Chapter 43- Don't Go

Several days passed, the wedding was getting closer, and Elizabeth was beginning to feel stressed. She was teaching all day, and then working on planning her church wedding at night. Abigail was a big help, with the planning as well and keeping her stress level under control. Jack tried to help, but many of the decisions seemed tedious to him which only irritated her more. On several occasions they ended up arguing, retiring early to their respective home, only to come back together the following day, each once apologizing to the other.

It was a new day, and Jack was on his way to the café for breakfast…and to apologize to Elizabeth. He found her sitting on the porch swing, lost in thought, and enjoying her cup of coffee. "Would it be okay if we agree not to argue anymore over the wedding plans?" Jack asked cautiously. "I'm a man, Elizabeth…" He started to explain before being interrupted.

"Jack, I know you're a man," she responded.

"Well, then it should come as no surprise to you that I am more interested in the final outcome of our wedding day, where you become my wife," Jack said with raised eyebrows, and a smile that vividly displayed his dimples. "I love you Elizabeth, and I do want our wedding to be everything you have always dreamed of. You tell me what you want, and I will move Heaven and Earth to get it for you. I don't have sisters, so please don't assume that I should know what you want for this day, because I don't."

Elizabeth leaned over and kissed his cheek, "I understand Jack that a lot of the details are lost to you, but you know me…you know what is important to me, and we've discussed what our wedding should be."

Jack took her hands in his, sitting next to her on the swing, "Elizabeth, I do know what you want…That's why I'm confused."

"What do you mean Jack?" She asked.

Jack brought her hands to his lips, kissing them gently, "Here you are planning a church wedding, and I know that you want to be married at the lake…why are you not planning what you want?"

"Jack, a church wedding is proper, and it will make my mother so happy," Elizabeth replied, as she was obviously trying to convince herself as well. "It's not like I never wanted a church wedding. As a matter of fact, that was my dream until I came here, and found the lake."

Jack smiled as he put his arm around her, pulling her close to him, her head now resting in the nape of his neck. "Church wedding, lake wedding, or saloon wedding, I don't care. I want you to have what you want…what you truly want."

"Jack, everything will be beautiful…I just know it," Elizabeth said as she rose and stood from the swing. "I need to get moving or I will be late for school. Are you able to walk me?" She asked.

"I most certainly can. You get your things together, and I'll be right back…I need to get Taylor," Jack said as he kissed her sweetly, and then hopped down the steps and headed for the Livery.

Elizabeth stepped inside the café and walked back to her room to gather her basket, and shawl. Seeing her journal sitting on the table, she sat on the bed for a moment to reflect on her life and love.
"Being emotionally strong is important when showing yourself what a capable person you have become. At some point in your life, you think of yourself as independent, not needing anyone else to survive. Then love enters in, and what you previously thought you needed becomes complicated by wants and desires. Love means taking risks, opening your whole heart to someone else. For it is that one true love who makes you question why you ever thought that you would be happier alone."

She closed her journal, and slid it into the drawer, closing it before leaving to meet Jack. She stepped outside just as Jack walked up with Taylor.

"Are you ready to go ma'am?" He asked reaching for her hand.

"Yes I am," Elizabeth took his hand as he helped her down the steps. She laced her fingers through his, and they walked off hand in hand toward school.

Jack saw her safely to school, walking her inside before kissing her goodbye, and leaving for his rounds.

Elizabeth barely returned to her desk before the children began arriving, "Good morning…"

"Good morning, Miss Thatcher," the children remarked, practically in unison.

Elizabeth smiled as the group of eager minds, all of whom appeared eager to be there, placed their lunch pails on the back table and headed for their seats. She began with an English lesson…moving on to Arithmetic and Spelling before releasing the children for lunch and recess.

Elizabeth sat at one of the tables eating her lunch watching the children rush through their meal in order to have more time to play.

"Miss Thatcher…" Elizabeth looked up to see Gem standing in front of her.

"Yes Gem, is something wrong?" Elizabeth asked.

