Chapter 38

Obsession

Jack didn't want to admit that he was somewhat jealous of the man that was holding Elizabeth in his arms. He then noticed the look in Elizabeth's eyes. He also noticed her arms were plastered to her sides. It seemed to Jack that Elizabeth did NOT want this man's arms around her.

"It's so good to see you, Lizzie." The man said.

"Harold," Elizabeth said, coldly. "What are you doing here?"

"I didn't know you were back in Toronto." Harold said, ignoring her question. "Last I heard, you were off in some hick coal mining town, teaching."

"H-how did you know that?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack noticed her voice was shaky. Harold put his hand on Elizabeth's face. "Lizzie, you're just as beautiful as ever."

"Harold!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Please get your hand off of me!" She tried brushing his hand from her face. Harold grabbed her wrist. "Lizzie, I thought we were friends. Is that the way you treat your friends now?"

Jack had had enough. "Hey get your hands off of her!" He exclaimed.

"Lizzie," Harold asked. "Who is this clown?" Elizabeth tried pulling away. He tightened his grip on her wrist. "Have you been cheating on me with him?"

Jack could tell Elizabeth's wrist was hurting. "I said get your hands off of her!" He yelled. He grabbed Harold's hand, forcing him to release Elizabeth's wrist. "Go wait inside." He said to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth ran to the door, but didn't go inside. She watched, terrified, as Jack still had ahold of Harold.

"Who do you think you are?" Harold asked. "You have no right, keeping me from my girl like that." He looked to Elizabeth. "Isn't that right, Lizzie?" He winked and started blowing her kisses.

"Well I'm afraid you're sadly mistaken." Jack stated. "Because Elizabeth is my fiancée and clearly, she doesn't want you here. Now you need to leave!" He shoved Harold to the ground.

Harold quickly got to his feet. "Okay, I'll go for now." He tried to get past Jack to Elizabeth, but Jack kept blocking his path.

"I said get out of here!" Jack exclaimed. "Now you can go the easy way or the hard way. What's it gonna be?"

"I'm goin', I'm goin'." Harold said. He pointed to Elizabeth. "I'll be back for you, Lizzie." He then turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Elizabeth ran and jumped into Jack's arms. She had tears in her eyes. "Oh Jack," she cried. "I don't know what I would have done, if you hadn't had been here."

"Shh." He said. It's okay; I'm here."

They went inside. He sat on the couch and pulled her down beside him. She buried her face in his shoulder and cried. He softly caressed her back. "It's alright, Elizabeth." He said softly. "He's gone. He can't hurt you now.

"No Jack," Elizabeth cried. "You don't understand. He'll be back. He's crazy."

"About you, that can't be so bad." He said, trying to lighten the mood. He then stopped trying, when he saw how truly petrified she was. "Sorry," he said. "Tell me about this guy."

She took a deep breath. "His name is Harold Barnwell. One day I was walking down the street and wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing. I had been shopping so I had bags. I accidently bumped into him. I screamed and dropped all my bags on the ground. He seemed nice at the time. I apologized for bumping into him. He said it was alright, that accidents happen. He then helped me with my bags. I thanked him and started to leave. He touched my arm. He asked me what my name was. I told him Elizabeth. Then he started calling me Lizzie, which really got on my nerves. He offered to walk me home. I told him thank you but that I'd be alright. I continued to walk. He fell into step beside me. He walked with me home. The next day, when I left, he was waiting outside the gate for me. I tried being nice to him; he seemed friendly enough at the time. One day I was out with my friends at the diner and he came up to me and asked me to a romantic dinner. I really didn't want to go anywhere with him, so I politely turned him down. Then he became crazy. He would stand outside my window and throw rocks at the glass in the middle of the night. He followed me everywhere. Everywhere I went, he'd be there too. It really made me uncomfortable. He really gave me the creeps. It even got worse. Somehow he got word that I was going off to college. A week before I left. He threatened me. He told me he would kill me or himself if I didn't be… uh… friendly with him."

"Elizabeth," Jack gasped. "You didn't…"

"No Jack," Elizabeth reassured him. "I didn't."

He brushed her hair from her face. "I'm glad it didn't get that far. I hate you had to go through this. I wish I would have been here."

"Jack, you didn't even know me then." She stated.

"I know." He replied. "I wish I had known you then. He would have never touched a hair on your head."

She smiled. "When I went to college, I was so glad to be away from him. When I came home for spring break, that first year, I was told he'd moved away. I was so relieved. I never saw him again, until tonight. I was really surprised when he said he heard I was in Coal Valley. There's no possible way he could have known that, and he knows." She wrapped her arms around Jack and squeezed tightly. "I'm scared Jack."

"It's okay, Elizabeth." Jack replied, running his fingers through her hair. "I'm here. I'm right here. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. That's a promise."

"I always feel so safe when you're around." She said softly.

"Well then you have nothing to worry about." He replied. "Because, I will always be around," He rubbed her back

"Jack, can you sleep with me in my room tonight?" She asked.

"Do you think that's a good idea, Elizabeth?" He inquired.

"Please, Jack." She begged. "I'm aware of the promise we made to each other. I'm just scared. Jack, I don't want to be alone tonight."

Jack kissed Elizabeth on the top of her head. "Alright, I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. Come on. Let's head upstairs." He tried standing up but fell backward on the couch, when Elizabeth was still clinging to him. He did the only thing he knew to do. He gently picked her up and carried her up the stairs.

They passed William in the hall. "Jack," William said. "You two aren't married yet. Why are you carrying my daughter?"

Jack tried putting Elizabeth down, but she tightened her grip around his neck. "Uh… Mr. Thatcher, sir." Jack said. "Do you know who Harold Barnwell is?" Jack noticed the change in William's facial expression.

