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!***

Shout out to the Hearties who have been reading and reviewing. Thank you Cindie Henrich, HeartieGal14, BellaItaliana93 and CherylinBoston for your reviews and support. To Dvanderw26, thank you for your review, I'm happy you're enjoying the story. Also to the 3 "Guests" I wish you left a name so that I can properly give you thanks but I will have to settle for this...THANK YOU! :) Also, thanks to all of you who are just simply reading this story. This is all for fun and your enjoyment as we wait for Season 2 all the way in May!

Chapter 11

Jack and Elizabeth stood in disbelief. Rosemary just excused herself quite flippantly.

"Where does she have to go?" Jack asked as he began to walk out of the jail to follow Rosemary. He suddenly realized he would leave Elizabeth behind in the jail with Sokull, he turned around, grabbed her hand and pulled her with him. They stepped out onto the street. Jack could see Rosemary heading up the steps of the mercantile.

"She's in a rush to go to the mercantile?" Jack said.

"That's odd!" Elizabeth said.

Jack spotted Bill coming down the street. He gave a distinct whistle that they use among the Mounties to get each other's attention. Bill waved to acknowledge that Jack had his attention. Jack stepped forward and pointed to the mercantile. Bill looked over in time to see Rosemary closing the door behind her. He knew that Jack and Elizabeth were confronting her this afternoon and figured that Jack must want to keep an eye on Rosemary. He waved back again and walked over to the store. 'What are you up to that Jack wants me to follow you, Rosemary?' –Bill thought.

Bill walked in and was greeted by Rosemary and Ned. "Hello Mr. Avery! Anything I can help you find?" said Ned.

"Just taking a look at the shoes, thank you!" Bill said as he moved over to the shoe section, attempting to act natural.

"Hello! Fancy meeting you here." Abigail said with a smile as she walked over.

Bill smiled and said "Hello!" but held his finger to his lips and nodded toward Rosemary. Abigail looked surprised but nodded and continued shopping.

Rosemary attempted to charm Ned as she sweetly asked for two telegram forms.

"Hello, Rosemary! Sending a telegram, perhaps to New York? I can only imagine how much your fans must be missing you." Dottie gushed.

"Yes of course they are but, I've been busy here!" Rosemary said.

'That's an understatement.' –Bill thought.

"Well we're eternally grateful that you have graced us with your talents while you've been here. I do hope you're not leaving any time soon." Dottie said.

"Nope!" Rosemary said.

"Good!" Dottie said. She then leaned in closer to Rosemary and said, "I'm glad to see you're in good spirits, considering."

Rosemary stopped writing and looked up. "Considering what?"

"Well, considering that I've heard the Constable and Miss Thatcher are courting again. I know how much you were hoping to rekindle things." Dottie said dramatically. It really didn't matter to Dottie that Jack and Elizabeth were courting but she knew that Rosemary wanted to be with Jack.

"Yes well…things can change." Rosemary said.

Dottie nodded. "In fact, there was a rumor around town that you were engaged again."

"If you'll excuse me Dottie, I must get these telegrams out." Rosemary said attempting to dismiss this conversation.

"Oh, don't let me stop you! I'll see you at the saloon tonight? My husband and I hate to miss one of your performances." Dottie gushed again.

"Where else would I be but in front of an audience?" said Rosemary giggled.

Abigail rolled her eyes as she approached the counter and Dottie left. Abigail began to put things on the counter top to pay as Rosemary began her second telegram.

"Hello, Rosemary."

"Oh Abigail, breakfast was wonderful this morning, as usual!" Rosemary said.

"Glad you enjoyed it." Abigail said.

Rosemary moved over slightly away from Abigail as she wrote. Knowing that Bill was there listening to Rosemary, Abigail took a look to see if she could make anything out. It read:

To: Mrs. Thomas Thornton

'Mrs. Thornton?' Abigail thought. She paid for her items and then turned to Bill. "Oh, Mr. Avery, may I recommend these shoes?" Abigail said walking over to him. "I believe a lot of the miners wear these and find them quite comfortable." Abigail said as she pointed to a pair and whispered, "She's sending a telegram to Mrs. Thomas Thornton."

Bill pursed his lips 'That's Jack's mother!' "Thank you Mrs. Stanton! I'll take a look at these."

Abigail nodded and left.

"Well that should do! Please send these telegrams out immediately." Rosemary said as she turned and walked out of the store.

