Disclaimer: ***I do not own the characters within, all rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Ms. Oke, Mr. Bird, Mr. Landon, and the creators/writers/actors of "When Calls the Heart". You inspired me to write and I'm not a writer! Feel free to use my story on the show! I'd be honored!***
Chapter 8
"She set me up!" Rupert Sokull said to Bill through the bars of the jail cell.
"Who did?" Bill inquired.
"Rosemary! She said the Constable was engaged to her and that Miss Thatcher was interested in me." Sokull said angrily
"Well that's certainly not the case." Bill said. Sokull had been talking in circles since they got to the jail. Bill was doing the best he could to be patient with the man as he tried to piece everything together.
Sokull was clearly not listening as he paced within the small cell. "Damn that Constable! If he's engaged why is he getting into my business with Miss Thatcher." Sokull demanded.
'Because he's in love with her.' Bill thought.
"She's interested in me!" Sokull said with a sly grin.
"What makes you say that?" Bill asked as he stood on the other side of the cell.
"Well…Rosemary said."
Bill just looked at him and shook his head. "So, Rosemary told you that Miss Thatcher was interested in you but you think she set you up because of the Constable stopped you from harming Miss Thatcher?" Bill said trying to make sense of the details that were unfolding. "You're not making sense but then again you're drunk right now. I think you better try to sleep this off." Bill said.
"I wasn't trying to harm her, I wanted to dance with her, maybe get a kiss. Rosemary said she thinks I'm handsome!" Sokull said rather proudly to himself. "Where is Miss Thatcher? Tell her I'm ready to dance!" Sokull said as he stood and then fell back onto the cot. He then put his head on the pillow and said, "I'm not feeling so good! Man, my arm and shoulder are killing me!"
Bill rolled his eyes, "Mr. Sokull, try to get some sleep so you can sober up before the Constable comes back." Bill said. 'Hopefully there won't be a round two between him and Jack.' Bill thought. 'Jack's going to be upset when he learns of Rosemary's involvement in tonight's events.'
Bill walked over to the window and peered out. The storm was really picking up out there. 'I hope this little incident helps Jack and Elizabeth sort things out.' he thought. He made a mental note to make sure he gave jack a heads up. Bill sat down at Jack's desk and started doing the paperwork for booking Sokull.
Over at the café, Jack was seated at the table which was set for tea. Elizabeth walked over with the tea pot and poured. They both couldn't stop smiling at one another.
Abigail thought she heard Elizabeth talking with someone downstairs but couldn't make out who it was with the thunder outside. "Well, hello there!" Abigail said as she entered the room. 'Thank goodness, it's about time!' -she thought.
"Hello Abigail, I hope we're not disturbing you." Jack said as he stood.
"No, no, not at all but the storm is disturbing my reading! I was just coming down to make some tea." Abigail said with a smile.
"Well, please join us." Elizabeth offered gesturing to a chair.
"Oh no, you two have a lot of catching up to do!" Abigail said as she grabbed a cup and poured. "I'll be upstairs if you need me." She turned to go back upstairs. "Oh, and it's about time!" She said with a wink.
Jack and Elizabeth smiled at each other. They sat down and turned their attention to fixing their tea. They both reached out for a pastry and their hands touched. They looked at each other once again and smiled; it felt good to be together.
"Thank you for inviting me in. I guess we do have a lot of catching up to do." Jack said. "I've missed you, Elizabeth. It was hard to not be around you." He said as he took her hand.
"I know…I've missed you too, Jack. I realized what a mistake it was to try to be friends right away and I kept trying to talk to you but things became so awkward." Elizabeth said looking down.
Jack squeezed her hand, "I know. I had no idea what to say to you half the time because I'd see you and want to kiss you." He said with a shy smile.
Elizabeth blushed at that and thought about the times they interacted the last two weeks on the street, in the café, and so on.
Elizabeth smiled, "Well, at least we're on the right track now." She jumped slightly at the crash of thunder and flash of lightning; spilling some of the tea she held in her other hand.
