August 19th, 2009 – Sully Schools

Elizabeth was unloading a box of supplies into her room in preparation of the new school year that would begin the following week. Jack stepped into the room, carrying her last box. He set it on one of the tables and walked up behind Elizabeth, grabbed her waist and turned her to face him.

"Hello, Miss Thatcher." Elizabeth giggled just as Jack leaned down and kissed her. "I have a crush on the teacher," Jack whispered, as he straightened back up.

"Oh, do you now?" Elizabeth reached her arms up around his neck.

Jack nodded and grinned, then bent to kiss her again.

"Oh, my gosh. Don't you two ever quit?" Rosie teased as she entered the room.

"Hello, Rosie," Jack said as he rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Hi, Jack." Rosie walked to one of the boxes and pulled out a plant. "Window sill?" She asked Elizabeth, holding up the plant.

Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, usual spot."

The three made quick work out of emptying the boxes and getting the art room decorated. Posters were hung, a few new knickknacks were placed on her desk and new brushes replaced some old ones that had inadvertently gotten placed in the jars bristles down. They hung some streamers and paper globes to make the room look festive for the first day.

They picked up the empty boxes and walked out of the room, Elizabeth locked the door behind them.

"Thanks for your help, guys."

"Anything for our favorite teacher," Rosemary said in her sing-songy voice.

"Oh, stop, Rosie."

They walked toward the entrance of the school; the floors were shining with polished grey vinyl, the blue lockers had a fresh coat of paint, the walls, also freshly painted, alternated between gold, white, and light blue. Several teachers were milling around their classrooms, cleaning, decorating and organizing. A few of the female teachers stepped out into the hall and watched the trio after seeing Jack, their curiosity getting the better of them as to who this good-looking cowboy was.

Catherine Montgomery stepped out of the front office as the trio approached. "Hey, Liz. Hi, Rosie." She said as she locked the door.

"Hi, Cat." Elizabeth saw her eyeing Jack up and down. He was wearing his well fitted jeans, t-shirt and a baseball cap; and he looked great in anything. "This is Jack. Jack, this is the school principal, Cat Montgomery."

Jack put out his hand and shook hers. "Good to meet you, ma'am," he smiled his dimpled grin and tipped his head toward her.

"You too, Jack," she said, smiling back.

"Jack just came by to help me get my classroom ready for next week."

"Oh, wonderful. I'm sure Liz appreciated the help, Jack. That was very kind of you."

"Glad to help out, ma'am."

"We'll see you next Wednesday at the in-service meeting," Elizabeth said as she started walking toward the front doors again.

"Yes, see you then." Cat replied as she watched them walk away.

Once they were outside, Rosie turned to Elizabeth and began laughing. "Wow, I do believe the principal might have a little crush on your boyfriend." She shoved Elizabeth in the shoulder, causing her to drop her boxes.

"Rosie, behave," she said as she picked the boxes back up.

Jack opened the back door to his truck and set the boxes in the back seat, then took the boxes from each of the women and tossed them in. He leaned onto the side of his truck with his elbow resting on top of the bedside and shoved his thumb into his pocket. He watched the women talk about some of the new curriculum for the school year and then say their goodbyes.

Elizabeth walked up to Jack after Rosemary left and grabbed the hems to his pockets. "Got any plans today, cowboy?" She asked, grinning.

Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her in closer, "Why, yes, I do. I plan on taking the hot art teacher out for ice cream."

"Oh, Jack Thornton, you bad boy," Elizabeth teased. She stood on her toes and kissed Jack on the cheek. "What are you waiting for?"

Jack took her face in his hands and kissed her hard until they both needed a breath.

She sucked in a large amount of air then looked into his eyes. "I meant for the ice cream," she giggled. "But I'll take that, too."

Jack opened his door and helped her up onto the seat and watched her as she slid to the middle of the bench seat. He stared at her for a brief moment before stepping up into the truck himself.

…..

August 22nd, 2009 – Springfield Branson National Airport

Jack was standing near the front doors, watching for the Thatchers to exit the secured area of the airport. As soon as they came into view, he walked toward them.

"Hello, William, Grace," he said, smiling. He gave Grace a hug and shook William's hand.

