Sunrays filtered into a tiny bedroom in Coal Valley, causing Elizabeth Thatcher to stir. She opened her eyes and glanced at the timepiece next to her bed. 6 o'clock. She could go back to sleep. Instead though, she lay there contentedly, thinking about all that had transpired in the last couple of days. The comet. Her students. The walk. This was where she belonged and nothing had made her surer than Jack's declaration yesterday. She replayed their conversation in her mind, You're the one. The only one. She couldn't contain the smile that crept onto her lips. How long had she waited for him to say that? For him to finally truly declare his feelings for her? For him to show her the affection she had wanted and dreamed of? It couldn't have been more perfect. It almost made all of the problems and obstacles she and Jack had experienced in their relationship worth it. She was in love with him, and more importantly he was in love with her.

She glanced over to look at the framed portrait of the two of them that Jack had drawn. How long had he been working on that? He was extremely talented, no doubt about that. Rosemary had mentioned he wanted to be a painter before he decided to be a Mountie. She would have to ask him about that. She would have to ask him about a lot of things. There was so much she still didn't know about this man she had fallen in love with; she had learned that quickly from Rosemary. But for now that was okay. She at least knew that she would have time to find out. Hopefully a lot of time.

Unable to fall back asleep with all she was thinking, Elizabeth climbed out of bed and started to get ready. It was Saturday—no school, but she still needed to get to the saloon. Today is the trial. That thought put a small damper on the pure happiness and lightness she had been feeling. Poor Abigail. She said a short prayer that the trial would go well and Abigail would find the justice for Noah and herself that Elizabeth knew they both deserved. That's all she could do—pray and do all she could to be a true friend to Abigail and support her.

Elizabeth glanced at the clock, surprised to see that it still wasn't even 7. She had plenty of time. The trial started at 8. She might be able to make a stop at the jail before the trial. Glancing in the mirror, she smiled once again as she pulled a small portion of her hair back. She let most of her long brown hair hang in loose curls. She knew Jack liked it when she left her hair down; he had complimented it many times. She still wasn't sure about her outfit. Should she wear the red blouse Jack had said suited her? She decided against it; she could wait until Rosemary was officially gone to wear that again. She didn't want Rosemary getting the wrong idea. She managed to do that on almost everything anyway.

Jack had told Elizabeth yesterday that Rosemary was leaving on the stage today. Relief flooded Elizabeth on that one. Even though she didn't worry about Rosemary being competition anymore, the woman still managed to grate on her every nerve. Elizabeth still couldn't believe the arrogance and nerve that Rosemary had, especially the other night when Jack had intended to single her out. Once again, Rosemary had been the one to steal the compliment. But, what was she doing? She wouldn't think about her anymore. That chapter was closed.

Wandering down to the kitchen, Elizabeth fully expected to see Abigail slaving away at the stove or at least eating her own breakfast. But she was nowhere in sight. "Abigail?" Elizabeth called out. No response. "Abigail?" Elizabeth repeated. Nothing. "Odd," Elizabeth thought. Maybe she had gone on a walk for her nerves over the trial. Elizabeth hoped that's what she had done. She was definitely worried about Abigail. Thankfully though, Elizabeth at least knew she had been there at some point this morning. She spotted some fresh biscuits covered in a towel next to the stove. She took two and made herself some tea, resisting the urge to eat more.

Elizabeth grabbed a shawl and walked out of the café. She crossed the street, breathing in the crisp morning air of Coal Valley, once again with a huge smile on her face. She had a one track mind today—Jack. And that thought made her smile. With that smile still there, Elizabeth glanced up to see Rosemary coming out of the saloon with her bag. She was finally leaving. Elizabeth hesitated to say anything; she felt absolutely relieved to see her go, but a nagging thought nudged her to go speak to that horrible woman. But Rosemary had spotted her. "Elizabeth," she greeted.

"Rosemary," Elizabeth paused. She hesitated to say anything more, but she decided she could part with Rosemary on more friendly terms. "I just wanted to say that despite what all has passed between us, I wish you all the best."

Rosemary gave her a smile, "And I you."

"Perhaps we could part as friends then," Elizabeth found herself saying.

"Friends it is."

"Are you headed back to New York?"

Rosemary shrugged, "Someday."

What's that supposed to mean? Elizabeth wondered. She blurted out, "Where you headed then?"

"Well, for now I'm only moving down the street to a nicer room," Rosemary pointed, continuing to smugly smile.

"I don't understand."

Rosemary gave a little laugh, "The mayor has agreed to help me start a theater group."

Elizabeth was speechless. How could she not get rid of this woman? All she could respond with was, "Here?"

"Yes, isn't it wonderful? I'll be staying in Coal Valley after all. We'll be seeing a lot more of each other," Rosemary responded cheerfully as she continued down the street.

"Wonderful," Elizabeth managed to say sounding halfway sincere, a smile frozen on her lips. Although in her mind that remark was anything but sincere.