"No ma'am, but may I talk with you about something?" She requested.

Elizabeth removed her basket from the table and invited Gem to take a seat. "What can I help you with?" Elizabeth asked, clearly concerned.

Gem, looking down, hesitant to make eye contact… "How did you know you were in love?"

Elizabeth smiled, reaching over and squeezing Gem's hand, "Well, that's a hard question. I guess there can be a lot of answers, and it isn't the same for everyone." Elizabeth wasn't certain that she should open up so freely about her personal life, but seeing the concern in Gem's face, she wanted to do what she could to help. "Gem, I think for me, love is not so much about who you want, but who you realize you can't live without."

Gem stood from the table, "Thank you Miss Thatcher. Mountie Jack is a very lucky man."

"Yes he is…" a voice was heard approaching from behind.

Elizabeth was startled as she heard a voice behind her. Turning around she observed Jack walking toward the table. "Hi, would you like some lunch? I have plenty," Elizabeth scooted over so Jack could sit next to her.

"I wish I could, but I only stopped by for a minute. Maybe we could have dinner tonight?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth smiled, "I would love to…and maybe a nice walk to the house?"

"If that's what you wish…" Jack responded.

"Nothing would make me happier," she responded. She stood from her seat on the bench, and walked with Jack over to Taylor who was tied to a nearby tree. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you too," He replied, as he took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a kiss, before mounting his horse and riding off.

Elizabeth allowed the children a few extra minutes to play in the warm sunshine, eventually ringing the bell, effectively putting an end to recess. "Put your lunch pails down, and get to your seats," she said as her students returned to the classroom. "Hurry now, we have a few more things to do, but I have a fun activity for you to finish the day, but we have to get our other work done first."

The children settled into the desks, and finished their lesson in History, before moving on to Science.

"Okay, today we are going to see about making a big dry ice bubble," Elizabeth stated, an idea which brought about "Ooohs and Ahhhs" among the students. "We need to break up into groups with at least one older student sitting at a table with the younger ones."

At each table, Elizabeth set out a small bowl with a lip, a strip of cloth, and a soapy mixture. Once she had set out all of the items needed for the experiment, Elizabeth said, "all right, I am coming around to each table, and I will place a small piece of dry ice in the bowl. Make sure that you do not touch the dry ice to your skin. Once I have added the dry ice to your bowl, add some water to your bowl."

"Ohhh," she heard coming from one of the tables.

"See… It almost looks like a spooky cauldron. Now take your piece of material and soak it in the soapy bubble mixture. Now run the cloth around the edge of the bowl and drag it over the top to form a bubble over the top of the piece of dry ice. Now watch what happens…" Elizabeth went from table to table, thrilled to see the excitement on her student's faces.

The children started laughing. Elizabeth explained the process of sublimation to the older students. The younger ones were simply excited to see what looked like fog spilling over as the dry ice bubbles began to pop.

After the tables were cleaned, Elizabeth stood at the door as each student thanked her for a wonderful school day. Then they headed out, rushing to get home to get their chores done before dinner. Elizabeth closed the door, and walked back to her desk to gather her things before heading home. She looked up when she heard the door open, and was pleasantly surprised when she saw Jack enter the building.

"Are you done for the day?" He asked.

Elizabeth grabbed her shawl and basket, and walked toward him, "Yes, I just sent the students home a few minutes ago. Are you able to walk with me back home?" She inquired.

"I most certainly can," Jack said, as he took the basket from her hand, wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, and entwined her fingers through his. They walked out the door, locking it behind them.

They walked in silence approximately half way home before Elizabeth, concerned by the solitude spoke up, "Is something wrong, Jack? You are awfully quiet this afternoon."

Jack stopped walking and pulled Elizabeth to the side of the path out of the way should anyone else come by. He took both of her hands in his…

"Jack you're scaring me…what's wrong?" Elizabeth's breathing became more rapid, and her mind was racing.

