Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.

Chapter 2- Moving On, or Are We?

Note: This chapter runs somewhat parallel to Chapter 1, filling in some of the gaps which will now bring us to the present.

Now on with our story…

Six Years Ago- College Graduation Day…

"Jack, please let me in. We don't have to talk; I just want to be with you…" She heard nothing inside, but felt certain that he was there. After all, where else would he go?

"Please let me know that you're okay…" Elizabeth called out again as she sat outside his dorm room, dressed in the required white dress for the graduation ceremony and praying that she wouldn't have to attend without him.

"Don't you remember telling me that together we could get through anything? Don't shut me out. I know you're hurting; let me help you get through this…" she continued to speak to the door, wishing it would open, but somehow the silence inside his dorm room actually felt deafening.

She walked down the hall and glanced out the window at the growing number of students lining up for the graduation processional. Realizing that she had a mere matter of moments to take her place in line, her empathy was beginning to mix with a slight bit of anger.

In the four years that they'd known each other, they had professed their love for each other, each one refusing to leave the other behind. She had held him when his father died, and he was willing to follow her to wherever she was accepted for graduate school with no questions asked. At least, that's what he told her. Now, with him pushing her away, that didn't appear too promising.

She walked back to his door, leaned in close and gave one more impassioned plea, "Jack, please… Since this happened, you've been pushing me away. I love you. I just want to help you. We don't even have to talk; I just want to be with you…"

Hearing nothing from inside his room she sadly turned away, left the dorm and raced across the field to the courtyard. With her last name starting with "T," her placement in line fell near the end. She barely managed to squeeze through the overzealous graduates, taking her place just before they walked out to their seats.

"Honey," Mrs. Thatcher whispered to her husband, "She looks so sad…"

"She's probably just nervous. You know she has never been comfortable being the center of attention," Mr. Thatcher responded as he reached over and took hold of her hand. "Don't worry; she has everything she's ever wanted…"

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Thatcher asked, seemingly puzzled.

"Well, she's graduating; she's been accepted at Northwestern for graduate school, and she and Jack are…oh wait, where's Jack?" he asked.

He glanced back at his wife, "What's wrong?"

"I promised that I wouldn't say anything, but she and Jack are having problems," she replied.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I promised her that I wouldn't."

"Honey, when it comes to the kids I thought we didn't keep secrets…"

"William, one of the reasons I didn't tell you was because she was hopeful that they'd work it out, but the main reason is that you tend to get very upset if you feel someone has hurt any of your girls and well, I just didn't say anything."

"Did they break up?"

"Not that I know of; he's just taken his cousin's death so hard."

"Yes, that had to be devastating to the family. We did send flowers, didn't we?"

"Yes, of course we did."

"So what's going on with them?"

"I don't know. Elizabeth has been busy with finals and we haven't spent any time together," Grace responded. "She did tell me that he won't talk to her; he seems secretive and is pushing her away. I hope you're right and she's just nervous. I'd hate to think that he not being here means that they're over."

Grace glanced over and observed William's pursed lips. "Honey, don't get upset; we need to let them work it out."

"Grace, he's not here; she looks sad, and I won't forgive him if he's broken her heart."

Following the ceremony, Elizabeth approached Jack's childhood friend, Lee, "Do you know why he didn't come?"

Lee released a harsh breath and pulled her away from the crowd, "I told him to talk to you before he left…"

"Before he left? Where did he go?"

"Elizabeth, it's not my place…"

"Lee, we're friends; I'm dying here, please tell me; did he go home?"

Lee swallowed hard, "Uh, no…he's in Richmond."

"Richmond? Why did he go to Richmond?" she asked, now feeling as though everything she'd thought about them as a couple was a lie.

"Elizabeth…"

"Lee, give me your phone," Elizabeth demanded as she held out her hand.

"Where's yours?" he asked as he handed over his phone.

"I've been calling him and he won't answer. He'll answer a call from you," she stated. Needing privacy, she walked alone out toward the soccer field, taking a seat in the bleachers.

She dialed his number, and took a deep breath as the call connected.

"Hey Lee, is it over?" Jack asked as he answered the call.

"I don't know Jack, are we?"

"E-Eliz-a-beth, I can't talk now."

