Chapter 39 – Enjoying the Last Days of Break
When Jack got back to the jail that night, he couldn't believe how easy to was to feel like a family when he was with Abigail and Elizabeth. It reminded him of being back on the ranch with his mother and cousins, but at the same time it was different since he liked Elizabeth, but he still hadn't told her. Jack knew that he need to tell Elizabeth how he felt, but he did like spending time with both of them. Jack was still battling a little with his head telling him that he wasn't good enough for Elizabeth. Her talking about a huge library in her home tonight was just another reminder what she had given up to come out here, was it really fair to ask her to sacrifice more. Jack was struggling with that, but he didn't want to think about that at the moment. Jack washed up and crawled in bed.
Jack had a hard time falling asleep. He knew he needed to talk to Elizabeth about his feelings, but he had made that gesture to have a clean slate and start over. He had already told her that he wasn't ready for more, but the more he thought about it the more that he wanted a future with Elizabeth. When Jack had heard that Elizabeth was sick, his heart dropped. He had been so worried about her for those few minutes until he saw her. Even when he saw her, all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and hold her. It took everything in him to hold himself back. Sitting there talking to her and then sharing a meal together, Jack had a hard time keeping his thoughts pure and focusing on Elizabeth and not where he was. Jack tossed and turned for a couple of hours before he finally fell asleep.
When Jack woke the next morning, he could feel that he hadn't had enough sleep. As he stretched, he could also feel the soreness in his muscles from chopping wood. Jack knew that he needed to do more to keep in shape. He had never had a problem with that before, when he was in the academy – they had workouts everyday. Even when he was at Fort Garry, he worked out with another Mountie almost everyday. Jack realized that he wasn't doing as much physically has he had in the past since coming to Coal Valley. He had chopped wood, but thinking about the time that he had been there, he realized that it wasn't as much as he should have been doing. Jack knew that he had to start getting back to working out everyday or as much as he could. He was use to being active and he realized that he was sitting more and eating more then he had since he left the ranch. Jack made a promise to himself that he was going to try and be better about things.
Elizabeth woke up and she felt much better. Not only was she feeling physically better, but she was feeling better emotionally as well. She had enjoyed spending time with Jack the last couple of days and realized just how much she missed him when she didn't see him everyday. Elizabeth realized that one good thing about living over the cafe, was that she was in town and had a better chance of seeing Jack then when she was at the row house. Elizabeth took her time getting ready that morning. She chose a nice skirt and blouse, that she wouldn't mind wearing on their picnic. Once Elizabeth was ready, she headed downstairs. She not only wanted breakfast, but she thought that she could help Abigail get things ready so she could quickly pack the picnic basket after services.
Just as Elizabeth and Abigail were sitting down to have breakfast, there was a knock at the back door. Elizabeth quickly got up to see who it was.
"Jack." Elizabeth exclaimed when she opened the door.
"Morning." Jack said.
"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asked. "I wasn't expecting to see until services."
"Everything is fine." Jack said. "I just thought I would stop and get some coffee and then walk with you to services."
"That is nice of you, Jack." Abigail said. "Please sit down."
Jack grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table.
"Do you want something to eat?" Abigail asked.
"No." Jack said. "I had an apple and the rest of the cheese that I had over at the jail earlier."
"Well." Abigail said. "If you change your mind, please let me know."
"I will." Jack said.
They sat together and had a nice talk. Jack asked if Elizabeth was enjoying her time since she stayed in Coal Valley. She looked over and smiled at Jack. It didn't take long for Abigail and Elizabeth to finish their breakfast. Abigail insisted they leave the dishes for later. Then they got ready to leave for the grove.
"Not wearing your uniform today?" Abigail asked as they walked.
"No." Jack said. "I already rode and checked things. I got back and changed so I would be ready for our picnic."
They walked the rest of the way in silence, each just enjoying spending time with the others. Abigail was enjoying watching Jack and Elizabeth. She knew that they belonged together and she was hoping and praying that they would find a way to make it happen. She knew both were holding on to fears they had. When they got to the grove, Abigail made a point of sitting on the end of a log, so Jack would have to sit by Elizabeth if he wanted to sit with them. Elizabeth looked over at Abigail and she just shrugged. Elizabeth just shook her head, she figured Abigail was trying to force the issue with her and Jack. Jack, for his part smiled as he sat down next to Elizabeth. Jack and Elizabeth were each distracted enough with their own thoughts that that neither heard that Sunday school lesson from Cat. If they were asked later, neither would have been able to tell you what it had been about. They each were thinking about being so close to each other and what it would be like if they were actually a couple.
