This is my first and probably only story. Hope you enjoy it. There are some unwritten pieces within that I did not include, such as what happens between Bill and Abigail. I was so anxious to write about Jack and Elizabeth, I kept the focus on them.

HEARTS IN PERIL

CHAPTER 1

Jack stood outside the door of the church/schoolhouse. His mind was reeling. He had to get his thoughts under control after what he just saw: Charles on one knee proposing to Elizabeth—HIS Elizabeth. Part of him said, "Trust her!" He knew there was no way she would accept a marriage proposal from Charles. But his heart was also spinning with anger, even a feeling of betrayal wondering how Elizabeth could let it get this far with Charles. Surely he would not have proposed had he not thought there was a chance with her.

Realizing that this was no longer the time for proposing thanks to Charles' intrusion, Jack quietly slipped down the steps and made his way to his faithful horse Sergeant and rode quickly back to the jail. There he found another Mountie waiting. "May I help you, Constable?" Jack asked.

"Yes, could you tell me where I might find Constable Jack Thornton."

"That would be me. What can I do for you?"

"Good afternoon, Constable Thornton. I'm Isaiah Mason. We've been assigned to transfer Bill Avery for further questioning. We leave as soon as you can gather your things." With those words, he handed Jack the paperwork with new orders.

At the schoolhouse a stunned Elizabeth stood before Charles. Finally she gathered herself together. She took his hands that held the box with the ring within and closed them around it. "Charles, we need to talk. Will you go for a walk with me?" Charles nodded and stood up with a frown on his face. "Please give me a moment; wait for me outside," Elizabeth told him. He walked out as she went to the chalkboard and quickly wrote a note for Jack.

Exiting the schoolhouse, Elizabeth looked around to see if Jack was in sight. Not seeing him, she began to walk with Charles. She carefully formed her words in her mind as they neared the woods. She took a deep breath and began to speak. "Charles, I care for you a great deal. You are one of my dearest friends. But…I can't marry you. I truly love Jack."

Charles' jaws tightened. He was determined to get her to come back with him and get married. "Elizabeth, you can't honestly consider marriage to a Mountie. What kind of life would you have? The danger. Always wondering if he would be coming home. Or having weeks, even months, of him not being there for you. My dear Elizabeth, you and I are meant to be together! Both of our families have known this for some time. We've grown up together. I can give you the life you deserve, that you were born to have. It's the only right thing to do. Your parents expect it. You can't let them down. You can't let ME down. Remember the wonderful times we had growing up together? We can make more wonderful memories and build a life together." Elizabeth looked at this man she had known her entire life…and sighed. How could she not have seen this coming?

Outside the jail, Jack read his new orders and frowned. The timing couldn't be worse.

Isaiah asked, "Is there a place I could get a bite to eat before we leave?"

Jack looked up and motioned to Abigail's Café. "Abigail makes some great food. Feel free to stop in there while I take care of some things before we leave."

"Thank you!" Constable Mason replied, then turned and made his way to the Café.

Jack hurried up the steps and into the jail. "You don't look happy," Bill remarked from inside his cell.

Jack glanced at him. "I have orders to transfer you to headquarters for questioning. We leave immediately."

"What about Elizabeth? Did she say yes?"

Jack scowled. "She wasn't available. Charles is back in town. He was with her."

"Charles?! What's HE doing here?" Bill saw the fire in Jack's eyes and knew better than to press the matter further.

Jack walked into the side room to prepare for the journey. In the rush and confusion of the latest events, he forgot the small box in the jacket pocket of his suit as he quickly hung the suit on the peg in the room. He gathered his things for the trip and walked outside to Sergeant. He had to let Elizabeth know he was leaving, regardless of Charles' presence. He raced to the schoolhouse but found it empty. His gaze went to the chalkboard where Elizabeth had left him a note: "Jack, I'm sorry, something came up. I will find you later." He gazed over the Canadian landscape; Elizabeth was nowhere in sight. He jumped back on Sergeant and with another look around and a heavy heart, he realized he needed to get back to town. Duty called, and he had to respond. Getting this late start for a long journey was bad enough. He reluctantly turned Sergeant around and galloped away.

