclaimed.
Whirling around in surprise, Elizabeth looked at the young man who had approached her.
"Wyatt! You startled me." Elizabeth responded.
"Beg your pardon, ma'am." He smiled apologetically.
"What is it, Wyatt?" Elizabeth inquired.
"Well, I heard around town that there was going to be a Valentine's Day dance and I wanted to ask you for a favor." He replied shyly.
"Yes, Wyatt, we will have a dance this Saturday evening. What is this favor you want to ask me?" Elizabeth stifled a smile as she saw Wyatt blush.
"I wanted to ask if you could show me a few steps so I won't step on anyone's feet." He began, "a certain young ladies, feet."
"Does this young lady know of your intentions, Wyatt?" Elizabeth asked.
"That's the other issue. I'm not sure how to ask. I want to escort her to the dance, but when I see her, my tongue gets all tied up." Wyatt looked down at the floor.
"I see." Elizabeth replied.
"See, this girl, Gem, is so nice and sweet. She and I have had a few friendly conversations, but lately, I have been so busy at the mine, that we haven't seen each other for a while." Wyatt continued.
"Wyatt, I believe all you need to do is ask her. Maybe you could write her a little note and give it to her after class?" Elizabeth looked at the clock. "School is about to start. If you need help, I have some free time this afternoon."
"Thank you, Miss Thatcher. I may take you up on that. I better be off. I don't want to be late for work." Wyatt tipped his hat and headed out the door.
The first few children started filtering in and as they did, their chatter was surrounding the upcoming dance which was announced earlier that week. Elizabeth finished writing her quote on the chalkboard then turned to begin her first lesson.
"Good morning, children! I have a special assignment for you today. As you are all aware, Valentine's Day is this Saturday. I brought some extra colored paper and supplies to make some cards." Elizabeth announced.
"Yes, Gem?" Elizabeth called on the young lady raising her hand.
"Miss Thatcher, what are the cards for?" Gem asked curiously.
"We are going to make valentines to hand out to each other on Friday. We will make an envelope out of our paper. Then we will use the colored paper and scissors to make hearts. Each student will write down a compliment on the heart and fold it in half. On Friday, we will pass them out." Elizabeth explained.
All the children started to chatter amongst themselves not being able to contain their excitement.
"We get to make hearts!' One girl exclaimed.
"I know who I am going to give mine to!" A boy said as he looked sheepishly at one of the girls.
"We should start right now." Another girl exclaimed.
Elizabeth chuckled. "Alright, children, settle down. We will be making hearts after lunch. But for now, let's copy the quote on the board and write about what it means to you."
"If music be the food of love, play on!" Play on!" ~ William Shakespeare
The children began writing down the quote as Elizabeth started handing out the colored paper. Once you are done with your writing, we will start making decorations for the dance this Saturday night." She said, continuing to pass the paper around.
"Miss Thatcher?" Gabe asked.
"Yes, Gabe?" Elizabeth called on Gabe seeing his hand raised.
"Do we have to share what we write with the class?" He asked nervously.
"Not if you don't want to, Gabe." Elizabeth explained. Addressing the class she asked, "Who would want to share what they wrote with the class?" Elizabeth scanned the classroom.
No one raised their hand. Elizabeth continued to look at each child. Even Gem averted her gaze. Elizabeth gave a resigned smile.
"Very well, children, we needn't share with the class. Once you are done, please pass your papers forward." She smiled.
The class gave a collective sigh of relief.
Some of the children began decorating for the dance. Others started cutting out their valentines hearts.
After school that day….Elizabeth was cleaning up when Jack walked in. He smiled as he saw her put some decorations up. She had hearts hanging around the room from the ceiling and some on the walls between the windows. He thought for a moment and then realized that the much anticipated Valentine's Day dance was this Saturday.
Unaware of his presence, Elizabeth gathered her things in the basket and turned to leave.
