Chapter 51 – Jack Tells Elizabeth

The rest of the day went well and Elizabeth let the students go about twenty mintues early. She was glad that they had enjoyed their time outside and they had all learned about different insects. Again, it was something that Elizabeth didn't like, but she knew that as a teacher that there were going to be times she had to put her personal feelings aside for the better of the students and this was one of those times. Elizabeth did enjoy seeing how much fun the children were having when they were looking for insects and again when they were able to identify them back in the classroom. For Elizabeth that was worth it. Her students had learned something new and she was able to deal with something that was unpleasant for her.

Seeing that Elizabeth had let her students out early and also because Constable O'Reilly and Julie weren't back yet, Jack wanted to check if Elizabeth wanted to go on a ride that afternoon instead of the next. Jack walked into the saloon and Elizabeth immediately looked up from her desk.

"Afternoon Jack." Elizabeth said. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you would like to go for a ride this afternoon." Jack said. "I saw that you let the children out a little early. I know we had planned on a picnic tomorrow, but if you don't mind, I would like to go today. I don't want to put off what we need to talk about anymore."

"Okay." Elizabeth said a little unsure.

"Please try not to worry." Jack said. "I hope that we can talk things through."

"I need ten minutes." Elizabeth said.

"Fine." Jack said. "I will run ask Abigail to pack a picnic and then go get the horses saddled. I will meet you at the cafe."

"Sounds good." Elizabeth said.

Jack left and Elizabeth looked around. The children had done a pretty good job of picking things up. She gathered her papers and made sure nothing was left behind. She was excited to head out with Jack, but also worried about what he wanted to talk about. She knew that there was something bothering him. She just hoped that everything would be okay. Fifteen mintues later, they had everything packed and where heading out of town.

"Where are we going?" Elizabeth asked.

"You will see." Jack said.

They didn't ride long, and Jack turned off the main road and headed back toward town a bit, though some trees and into an open meadow. Elizabeth thought that the view was amazing. Jack slowed down and Elizabeth rode up next to him.

"Like it?" Jack asked.

"It is beautiful." Elizabeth said.

"I found this the first week I was here." Jack said. "I think that this is my favorite spot in all of Coal Valley."

"I can see why." Elizabeth said.

Jack rode over toward a couple of trees, he dismounted and let Sergeant graze. Elizabeth followed him and did them same with her horse. Jack set up a camera to take a picture of the mountains. Elizabeth just stood there looking at the amazing view.

"I can see why you wanted to bring a camera." Elizabeth said. "This is an amazing view."

Jack just grinned at her. He not only wanted a picture of the view, but he also wanted one or more of Elizabeth. She didn't see him, because she had her back to him.

"Yes, it is." Jack said looking at Elizabeth and not the mountains in the distance.

Elizabeth turned to look at Jack.

"They issued one of these for an investigation tool." Jack said. "But I haven't really had much chance to use it here in Coal Valley, until now."

Without waiting, Jack took Elizabeth's picture. Elizabeth laughed.

"Hey not fair." She said. "You didn't warn me. I wasn't ready."

Jack just smiled at her.

"Why don't we take one of the both of us?" Elizabeth asked.

"Okay." Jack said.

He came around at got where he had the camera focused.

"Come here." He said.

Elizabeth moved closer to him and he put his arm around her. He bent down a little and she did as well. Elizabeth let out a small sigh.

"Smile." Jack said.

"I have stopped since our supper together." Elizabeth said looking slightly in Jack's direction.

Jack just looked at her. It was like a kick to the gut.

"One …" Jack said. "Two … three."

On three he took the picture of both of them. He also knew that he couldn't wait any longer to tell Elizabeth what was going on. The problem, all the words he had rehearsed left his brain. He knew he was going to have to muddle his way through and hope that she wasn't too angry. It was part of the reason, that Jack wanted to bring her out to his favorite spot. He didn't want to have this conversation in town, but Jack also wanted to be in a place that she just couldn't run from him. He just hoped that he could find a way to work through this with Elizabeth. Jack knew that he wanted a future with her, but this was just one of those things that they were going to have to over come. Jack put the shutter release squeeze bulb back over the camera. He then walked the few steps back to Elizabeth and looked at her with a serious look.

"Elizabeth." Jack said. "I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

"As you recall." Jack said. "When I first got here to Coal Valley, I was, uh … unhappy with my posting."

"You were furious." Elizabeth said with a laugh.

"And I put in a transfer request to Cape Fullerton." Jack said.

"I get that." Elizabeth said. "You felt cheated as to why you were here. You wanted to be where all the action is, and you were right to be upset, you were diverted from your dream. I was furious with my father for pulling strings and having you assigned here against your will. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that you are here, but it shouldn't have happened that way. I would be upset if someone told me I couldn't teach where I wanted."

