Elizabeth came down the stairs quietly, she stood on the bottom step watching Kate nervously pacing the house. She would walk to the front window looking out for a minute before going back into the kitchen opening the oven and checking on the pie then go back to the window.

"Your going to wear a hole in my floor." Elizabeth said coming down the stairs all the way making Kate jump.

"I am not." Kate muttered.

"Are you nervous?" Elizabeth asked

"No! Of course not. There's nothing to be nervous about… you promised no silly stories from my childhood." Kate said pointing a finger at Elizabeth who raised her hands to show she wasn't looking to pick a fight with her sister.

"I promise Katie." Elizabeth chuckled.

"And I can't even ask you what you would do because you never had to go through this. I think you had it easy." Kate frowned.

"Are you worried what he will think of Jack and I?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, I'm worried what you and Jack will think of him." Kate sighed.

"You are?" Elizabeth asked surprised.

"Yeah, If you and Jack don't like him then we don't stand a chance." Kate said with a little shrug.

"Oh Katie, I will keep an open mind I promise." Elizabeth smiled.

"And you will talk to Jack?"

"Well I think Jack will be open minded…" Elizabeth started as Kate gave her a look.

"I'll talk to him." She chuckled.

"Thank you." Kate nodded.

"Of course, now what can I do to help you in here?" Elizabeth asked looking around the kitchen.

"Nothing, the table is set, dinner is almost done."

"Lily is fed and sleeping so hopefully we get through dinner before she wakes up."

"Why do we have to dress up for dinner tonight?" Abby asked coming down the stairs. Elizabeth reached out retying the bow at the bottom of her braid smoothing down her light pink dress, one that was usually saved for church on Sundays.

"Because we have a guest coming over and it's important to be presentable when there is a guest." Elizabeth said.

"Aunt Rosemary came for tea yesterday and we didn't have to put on shoes and wear our best dresses." Abby frowned.

"Aunt Rosemary is not really a guest." Elizabeth sighed.

"Well who can tell the difference?"

"If they come in without knocking, they aren't a guest." Kate smirked as Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"So Aunt Abigail is not a guest either?" Will asked bounding down the stairs.

"Not exactly, they are more family than guest." Elizabeth nodded letting Abby free as she ran her fingers through William's hair.

"Well who is coming to dinner tonight?" Will asked dodging her hands.

"One of your Auntie's friends. And he is a true guest so I expect everyone to be on their best behavior." Elizabeth said.

"Is it Laura?" Abby asked.

"No, it's a new man in town."

"A man?" Abby asked raising her eyebrows at Kate in a way that was not unlike a face Elizabeth often gave her.

"That's what I said." Jack nodded coming down with Tommy hanging from his back as there was a knock on the door.

"That's him" Kate said glancing at the window.

"Go on, answer it." Elizabeth smiled as Kate hurried to the door. She pulled it open greeting Eric who looked like he was dressed up in his Sunday best too.

"Hi." Kate smiled.

"Hello, these are for you." Eric smiled handing her a handful of wild flowers.

"Thank you, come on in." Kate took them stepping to the side allowing Eric into the cabin.

"Eric, this is my sister Elizabeth, her husband Jack and the kids Abigail, William and Thomas, Lily is the baby she's sleeping." Kate said.

"Everyone, this is Eric." Kate glanced at her family.

"Nice to meet you, we are so glad you could make it to dinner." Elizabeth smile.

"Thank you for having me."

"Nice to meet you, Lee says you do good work" Jack said extending his hand.

"Well Mr Coulter is a good boss." Eric nodded shaking Jack's hand firmly as Kate met Elizabeth's eyes.

"Oh I brought something for you guys too." Eric smiled pulling out three candy sticks from his pocket. The kids immideatly jumped at them, each taking one.

"Oh wow!" Tommy cried.

"Can we eat them now?" Will asked.

"After dinner you may, what do you all say?" Elizabeth asked.

"Thank you." They chorused.

"Your welcome, those used to be my favoriate when I was a kid too." Eric smiled.

"Well you must be starved, why don't we all sit and start on diner." Elizabeth said as they gathered around the table.