"What's new? Jack, you haven't talked to me, really talked to me in weeks. What's going on? Why are you in Richmond?"

"Elizabeth, I'm leaving for Boot Camp."

"Boot Camp? What are you talking about?"

"I joined the Army, and I'm leaving today for Boot Camp."

"Where are you going?"

"Fort Leonard Wood…"

"Where is that? Is it near Chicago?" she asked, hoping that they would still be physically near each other.

"Elizabeth, it's in Missouri."

"Please don't go Jack; I mean, not like this. If you want to join the Army, I'll stand behind you, but don't runaway to do it."

"I'm not running away. I'm doing what I feel I have to do. I'd think you would understand that. After all, I was willing to give up everything I want to follow your dreams," as the words passed through his lips he realized how harsh, hurtful and untrue they sounded.

"I'm sorry Jack; I had no idea that you felt pushed to do something you didn't want to do. I wish you had said something."

He said nothing so she continued, "Jack…why are you leaving? Is this your misguided attempt to make up for not being able to save Lucas?"

"I need to finish what he started, Elizabeth."

"So you give up your life, what you want, what I thought we wanted to take on his dreams?"

"I'm sorry…"

"You're not sorry Jack. If you were you wouldn't have left without talking to me about it."

"Elizabeth, I care about you, but it's time for us to move on."

"Move on? What does that even mean? I thought we loved each other; I love you. Are you saying that you don't feel the same way?"

Jack felt as though his heart was about to explode in his chest. He hated to be the cause of the sadness that he so easily heard in her voice, but knew of no other way to end things. "Elizabeth, we're just heading in opposite directions in our lives now. You'll find someone better for you…"

"You can go to Hell, Jack…" were her last words to him as she ended the call.

Elizabeth returned to the celebration, somehow managing to slip back into the crowd without anyone but Lee knowing she was gone.

"Here…" Elizabeth stated as she handed Lee his phone.

"Did you guys talk?"

"There's no talking to him; I'm done," she stated as she wiped her eyes before walking over to the family section and finding her parents.

Hoping to find out what happened between them, Mr. Thatcher asked, "Where's Jack?"

"I don't know and he is not my concern any longer," she replied; the tone of her voice was filled with such anger that it startled both of her parents.

"Elizabeth, what's…"

"Daddy, before you ask, Jack and I are through, and I don't want to discuss it. Please, can we just leave?"

William took hold of Grace's hand as they followed Elizabeth out into the parking lot.

Elizabeth was initially uninterested in talking about Jack but as they pulled out of the parking lot she began rambling, "How can a man tell you that he loves you and then simply disappear as if you mean nothing? We had plans, but he's decided on his own that they aren't important any more…apparently I'm not important anymore. Well, he can go join the Army; I'm not waiting around for him."

Suddenly there was silence before sniffling could be heard in the back seat, "But then again, he said that we needed to move on. How do you do that when you've been with someone for four years? I just don't understand."

William reached over and took Grace's hand giving it a gentle squeeze. Through dating, marriage, raising three daughters, the good, the bad, and occasionally the very ugly, Grace knew William, almost better than she knew herself. Observing his expression, she could feel his mass of emotions, sadness, hurt, disappointment, anger, and probably more than anything else, a feeling of betrayal. She could only assume that Elizabeth was feeling much the same way.

Fort Leonard Wood- St. Robert, Missouri…

As days passed, Jack quickly realized that assuming his cousin's dreams was going to be a difficult task for many reasons. First, Lucas was practically born for a military career. From the time they were small children, Jack remembered the games they played; Lucas was always the General and heading to war, while Jack was more comfortable playing "Cops and Robbers." Secondly, Lucas was a traveler and as they entered their late teens and needed to think about their future, he always talked about joining the military and seeing the world. Jack, on the other hand enjoyed travelling, but talked more about protecting his local community by becoming a police officer. Thirdly, and for Jack the most important, was his loss of Elizabeth.

He couldn't expect her to wait around for him, especially since he'd made this decision without her in mind, not to mention the fact that he'd basically told her that they needed to move on. Sitting on his bunk in the empty barracks, he'd never felt so alone. He didn't know about her, but he realized that he didn't want to move on.