"Hello, Jack. So good to see you again," Grace replied.

"Did you have a good flight?"

"Yes, it's wasn't bad at all," William answered.

"I assume you have luggage we need to pick up."

"Yes, Jack. Two suitcases."

"Luggage claim is right down here," Jack pointed down the long white hall.

They followed Jack in the direction he'd pointed, telling him about their layover in Chicago.

Grace pointed out their luggage to Jack and he stepped forward and pulled them off the conveyor. He picked up both suitcases and led Elizabeth's parents out to his truck. This was the first look that Grace and William had of who Jack was in his own environment; so far very impressed by his polite manners and help with their luggage, and equally impressed by the quality of his truck. Jack loaded their bags into the bed of the truck, then opened the back door for Grace and held his hand out to assist her into it.

"This is a very nice truck, Jack," William commented as Jack turned onto the street.

"Thank you, William."

"This must have set you back a pretty penny."

Jack chuckled and nodded, "Several pretty pennies, sir."

William laughed along with Jack. They enjoyed lighthearted conversations during their hour long drive back to Jack's, including details of the World Finals in Las Vegas, if Jack were to make it. Both William and Grace commented on the beautiful landscaping of Missouri as they passed rock cliffs and large valleys.

"Yes, sir, it is very beautiful down here. You should see it when the trees turn in the fall."

"I'd love to see that," Grace added. She had secretly wanted to come visit Elizabeth in the past, but William had insisted waiting it out, positive that his daughter would come to her senses and move back home.

Jack turned into his tree lined drive, "Here we are. This is Hope Meadows Ranch."

"Oh my, Jack. It's beautiful here," Grace exclaimed.

Jack watched them out of the corner of his eye as his barn came into view. William and Grace were both looking all over the ranch, taking in the beautiful scenery of all the trees, brown wooden fences that lined the drive, several horses running through the pasture and his barn.

"This is a wonderful place you have here, Jack," William finally said as they drove past the barn.

"Thank you. I really love it."

As the drive turned around the row of trees that blocked his house and the beautiful log home came into view, the Thatchers gasped.

"Jack, your house is gorgeous," Grace said in a higher pitched voice than normal.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Yes, Jack. This is magnificent," William added.

As soon as Jack had rounded the corner, he noticed his mother's truck parked in his drive. As he slowed the truck and put it in park, his mom stepped out of the house and waited on the porch, waving at them.

"Is it safe to assume that that is your mother?" William asked.

"Yes, sir. It sure is. She is very anxious to meet you."

The Thatchers and Jack stepped out of the truck and proceeded to the house where Charlotte was waiting. She walked down the stairs and met them half way.

"William, Grace, this is my mother, Charlotte."

"Hello, Grace. So good to meet you." Grace had put her hand out to shake Charlotte's but Charlotte wrapped her arms around her into a hug.

"Oh," Grace said startled at first. Then smiling, "Very nice to meet you, too, Charlotte."

Then Charlotte, arms opened wide, walked up to William and hugged him. "So good to meet you, too, William."

William, looking at his wife wide-eyed, relaxed, smiled and hugged her back. "You, too, Charlotte."

Charlotte took hold of Grace's hand and led her up to Jack's porch. She stopped and faced Grace, "I have to say, your Elizabeth is the sweetest thing. I have never seen Jack as happy as he is when she's around. Oh..." Charlotte pulled Grace into another hug.

Jack walked past the women and opened the front door, he stepped aside and waited for everyone to enter before walking in and closing the door behind them.

"Jack," Grace started, "This house is absolutely gorgeous. I mean, this is amazing."

"Thank you, Grace."

"Jack did a lot of this work himself." Charlotte added. "It took him years to complete it, but I think it was worth it."

"I must say, Jack," William stated, "I am impressed."

"Thank you, sir."

He gave the Thatchers a tour of the house; each room impressed them more and more.

"Jack built and tiled that shower himself, then added the barnwood from an old building he had torn down that used to stand here."

William smiled and nodded as he took in all the craftsmanship through the bathroom and bedroom. "Very nice, Jack."

"Thank you. I had the framing and exterior done by a construction company, and all the large beams and stairs. I built the cabinets, fireplaces and laid the flooring with help from some of my friends. I needed to keep busy during off season from the rodeo."

