Chapter Two

"All the windows of my heart I open to the day."

~John Greenleaf Whittier

"Okay, everyone," Elizabeth Thatcher, Coal Valley's school teacher, called for her students' attention. "It's time to clean up. Please put all the supplies in the center of your tables. All finished decorations need to be placed on the front table." She walked around the school room, which was actually the town saloon, watching her class.

The students set about cleaning up, following Elizabeth's directions. Paper flowers, leaves, and colorful chains were filling the front table as students brought their creations there. Glue, scissors, colored paper, and crayons were shoved to the center of each table.

Elizabeth walked past the front table, perusing the decorations the students made. "These look very good, children!" she complimented as she turned back to face them. "We'll have to make some more tomorrow. We want to be sure that there's plenty of decorations for the town social this weekend." She crossed over to her desk and glanced at the clock. "Alright, everyone, school is dismissed," she announced in a louder voice. The students quickly rose and headed to the back of the room. She called out over the dismissal noise, "Don't forget your lunch pails and your homework!"

The students grabbed their belongings in the back of the room before filing out. Elizabeth watched them leave then sat down at her desk. For a few moments, she sat there, glancing around the room. She took a deep breath, considering the day.

It had been a busy day with her aunt and uncle leaving after a very enjoyable visit. She already missed her dear Aunt Olivia. Then, worry slid onto her face as she remembered that the same stagecoach that had taken her aunt and uncle on to their next destination had brought Jack Thornton's mother to town. Thinking of Jack's mother in Coal Valley made her palms sweat and her mind race. She and Jack had been courting for just a short while. She wasn't sure she was ready for this visit. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for strength before pulling out a notebook to write her lessons for the next day.

After a couple of minutes, the saloon doors opened and Constable Jack Thornton entered. He was wearing his uniform, with the distinctive red serge jacket of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. He watched Elizabeth, who hadn't noticed his entrance yet, as he placed his hat on a table and then crossed the room toward her. He walked slowly and smiled, as he enjoyed watching her work. He was amazed by her beauty and even more amazed that he was courting her. One day, he'd have to look back at the last year and figure out exactly how that had happened.

When he was within five feet of her desk, Elizabeth suddenly became aware that she was no longer alone in the room. She dropped her pen and jumped about two feet in her chair, almost falling backwards. "Oh, my goodness! Jack!" she exclaimed as she grabbed the desk to keep from falling. Jack put his hands out as he rushed toward her desk. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!" he apologized.

Elizabeth calmed. "No, it's okay," she told him as she righted the chair. She took a deep breath to slow her breathing. "I just wasn't expecting anyone here for another hour or so."

Jack grabbed a chair from the nearest table and pulled it up next to Elizabeth. Before he sat down, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I finished my afternoon rounds a little early. How was your day?" he inquired as he sat down.

Elizabeth nodded her head. "It was pretty good. We're just trying to get these decorations completed." She motioned to the table full of decorations, "And, of course, I have to teach some lessons in between all the decorations work."

Jack smiled and reached for her hand. "Well, Miss Thatcher," he began as he clasped her hand in his. "How about a nice walk this evening before dinner?"

Elizabeth frowned. "I'm sorry, Jack, I can't." She saw his face cloud over with disappointment. "I wish I could but I promised Mary Dunbar that I'd do some math tutoring with Caleb. He's having trouble with long division."

Jack tried to shake off the disappointment. "Okay, I understand," he told her as he looked up and met her gaze. Then, he pulled her hand up and asked quite formally, "May I escort you to the town social this Saturday night?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What about your mother? Won't you be with her?"

Jack shook his head. "Actually, I'm not sure if she'll want to go. Ma's not much on dancing."

Elizabeth looked at him incredulously. "But it's a town social. She doesn't have to dance. She just arrived in Coal Valley, Jack. You can't abandon her for the evening."

Jack nodded, though clearly not pleased. He looked into her eyes as his brain raced. His eyes flashed as an idea flew into his head. "Okay," he agreed. "But, maybe she could go with Abigail. She'd introduce Ma to everyone, especially all the ladies." He smiled, pleased with his idea. "So, then may I escort you?"

"Well, if you're sure she'll go with Abigail," Elizabeth began. Jack nodded eagerly. She smiled and told him, "Okay, I accept!"

Jack smiled and kissed her hand. "Okay..." he said in a low voice, "I'll let you get back to your work." He gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it. He stood and started to leave, but then turned around and asked, "When will you be finished at the Dunbars'?"

Elizabeth shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe around six-thirty or seven o'clock. Aren't you having dinner with your mother? I assumed you would since she just arrived this morning."

Jack nodded and smiled. "I am but I'm sure we'll be done by then. So, how about I meet you at the Dunbars' when you're finished and help you find your way home?"

Elizabeth's expression darkened. "I can find my own way home..." she began to protest until Jack interrupted her. "Whoah," he said, holding a hand up. "No, no, no. I know you can find your way home. I would just like to enjoy the walk with you."

Elizabeth's face softened as a smile curled at the corners of her mouth. "Well, okay. That would be nice."

Jack smiled back at her and they gazed at each other for a few moments. Then, Elizabeth tore her eyes away and told him, "I better get back to my lessons. I need to finish them before I head over to tutor Caleb."

Jack nodded. "Of course. I'll see you later," he promised as he leaned in and his lips gently brushed hers.

Elizabeth returned his fleeting kiss and then gave Jack a very warm smile as he stood up straight.

"See you later," she called to Jack as he grabbed his hat on his way out of the saloon. Just before he shut the door behind him, he glanced back hoping to see Elizabeth watching him leave. He was slightly disappointed to she that she had already returned to her writing. He shrugged his shoulders and closed the door.