He pulled out his phone and dialed her number. As the call connected, he heard it ring once before switching to Elizabeth's voicemail…

"Hi, you've reached 757-460-1560, but I'm not available. If you'd like to leave a message, I'll call you back as soon as I'm done having fun…"

He pushed the button to end the call, unaware that she had blocked his number, as she was doing her best to do as he'd insisted; she had to move on.

"Having fun? Where did that message come from?" he whispered as he remembered her prior voicemail announcement simply stated that she'd call back as soon as possible. "Is she really having fun already?" Looking around the barracks, he had a bunk, a locker and one bag; he certainly wasn't having any fun.

Attempting to slow his breathing, he looked down at the floor feeling as though his heart was being ripped from his chest. He grabbed some paper and a pen and did what he'd seen her do for many years, express her feelings. Only this time he was attempting to express them in a letter to her…

Dear Elizabeth,

I know you didn't expect to hear from me, especially after our last conversation, but I need to tell you how sorry I am. I don't know what happened to me; I think I lost myself for awhile. I came here for the right reasons…no I didn't. I came here because I felt like I needed to in order to feel close to Lucas. But in doing so, I've lost you, the most important person in my life.

Elizabeth, you were everything to me, and I did the one thing I promised you I'd never do; I hurt you. I'm sorry that I pushed you away, and I know that I have no right to ask you this, but will you wait for me until I get home from Boot Camp and we can talk? Please give me a chance to explain…

I truly love you and I pray that you can find it in your heart to give us another chance,

Jack

One week passed. Elizabeth had heard nothing from Jack, but then again, he'd made it pretty clear that he was moving on without her, so she hadn't attempted to reach him either. Checking the mail one afternoon, amid the mass of correspondence for her parents, Elizabeth found a single letter addressed to her with the return address from "Fort Leonard Wood" in St. Robert, Missouri.

She walked back inside, dropped her parent's mail on the entryway table and continued upstairs to her room. She took a seat on her bed and continued to move the letter from one hand to the other, trying to decide whether or not to open it.

Her stomach was in knots as she thought back to her last conversation with Jack; how she begged him not to leave but how he so callously cast her aside. Again her sadness turned to anger and before she even realized it, his letter was in tiny pieces scattered about her carpeted floor.

She stared at the torn pieces of the last four years of her life. Feeling alone in a house full of people, she was doing her best to move on as Jack had suggested, but correspondence from him was not helpful.

Seeing ink marks on the tiny bits of paper as it littered her floor, but unable to make out the words, she could only assume that the letter consisted of meaningless proclamations such as "It's not you, it's me," "If we had met at a different time in our lives," and "I just want you to be happy."

"Alexa, play 94.9, The Point on …"

"Playing 94.9, The Point on ," was her automated response.

Listening to her favorite radio station, several upbeat songs played. With lyrics having nothing to do with love and loss she lay quietly with her head on her pillow. Then as if it were Karma for some bad act she'd unknowingly committed the song "Consequences" by Camila Cabello began playing as tears slipped from the outside of her eyes, eventually drenching her pillow…

Dirty tissues, trust issues
Glasses on the sink, they didn't fix you
Lonely pillows in a strangers bed
Little voices in my head
Secret keeping, stop the bleeding
Lost a little weight because I wasn't eating
All the souls that I can't listen to, to tell the truth

Loving you was young, and wild, and free
Loving you was cool, and hot, and sweet
Loving you was sunshine, safe and sound
A steady place to let down my defenses
But loving you had consequences

Hesitation, awkward conversation
Running on low expectation
Every siren that I was ignoring
I'm payin' for it

Loving you was young, and wild, and free
Loving you was cool, and hot, and sweet
Loving you was sunshine, safe and sound
A steady place to let down my defenses
But loving you had consequences

Loving you was dumb, dark and cheap
Loving you still takes shots at me
Found loving you was sunshine, but then it poured
And I lost so much more than my senses
'Cause loving you had consequences

Elizabeth rolled onto her side, pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs and prayed for this gut wrenching hurt to dissipate.

"Elizabeth, dinner's ready," her mother called out from the hallway.

"Thank you mom, but I'm not hungry," Elizabeth responded, her voice sounding weak.

