Chapter 36

"Many men go fishing all of their lives

without knowing

that it is not fish they are after."

~Henry David Thoreau

Later that day, Jack walked into the saloon. "Constable!" Trevoy called as he spotted Jack. "What can I do you for this evening?" he asked brightly.

"Thanks, Tom, but I'm just looking for Dewitt Graves. Has he made it back from the mine, yet?" Jack inquired.

Trevoy nodded. "As a matter of fact, he was the first miner back to clean up this evening. He's up in his room. Think he's getting ready to head out to the Dunbars' place, again." He glanced up to be sure Graves wasn't coming down the stairs. Then, he lowered his voice and added, "You know he's been having dinner with them almost everyday."

Jack smiled and chuckled at the barkeep's gossip. "Okay, Tom." He crossed over and set his hat down in the bar. "How about some coffee while I wait for him?"

"Coming right up," Trevoy cheerily replied as he went about preparing Jack's coffee.

Jack glanced up the stairs every so often, hoping to spot Graves. He was on a mission to borrow Graves' fly fishing rod. Earlier, as he was returning from his morning rounds, he'd spotted Elizabeth outside with her students at recess. She was standing on the saloon porch watching them play, so he seized the opportunity to discuss what she might like to do tomorrow. He was shocked when she told him she'd enjoy going fishing with him. Truth be told, he was still shocked. She'd admitted that she'd never been fishing before but she'd really like to learn. So, since Jack owned only one rod, he was now seeking to borrow Graves' rod.

Just as Trevoy set the coffee cup in front of Jack, Graves started down the stairs. "Jack, how's it going?" he called when he got to the bottom of the stairs.

"Good," Jack answered. "How are things with you?" Graves walked across the saloon to the bar and the two men shook hands. "Things are good," Graves replied with a smile.

"Another dinner with Mary Dunbar?" Trevoy asked in a teasing voice.

Graves cut his eyes at Trevoy. "Now, Tom, don't be jealous. I'm sure we can find a widow for you!" Graves teased.

"No, thank you!" Trevoy exclaimed as he turned and walked to the other end of the bar. Jack and Graves laughed at the bartender's sharp reply.

Jack's laugh faded and he turned to Graves. "Dewitt, I'm a little hesitant to ask this, but..."

Graves looked very seriously at Jack. "What is it?"

"Well... could I borrow your fly rod? I hesitate because I know how some men are about their fishing gear. I just... well...," Jack fumbled over his words a bit. "... actually Miss Thatcher told me that she would like to learn to fish. I just have one rod so it would be best if I could borrow..."

"Say no more," Graves interrupted. "Of course, you can borrow it." He looked over to be sure that everyone else, including Trevoy, was out of earshot. He teased in a whisper, "Anything for the good cause of seeing you spending more time with Miss Thatcher!" Jack shook his head in embarrassment, turned away, and took a large drink from his coffee cup. Graves laughed. "Hold on. Let me just run up and get it."

Jack continued to drink his coffee as Graves went to get his fly rod. Trevoy walked back and spoke with Jack. "So, how are things?" Jack just nodded his reply.

Trevoy glanced down at the mayor holding court with two miners at the other end of the bar before turning back to Jack and asking, "So, it looks like Miss Thatcher's aunt is well on the mend. Will she be staying around Coal Valley for awhile? Or do you think she'll be heading back home soon?"

Jack studied Trevoy, knowing that he was fishing for information. Jack, also, realized that Elizabeth's aunt was now the subject of Coal Valley gossip. He considered his response carefully, knowing that it would likely be known around town by the morning. Finally, he answered, "She's doing better but she still has to build up her strength before she can travel. She and Elizabeth are enjoying their visit."

Thankfully, Graves returned with the rod at that moment, saving Jack from any more questions. "Here ya go, Jack. I trust you to take good care of it."

Jack took the rod from Graves. "Of course," he agreed. "I really appreciate this."

