Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to the actors, writers and creators of the show "When Calls The Heart".

Note: Thanks again for all those reviews. I was going to stop writing – I love doing it I just struggle with balancing my time – but after all those great reviews I'm going to try and stick with one chapter at a time rather than two or three. I just get caught up and can't put it down :)

(9/07/2018)

CHAPTER 26

Sleeping on a blanket on the ground was not Lee's idea of a fun night. He couldn't recall if he had ever had to do it before and after a very restless night he decided he would never do it again. He stood up in the early hours, back aching and legs sore from the last two days of riding. That was another thing he was not accustomed to – horses. He much preferred the comfortable seat of his motorcycle any day of the week. Despite all of that he was grateful that he was here, and that Elizabeth had been recovered unharmed.

As he began to walk into the trees for a few minutes alone, he glanced over at Elizabeth. She was curled up against Jack. Her knight in shining armour. Or knight in red serge at least. Lee had listened earlier to Bill praise how Jack had managed to find and catch the kidnappers. Elizabeth had also done well to escape. The two of them were perfect for one another and seeing them sleeping next to one another he didn't doubt that Jack had forgiven her.

As everyone began to rise at first light, Abigail's breakfast was shared around before everything was packed up and the horses were readied. Bill had decided to go ahead with Frank and the other men from town to get the criminals to the jail as fast as possible.

"I should really be doing that" Jack said to Bill, while Lee stood with them eating one of yesterday's scones.

"Nonsense, Jack. Elizabeth has been through a hell of an ordeal. You need to stay with her. Lee, Shane and Faith with all ride with you. It's going to be a hard day's ride as it is, so we need to get moving as soon as possible."

Before there were any further objections, the horses in the first group were mounted and were off. Lee glanced back to see Faith and Elizabeth walk back from the trees together. It seemed Elizabeth wasn't going anywhere alone right now, which was warranted.

Compared to the previous night, she looked a lot happier and Lee was quite certain it wasn't the result of just getting a good night's sleep. As she approached him and Jack, her face brightened even more as she came to stand at Jack's side.

"We're heading out now. Are you and Faith ready?" he asked her.

"Yes."

"Okay let's go."

Lee mounted his horse and watched as Jack climbed on his horse before helping Elizabeth on behind him, her arms wrapping tightly around his chest. Lee smiled to himself before following Shane down the road.

They had been riding for most of the day and Elizabeth could have been happy like this forever. Her hands had held onto Jack for the entire day and she honestly didn't want to ever let go. As the sun began to go down she wondered how much time before they reached Hope Valley. She moved her face from its spot on Jack's back and stretched up to speak to him.

"How much longer do you think?"

"We're almost there. Maybe another half hour."

Even though Elizabeth wouldn't mind getting off the horse, she didn't want to part from Jack anytime soon. They had stayed by each other's side for a whole day now and the feel of him next to her was one that she was willing to get used to permanently.

When they finally saw Hope Valley come into view, Elizabeth and Jack knew what was about to come to an end. Elizabeth felt Jack's hand wrap around Elizabeth's on his chest as he lead Sergeant towards the café.

Lee, Faith and Shane had pulled their horses up. Jack pulled up beside them and jumped down before reaching back to help Elizabeth. As her feet reached the ground he quickly leant in and kissed her gently. It was only for a moment, when they were hidden from view by the horse and the low light, but it was enough. Elizabeth could feel the broad smile emerge on her face.

"Thank you for everything, Jack."

"You're most welcome."

"They're here!" A voice squealed from inside the café.

Lee heard Rosie's voice first before everyone spilled out of the café. Elizabeth was quickly pulled in every direction by Abigail and Rosemary before William managed to push through and sweep his daughter up in his arms.

"Oh, Beth are you okay? I've never been so worried."

"I'm fine, Father."

"Let's get you inside."

Elizabeth was dragged inside by the crowd, leaving Jack, Shane and Lee behind.

"I will fix the horses" Jack said before taking the reins of two of them and leading them towards the stables. Shane quickly followed so all that was left was for Lee to go inside.

The café was abuzz as everyone was trying to talk to Elizabeth and hear about her ordeal. She answered every question but clearly, she didn't want all of this attention.

"How did the men save you, Beth?" William asked and everyone quietened down at the sound of his voice.

"Jack and Bill caught up to them and they managed to overpower them. I've never been so relieved."

"I'm so grateful. We received the ransom note yesterday afternoon."

Elizabeth just nodded.

Lee could tell no one was going to leave without prompting.

"I think we should all leave Elizabeth to get some rest. Its been a crazy couple of days for her. I'm sure you really want to clean up and get a good night's sleep, Elizabeth? We can all come back and visit tomorrow."

Elizabeth nodded at Lee gratefully. Everyone began to move out. The locals began to walk back to their houses and the others headed back to the saloon. Lee waited at the door until everyone had gone except for Shane, Faith and William before he said goodnight and closed the door behind him.

