Chapter 30

A Step Forward

Elizabeth sat on her porch waiting for her ride. Florence had offered to give her a ride to the train station. She found herself yawning a bit,she hadn't slept very well. She was confused about last night. Jack's reaction to her going to Hamilton for the holiday was not what she expected at all. She wasn't really sure if he was upset or not. He left so suddenly last night that she really didn't have a chance to really talk to him about it.

Florence drove up to her house,got out and put her bags in the back of her car. She waved at her and opened up the passenger door. She asked Elizabeth if she was ready to go and she nodded that she was. Elizabeth was hoping that she would have heard from Jack, even a text would have been nice. She was afraid that he was really upset with her this time,due to the way that he acted.

They drove the 45 minutes to Buxton,where her train didn't leave for another 15 minutes. So she told Florence to go ahead and go back to town and assured her that she would be just Florence told her goodbye and Elizabeth's parents had arranged for her to have a private compartment to travel in,so she went in and put her carry on bag in the room. She decided to walk back outside and sit in the fall sun. All of a sudden,she heard her name being called over and over. She stood up from the bench where she sat,and saw Jack riding towards her.

"Jack,what are you doing here?" She asked him as she saw him riding up on Sergent and jump off.

"Elizabeth,I'm so glad that I was able to get here before your train left,I just had to tell you something. I'm very sorry for how I acted last night.I guess that I waws hurt that you weren't going to spend the holiday here. For those who don't spend it at home with their families, we all get together for a big dinner at the restaurant. I was just disappointed that you wouldn't be there with us. I'm really sorry."he hung his head

"Oh Jack, I'm just so glad that you told me. I thought that you were upset with me for going home to spend the holiday at home with my family. I hate to admit it,but I tossed and turned all night long because I didn't know what was wrong.I'm very happy to know the whole reason now."

"Elizabeth,I could never be upset with you. I enjoy spending time with you. I not only came to tell you that I'm sorry for lasst night,but to also tell you that I'll miss you while you're gone." She smiled at him as the conductor yelled"All aboard."

"I have to go Jack,but I'll be back on Sunday evening. Oh and Jack,I'll miss you too. Can I call and text you while I'm gone?" Elizabeth asked,hoping he would say yes. She felt her eyes well up with tears.

"You better!" He smiled at her,and he saw that the tears were about to fall. He brushed his thumb under her eyes to wipe away her tears,and brushed her cheek with the most tender and protective kiss. He pulled her into his arms,gave her a hug and whispered in her ear," I'll be waiting for you when you get back home." He let her go, she looked at him and waved,with promises of letting him know when she got home.

She got on the train,with Jack's help stepped up and found her compartment. She found him as she looked out the window. She waved at him as the train started to move forward. She watched him mount Sergent and ride back to Hope Valley. She settled in for the long ride to Hamilton. About an hour into the ride,she heard her phone ding indicating that she had a text.

I really hope that you have a great time with your family this week. I'm very glad that I caught up with you before you left and I got to talk to you:) She could only smile. She was really glad that he was able to talk to her too.

Thanks Jack, I'm super glad that you came too,but you didn't have to ride all the way out here,she replied to him to him. She felt herself grinning from ear to ear. This guy was the greatest,most wonderful friend that she had ever know. Her Hamilton friend, Charles Kensington, was just a friend,and nothing more. Although many people always thought they were a couple or would at least end up friendship that her and Charles had,was nothing like the one that she shared with Jack.

Hey would you please do me a favor? Would you look up my brother,Tom? He lives there too remember I told you. Maybe,you two can get together and let him know that his big brother is doing well and that I said hello and that I miss him. He asked and put a few smiley faces with a pretty please written after it.

Of course I will. she laughed and put 3 laughing faces after it

Elizabeth found that she was feeling a little hungry,so she went to find the dining car. She decided on a cinnamon roll and a french vanilla iced coffee. She then took her snack to her compartment and made herself comfortable. She sat down and decided to call her parents to let the know that she was on her way. She let them know that she would be home early tomorrow morning. Her mother told her that she was so excited to see her and was having the cook make her favorite mashed potatoes for tomorrow. Elizabeth laughed,she had only been away for a little more than a month but her mother acted like she had been away for a year.

Elizabeth changed into some comfy close and decided to snuggle in her bed to read her book, Love Comes Softly. As it was the middle of the day,she wasn't intending to fall asleep. She fell asleep with thoughts of her friends in Hope Valley and one particular law officer.