Graves laughed. "I know you do," he concurred. "Now, I have dinner waiting for me!" He smiled widely as he left the saloon.

Jack threw some money on the counter for his coffee, grabbed his hat, and quickly turned to leave before Trevoy could ask him any more questions. "Thanks for the coffee, Tom," he called over his shoulder as he followed Graves out the door.

The next day, Jack and Elizabeth were at the river, enjoying a lovely day. The cloudless sky was a beautiful cornflower blue. A light breeze rustled the bright green leaves on the trees along the banks of the river. Elizabeth stood on the bank next to Jack, watching as he tied another fly to her rod's line. She'd managed to get the first fly tangled beyond all hope of being removed from a tree branch. As he cut the line, Jack had assured her that he had done the same thing many times, especially when his father was first teaching him to fish. Nonetheless, she was flustered with herself.

Elizabeth was dressed as appropriately as she could for the activity after seeking Abigail's advice. She'd impulsively told Jack yesterday that she wanted to learn to fish. She wanted to do activities he enjoyed and thought she'd prefer fishing much more that hunting. Later, to her dismay, she realized that she had no appropriate fishing outfits. Abigail let her borrow a plain skirt and cotton blouse. She, also, was wearing a pair of Abigail's low heeled boots. Her toes were starting to hurt as the boots were a little small, but it was the best she could do.

"Did you tie these yourself, Jack?" she asked, smiling as she watched him work on the fly. Jack nodded, continuing to focus on getting the fly just right on the line. "Actually, these are called nymphs."

"Nymphs?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack finished with the line and stood up. "Yes, a nymph. You know, as in a beautiful young woman." He looked at her, his eyes twinkling as he teased her.

Her eyes widened, understanding his reference, and she blushed. "Jack!" she mildly reprimanded him.

He laughed and moved towards her. "Okay, let's try this again," he instructed. He handed her the rod and moved behind her, placing his hands on her arms. Elizabeth smiled, enjoying him being so close.

Jack continued his instruction. "Now, put your hand down here," he told her as he pointed down at the bottom of the rod, near the reel. She moved her hand as instructed. Jack continued, "Okay, be sure you're not holding the line." He checked her grasp of the rod again. "Now, point the tip of the rod downward a bit." He pushed her right arm forward and the rod tip dipped.

Elizabeth was smiling, savoring every one of Jack's directions. He was bending over her slightly now, with his mouth next to her head. Unconsciously, he lowered his voice to a whisper. "Okay, you're going to pull the rod back. Hold it as straight as you can. Wait a second, then quickly swing it forward. Be sure to keep it as straight as you can. Try not to pull it up or down. Are you ready to try it?" Elizabeth nodded, feeling mesmerized by his voice. "Okay," he told her, continuing to whisper. "Ready?" She nodded. "Go!"

She did as he instructed, or at least she thought she had. The line again made a snapping sound, which he'd told her before was not good. "Pull it back again..." He ordered. "Now forward... gently..." She, again, did as told. "Good! That was pretty good!" he told her. Then, he stepped back from her and she instantly felt his absence. He moved to pick up Graves' rod, as Elizabeth was using his. "Okay, now just keep the line as still as you can. The nymph will sink a bit toward the bottom and hopefully attract an unsuspecting trout."

Elizabeth's face tightened as she concentrated on doing as Jack had instructed. "Is this right? I just hold it still?" she asked.

Jack was now walking several feet upstream from her. He looked over and watched her as she stood, rather awkwardly. She held the rod a good distance from her, as though it were a snake ready to bite her. Elizabeth was certainly not a natural fisher woman, but he admired her willingness to attempt it. "That's great," he encouraged.

Jack reached back and cast his line which flew to just the spot he'd picked. The rod felt a bit odd in his grip, as it wasn't his, but he settled in to wait for a bite. He didn't have to wait long.

