Chapter 11
Cape Fullerton
Jack was anxious. He didn't know if he would be able to go through with it, but he had to try. He drummed his fingers on his desk while he waited - waited for Elizabeth to dismiss her students. The time was at a standstill. He couldn't sit there any longer. He got up and walked to the saloon to wait outside. He wrung his hands nervously. He had to do this - wanted to do this, if only he could work up his nerve. The children started filling out.
Come on Thornton. He thought. Just come right out and say it. You can do this.
He walked in the saloon.
"Afternoon, Constable." Elizabeth said smiling.
Well it's now or never. He thought.
"Actually I'm here in an unofficial capacity." He replied.
"Oh, I see." She said.
"I've come to ask for your hand." He said.
"Beg your pardon?" She asked.
"Your hand, may I have it?" He asked
She gently placed her hand in his. His heart skipped a beat.
All he wanted was to formally ask her to supper, not propose marriage. They had only known each other a short while. It was much too early too even consider marriage.
What she must think of me. He thought.
After making it clear that she would not be required to cook, Elizabeth graciously accepted his invitation. He was relieved that he hadn't made a complete fool of himself, or if he had, Elizabeth didn't make him feel as though he had. He did, however get lost in the moment and didn't realize he was still holding Elizabeth's hand, until she asked for it back. He smiled nervously before releasing her hand.
"I shall assume that the supper does not imply the beginning of a possible courtship." Elizabeth stated. "You've made it perfectly clear that mounties do not have wives. If they wanted you to have a wife they would have issued you one."
"Did I say that?" He asked.
"Several times," she answered.
"That does sound like something I'd say." He replied.
"So I will see you Saturday night for supper." Elizabeth said, extending her hand.
"Yes see you Saturday night." Jack replied as he took her hand. "And Elizabeth, please do consider this an act of courtship."
He turned her hand over in his, brought it to his lips and kissed it ever so gently.
Elizabeth looked exasperated.
He smiled once more, released her hand, and exited the saloon.
Well done Thornton." He thought to himself. You have a date with the lovely Elizabeth Thatcher. He felt a great sense of pride. He had finally worked up the courage to ask her to supper, making his intentions perfectly clear. He had wanted to so many times.
Why was another mountie arriving in Coal Valley on the stagecoach? Where was his horse? That's what Jack wondered when Patrick O'Reilly arrived.
"Well she wanted to make a grand entrance." Patrick said as he nodded in the direction the stage had come from.
"Who might she be?" Jack asked of the woman riding in on the horse.
Jack saw Elizabeth's sudden excitement and soon learned the woman was Elizabeth's sister, Julie.
It made him smile. He'd never seen Elizabeth get so excited.
Jack couldn't wait for Saturday. He was looking forward to spending time with Elizabeth. He wanted everything to be absolutely perfect. He wanted to see where this courtship was headed. He wanted nothing to stand in their way.
Jack was surprised. The reason Patrick O'Reilly came to Coal Valley was because he had volunteered to take the posting. He told Jack he was ready to let someone else put away the bad guys. He wanted to settle down with his new wife Sarah, who was expecting their first child. Jack couldn't believe it. He had finally gotten his wish- his reassignment to Cape Fullerton. He just wasn't sure he wanted it anymore.
All he could think about was Elizabeth and how he'd made his peace with Coal Valley. He had a decision to make. He didn't know what to do. He knew he had to tell Elizabeth. He just didn't know how he was going to do it.
Saturday night finally came. This was the night Jack had been waiting for. But now his heart was heavy.
How am I going to tell Elizabeth about my new orders? He thought. I just found her and I'm going to lose her before we even get this courtship off the ground.
After he dressed, he walked over to Abigail's to pick up Elizabeth. Flower in hand he tapped on the door. It was answered by Julie. Jack looked passed Julie, straight to Elizabeth. He smiled at her radiant beauty. She looked so beautiful. She absolutely took his breath away.
"May I?" He asked as he gently brushed her hair off her shoulder and pinned the flower to her dress. He offered his arm and escorted her out the door, right in the front entrance of Abigail's café. There were candles everywhere. Jack even arranged for a few of Elizabeth's students to help serve. Jack was pleased. Elizabeth had loved the surprise. Abigail had outdone herself. They had an amazing dinner and they danced. The night was perfect. He still had one thing weighing on his mind. He couldn't stop thinking about his reassignment. They were having such a good time. He didn't want to bring down the mood with his news. After they finished dinner, Jack still didn't want this night to end.
"How would you like to take a moonlit walk?" He asked
"Oh Jack," she replied. "That would be lovely."
He smiled. He stood and took her by the hand. They walked hand in hand down by the lake.