Following a knock, the door opened, "Are you okay honey?" Observing Elizabeth wipe her eyes, Grace stepped into the room and took a seat on the bed. "What's all this?" she asked as she stepped over the littered paper on the floor.

"Jack sent me a letter."

"What did it say?"

"I don't know; I tore it up." Elizabeth inhaled deeply releasing a frustrated breath, "Mom, how do I get over him?"

Grace wrapped Elizabeth in a hug. She held her tight as she slowly began to rock back and forth. She wasn't certain why, but somehow the rocking movement always seems to calm Elizabeth as a toddler. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to have the same effect on her in her twenties.

"Shh honey, I wish I could take this hurt away from you, but getting over him; are you sure that's what both of you want?"

"I love him, but it's evident that he didn't feel the same way…"

"Elizabeth, do you think maybe you should give him some time? He suffered a devastating loss."

"Mom, losing me should have been a devastating loss too, but yet he told me to move on, basically that's what he intended to do. So, if that's what he wants, I will."

Elizabeth pulled the covers away and slipped out of bed, "I'm going out."

"Where to?" Grace asked.

"Faith is having a party down at the beach. I just need to get out and have some fun."

Elizabeth pulled her hair up, grabbed her jacket, kissed her mom and headed for the door. "I won't be too late," she stated before disappearing down the hallway.

While driving to Faith's house, Elizabeth took a turn, parking by the beach. She needed to be with her friends; she needed to move on, but all she really wanted to do was sit in the sand and listen as the waves crashed onto the shore.

She felt the warm breeze softly blowing off the ocean as she looked out into the darkness. Realizing that a new chapter for her would begin in a few mere months, she told herself that pining for a lost love would serve no useful purpose.

Although she couldn't promise herself that she'd forget about him, she did make a pact on the full moon that she would do her best to comply with his wishes and move on.

Fort Leonard Wood- St. Robert, Missouri…

Days turned into weeks, and every Tuesday and Friday Jack was front and center for mail call. Although he was happy to have correspondence from his mom and brother, Tom, the letter he wanted to receive, from the person he was desperate to hear from never came.

Several days a week he sat on his bunk before "Lights out" and wrote impassioned pleas to Elizabeth for time; time to explain; time to forgive, and possibly time for a second chance. Each finished letter was placed in the mailbag, addressed to Elizabeth and sent to her parent's home with a prayer that she would respond.

Six weeks passed. The first three weeks, also known as the red phase, Jack received the all too familiar Army haircut, some basic tactical training, learned about biological, chemical and landmine defense as well as rappelling. The last of which was difficult for Jack as he'd never thought of himself scaling near vertically down the equivalent of a three story building. Jack also learned the core values of the Army: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. At the end of this phase, Jack was required to undergo a physical fitness test, which he easily passed.

He moved right into the white phase which consisted of rifle marksmanship, engagement skills, combat training, and sadly for Jack, more rappelling. During this time, they were encouraged to develop peer relationships, which helped to build rapport and trust.

During his first month and a half, Jack made friends with Robert Coleman, a 22 year old from Dallas, Texas. He was a high school graduate, but never pursued college, finally enlisting in the Army to help give his life some direction.

Jack and Robert developed a close kinship, a brotherhood of sorts. They shared secrets and discussed what they wanted in life, with Jack admitting that he'd like to do security work. Robert had shown his marksmanship proficiency and realized possibly that was his life's calling.

"What about a woman? Who's waiting for you back home?" Robert asked.

"Apparently I don't have anyone waiting for me," he stated as he filled in all of the blanks in his depressing story.

"Jack, call her; I mean, are you positive that she's gotten your letters?"

"I've sent them to her house. I can't imagine why she wouldn't have. I guess by not answering she's actually giving me an answer."

"I'm sorry Jack, but people always tell me that things happen for a reason. You know, when you least expect it, you will meet up with the woman of your dreams."

"I already met her and I pushed her away…"

"Come on, let's go get some dinner."

"You go ahead. I'm not hungry. I think I'll just stay here," Jack stated as he quickly found himself again alone with his thoughts in the empty barracks.

The final month of Boot Camp found Jack enmeshed in the blue phase where he received training in automatic weapons and hand grenades. Having passed all requirements, Jack, Robert, and 56 of the originally enlisted 75 recruits congregated for the "Rites of Passage" ceremony.

