Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to the actors, writers and creators of the show "When Calls The Heart".

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(28/08/2018)

Chapter 3

FLASHBACK: Continued …

When Elizabeth had met Jack she had known there was something different about him. His calm manner and good looks did something to her nerves that she couldn't explain.

Andy, her cousin, had noticed it too. As soon as the doctor had called her from the waiting room, Andy had honed in.

"Bethie, he is exactly your type" Andy whispered.

"Be quiet. He's probably married" she whispered back.

"Nope. No ring."

"He's a doctor. He's not allowed to wear jewellery."

"I'll find out."

"Don't you dare" she said as the doctor turned back momentarily, looking between the two of them.

As Elizabeth sat on the bed and Dr Thornton ran his hands over her wrist, Elizabeth had been overwhelmed by a tingling sensation. When he had run his hands over her scalp she thought she was going to pass out. His body was close to hers and Elizabeth could smell his cologne and she felt herself swoon. His hands were firm yet gentle, but there was something more that she couldn't wrap her head around and at that moment thinking straight was out of the question.

Andy had insisted on taking her to hospital but so far all he had done was make her feel awkward until Dr Thornton asked if she could be pregnant. Elizabeth's mind had gone blank, not really understanding the reason for the question. Andy had jumped in to answer as Elizabeth just sat there. When Dr Thornton had left the room to check on the x-ray, she had glared at Andy.

"Why are you telling him I'm single?" she whispered to her cousin.

"Because you are. It's nothing to be ashamed about."

"He didn't need to know" she said, forgetting about the other doctor still in the room.

"He's your type. Admit it!"

"No!"

"Fine. I will ask him if he's attached when he comes back."

"You wouldn't!"

"I will unless you admit that you think he's attractive."

"You're out of your mind."

"It's your choice …"

Elizabeth hesitated momentarily before giving in. "Fine. I agree."

"You agree what?"

"He's kind of cute. Now let it drop."

"Kind of?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Really cute. Now shut it in case he …"

At that precise moment, Dr Thornton returned.

Elizabeth tried to tell herself that she wasn't interested. That the doctor was just another guy who would break her heart. So when she stood up and stumbled into him, feeling his arms wrap around her, she was surprised to feel so content there. This guy was a total stranger and yet he seemed so familiar. It was odd. Then he picked her up, lifting her like she was weightless back onto the bed. He leant over her, his green eyes staring into hers.

There had been other moments but Elizabeth felt like she was imagining something between them. Until he handed her his number. The business card showed a mobile number under the name Dr Jack Thornton. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile.

On the drive home from the hospital, in between her father's ranting, Elizabeth thought about Jack. The soft green colour of his eyes, his dark hair and 5 o'clock shadow that had been creeping in, the smell of his cologne and the feel of his hands on her skin.

Her father had the driver pull the car up out the front of her apartment and Elizabeth and Andy climbed out.

"Do you need me to walk you up, Beth?" William Thatcher asked.

"No, Dad. I'm fine. Andy is going to walk me up."

William didn't particularly like his wife's nephew but Elizabeth and Andy had been close for a decade.

"Okay. Bye Beth. I will call to see how you're going tomorrow."

"Thanks for the lift. Bye" Elizabeth called back as her and Andy walked through the doors that were being held open by the doorman.

"Good evening Miss Elizabeth."

"Good evening Jimmy. Thank you" she said as her and Andy went in.

As soon as they got into Elizabeth's apartment and shut the door, Andy started. Elizabeth was not surprised.

"Call him."

"I'm not going to call him."

"Why not?"

"It was just a professional courtesy."

"No. He gave you his number because he liked you."

"I don't think so. He doesn't know me."

"Where did you put the card?" Andy asked.

"In my notes there" she said pointing to the papers she put on the table.

Andy went and rummaged through it until he found it. "Where's your phone?"

"Nooo you don't" Elizabeth said grabbing her phone back off the table and putting it in the pocket of her jacket.

"Yes. If you won't, I will do it for you."

"No way!"

"Yes way. Text him."

Elizabeth looked at him, defeated. Andy would just nag her until she did it. She knew him too well.

"What do I say?"

"Just say: Thanks for your help today. I really appreciate it."

"He was doing his job! He said to contact him if I felt dizzy. I'm not dizzy!"

"Tell him you're dizzy then" he said with a chuckle.

Elizabeth glared at him.

"Okay, fine. Just say Thanks for your help. Elizabeth. Then he has your number."

"I don't know" she said hesitantly.

Elizabeth never made the first move with guys. Ever. But technically this isn't the first move.

"Just do it. You'll never see him again if you don't take a chance. If you do take the chance and he's not interested, no harm done."

"I guess" she said.

Elizabeth took out her phone and typed.

Hi Jack. Thanks for your help today. Elizabeth

Before she could think twice, she took a deep breath and hit send. She stared at her phone for a second before jumping to her feet.

"Where are you going?" Andy asked.