"Oh! Goodness!" Elizabeth cried. "Jack?" she called concerned.

He looked over and realized that Elizabeth had a fish pulling on her line. He quickly reeled in his line, set his rod up on the bank, and raced to her side.

"Jack!" she called, again, just as he arrived next to her. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do!" She was now holding onto the rod like her life depended on it.

"Okay, okay," he soothed as he assumed his previous position behind her. "Ease your grip a bit..." He felt her relax as soon as his hands touched her arms. "Now, smoothly raise the tip." He pulled on her right forearm and she followed suit by pulling up on the rod. "Whoah! Slowly... slowly," he instructed, pushing down slightly on her right arm. She stopped pulling and waited. "Okay, pull on the line," he told her as he tapped her left arm. "We need to make sure the hook is set in its mouth."

Elizabeth frowned a bit as the imagery of the hooked fish disgusted her, but she did as directed. "Now, just keep pulling the line in as you slowly lift the rod." She felt terribly awkward doing it, but she managed to follow his instructions. However, she almost dropped the rod when the fish leaped out of the water towards her. She fell back into Jack's arms. "Whoah," he exclaimed, startled, and stopped her fall. "Okay, okay..." he tried to calm her as she was breathing hard. "It's just eager to jump into your arms," he laughed. "Just like you're eager to jump into mine."

The teasing brought her back to her senses. "Jack!" she chided him as she stood up straight. "What do I do now?"

He continued to laugh. "Just keep pulling that line in. It doesn't look like he's going anywhere but onto our plates!" He started to back away from her.

Elizabeth felt him pull away. "Wait! Where are you going? Don't leave me alone with this thing!"

Jack laughed louder. "I'm just getting the net," he told her as he grabbed the fishing net next to his creel.

She continued to work hard to bring in the line with the fish attached to it. Jack moved alongside her. "Just a little bit more," he encouraged as he moved the fishing net over the water. Then, as the fish leapt once again, he caught it in the net. He pulled the net closer and studied the fish. "That's a nice size trout, Elizabeth! You did a great job!" He turned to show her the fish, but saw that she was no longing standing beside him. She had collapsed against the grassy back, the rod laying in her lap, and her eyes closed.

Immediately concerned, he took a step towards her. "Elizabeth! Are you alright?"

She opened her eyes. "Yes," she told him as she attempted to straighten her hair. "That fish jumping at me again just... well, it just startled me." Jack held the net in one hand as he helped her back to her feet with his other.

She leaned over and looked into the net. "So, that's what I caught?" she asked.

Jack nodded, "Yes. That's a pretty good size trout."

She continued studying it, then pronounced, "He's kind of pretty."

Jack laughed. "I guess he is. Let's just hope he's kind of yummy, too!"

Elizabeth's laughed with him. "True. Taste before beauty, I suppose."

Jack removed the hook from the trout and placed it in the creel. He turned and looked up at her. "Nah, beauty before everything," he assured her. She blushed as he stood and walked toward her. "Congratulations," he complimented as he embraced her. "You are now an accomplished fisher woman!"

She smiled and met his gaze. "Thank you." He leaned in and they kissed. After a few moments, Jack drew back and told her in a soft voice, "I better catch a fish to match yours so we'll have a nice lunch."

She pursed her lips in a mild pout. "Oh, you think you can catch a fish as big as mine?" she goaded.

His eyebrows arched in amusement. "Watch me, Miss Thatcher." He slid out of her arms and picked up his rod. As he headed to the water's edge, she settled back onto the grassy bank.

Later, they were sitting on a blanket beside a campfire with the remnants of their lunch around them. Elizabeth rested against Jack as his arm circled her shoulders. As they watched the flames of the fire, Elizabeth smiled. She'd immensely enjoyed watching Jack instruct her how to cook the fish they'd caught "Mountie Style," as he called it. She really couldn't remember his cooking instructions, but she had certainly delighted in watching him cook.

