Elizabeth jerked awake, her breath caught in her throat. Quickly she took in her surroundings, finding herself still on her settee. Had it all just been a dream?
Exhaling she fell back, working to calm her racing heart. It all had seemed so real. The letter. The voices. Yet inside she knew that the feelings in her heart were. Moisture filled her eyes and she shut them tight, lifting her face upward.
Thank You. She breathed, not only thanking God for the clarity, but Jack for his powerful love. He wanted her to move on, and she was finally ready to.
Suddenly her eyes grew wide. Her heart stopped as three words hit her like a crashing tidal wave. "I love Lucas." Her lips barely moved, her words hardly more than a breath. Yet they had the force to knock her senseless.
Her heart sped, the realization crushing her like a tidal wave. "I love Lucas Bouchard." A laugh escaped her, tears springing to her eyes. Inside she felt such a surety, and peace that flooded her entire being.
She knew. Tears spilled down her cheeks, as a smile swept across her face. Finally, she knew.
Again, her gaze landed on her ring, the weight she'd felt before suddenly gone. Slowly she rose from the settee, and walked to the same table next to the stairs. The letter was nowhere in sight.
She held her hand out in front of her, a soft smile playing across her face.
"I will always love you, Jack." She whispered, her words catching in her throat. "And I'll never forget you."
Gently she pulled the ring down her finger until it slid off her fingernail. She held it in front of her, a soft smile forming on her lips. Tentatively she brushed her fingers over it, her voice below a whisper. "Good bye."
And with tears in her eyes, and a bitter-sweet feeling in her heart, she placed the ring gently down on the table. A peace filled her soul, surprising her. Suddenly it was as if a giant weight slid from her shoulders, making her feel light as a feather.
Suddenly a sense of urgency filled her. Lucas. She had to go to him. Had to tell him the feelings that were bursting inside her.
Fear quickly slipped in, constricting her chest. She hadn't seen him in nearly two days. What if he took her silence to mean she wasn't interested? That she didn't love him?
Her eyes darted to her son, who miraculously was still sound asleep in his pen. She hated to leave him, but the rapid beating of her heart wouldn't let her wait
With a final glance. she then darted for the door, flinging it open to the dark night. Rain poured in a steady stream, the sun being long gone. Quickly she grabbed her coat off the stand, and held it over her head as she ran over to Lee and Rosemary's house.
She knocked firmly, and instantly winced at her inconsideration. They very well may be asleep by now, especially since Rosemary hadn't been feeling well. But it was Rosemary herself who answered the door.
Her eyes popped open wide, as she took in the sight of her friend. "Elizabeth." She gasped, looking her up and down. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no." She quickly assured her. A slight breeze blew, and she quickly shrugged into her coat.
Rosemary's brows pinched. "Who's with Jack?"
"Could you and Lee could watch him for an hour?" She looked to her friend hopefully. "If you're feeling alright, of course." She added quickly, searching Rosemary's face.
"I'm fine." Rosemary batted her words away. "But I'm not so sure about you." She eyed her in confusion. "Where on earth do you need to rush off to, and in the pouring rain, no less?"
"I promise I'll explain everything to you later." Elizabeth answered quickly. She was in too much of a hurry, and not quite ready to explain herself just yet. But she realized she must look pretty frantic right now. How did she make Rosemary understand? "I just need to…"
Quickly she stopped as she saw a knowing look cross Rosemary's face. Elizabeth wasn't sure how, but inside she knew that Rosemary knew where she was going. With a gentle smile Rosemary took her hands in her own. "Lee and I would be happy to watch Jack."
Elizabeth smiled back, tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you." Was all she could manage. And after a quick hug she darted down the stairs.
She ran down the street as fast as she could. Her feet splashed with every step, cold water spraying her skirts. People may have glanced out their windows at her seemingly crazy manner, thinking she was insane to run through the pouring rain. In the dark no less. And maybe she was…. But she didn't care.
Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of nervousness yet pure excitement coursing through her. She couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips, despite the rain that pelted her face like little icy darts.
Finally, the town came into view, and she ran even faster. She flew down the street, the sight of the saloon sending her stomach to flipping. Picking up her skirts she leapt up the saloon steps, catching a few heads turning her way.
She stopped in front of the door, leaning against it for a moment as she fought to catch her breath. Her chest burned with the night air, cold water dripping from her hair down her face. She was soaked through.
Finally, she found the strength to raise her fist to the door knob. She attempted to turn it but found it was locked. That was odd for this time of night. "Lucas?" She called, knocking against the door.
Had he closed the saloon down, due to his injury? Was he worse than Bill had told her? Oh, why hadn't she gone to see him sooner?
Panic gripped her, and she knocked harder. "Lucas?" Fear made her voice raise an octave, and a shiver ran through her. Whether it was her concern for Lucas or her soaked clothing she couldn't tell. It was probably both.