Bill walked over and said, "Stop Ned! May I see those?" referring to the telegrams.

Ned was taken aback. "I beg your pardon?" It wasn't proper to read someone else's telegram.

"May I have the telegrams?" Bill asked again.

"Sir, it's not proper to ask for..." Ned began.

"By the authority of the North West Mounted Police, may I have them?" Bill said firmly.

"Oh! Yes…yes of course." Ned said handing them over. "Forgive me, the Constable is in uniform so I sometimes forget that you are a Mountie too!" Ned didn't want any trouble.

Bill read the over the telegrams:

'She's playing the family card.' Bill thought recalling that Jack said he and Rosemary grew up together. 'This is getting interesting! After Jack's display the other night, I can't imagine that she would still think there is hope here.' Bill thought.

"I'll tell you what Ned; all is forgiven if you follow my instructions." Bill said. "If Rosemary asks about these telegrams, you are to let her know that you sent them. If she chooses to send anymore, I want you to hold them, do not send them out. I expect you to hand them over to me directly. Understood?" Bill concluded.

"Yes, sir!" said Ned.

"Great, thank you! Have you received any telegrams for me?" Bill asked.

"No, not yet sir. I understand you sent one to New York in regards to Rosemary." Ned said. Bill gave him a look. "Sir, I have to read what I'm sending." Ned said holding is hands up.

"Understood but be discrete!" Bill said looking around.

"I am always discrete, sir. Ask the Constable! Uh…good day to you sir!" Ned said.

Bill nodded and then walked outside. He saw Abigail, Jack and Elizabeth waiting for him at the café. He walked over to them. "Let's head inside."

"Well what happened? Why was Rosemary in such a rush?" Jack questioned.

"She attempted to send two telegrams, Jack. One was for her mother stating where she is and that she is well however, she also wrote out this one." Bill said handing Jack the telegram to his mother.

"It's to my mother!" Jack read it and he was immediately annoyed. "I just don't understand her motive!"

"What does it say, Jack?" Elizabeth asked and he handed it over to her. She read it aloud:

Dear Mrs. Thornton,

I hope this finds you well. I realized what a mistake it was to leave your son. I'm in Coal Valley with Jack now and we are working on our relationship. Unfortunately he has been courting a teacher here, Miss Thatcher. She has changed him. I'm concerned and I believe you will be too. I wouldn't feel right not letting you know considering we are practically family.

Fondly,

Rosemary

"She's trying to paint me in a bad light to your mother." Elizabeth said looking down.

Jack placed his hand on her arm. Bill and Abigail noticed the gesture moved to the table to give them a moment. "Elizabeth, Bill stopped this from going out and it wouldn't have worked anyway. I write my mother every two weeks. I've been writing about you since I met you. She's the one who told me a long time ago that I was falling in love with you, and I realized she was right. Trust me, she knows all about you and she can't wait to meet you."

"Really?" Elizabeth said with relief. "I'd love to meet her!"

Jack smiled. "You will, it's only a matter of time. So please don't worry, my mother knows that Rosemary is here and knows of her antics. She wouldn't have believed this but Rosemary doesn't know that." Jack said gesturing toward the telegram. He looked back at Elizabeth and realized that he didn't want to spend more time on Rosemary. It was time to focus on them. "On a happier note, I'm looking forward to our date in a little while. Abigail's packing us a picnic, she has plans with Bill." Jack said softly with a smile.

Elizabeth smiled back. "Does she?" Elizabeth was happy to hear that they were progressing in their relationship. "There's a full moon tonight, perhaps we could look at the stars? The big dipper should be right over us!" Elizabeth suggested.

"Whatever makes you happy." Jack said.

Elizabeth smiled at that.

Jack walked over to Bill. "Thank you for stopping this telegram. I think I'm going to go find Rosemary and..."

Bill held and hand up to interrupt Jack. "I wouldn't say anything just yet. You said yourself that you don't understand her motive. I think all will be revealed in due course." Bill said thinking of Rosemary's potential motives for not letting go of the situation with Jack. His instincts as an investigator were kicking in big time. He made eye contact with Elizabeth hoping she would understand his insinuation as he spoke to Jack, "As an investigator, you collect evidence. Why don't we wait and see if anything else crops up. It can come when you least expect it. It's like a card game; you don't place each of your cards on the table as you get them…you wait until you have a hand to play. I have a feeling we will have a full hand shortly."

Elizabeth nodded.

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