They finished the tour and settled into the chairs around his dining table. It faced the windows that overlooked his expansive backyard. Charlotte had poured everyone a glass of tea and was passing them around.

"Charlotte, I hear that you are a rancher, too."

"Yes, William, I have been my whole life. I grew up a rancher's daughter then became a rancher's wife. I guess you can say it's in my blood." She took the empty seat next to her son.

"And your other son, Tom, was it?"

"Yes, Tom lives on the other side of our land and has cattle as well. Jack here is the only one that got into horses."

"So, Jack. How many horses do you have?" William asked.

"I have six horses that are here for training. They will be leaving as soon as I feel they have reached the point where they are ready to return to their owners. Then I have four working ranch horses. And out in the pastures, I have sixteen brood mares that currently have ten foals."

"I'm sorry, Jack," Grace said, "you'll have to explain that one to me. Brood mares? Foals?"

"A brood mare is a female horse used for breeding purposes. They usually come from a line of horses that are highly ranked in whatever purpose they are used for. Such has ranching, showing, cutting. Cutting horses are the ones used to separate certain cattle out of a large group of cattle. They are specially trained to block a calf or other cow from getting back into the herd. That is needed in order to give them vaccines or treat an illness or injury. A foal is simply a baby horse."

"Oh, that is very interesting. There is so much more to this horse thing than I ever thought."

"Yes, ma'am. Horses have many jobs."

Charlotte, William, and Grace visited more about William's work, Viola and Julie and their families and Charlotte's ranch. Charlotte had lovingly spoken about Thomas and their life together. They discussed Jack's plans for the weekend and how they would surprise Elizabeth.

Charlotte left to go home, William and Grace relaxed on Jack's porch and Jack showered, dressed and prepared for his evening plans.

…..

August 22nd, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch

Elizabeth parked her car next to Jack's barn. When she got out, she saw him leaning in the doorway with Harley. Jack was wearing a long sleeve, black button-up shirt and a crooked grin.

She smiled and slowly walked up to him. "What have you got planned, Jack?" She asked as she stood in front of him.

"We're going for a ride," Jack leaned down and kissed her. "Are you ready?"

Elizabeth looked around, noticing that Jack only had Harley out and that he wasn't saddled. "I'm ready, but you don't look ready."

Jack smiled, his dimples prominent, "I'm ready," he answered with conviction.

Elizabeth cocked her head sideways at him, "But you only have one horse, and he's not even saddled."

"Come with me," Jack took her hand, and leading Harley, they walked out into the grass. "Wait here," Jack said as he walked up to Harley's side. He grabbed the top of Harley's neck with one hand, placed his other hand on Harley's hip, and jumped onto his back. He held out his hand to Elizabeth and waited.

"What?" She asked.

"Come here."

Elizabeth stepped up next to Harley and reached up to Jack. He gripped her wrist and she his, and he pulled her up. She swung her leg around and settled on Harley's back, behind Jack. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tighter than necessary.

Jack smiled, and rested his free hand on top of hers. He turned his head sideways, looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, "You look beautiful."

Elizabeth was wearing a pair of jeans with her new boots and a black, white and red plaid shirt. It was button-up with cap sleeves and an open neckline.

"Thank you, Jack. You look very nice, too."

He gently kicked Harley forward and began walking around the edge of his property. He took Elizabeth to areas of the ranch that she had never seen. A beautiful stream flowed along the east edge, wild bluebells and purple flox grew along its banks.

Elizabeth rested her head against Jack's shoulder blade, tightening her arms around his waist. Jack slid his hand along her forearm and squeezed it.

"It's so beautiful out here, Jack."

It was just before dusk, and the sun hung low in the sky. Golds and oranges were just beginning to blend into the blues, preparing for a magnificent sunset.

They entered an area of thick trees and Harley easily made his way through them. As Harley stepped out of them into a clearing, an open field stood before them with an old barn on the other side.

"Oh, Jack. That barn is beautiful."

"It was my father's. I never came out here again until last week when I was out riding Harley one evening. I thought you'd like it."

"Oh, I do, Jack. It's beautiful."

