Confrontation

Chapter 1

Author's note: Hi everyone. This is my new one. I have had this idea when I watched the first two episodes of the season 3. I thought that we would have some reactions or news from Elizabeth's family but there isn't so I imagined this.

We suggest me to publish it in the same as my other story "The Encounter". So here it is.

English is not my native language so I am sorry if there is grammar, tense mistakes.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters within this story. All rights and respect go to Crown media, Hall mark, Brian Bird , Michael Landon Jr, the creators and writers of the show " When calls the heart".

Please read and review.

A week ago, Elizabeth had turned Charles down, while William Thatcher thought that he was his suitor even if nothing was official. And now William Thatcher was there in Hope Valley. When Charles had came back to Hamilton, he was mortified and William Thatcher had seen red. He didn't understand why everything wasn't as well past as for Viola.

Then he decided to come to Hope Valley to take Elizabeth back.

This moment had come. The stagecoach stopped in Main Street, he got out and helped the young lady who had traveled with him to do the same. Wasting no time, he took his suitcase and called out to a young woman passing there.

"Good afternoon , miss. Sorry to bother you but where can I find Elizabeth Thatcher, please?"

"Good afternoon, sir. She still is at school by now. It's over there." She answered finger- pointing a white structure.

"Thank you very much, Miss."

While he came closer, the children exited joyfully the schoolhouse in a rush. Elizabeth watched them leaving for a while and came back inside, without seeing her father. When he came at the door, he knocked coldly. The young woman was surprised by the knocks, Jack wasn't used to it. So when she opened, she was stunned to see her father standing there.

"Father! What a surprise! What are you doing here? Is there a problem with your business with Lee's sawmill?"

"Good afternoon Elizabeth. No, my business is flourishing and Mr Coulter is a good partner. I came to see you. We need to talk!"

Elizabeth tensed under her father's gaze. He had came because of her refusal of Charles's proposal and her courtship with Jack. She was sure of it but she wasn't letting herself be pushed around.

He approached her, kissed her on the cheek and took her on one of the benches to sit. He looked her in the eyes.

"What were you thinking when you refused Charles's proposal? Everyone expected it in Hamilton!" He openly told her.

"Charles turned a deaf ear. During my visit, I clearly told him that for me he was just a very good friend." She snapped at him.

"What? But Elizabeth, I believed that you were in love with him. You seemed so good together when you came in Hamilton. Your feelings will change with time; you have to think about it."

Elizabeth stayed quiet a few moments to understand clearly: her father wanted her to marry Charles for preserving a social status and because he was the perfect son-in-law. It won't happen. She was in love with Jack and she was going to fight for their love, come what may.

She got up and turned her back on him.

"Whatever you say, I won't marry Charles!" She firmly said.

He got up too, furious.

"You are now going to listen to me, Elizabeth, he retorted. I let you coming in West to realize that this is not the right life for you." he shouted.

She let escape a small laughter. She should have known her father plotted something.

"You don't understand! I wanted to come here. I like my students and my life here very much. When I came back in Hamilton, I became aware that I missed you and my life there. But it's nothing in comparison of what I am feeling when I am far away from here."

He looked at her skeptical .

"It's the fault of that Mountie , Jack Thornton! He turned your head!" He exploded.

When William Thatcher uttered this sentence, Jack arrived at the door and recognized immediately Elizabeth's father voice. He froze and let his hand on the doorknob so that it remained ajar and he could hear what they were saying even if it wasn't appropriate.

Elizabeth turned over her father, upset.

"Pay heed of what you say, Father." She retorted.

The sharp and determined tone of Elizabeth surprised him.

"I take you back to Hamilton!" He ordered.

"No!" She firmly refused looking him in the eye.

"You lose your mind, my dear!"

She laughed again.

"You will return with me willingly or not. I will never accept THIS man! He is not good enough for you."

"I forbid you to talk about Jack like this. He is the love of my life. He is honest, brave, kind, smart and he has respect for me." She stood up for Jack.

He looked at her disparagingly.

"I will disown you and I will close you the door. I will never put up with a man like him in my family and in my house." He threatened.

"I love him more than anything and i don't care about your threats. I live here on my own, i am happy. I have a job, good friends and the love of my life. I don't need anything else." She told him with self-confidence.

He was taken aback by Elizabeth's stubbornness, determination while she headed for the exit. He just watched her leave.

Closing the door slowly & without a sound, Jack went quickly down the stairs, waiting her at the foot of the staircase.

When she saw him, her features lit up.

"It has been for a long time since you are there?"

"Yes, a while. I am sorry Elizabeth, I have forgotten about my good manners. It wasn't appropriate to overhear your conversation. It's not my business." He confessed.

She smiled and he took her in his arms. She didn't tell him but she was happy thqt he heard it because she was proud of herself. She had fought for him and their love and she wanted him to know. She didn't have to say more.

"I don't want to..." He began.

She put a finger on his lips to silence him.

"Jack, I chose you, and my life in Hope Valley. I don't want another one."

Jack gave her bright smile, showing his dimples, leaned and kissed her with all his love.

During this time, inside, Mr Thatcher was reflecting and suddenly he had an idea. He was going to see Jack Thornton and talk to him. He was going to offer him something he couldn't refuse.

To be continued ...