Hi Hearties. I hope you like my crack at a modern day Jack and Elizabeth tale. Please let me know what you think. I originally planned to make this a one shot and was hoping to have it ready by Valentine's day. I got a little carried away it became too long to be a one shot so it's gonna be a multiple chapter story. I don't know how many chapters as of yet I will have to play it by ear I guess. Also, even though I didn't have it ready by Valentine's day I still decided to keep the original Valentine's day theme. Without further ado, here's chapter one of My Love My Valentine...
"Which dress should I wear?" Elizabeth Thatcher held up a knee length sleeveless red dress with roses embroidered across the top, and a black dress that was shimmering with tiny sequins and slightly shorter than the red. She was getting ready for her Valentine's day date with Charles Kensington, whom she'd been dating for two months.
"I really like the red one," Elizabeth's best friend Abigail Stanton admitted. She was sitting on Elizabeth's bed in her apartment, trying to help her get ready. Elizabeth's roommate Rosie was on her own Valentine's day date with her boyfriend, Lee, so Abigail had offered to keep Elizabeth company while she got ready for her date, "but you would look gorgeous in either. Where is, Charles taking you?"
"I told him I wanted to go to Olive Garden," Elizabeth replied, "I'm crazy over the shrimp scampi."
"I'm sure you'll have a great time." Abigail offered, "I'll let you get dressed." She stood up and started for the door.
"Abigail wait." Elizabeth called stopping her. "Which one?"
"I told you I like the red, Elizabeth." Abigail reminded her, "but wear whatever you want. It's your date not mine. You'll look beautiful either way."
"I'm sorry, Abigail," Elizabeth wiped her sweaty palms on the satin bathrobe she was wearing. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. I've been out with Charles quite a few times in these two months."
"Oh, it's alright." Abigail remarked. She made her way toward the bedroom door. "Valentine's day dates tend to make even couples who have been together forever nervous."
"Thanks for helping me get ready." Elizabeth walked over and hugged her friend before allowing her to exit.
"You're welcome." Abigail walked into the living room, closing the door behind her.
Deciding on the red dress as Abigail had suggested, Elizabeth removed her robe, unzipped the dress and pulled it over her head. She accessorized with a long silver chain necklace with a diamond heart-shaped pendant and diamond stud earrings. She examined herself in the full-length mirror. She smoothed out her dress. She then headed to her vanity to apply her make-up. She pulled her hair in a partial fashionable up do and let soft curls fall and cradle her face.
She then headed to her closet, located her favorite pair of silver high heeled sandals and slipped them on. She selected a black cover up and put it on over her dress. She grabbed her purse from the nightstand, spritzed herself with a touch a perfume and headed out the door. "How do I look?" She asked Abigail as she slowly spun around in place.
"Elizabeth, you look beautiful." Abigail replied. "Charles is going to be speechless."
"Thank you, Abigail." Elizabeth sat on the edge of the sofa, so not to wrinkle her dress and waited for Charles to arrive to pick her up. "So, do you and Frank have plans for Valentine's day?"
"A romantic evening at home." Abigail answered. "I closed the café early. Frank said he wanted to cook dinner for me, then romantic movies and champagne in our pjs. Running the café, we eat out practically every night; would be nice to eat in for a change."
"Sounds nice." Elizabeth smiled.
Elizabeth and Abigail had been the best of friends for three years. Elizabeth had been new to town, when she got hired to teach second grade at Hope Valley Elementary. When she had nowhere to stay, Abigail opened to her home to her free of charge. It worked out great for both. At the time. Abigail's adopted son Cody was in Elizabeth's class and Cody would just ride to school with Elizabeth in the mornings. That all changed when the new unattached pastor of the local church arrived in town. His name was Frank Hogan and Abigail was totally smitten. Frank was just as enamored. Within six months of meeting, Abigail agreed to marry Frank on the condition that she didn't have to change her name to Hogan. She wanted to keep Stanton to always remember her late husband Noah and son Peter who were tragically killed in a car accident four years prior. When Abigail and Frank married, Elizabeth needed to find somewhere to move and fast. She moved in with Rosie Leveaux two weeks later, when she answered an ad in the newspaper.
Soon, there was a knock at the door. Elizabeth started to stand.
"Wait," Abigail stopped her, "I'll get it."