Jack was proud to have his family there for him, but it was evident that the one person he wanted to see was noticeably absent. Doing his best to put her out of his mind, he invited Robert to join his mom, brother and himself for dinner.

While sitting at the table in the restaurant, Charlotte was nervous. She looked at Jack and Robert, and although everyone did their best at small talk, the elephant remained in the room…"Jack, where are you going from here?"

Jack looked at Robert before glancing back at his mother, "Afghanistan…"

"When?" she hesitantly asked.

"We leave in 30 days," he replied.

"Do you get any time off before you leave?" she asked.

"Actually, we're off now. We have to report on August 27th," Jack responded.

"You are coming home, aren't you?" Charlotte's question came across much more like a demand. "You need to see Eliz…"

"Mom, stop… I've written Elizabeth and called her. She's moved on. I can't blame her. I told her that she needed to; I guess I just didn't think she'd do it so easily.

"When are you coming home?" Charlotte prodded.

Jack turned to Robert, "Are you going home? If not you can come home with me, right mom?"

"Charlotte glanced in Robert's direction, "Of course. I'd love to have you stay with us."

"Thank you, but I need to go home and see my parents before we leave."

"So when are you leaving?" Jack asked.

"I fly out on the 10th and back on the 26th."

"Okay, I'll stay until Robert leaves. I'll be home on the 10th."

Later that evening, Jack was one of twenty young men in the barracks and although many of them were spouting of their sexual escapades to the laughter and cheers of many of the others, Jack simply felt sad and lost. He had received his answer from Elizabeth in her lack of response to his letters, but he still felt that moving on would be easier if she accepted his apology.

As the cheers, jeers and laughter subsided Jack took his seat on his bunk and made his final attempt at a letter to get Elizabeth to see him…

Dear Elizabeth,

It's been so long since I've seen you. In the past four years, I think I can count on one hand the number of times that we went for more than a day without seeing each other. I hope you're well.

I passed Boot Camp, and I'm heading to Afghanistan in a month, so I don't know when I'll get another chance to see you. I know that you've moved on, and I do understand, but would you meet me for dinner before I leave? I have a few things I need to say to you.

Please Elizabeth; you owe me nothing, and you may not need this, but I do,

Jack

As he had done with all of the previous letters he'd written Elizabeth, he placed it in the mailbag addressed to her at her parent's home.

Virginia Beach, Virginia…

"William, its 85 degrees outside; why do you have a fire burning?" Grace asked her husband as she entered his office and found him standing in front of the fireplace.

Startled, he spun around as she observed an envelope erupt in flames when it hit the roaring fire, "Just taking care of business."

"What business do you have that requires burning correspondence?"

He walked back to his desk and took a seat, "I'm just taking care of Elizabeth."

"What are you talking about?" she asked as she took her own seat across from him.

"You know how hard it was on her when Jack left; he broke her heart, and seeing how it affected her, it broke mine as well."

"I never saw it coming, and she was devastated, but 'taking care of Elizabeth,' what do you mean?" she asked; knowing his prior episodes of subterfuge, she was concerned.

He simply looked in her eyes…

"William, what were you burning?"

"A letter from Jack."

"A letter? It's been months with nothing; no calls, no contact, and now a letter, why?" she asked as she glanced back at the fire.

Before he could answer, she looked back at William, "Why did you destroy it? You should have sent it to Elizabeth and let her make the decision."

"Grace, she's moved on. She has new friends, and she's even dating again. She doesn't need anything to bring up her past hurt."

"William, I'd hardly say that going out with a group of friends would constitute dating," she responded.

"Maybe not, but at least she's going out. She needs to be able to focus on school and bringing up Jack won't allow her to do that," he stated firmly.

"William, this isn't the only letter you've burned, is it?" she asked as her eyes began to burn right through him.

"Grace, I'm doing what I think is best for Elizabeth."

"William, you're wrong. Elizabeth should know that he's written her. If you don't tell her, I will…"

"I'm doing what I think is right, and I'd appreciate you backing me up on this."

Grace stood up and walked toward the door, "You're wrong William. You can't play God with our girls' lives. It's wrong…"

She walked to the den and grabbed her phone from the table, immediately punching #3 to be connected with Elizabeth.