After services, Jack looked around. He didn't really want to talk to people, he just wanted to get on with his picnic with Elizabeth. Elizabeth was caught talking to a couple of the mothers, so Jack walked over.
"Morning ladies." Jack said. "Nice morning."
"Yes it is." Molly said.
"I can't believe that you are making the children go back to school next week." Florence complained.
"Yes, well." Elizabeth said. "I have agreed to shorter days and maybe a few days off. I am only starting a week or so earlier then recommended. We also probably won't go as far into June next year."
"I think Miss Thatcher, is being very reasonable." Jack said. "If my mother would have had her way, we would have gone to school year round, on top of our chores at the ranch."
Florence just looked at Jack and shook her head.
"Please excuse us." Jack said taking Elizabeth's arm.
"Thank you." Elizabeth whispered as they walked away.
"No problem." Jack said.
Jack and Elizabeth headed back to the cafe. They got things ready and then headed down to the pond to take the rowboat out and have a picnic. Jack even made a point of double checking that there were no spiders in the boat. Jack helped Elizabeth into the rowboat and they pushed off. He was slowly moving them across the water. Elizabeth could see that Jack was thinking about something. She didn't want to bring the day down, but she knew that they had to talk and share things. She knew that they were comfortable with each other, but both had trouble sharing things. Elizabeth wanted to change that, she wanted Jack to share things with her. She remembered that her aunt had told her that part of it was being a Mountie.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Elizabeth asked.
"I will give 'em to you for free." Jack said stopping rowing.
Elizabeth laughed.
"Rip desperately needs a bath." Jack said. "I hope Abigail makes scones tomorrow and I am really enjoying being here with you."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I enjoy spending time with you. Hopefully we can do more of it. I know that next week is going to be busy with school starting again, but maybe we can make this a Sunday tradition while the weather holds."
"I think we can do that." Jack said with a smile.
The chatted about a few things and enjoyed the sunshine. After a little bit, Elizabeth heard Jack's stomach growl.
"Hungry?" Elizabeth asked.
"I guess, I am." Jack said. "I wasn't earlier, but now I am."
"Then let's eat." Elizabeth said.
Jack pulled out the basket that was behind him and set it between them. They enjoyed the meal that they had put together, but didn't really talk much more. Jack was just enjoying spending time with Elizabeth. He rowed a little more and then they glided across the water for a time. Elizabeth let out a small yawn.
"I should get you back." Jack said. "I know that Abigail might be busy this week, but I want you to take it easy."
"I will." Elizabeth said.
"Promise?" Jack asked looking at her with his head tilted.
"Promise." Elizabeth said.
Jack took them back to shore and helped Elizabeth out. He then picked up the basket and walked Elizabeth back to the cafe. He left her on the back porch.
"Have a good night." Jack said.
"You too." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth watched Jack walk back toward the jail. She waited until he was there before turning and heading in. She cleaned up the stuff from their picnic and then headed upstairs. She wasn't really tired, but she laid down and before she knew it she was asleep. When Abigail came up later, she saw Elizabeth sleeping and didn't want to wake her. She covered her with a blanket and went back down stairs. Abigail made herself some supper and then checked to make sure everything was ready for the next day. Abigail was excited, but she was also nervous. She had given up a lot to try and make a go of the cafe. She knew that if she failed, she would probably have to leave Coal Valley and that was something that she just didn't want to do.
The next morning, Abigail was excited, she had gotten everything done and was ready to open the cafe a full week sooner then she had thought possible. That morning, she set the tables, and turned the sign from closed to open. She turned and looked around.
"Noah." Abigail said out loud, but to herself. "I wish you were here to see this."
Elizabeth came down a little while later and had breakfast. It wasn't all that busy in the cafe, but Abigail was happy. Elizabeth planned on working on lesson plans that day and being around if Abigail needed help. By lunch, things had picked up and Elizabeth helped out. It was a busy afternoon and by the time that they were done with supper, both were tired but happy. Elizabeth helped Abigail clean up the cafe and get it ready for the morning before heading up for the night. It had been so busy, that Elizabeth hadn't seen Jack.
