Chapter 22

Home Sweet Home

As they finally came to Main St, Mr Weise, along with all the other parents,were waiting for them at the jail. It had finally stopped raining by the time they stopped in front of the jail.

"Mr. Weise,I would like you to take Opal over to get checked out by Carson. She was pretty wet when we found them and still is."Jack insisted. Opal's dad nodded and was about to walk to 's office when Elizabeth stopped him.

" please wait. Elizabeth walked fast to catch up with him. I just want to say that I'm sorry. I didn't know that it was going to rain,or rain so hard." She started to tear up a little but she willed her tears to stay where they were.

"Please don't be so hard on yourself Miss Thatcher. We all know that you didn['t take them out there to have a field trip in the woods when you knew that it was going to rain,much less storm. All of the parents know that you love our kids no matter what,and that you would and will do anything for them. You proved that tonight." Her tears were threatening to stream down her face again.

"Thank you so much for understanding."Elizabeth walked back to where Jack was standing and he was still talking to the other parents. They all looked at her and thanked her for looking after their children and for helping bring them back safely.

"You're very welcome. All of your children are wonderful,and made tonight so much so easier. They all listened and did exactly what they were are very responsible and it showed tonight." They all smiled and thanked both her and the Sheriff again,and all went their own seperate ways. Only Jack and Elizabeth stood at the jail.

"Well,she spoke quietly.I need to go home.I have work to do for school before tomorrow,and I need to get these things back to Abigail.I'll see you later. Thank you for helping us out tonight Jack."

"You're welcome Elizabeth. Are you going to be okay? Jack asked her rather tenderly. She assured him that she was and said watched her walk over to Abigails. She was inside for about 5 knew that she was checking on Cody while she was in there as well. She was returning the thermos and bag that the cookies were in.

Elizabeth walked outside and started to head home. Little did she know that Jack was still at the just happened to come out and lock the jail door when Elizabeth passed by on her way home. He didn't want to scare her so he called to her looked up.

"May I walk you home?" Jack looked at her with concern in his eyes. She looked up at him and nodded. She looked like she was about to start crying again at any moment. They walked slowly and headed toward her house. He knew by her silence that something was bothering her and that she was keeping it to herself for now. She obviously didn't know how or when to bring up the subject.

They got to her house and instead of going inside,Elizabeth went and sat on the porch swing that she had on her porch. Jack really didn't want to leave her alone,so he went and slowly sat beside her. He looked over at her, she seemed to be trembling and wanting to share what she was feeling inside. He put his arm around her and waited to see if she would share what was she was having such a hard time with. He hated to see her so upset but he wasn't going to rush her. About a minute of sitting there in silence, she finally decided to allow her tears,that she had bottled up this entire evening,to come out.

She buried her face in her hand and cried,then turned towards him and cried onto his shoulder. This lasted for about 1 minute and then she just sat there. Jack could hear her sniffling every few seconds but didn't say anything.

After a couple more minutes," I'm sorry Jack. Tonight was kind of hard for me.I love those kids so much and I thought something might happen to that happened,I would never forgive myself. This is my very first class and I just wasnt expecting this to happen."

"Elizabeth I understand. You don't need to explain to all to me. I know how much the children mean to you,and that you would go anywhere or do anything to keep them safe.I think you proved that to everyone tonight by taking them to the mine,and keeping the safe until we got there."

"But Jack,I was so afraid, she started to cry again and his arm tightened around her,What if something bad happened?What if someone fell and hurt themselves? What if...?"

"Elizabeth you have to stop... it's ok. You're ok,the kids are ok,everyone is ok. I know you were scared,but we came for you,we found you. No one blames you for what happened,so you have to try to forget about it." Jack tried to calm her hated to see her to see her blame herself for something that wasn't her fault.

"Ok,I'm alright," said Elizabeth. The wind started to pick up just a little bit and she shivered just a bit.

"Are you cold?" Jack asked with with concern. Even though it had stopped raining,he realized that she still in her wet clothes. Of course she was taking care of everyone else but herself,but that's what teachers do.

"A little bit,but not very,I'm ok Jack." That was a stretch of the truth.

"Here take this,he handed her his jacket,I put on some dry clothes when I was in the jail. You should go inside where it's warm and get some rest,I'll see you tomorrow." he wanted her to be more comfortable because he knew that she had to teach school stood back up,put his hat back on as the wind picked up again.

"No Jack,I'm fine right where I am." She smiled as he sat back down and put his arm back around sat there and listened to the light rain that had begin to fall once again.