"Jack!" She turned seeing his face, dimpling with his ridiculously handsome smile. His face had three days worth of scruff from his most recent 'official Mountie business'. She had missed him so much.
She sighed as he slowly walked up to her. Jack embraced her gently and pressed his lips to hers. Elizabeth laced her fingers together behind his neck. Her toes curled as she relaxed in his arms and kissed him back with as much passion as she dare, even though no one was in sight. She giggled lightly and looked up into his face.
"What?" He asked, pulling back to look at her.
"You're beard tickles." She reached up and touched the scruff that was on his face. He reached his hand up to hers and held it against his face for a moment then let their hands drop, still laced together.
"I just came into town. I couldn't wait to see you. It has been far too long since we said goodbye a few days ago." He stepped back. "I was dreaming about this reunion for the passed three nights."
He smiled brightly as his comment gave the desired effect of a blush rising to her cheeks. He loved how he could make her feel. Elizabeth looked away, but he gently placed his hand under her chin so he could gaze into her eyes.
"I've missed you, Elizabeth Thatcher. I love you, my sweet independent girl." He brushed his lips against her hand.
"I love you, my brave Mountie!" She touched his face and smiled that smile that always burned in his soul.
"It would give me great pleasure if I could walk you home." He explained as she continued to blush.
"I would love that." She stated, albeit a little shyly. She turned to pick up her basket.
"Shall we?" He asked offering her his arm.
"Yes, lets." She replied, linking her arm in his.
They walked back in comfortable silence for a few paces. Surmising that he noticed the decorations, she stopped to look at him. Jack returned her gaze and waited for her to speak. He looked tired and she didn't want him to feel that he had to talk at this time. She wanted to be bold and ask him to the dance, but she was worried that he would only say he would be there in official capacity only. She ran her hand up his arm and his smile widened at her touch.
Jack stood there, gazing into Elizabeth's eyes and noticed that she was trying to keep from speaking. He was indeed tired from the trip, but he had missed her so much that he couldn't pass the opportunity up to walk her home and make sure she was safe. He knew she wanted to discuss something. He was willing to listen, but he wasn't sure he would stay awake long enough to engage in a meaningful conversation. Jack still waited as she seemed to wrestle with asking him something. He wanted to talk, but his bed at the jail was calling his name. He would talk with her this evening. He sighed and tried to invite her to continue walking back to the café.
She gave him a resigned smile and took the hand he offered.
Once they arrived at the café, Elizabeth turned to him as he guided her up the steps. She smiled and touched his face. There was such love being silently expressed between their gaze. Jack didn't want to break the contact, but he knew he had to go take care of some paperwork before his nap and his evening plans with Elizabeth.
"Until we meet this evening, Miss Thatcher?" Jack asked lifting her hand to his lips, not releasing his gaze on her.
"Yes, Constable, until we meet this evening." She blushed and turned to walk into the café.
He watched her close the door behind her and turned to head to the jail. Jack sat down at his desk and removed his folder from his satchel. He opened it displaying the paperwork that was to be filled out and returned by the next day. After a half hour, he stretched and took off his red serge jacket. He stretched out on his bed in cell and fell into a deep sleep.
Later that evening, Elizabeth and Abigail were discussing the Valentine's Day dance. Abigail knew that Elizabeth hoped that Jack would ask her to accompany him, but she also knew that Jack would only be there in official capacity only.
"Elizabeth, I know you want Jack to ask you to the dance, but do you think that he will be able to?" Abigail asked.
"I know he will be on duty, but I'm hoping he will steal a couple dances with me. I doubt that the evening will have any complications." Elizabeth replied. She remembered the night that Billy Hamilton escorted her to that fateful dance that caused a riff between her and Jack. She was still annoyed at how 'taken in' she had been by him. Elizabeth noticed that Jack was glancing at them often, but when she met his gaze he had quickly looked away. She was slightly puzzled by his reaction as he had confirmed that "If the Mounties wanted us to have a wife, they would have issued us one." Elizabeth huffed, shaking herself out of the memory.