Elizabeth stood in front of the doorway while Abigail slowly opened the door. Charles was standing on the other side with a smile on his face and he was holding a long stemmed red rose.
"Happy Valentine's day." He walked toward her and gently kissed her cheek. "Wow, you look amazing. This is for you." He presented her with the flower.
"Thank you, Charles." Elizabeth accepted the rose, and immediately handed it off to Abigail who offered to put the rose in a vase of water before heading home for her own Valentine's day plans with Frank.
Elizabeth accepted Charles' outstretched arm and the two of them headed downstairs of Elizabeth's apartment complex.
"Have fun you two." Abigail called as the elevator doors closed around them.
Charles pulled his Mercedes into the parking lot at Olive Garden. "Are you sure you want to eat here?" He questioned.
"Yes, this is my favorite restaurant." Elizabeth objected.
"But it's so crowded." Charles countered.
"Charles, it's Valentine's day!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Every restaurant will be crowded tonight."
"Let's go somewhere a little more intimate." Charles suggested.
"What do you have in mind?" Elizabeth wasn't quite sure what to think.
"I know just the place," Charles started the ignition and left the parking lot.
Elizabeth sat in silence. She was disappointed. She really had her heart set on the shrimp scampi. She and Charles hadn't been seeing each other very long, but he'd always seemed nice enough. He had even asked her where she wanted to go for Valentine's day. When she mentioned Olive Garden, he'd told her he liked the idea. She was certain that was where they were going. Maybe he's nervous since it's Valentine's day. She decided. "Charles, where are we going?" She finally asked, when he turned the car down a road that was unfamiliar to her.
"You're going to love it Elizabeth," Charles remarked. "Trust me."
Elizabeth was a little less certain. She began to have an uneasy feeling, when Charles turned down yet another unfamiliar road.
Five minutes later, Charles pulled in the parking lot and parked the car. The neon sign said Love's Bar & Grille. "See," Charles remarked, with a smile, "it has 'love' right in the name. It's the perfect place for Valentine's day."
Elizabeth noticed several cars in the parking lot. "Maybe it's not so bad." She said, trying to convince herself.
Charles stepped out of the car. Elizabeth waited in the vehicle, thinking he would walk around and open the door for her. He was halfway to the building when he turned and noticed she was still in the passenger seat. "You coming?" He asked.
Deciding he wasn't going to be chivalrous, she slowly opened the door herself and stepped outside, into the chilly night air and rushed to catch up to him.
Upon on entering the building, the music was so loud Elizabeth could barely hear herself think. She saw several empty tables so she was shocked that Charles suggested they sit at the bar instead.
"Hey can I take your order?" The bartender asked as he approached them. "Charlie, is that you? It's been awhile. What have you been up to?"
"Hey Nick." Charles reached up and shook the bartender's hand. "I've been around." He turned to Elizabeth. "Nick, this is Elizabeth Thatcher. Elizabeth, this is Nick Love. Nick's an old friend of mine. He runs the place."
"Nick Love," Elizabeth noticed his name immediately. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too," Nick said kindly, "What can I get you to drink?"
After Nick took the orders, Elizabeth faced Charles. "Nick Love?" She asked, "as in Love's Bar and Grille?"
"Give the place a chance, Elizabeth." Charles replied. "You might surprise yourself."
A few minutes later, Nick returned with the drinks. "Scotch on the rocks for you," He placed the drink in front of Charles, "and a margarita for the lady," He handed Elizabeth the beverage. "Charlie, we really need to catch up. Carol has been asking about you."
"Carol?" Charles questioned, "Didn't she go to California?"
"She did," Nick confirmed. "But she came back. He nodded in the direction of a blonde waitress wearing a short denim skirt and a black crop top.
"Well," Charles arose from the bar stool, "I must say go say hi." Without saying another word, he headed to the direction of the pretty blonde Nick had pointed out.
Within seconds Elizabeth watched the woman she assumed was Carol throw her arms around Charles' neck. "Who's Carol?" She wondered aloud.
"Charlie's old girlfriend," Nick answered casually, as if Elizabeth should have already known that. "They broke up, when she moved to California and he didn't want to go with her."