"You have a beautiful home." Eric said glancing around.

"Thank you, Jack made the plans and had a big hand in building it, but we had a lot of help from everyone in town." Elizabeth smiled.

"I like how you made it so the fireplace warms the whole house, must be cozy in the winter." Eric nodded. Kate noted that Jack looked pretty impressed by this.

"Yes it does, keeps the cold out, you ever experience a winter in the west?" Jack asked.

"Oh yes sir, my family is about a day's train ride north of here, we have some awful winters." Eric nodded.

"I was in the northern territories one winter, it was the hardest thing I could imagine." Jack nodded.

"Makes you more greatful for the summer heat i suppose, Kate mentioned that you fought in the war up north when you were in the service. My uncle did as well." Eric nodded, Jack looked even more impressed as Kate smile and Elizabeth winked at her.


"Thank you very much for dinner." Eric said shaking Jack's hand again as the sun was going down.

"Of course, you are welcome anytime." Elizabeth nodded.

"Especially if you bring more candy." Will added making them laugh.

"I'll walk you a little ways to town." Kate smiled following Eric out. He offered her his arm as they made they way down the porch and started slowly walking down the dirt path.

"So, how do you think I did?" Eric asked.

"I think you did just fine, were you nervous?" Kate asked.

"Of course, I know how important they all are to you, I want them to like me."

"Well the kids like anyone, Elizabeth liked you, Jack tends to be a little protective but I think you impressed him too." Kate smiled.

"Good" Eric smiled.

"Thank you for the flowers."

"Mrs Coulter said I could pick them from her garden, Mr Coulter said something to her about me coming here for dinner I think." Eric said.

"Oh, I suppose that means I need to have a talk with Rosemary again." Kate sighed.

"She looked like she wanted to ask me a million questions but she held back."

"Well I'm sure she won't hold back when she comes in for her coffee tomorrow morning." Kate smirked.

"Maybe you should go back, it will be dark soon, if you walk me all the way to town I will feel the need to walk you home and then we will be stuck in this circle." Eric said making Kate smile.

"We usually have a picnic by the pond after Church, with the Stantons and the Coulters, maybe you could join us Sunday?" Kate asked.

"I would really like that" Eric smiled taking hold of her hand, he surprised Kate a little by suddenly leaning in and pecking her lips with her quickly before she knew what was happening.

"Is that ok?" Eric asked softly.

"It's ok, but I wasn't ready." Kate grinned.

"Sorry, should I warn you next time?" Eric asked.

"Well, I do feel I could do a better job with some warning." Kate said trying to act serious as she nodded.

"Of course, Kate Thatcher I'm going to kiss you again." Eric said just as serious as his green eyes sparkled. Kate smiled as she leaned in to meet his this time softening her lips to his. She felt his hand gently go around her back holding her close, the kiss lasted a little longer before he pulled away.

"Thank you for dinner." Eric smiled.

"Thank you for putting up with me family." Kate grinned.

"I'll see you tomorrow" Eric squeezed her hand again. Kate watched him walk further down the path into the woods before turning back grateful they were out of view of the house. Kate wanted to skip back home, but she resisted, instead just toeing off her boots and sinking her toes into the cool spring dirt. She could still feel his lips on hers as she reached up to touch her bottom lip smiling softly to herself. She had been kissed before, once by James Maddison when they were 7 and he declared they both should practice. Though she didn't think that actually counted. And again when she was 18 by John, a boy who had stayed in town for a summer helping his uncle on the farm. But this was the first kiss that Kate felt like really mattered. She walked slowly back to the house, Willow ran up to meet her wagging her tail. Instead of going up the porch steps Kate kept walking going down the path that lead to the little pond on the side of the house. When Jack had bought the land so many years ago Kate had loved it, and she never stopped being so greatful that they got to live on the ridge. It was far enough from town that they were away from the business, but still just a short walk that they could get back and forth a few times a day. They had the house and barn, along with the pond, that was big enough for skating in the winter, a garden for vegetables and flowers, and enough land on the side that they could build another house, Jack offered selling it to Lee or Jesse to build on but they had wanted to stay closer to town. Kate was just glad that she was able to live in such a beautiful place. Kate sat down on the log that Jack had carved into a seat by the pond, not ready to go back into the busy house yet. She wasn't surprised when Elizabeth wondered out in the last of the sunlight, sitting down beside her.