"Hey mom, are you okay?" Elizabeth asked.

"I…I just wanted to see how you're settling in."

"My apartment is really nice. I have a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Oh, and I signed up for my classes; I'm finally excited about something mom."

"What about Jack?"

"What about him? He left me; I asked him to stay or at least to talk to me and he said that I needed to move on. Mom, I'm doing my best to do just that, so please, don't bring his name up."

"But Elizabeth…"

"No mom; Jack and I are done…"

"Well honey, if you're sure."

"I'm sure mom. So, when are you coming to Chicago to visit me?"

"Once you look at your schedule, we'll work something out, okay?"

"Sounds good mom; I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart."

Chicago; Illinois…

Once the call ended, Elizabeth sat on her sofa and cried. As much as she professed that she didn't want to hear Jack's name and that they "were done," it still hurt and she couldn't help but to wish for what once was.

Elizabeth pulled her journal from the table, flipping it immediately to the next blank page where she attempted to unburden herself of the negative feelings and emotions she was experiencing…

"Tears fall; they wash over me, attempting to remove the sadness that has become my way of life. I smile, but much like a clown, you have no idea how shattered I feel on the inside.

Pain, heartache, confusion and disappointment, a harsh reality designed to make me strong, pushing me to fight through the sadness, seeking my once happy self. The heartbreak I've experienced will hopefully make me wiser, no longer willing to accept things on face value, as I now realize that I can truly only trust myself. My heart will survive and my life will go on. Things do happen for a reason, and maybe now I guess I've learned that I should thank you and my past for the possibility of a less painful future…"

She had done her best to push memories of him from her mind, hating that the joy she experienced during their four years together was now overshadowed by the broken pieces he had so callously left behind.

Hearing her phone ring, she answered, "Hey Parker."

"Elizabeth, I'm with Carly and Amber and we were thinking about hitting Sidekicks for some karaoke and we're swinging by to get you."

"Thanks but I don't really feel like it tonight."

Carly grabbed the phone, "Girl, the best way to get over a guy is to find a guy."

"Well, I'm not interested in finding a guy, but I'll come out for a little while."

While sitting at a table, Parker picked up Elizabeth's phone, "Hey, this guy…where is he?" she asked while going through pictures that included Jack on Instagram.

"We aren't together anymore."

Carly put her drink down, "Well, that's obvious, but why do you still have those pictures on your account. Don't you know you that when you break up with someone you take their pictures off of your social media accounts?"

"Come on, let's delete them…" Amber suggested.

"I really don't want to," Elizabeth stated as she pulled her phone away.

"Are you getting back together with him?" Parker asked.

"No…"

"Do you think you two can be friends?" Amber asked.

"No…"

"Can you look at the pictures without crying?" Carly asked.

"No…"

With all four women looking at her phone, Elizabeth pulled up her Instagram page and one by one the pictures from better times of her and Jack as friends and then as a couple disappeared from her account.

August 13th- Virginia Beach, Virginia…

"Hello Mr. Thatcher," Jack stated as the front door to Elizabeth's childhood home opened.

"Jack; I must say, I'm a bit surprised to see you here."

"I know you're upset with me, but I need to see Elizabeth…please."

"She's not here," Mr. Thatcher responded as he turned around to make certain he was alone. "Jack, do you remember the plans you two had?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, Elizabeth was devastated when you left. You broke her heart; something you promised me that you'd never do."

Feeling his eyes water, Jack looked away, "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You told her to move on, and she's managed to do that. She's in school, and she's even started dating again," his last statement wasn't true, but he was hoping to make a point. "Please, just leave her alone."

Jack turned around to leave. He'd only made it down the first three steps when he turned back around, "I sent her quite a few letters. Do you know if she got them?"

"They arrived, Jack. Please, take your own advice and move on…" Mr. Thatcher stated as he stepped back inside and closed the door leaving Jack standing on the steps barely able to move.

Jack returned to his childhood home, locked himself in his bedroom, put on his headphones and told himself that his direction in life would come from the music that played on the stereo.

