I do not own the Characters that are from When Calls The Heart. Thank you for reading and God bless you.
Elizabeth heard footsteps and looked up hoping it was Jack coming to get her for their ride. What she saw instead was more surprising; it was Charles bending down on one knee.
Elizabeth tried to open her mouth to say, "Charles what are you doing here?" but she was so stunned nothing came out.
Instead, she heard him say mouth to say, "Will you marry me Elizabeth Grace Thatcher?"
At that moment Jack walked up and saw Charles down on one knee, so he hid behind the door to see how Elizabeth would answer.
"This is the final time I'll tell you this, Charles; no! I have always liked you as a brother, but nothing more; I belong here in Hope Valley, not in Hamilton," Elizabeth passionately answers.
At that point, Charles stood up and said, "There's nothing I can do to convince you, is there?"
"No! I've made up my mind and my answer is no!"
"Okay then I'll see myself out and go home, but you should know your father is not going to like this," states Charles as he storms out.
"I don't care what my father thinks. He has told me what to do long enough, and I am my own person," Elizabeth shouts back.
After a minute Jack walked into the school. "Jack you're here. I'm glad, because I don't think I could concentrate on any correcting after what just happened. How much of it did you see?" Elizabeth asks.
"I saw all of it," Jack answers.
"Good," Elizabeth states, "Because that means you know that you are the only one for me."
"I love you with my whole heart, and you are the only one for me too, Elizabeth."
"I'm glad."
"Let's go for a walk, maybe that will help clear your mind," suggests Jack.
"That sounds like a great idea," answers Elizabeth.
They walked down to the river holding hands just enjoying the moment.
"I wasn't going to do this after seeing what happened in the schoolhouse, but I think I need to for you," Jack announced as he gets down on one knee.
He then asks as he opens a ring box from his pocket, "Elizabeth Thatcher will you spend the rest of your life with me and marry me?"
"Yes, I will!" Elizabeth answers, Jacks face shows how excited he is, but as Elizabeth continued talking his expression changes, "I don't want an engagement ring. We can save it for my wedding ring though, because Hope Valley is going to make a fuss out of us getting engaged and I want it to be special just between the two of us."
"Okay, that makes sense," Jack responded as his expression changed into a content smile.
They walked back into town hand in hand, smiling.
As they came onto Main Street Ned came towards them shouting "Constable I've got a telegram that just came for you."
"Thanks," Jack said as he took the telegram from him.
Jack opened it as Ned went back to the mercantile. At first, Jack kept it to himself in case it was Mountie business.
The telegram read: "Jack Thorton, you need to report to Cape Fullerton within a week to give a personal report of what has happened in Hope Valley over the last month."
After reading this his mind started to wander. 'We can go get legally married that way we don't have to wait for a Pastor to come and keep it quiet until we get back.'
Elizabeth had been patiently waiting, but her curiosity was killing her asked, "What's that about."
"Let's go sit down in the school and I'll explain," Jack responds.
Once they sat down Jack began to explain, "Sometime Mountie Headquarters will ask Mounties to report in person about what has been happening where they are stationed. They have asked me to go to Cape Fullerton and report what has been going on here since I have been here."
Her shoulders slump a little as he said the last sentence.
"But I started thinking," Jack continued, "We could both go and sign some paper while we are there and tell everyone once we got back since it would take a bit for a Pastor to get here. What do you think of that?"
As Jack continued to talk she sat up straight and became more interested.
"I like that idea, but we probably should tell Abigail or she will figure it out pretty quickly along with the Mountie headquarters," answered Elizabeth.
"Yeah, you are right," Jack responded.
"We probably should pack since we probably have to leave on tomorrow's stage," Elizabeth stated.
"Let's go get some dinner first, but you are right in that we have to leave tomorrow."
"Okay," Elizabeth answered.
After their dinner, Jack heads over to the jail to pack while Elizabeth heads upstairs.
When Abigail knocked on Elizabeth's door to say goodnight she found her packing.
"What are you doing," Abigail asked completely confused.
"Jack and I are going to Cape Fullerton for a few days," Elizabeth answered simply.
"Okay, explain what happened after school today, because I heard that Charles was in town."
Elizabeth then explained everything. This included the Charles thing along with Jack proposing. She also told Abigail why they were both going to Cape Fullerton together. "Are you sure you want to do that Elizabeth and not have a wedding?" Abigail asked.
"Yes, because I know the town will throw us a party when we get back. I do wish my family could be there, but I know they'll disown me when I tell them I am marrying Jack, so oh well. Besides, you have become like a second mother to me and I know you approve of Jack."
"Okay, if this is what you want then you have my blessing."
"Thank you, Abigail, for giving us your blessing and teaching school for me for a few days," Elizabeth said before giving her friend a hug.