"He seems like a really nice man." Elizabeth said, breaking the silence.

"Good, he likes you guys too, he was nervous, but I think he feels better about it now. I invited him to the picnic Sunday with Rosemary and Abigail." Kate said.

"Good, you know Rosemary she will be upset if she doesn't meet him soon." Elizabeth nodded.

"So I noticed you walked him a ways, out of view of the house, did he happen to kiss you good night?" Elizabeth asked giving her sister a sly smile.

"A lady doesn't kiss and tell." Kate shook her head.

"This lady better tell her sister! I couldn't keep any secrets from you when Jack and I started courting." Elizabeth smirked.

"At least you could send me to bed before you started necking on the couch with him." Kate teased making Elizabeth slap Kate's arm.

"There was no necking!"

"You act like I didn't creep downstairs to spy on you a time or two." Kate teased as Elizabeth shot her a look.

"So that's a yes on the good night kiss then?" Elizabeth asked.

"As if I could ever keep anything from you." Kate rolled her eyes.

"You and me right?" Elizabeth asked making Kate turn to her with a soft smile.

"It's been a long time since we said that." Kate said softly.

"It's been a long time since it was you and me, but your still my favorite sister. Even if I have my own kids and you are… doing whatever it is your doing with Eric. Still you and me right?" Elizabeth said giving her a smile making Kate laugh softly.

"You and me." Kate nodded.

"Come on, the kids are going to bed and Jack is making popcorn." Elizabeth said standing up and holding out her hand. Kate smiled allowing her sister to pull her up as they headed back to the house.


"Heading into town?" Jack called from the porch as Kate rode by on Gracie.

"Yeah, until dinnertime." Kate nodded.

"Mind if I join you for a ride?"

"Sure" Kate nodded as Jack headed into the barn coming back a minute later on Sergeant.

"It's been a while since we went for a ride." Jack said pulling Sergeant up beside Gracie.

"We have both been busy." Kate nodded.

"Speaking of that, I wanted to thank you for bringing Eric to dinner yesterday." Jack said as they both nudged their horses into a slow walk.

"Of course, he wanted to meet everyone, and Elizabeth made it clear she wanted to meet him too." Kate shrugged.

"What I mean is, thank you for allowing me to meet him on such formal terms." Jack said.

"How else would you?" Kate asked confused.

"I mean, You're an adult, and you make your own choices. I know Elizabeth has always been your gardian and her opinion matters to you. I guess I always hoped I would be a part of a dinner like that, but I never wanted to expect to be." Jack said gently, Kate turned to him surprised.

"Jack, you know your the closest thing I ever had to a father. When you married my sister you became my family too. What you think matters to me just as much as what Elizabeth does. I'm surprised you don't know that by now." Kate said giving him a teasing smile.

"You know, they say your children are done being children when they are adults, you're an adult, you have a job, you run a cafe, you don't need looking after. You're courting a man. I just thought, that was the last step of growing up, courting, and now that you're courting you wouldn't want me in your life as much, I would just be your sisters husband, not the man you grew up with." Jack said.

"Of course I always what to be in your life, and I always want to be that father you never had, but I understand if you don't want that anymore. If you had out grown it." Jack said.

"Never, I always need you Jack, no matter what." Kate said making Jack smile.

"Good, then you should know, i plan keeping a strict eye on Eric. only the best for my little shadow." Jack said.

"I expect nothing less." Kate chuckled.


"Aunt Abigail!" Tommy cried as Abigail turned from the self at the mercantial.

"Hi sweetheart!" Abigail smiled as Tommy gave her a hug.

"Who are you here with?" Abigail asked scanning the store.

"Mama was bringing lunch to Pa and she said i was big enough to come and get the mail by myself." Tommy said looking important.

