Special bonus chapter for you guys this week from Vancouver! Check out the FB group for a special video message from Emily and I! :-)
He wet his hair down to tame the bedhead and pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt. He slowly and quietly went down the stairs and realized that Lee and Rosie's shoes were by the door. He's home early. And they didn't waste any time getting together! He chuckled to himself while he slipped into his Chuck's.
He grabbed his keys and threw away the receipts. She won't be returning that.
The streets were fairly quiet so early in the morning. He passed by a 24-hour market and decided to make a pit stop. He picked out a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers. They were friendly and extraordinary. They brought him joy just looking at them. Just like Elizabeth. Not your run-of-the-mill, stuffy roses that everyone else buys.
He got back in the Jeep and continued his drive. The traffic only grew quieter as he made his way out to the Thatcher's farm. A surge of adrenaline woke him up a little more as a few deer crossed narrowly in front of him with only a few miles to go. The sun was rising and the sky was full of pink and purple swirls.
She called it the 'cotton candy' skies and he knew she would love it if she was awake, but he hoped that she wasn't. He slowed to a stop and took a picture of it. She can see it later. He laughed at how whipped he was for her already and they were just friends.
He pulled down the driveway and parked behind the house. William must have seen him come down the drive because a minute later one of the bays in the detached garage was opening. Jack rolled down his window.
"It's supposed to storm pretty hard today. Park in the garage, Jack."
Jack pulled into the garage next to the Porsche and walked through the breezeway into the house. The house was dark except for the kitchen. There was a huge spray of red roses on the island and Jack looked down at his little bouquet of wildflowers and sulked.
Grace noticed. "She's going to like yours more. Did you know wildflowers are her favorite?"
Jack smiled. "No. I just felt like they suited her so much better than roses. The roses are beautiful though."
"They were delivered last night. From Beholden," William smiled and pulled a vase off of the top shelf of the cabinet. "It was a really nice gesture, but Grace is right. She'll like yours more."
Jack smiled shyly. "I hope you guys have a good day. I just missed a couple of deer about 2 miles from here, so keep your hi-beams on. The sunrise is beautiful this morning."
"They come right up to the house sometimes, so you might get an even closer look. Elizabeth had a couple of the little ones eating right out of her hand a few weeks ago."
"That doesn't surprise me. She has a way of taming wild things." The words were out before he could catch them. "Uh, I just mean… she is very persuasive." Not better, Jack. The capillaries in his cheeks were stinging.
All three were silent for a moment before William burst into laughter and patted Jack's back. "It's okay. We know what you mean. She is a very influential woman. Just like her Mother." He nodded at Grace.
"Oh now William. Don't go telling stories on me now!" She looked at Jack. "There are bacon and eggs in the refrigerator if you'd like to make yourself something. There's also plenty of fruit and fresh muffins on the counter. Please make yourself at home Jack."
William picked up his keys. "I think we should be able to get back home by 3, but you are more than welcome to stay for dinner. We'll be grilling if it's not pouring down."
6:54 a.m.
Jack watched the lights fade down the driveway and disappear. The house was quiet. He removed his shoes and walked quietly back to Elizabeth's room. He turned the nob and slowly approached her bed.
The bed was warm and the sheets soft. The tangerine and vanilla from her hair lofting through his nose. He could almost taste her already. He slid up next to her back, pressing his body against hers all the way down.
He kissed her head and she sighed softly. He slipped his arm around her body and she pulled it tightly to her chest. They both settled back into a deep sleep.
She awoke a few hours later. Her dreams leaving her breathless. Why am I so hot? And then she realized why her mind fantasized the things it did. She sighed happily.
She hadn't even realized when he came into bed with her, but she was glad he had invited himself. His soft body right up next to her back.
Jack released a little moan when she moved against him, but didn't wake.
She ran her hand over his thigh, smiling to herself how there was no hair just above his knees where his jeans rubbed. She had always noticed there wasn't any on his inner calf either and had always wondered why.
"This is the best birthday ever…"
She withdrew her hand and furrowed her brow. "What?" she whispered.
