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".

Thank you for the reviews! Unfortunately you all know a break up will be coming in future but if you know my other stories, I only do happy endings ;)

(29/08/2018)

Chapter 4

Recap …

"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."

FLASHBACK: Continued …

Jack hung up the phone and was overly excited that he brought up Rosie's contact information and immediately sent her a text.

J: Guess who has a date tomorrow?

R: You are smooth. I knew you liked her. What kind of date?

J: Just coffee but I'm counting it.

R: That's great Jack. Good luck. Call me afterwards.

Elizabeth answered the door and Viola breezed in, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Oh Beth, I had the most amazing night with Lionel. He took me to Aqua, you know!"

"That five star restaurant by the harbour?"

"Yes!"

"How was the food?"

"Divine."

"So when are you two getting married?"

Viola gave her a look. "I'm not marrying him … yet" she said with a grin. "At least Daddy approves of him."

"What is there to disapprove of? He's rich, is a leading investment banker and is one of London's most eligible bachelors. That's right up Dad's alley. I should know."

Viola smiled disappointedly. "You will find someone one day."

"You know, I don't care anymore."

Viola looked at her surprised. "What does that mean?"

"I'm not going out of my way to find someone Dad approves off. If the next guy I date gives me butterflies and makes my fingers tingle and he is a nice, genuine guy, that is enough for me. Only then am I introducing him to the family."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not bringing any more guys home unless I know he is the one."

"Wow. Okay."

"I'm sick of being dumped. It hurts too much and I don't want to put myself out there anymore."

"Oh, Beth. Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Shut yourself off."

"I'm not. Look I've had a crazy day, I'm going to bed. I've put pyjamas, a change of clothes and towel on the spare bed. Do you need anything else?"

"No, I'm fine."

Viola followed her down the hall to her bedroom. "How's your head Beth?"

"It's fine. My doctor just advised I should have someone stay the night, just in case."

"Okay. Goodnight Beth."

"Goodnight Viola. And thank you."

"Your welcome."

Elizabeth closed her door and went and laid down, pulling her covers up close to her chin. Even coming into summer she always liked the weight of her quilt resting on her. It made her feel safe even though it was often a little too warm. Elizabeth's mind flashed to Jack, the handsome doctor from the emergency room and she drifted off to sleep thinking of his hands running through her hair.

Jack slept in the next morning. He didn't have many opportunities to do it but doing shift work like he did, his body had learnt to sleep when it needed to. He had worked the last six days straight with two double shifts thrown in to the mix. He had been exhausted.

Jack rolled over and looked at his alarm clock and the numbers 11:45 flashed in his face. At first the numbers meant nothing to him and then like a lightning bolt, it hit him. Jack flew out of bed, running into the shower. He had the fastest shower on record. He would normally have shaved but there was no time for that. Instead he threw on his jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed his wallet, jacket, phone and sunglasses and bolted out the door.

He had been going to walk the five blocks to the meeting place but he didn't have enough time. He caught the lift down to the garage and ran to his bike instead. A few minutes later he was riding down Fifth. He found a motorbike parking spot nearby and stashed his helmet before walking the last fifty metres to the corner. Thankfully, Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen.

Jack let out a sigh of relief before pulling out his phone to check the time. 12:05.

"You're late" he heard her voice behind him.

Jack turned to see Elizabeth standing there in a navy blue sundress, dark sunglasses and strappy sandals. Her long auburn hair curled down past her shoulders. She took his breath away.

"Hi. You look … beautiful" he said as he closed the distance between them.

She beamed back at him. "You're looking not too bad yourself. Better than those scrubs anyway" she said with a giggle that he immediately fell in love with.

"You don't like my doctor's outfit? I thought women liked that kind of thing."

Elizabeth's eyes widened at his comment. "Maybe some women do. I just think you look cuter in you jeans and t-shirt" she said quietly, a blush rising up her neck.

Jack thought she looked adorable.

"So what do you want to do. Have you had lunch?" he asked, changing the subject.

"No, I just finished work."

"How about we grab something then and go sit in the park?"

"Sounds good."

They began walking toward the park at the end of the street. Conversation easily flowed between them both. Elizabeth had lots of stories from the nursing home that morning and Jack was happy to listen, learning more about her.

They found a sandwich shop and ordered sandwiches and drinks and carried them across the street to the park. They found a spot on the grass overlooking a pond and they sat eating their sandwiches, talking and laughing into the afternoon.

"You did not do that, did you?" she asked him when he told her a story about how he first met Rosie and what he used to do to avoid her at school. Jack had just told her that he poured cordial in her hair when they were in the cafeteria.

"I did. She was like a leech. She would not give up. I think in hindsight my foster dad must have spoken to her dad and organised for her to do exactly what she did. No one would have put up with it otherwise."

Elizabeth was surprised where the conversation had headed but she was having a lot of fun with Jack. He was so honest with her and like nothing she had experienced on a first date.

"Do you still speak to your foster dad?" she asked.

She sensed Jack was a bit uncertain how to answer.