"Well you are getting mighty old."

"Yeah, but the only mail is this boring letter from cousin Julie." Tommy shrugged making Abigail smile.

"Well are you to big to walk back to your Pa's office with me?" Abigail asked tucking her basket over her arm.

"No." Tommy smiled slipping his little hand into her's as the left the store and crossed the street as Elizabeth was coming out of Jack's office.

"Oh you're alone!" Abigail smiled.

"Willly went to play at the Coulters and Rosemary insisted on keeping Lily while I ran into town, and Abby is helping Kate in the cafe." Elizabeth smiled.

"Yes, I heard you had something big happen in your house last night." Abigail smiled as they started walking down main street. Tommy ran ahead his barefeet kicking up little clouds of dust as he jumped through the grass.

"We did, what did Kate say about it?"

"Not much, just that it went as she had hoped, it doesn't seem that Jack kicked him out of the house." Abigail chuckled.

"Jack was better then I thought. And Eric seems very nice, it's just a little hard to picture my sister courting so seriously, do you know he kissed her good night." Elizabeth said softly.

"Well she is growing up." Abigail chuckled.

"I know, I know, part of me is happy for her, and this other part of me wants to turn back time and make her stay fourteen." Elizabeth sighed.

"There is no book on this." Abigail agreed.

"If we get through this maybe I should write one." Elizabeth said.

"One down, four more to go." Abigail chuckled.

"Oh no, I'm keeping the rest of them small." Elizabeth said as Tommy came running back holding a worm up.

"Look Mama! For your garden!" Tommy cried putting it in Elizabeth hand and running back down the path. Abigail chuckled as Elizabeth looked like she was swallowing back a scream.

"Tommy said there was a letter from Julie?" Abigail asked handing Elizabeth a cloth from her basket to put the worm in.

"Yeah, she's been writing pretty often. She want's us to go to Hamilton for a visit."

"Are you going to?"

"Probably, I would like to wait until Lily is a little older, but maybe come Fall. We haven't been back since William was a baby, it's just hard." Elizabeth sighed.

"Hard traveling with all the children?"

"No, hard for me. Selfish I suppose, I somehow find myself missing my Father and Mother even more since having children of my own. We should be going back to visit them too in Hamilton."

"I understand, it must be very hard." Abigail said soothingly.

"It's not so bad when we are home. But lately, the past few times we went back… They were never in Hope Valley, but they were in Hamilton, and to be there without them is hard. To not have Father able to run around with William in the gardens of my mother holding my babies, it just hurts more when we are there."

"I'm sure, you have loving family there but it's not the same. If it really bothers you so much don't let Julie pressure you into going."

"But we need to, it's harder for Aunt Agathia and Uncle Henry to travel. And Viola has her own children. Perhaps it will be a nice little vacation."

"Well you know if you ever need any company, or for me to watch the children just let me know." Abigail said as they approached the Coulter house. Elizabeth turned giving her friend a smile. Through the years and all the places life had taken them, Abigail was always right by her side offering her so much support and love from their first night in Hope Valley.

"Thank you" Elizabeth squeezed her friend's hand as they watched Tommy ahead of them running up the porch steps into the house. Not more then a few seconds went by before Rosemary came out of the house waving her arms.

'Oh Elizabeth! There you are!"

"Is everything alright? Where's the baby?" Elizabeth asked quickly.

"Oh she's just fine, she's napping. Will said Kate was courting Eric? Is that true? Why didn't she tell me? Goodness I feel at though…" Rosemary started. Elizabeth put her hand up stopping her friend knowing once Rosemary got going it would be hard to get a word in.

"You will meet him tomorrow Kate is bringing him to the picnic after church." Elizabeth said.

"Oh. Well then alright, that's that." Rosemary nodded.

"Speaking of Kate I should get back to the cafe. Somehow my quick trip to the store turned into a walk out here." Abigail smiled.

"See you tomorrow." Elizabeth smiled.

"How about some tea then? You might as well stay until the baby wakes up." Rosemary offered.

"Sounds good." Elizabeth smiled following her inside.