As Lee walked down the street, he felt Rosie fall into step beside him.

"I just want to say, I'm sorry and I know I had a part to blame in this whole thing" Rosie waved her hands around as she spoke. Lee could tell that she genuinely was sorry though.

"Thank you, Rosie. I just hope next time you decide to write an article, any article, that you consider the implications of what your words, or flair as you call it, might have on other people."

"I know" Rosie pouted at him. "I have learnt my lesson. I am so glad that everyone came back safe and nothing bad happened."

"Oh bad things happened Rosie, but I am not telling you anything. From now on my lips are sealed." Lee sealed his lips, motioning with his fingers.

"Oh Lee! You don't trust me anymore?"

"How can I when I don't know if the things I tell you are going to end up in a newspaper? I can't be with someone who does that."

"You want to be with me?" Rosie said surprised.

"Well, yes, but not if I can't trust you." Lee had thought he had been obvious with his intentions before, but now he wasn't quite sure. Rosemary did look quite surprised at his confession.

"Okay Lee, I promise that anything we talk about will never appear in a newspaper and I will never tell anyone else either."

"Never? You're never going to gossip about things that I tell you?"

"No" Rosie said firmly.

Lee looked at her sideways. Rosie quickly continued.

"Okay, I will try my best not to."

Lee looked at her struggling to say what he wanted to hear. She was quite adorable when she was at a loss for words.

"Okay that will do" Lee nodded.

"Really?"

"Yes."

They were silent for a moment, standing opposite each other on the deserted street.

"So aren't you going to ask me?" Rosie asked quietly.

Lee laughed. "Rosemary LeVeaux, would you like to enter into a courtship with me?"

"Oh Lee! Yes! I thought you would never ask!" she said happily, as she looped her arm in his before they walked back to the saloon.

Elizabeth had been a bit overwhelmed by all the attention but so grateful to Lee for saying what she could not. Abigail was pulling food from the stove and making up plates for everyone. Shane, Faith and Elizabeth ate quickly devouring the food within minutes.

"Oh my. You lot sure are hungry. How about some pie? I have blackberry, Izzy, you're favourite."

"I can't say no to that. Thank you Abigail."

"William, would you like a slice?"

"Oh no, I best turn in. Last night was a restless night for everyone" William said. "Elizabeth, I'm so glad that you are home safely. I am forever grateful to those men that came to rescue you."

Elizabeth shared a knowing glance to Shane and Faith. They both knew that she had shot one man and almost escaped on her own but it was probably best that William never knew about that.

"I am too" Elizabeth smiled at him as he leant in to kiss her on the top of the head.

"See you in the morning, Beth."

"Bye, Father."

Shane and Faith finished their meal and took their leave as well. Only Elizabeth and Abigail remained. As Elizabeth was about to go clean herself up, there was a soft knock at the door. Abigail looked at her.

"It's probably Jack" Elizabeth whispered before getting up to check the door. Sure enough, it was him. She opened the door for him to come in.

"Oh Jack. Are you hungry?"

"I'm fine."

"No, Jack, you're the hero. You need to eat. Sit." Abigail insisted. Jack sat. Abigail served him a plate.

Jack ate quietly as Elizabeth watched him. Her stomach was pleasantly full, she was warm in Abigail's kitchen and Jack was with her. Now if she was just a bit cleaner, everything would be perfect.

Jack finished eating and stood up heading for the door. Elizabeth got up and followed him and they stood opposite each other, both of them not knowing what to say. Before either of them spoke Abigail said goodnight to them both and giving a knowing glance at Elizabeth she left them alone. Elizabeth listened to her footsteps disappear up the stairs and then her door closed upstairs.

Before she knew it, Jack's arms were wrapped around her and his lips pressed against hers. She kissed him back, encouraging him further. His hand wrapped around her neck, pulling her in closer. They had never kissed like that before and Elizabeth could feel her knees going weak underneath her as the passion overwhelmed her. Just like that, Jack pulled back, both of them breathless as they leant into each other, foreheads touching.

"I have to go."

"I know."

"I will see you tomorrow."

"You will" Elizabeth smiled back at him, before leaning in and initiating another kiss.

Jack kissed her back. "I wish I didn't have to leave. I think we need to have a talk tomorrow." He kissed her quickly again.

"What would that talk be about, Constable?" she teased.

"Nothing too serious … you know … you … me … where we could live together …" he smiled a mischievous grin at her, his dimples popping.

"Oh nothing too serious, of course" she smiled back.

She gave him one last kiss, which he turned into three, before he pulled away and left through the back door.

Elizabeth locked the door behind him and giggled to herself as she touched her lips. She grinned to herself thinking that if anything good were to come out of this whole ordeal, it would be that Jack Thornton had realised that he couldn't live without her.