The reflection of the moon on the water was such a romantic setting. Jack thought Elizabeth liked like an angel with her long brown hair shimmering in the moonlight.
"You look so beautiful tonight, Elizabeth." He whispered.
"Why thank you, Jack." She replied. She smiled up at him.
"Dance with me." He said offering his hand.
"We danced all evening." She replied. "There isn't even any music."
"I don't care." He said. "I like dancing with you, and I don't need any music. He smiled.
She took his hand and they swayed to the imaginary music. He wanted so bad to kiss her, to brush his lips against hers, but it wouldn't have been appropriate. Instead they finished their dance and walked back to Abigail's café.
"I had a lovely evening, Jack." Elizabeth said.
"Me too." He replied. "Maybe one day soon we can ride to my favorite spot in Coal Valley. There's something I need to discuss with you."
"Jack, I would love to." She replied.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it before she disappeared into the café.
He walked back to the jail with a smile on his face. He had enjoyed himself. He went to the jail. He lied awake most of the night. He was still afraid to tell Elizabeth about Cape Fullerton.
Jack knew he had to tell Elizabeth the news. He was still nervous about it, when he met Elizabeth at the saloon. He still wasn't sure exactly how he was going to break the news to her. He wanted to tell her in a way that would hurt her the least.
They rode to his favorite spot. Elizabeth seemed to enjoy the place as much as he did. He'd brought a camera and was taking pictures of her. She then suggested they take a picture together. He told her to smile.
"I haven't stopped since our supper." She told him.
His heart sank. He was afraid she would soon stop smiling and it was going to be because of him. He had no choice. He had to tell her, as much as he didn't want to.
He mentioned how upset he'd been when he first arrived on Coal Valley, and how he'd requested a transfer because he didn't see his purpose there.
"Are you saying that's changed?" She asked asked. "Have you found a new purpose?"
"Well it appears my request has been granted." He replied.
Elizabeth was about to cry. "You have new orders?" She asked.
"I am so sorry." Jack said.
That was all he knew to say. He hated it. He had made her cry. That was the last thing in the world he wanted to do. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. He wanted to wipe the tears from her eyes. He hated to see her cry.
She turned her back to him. He reached up and touched her shoulder.
"Please Jack, just leave me alone." She said, brushing his hand off her shoulder.
He was heartbroken. He wanted to cry himself.
"If that's what you want." He replied sadly. "But I want you to know, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you. I wish there was something else I could do."
"Just leave me alone!" She exclaimed. She ran and mounted her horse.
"Elizabeth," he called after her. "Elizabeth wait."
She didn't look back. Pretty soon she disappeared from sight.
Jack was so upset he'd tried his best not to hurt her, but instead, he'd done the complete opposite.
He mounted Taylor and rode back to town.
He hoped Elizabeth had made it back safely. He was relieved when he saw her inside the café talking to Abigail. She still looked upset. He wanted to go comfort her, but she'd asked him to leave her alone. He just went to the jail.
The following morning, Jack was still saddened. He was sitting on the steps of the jail, when Gabe Montgomery walked by. Jack thanked Gabe for his help with his dinner with Elizabeth.
"You're gonna make some young lady very happy one day." Jack told the boy.
Gabe told Jack he knew who he was going to marry the first time he laid eyes on her.
"Your first love is rarely your last." Jack had told him.
"Sometimes you see a girl and your future is clear as a bell." Gabe replied.
Jack thought for a minute. Gabe had given him some wise advice. Jack knew exactly what he wanted to do. There were still a few minutes before school started. He went straight to the saloon. It was obvious that Elizabeth had been crying. When he walked in, she looked up at him.
He told her he wasn't leaving. He wanted to stay in Coal Valley. He knew the risks with his superiors, but he was willing to take those risks... for her.
Elizabeth smiled with tears in her eyes. Her smile suddenly turned to a frown. She told him she couldn't let him do that, that she couldn't be the person that kept him from following his dream. She put her hand on his face.
"You have to go." She said. "I know it in my heart, and so do you."
Jack knew she was right. This was something he had to do, but it didn't make it any easier.
The following day, Jack was ready to head out. Before he left, he updated Patrick on his investigation on the mine disaster. He also told Patrick to keep the town safe.
"I'll be sure to keep her safe too."Patrick said.
"Thank you." Jack replied.
Jack knew Patrick would make sure Elizabeth was safe, he appreciated the reassurance just the same.
Jack rode off toward Cape Fullerton. On his way out he spotted Elizabeth watching from the window of the café with tears in her eyes.
It broke his heart to see her that way. He wasn't even outside Coal Valley yet and he missed her already. All he wanted was to turn around, go back to the café, take Elizabeth Thatcher in his arms, and wipe away her tears.
...to be continued...