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 9

Jack woke up as soon as he heard the rooster crow. It was his routine but this morning he wanted to head out much earlier because he needed to survey the area and assess any damage caused by the storm. There was that loud crash of thunder that shook the café last night; lightning must have struck something. He smiled as he recalled Elizabeth jumping into his arms because of it. 'I can't wait to see her this morning. The sooner I get out there, the sooner I will get to the café and see her.' -He thought.

He sat up and saw Sokull sprawled out on the cot in the cell across from him. Jack's smile faded thinking about why he was here in the first place. 'He has some nerve!' -Jack thought. 'He'll be up by the time I get back here and I'll finish with him then. Hopefully I'll get him out of town as soon as possible.' -he thought.

Jack noted there was plenty of time to make it around town and be back in time for breakfast hopefully with Elizabeth, finish paperwork on Sokull and catch up with Bill who wrote that he had information. Jack went to put on his uniform, fed the dog and headed out.

On his ride around town, he found there was little damage from the storm, mostly a lot of leaves and small limbs. As Jack rode on the dirt road that led to the main street area and the café, he could smell burnt wood. He rounded the bend and spotted a large tree that was split in half and the ground singed. It was evident that the tree was struck by lightning. Satisfied that all was well, Jack headed back to the jail.

Jack noticed Ned heading into the store as he rode up to the building. He ran inside to get the telegram form that Bill completed looking into Sokull's background. Jack ran back out slamming the door shut, waking Sokull.

"I'm not open yet, Constable!" said Ned.

"I know but I need this to go out immediately this morning, can you make it your first one?" Jack asked.

"Ok, fine." he said reluctantly.

"Thank you. This is extremely important!" Jack said as he turned to walk back to the jail.

'Abigail's hard at work!' Jack thought as his stomach growled from the smell of baked goods coming from the café. He couldn't wait to get over there. He noted the people in the street already heading over.

Jack walked into the jail.

"Oh, great it's you!" Sokull said upon seeing Jack.

"I'm not happy to see you either, Sokull." Jack said placing his hat on the hook by the door.

"My arm and shoulder are sore because of you!" Sokull complained.

Jack walked over to the cell, "Well if you treated Miss Thatcher with the respect due a lady, you wouldn't have been hurt. You walk around treating women like that? Where's your decency?" Jack said demanded, recalling the scene that unfolded before his eyes last night between Sokull and Elizabeth.

"What gives you the right to get into my business with Miss Thatcher? You're engaged to Rosemary, aren't you?" Sokull yelled.

Jack was taken aback by that, "No." Jack said. 'Why would he say that?' -Jack thought.

"You obviously must still have feelings for Miss Thatcher, considering! First I thought Rosemary set me up but I don't know what to think now!" Sokull said touching his hand to his head, feeling his hangover. "All I know is Rosemary told me that you two were no longer courting and that Miss Thatcher is interested in me. She said she finds me handsome and I'm certainly attracted to her." Rupert smiled smugly at Jack.

'That's it!' Jack thought. He reached through the cell, grabbed Sokull by the shirt and pulled him up against the bars. "You scared her! I think you better reconsider who you get your information from because Rosemary is spreading tall tales. I'm courting Miss Thatcher and I meant what I said; if you ever lay a finger on her again, you'll be begging for God's mercy." Jack said in a low and stealthy voice.

"Jack?" Elizabeth said.

Jack looked over his shoulder, "Elizabeth!" They were so caught up in their exchange that neither Jack nor Sokull noticed anyone came in. He dropped his hold on Sokull and walked over to her.

"Well good morning, Miss Thatcher!" Sokull greeted her with a smile. A part of him was still hopeful.

Elizabeth was instantly uncomfortable and looked away. She felt her stomach turn slightly. The feeling was quite a contrast to how safe she felt when she was with Jack, and felt those familiar butterflies of love.

"Be quiet!" Jack shot back seeing Elizabeth's reaction. He turned his attention back to Elizabeth. "What brings you by so early?" Jack said touching her arm and moving them both towards the door to create distance from Sokull.