"Oh, I see," Elizabeth took a sip of her margarita
A half hour later, Charles still had not returned to the bar. He was sitting at a table with Carol and two young men. They were busy drinking and laughing loudly and engrossed in a friendly game of darts. Elizabeth didn't know what to think. All she wanted to do was go home, but her ride home wasn't paying her any attention. "I'm having a great Valentine's day." She muttered sarcastically.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
Startled, Elizabeth spun around and noticed a very handsome man standing next to her. "Uh… no…" She stammered. "Y… you can sit here."
Within a moment, Nick approached to take the man's order.
He pointed at Elizabeth's margarita. "I'll have what she's having."
"One margarita, coming up." Nick replied as he headed to make the mixed drink.
"Margarita, huh?" Elizabeth asked the handsome stranger.
"Yes, you got a problem with that?" The man asked.
"N… no, not at all." Elizabeth stuttered nervously.
"I was joking." The man interjected. He stuck out his hand. "My name's Jack… Jack Thornton." He offered, "and you are?"
"Elizabeth Thatcher." She provided as she shook his hand.
"Elizabeth," Jack replied, "a beautiful name for a beautiful girl."
Elizabeth blushed. Jack smiled and she immediately noticed his dimples. They made a brief eye contact.
At that moment, Nick decided to show up with Jack's margarita, breaking the instant connection between them. "Ahem." Jack cleared his throat as if nothing had happened.
"So, Elizabeth, tell me what are you doing at a place like this," Jack asked after Nick left to tend to a customer on the other side of the bar, "on Valentine's day of all days?"
"I was on a date." Elizabeth glanced in Charles' direction. He was still drinking with Carol, seeming to have forgotten Elizabeth even existed.
"That your boyfriend?" Jack asked of Charles.
"We've been dating for a couple months," Elizabeth admitted, "but I wouldn't really call him my boyfriend."
"Why is he over there and you over here?" Jack asked.
As if on cue, Charles approached and returned to the barstool he'd abandoned earlier. "Did you miss me?"
Elizabeth forced a smile. "Charles…" She started to say.
"Who is this?" Charles interrupted, acknowledging Jack. "Do you know him?"
"This is Jack," Elizabeth replied, "and no I don't know him; we just met."
"And I better be going." Jack stood from his stool and put some money on the counter. "Elizabeth, it was nice meeting you."
"You too." Elizabeth watched Jack exit through the door.
"Why were you talking to him?" Charles took a sip of scotch.
"We were just making small talk," Elizabeth responded, "while you were catching up with your old girlfriend. So, you have no right to act jealous."
Charles took another sip of scotch. "I know, Elizabeth. I'm sorry," He said, slurring his words. He leaned toward her to kiss her, but she could distinguish the strong odor of alcohol on his breath. She quickly turned her head allowing him to only graze her cheek. He didn't seem to notice. "Come on. Let's get out of here." He stood to his feet and grabbed Elizabeth's hand. He practically dragged her out the door.
Jack was standing on the porch of the restaurant gazing up at the stars when he heard the door loudly crash against the wall. He noticed Charles and Elizabeth brush past him. He seemed to have a tighter grip on Elizabeth than she seemed comfortable with, but neither said anything. What's going on with those two. He wondered. He knew he should stay out of it, he didn't even know her, but being a police officer, his instincts told him that Charles was bad news. He just wanted to make sure his new acquaintance wasn't in any danger. He decided to follow them.
"Charles, slow down!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "You're driving too fast. You're going to cause us to wreck!"
Ignoring Elizabeth's remarks, Charles continued to speed along. Finally, he slowed down. He pulled into the parking garage of his apartment complex and parked the car, yet remained behind the wheel.
He leaned closer to Elizabeth, trying to kiss her. Elizabeth put her hand on his chest stopping him. "Charles, what are we doing here? I just want to go home."
"Home? It's Valentine's day and you want to go home? I think it's time we take this relationship to the next level." He confidently expected Elizabeth to give him exactly what he wanted.
"Charles," She backed as far away from him as she could in the cramped car, "I'm not ready for a physical relationship. I told you that when we started dating."
He leaned even closer to her and grabbed her left wrist. She gasped.
"I've waited long enough." He demanded. He unbuckled his seatbelt and attempted to crawl on top of her.
She reached across her body with her right hand and slapped him across the face, which caught him off guard and caused him to release his grasp on her wrist. She fumbled to unbuckle her seatbelt and unlock the passenger door at the same time. Once the door was open, she practically fell backward out of the car, since she had been leaning against the door.
"You're going to regret that!" Charles exclaimed, as he climbed out of the car from the driver's side.