Many of the lyrics didn't make sense to him or seem to fit his situation. That was until the Dean Lewis song "Be Alright" took its turn on the airwaves…

I look up from the ground
To see your sad and teary eyes
You look away from me
And I see there's something you're trying to hide
And I reach for your hand but it's cold
You pull away again
And I wonder what's on your mind
And then you say to me you made a dumb mistake
You start to tremble and your voice begins to break
You say the cigarettes on the counter weren't your friends
They were my mates
And I feel the color draining from my face

And my friend said
"I know you love her, but it's over, mate
It doesn't matter, put the phone away
It's never easy to walk away, let her go
It'll be alright"

So I still look back at all the messages you'd sent
And I know it wasn't right, but it was messing with my head
And everything deleted like the past, it was gone
And when I touched your face, I could tell you're moving on
But it's not the fact that you kissed him yesterday
It's the feeling of betrayal, that I just can't seem to shake
And everything I know tells me that I should walk away
But I just want to stay

And my friend said
"I know you love her, but it's over, mate
It doesn't matter, put the phone away
It's never easy to walk away, let her go
It'll be okay
It's gonna hurt for a bit of time
So bottoms up, let's forget tonight
You'll find another and you'll be just fine
Let her go"

But nothing heals the past like time
And they can't steal
The love you're born to find
But nothing heals the past like time
And they can't steal
The love you're born to find

"I know you love her, but it's over, mate
It doesn't matter, put the phone away
It's never easy to walk away, let her go
It'll be okay
It's gonna hurt for a bit of time
So bottoms up, let's forget tonight
You'll find another and you'll be just fine
Let her go

It'll be alright"

Realizing that his life would not end up as he'd anticipated, he viewed this as his sign to move on. Jack removed her number from his phone and observing that there was no longer any sign of him on her Instagram page, he deleted the pictures he had previously posted of them together on social media. Essentially, from this point on, there was no indication that they had ever known one another, let alone been in love.

Afghanistan…

Jack served four years of active duty, during which he completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan. Although Jack hated to admit it, he was scared during his first tour. Bombs and gunfire seemed to be an everyday occurrence, and it wasn't uncommon to see military and civilians casualties.

During his second tour, Jack was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross for risking his own safety to pull a wounded Army brother from the line of fire.

San Francisco- Two Years Ago…

With the remainder of his eight year obligation being required through the Reserves, Jack moved to San Francisco to begin a new career in protection services.

Thornton Protection, Inc. developed a powerful name in the few years that he had been in operation. Hollywood elite were known to hire Jack's company, requesting his personal assistance in stalking cases or other safety matters. On several occasions, Jack's sleuthing and determination led to arrests before violence, though threatened could be acted upon.

Robert, Jack's Army brother from Boot Camp, separated from the military and accepted Jack's offer for employment, moving to the San Francisco Bay area with his wife and one year old daughter, Julia.

Present Day…

"Thornton Protection, this is Baylee; how may I help you?" the company secretary stated as she answered the phone.

"I need to speak to Jack Thornton; my name is James Lancaster, I'm president of Phantom Books."

"Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Thornton isn't in the office, but he's due back shortly. May I take a message?" Baylee offered.

"Yes, please ask him to call me back. My number is 312-837-2271."

"I will make certain he gets the message as soon as he gets back."

Thirty minutes later, Jack walked in the door with Robert. Baylee was on another call as they walked by toward his office.

"Jack," Baylee called out after hanging up the phone, catching Jack and Robert before they disappeared down the hall.

Jack walked back, and Baylee handed him the message, "This man is expecting a call."

"Baylee, we're swamped now. I just don't think I can take on another case right now," Jack stated as he walked back toward his office.

"I promised that you'd call him…"

"I will."

Jack sat in his office with Robert as they discussed their current caseload. "I just don't think I can take on another case."

"Well, call him and see what he has to say…"

Jack pulled out his phone and dialed Mr. Lancaster's private number. "Mr. Lancaster, my name is Jack Thornton, and I understand that you needed to speak with me."

"Thank you Mr. Thornton. I'm the president of Phantom Books. We're based in Chicago, but I understand that although you are in San Francisco, you will travel. Is that correct?"

"Yes sir, but truthfully, I don't know that I can take on any new cases right now, but I can refer you to another company."

"Mr. Thornton, I want you…not someone who works for you or a friend of yours. You come highly recommended, and the person I need you to protect is very important."