His words trailed off and she couldn't make out anything else, but she knew was what he was dreaming about. He did want to kiss me that morning. She batted her eyes slowly as the smile grew on her face and she snuggled back into him.
He was in a state between sleep and awareness.
She rolled over and studied his face. The faint lines in his cheeks telling her where his dimples emerged when he smiled. His long, thick eyelashes that flickered gold in the sun. The very slight curl in his hair when it got a little long. And his lips. Those heart-shaped lips.
He must have felt her looking at him even in his sleep. He opened his eyes and blinked until the hazel adjusted to the light pouring in through the curtains.
She smiled sweetly. "Good morning. Seems someone snuck into my bed this morning."
And there were the dimples. "You looked cold."
She slid her legs closer to his and he brushed her hair behind her ear. It was always an excuse to touch her. He had momentarily forgotten about the cast until it clunked against his foot.
"I'm gonna sign that later."
"And what will you write?"
"I'm going to write on the bottom so that you can't see." He grinned out of the corner of his mouth, revealing only the dimple in his right cheek.
She made a face. "You better write something nice!"
"I'm always nice."
She smiled back. Yes. Yes you are.
12:13 p.m.
He brought her breakfast in bed along with the most beautiful bouquet of wildflowers she'd ever seen. She hugged him tightly and could have cared less about the roses. She got the hang of the crutches pretty quickly, but he still wouldn't let her do anything. She wanted to be up and around, but he would barely let her lift a finger.
He carried her out onto the porch after lunch and they sat in the swing watching the storm roll in. They could see the clouds traversing the meadow and releasing their contents in a steady downpour. The wind was blowing her hair all around her face, the humidity making her curls crazy. The air was hot and charged, the lightning striking off in the distance and there on the porch. Her legs were pulled up in his lap and he was massaging them as they talked.
He brushed her hair back and listened intently as she told him another story from her childhood. As the rain approached, he lifted her into his arms, her arms wrapped around his neck and his hands under her hips and shoulders. Instead of carrying her into the house like she expected, he walked out into the grass just as the drops started to hit the ground.
"My cast!" she squealed. "I can't get it wet!"
"Shit. I forgot. So much for my romantic kiss in the rain!" he laughed jovially like he was kidding, but she had to wonder if she had actually heard nervousness in his voice. He carried her back up the stairs just as the drops grew together on the steps. The air was heavy and wet and she looked up at him as he held her tightly. She was sure he was going to do it.
Lightning struck a tree out in the field and the thunder boomed a split-second later, jolting both of them from the trance. Their vision went white and their ears rung with a shrillness. "Holy crap! That was close! We should get inside."
The moment passed, both of their hearts beating wildly.
8:13 p.m.
Dinner was excellent and he had never had a better Friday night. Her parents were so congenial and warm, treating him like he was the son they never had. Jack accompanied William out for a ride around the farm to check on the horses and the grounds after the storm. There were a few limbs down and Jack helped him drag them into a pile to burn later. The large tree that lighting had struck would likely be a complete loss.
Elizabeth sat with Grace in the den and told her how sweet Jack had been all day. "He hardly let me move. He even made me breakfast and lunch."
"That's wonderful Elizabeth. Sometimes we need to let someone else take care of us. It's good for him. They need to know that we need them, even if it's something we can do for ourselves." Her words sounded like relationship advice and Elizabeth blushed. "Even something as simple as keeping us warm."
Elizabeth bit her lower lip and knew her parents had seen them at the hospital. "He made me do the ice treatments all day too. And I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have done them if he wasn't here to make me."
Grace smiled. "I know. That's precisely why I asked him to come tomorrow too."
Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows. "Tomorrow is Saturday. Won't you all be here?"
"Yes, but he can convince you to do things that we cannot. He makes you happy dear. And you make him happy too." Grace stood and patted Elizabeth on the knee, giving her a little grin.
"I don't want him to feel like he has to take care of me all the time though."
"Sweetheart, he wants to be here. If he didn't, he would have left hours ago. Instead, he's out riding with your Dad and hauling brush."
