Chapter 48 – Jack and Elizabeth's Supper Date

Elizabeth come down the stairs wearing a beautiful dress. She had chosen a beautiful slightly off white dress with a square neck line that had a beige trim. It had lace sleeves with a lace overlay on the bodice and a slightly different shade of white sash around the waist. The skirt was a different material and the off white had what appeared to be silver dots on it. The skirt seemed to wrap around from behind with another piece lower where the two pieces crossed. She had also brought a white knit shawl and wore long light beige gloves that matched the trim on the dress. She decided to wear the beautiful silver and diamond necklace that Julie had brought. It looked amazing and it fit perfectly with the dress. Elizabeth had her hair down and pulled back on the sides, held with pearl hair combs. She had also wore pearl teardrop earrings that went with her hair combs. She had lightly applied some blush and lipstick. Just enough to highlight her face.

"You look gorgeous." Julie said when Elizabeth came down.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "What smells so good?"

"Abigail must be trying something new for the cafe." Julie said.

Jack was nervous, but he didn't want to show Elizabeth that he was nervous. He ran his hand down his suit coat, smoothing it out, even through it was freshly pressed. He was at the back door of the cafe and his hands were shaking. He needed to calm down before he saw Elizabeth. Jack was nervous because he wanted everything to go well that night, but also because he knew that he had tell Elizabeth about his new orders. Jack checked his pocket watch and placed it back in his vest pocket then he took a couple of deep breaths before knocking on the door.

"That must be him." Elizabeth said softly.

"I will get the door." Julie said.

"Why am I so nervous?" Elizabeth asked.

"You're suppose to to be." Julie said with a giggle.

"You never get like this." Elizabeth said.

"Well." Julie said. "I've had more suitors then you."

Julie opened the door to let Jack in. Elizabeth inhaled sharply when she saw Jack. She thought he was handsome in his red serge, he was even more so in his tailored dark brown suit with a silly dimpled grin on his face. He was wearing a crisp white shirt under his vest and he had brown and green ascot. Elizabeth even noticed that Jack's vest appeared to be tailored. He had his hair had been combed back, but a lock fell over his forehead and Elizabeth noticed that he had recently shaved. Elizabeth loved how no matter what Jack did that lock of hair seemed to fall forward if he had is hat off. Jack had a corsage for Elizabeth. He couldn't believe how beautiful Elizabeth looked. He was also glad that he didn't have to think about breathing, because if he had to think about it, he wasn't sure he would be. He wondered how he had gotten so lucky for Elizabeth to agree to go out with him.

"Jack Thornton." Elizabeth said. "You look …."

"So do you …." Jack said.

Elizabeth gave him a small chuckle and a bright smile. He gave her a small grin in return.

"Here." Jack said. "I brought this for you (showing her the corsage of an early mum with a few other small wildflowers)."

"It's beautiful." Elizabeth said.

"May I?" Jack asked indicating to pin the corsage on.

"Please." Elizabeth said.

Jack moved a lock of Elizabeth's hair that was pulled forward over her shoulder. Elizabeth had to tell herself to breathe. Jack took a deep breath and tried to focus his mind so he could pin the corsage on. He felt like his hands were shaking and didn't want to stick Elizabeth with the pin. He caught a whiff of her lavander perfume. It had a little bit of a vanilla hint to it and to Jack it was intoxicating. He had never though about it before, but lavander and vanilla was becoming his favorite. Jack doubted he would like it on anyone else, but on Elizabeth it was perfect. Elizabeth was also having a hard time focusing, because she had gotten a whiff of Jack's after shave. It reminded Elizabeth of the outdoors after the rain and she loved it. It had a musk smell with a hint of pine. She thought it was so Jack. She looked into Jack's eyes as he stepped a little closer to pin the corsage on her dress and she couldn't believe how different they looked. She had noticed his eyes were green before, but in the low light of the cafe they looked more hazel. Either way, Elizabeth had to stop herself from getting lost in them. Julie just watched and tried not to giggle.

Elizabeth held her breath as Jack's hand grazed across her exposed skin when he went pin the corsage on. Jack had to tell himself to calm down when his hand touched Elizabeth's skin. His first thought was how soft it was. He knew that he was goner and her would never be able to live without Elizabeth. He didn't know what he was going to do about Cape Fullerton, but he knew for a fact that he would have to find a way to be with Elizabeth. As he pinned the corsage on her dress, he wanted so bad to close the distance and just kiss her. Jack knew that he couldn't do that for a number of reasons including the fact that Julie was watching them. Jack also noticed how Elizabeth's eyes seemed to dance in the candle light. He knew her eyes were a beautiful shade of blue, but in the low light, they seemed to have a depth to them that Jack had never noticed. He also knew that he had a new picture to draw. He wanted to memorize every detail of Elizabeth in that dress so he could draw it later.