Sunday morning Kate lifted Tommy into the back of the wagon bed before climbing up herself. She sat on the plank next to Abby while the boys fought in the back.

"If either of you gets dirty your father will make both of you carry firewood until dark." Kate warned.

"I'm not afraid of Pa!" Will said firmly putting his hands on his hips.

"Well you best be or you'll be pulling splinters out of your arms for weeks." Kate raised an eyebrow at him. Despite his braveness Will and Tommy both sat down on the floor of the wagon behind the girls bench as Elizabeth came out of the house tying Lily's bonnet on her head.

"Why is it that every Sunday we are rushing to make it to church no matter what time we are up." Elizabeth sighed as Jack jogged over from the barn.

"If those chickens get out one more time I think we should eat fried chicken for a month." Jack said as Kate reached for Lily and Jack took Elizabeth's hand helping her into the front wagon seat.

"Then we would have no eggs come winter." Elizabeth said taking Lily back in her arms.

"What's for lunch Mama?" Tommy asked.

"I think Aunt Abigail is making salt pork, with cornbread and some cookies." Elizabeth said as Jack climbed up beside her.

"Yummy" Tommy smiled. Kate squirmed in her seat fixing her hair again as the wagon lurched forward when Jack whistled to Sergeant and Gracie.

"I should see if I can make a new fence before dark." Jack said.

"It's Sunday Pa, you can't work on Sunday." Abby said as Kate tried to adjust her corset through her dress.

"That's right Jack, forget about the chicken coop." Elizabeth nodded.

"I mine as well have with the amount of times I have chased the chickens back from the yard this week." Jack muttered.

"Oww!" Abby yelped as Kate elbowed her side trying to fix her dress.

"Sorry." Kate said quickly putting her hands back in her lap.

"You look fine Kate, that dress first you nicely." Elizabeth said glancing back at the girls.

"Can we eat by the grove today?" Will asked.

"As long as you stay out of the trees in your Sunday best." Elizabeth nodded.

"Maybe if I dig under the fence more, perhaps I can get Cody to help me tomorrow evening." Jack said clearly still annoyed at the chickens. Kate tried to hold her hair clip into place as they went over a bump.

"Maybe if you train the barn cats to herd them in like Willow did when we had the goats." Will offered.

"If only cats were as easy to train as dogs." Elizabeth chuckled.

"That reminds me, I think a mouse got into the feed bag last week." Jack said.

"Now your going to complain about the barn cat?" Abby asked giggling making Tommy laugh.

"Maybe you should stop complaining and be grateful for what you have." Elizabeth said raising an eyebrow at Jack.

"Well that will be mighty hard if our farm is over run by mice and chickens" Jack muttered.

"Is that going to happen?" Tommy asked looking worried.

"Yeah, and they are going to crawl into your bed at night and eat your toes." Will said making a face at him.

"Ewww!" Abby cried.

"William that is enough, Thomas that is not going to happen your Father is in a sour mode I surly hope he gets over unless he wants to ruin our day." Elizabeth said.

"Your right." Jack agreed softly as everyone settled back down again. Kate played with the hem of her dress wondering if the lace had always looked like this or if it was fraying. Then the reached up to fix her hat again as they went over another bump her elbow landing on Abby's head this time.

"Owww! Would you stop fidgiting!" Abby said rubbing her head frowning at her as if she wasn't reprimanding someone 14 years older then her.

"I'm sorry. I'll stop" Kate said gently putting her hand over the bump on Abby's head.

"You are not yourself today." Elizabeth said glancing back at the girls.

"She's nervous about sitting with that boy at church" Will teased from behind Kate.

"You be quiet!" Kate said narrowing her eyes at him as Will made a face at her.

"Goodness how many children do we have?" Elizabeth muttered turning back around leaving Kate to fend for herself.

"She is nervous." Jack whispered.

"Well of course that's natural I can't say I blame her." Elizabeth agreed adjusting Lily in her lap pulling the baby bonnet to keep the sun out of her eyes.