"Elizabeth?" Abigail asked. "What is it?"
"Oh, it's nothing, Abigail. I was just remembering the last dance our town held." Elizabeth sighed.
"Oh, yes, that dance." Abigail smiled knowingly.
While Elizabeth sat in the parlor, waiting for Jack, she read her students writing assignments on William Shakespeare's quote she gave them that afternoon. She smiled as she read the short and sweet ones from Emily and Rosaleen. Albert's was most entertaining and James', was quite short.
She was about to read the longer one from Gabe, when there was a knock on the door. She put her papers on the side table and left to answer the door. She opened the door seeing Jack in his green suit and looking as dashing as ever. She let him in and closed the door behind her.
"Good evening, Miss Thatcher." Jack smiled at her as he brushed his lips across her hand.
"Good evening, Mr. Thornton." She blushed at his touch and loving gaze.
"Are you ready?" Jack asked leading her to the door.
"Yes. I've been ready all evening." She took his arm as he opened the parlor door.
They walked down the porch to the café and Abigail placed them at a table by the window. Jack held the chair for her and then sat across from her. He reached out and she let her hand rest in his. The room was full, but as far as they were concerned, they were the only two in the café. Elizabeth was so focused on his face that she didn't hear the clamor of all the diners talking about their day and what the weekends dance was going to be like.
Jack was content to just hold her hand silently as they waited for Abigail to come take their order. Soon after they sat down, Abigail was there and she promised to bring their meal as soon as possible. Elizabeth thanked her, not breaking her gaze from Jack.
She didn't know what he was thinking. She wanted to know how his journey was and if he had thought about the dance at all. She knew he must have seen the fliers outside the jail. She fought the urge to break tradition and ask him to be her date, but she knew he would be working that night.
"Elizabeth?" Jack asked. "You seem to want to tell me something. You can tell me."
"I, uh, I, um…" She stammered. "I was just wondering about Saturday night. I know you just got back from your trip, but I had hoped you saw the fliers posted around the jail and saloon. Did you?" She asked.
"Yes." He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "I did notice once I woke up from my nap. I did see the decorations at the school. Why do you ask?" He couldn't help pretending to not know where these questions were leading.
"The Valentine's Day dance is that night and although, I know you will be working in official capacity, I was hoping that you would….." Elizabeth paused, hesitant to be so forward as to request that he dance with her.
"Elizabeth Thatcher!" He said in mock horror. "Are you asking me to the dance?" His smile stretched across his face.
"Not necessarily…" She blushed. "I know you will be there. So I thought we could maybe…" She trailed off.
"Yes? Go on!" Jack smiled caressing her hand with his.
"Oh Jack! You know I want to go to the dance with you." She huffed lightly. "Why are you making me explain." She huffed again.
"It's more fun watching you ask." He teased. "Well? What is it you wanted to ask me, Miss Thatcher?" He smiled.
"Jack." Elizabeth sighed. "Will you?"
"Will I, what?" Jack smiled even wider, his dimples on full display.
"Will you escort me to the dance?" Elizabeth finally asked, trying to tame her hopeful expression.
"Well, I'll be on duty, you see and I'm not sure that it would be appropriate…." Jack trailed off as he saw her disappointment become more evident. "Elizabeth", he exhaled. "It would be my honor."
"Oh Jack! You're such a tease." She sat back in her chair and sighed.
Jack leaned forward and took her hand that she had pulled back. He looked at her and she tried not to look back at him. She was upset. He was such a tease and she had been so sure he would ask her, but she didn't think he would let the teasing go so far. Jack smiled apologetically, holding her gaze and rubbing her hand.
"Elizabeth. I'm sorry if I went too far. I just assumed that you knew I would be escorting you this Saturday night." Jack smiled.
"Oh, Jack! I can't stay mad at you when you smile like that. It's not fair." Elizabeth smiled, but couldn't help chuckling.