After staring at each other for a moment, Elizabeth ducked her head to try and stop the color that she felt rising. Jack just smiled. He liked that he had that effect on Elizabeth. He liked that he could make Elizabeth blush and also thought it was cute the way that she got embarrassed about it. After another moment, Jack offered Elizabeth his arm and they walked out onto the boardwalk. There was a slight chill in the air as they stepped outside, so Elizabeth wrapped the shawl around her. Jack waited and again offered her his arm. They started down the boardwalk from the back door of the cafe, but didn't talk. Each was lost in their own thoughts about the night. Elizabeth was excited that she was going to getting to spend time with Jack. Jack was nervous hoping that everything would go as planned and he was thinking about how he was going to tell Elizabeth about his new orders. He really didn't want to ruin the night, but he also knew that he had to tell her because he had to leave soon. When they got to the front door of the cafe, Elizabeth started down the two steps. Jack took her hand, so Elizabeth stopped and turned to look at Jack.

"Not that way." Jack said.

"Why?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack just gave her a nod and stepped toward the front door of the cafe. Elizabeth was confused, because she thought Abigail had closed for the evening. Elizabeth stepped up next to Jack again, he opened the door and lead her into the cafe. Elizabeth couldn't believe what she saw. There was table in the middle set for two, the rest of the table had candles on them. She saw phonograph set up. A couple of her students and Abigail stood there ready to serve them. When she gasped, Jack just smiled. He knew that he had succeeded in surprising Elizabeth. He was worried that she would find out and it would ruin his surprise.

"I thought you were going to take me to the saloon." Elizabeth said.

"Well." Jack said with a grin. "This place seems a little more appropriate."

Jack looked over and smiled at Elizabeth.

"Welcome to Abigail's cafe." Gabe said, then gestured toward the table set for them.

"Shall we?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth looked up and saw Julie peaking through the curtains. Abigail gave them a wink and a smile. Jack lead Elizabeth to the table.

Albert pulled out Elizabeth's chair and Gabe did the same for Jack. Abigail turned and shooed Julie back into the kitchen and headed that way herself. Cassandra brought over the first course a late summer salad.

"How long have you been planning this?" Elizabeth asked.

"That's a secret." Jack said.

He then looked up and gave her a quick dimpled grin. She gave him a small chuckle. Abigail gave them a little time to eat and then she had Cassandra bring out their plated supper of meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Jack had even arranged with Abigail to have Elizabeth's favorite tea with their meal. They ate some, enjoying the meal that Abigail had prepared for them. No matter what Abigail made, it was wonderful, but she had outdone herself with their private supper. They didn't talk while the ate, as they were enjoying the food too much. Cassandra, Albert and Gabe stood by in case they needed anything. After a bit, Jack gave Gabe a small nod and he started the phonograph. Jack stood.

"May I have this dance?" Jack asked offering Elizabeth his hand.

She nodded and took his hand. He helped her stand, pulling her into his arms Gabe indicated to the others to leave and the three children went into the kitchen. Jack smiled as he took her into his arms and started to dance.

"I have to admit." Elizabeth said. "I never would have pegged you for such a romantic."

"Well." Jack said. "I had a little help."

"So …" Elizabeth said. "You don't normally woo your other women like this?"

"I haven't really had the opportunity to woo many women." Jack said.

Elizabeth little out a little chuckle.

"You must think me naive." Elizabeth said.

"No." Jack said. "Sadly, it's true. The life of a Mountie doesn't leave too much time for courting. … … I feel somewhat lacking in the area of romance. I feel that my efforts tonight may pale in comparison to the legions of suitors you had back home."

Elizabeth laughed.

"Legions …" Elizabeth said. "Far from it. I assure you. That would be Julie."

"Then, I feel really lucky." Jack said. "To have your company tonight."

They had continued to dance while they talked. Jack was having trouble thinking, because he wanted to pull Elizabeth in and kiss her. They were so close, it wouldn't take much for Jack to close the distance. He glanced at her lips and then back to her eyes.

"Elizabeth …." Jack said softly. "Elizabeth …."

"You dance beautifully." Elizabeth said quickly.

Elizabeth was afraid that Jack was going to say something to break the spell that she was feeling and she didn't want that. She didn't want him to either declare his love or tell something bad, either. She also didn't want Jack to kiss her, even though she was thinking that it would be nice, but she also knew that it was too soon for that. Jack just looked at her, smiled and went back to just dancing and enjoying their time together.

"Thank you." Jack said softly.

"I am glad that you asked me out to dinner." Elizabeth said.