Elizabeth quickly stood to her feet and tried to make a run for it. He caught her by the arm and pinned her against the car.
"Please help, me!" She called to anyone who would listen. "Please hel…"
She was silenced when Charles placed a hand over her mouth.
Jack followed Charles' black Mercedes into the parking garage of the South Haven apartment complex. He couldn't believe how fast Charles was driving. He checked the speedometer, 100 mph. He didn't know how he managed to keep up with him without being seen, but he did. He parked his car several spaces away. From where he was sitting, he couldn't see anything. He opened his door and slowly climbed out of his car. As soon as he did he heard a woman scream for help, with an excruciating echo. He rushed toward the direction of the sound. He heard her scream again before it became muffled. He whipped out his cell phone and dialed the precinct. "This is Detective Thornton." He said to the dispatcher. "I am going to need backup at 2401 South Haven, the parking garage, a possible case of domestic violence." He ran faster. He finally found Charles. His weight had Elizabeth trapped against his car and she was squirming to get free.
"Let her go!" Jack called.
Charles whirled around. "You." He said angrily. "What are you doing here?"
"Doesn't matter," Jack said calmly, "let her go."
"You got a thing for my girlfriend?" Charles asked. He leaned toward Elizabeth and tried to steal a kiss but she turned her head in the nick of time, while still fighting to get free.
"I said let her go!" Jack rushed toward Charles and struggled to force Charles away from Elizabeth. Soon, he was standing between the two of them.
Charles threw a punch at Jack, which he blocked, then Charles took a fist to the jaw from Jack, causing him to hit the ground. He tried to get up but Jack punched him again. "Who do you think you are?"
Jack reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet flashing his badge. "Detective Jack Thornton, and I'm placing you under arrest."
Elizabeth gasped, and placed her hands over her face, trying to hide her eyes from the fight that was unfolding before her.
Jack jerked Charles up and placed his hands behind his back. At that moment, a squad car arrived, the siren blaring. Two officers stepped out. One tossed Jack his handcuffs. Jack cuffed Charles and shoved him in the back of the squad car. "Get him out of here." He demanded. He turned around and spotted Elizabeth sitting on the ground against the car with her arms wrapped around her knees. She was slowly rocking back and forth. He rushed to her and knelt by her side. "Are you alright?" He asked. He noticed she was shivering. He removed his jacket from his body and gently placed it around her shoulders.
Elizabeth was never so relieved to see someone in her entire life. She leaned toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his shoulder and cried.
"Shh," Jack consoled, "it's alright." He rubbed her back. "You're safe now."
"I'm sorry." She said, as she pulled away.
"What for?" Jack sat down on the ground next to her.
"I don't even know you." Elizabeth remarked. "I shouldn't have done that."
"It's alright." Jack remarked. "You were scared. You have nothing to apologize for."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
"And besides, I can think of several situations that would be far less pleasant than a beautiful woman jumping in my arms." Jack chuckled trying to lighten the mood.
Elizabeth giggled, despite the situation.
"You know, you have a really nice smile." Jack acknowledged.
"Thank you," She looked up at him. Their eyes met; they stared at each other for a moment.
"Ahem," Jack cleared his throat and looked toward the ground, breaking their connection for the second time that night. "Can you stand?" He stood to his feet and reached for her hand to help her.
She appreciatively took his hand and stood. She immediately felt lightheaded and her knees buckled beneath her. Jack quickly caught her before she hit the ground.
"Whoa. Are you alright?" He gently returned her to an upright position. He noticed she was very pale and looked as if she were about to pass out again. He scooped her in his arms and carried her toward his car. "I'm taking you to the hospital."
"I'm fine." Elizabeth protested. "I just haven't eaten all day. Will you put me down, please?"
By that time, he had reached his Ford Fusion. "I'll feel better if you get checked out," He placed her in the passenger seat, and knelt down beside her, "and besides it's part of my job as a police officer, to serve and protect. Just doing my duty ma'am."
"Alright," Elizabeth conceded. "But I'm fine."
"I knew you'd see it my way." He closed the door and stood and walked around to the other side.
Jack and Elizabeth rode for a few moments in silence. "Why didn't you tell me you were a cop?" Elizabeth finally asked.
"I was off duty." Jack answered. "We just met. I didn't think we'd ever see each other again. It just didn't come up."