"She said he asked her to sit with him during the service today." Jack whispered. Elizabeth glanced back where Kate now seemed to be busy with a more friendly conversation with William and Tommy.

"Is she going to?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know, she didn't supply the information. I didn't want to come right out and ask." Jack shrugged.

"Of course." Elizabeth nodded and they fell silent as the main street came into view.

"What are you thinking about?" Jack asked.

"Well if she doesn't sit with the family anymore we are going to have to rethink out whole seating arrangement! Goodness knows Abby and Will won't get through the service if there isn't an adult sitting between them." Elizabeth frowned making Jack chuckle.

"Don't worry to much dear, it's Sunday." Jack teased. Elizabeth laughed playfully swatting his arm.


"He seems sweet" Rosemary said as she and Elizabeth sat on the picnic blanket that afternoon. Jack and Lee were in the clearing flying a kite with the kids. Abigail was slowly walking around the shady grove with Lily sleeping in her arms. Kate and Eric sat in the sun watching the kids running around laughing at Jack and Lee failing to get the kite in the air.

"He does, he makes her nervous." Elizabeth nodded.

"Well that's all normal."

"I know, I am happy for her." Elizabeth nodded.

"But?" Rosemary asked.

"But nothing, I am happy for her."

"Of come now Elizabeth, this is me your talking to." Rosemary waved her off.

"It's a little scary I suppose. Trusting someone else with her, I know she's an adult, but…"

"Of course, she's still your sister, your little sister. And this isn't just a friend. This is someone who can break her heart." Rosemary nodded.

"Life has so much heart break." Elizabeth sighed.

"I know, and of course you know. But there's only so much of the world you can protect them from."

"I guess we will just see what happens. No reason to get ahead of ourselves and worry about things that we have no control over."

"Speaking of courting where's Cody?" Rosemary asked.

"Oh he wanted to take Emily for a walk after lunch."

"Oh I'm not sure I can handle all theses kids growing up. Kate was just a little girl when I met her, Emily was practically still hiding behind her mother's apron."

"Don't blink or that will be these kids pretty soon." Elizabeth said nodding at the group of children giggling as the Jack dodged the falling kite.

"Oh goodness don't say that." Rosemary moaned as Elizabeth chuckled.


"So you survived the weekend." Kate said as she sat on the rock watching the sunset.

"I did." Eric nodded.

"It was a big weekend for you, meeting the whole family."

"I like it, they are all really nice, I know why they ware all so important to you now."

"You don't think they are all crazy?" Kate chuckled.

"Well, you gave fair warning about Rosemary. But really, I just think your lucky to have them."

"So, you really plan on staying then? In Hope Valley?"

"I do, at least for now, Mr Coulter is a good boss, I don't mind staying over the saloon, and I don't think I could leave you." Eric said softly looking up at her making Kate blush.

"Well you are welcome anytime." She smiled.

"Maybe we should get dinner this week?"

"Abigail is doing the dinner rush Tuesday."

"Why don't I borrow a buggy from the livery, we can take a ride out of town."

That sounds great." Kate smiled.

"Hey Kate, you ready?" Jack called. Kate turned where Jack was lifting Abby into the back of the wagon as Willy scrambled over the edge. The setting sun casting long shadows in the grass behind them.

"I still feel like Jack doesn't like me." Eric said softly making Kate smile.

"He will, he's protective, it's kind of his thing. Hey if you want to get on his good side, he needs to build a new chicken coop."

"I will offer my help when I see him in town tomorrow." Eric smiled as they stood up.

"See you for breakfast tomorrow?" Kate asked softly.

"Yes, I probably should kiss you good night in front of your family right?" Eric whispered. Kate glanced back were Elizabeth was settling the kids in the wagon as Jack tied up the horses. Sure that they were all busy she leaned in quickly and Eric met her kissing her lips gently making her smiled as she pulled away.

"I could get used to that." Eric smiled.

"Me too" Kate grinned before heading over to the wagon. Jack offered her a hand as she climbed into the back.

"What a nice day we had." Elizabeth said as Jack jumped up beside her whistling to the team.

"I agree." Kate smiled.