Chapter 4

Dazed

The next morning Elizabeth had called work and they told her that the lodge would be closed for about a week until the snow could be removed. She told them to just call when it was time to come back. Henry said he would. She walked back into the kitchen and noticed the card next to the coffee pot. She poured another cup and picked the card up and headed to the back porch. She grabs her coat and gloves on her way out. She sits her cup on the table and sat down in her chair. Staring down at the card she was thinking how he could help her but she had no one else close. She ponders on calling him for about an hour. She picks up her coffee and walks back inside. Laying the card back beside the coffee pot and went to take a hot bubble bath. When the water gets to cool to stay she gets out and wrapped a towel around her and heads into her bedroom to get dressed. She decided to go for a walk. She was still upset over what she saw yesterday. She wasn't paying attention to where she was walking and walks all the way across town. Until someone yells BETH! She's snapped back to the present. She looks up and it was Captain Thornton. She looks around as if she didn't know how she had got there. She said, Oh hello Captain. He said it Jack, just Jack. He asked her what she was doing all the way down here? She said she didn't rightly know. She just needed to go for a walk and didn't realize she had walked this far. Jack asked if she was alright? With wet and puffy eyes she tells him she didn't know. Yesterday had really upset her more than she realized. Jack asked if she wanted to grab a cup of coffee at Abigail's? Elizabeth didn't want to be a burden and didn't want to bother him with her problems. Jack tells her that she is no burden or bother. They walked back to Abigail's in silence. He opted the door to Abigail's Cafe for her. She walks in and he pulls out her chair before she sits down at the table in front of the window. She nods to him as if to say thank you. Jack sits down across from her. Abigail comes over and asks Jack what is he doing here at this time of day? He introduces Elizabeth to Abigail but Elizabeth tells him that she met her on her first day in town. He asks when did you get here again? Elizabeth tells him on Friday. He says wow! He says welcome to Aspen with a half way smile. She noticed those dimples again and smiles. They spend the next hour talking about how Elizabeth is feeling about everything. She tells him that she's ready to get back home now and thanked him for the conversation. He gets up to pull her chair out, she stands and they walk out the door. Jack asks if he can walk her home? She replies that it wasn't necessary. He said he insists. She smiles and starts walking towards her cabin. They walk mostly in silence. All of a sudden Elizabeth asks Jack how he is able to handle death that well? He thinks before he speaks. Well it doesn't get any easier. It don't happen very often. I've been here for almost 5 years and this is only the 3rd time.