"Yes," William replied. "That lecherous heel stalked Beth all because she turned him down. He really gave her the creeps. I remember there were nights, she didn't sleep a wink. Kate and I were so relieved when he moved away. I'm so glad he's gone! Why are you asking about Harold Barnwell?"

"Well," Jack replied. "He's not gone anymore."

"What?" William exclaimed. "He's back?"

"Elizabeth and I ran into him." Jack replied. "I could tell she was uncomfortable. He touched her face. When she tried to brush his hand away, he grabbed her wrist. I forced him away from her and told him to leave her alone."

"When did all this happen?"

"Just now," Jack shifted, still holding Elizabeth in his arms. "Right outside," He started rubbing Elizabeth's back. "She's pretty shaken up."

"You mean he was on the property?" William asked. He clenched his fists.

"Yes." Jack replied. "After I ran him off, Elizabeth jumped in my arms and refuses to let go, as you can see."

"That's because she knows you'll do everything in your power to protect her." William responded.

"Yes, sir," Jack stated. William started to walk away. "Uh… sir," Jack said.

William turned around. "Please, Jack, call me William. You're going to be part of the family soon."

"Okay, William," Jack continued. "I know it isn't deemed proper, but Elizabeth told me she doesn't want to be alone tonight."

"Say no more, Jack" William replied. "You have my permission to stay in Beth's room, just for tonight. I know she'll feel better, knowing you're close, but don't make a habit of it."

"Yes sir… I mean, William," Jack replied. "Thank you."

"Thank you, Daddy," Elizabeth whispered, into Jack's neck.

"Goodnight, Beth." William said "I know you're all grown up, but you will always be my little girl and I'll always do what I can to ensure your safety." He continued down the hall.

Jack carried Elizabeth to her room. She finally allowed him to set her down, but she was still grasping his neck. "Now how are you going to get ready for bed if you're going to keep clinging to me?" He asked. "I wouldn't want you to ruin that beautiful dress by sleeping in it."

She loosened her grip. "I'm sorry, Jack. He just scares me. You have no idea what he's capable of."

"It's alright, Elizabeth." Jack stated. "You know I don't mind holding you. We both need to get changed for bed though."

"Okay," she replied. She slowly let him go.

He made his way to the bathroom that joined their two rooms.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"To my room to change," He answered. "I'll be right back; I promise."

"I don't want to be left alone in here Jack."

He walked over to her. "Listen, sweetheart. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I'll be two minutes. I'll leave the doors open. You should change too."

"Alright," she said reluctantly.

He went to his room and changed quickly. When he returned, Elizabeth still had not changed out of her dress. "Are you wearing that dress to bed?"

"I wasn't planning on it." She replied. "I was deciding whether or not I should ask you for a favor."

"I'll do anything for you. You know that. Now, what's the favor?"

"Well… I was wondering if I could wear that shirt you let me borrow when we were locked in at the guest house."

He smiled. "Seriously?" That's the favor?"

She grinned. "Please?"

"Oh alright," he replied. He went back to his room to retrieve the shirt. She was right on his heels. He dug through his bags until he located the shirt; he tossed it to her.

"Thank you, Jack."

He flashed a dimpled smile. "You're welcome." He walked over and kissed her cheek. Now get changed so we can get some sleep."

Elizabeth walked across the bathroom to her own room and changed out of her dress. As soon as she had his shirt on, she called for Jack. He was back in her room in a flash. Elizabeth climbed into bed. Jack sat down in the chair by the window. Elizabeth looked at Jack. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just going to stay here until you fall asleep." He answered.

She stood back up off the bed and walked over to him. "Please Jack; I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep. Will you please hold me?" She pleaded. She grabbed his hand and tried pulling him up.

Jack sighed. "You don't play fair. "You know I can't resist, when you look at me that way." He slowly got to his feet.

She climbed back into bed. He gently wrapped the blanket around her. He got in the bed on the other side. She scooted closer to him. He took her in his arms, placed a soft kiss on her nose, and stroked her hair. She nestled her head against her chest. "Thank you, Jack." Elizabeth said, softly. "I don't think I'd be able to fall asleep if it weren't for you holding me."

"Shh, just rest." He rocked her slightly. "Everything will be fine. I'm right here."

Pretty soon, Elizabeth fell asleep. All the while, Elizabeth was worried about falling asleep, for fear that Harold would come back and start stalking her again, Jack was worried about falling asleep himself for an entirely different reason. He didn't know if he'd be able to sleep, being so close to her. He closed his eyes. Elizabeth shifted slightly and breathed heavily. His eyes shot back open. This isn't going to work. He thought to himself. He struggled to fall asleep. Maybe if I get a drink of water, I'll be able to sleep. I'll just go to the bathroom. I'll leave the door open. I won't be long. He gently released Elizabeth and slowly climbed out of the bed. He made his way to the bathroom. On his way, he stubbed his toe on the bedpost. "Ouch!" He exclaimed. He quickly turned to look at Elizabeth for fear of waking her up. She just shifted and sighed. He hobbled on to the bathroom. Despite his pain, he smiled. He remembered telling Elizabeth he didn't like being sent to Coal Valley to take care of her stubbed toes. And now he was the one stubbing his toe. From the bathroom, he heard Elizabeth's faint voice. "Jack," He smiled. She was dreaming about him. "Jack," he heard her mumble again. "I love you."

Suddenly, out of the blue he heard her scream… "Jack, Jack!" He quickly ran out of the bathroom. He rubbed his eyes. He thought he was seeing things Harold Barnwell was on the bed. Elizabeth was pinned underneath him screaming and struggling to free herself. Harold was tugging at her clothes.

…to be continued…

Another cliffhanger…. Don't worry they're almost over. Thanks for the support.