"Bill came by the café looking for you. He came here first and didn't see you; we thought it was strange that you were not here because you do your rounds after breakfast. He said he needs to see you right away. He's visiting Abigail right now."

He noticed her little slip when she said 'WE thought it was strange you were not here.' Jack smiled, "Were you concerned because I wasn't here?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth looked surprised. "No...I just wanted to know if… you were planning to come over for breakfast." Elizabeth said trying to play it off but a smile played on her lips.

"Uh, huh" Jack's smile grew.

"I'd love to come over for breakfast, Miss Thatcher." said Sokull.

"How about you apologize for your actions last night?" Jack suggested; this man was annoying him to the core.

Sokull's memory was a little fuzzy. 'The Constable said something about scaring Miss Thatcher?' "I'm sorry if I scared you Miss Thatcher but, I think you're prettier than any flower and I still want to dance with you sometime." He said with a wink.

Jack stared at Sokull, 'Does he really want a round two?' -He thought.

Suddenly, Elizabeth felt determined to push aside her fear of this man. She squared her shoulders, looked him in the eye and said, "For once and for all, I do not want your attention, Mr. Sokull! I've tried to make it clear that I am NOT interested in you. The only man I'm interested in is the Constable and our courtship…and he is certainly the only man I'm interested in dancing with!" Elizabeth said firmly.

She then looked at Jack who was smiling at her with pride. "I'll see you at the café?" she asked.

"Actually, I'm free to go with you right now." Jack said with a smile. He motioned for Elizabeth to exit first and then turned and gave Sokull a dirty look as he closed the door.

Sokull groaned.

"I'm proud of you, Elizabeth! I could tell that you were uncomfortable at first when you saw him." Jack said.

"Thank you! That felt good!" Elizabeth said.

"Really, I'm very proud. I was surprised that you came to the jail knowing he was there." Jack said.

"Well, I was a little caught up in finding you that I sort of forgot that he would be there." Elizabeth gave him a shy smile.

"So you were concerned!" Jack said wishing they were not in the middle of the street where everyone could see them or he would sweep her up into a hug.

"Well, I…" Elizabeth started as they approached the café.

"Jack!" Bill yelled as he opened the door of the café.

"Good morning!" Jack said knowing that Bill had important information to tell him.

"I see you found him, Elizabeth. Mind if I borrow him?" Bill asked. 'Hmm…these two must have worked things out: they're together and they're both glowing.

"Of course." Elizabeth smiled and began to walk away.

Bill motioned for Jack to follow him but Jack held a finger up. "Excuse me for a just a moment." Jack said. "Elizabeth, wait!"

She turned around. "Yes?"

Jack stepped closer to her and spoke softly, "Will you have dinner with me tonight? Please?" Jack asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.

Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat. 'As if I could say no?' Elizabeth thought and smiled. "I'd love that! Could you walk me to school later? It's been awhile." She asked, hoping to resume every part of their old routine.

"I'd love that." he said with a smile.

"Good! Don't take too long, there may not be any biscuits left." She said.

"Don't eat them all!" Jack joked as he feigned concern.

"I can't make any promises!" Elizabeth said with a giggle. They turned away from each other smiling.

Bill watched as Jack walked over to him. 'Oh, yeah they must have had a talk. Look at this man, he's in love!' –Bill thought.

"Sorry about that, Bill." Jack said.

"So, you finally had a chat with Elizabeth?" Bill said with a smile. "Was I correct in my assessment that things were not as they appeared?"

Jack suddenly felt bashful and only nodded.

"I'm glad, Jack!"

"Thank you, me too!" Jack replied. "What's the information that you have for me?"

"Well safe to assume you've already spoken to Sokull today? I tried to catch you earlier but you were not there. I see you didn't kill him." Bill said matter-of-factly.

"Not yet." Jack said sarcastically.

"Well, it seems he had an accomplice or rather, a motivator for his actions." Bill said.

"Rosemary." They said simultaneously.

"Yes?" Rosemary replied.

To be continued...please review! :)