Thank you CherylinBoston and Cindie Henrich for their help with the block I had in this chapter. You guys are awesome. I had a really difficult time writing this chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 29

The Telegram

Jack looked down at Elizabeth leaning on his shoulder. He saw her eyes were filled with tears. He leaned over and kissed her head. "Hey," he said. "Look at me, sweetheart." He took her hands and turned her so she was facing him. He took her face in his hands and gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "Don't cry. We'll see them again. They're coming back for our wedding. They'll be here again before you know it."

"I know, Jack. I just really hate goodbyes." She replied. "I really appreciate everything Patrick and Sarah have done for us. They have been so kind."

"They're been great." Jack agreed. He pulled her closer and kissed her lips, causing her to slowly start to smile. "Feeling better?"

"A little," she answered. "Your kisses always make me feel better."

He smiled and kissed her again. He led her by the hand back to the café. "Are you gonna be okay?" he asked, bringing her hand to his lips.

"Yes, I'll be fine." She answered.

He kissed her once more, and headed off to make his rounds.

Elizabeth entered the café and went straight to her room. She found the skirt she had worn the previous day draped over her chair, where she had put it when she'd return home after staying out all night with Jack. When she picked up the skirt to put it with the dirty laundry, a piece a paper fell out of the pocket. It was the telegram Ned Yost had given her and she'd forgotten all about it. She bent down to pick it up, then went to sit down on her bed and began to read.

Dear Beth,

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I am grateful you're alright. What I want to know is why you changed your mind about visiting your family. Why did you decide to return to Coal Valley? Your mother and I would have loved to see you. We could have taken care of you during your recovery. What or perhaps who is keeping you there? You're sister, Julie told us about that Mountie you seem to be smitten with. Is he reason you didn't come home? You tell that Mountie that your father insists that you return to Toronto. I don't care what he says. We just want to see for ourselves that you're alright. We will be awaiting your visit. Please come home soon.

We love you, Beth

-Father-

Elizabeth let the telegram fall to the floor. She couldn't believe what she'd just read. Did her father think that Jack had influenced her decision to return Coal Valley? That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, after her accident, Jack had volunteered to personally deliver her to Toronto before he returned to Coal Valley. It had been her decision and her decision alone to go to return to Coal Valley with Jack, instead of continuing to Toronto. What would her father think, when he received the telegram announcing her engagement and she still had not returned to Toronto? What was she going to do? She wanted her father to accept Jack into the family, but if he thought Jack was influencing her decisions, he would not like him very well. William Thatcher had raised his daughters to be independent. This was why she knew she could take care of her own stubbed toes, as Jack had put it, in Coal Valley. Elizabeth felt she had no choice. She would have to return to Toronto, to explain things to her father in person, as much as she didn't want to. She just prayed her father would understand. And also there was Jack to consider. What would she tell Jack? Would he understand why she was leaving? Jack was the best man she'd ever known. She loved him so much. She couldn't even put into words how much she loved him. She wanted her family to love him too.

When Jack finished his rounds, he made his way back to town. He couldn't wait to see Elizabeth. When he arrived, he went straight to the café. "Elizabeth," he called. "Where are you?"

Suddenly, Elizabeth came running out of her room. She rushed down the stairs, and ran and jumped into Jack's arms wrapping her arms around him.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said. "I missed you too."

"Elizabeth sniffled. "Jack can we go somewhere alone and talk?" She asked.

"Sure," he answered. "What's going on?"

"I'll tell you." She replied. "But not here. Can we go to the jail or on a walk or something?"

"Absolutely," he replied. "A walk sounds nice. Just give me a few minutes to change."

As soon as Jack changed, He and Elizabeth went on a walk. They ended up at the grove of trees. He led her to one of the logs and sat down. "What's this about? Is everything alright?"

Elizabeth hesitated. "Jack, I… Jack I received a telegram from my father. He's not very happy that I decided to return to Coal Valley after my accident. He wants me to go back to Toronto."

"What!" Jack exclaimed. "You're leaving again?"

"My father wants to see me." Elizabeth answered. "I need to go talk to my father. I need to go."