"Yes. My foster parents are still around. I don't see them a lot because they are interstate and I don't get a lot of time off but they understand. I still go back for holidays."

"That's nice. Are you close?"

Jack was looking down at the pond where a little boy was feeding the ducks with what appeared to be his grandfather.

"Yes. I had a bit of a rough time with foster homes at the beginning and I got in a lot of trouble but then Frank and Abigail found me and let's just say things drastically improved after that. Frank used to work with my dad in the fire brigade and his first wife passed away and then he married Abigail. Frank had tried to look after me when my parents died but because he would have been a single father they wouldn't let me stay with him. Since I was so much trouble as a child, I moved from family to family but once Frank remarried the first thing he did was find me."

"Wow. He sounds like an amazing man."

"Both he and Abigail are special people. They really did save me."

"How did you get into medicine then?"

"Abigail was a nurse. She figured out quickly that I was smart enough for medicine if I would find my focus."

"And you did" Elizabeth said smiling at him.

"Yes, I did."

Jack couldn't believe how much he was telling Elizabeth. He had barely known her 24 hours but everything seemed to be spilling out of him. He normally had such a hard time opening up to people but she was so interested and had such an energy about her that he couldn't help himself.

"But what about you? What do you do for your father's company?"

"Long term he wants me to take over but I don't really think it's my thing."

"Managing or just everything?"

"Everything. I'm not passionate about it. I'm just doing it because he wanted me to."

Jack ran his hand over hers. Elizabeth looked up at him.

"So if you could do anything, what would it be?"

He could see her get a little embarrassed as she avoided his eyes.

"Come on, tell me" Jack said sitting forward.

"Well, I love kids. I think I would have done teaching."

"Why are you embarrassed about that?" he said as he lifted up her hand, taking it in his own, and resting it on his leg. He could see the red tinge still evident on her neck.

"It doesn't matter. I'm stuck at my father's company. There's no point daydreaming about things being different."

"I guess not. But dreams have been known to come true."

Jack smiled at her with a dimpled grin and Elizabeth felt herself melt. He was so gorgeous.

Jack hadn't realised but she was not embarrassed by their conversation. Her embarrassment had been in the fact that he had held her hand. Elizabeth liked holding Jack's hand and it hadn't felt awkward, if anything it had felt very natural but she still felt the heat rising up her neck like it always did in these situations.

"Do you know that from experience?" Elizabeth continued the conversation.

"Well I did finish uni and got my position at the hospital. Now I just need my residency."

"Are you likely to get it?"

"Not sure yet. I will know in another few months but I'm looking like a strong contender."

"What if you don't get it?"

"I will have to go find a job at another hospital. It would be disappointing but it's not the end of the world. Frank and Abigail would really love me to move back that way so I have other options. I have a lot of friends back there too."

"Rosie is here though?"

"Yes, but I have a feeling if I went back she would follow me."

"You're that close?" Elizabeth said, not realising the concern in her voice until she'd already spoken.

"Not like that" he said smiling. "She's like a sister. And her and Lee are engaged."

Jack couldn't help but smile when he heard the concerned tone in Elizabeth's voice. She was clearly trying to work out if anything was between him and Rosie. He couldn't exactly blame her because he had mentioned her a few times but Rosie was a huge part of his life.

Elizabeth hadn't mentioned much about her family at all. Each time he asked she seemed to avoid the questions.

"How did your sisters date go?"

"You know. It's just a matter of time before he proposes" she said brushing it off.

Jack was surprised by her comment and she glanced at him quickly before she began backtracking.

"I'm sorry, that sounded really … cold. Lionel is great, it's just he was kind of hand picked for my sister."

"Hand picked?"

"Yeah. My father met him and set them up. He's an investment banker from London."

"I'm getting the feeling that your family is very well off."

Elizabeth just shrugged at him.

"What is the name of the company you work for?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Beth. Come on. I'm not going to run away."

"WT Health."

"Wow really? They are one of the biggest healthcare companies in the U.S."

"Yes, they are."

"And you're Dad is the CEO?"

"Yes. I'm the head of the research and development division at the moment."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah" she said, avoiding his eyes.

Jack held her hand a bit tighter. "Hey" he said getting her attention. "I'm impressed."

Elizabeth just shrugged again.

Elizabeth was always embarrassed by her family's background. Generally she didn't tell people and she definitely did not tell guys on her first date. That was on her list.

Number 1. Do not mention who your family is.

That's if this was a date. She wasn't exactly sure. Either way she broke Number 1.

Number 2. Do not mention where you work.

So Number 2 had been broken too. She had better make sure the remaining ones didn't get broken. That shouldn't be too hard.

Number 3. Do not take date near your apartment.

Number 4. Do not kiss on first date.

Her attention was drawn back to Jack who was rubbing her hand.

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

"Sure."

Jack stood up, before helping her up. "How is your wrist today?"

"It's fine. Not at all painful."

"That's good."

Jack took her hand in his and they walked around the path that wrapped around the pond. Jack started talking about other things. He noticed her hesitancy to talk about her family. At the same time Jack couldn't understand how a woman as beautiful and bright as Elizabeth was still single. It must have something to do with her family but right now Jack didn't care.