Jack leaned over and kissed her lips, "everything will be fine, Elizabeth. They promised me that I will be back in time for the wedding." After making that statement, Jack realized that this situation would likely get worse.

Elizabeth let go of his hand, and walked back out into the path. She stopped and turned, facing him, and said, "They promised that you would be back in time for the wedding? Jack I know you have a job to do, but now is the worst time for you to be away." She had her say, and then turned away from him.

Jack walked over to Elizabeth, placing his hand above her elbow, and turned her to face him, "Elizabeth, there is nothing I can do about this," Jack began to explain… "I received a telegram today; there was an accident in Winnipeg, and they need an extra Mountie there for a few weeks."

"What happened Jack?" Elizabeth asked.

"There was an accident, but no need to worry, it was a horse accident. The horse apparently fell down a slight hill, and the Mounties' leg was broken in three places." Jack provided her with the information that was given to him. "They have another Mountie coming in, but they need someone now. I have to leave tomorrow."

"The horse…Is the horse okay?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, the horse rolled down the hill. Unfortunately, he rolled over the Mountie which caused the injury. The Mountie will be fine with rest," Jack replied.

"Are you positive that you will get home in time?" Elizabeth asked, almost pleading.

"I promise you, Elizabeth, I will be home in plenty of time for the wedding," Jack said with a smile. "As long as I have been waiting on this day, I will certainly not miss it."

Elizabeth took his hand and they started back on the path to town. She knew that he had obligations and duties which had nothing to do with her and their wedding, but she loved him, and knew he would be back.

Jack walked Elizabeth to the café before he left to take Taylor to the Livery. He went to the jail to change clothes before heading back to the café to have dinner with Elizabeth. As he approached the café, he saw Elizabeth sitting in the swing. Jack climbed the steps and approached the swing, "Do you want to sit out here for a while, or are you hungry now?" He asked.

Elizabeth patted the seat beside her on the swing, encouraging Jack to take a seat. "The dining room is crowded now. Why don't we sit here until it clears out some?"

Jack took a seat beside Elizabeth, draping his arm over her shoulders, rubbing her upper arm with his fingers. They sat quietly, both of them knowing that their time together would be short lived, at least for a while, and neither one was happy with this new development. They observed several groups of people leave the café, and decided that now was a good time for dinner. They stepped inside and took a seat at an empty table near the kitchen. Elizabeth excused herself to go into the kitchen and make their dinner plates. She brought out two plates… Jack's plate contained pork chops, mashed potatoes with gravy and green beans.

"What's that?" Jack asked as he looked at the plate before Elizabeth.

"It's my dinner. I not very hungry…I just wanted a salad," she responded.

Jack put down his fork, reached over and took Elizabeth's hand in his, "While I'm gone, please take care of yourself. I'm afraid that you aren't going to eat, and will worry yourself sick over the wedding…and me!"

Elizabeth said, "Don't worry about me, I will be fine. You have the dangerous job…You take care of yourself, and don't worry about me. Just please get home in time." Elizabeth got up from the table and walked back into the kitchen, returning with two cups of tea, and a piece of Abigail's apple pie.

They finished their dinner, cleaned their table, and proceeded outside for a walk. Jack took Elizabeth's hand and led her out of town toward their house. There was still a lot of work needing to be done, but Adam assured them that with good weather, it would be ready for them to move into before the wedding.

"I thought that maybe once the house is finished, I would move in," Jack commented.

"Why do you get to move in first? Maybe I should move in and fill our home with some feminine touches," Elizabeth responded with a smile, knowing that she really didn't want to move into the house without Jack. "I'm just kidding Jack…You can move in first. However, it will be odd for me to be the one having to leave to go home at the end of the evening."

Jack walked Elizabeth down toward the pond. They stood there overlooking the water, and watching as the sun began to set in the west. He turned her to face him, sweeping several strands of hair away from her face, as he leaned down, teasing her with his lips. Closer; and then drawing back slightly…Smiling and then leaning in again until their lips touched. Elizabeth's arms moved up his chest; over his shoulders, to the back of his neck…running her hands gently through his hair. Jack's arms swept around her waist holding her close, as his hands gently moved up and down her back. Several kisses with this intensity brought about soft moans from both of them. Elizabeth didn't want them to go too far, but knowing that he was leaving in the morning, she wanted to leave him with a strong memory of her.