How is this possible? was all Elizabeth could think as she quickly headed to the jail. Jack had been sure Rosemary was leaving. He was going to hear about this. Now. She knocked on the door and was greeted by Jack, already dressed in his red uniform for the day. Just the sight of him made her feel better. He was so handsome. She had even thought that on their first few meetings when his personality had left something to be desired. She loved to see him in his uniform, his dark hair slicked back, looking strong and official. She also loved the way he looked at her now. His face instantly lit up, a huge smile forming on his face. "Elizabeth," he said with a surprise. "You're here early."

"I know. I woke up early. I couldn't sleep anymore."

"Thinking about the trial? Or other things?" he lightly teased.

"I hate to admit it, but the trial never crossed my mind when I woke up this morning," Elizabeth admitted.

"Then I guess I can admit to you, it didn't cross mine either," he grinned.

Elizabeth smiled, but her smile quickly left her lips as she remembered the last conversation she had had this morning.

Jack looked at her closely. "Something wrong?" he asked immediately.

"I just saw Rosemary, who had some interesting news," she said slowly.

Jack looked surprised. "She does always seem to have some of that. Was she about to get on the stage?" he asked.

"No. No, she wasn't. She informed me that the mayor has agreed to help her start a theater group and that she's basically settling into Coal Valley as a permanent resident."

Jack's surprised expression turned to a scowl at this news. "Please tell me you're joking," he exclaimed.

"I am definitely past joking about Rosemary," Elizabeth responded. "I was trying to be nice when I saw her, thinking she was leaving. She had her bag in hand. I even told her we could be friends despite what's happened. Then she tells me she's just moving down the street. What led you to believe she was leaving? Because she's obviously not."

Jack let out a sigh of frustration. "Because she told me she was leaving unless I stopped her. And believe me. I did nothing to stop her. I have no idea why she would try to stay. Rosemary is a city girl to the core. There's no way she's going to be happy here."

"She's obviously not giving up so easily on you. She still must think she has a chance to win you back," Elizabeth said with frustration. She was so tired of Rosemary getting in the way. Every time she and Jack made some progress in their relationship, there was some obstacle.

"Well, I don't know how that's possible. I've told her over and over again that there's no future there. It's over. I've told her how I feel about you. That you're the only one I see a future with. So, I guess she can go live down the street and start her theater group and get used to receiving no more attention from me. I've made my message as clear as I possibly can. I don't know what else to do to get it through her head that we're done." Jack looked into her eyes, "She's also going to have to get used to seeing you with me. A lot. And she's not going to like that."

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. This side of their relationship was so new, but she could get used to it quickly. Jack took her hand and pulled her into the jail. "Let's forget about Rosemary though. Come here," he said, "I want to show you something."

"Jack, we have to get to the trial," Elizabeth reminded him, as he continued to pull her through the door.

"This will only take a minute," he assured her. He crossed the room to his desk and picked up a leather book of some sort. Opening it carefully, he removed one piece of paper, though concealing the front from Elizabeth. "Last night I couldn't get the image of your face looking at our picture yesterday out of my mind. So of course I had to draw it." Jack flipped the paper over, revealing Elizabeth's face gazing down at something unseen.

Elizabeth gasped. "Jack! You did this in one night? It's beautiful. Much more beautiful than the real me. It's funny. The only drawings I've seen of myself are the ones you've drawn and…." Suddenly she had a thought and immediately the pieces fell into place. She gasped, "You painted that mural. The one for the play. Didn't you?" She turned to see his reaction and saw his eyes look away for a brief second. "Jack don't deny it. It had to have been you."

"Elizabeth," he paused with exasperation, "can't you let me be anonymous in anything?" A hesitant smile escaped his lips.

"Jack! You painted that picture of us kissing? All those weeks ago? Why in the world would you do that?" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Jack came closer to her and took her hand gently in his. "I think you can figure that one out for yourself, Elizabeth."

That look he gave her. How did he always have such an effect on her? "Why didn't you declare your feelings for me sooner then? Here I was coming to you to report that painting, outraged that someone would have the nerve to paint that and embarrassed to be discussing it with you. And all the time you were secretly laughing about it," Elizabeth yelled. "You enjoyed watching me feel humiliated." She looked down at his hand still in hers and paused, taking a deep breath. "You were thinking about kissing me even then?" she asked more softly now.

"It was a little fantasy I had. And believe me, the real life version yesterday was more amazing than anything I had imagined in that fantasy." He looked at her with a smile, and Elizabeth blushed. "You're smart. I knew you would eventually figure out I was the painter, and it would be an easy way for you to realize my feelings for you. Like I told you and you've seen, I'm not very good at saying what I feel. I'd much rather express it in other ways."

Jack paused, and Elizabeth glanced up at him. His head tilted towards hers. Suddenly, she had no words to say either, as he gently touched his lips to hers. He pulled away and put his forehead to hers. "I love you, Elizabeth," he whispered, looking so vulnerable and sincere.

Elizabeth couldn't contain her smile as she pulled away to be able to look Jack directly in the eyes. "I love you, too," she declared. "And Jack, those words are all you need."