They had been talking at the park all afternoon and the sun was beginning to get lower in the sky.

"I should probably walk you home. Do you live close to here?"

"Just a few blocks that way." Elizabeth pointed in the opposite direction to his own apartment.

"Okay, let's go."

As they got further down the street, Jack noticed they were heading into a small food district.

"I haven't been here before. Do you eat here much?"

"Yes. There's an amazing Italian place just along here. I was thinking of getting some take away for dinner. Do you want to stop and get something?"

Jack's stomach grumbled in response. Elizabeth heard it and laughed.

"I'm thinking that's a yes. Come on" she said as she tugged his hand, pulling him towards a little place called Renato's.

"Miss Elizabeth!" A middle aged man waved from behind the counter.

"Hi Joe. How are you?"

"Good. Who's this?" The man nodded at Jack with a smile.

"Joe, this is my friend Jack."

"Hi Jack. Nice to meet you. Hope you're taking care of Miss Elizabeth there."

Jack saw Elizabeth blushing again. "Doing my best, Joe."

Elizabeth looked up at him with a smirk before she picked up a menu and handed it to Jack.

"What do you feel like? I was thinking fettuccini carbonara. It's my favourite."

Jack picked a pasta dish and they ordered before taking a seat to wait. Ten minutes later they had a bag full of steaming hot pasta and made their way back to Elizabeth's apartment. She led him through the lobby to the elevator. Jack was astounded already by what he had seen. Her apartment block had a doorman and marble floors through the lobby. She stepped out of the elevator to find a small hallway with only two doors.

Elizabeth unlocked the door and showed him inside. She kicked off her shoes and he followed. Her apartment took up half of the entire floor. It was huge. He could see a big lounge area with floor to ceiling windows and a gas fireplace. She had an impressive dining room that led into a large kitchen. There was a small hallway that presumably led to at least three bedrooms.

"You have a really nice place, Elizabeth."

"Thanks."

She placed the takeaway food on the dining room table and went into the kitchen. He could hear drawers opening and closing and she reappeared with plates and cutlery.

"What do you want to drink? I don't have beer but I have soft drink."

"Water is fine."

At least if she doesn't have beer it was unlikely that she had guys hanging out with her too much. That was a good sign.

She pulled the plastic containers out of the bag and placed them on the table. Jack went over and sat down where she had indicated. She tipped his pasta out onto a plate and did the same for hers. Jack waited until she started to eat before doing the same.

The pasta tasted fantastic. "Wow. This really is great."

"I told you! You didn't believe me?"

"Well everyone says that their local place is great but this really is."

Elizabeth grinned at him.

"How is yours?" he asked.

"Delicious. You want to try?" she said as she pushed her plate closer to him.

Jack put his fork in and twirled some spaghetti onto it and took a bite. He nodded. "That is really good too. You want to try some of mine?"

Elizabeth looked at his seafood marinara. He could see she was eying it off. She nodded before leaning in and putting some on her fork. Jack laughed as she tried to daintily put it in her mouth and ended up with the tomato sauce all over her lips.

"Mmm. That's good too" she said as she licked her lips. Jack hadn't seen anyone do that so gracefully. He couldn't help but grin.

Their conversation started back up again. They moved to the lounge, sitting close, as he still held her hand. Jack looked down at his watch and realised the time. 9 pm.

"Wow, Elizabeth. I really lost track of the time. I better go if you're working tomorrow."

Elizabeth didn't want this night to end. She didn't want to say goodbye to Jack for a few reasons. She really liked him. Everything had been so easy between them. There had only been a couple of semi-awkward moments in the last eight hours. Elizabeth was worried that once he walked out that door she wouldn't see him again. It had happened before.

Jack stood up before turning back and pulling her to her feet. Jack still held her hand as they walked to the door.

"Thank you for today, Elizabeth. I had a really nice time."

"Me too" she said as she opened her front door for him.

Jack turned to her and hesitated. Clearly he felt as unsure as her on how to say goodbye. Elizabeth decided to take a chance. She leant toward him, resting her hand on his arm. She grazed her lips against his cheek, kissing him gently.

"Bye Jack."

Jack stood there for a moment longer. Elizabeth still had her hand on his arm. He moved back toward her, his eyes glanced down at her lips momentarily before he leant in to kiss her. It was gentle as his warm lips pushed against hers.

When he pulled back, she felt like the air was leaving her body. Her hand went to his neck, pulling him back toward her. He went willingly, their lips connecting again as he kissed her deeper and she kissed him back. It was the perfect kiss.

Jack pulled back this time with a dimpled grin.

"I better go, Elizabeth. I'll speak to you tomorrow?"

"Yes. I finish work at 5."

"Okay. Speak to you then."

He pecked her on the lips again before he left. He pressed the elevator button and a moment later he turned back to wave before he disappeared into it.

Elizabeth closed the door and leant against it.

Rules Number 3 and Number 4 broken. But she would break Number 4 over and over again if it was that good.

Elizabeth walked toward her bedroom, a huge grin on her face.

To be continued …