It was much the same all week. Business at the cafe picked up and Elizabeth only saw Jack in passing when he stopped in for coffee. He was working on something and didn't want to talk. Jack missed Elizabeth as much as she missed him, but neither told the other how they were feeling. They both knew that the day wasn't complete if they didn't see each other. Elizabeth was also busy getting everything ready for school to start again. She wanted to get her lesson plans ready as well make sure she had what she needed. By the time Friday evening came around, Elizabeth was getting excited about school starting. She was hoping to spend some time with Jack over the weekend, but hadn't had the chance to talk to him. Elizabeth was a little disappointed when she didn't see Jack come in for supper. She was helping Abigail clean up when there was a knock at the back door. Abigail went to see who was there.
"Jack!" She exclaimed when she opened the door. "Please come in."
"Sorry." Jack said. "I know that you are closed, but I was wondering if I could still get supper. I just got back to town."
"Sure." Abigail said. "Have a seat, I will make you a plate."
"Hi, Jack." Elizabeth said. "I didn't know that you were gone today."
"I had to run to Buxton." Jack said.
"Everything okay?" Abigail asked.
"Yeah." Jack said. "I just needed some information and I didn't want to wait."
Abigail just looked at Jack and raised an eyebrow. She knew that he couldn't really talk about Mountie business, but he really was being evasive. She knew something was going on, but she also knew better then to ask.
"Glad you are back." Elizabeth said. "I missed you this week."
"Sorry about that." Jack said. "I have been working on something – Mountie business. I can't talk about it."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But Abigail and I are here if you need. I just missed seeing you. For some reason, went I don't see you during the day it doesn't feel right. I also worry about you."
"I know." Jack said. "I am sorry. I miss seeing you also. I will try to be better about letting you know when I am going out of town. I can't always tell you were I am going or when I will be back, but I will try."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Jack sat down and Abigail set a plate in front of him. He looked at it and smiled. It was one of his favorites – roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy. Jack dug into his meal as Abigail and Elizabeth went about cleaning up the cafe.
"So how has business been this first week?" Jack asked.
"Monday morning was a little slow." Abigail said. "But it has gotten pretty steady since then. I mean there are slower times between breakfast and lunch and again in the afternoons, but it is good. I am tired, but happy. I think it will take another week or so before I get a routine down."
"Are you going to be open over the weekend?" Jack asked.
"I will open on Saturdays." Abigail said. "But for now, I think I will be closed on Sundays. That may change at some point in the future, but for now I need the day to take care of things."
"So." Jack said. "I will have to go back to chili and corn bread on Sunday?"
"I told you before." Abigail said. "You are always welcome to come over and eat anytime."
"Thank you." Jack said with a dimpled grin.
"I was wondering about another picnic on Sunday." Elizabeth said.
"I don't know." Jack said. "I think it might rain this weekend. I also have some reports that I need to try and get done."
"Well." Elizabeth said. "Please let me know."
"I will." Jack said.
Jack finished his food and then took his plate to the sink.
"Sorry to eat and run." Jack said. "But I still have to take care of Sergeant and I want to see if the information that I got is all that I need."
"It is okay." Abigail said. "You have work to do. I will see you later."
"Good night, Jack." Elizabeth said.
"Good night." Jack said.
Jack left and headed to the livery to take care of Sergeant before heading back to the jail. When Jack got back to the jail, he felt bad about not telling Abigail what he was doing, but he also didn't want to put his investigation in jeopardy. He knew he was close to having enough information to take to his superiors about the mine explosion. He didn't want anything to go wrong before he had a chance to inform headquarters. After Jack left, Elizabeth was a little sad. She knew that Jack couldn't really talk about Mountie business, but she felt like he was hiding something else and didn't want to spend time with her. Elizabeth knew that was her fear talking, but she couldn't help feeling that way. She knew that she wasn't being reasonable and she was trying to be better about things. She helped Abigail finish up, before heading up to bed. She wrote in her journal before turning in for the night. After Elizabeth went up, Abigail wondered if Elizabeth was okay. She wasn't as excited to see Jack as she thought she would have been. Abigail made a mental note to talk to Jack about keeping them informed when he was heading out town.