They sat there, enjoying their meal while the cafés guests had began to dwindle. After several minutes, Jack offered his hand and motioned to the parlor. Elizabeth nodded and took his hand as they made their way from the café.
Jack sat down on the sofa and pulled Elizabeth into his side. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed happily. Their hands were laced together, relaxing in comfortable silence. Elizabeth ran her hand up and down Jack's arm. He felt an overwhelming feeling of warmth as she caressed him. He couldn't take it anymore. He placed his hand under her chin and raised her eyes to look at his. Jack leaned his head closer to hers and enveloped her lips in his. They kissed deeply, each responding to the other's need to be close.
Elizabeth was the first to break the connection. She knew that it was getting late and she didn't want to cause any gossip. Jack looked into her eyes, seeming lost in thought.
"What is it, Jack?" She asked.
"I wanted to tell you of my trip. At least, tell you what little I could." He sighed.
"If you want to, Jack. I know you can't share much. Please don't feel pressured to tell me anything." She insured him, however, wanting to hear what he did in every detail.
"Elizabeth." He breathed. "Elizabeth, I can't tell you wonderful it feels to have you back in my arms." He paused. "I know you want to know what I do and know every detail of my Mountie business. If you'd like, I can tell you some of what I have been doing these past three days."
"Yes, I am curious." She tried to down play it.
"I was looking for a man who escaped a prison wagon. His name is Beau Montgomery." He stopped to gauge her reaction. She seemed to be taking it in. "I traced him about fifty miles north and then the trail went cold. I don't know where he was headed, but I am telling you this so you can take extra care."
"I'm not sure what you mean, Jack." Elizabeth stated.
"I'd prefer you not go on any school outings without an escort. While he is out there, it won't be safe for you or your students." Jack exhaled. He looked at the clock. "I better get back to the jail." He looked at her.
"Promise me, Elizabeth, that you will stay in the school during class." He pleaded.
"I promise, Jack. Of course, I promise." She touched his face and little electric currents flowed through him, straight to his heart.
Jack gathered her up in a tight, yet gentle embrace and kissed her passionately. She responded in kind and laced her fingers around the back of his neck. They held each other for what seemed like forever.
Jack gently held her back and looked lovingly into her eyes.
"I really have to go now. I hope you sleep well tonight, my love!" He kissed her quickly.
"I like the sound of that." She kissed him back.
"I'll make a note of that." Jack helped her up off the sofa.
She lead him to the door and he kissed her hand and gave her a wink before he headed towards the jail.
The next morning, February 13th was going to be busy for everyone helping set up the saloon for the Sweetheart's dance. The town women were busy setting up the chairs around perimeter and setting the centerpieces on the tables that outlined the wall in front of the chairs. A paper heart chain was hanging from each corner extending to the center of the saloon. Several hearts dangled from the chain causing a chandelier effect. Abigail and Kat Montgomery were finishing up when Jack came by to see how the decorations were coming along.
"Hello, ladies. How is it going?" He inquired as they moved around the room tacking up hearts at each corner of the saloon.
"It's going well, Jack. We've just finished. Now we just have to set up the food a few minutes before the dance tomorrow night." Abigail replied.
"That's good. It looks really nice." He commented.
"Well, Constable. Is there something else?" Abigail asked as he just stood there with a troubled expression on his face.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Abigail. I was just thinking about tonight." He hesitated. "I plan to ask Elizabeth a very important question." He blushed.
"Oh! I see!" Abigail exclaimed. "This is exciting! I know she will be over the moon." Abigail gave him a knowing smile.
"I hope so." He smiled.
"Jack, of course she will. Do you have any doubt?" Abigail asked surprised.
"Well, I know she loves me. I know I definitely love her. But, I…" Jack paused.
"Yes? What is it, Jack?" Abigail prodded.
"I'm not sure she will want to be a Mounties' wife. She says she's ready to face anything together, but I don't know if I can be that selfish and marry her, knowing that she will have to sacrifice so much just to be with me." Jack let out a heavy sigh.