Elizabeth smiled shyly, twirling her hair around her finger. "I love you, Mom."
"We love you too, Bethie." She walked toward the door before looking back at Elizabeth. "We all do."
Elizabeth drew her legs up into her father's oversized chair and looked out the window just in time to see her father and Jack ride back into view. The sun was setting behind them and it was absolute perfection. I know he loves me. And I love him too.
12:57 p.m.
Jack arrived just before 9 the next morning and spent the day helping William on the farm and taking care of Elizabeth's every want.
Grace helped Elizabeth into the bath while Jack and William burned the brush that had fallen in the storm. When the two returned for lunch, the smell of Elizabeth's skin made Jack tremble.
"I need to go back into town before 6 and get our clothes back to Beholden. Would you like to get out of the house for a little while?" he looked over at William and Grace. "Would that be okay with you guys?"
"I would love to!" Elizabeth perked up. "I'm definitely getting a little stir-crazy already."
"As long as you promise to stay off of that foot, I don't have a problem with it. Will you guys come back tonight or will you stay in town?"
Elizabeth looked at her father, surprised that he would suggest that. "I guess it is supposed to storm again tonight. Maybe you can just drop me off at my townhouse. That's where my car is, so I can drive back out here tomorrow afternoon after church."
"Whoa now, I don't think you're quite ready for the Indianapolis 500, little lady. Why don't we just plan to watch the service online and then I can bring you back out here?" Jack smirked.
"Jack, we might just keep you!" William laughed, half-joking. "I agree with him, Sweetheart. Willow Creek is no place for someone on crutches. We appreciate all of your help, Jack. I hope we can repay your kindness somehow."
Jack waved him off. "No need, Sir. It's my pleasure." He gave Elizabeth a little smile.
10:15 p.m.
Jack and Elizabeth returned the clothing to Beholden and Elizabeth thanked Callie for the flowers. The meeting was short and sweet and Elizabeth told her she'd be in touch as far as her progress.
They went out to dinner and Jack took her to a movie. They had acted like they were 14 every time their hands touched in the popcorn, both exhilarated, but also too afraid to make a move. Too cliché. It's gotta be better.
They entered Jack's apartment fully intending to grab some clothes for him and then head to Elizabeth's townhouse for the night.
The townhouse was dark and quiet and they thought they were alone. Jack sat Elizabeth down gingerly and steadied her against the door. She reached for his hip to balance herself. "I had a great time tonight, Jack. Thank you," she whispered.
His lips were dangerously close to swallowing her and his hand ran down her arm. "I did too. All of this time really. Except for your foot. But I've enjoyed getting to be with you."
She could feel his breath on her cheek as he spoke softly in her ear. His cheek brushing hers deeply in the shadows.
Suddenly the hall light flipped on.
"Jack Thornton, how dare you! You know Elizabeth is in love with you and yet you have the audacity to bring another girl back here? All while Elizabeth is suffering at her parents' place with a broken foot? Can you think with your brain for two minutes and consider her feelings?"
Jack spun around, stunned. He was still in the dark, but Rosie was in the hallway and she was apparently very angry. Her voice was shrill and theatrical.
"I KNOW you are in love with her too," she shouted. "Everyone knows. So whoever you've got behind you should know that this is just a fling. I know you were here the other night too, but he does not love you. He's in love with Elizabeth. And it's high time he admits it." She put her hands on her hips and stood firm. "I can't even believe you. What an asshole! Elizabeth deserves better."
Jack watched as Lee stepped into the doorway to his room, tight-lipped. They clearly had been up to the loft and had no idea who was standing behind his back.
Blink. Blink. Blink. Elizabeth let her cast clunk the floor, in absolute shock at what just transpired. Jack turned to her quickly and put his arm around her body in a panic. "You can't put weight on that foot, Elizabeth!"
Rosie's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. "What?! Did you just say Eliza-"
Jack stepped to the side and flipped on the lights, revealing a crimson-faced Elizabeth behind him.
"Lee. Get out here."