Both realized that they were getting slightly out of control, and needed to back away.

Elizabeth smiled, and playfully raised her eyebrows, "Jack, I don't want you to forget me while you're gone."

Jack's breathing was more rapid than usual as he leaned over and whispered in her ear, "no chance of that ever happening!"

Elizabeth reached over, taking Jack's hand in hers, and they started to walk back to Abigail's. Although it wasn't late, Elizabeth knew that Jack needed to leave for his temporary posting early in the morning, and would need his rest. Jack walked Elizabeth to the café door, kissed her softly, watched her go inside, closing the door behind her before he walked down the steps and headed to the jail.

Elizabeth watched through the window as Jack walked home. She dreamed of the day, in the not too distant future, where he would no longer have to say goodbye…but only good night! She walked through the kitchen and into her bedroom. Knowing that Jack would be leaving in the morning, Elizabeth sat on the bed unable to sleep. Although she felt in her heart that Jack would be back in time for the wedding, she knew that she would miss him terribly. She pulled out her journal from the bedside table and began to write down her thoughts…

"I know that everything I have ever done in my life has led me directly to where I am and who I love. My dreams, fears, joys, regrets, choices, and heartbreaks have all led me to this point. When I think of my past, I am happy, and would never change a thing. Because, if I had done anything differently I may never have met you!"

Elizabeth pulled her covers back and slipped into bed. Unable to sleep, she opened her journal again, reading over some of her prior entries, which put a smile on her face. Lying back, she closed her eyes thinking about the journey she had taken with Jack, and soon she was asleep.

The bright sun broke through the slight opening in Elizabeth's curtains, and she began to awaken with a smile on her face. Her smile was quickly replaced by a frown upon realizing that Jack was leaving this morning. She sat up in bed, locked her hands together, bowed her head and began to pray…

"Dear Lord, I bow humbly before you in appreciation for all you have done in my life. Please help me trust in your plan and rest in your grace. I know Lord, that through you, when my arms can't reach people who are close to my heart, I can always hug them in my prayers. I ask that you watch over Jack…keep him safe until you return him home to his friends…and to me! In Jesus name and for his sake…Amen!"

Elizabeth mustered the strength to get out of bed and dressed, hoping to see Jack before he left town. As she opened her door, Jack was leaning up against the wall with a bunch of wildflowers in his hand. "Oh, Jack…Good morning," Elizabeth said with excitement. "I was afraid that you would leave before I had a chance to give you this…"

"Give me what?" He asked as he handed her the flowers.

Elizabeth put her hand behind his head, pulling him toward her… "This," she said as her lips met his. Several kisses later they separated slightly, smiling at each other.

"I don't want you to leave, but I do understand why you have to go," Elizabeth whispered as a tear fell from her eye.

Jack reached up, gently wiping away her tear… "I'll be back before you know it. With all of the wedding planning, I doubt that you will even miss me."

"Jack, don't make the mistake of thinking that I will not miss you. I'll miss you every second of every day until you return safely to me," she responded.

Jack took her hand and they walked out onto the porch. They walked down the steps, standing next to Taylor, and Elizabeth knew that the inevitable was here. Jack was leaving… Jack brought her hand to his lips for a kiss…so soft, so gentle…

"I love you Jack, please be safe," Elizabeth said as she leaned over, touching his cheek with her lips.

Jack leaned back and turned slightly, capturing her lips with his, "I love you too. Please be safe, and no snooping at the house." Jack mounted his horse, turned and started out of town.

"Hmm, I wonder why he said that." She thought to herself. "I guess I should get to school. Maybe I will have time to stop by the house…" She whispered with a soft laugh and a twinkle in her eyes.

To be continued…