"Jack, you said so yourself. She loves you and you love her. She is a strong woman. If anyone could live this life with you, it's Elizabeth." Abigail patted his shoulder. "Trust me. I know." She smiled then walked away.
Jack watched her leave and smiled to himself. He knew she was right. But, he couldn't shake this feeling that he was being selfish to expect her to live this life instead of the one she so richly deserved. Jack walked out of the saloon and headed to the school. He knew that Elizabeth would be finishing her class for the day and wanted to escort her home. He had received a telegram that a dangerous criminal, Beau Montgomery was in the area and he didn't want to take any chances. The telegram stated that Beau was found on the outskirts of one of Hope Valley's neighboring towns. He was determined to do all he could to keep this town safe, to keep his Elizabeth safe.
As the last student left the school house, Elizabeth saw Jack walk up the steps. She smiled sweetly and took his hand. They ducked behind the door so as not to be seen by any passersby. Jack wrapped his arms around her and kissed her gently on the lips. Elizabeth responded in kind and laced her fingers around his neck. He released her after a moment and looked into her eyes. He had to tell her that he may not be able to dance with her on Saturday night. He would be too busy patrolling the grounds to anticipate anything out of the ordinary.
"Jack? What's troubling you?" Elizabeth asked, noticing Jack's shoulders tense.
"I need to tell you something. But, I don't want to alarm you, Elizabeth." He squeezed her hand.
"Tell me, Jack. I'll be okay. I can handle whatever you need to tell me." She tried to sound confident.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to dance with you tomorrow night." He paused, gauging her response. "I received a telegram informing me of a criminal in the area. I'm going to have my hands full as I will be deputizing a few of the miner's to help me keep watch at the dance." He exhaled pensively.
"Jack, I understand." Elizabeth replied. Bringing her hand up to his face as she explained, "I will be fine as long as I know you will be there. I just want to be with you."
"How did I get so lucky? You amaze me, Miss Thatcher." Jack said holding her firmly.
"Oh, I don't know, Jack. You're just blessed I guess." She smiled. "Besides, I'm the lucky one." She kissed him lightly on the lips.
They released and Elizabeth collected her basket. The two walked back to the café, holding hands and talking about their plans for the afternoon. Jack had to go recruit some of the miner's for the dance the next evening. Elizabeth offered to help Abigail with the afternoon crowd before her dinner with Jack.
"Abigail, this has been a lovely afternoon. Thank you for letting me help in the kitchen. I think my skills are improving." Elizabeth exclaimed as she pulled out the biscuits from the oven.
"Yes, Elizabeth, I do believe you're cooking skills have improved." Abigail replied admiring the golden brown biscuits that Elizabeth set on the stove top.
Later that evening, Jack came back to pick up Elizabeth. He came in the back door. He sat down on the sofa, waiting for her to be ready. Just a few minutes later, she came down the stairs. She wore a light yellow blouse with a taupe skirt. Jack smiled at her as he offered his hand to her. Elizabeth gladly took it and followed Jack out the door.
"You look lovely, Elizabeth." Jack smiled.
"Thank you. You look quite handsome, yourself, Jack." She smiled back.
They walked to the front door of the café. Jack opened the door allowing Elizabeth to enter and he followed. Abigail greeted them and quickly led them to their usual table in the center of the room. Jack took her hand in his as they gazed into each others eyes. While they ate their meal, however, Ned Yost came in to the café with a telegram for Jack.
"Pardon my interruption, Constable, but this came for you a few minutes ago. It is marked 'urgent.'"
"Thank you, Ned." Jack replied as he let go of Elizabeth's hand and opened the telegram. He glanced up at Elizabeth who seemed to be apprehensive.
'Constable Jack Thornton:
*ALERT* the criminal, known as Beau Montgomery was seen just a few miles outside of Hope Valley. It is believed he has relatives in town. Be advised, he is armed and extremely dangerous.
Regards,
Constable Shaw'