"Me, too." Jack said.

They were so close, Jack was having a hard time thinking about anything other then how much he wanted Elizabeth. He wanted to kiss her and never leave her. He had planned on telling her about his orders to Cape Fullerton, but in that moment, he couldn't. He didn't want to hurt her and he also knew that he couldn't leave her. Elizabeth leaned into Jack just a little and he leaned his forehead on hers for a moment while the finished the song. When they were done, Jack lead her back to their table where they sat and finished their food. They didn't talk much, but kept stealing glances at each other. Elizabeth wasn't sure she was ready for whatever Jack was going to say. Jack realized that he couldn't tell her while they were having such a great time. He didn't want to ruin the night and memory of their first official date. No matter what happened, Jack knew that they would both look back on that night fondly.

"Thank you for tonight." Elizabeth said.

"Your welcome." Jack said.

"We will have to do supper again." Elizabeth said. "I enjoyed dancing with you."

Jack didn't say anything, he just gave her a nodded. After a little bit, he offered her his hand again, and she took it. Jack walked her back to the kitchen, then raised her hand to kiss it. He had walked Elizabeth to the stairs to go up. He whispered something to Elizabeth and then looked at her again with a dimpled smile.

"Have a good night Elizabeth." Jack said.

"Good night." Jack said.

Elizabeth turned and headed up stairs. Jack watched her go and then turned to see Abigail sitting on the couch. He smiled at her.

"Thank you for everything." Jack said.

"It was my pleasure." Abigail said. "I will be glad to do it anytime."

"Thank you." Jack said. "Have a good night."

"You as well." Abigail said.

Jack left out the back door and walked back to the jail happy. He knew that he still had to tell Elizabeth about Cape Fullerton, but he was enjoying the feeling of what they had shared. Elizabeth had gone upstairs, knowing that her sister was going to want all the details. Elizabeth on the other hand, just wanted to write about the night in her journal and not have to share it with Julie. She didn't think that Julie needed to know the details and she also really didn't want to share with anyone what had happened with Jack that night. She was still trying to figure out what the next step with them was. She had enjoyed spending time with him, but Elizabeth could tell that there was still something holding Jack back. They had a wonderful meal and they danced wonderfully together, but when they were alone dancing, Elizabeth felt that there was something Jack was holding back. She wondered if something was going on with him or was he still battling being with her and being a Mountie. Jack had even admitted that the life of a Mountie made it hard to court a woman. Elizabeth wanted to be with Jack and she thought he wanted to be with her, but she was wondering what was holding him back. She knew that they would have to talk about those things, but it didn't seem like Jack wanted to talk about those things, because he would change the subject. It was like he wanted to hid behind his phrase of Mounties don't marry. Elizabeth thought they had gotten past that when he made is intention of an act of courtship clear.

When Elizabeth got upstairs, Julie was ready for bed and reading a book waiting for her to return. Elizabeth felt like she had floated up the steps. She had a dreamy look on her face.

"Oh …." Julie said when she saw Elizabeth. "You must tell me everything."

"Actually." Elizabeth said. "I don't have to tell you anything. What I will tell you is that it was the most enchanting evening of my entire life. It was beyond anything I could ever dare to dream. That is all you are getting, I am not sharing any more details."

"You have to tell me." Julie whined.

"No I don't." Elizabeth said. "It was between Jack and I and that is the way it is going to stay."

"Is there another date?" Julie asked.

"He asked me to go with him on a ride to his favorite spot." Elizabeth said. "He says that he has something to discuss with me."

"A proposal." Julie squealed.

"It is way too soon for that." Elizabeth said. "Isn't it?"

"It is like a romance novel." Julie said. "Love at first sight often leads to short courtships. This is so exciting."

"Go to bed." Elizabeth said. "I need to change."

Julie went back to her book and Elizabeth changed for bed. She then grabbed her journal and headed back downstairs. She saw Abigail was still downstairs.

"Hi." Elizabeth said. "I just want to write and I can't with Julie right there."

"No problem." Abigail said. "I was just going to head up."

"I will." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth opened her journal and started to write about her evening with Jack. She described it as magical and the most romantic thing that she had ever experienced. Elizabeth wrote how she felt things had changed between her and Jack that night and there was no going back to what they had before. She knew that she would never be able to find anyone as perfect for her as Jack Thornton. If Elizabeth was honest with herself, she didn't want anyone other then Jack. She knew that there would be difficulties ahead for them, but she also believed that together that they would find a way through those differences. She still had her fears about Jack's job, but she didn't think that they were more then love could overcome. After Elizabeth wrote in her journal, she turned down the lights and headed back upstairs. She was glad Julie was asleep. Elizabeth went to bed dreaming about Jack.