Jack guided Harley toward the barn and stopped him just in front of it.

"Take my arm and slide down," Jack gripped her arm and gently lowered her to the ground, then slid off next to her.

He rubbed his hands along her arms, nervously staring into her blue eyes. Jack took Elizabeth's hands in his and turned her slightly, facing out into the open pasture.

"Beth, you have changed my life. You entered it, seeing the real me beneath the man that I had been these past several years. You saw past what I had become, and saw who I was to be." Jack's heart was racing and his hands began to sweat over Elizabeth's.

Elizabeth's heart was racing, too, and she could feel tears forming in her eyes.

"I love you with all my heart, Beth. I want to give you the world if you'll let me." Jack knelt to one knee and pulled a small blue velvet box from the pocket of his Wrangler jeans. He opened the box with one hand, while still holding her hand with the other. "Elizabeth Nicole Thatcher, will you marry me?"

Elizabeth was crying now, and nodded, "Yes," her voice cracked as she answered. "Of course I will."

Jack removed the ring from the box and slid it onto her left hand. He stood, cupping her face in his hands and kissed her, deep and passionately. He then wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her in a circle.

Just as he lowered her to the ground, a loud group of cheers, whistles and clapping erupted from behind them. Elizabeth spun around to find her parents, Charlotte, Tom and his family, Lee, Rosemary and a few of the families from the calf branding day, all watching them; cheering and clapping. Elizabeth could also see a couple of her teacher friends from school were there.

Elizabeth turned to Jack, with the biggest smile on her face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

William and Grace walked up to the couple. Grace held her daughter tight, tears streaming down her face.

William shook Jack's hand and placed the other hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations, Jack."

"What are you guys doing here?" Elizabeth asked between sobs, hugging her father now.

"This young man is the reason we're here."

Elizabeth looked at Jack with a confused look on her face.

"Last week, when I was gone those two days..."

Elizabeth nodded.

"Well, I flew out to New Hampshire to meet your parents and ask them for permission to marry you."

Elizabeth's tears that had begun to subside, returned fully as she jumped up into Jack's arms, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

The rest of the onlookers began to crowd around them, giving them congratulatory hugs, handshakes and slaps on the back.

Once everyone began to settle down and William had a moment alone with his daughter, he pulled her aside. "That is quite the young man you've got there, Beth. He loves you very much."

"I know, Daddy." She smiled, hugging her dad once more.

Just as the sun was setting and the sky erupted in a brilliance of colors, Tom and Lee pushed the barn doors open the rest of the way, revealing hundreds of small round lights strung across the open beams and several tables covered in lace table cloths.

"What is all of this, Jack?" Elizabeth asked, tightly holding onto his hand, not wanting to let go.

"I thought since everyone was here, it would be a good time to have another fireside get together."

Just then, as if on cue, someone lit a small bonfire just outside the barn door.

The barn was filled with voices and laughter as everyone enjoyed pulled pork, cowboy beans, potato salad, and more desserts than any one person could eat.

Elizabeth stood back, nibbling on a cupcake, taking everything in. She saw her mother and father talking and laughing with Charlotte and Elizabeth's heart melted. Her two friends from school were in another corner, talking to a couple single cowboys, and Elizabeth grinned.

Jack walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her lightly on the neck and left a trail of kisses up to her ear.

Then he whispered, "I love you so much. I can't wait to be your husband."

Elizabeth set her cupcake down on the table and turned in his arms. "And I can't wait to be your wife."

She stood up onto her toes and kissed Jack. His lips covered hers and Elizabeth placed her hand on the back of his head, pulling him in tighter and kissing him deeper; their tongues dancing together to a rhythm of music that only Jack and Elizabeth could hear.

They pulled apart, only because they needed a breath.

"I love you, Jack."

Jack kissed her on the nose, then Elizabeth turned in his arms and leaned back against him, watching everyone having a good time. She held her left hand out in front of her, admiring the beautiful ring that symbolized their future together. It had a 1 karat diamond in the middle, with ¼ karat diamonds on either side. Smaller diamonds were set into the band and continued half way down each side.

"This is gorgeous, Jack."

"I'm glad you like it." Jack bent down and kissed her cheek.

"You sure have good taste."