"It's all right." Jack said as he touched her arm.
Elizabeth smiled feeling a little embarrassed.
She wiped it up and Jack asked, "So, how are your students?"
"They're wonderful as always! Their minds never cease to amaze me. I saw you speaking with Emily earlier today. It was nice of you to help her with her shoe." She said smiling.
"Oh no, she told me she didn't need my help...she's 7 now!" Jack said with a smile.
Elizabeth laughed, "She's very proud!"
"Yes she is! You're right about your students' minds, Emily asked me why I have not been by to visit you." Said Jack.
Elizabeth's head shot up, she was surprised to hear that. "What did you tell her?"
"It's grown up stuff and to enjoy being 7." Jack said with a smile.
Elizabeth giggled at that. She also felt relief because she didn't want her students to know even though the older students had inquired about Jack's absence.
"Emily said she thought you missed me. I have to admit that it made me determined to talk to you tonight; well that and your smile and wave today." He said with a grin. He spared telling her about his dream and conversation with Bill.
"I'm glad. Obviously everything turned out for the best tonight with the exception of my run in with Mr. Sokull." Elizabeth said looking away. "I don't even want to think about what would have happened if…"
"Please try not to." Jack said trying to encourage her while encouraging himself. He didn't want to think about what could have happened either.
"You're right and you certainly took care of things. Thank you, Constable." Elizabeth smiled
"Anything to serve and protect, Ma'am." Jack said smiled. After a moment Jack asked, "Tom mentioned that he had to speak to Sokull a while ago, how come you never said anything to me about it?"
"Well he came into town when you had your transfer. He started to pay me some attention when you returned but Rosemary arrived…" Elizabeth started but she didn't have to finish.
Jack only nodded because he knew where they stood during that time.
"And then when you had to go to Calgary a few weeks ago for training, Mr. Sokull started to become a pain in the neck. I did the best I could but Tom noticed and said something. Fortunately, Mr. Sokull stopped until recently."
The thunder clapped loudly outside. "I have an idea!" Elizabeth said. She walked over and turned on the record player. The music came on and she smiled. "This should hopefully drown out the sound of the storm!"
Jack smiled, "Good thinking!"
Elizabeth put their plates and cups in the sink to wash later. Jack walked over to her and put his hand out, "Elizabeth, may I?"
Elizabeth smiled and put her hand in his. He walked her to the dining room and they moved into a dance position.
"I've missed this." Elizabeth said as they swayed.
"Me too. Elizabeth, I don't ever want us to be a in a situation like this again. I meant it when I told you that I want you to come to me for anything." Jack said happy he was clearly getting better at saying what he felt. "I love you."
Elizabeth beamed, "I love you, too and I promise I will."
A loud crash of thunder hit and the café shook a little. They both jumped at the sound and Elizabeth hugged Jack. They both pulled back slightly looking at each other. "Sorry!" Elizabeth said.
Jack had a big grin on his face, "Why are you sorry? I'm happy to hold you."
"Thank you." Elizabeth whispered. They remained hugging as they swayed to the music.
The storm had calmed down outside. Jack and Elizabeth were sorry to see their night come to an end but it was getting late. "I'll see you tomorrow." Jack said.
"Good night." Elizabeth smiled as she closed the door.
Jack jogged back to the jail between the raindrops. He hardly noticed though because he couldn't be happier. 'Thank you God that everything worked out.'
He ran up the stairs of the jail and remembered he was going to have to spend the night with Sokull in the jail. His smile quickly disappeared and he walked in.
He hung his jacket up and looked into the cell; Sokull was passed out and snoring. 'Good, I can deal with him in the morning.' -he thought. Jack walked over to the desk and found a note from Bill;
Jack,
I went back to the saloon for the night because I know Tom wanted one of us to be there. I have some information that I need to share with you.
Bill
P.S. Oh, and whatever you do, don't kill Sokull.
Jack smiled at that.
Upstairs over at the saloon, Rosemary sat and asked herself for the hundredth time that night; 'What am I going to do?'