"Did you like the fish?" he asked, pulling her out of her reverie.

"It was delicious," she complimented. "I think it was the best fish I've ever had." She thought for a moment before adding, "And I was just excited to eat a fish I'd actually caught myself."

Jack laughed. "So, you enjoyed fishing?"

"I did," she enthused. "It was a bit scary when that fish was jumping at me. But, it was quite satisfying to know that I caught it."

Jack nodded against the top of her head and silence descended on them, again, for a couple of minutes.

"It is so beautiful out here," Elizabeth observed, breaking the silence. "It's so peaceful."

"I've always thought that's the best part of fishing and hunting," Jack agreed, "getting out in the woods, seeing nature. I feel so much better after I've spent some time in the woods, just being quiet and enjoying God's creation."

"'In wilderness is the preservation of the world'," Elizabeth mused.

A questioning look crossed Jack's face. "Hmmmm?"

"Thoreau, he wrote about the solitude and inspiration of nature," she explained. Jack once again nodded against her head. "You like the solitude?" she asked.

"Being quiet and listening is good," he acknowledged.

"And being alone in nature?" she questioned. "You like that?"

Jack realized what she was really asking him. "Yeah, I guess. But this is better," he replied and kissed the top of her head. She responded by nuzzling against him.

They sat quietly for a couple more minutes. Then, Jack noticed the shadows were getting longer and the air, a little cooler. His smile faded a bit. He didn't want this afternoon to end but they would have to get back to town. Finally, he disturbed the quiet they'd been sharing. "It's getting late. Guess we're going to have to head back soon."

Elizabeth sighed and her smile faded, too. She realized she was going to have to broach the subject she'd been avoiding all day. She swallowed the lump in her throat and said, "Jack, there's something I need to tell you."

His eyes narrowed a bit with curiosity. "What's that?"

She took a deep breath. "My mother is coming."

His eyes widened and the smile completely melted from his face, replaced by a look of anxiety. "Your mother is coming?" he repeated, as a question.

Elizabeth slid away and looked up at him. "Yes, she's coming for Aunt Olivia."

He didn't understand. "Why? I thought she was heading on to her daughter's place?"

"Well, it seems things are more complicated than that," Elizabeth answered.

"Complicated?" He still didn't understand.

Elizabeth nodded. "It seems she and my uncle are having some problems."

Jack shook his head, still not quite grasping the situation. "What kind of problems?"

Elizabeth looked away and sighed. Then, she whispered, "Marital problems."

Jack's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"But they'll work it out," Elizabeth assured. "They are the most romantic, in love couple that I know. They always have been. So, I have no doubt that they'll work this out. They will!" Then, she said in a low voice, "They have to."

Jack caught that Elizabeth was quite disturbed by the trouble in her aunt's marriage. He reached over and cupped her chin, turning her to face him. "I'm sure they will," he agreed. She gave him a half smile of gratitude. He kissed her forehead and then he slid her head under his chin as he held her. He traced circles on her shoulder with his hand, soothing her.

After a minute, his eyes popped open. "Your mother is really coming?"

Elizabeth's eyes opened, too. "Yes," she mumbled into his chest.

They sat there holding each other, both wondering what Kate Thatcher's visit would bring.

Notes/Disclaimer: Thank you for reading! This is just my vision of where Season 2 may take us. It was a lot of fun to write- hope you enjoyed it, too! Please post a review if you have a minute! The Hallmark Channel/Crown Media, Believe Pictures, and Motion Picture Corporation of America own these characters (except for Aunt Olivia, Uncle Charles, and Will Burns- all of whom are products of my tangled imagination). I'm just playing with them for awhile and promise to return them relatively unscathed! Many thanks to Janette Oke, Michael Landon Jr., Brian Bird, Brad Krevoy, the entire cast and crew of When Calls the Heart, and all of the Hearties. Y'all rock