"With all due respect, Mr. Lancaster, they're all important."

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to imply that they weren't. But Halsey is very special to our company."

"Halsey?"

"Halsey Woodrow, she's a bestselling author, and she has a stalker."

"Can you tell be something about her?"

"She's 28 years old, and has two bestselling books; oh she's beautiful and single if that will help you make up your mind."

"Mr. Lancaster, I don't become involved with the individuals that I'm protecting. So that truly has no impact on my decision to take or turn down a case. Could you tell me what's going on, why you feel you need protection for Ms. Woodrow?"

"She is a gifted writer, and truly when her first book was published, her popularity soared; with this second book, it's skyrocketed. But along with that come the crazies."

Mr. Lancaster continued, "She lives in Chicago, but is currently on a book tour and is actually in San Francisco for a few days. She's received a few threatening letters, but some letters have also been sent to our office."

"What is the content of these letters?" Jack asked.

"Halsey writes romance novels, but actually they could easily be real life. She has a gift of writing so that the reader can see the scene unfold right before their eyes. The letters basically say how he loves her and that they were meant to be together. He usually ends the letter by saying that he'll wait until the time is right, and then he signs it, 'Your Biggest Fan.'"

Mr. Lancaster continued, "On one occasion, Halsey took a break during a book signing engagement and when she came back there was an envelope placed between the stack of books. Initially she didn't think anything of it, but when she opened it, the letter began by saying how much they loved her book. The compliment was nice, but then it continued to say, 'but the black dress you're wearing looks like something I'd bury you in. I personally prefer the deep blue dress you wore out to dinner the other night.' It frightened her because I think she finally got the message that this person means business; she realized that without protection, people had the ability to get close to her, possibly too close."

"I can't guarantee anything Mr. Lancaster, but I will go talk to her. Where is she staying?"

"She is at the Fairmont Heritage Place at Fisherman's Wharf," Mr. Lancaster advised.

Fairmont Heritage Place…

Elizabeth sat in her hotel room in San Francisco, feeling much like a prisoner in her own skin. It wasn't that long ago, but then again it felt like a lifetime since she had been able to walk down the street feeling safe. Was it him? Was it her? Was it more than one person or maybe even someone she knew? She never thought there would come a time when she'd need security to do what she loved…write.

Apparently more anonymous letters had recently been received by the publishing company threatening "Halsey's" safety. Elizabeth initially laughed it off, chalking it up to a crazed fan or fans that were unable to distinguish fact from fiction.

However, there she was skeptical of everyone she met, and simply those she'd pass on the street, wondering when the next threat would arrive, and would it be in the form of a letter, or something more aggressive and physical.

Rosemary knocked on her hotel room door, "Who is it?" Elizabeth called out.

"It's me…"

The door opened and Rosemary slipped inside. "Hey, I know you don't like the idea of having security, but Mr. Lancaster is ordering it at this point. So, you can't turn it away anymore. He is sending someone over and I'm just telling you that you have no choice, so please just accept it."

Elizabeth walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain, staring down at the street below. The knock on her door did nothing to jar her and she initially refused to turn away from the window.

Rosemary opened the door and invited the man inside. As he walked into the room he announced himself, "Hi, Miss Woodrow. My name is…"

Elizabeth turned around, "Jack…?"

"Elizabeth…?"

They stood facing each other, initially silent, that was until Elizabeth spoke, "Rosemary, I'm sorry but this just won't do. I'd rather be alone…" she stated before storming off to her bedroom.

Rosemary turned to Jack, "I'm sorry Mr. Thornton, Halsey is adamant about not wanting a bodyguard, and to be honest, she is being a bit difficult about it."

"I really don't think I'm the one for the job, but I can make a referral to another company," Jack stated as he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the table and nervously scribbled out the information. "Call this number; Anderson is top notch," Jack stated as he glanced toward Elizabeth's bedroom before heading toward the door.

"Wait, please. Mr. Lancaster said that you were the best. Halsey is very important to the company; she's important to all of us. I thought she'd finally agreed that she needed protection. Mr. Thornton, please stay right here and let me go talk to her."

Rosemary headed for the hallway but stopped short. She turned back around, "Wait, you called her Elizabeth…you're the guy who broke her heart, aren't you?"

To be continued…