"How did…" Elizabeth started to ask.
"I'm a detective, it's a gift." Jack interjected, "I just knew."
They arrived at the hospital and Jack helped Elizabeth inside.
After thirty minutes, Elizabeth was called to the exam room. She was still a little shaken up so she wanted Jack with her. Dr. Lindsay examined her. She noticed red marks on Elizabeth's wrist and forearm where Charles had grabbed her. She otherwise confirmed Elizabeth's suspicions. "You're going to be fine Ms. Thatcher. Stress from what happened mixed with the fact that you haven't eaten all day brought on your dizzy spells. A hot meal and a good night's sleep and you'll be as good a new. She grabbed Elizbeth's hand. "You're going to have some nasty bruising on your arm and wrist but don't worry they'll heal in no time."
"Thank you, Doctor." Elizabeth slid off the exam table.
They left the hospital and Jack escorted Elizabeth back to his car. He started the car and drove off. They rode in silence. Before long, Jack pulled into the parking lot of a Denny's "What are you doing?" She asked.
"You heard the doctor," Jack advised, "you have to eat. This is the only place open this time of night. He stepped out the car. He walked around the car to open her door for her. "Now come on."
They walked inside and were seated at table in the corner. Jack ordered pancakes and Elizabeth only ordered a plate of smothered cheese fries much to his consternation. "Really?" He asked. "You don't eat all day and all you get is cheese fries? You call that a meal?'
"I can't help it." She responded. "It's my favorite thing here. I get them every time."
"It doesn't have to be all you get." He stabbed a pancake with his fork. "Here try this." He pushed the fork with the pancake toward her mouth.
"I'm fine with my fries, thank you." She answered.
"Come on," he urged. He moved the fork closer to her mouth. "Please."
"Okay, okay. Fine." She took the bite. "There are you happy now?"
"Yes." He stabbed the pancakes once more and took the next bite himself.
The waitress brought the bill and Jack thanked her. "My treat." He told Elizabeth. He reached for his wallet.
"That won't be necessary," Elizabeth objected. "I can pay for mine." She reached for her purse, only to realize she didn't have it with her. "Oh no!"
"What's wrong?" Jack asked.
"I think I left my purse in Charles' car." Elizabeth replied. "I don't have any money."
"I told you it's my treat anyway." Jack remarked. "Don't worry about it. I'll take you back to South Haven to see if you left your purse."
"Thank you, Jack." Elizabeth replied. "I'll pay you back."
"You don't have to." Jack countered.
"I promise," Elizabeth insisted. "I'll pay you back." She gave him a stern look.
After Jack paid the bill, he took Elizabeth to the South Haven apartments to see if she could find her purse. She found it on the floor board of Charles' Mercedes with all the contents scattered. She'd obviously kicked it over without realizing it while trying to get away from Charles. She quickly scooped everything up and put it back in her purse. She returned to Jack's car and gave him directions to her apartment complex.
On the drive toward Elizabeth's apartment, Jack reached over and flipped on the radio. Valentine by Martina McBride was playing through the speaker. "Perfect song for today." Jack observed.
"Yes." Elizabeth concurred. "I normally love this song." She chuckled.
Jack started to change the channel knowing what she'd been through, but stopped short when he heard her softly singing along to the chorus.
And even if the sun refused to shine,
Even if romance ran out of rhyme,
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love my Valentine.
She swiftly stopped singing when she caught Jack glancing her direction. "Sorry."
"No, no," Jack countered, "You don't have to apologize. You have a nice voice."
"Thank you." She blushed slightly.
"You're welcome."
Jack parked his car in front of the Crescent apartment complex. He walked around and opened Elizabeth's door for her. "Thank you, for everything, Jack," Elizabeth remarked, "but I think I can make it to my apartment from here."
"Now what kind of escort would I be, if I didn't see you all the way to your door." Jack remarked. He offered his hand. "I insist."
Like she had done all evening, Elizabeth gave into Jack's kindness. "Very well, detective, thank you."
They climbed in the elevator Elizabeth pressed the button for the fourth floor. While waiting for the elevator doors to open, Elizabeth rummaged in her purse for her wallet. She pulled a crisp twenty-dollar bill out of her wallet and slipped it in Jack's hand, much to his surprise. "I told you I'd pay you back."