Jack took Elizabeth by the hands. "Elizabeth," he said. I don't want you to go. I'll miss you like crazy."

"I'll be back, Jack." She replied. "I'll miss you too, but I need to do this."

"I want to go with you." Jack responded.

Elizabeth looked up at Jack. His response surprised her. "What did you say?"

"I want to go with you." He repeated. "If you'll recall, the last time you were headed to Toronto, you were in an accident. I'm just trying to keep you safe, because I love you so much and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Jack, I love you too." She stated. "But I have to go. I think, under the circumstances, I should go alone. I'll admit, I'm still somewhat paranoid about getting on the stagecoach, but I need to do this Jack. I'll be fine."

"What circumstances?" Jack asked, concerned. "What are you talking about?"

"My father seems to think that my decision to return to Coal Valley after my accident was influenced, that it wasn't my own." Elizabeth answered.

"Who does he think influenced your decision?" Jack wanted to know.

"Well," Elizabeth replied, slowly. "I think he thinks it was… I think he thinks it was… you."

"Me?" Jack asked. "Why would he think it was me? He's never ever met me. I even offered to take you to Toronto myself."

"I know, Jack" Elizabeth replied. "It's just how my father is."

"And what do you think?" Jack asked, somewhat frustrated.

"It was my decision." Elizabeth said. "Perhaps you're the reason I made the decision. You had just told me you loved me. I didn't want to be away from you. But the decision was mine."

"Oh I see," Jack commented. "So do you want to be away from me now?"

"No Jack," Elizabeth responded. "I never want to be away from you. I love you, Jack."

"Then why do want to return to Toronto?" Jack asked. "And why don't you want me to go?"

Elizabeth reached up and touched Jack's face. "Oh Jack, you don't understand." She cried. "This isn't something I want to do. This is something I have to do. I have to go explain this to my father in person. I need to go alone."

"You don't think he'll like me, do you?" Jack asked.

"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Why would you say that?"

"Because," Jack replied. "All I want to do is go so I can keep you safe. Do you not want me to go ask you father for your hand?"

"Yes, I would love that." Elizabeth replied. "But it's not a good time." She felt tears stinging her eyes. "I need to do this myself. I don't think it's a good idea for you go with me this time. Now, will you please just take me back home?"

"Elizabeth I…" Jack started.

"Please, Jack," Elizabeth interrupted, raising her hand. "Just take me home."

"Alright," Jack said, reluctantly. They stood up and walked back to town in silence. When they got to the café, Jack leaned in to kiss her. She suddenly turned her head so his lips brushed her cheek.

"Goodnight, Jack," she said. She started walking through the door.

"Goodnight, Elizabeth," he replied. "I…"

The café door suddenly, closed behind Elizabeth.

"Love you," Jack continued, as he watched Elizabeth disappear up the stairs. He stood outside for several seconds. He then slowly, headed to the jail. He changed and went to bed. His last thought was of Elizabeth, as he finally drifted off to sleep.

The following morning, Jack woke up. He was wondering where Elizabeth was. She had been his morning wake up call, ever since the very day they arrived back in Coal Valley. But, this morning, she wasn't there. He didn't realize how much he missed his special wake up call.

He dressed and headed for his rounds. While on his rounds, he couldn't get his mind off of Elizabeth. He wasn't really concentrating.

When he returned to town, he went straight to the café. "Hey, Abigail," he said, when he walked in. "Where's Elizabeth?"

"Abigail looked up at Jack, surprised. "Jack," she answered. "Elizabeth isn't here."

"Where did she go?" Jack asked. "I need to talk to her."

"Jack," Abigail stated. "Elizabeth left on the stagecoach. She went back to Toronto. She said she told you she was going."

"Oh yes she did. I didn't know she was leaving so soon. Jack said. "I guess I'll be going then. I'll see you, Abigail." He quickly left the café and went to the jail. He started packing. He didn't know how but he was determined to catch up to Elizabeth. He wanted to find her, just so he could ask her why she left without even saying goodbye.

…to be continued…