"I think so, I picked you, didn't I?" Jack teased. "And Rosie helped."

"She knew about all of this?" Elizabeth asked, turning back to face him.

"Yes. I called her to help me arrange to go see your parents. She gave me their phone number and address. After I got back, she went ring shopping with me."

"I can't believe that you did all of this."

"I'd do anything for you, Beth." Jack bent down and kissed her once again, cupping her face in his hands.

Both of their hearts raced as they felt an energy course through their bodies; one made of love and desire that was building between them.

Jack pulled back and stared into her eyes. After taking a deep breath, he said, "We need to get married...soon."

Elizabeth blushed and giggled, stood on her toes and whispered into his ear, "I agree."

Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned back, lifting her feet off the ground. She let out a squeal and bent her knees, burying her face into his chest.

Tom walked up to them, smiling. "Are you ready, Jack?"

"Yep, I'll be right there."

"Ready for what?" Elizabeth asked.

"Come see." Jack took her hand and led her out to the fire where logs, stumps, and bales of hay had been placed around for everyone to sit. "Sit here," Jack pointed to a hay bale, "I'll be right back."

Elizabeth watched him as he disappeared into the barn, then reappeared with his guitar. Tom followed with his guitar, and another man walked behind them with a fiddle.

A smile grew across Elizabeth's face as she watched the trio take their seats around the fire, Jack sitting on the bale next to her.

Tom began to play, joined by the fiddle. Then Jack joined in with his guitar and began to sing.

"I see the questions in your eyes
I know what's weighing on your mind
But you can be sure I know my part
'Cause I'll stand beside you through the years
You'll only cry those happy tears
And though I'll make mistakes
I'll never break your heart

I swear
By the moon and the stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear
Like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there
For better or worse
Till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear"

Elizabeth looked around the crowd and spotted her parents. They were sitting together on a bale, holding hands and smiling as they watched the trio play and sing. Sam was sitting next to Charlotte, their hands locked together, and a few couples were dancing. She looked back to Jack as he continued to sing.

"I'll give you everything I can
I'll build your dreams with these two hands
We'll hang some memories on the wall
And when there's silver in your hair
You won't have to ask if I still care
'Cause as time turns the page
My love won't age at all

I swear
By the moon and the stars in the sky
I'll be there
I swear
Like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there
For better or worse
Till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear"

When he finished, he leaned over and kissed her. "Want to hear more?" He asked, smiling.

Elizabeth simply nodded.

Jack looked at Tom and nodded and the two began to play again.

"I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

That every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes, He did

I think about the years I spent just passin' through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yeah

And now I'm just a-rollin' home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you"

Jack turned and looked at Elizabeth when he finished, to find tears streaming down her cheeks. He leaned his guitar against the bale and reached up with both thumbs, and wiped them away.

"What's wrong?" He asked her, wrapping his arms around and talking softly into her ear.

"Nothing. Everything is perfect." Jack pulled back to see her smiling now, and kissed her gently on the lips.

He wiped her cheeks once more before picking his guitar back up. "Okay, let's liven this place up," he said, as they began to play Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson.

The evening continued with music and dancing. Savannah was dancing around with Jack as he guided her to the beat of the music. Her little brother Luke was dancing around with another couple's little boy, both of them jumping up and down and spinning in circles.

William and Grace had even danced to a couple slow songs, along with Lee and Rosemary, and a few other couples.

After Jack sang another song, he set his guitar down, stood and put his hand out for Elizabeth to take. She laid her hand in his and he pulled her up and out to where the couples had been dancing.

Tom began to play and sing a slow song as Jack pulled Elizabeth in tight against him. His hand and pressed tightly against the small of her back, his other hand holding hers tight against his chest. His cheek was pressed against hers as they swayed back and forth to Tom's melody.

"I will love you forever," Jack whispered into her ear.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, letting the chill he had caused course through her body. She drew in a deep breath, inhaling his cologne that drove her wild. They remained that way through the entirety of the song, everyone was watching them as if they were having their first dance.

William reached over and took Grace's hand in his. "He is the right man for her."

Grace looked into William's eyes and nodded, "I know." She looked back at their daughter and rested her head on her husband's shoulder.