"No, Elizabeth," Jack tried to give her the money back but she wouldn't take it, "it's too much. The entire bill wasn't even that much."
"Consider it interest," Elizabeth replied, "or gas for driving me around all evening. The point is I owe you my life. This is the least I could do."
"It was absolutely my pleasure." Jack took a step toward Elizabeth and rubbed her arm. Just then, the elevator doors decided to open. He cleared his throat and took a step back.
Elizabeth stepped off the elevator and walked the two yards to her door, followed closely by Jack. She reached in her purse and pulled out her key. She unlocked the door. "Thanks again for everything." She patted his arm. "I had a lousy Valentine's Day, but you made it not so lousy and you don't even know me."
"Happy to do it." He stuck out his hand. "Let me see your phone."
She reached for her cell and handed it to him. "What are you doing?"
"I'm putting my number in your phone, so if you ever need anything you can call me day or night." He handed her phone back to her. "Now you remember what the doctor said. You need to get some rest."
"Well I guess, I'll see you around." Elizabeth stepped inside her apartment and turned to face him.
"Yes, see you around," he confirmed." He spun on his heels and headed back in the direction of the elevators. He glanced back toward her door and noticed she had closed it. He continued to the elevator and shoved the twenty-dollar bill that he still held in his hand into his pocket.
Elizabeth closed her the door. She leaned back against it, closed her eyes and sighed.
"Elizabeth! Where have you been?" Her roommate Rosie exclaimed.
"Oh, my goodness," Elizabeth screamed. "Rosie, you scared me to death." She placed her hand over her chest to try to calm her pounding heart. "I thought you'd be asleep."
"Sorry, Elizabeth." Rosie remarked. "I was just worried sick. It's almost 2:00 a.m. I was expecting you back hours ago, and how could I possibly sleep, when I had no idea where you were? Where were you anyway?"
"It's a long story." Elizbeth replied. "How was your Valentine's day?" She asked, trying to change the subject, "did you and Lee have a nice time?"
Rosie held up her left hand, revealing a shiny new diamond. "He proposed! We're getting married!"
"Congratulations." Elizabeth wrapped her friend in a hug.
"Well how was your Valentine's day?" Rosie inquired. "You must have had quite the time with Charles, since you're getting in so late.
"Well the truth is," Elizabeth brushed past Rosie, "Charles wanted to take things to the next level, something you know I'm not ready to do. He tried to force me to and he attacked me and was arrested. Elizabeth headed to her room, acting as if the bombshell she had just dropped on Rosie was no big deal.
Rosie burst into her room. "What?" She asked. "Elizabeth, are you alright? Do you need me to take you to the hospital to get checked out?"
"Thank you," Elizabeth sat on her vanity and began removing her jewelry, "but Jack took me. Dr. Lindsay said a good night's sleep and I'll be fine."
"Wait," Rosie asked. "Who is Jack?"
"The arresting officer," Elizabeth answered casually. "He got Charles away from me and fought him. He then arrested him. When I nearly passed out, he insisted that I go get checked out."
"Wow! You move fast!" Rosie exclaimed. "So, this Jack, is he cute?"
"I… uh… I didn't notice." Elizabeth blushed and tried to conceal a smile.
Rosie crossed her arms over her chest and patted her foot. "Didn't notice huh? Judging by the crimson color of your cheeks and that smile on your face, I'd say you did notice and that he must be extremely cute. Did you kiss him?"
"Rosie," Elizabeth chuckled. "We just met tonight. He took me to the hospital and to Denny's after, since I never ate dinner.
"Two dates in one night? Elizabeth how do you do it?"
"It wasn't a date, Rosie." Elizabeth interjected. "Dr. Lindsay told me that I needed to eat. That's the only reason we went to Denny's; then he dropped me off back here. That's the end of the story I'll probably never see him again." Elizabeth didn't dare tell Rosie that the handsome detective had plugged his number into her phone. She'd never hear the end of it.
"But Elizabeth if you like him…" Rosie began.
"Rosie, I never said anything of the kind!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Please, can we not talk about this anymore? I've had a long night. I'm tired I just want to go to sleep."
"Alright," Rosie conceded, though it was clear she didn't want to let this go. She pivoted on her heels and headed toward the door, "Goodnight, Elizabeth." She called
"Goodnight Rosie," Elizabeth finished dressing for bed and climbed under the covers. She let out a loud sigh. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
To be continued...