"For a shower. I'm not going to sit by my phone waiting for a reply!"

Elizabeth went to her room, putting her phone on the charger before grabbing a change of clothes and heading into her bathroom.


Jack was sitting in the restaurant, fifteen minutes early waiting for his friends to arrive. Jack was notoriously late so he wouldn't be surprised if Lee and Rosie were running a good half an hour later than the agreed time. He was scrolling through his Instagram feed when a message popped up from an unknown number. He opened it and seeing who it was from brought an immediate smile to his face.

Elizabeth.

J: You're welcome. Hope you are feeling better. No more dizzy spells?

He waited for a moment but there wasn't an instant response. Almost ten minutes later, his phone dinged and he saw her reply.

E: Nope. All good. Much better. How's your dinner going?

J: No one's here yet so I'm waiting on my own.

E: Nigel-no-friends hey?

Jack burst out laughing. He hadn't heard that saying since his school days.

J: Something like that. Did you find someone to stay with you tonight?


Elizabeth read the text and went back to the lounge room where Andy had made himself comfortable in front of the television.

"Are you staying tonight?"

"No, I have to work early in the morning."

"Why are you still here then?"

"I was waiting to see if Jack replied" he said looking over at her. "He did, didn't he?"

"Maybe" she said with a grin.

"Well, look at you. Someone looks happy."

"He just replied to my text. Nothing more."

Andy jumped off the couch. "That's great Beth. What did he say?"

"He just asked if I was okay and if I had any more dizzy spells."

Andy frowned. "Just medical stuff. Boo."

Elizabeth laughed at his reaction. "He was my doctor. He needs to be professional."

"Not too professional. Oh well maybe you will have to fake a dizzy spell after all. I better get going, Beth. I will give you a call tomorrow to see how you're feeling."

"Okay. Thanks Andy. I really appreciate everything today."

"Are you happy I dragged you to emergency now?"

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip. "Maybe."

"You can thank me later … once you marry him" he said with a laugh as he left her apartment.

Elizabeth shook her head as she walked into the kitchen and texted Jack back.

E: No. Andy has to work in the morning and I was not going back to my parent's house.

J: That's not a good idea. Someone should be with you in case you have another fall. Isn't there someone else you could call?

E: I'll try my sister.

Elizabeth called her sister Viola.

"Hi Vi."

"Hi Beth."

"What are you doing tonight?"

"I have a date with Lionel. Why?"

"Is it possible for you to come stay with me tonight? I hit my head today and the doctor says I shouldn't be left on my own in case I have another dizzy spell."

"Oh my goodness Beth. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I have a broken wrist and I had a mild concussion."

"Oh dear. Of course, I will come. What time?"

"Just after your date is fine. What time? 1030-11?"

"Yes. I will text when I'm leaving."

"Thanks Vi."


E: My sister is coming after her date.

J: You're going to be alone for how long?

E: Just a few hours. I'll be fine Jack.

Jack couldn't help but worry about this woman he had only just met.

J: Just sit down and don't move too much until your sister gets there.

E: Yes, sir.

Jack grinned.

J: Doctors orders. You're on bedrest.

E: Groan

Jack laughed again.

J: You do not want to disobey your doctor, do you?

"What has you so happy, my friend?" Lee said as he approached the table, holding Rosie's hand. Lee held out Rosie's seat as she sat down, before sitting down himself opposite Jack.

"Nothing."

"That smile is not nothing. Who is she?" Rosie cut in.

"How do you know it's a woman?"

"Because I haven't seen you smile like that since you were dating Shelly."

Jack had not heard that name in a while and he didn't want to hear it again. He and Shelly had dated for over a year before he caught her cheating on him. Hardly anyone knew the reason for the break up. He had kept that fact to himself. When people asked, Jack had simply said that they weren't compatible. The fact is he blamed himself. If he had been around more and not at the hospital for every waking moment, maybe she wouldn't have found the necessity to climb into someone else's bed. Or rather bring someone else into the bed that she and Jack had been sharing.

"Please don't bring up Shelly. She's long gone. I don't even think about her anymore" Jack lied.

The problem was you can never unsee your girlfriend laying in bed with another guy. The truth was that there wasn't a day that went by over the last eight months when Jack didn't see that image in his mind.

"So who's the new one?" Lee asked.

"She's not a new one. She's just a friend … or more like an acquaintance."

"From work?"

Technically Jack did meet Elizabeth at work. "Yes, from work."

"Why were you smiling so much?"

"She just made a joke. That's all. No big deal." Jack changed the topic. "How are you, Rosie?"

Rosie eagerly took up the new conversation. Rosie was the more bubbly person between her and Lee. She took over the conversation telling Jack about a new theatre production that she was reviewing for the paper that she worked for. Rosie had dragged Lee along last night and had been pleasantly surprised by the show.

Jack heard another text come through on his phone and he desperately wanted to look at it. When there was finally a break in the conversation, Jack offered to go grab some drinks.

