I hope everyone enjoys my new short story. Just a cute Idea I had. Note: This story has nothing to do with my current story "Jack's Story". I am still planning on continuing Jack's Story.

Elizabeth Thatcher tossed and turned. The rain beat down loudly on the roof above her. She was trying to clear her mind of the thoughts that kept going through her head. It wasn't working. I've got to get some sleep. She thought. I have to get up and get ready for school in a couple of hours. She had not slept a wink. She was so upset. Not even twenty-four hours ago, she had broken up with the man of her dreams, Jack Thornton. She couldn't forget, as much as she wanted to, about the events that led to their breakup. She tried to fight back the tears, but was unsuccessful. She had to pull herself together. There would be no way she could teach when she couldn't control her tears. She looked at the drawing that she had in a frame by her bed of the two of them. Jack had given that drawing on the day he'd told her she was the only one and they shared their first kiss. She couldn't believe this was happening. She broke down and cried herself to sleep.

Just across the street, at the jail, Jack Thornton was going through pretty much the same thing. He stared at the ceiling all night long. It was convenient that it was raining outside. It seemed to fit his mood. He couldn't get the break up with Elizabeth off his mind. What had happened? He didn't quite understand. Things had been going so well. Even after his former fiancée, Rosemary, showed up wanting him back after breaking things off two years prior, he had still chosen Elizabeth. He remembered when he took her for the walk and presented her with the drawing of the two of them and they shared their first kiss. The break up came as such a shock to him. He didn't see it coming at all.

It all started when Elizabeth received a telegram from her sister, Julie in Toronto…

Jack and Elizabeth were getting ready to go on a picnic by the lake. On their way to the lake they walked in the mercantile together. "Ms. Thatcher," Ned Yost said. "A telegram came for you."

"Thank you." Elizabeth replied, as she took the paper from him.

Jack kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. "Let's read the telegram together on the picnic." He said.

"Alright," she smiled. "Let's go."

When they arrived at the lake they spread the food out on a blanket. Abigail had prepared fried chicken, potatoes, apple pie, and lemonade for them to enjoy.

After eating a few minutes, Elizabeth pulled out the telegram and began to open it. She read it silently, and then folded it back up. Jack noticed the change of expression on Elizabeth's face. "Elizabeth," Jack asked. "Is everything alright? What did the telegram say?"

Elizabeth pursed her lips together. She took the telegram and thrust it toward Jack. Jack opened the telegram and read.

Dear Elizabeth

I hope you are doing well. I am writing you to tell you mother has fallen ill and is asking for you. I know it's still within the school year and it will be difficult for you to get away. I've explained that to mother, but you know how she is. If you can come, I know she would love to see you. Constable Edward Montclair is here. He's been asking about you. I didn't know if I should tell him about your involvement with Constable Thornton, so I kept it to myself. It seems Edward is still quite smitten with you. He says he can't wait to see you again. He hopes you can pull yourself away from Coal Valley and come back for at least a visit. Please respond to this telegram promptly.

Your loving sister,

Julie.

Jack folded the telegram and handed it back to Elizabeth. "So are you going back to Toronto?" He asked. "I'm sorry your mother is ill."

"I don't see how I can stay in Coal Valley, knowing she is sick." Elizabeth answered. "I'll see if something can be done so the children can continue their schooling in my absence." She frowned. She didn't want to leave Jack and Coal Valley, but she felt she had no choice.

Jack noticed her uneasiness. He stroked her cheek. "Your mother's ill." He told her. "She wants to see you. You should go everyone will understand.

She smiled a half smile. "It's not that." She replied. "It's…" She trailed off and turned away from Jack.

"It's what?" Jack asked, grabbing her chin and turning her head so she was facing him again.

She sighed. "It's… its Edward." She answered.

"Who's Edward, anyway?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth smiled, slightly. "Edward is an old family friend." She responded. "He wanted more than friendship with me. I even considered a courtship with him before I came to Coal Valley."

"I see." Jack replied, slowly. "What are you worried about?"

"What if…" She trailed off again. "What if I get to Toronto and he wants to try to rekindle things?"

"Rekindle?" Jack asked "I thought you said you were just friends. That you only considered courtship but never…"

"He knew I was considering courtship with him." Elizabeth interrupted. "Then I got the teaching job here, and he had to go to his posting in Calgary, so we went our separate ways."

"What are you saying, Elizabeth?" He asked.

"I don't know." She answered, unsure of herself. "I love Coal Valley. I love being here with you. But what if… what if… what if I'm gone awhile and old feelings… resurface?"

"Are you talking about Edward?" He asked. "Or you?" He looked over at her. "It seems to me like you don't think our relationship is strong enough to overcome your seeing Edward." Jack was heartbroken. He cared deeply for Elizabeth. But it sounded to him like she still had feelings for this Edward.

Elizabeth felt tears welling up in her eyes. "I… I don't know Jack." She stuttered. "I just…"

"You just don't have faith in us." He interrupted. "Why else would you be this worried about bumping into some guy that you only considered courting but never actually did?"

"No Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "That's not it!"

"What is it then?" He asked angrily?

"I don't know, Jack." She answered. "I'm just so full of emotions right now."

"When are you going to know?" He asked. "Elizabeth, I've told you you're the only one. I meant it. Do you feel the same about me or not?"

Elizabeth hesitated. "I… feel… I feel…" She stuttered.

"If you felt the same about me as I feel about you," Jack continued. "You would know. You wouldn't hesitate. "I want to be with you, Elizabeth but obviously you don't know what you want. Until you figure it out, I think we should break up."

Elizabeth looked up at him. "What?" She asked. She felt tears stinging her eyes.

Jack stood up. "I'm sorry Elizabeth." He exclaimed. I want to be with you. And I want you to want to be with me just as much. And obviously you don't. So until you're sure of your feelings, it's over. "I've had my heart broken before. I can't go through that again." With that Jack stormed off.

Elizabeth began to cry. "Jack, wait." She wailed. "I do want to…" She trailed off. "I do want to be with you." She continued, even though she knew Jack didn't hear her. She walked back to town in silence, with tear stained cheeks. She made her way back to Abigail's, went up to her room, and went straight to bed.

…to be continued…