Chapter 2
(1 week earlier)
The journey to Hope Valley was long and boring. He looked out the window or slept part of the way in the stagecoach. He ran his hands through his already messy short brown hair. He wanted to get to town as soon as possible, it was the middle of the night and dark. They would hopefully arrive by morning and he could stay at the Saloon. Elizabeth would hardly recognise him now, he had stubble around his face, dark circles around his eyes, scruffy hair and his style of dress was less of a gentleman and more of a middle-class salesman.
That day five years ago, she ruined his life. He had a good job, nice clothes, a fancy car, a good home and was part of society. But none of that really mattered. What did matter was her refusal of his proposal. As though he wasn't good enough for her, her father thought he was. He saw her outside a restaurant with a blonde man, they seemed 'close'. It awakened something inside of him that he couldn't stop thinking about. He read the newspapers for weeks afterwards trying to learn of her whereabouts. She had never responded to his many letters sent to the house. William Thatcher probably destroyed them before she could read them.
He finally found what he was looking for "Coal Valley renamed Hope Valley… the home to shipping magnates heiress daughter…" he was on the next train. She will be mine. He often caught himself remembering the blonde he saw her kissing outside the restaurant. It made his blood boil, he'd love to spit-roast the pig.