Nearing the jail, he came upon Lee walking to the lumber mill. "Afternoon, Jack!"

"Lee. I have a favor to ask," he said as he jumped from his horse. "I have new orders to transfer Bill Avery for questioning; I have no idea when I'll return. Would you be able to take care of Rip while I'm gone?" Jack asked. "Certainly! I'll come by and get him after work."

"Thanks. I'll leave the door unlocked for you. Just lock up when you're done."

Realizing Elizabeth would normally be the one to watch Rip, Lee asked, "What about Elizabeth?" Before Jack could respond, Isaiah came back from the Café. Jack and Isaiah went into the jail and moments later brought Bill out in handcuffs. Abigail came out with some food for the journey. Bill looked at her, but she carefully avoided eye contact.

Jack wanted to pull Abigail aside and speak with her, but there was no time. As she handed him food for the journey, he simply said, "Please take care of Elizabeth."

"I will," she promised. "Be careful, Jack." He nodded. With one last glance in the direction of the school house, Jack left Hope Valley…and left Elizabeth with Charles, not knowing how she had responded to his marriage proposal.

After returning from her walk with Charles, Elizabeth's mind was filled with thoughts and emotions. She felt horrible about missing her ride with Jack. She entered the jail and called out for him. No answer. The cell that had previously held Bill was now empty and left open. "Odd," she thought. She heard a familiar bark from the small side room and went over and glanced in. "Rip, there you are." She bent down and gave him a pat on his head. "Where's Jack?" He barked. As she stood, her eyes went to the blue suit hanging on the hook. She walked over to it. She tenderly touched it and smiled, thinking of the man who wore this suit and the love she had for him. She felt something in the pocket. What was it? She reached inside and felt a small box. She gasped while her heart began to race. The box was just the right size for a...ring. Could it be? Her conscience kicked in, and she quickly let go of the box before her curiosity caused her to do something she knew she shouldn't. She turned and walked out, now even more anxious to find Jack.

Elizabeth went across the street and walked into Abigail's Café. Looking around, her heart sank when she didn't see Jack. She went to the kitchen and found Abigail. "Abigail, have you seen Jack this afternoon? We were supposed to meet for our picnic, but something came up, and he's not at the jail."

Abigail's face showed immediate concern. "You haven't seen him at ALL this afternoon?" Elizabeth shook her head. "Elizabeth, I first saw him head in the direction of the schoolhouse about an hour ago."

Elizabeth's heart sank even further. "He came by the school? An hour ago?"

"Yes, I'm sure that's where he was headed. He was in his suit. I thought he was meeting you for your picnic, although I was surprised to see him again not long after."

Elizabeth looked at the clock. That would have been right around the time… No! He saw! Jack saw Charles at the school. But how much did he see? Surely he wouldn't have just left. But maybe. If he saw Charles proposing. She had to find him! Then Abigail's next words pierced her heart even more.

"I didn't actually see him when he returned, but I know another Mountie was waiting for him at the jail with new orders. He rode again towards the school, but he came back again shortly after. I just assumed he had found you to let you know. Jack and Constable Mason left Hope Valley with Bill Avery in custody. It must have been about half an hour ago. Elizabeth…," she said with concern in her voice, "He doesn't know when he'll return, and he didn't say where exactly he was going."

"I didn't see him," Elizabeth quietly said, as if in a daze. "I didn't see him." She looked at Abigail with an idea. "I've got to go after him!"

Abigail stopped her from running off. "Oh, Elizabeth. You'll never catch up to him. They've got too much of a head start, and it will be dark soon." Realizing her friend was right, Elizabeth sank into a chair as her knees gave way beneath her. "Everything is ruined." Tears ran down her face as she began pouring her heart out to her friend.

To be continued...