"Wine, please" Rosie sung out.

Jack nodded as he went to order two beers and Rosie's white wine. Why she bothered telling him, he wasn't sure. Rosie always had a white wine, preferably Moscato or Rose. The sweeter the better, she would always say.

Jack and Rosie had been friends for years. Jack had moved to a house with his new foster parents when he was fifteen. Rosie had lived next door and gone to the same school. She had an immediate soft spot for Jack and took him under her wing, despite him not appreciating it at the time. Jack quickly realised that you couldn't say no to Rosie.

Jack stood at the bar waiting in line to order the drinks and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

E: I do not want to get on your bad side, Dr Thornton ;)

J: I don't think that would be possible.

E: Did your friends show up yet?

J: Yes, just got here.

E: You better go. Thanks again for today, Jack.

J: I'll talk to you later. Bye Elizabeth.

Jack pressed send before he could reconsider. Surely Elizabeth wouldn't have texted him in the first place if she wasn't interested.


Rosie watched Jack standing at the bar, his head bent over busy on his phone. She could see the grin clearly on his face.

"I think he really likes this one."

"What?" Lee said following her gaze.

"Look at him grinning at his phone. That's why he hurried over to the bar."

"What? Why?"

"To reply to her text" Rosie replied knowingly.

Rosie watched as Jack ordered the drinks and walked back to their table. She could still see the remnants of the grin on his face and he clearly looked happy.


After dinner, Jack hurried to his motorbike. He pulled his leather jacket on and unlocked the seat on his bike to take out his helmet. He locked his wallet and phone inside before pulling his helmet on and swinging onto the seat. He kickstarted the engine and pulled out of the carpark, heading straight for home.

He parked his bike in the garage, grabbed his stuff out and rushed to the lift. Only then did he pull out his phone. He checked the time. It was only just ten.

J: Are you okay? Did your sister show up?

Jack hoped that he wasn't waking her up. Elizabeth replied straight away.

E: I'm fine. Vi's not here yet. Still another 30 minutes away probably.

J: Are you still getting dizzy spells?

Elizabeth was sitting on the couch in front of the television. She looked down at her phone again and smiled.

E: No more dizzy spells. I've been in bed all night on my doctor's orders. I will just stand up and see.

She laughed as she sent the text and then laughed harder when she saw his reply.

J: No!

E: But I will have to walk to the door at some point to let my sister in. I will try it out.

J: No!

Elizabeth didn't reply straight away. Her attention was drawn to an ad on tv for a summer festival she wanted to get tickets for.

J: Elizabeth?

J: Are you there?

J: Are you okay?

Elizabeth looked back down at her phone and saw the messages in quick succession. Shoot!

Then her phone rang and Jack's details popped up on her screen. Oh man! He probably thinks I just collapsed.

"Hi Jack" she said, trying not to sound to eager.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine."

"You didn't answer. I thought you might have collapsed" she heard the panic in his voice.

"No, I just got …" Distracted. That sounded lame. She didn't finish her sentence. "Sorry."

Elizabeth quickly tried to change the subject now that she was talking to him on the phone. "How did your dinner go, Jack?"

She heard the tone in his voice change. "Alright. It was nice to see my friends."

"That's good." Elizabeth was trying to gather if they were girl friends or guy friends. Don't be stupid. You met him today! You cannot be jealous of his friends already. "Were there quite a few of them there?"

"No. Just my friend Rosie and her boyfriend Lee."

Good. Another couple. That works.

"Do you have to work tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked.

"No. I've got tomorrow and Monday off which is a nice change."

"You don't get many weekends off?"

"I get one full weekend off a month."

"Wow. How do you even have a life?" she said with a smile.

She heard Jack laughing loudly into the phone.

"That is a good point. I don't really." He went quiet for a moment.

"I'm working tomorrow" she added trying to break the silence.

"Is that the family business?"

"No. I do volunteer work on weekends."

"You just bagged me out for only getting one weekend off a month. Clearly you must do the same thing."

"Kind of, but I only work for a few hours. Not a 14 hour shift or anything crazy like that!"

She heard Jack laughing again. "Where do you volunteer?" Jack asked.

"The nursing home on Oak Road."

"Every weekend?"

"Just for four hours in the morning" Elizabeth said. The phone went quiet and Elizabeth almost thought it had dropped out.

"Elizabeth, you might think it's a bit forward but …"

Elizabeth leaned in closer to her phone, squishing it closer to her ear.

" … maybe if you're free tomorrow afternoon, we could meet up for a coffee or something."

Elizabeth beamed. "I'd like that."


On the other end of the phone, Jack could hardly contain himself.

"Great. Should I meet you on the corner of Oak and Fifth once you finish work?"

"That sounds great. I finish around noon. Is that okay?"

"Perfect."

"My sister just knocked on the door. I'll see you tomorrow, Jack."

"Bye Elizabeth."

To be continued …