Abigail had spent the night keeping a close eye on Elizabeth. There were a few rough spots, but soon Elizabeth's breathing steadied and she had a healthy color to her cheeks. The sun shone through the curtains and warmed Abigail's face waking her. She sat up and rubbed her back. She'd fallen asleep in the chair by the bed and now she was wishing she'd gone to her bed. She got up and saw that Elizabeth was still sleeping so she headed down to get breakfast started. She saw Jack was up as well. "You look much better." She said getting some milk out of the icebox. "I feel much better." He replied sipping a cup of coffee. "I hope you don't mind. I made the coffee." He added. She smiled. "No I don't. You're going to need it." She said looking over at him with an encouraging glance. He smiled and shook his head.
Elizabeth sat up with a start. She looked around frantically not sure where she was at first. When she recognized her room in the café she laid back with relief. The last thing she remembered was a gunshot and Carl's blank face as he fell on top of her. She sat back up and pushed the covers back. "I must look a fright." She said to herself getting out of bed. She went to her closet and pulled out one of her work calico dresses and changed. She took her hair down and brushed it then put it in a braid leaving it down her back. She took a deep breath and headed downstairs.
Jack and Abigail looked up at the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. "Elizabeth you're up!" Jack exclaimed jumping up. She smiled not trusting her voice. She was relived and nervous at the same time. "Oh Jack." She said letting the tears fall. He embraced her and rubbed her back. "Shh. It's okay." He said softly. Abigail came over and touched Elizabeth's shoulder. Jack let go and Elizabeth turned and Abigail embraced her. Finally the tears subsided and she took a deep breath. "So much for holding myself together." She said wiping her eyes with the hankie Abigail had handed her. Abigail smiled. "It's understandable for someone who's been kidnapped." She said. Elizabeth looked over at Jack. "What happened? The last thing I remember was that horrible man Carl on top of me then a gunshot and him falling." She said quickly so she wouldn't burst into tears again. "You too sit and I'll get you some more coffee while Jack explains." Abigail suggested. Elizabeth nodded and Jack followed her over to the couch. Abigail brought over the coffee and sat down in the chair beside the couch. Jack went through his explanation of how he'd found them and rescued her. He left out the part of her parents being here waiting to tell her after she processed his story.
"I let Storm find the way back home in the blinding storm hoping that the message I sent with the mare would be found and someone would ride out to find us. I had begun to lose hope till I saw the town and then we were by the cafe." He finished with a big sigh. Elizabeth had managed to keep herself together through the story. "The mare came into town and Frank took some men in the direction that was on the message. Apparently they passed you or something. They're still out there looking for you or the outlaws." Abigail added. Elizabeth looked between them and sniffed. Jack took her hand and squeezed. "If I had been a few minutes later..." He stopped and the muscle in his jaw twitched. Elizabeth's chin quivered but she took a deep breath and steadied herself. She put her free hand on his cheek. "I know. But by the grace of God you were just on time. And I thought the wife of a Mountie only had to worry about her husband." She said smiling. That put a smile on each of their faces and they laughed. "I just want you to know that this hadn't changed my mind about us but it has opened my eyes to the future." Elizabeth continued. Jack went to speak and she put a finger to his lips to silence him. "It made me certain that I want to spend every moment that I can with you." She said. It felt as if she was saying it for the millionth time but she wanted Jack to know that she meant it. "I'm glad to hear that especially now." Jack replied. Elizabeth looked between him and Abigail. "What's he talking about?" She asked. Just then the door opened in the cafe and in walked another test on their love. "Mother? Father?" Elizabeth exclaimed.