Jack looked down and took a deep breath. It was going better then he thought. At Elizabeth was being understanding.

"And I couldn't see my purpose here." Jack said.

"Are you saying that's changed?" Elizabeth asked. "Did you find your purpose? Did you find a reason to be here?"

"Well." Jack said. "It appears my request has been granted."

"You …." Elizabeth said. "You have new orders?"

Elizabeth's face fell and she could feel tears coming to her eyes. It was not what she was expecting when Jack said he needed to talk to her. She knew what she had told her uncle, but that had changed. Maybe he had already put things into motion before things changed. Elizabeth was upset, but a part of her knew that it was her fault as well.

"Yes." Jack said. "I'm so sorry. I would never have pursued you if I thought they were going to be granted."

Elizabeth let out a couple harsh breaths.

"Jack I …." Elizabeth started but couldn't finish.

She sniffed back the tears that she felt coming.

"Jack." Elizabeth said. "I need some time. I need to go."

Elizabeth went over to her horse and got up. She took off back toward town. She didn't want to cry in front of Jack. She knew that he had to go, but that didn't make her feel better about it. When Elizabeth got back to town, she dropped her horse at the livery and headed to the cafe. After Elizabeth left, Jack packed up the camera and headed back as well. He knew that he needed to talk to Elizabeth more. He understood that she was upset and he was going to give her a little space, but he wanted to make sure that she was okay. Jack rode back to town slowly. He tried to think of something that he could say to Elizabeth that would make things better, but he realized that there really weren't words. When Jack got back, he got Sergeant settled at the livery and then went to the cafe. He knocked on the back door.

"Jack." Abigail said.

"Is Elizabeth alright?" Jack asked.

"She is upset." Abigail said. "Give her tonight. Talk to her before school in the morning. She needs to process what you told her."

"Okay." Jack said. "As long as she is okay."

"I will talk to her later." Abigail said. "After supper."

"Thank you." Jack said.

Jack left the cafe dejected. He felt bad that he had hurt Elizabeth. It was the last thing that he wanted to do. Even if he stayed, he wasn't sure that that they would ever be the same. It was like he had broken some unspoken trust with her.

Later that evening at the jail, Jack and Patrick were talking about their day.

"So how did it go with Julie today?" Jack asked.

Patrick let out a groan.

"Now what did she do?" Jack asked.

"She rode off into the trees, saying nature calls." Patrick said. "She just disappeared into the trees."

"So." Jack said. "She just left you waiting there?"

"For nearly an hour." Patrick said. "She said she couldn't find the appropriate place to do her business."

"Clearly." Jack said. "You were assigned the more challenging of the Thatcher sisters."

"I've tracked and arrested lifelong criminals." Patrick said. "Who were easier to manage then she was. How can one young woman be so infuriating?"

Jack couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

"I don't know." Jack said. "I don't think that I will ever understand women."

"So." Patrick said. "Were you able to talk to Elizabeth?"

"Yes." Jack said. "We had planned a picnic for tomorrow, but I took her on a ride this afternoon. She had let the students out a little early and you were still gone."

"So you have made a decision." Patrick said.

"Can you tell me anything about what I'm headed into?" Jack asked.

"Well." Patrick said. "We're pursuing several criminals right now. I am sure that you have seen the notices."

"Some." Jack said. "Alerts from headquarters sometime end up in the hands of Gowen and the Pinkertons before I see them a few days later. I have talked to Ned Yost about it, but he swears that he hasn't done anything wrong."

"Good to know." Patrick said. "The most elusive of the criminals is the Tolliver gang – Nate Tolliver – he's the brains. He's young, but he's managed to outsmart the best of us."

"Yeah." Jack said. "I've heard about him. How many banks have they hit?"

"Ten or so." Patrick said. "That is across this region, and it's not just banks, it's trains, stagecoaches, anything really. He's dangerous, Jack. Thinks nothing of pulling a gun. Always armed. Usually more then one."

"Well." Jack said. "I look forward to bringing him to justice. He can pull a gun on me, but most men that have done that are dead. I am fast and accurate. That is not bragging – I was the top marksman in the academy. My mother taught me to shot and she always told me that I was quicker then anyone she ever saw and that was when I was still a teenager. I have only gotten better.

Most people don't know this about me, but I can shoot with either hand. My mother made sure that I could do things equally well with both hands. I am naturally left-handed, but learned to do everything right handed. My grandmother had these theories about being left-handed and demanded my mother teach me the proper way. I have gotten so use to doing things right handed, but I still practice with my left. Came in handy when I was shot and had my right arm in a sling."

"Glad you are on our side." Patrick said.