Still there was no response. Maybe he wasn't here? Had Jeanie taken him to the infirmary?
She wrapped her arms around her dripping self. Her mind raced, as she tried to decide what to do next.
"Elizabeth?"
A voice called gently behind her, making her stomach flip. Slowly she turned, and found Lucas standing in the street. The rain poured, pooling on the brim of his hat, and drenching his coat. He looked to her, his eyes filled with questions.
A sob caught in her throat. Lucas. Tears sprung to her eyes and she ran to him, without a second thought. Lucas started toward her, his arms opening wide to receive her.
She threw herself into him, wrapping her arms firmly around his neck. His hat flew off his head, and he embraced her tightly, pulling her against his chest. Tears rolled down her cheeks in warm streams, a smile curling her lips.
His hands came up her back, pressing her closer. He ducked his face into her hair, his breath ragged against her ear. Stifling a sob, she attempted to push past the lump in her throat.
"I missed you."
He pulled back slightly so he could see her face. Tears glossed over his eyes, as he gently brushed her wet hair from her face. He smiled softly, his voice a whisper.
"I missed you too." His hand rested on her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. She leaned into his warm touch, relishing the feeling.
His face then twisted slightly, concern crossing his gaze. "I was coming to see you..." He started, then stopped, seeming to fight for the right words to say. His eyes dropped, and he tighten his grip around her. "Elizabeth, I…"
"I love you." The words gushed out of her in a soft whisper, unable to hold them back anymore.
Suddenly his eyes jerked back to her face. "What did you say?" He breathed, a sense of awe and disbelief in his voice. His eyes were wide, his mouth parting slightly.
Warm tears spilled down her face, as she smiled up into his dark gaze. She raised a hand to his face, his beard leaving an odd prickly sensation against her skin. "I love you, Lucas Bouchard."
Her words came softly, overflowing with love for the man before her. "With my whole heart."
Her chest swelled as she saw tears glaze over his eyes. His lips pressed as if he was holding back a sob, before turning up in a heart-melting smile. "And I love you, Elizabeth Thornton." His words rasped out in a husky breath, his eyes shining with a love that shot straight to her heart. "So much."
And standing in the middle of the street, as the rain poured down on them, he lowered his mouth to hers for a kiss. Her heart sped as his lips brushed over hers, igniting a fire with their gentle touch. There was no hesitation in his response this time. No doubt. Just a deep passion that surged through her. Stealing her breath.
His hand came to rest on her cheek, and she leaned into his touch. Sliding her hand up his neck, she curled her fingers through his hair. He deepened the kiss, and she melted into him. Breathing him in.
For the first time there was no fear holding her back. No guilt. Just love. And it felt so right.
Lucas' heart felt like it would burst inside him for joy. His head was spinning, as a tear escaped him, rolling down his already rain-soaked face. Elizabeth Thornton loved him. It seemed too good to be true.
With a final caress of her lips, he drew back with a gasp. Not far. Just enough so he could find her eyes. She seemed as breathless as he was, her warm breath mingling with his.
She smiled up at him, a love in her eyes that could knock him off his feet. It all still felt like a dream. Elizabeth had just said the three words he'd dreamed of hearing her say for nearly two years.
But something inside pulled at him, causing him to sober for a moment. Suddenly there was one thing he needed to know. "Are you sure about this?" He whispered, searching her blue depths. "Because I will wait as long as you need me to."
He held his breath, waiting for her response. He needed to know that she was ready. That she wasn't just rushing things for either of their sakes'.
Slowly a smile spread across her face, her eyes shining at him. Tentatively she reached up, taking one of his hands in her own. His breath caught in his throat as she brought his knuckles to her lips, brushing a kiss to his skin.
Inside his heart pounded violently, as her eyes never left his face. "I'm sure." Her words came as a soft caress, her warm breath drifting across his skin.
A smile split across his face, his chest swelling so big it hurt like it would explode. That was all he needed to know. He then wrapped his arms around her again, pulling her back for another kiss. He felt her smile against his lips, as she kissed him back with a yearning that rendered him speechless.
His heart soared inside him with pure happiness. Tightening his grip around her waist, he lifted her feet off the ground. She giggled as he spun her around, and he couldn't help the laugh that escaped him.
There was probably quite a crowd watching them by now. All most definitely standing with their mouths open, and eyes wide at their public display. He didn't care.
After spinning her around twice he gently lowered her to the ground. With a final brush of her lips, he pulled back, his breathing rapid. He raised his hand to cup her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Looking down he found her eyes. She looked back at him unashamed, her blue depths shinning with a love that rendered him speechless.
She loved him. Elizabeth Thornton loved him. Was it possible a heart could break from happiness?
Her head came to rest against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her close. And there, as the rain fell against them, and the entire town looked on, everything was perfect.