Chapter 7
Jack and Elizabeth have been seeing each other for 2 weeks. Christmas is just 6 days away. After work one evening Elizabeth was sitting on her couch drinking a piping hot cup of coffee to warm her body up after a very chilly day. It's 5:00 pm and there was a knock on her front door. She opened the door to find Jack standing there with 2 cups of coffee in his hands from Abigail's. She invited him in and takes the cup from him. He shuts the door and follows her to the living room. He laughs and says, why don't you have a fire going? She smirks up at him and says, I don't know how to even know how to start one that's why. Jack steps over to the fireplace and says, may I? She nods yes. Jack starts the fire, places the protective screen back in front of the fireplace. Goes back to sit with his Beth. Elizabeth leans on his shoulder. Jack puts his arm around her. They sat like this just staring at the fire. Elizabeth says, thank you for the fire! She slowly raises her chin to him. He lowers his head to her. They just stared into each other eyes for a moment. He quietly asked if he could kiss her? She said nothing but nods yes. He gently places his lips to hers. They linger for a long time. There were soft moans from each other. They part to catch their breath. Elizabeth leans back down to nestle back into his chest. Jack was so content to just sit there holding his Beth. He couldn't believe how much he had missed holding a woman in his arms. He just sat there rubbing his thumb up and down her arm. They just sat there for over an hour or so. Elizabeth asks him if she could ask him something? He says just ask. She keeps looking at the flames crackling and says, will I get to meet Jarrick before Christmas? He's asks, do you really want to? If your ready, I can arrange it. She leans back and looks into his eyes. Then says, why wouldn't I? He's part of you. So yes I'm ready! I'm not going anywhere Jack. Jack changes the subject for a moment and asks her what she's doing for Christmas? She quickly replies, I'm not going home. It's to soon. I don't want to face my father right now. Jack sits up straight and removes his arm from around her. Elizabeth notices the confusion on his face. She says, what is it? He replies, I haven't ever asked about your past or your family. I just figured you would tell me when you were ready, but when you make a statement like that I have to ask. What is there that you don't want to see your own father? She looked surprised and says, oh no there's isn't anything bad. Sorry I led you to believe that there was. My father can be very over protective and over barring, and very controlling. My life is my life and I've let him know in no uncertain terms to stay out of my business. I'm an adult now and I can make my own choices. He asks, why does he feel the need? She looks at him with a very puzzled look. She thinks, can she trust him with everything? We've only been seeing each other for 2 weeks. All of a sudden she gets a peace come over her and opens her mouth to speak, but Jack interrupts her and says it's alright if your not ready to tell me. Just know that you can talk to me and tell me anything. She says, no it's alright, I'm ready. I just don't know how you are going to handle it. With that she gets up and starts to pace in front of the back window. Jack asks her if it was that much of a big deal that you would think it would chase me away? Thinking out loud but as a whisper she says it usually does. Most guys run or stay for selfish reasons. He walk over to her and rubs his fingers up and down her arm. Tears start to roll down her face. She turns to him and starts to tell him. You know that I'm from Estes Park, but what you don't know is my last name is Thatcher. He says yeah I knew that from the rescue but go on. She continues, you don't recognize the name? Well anyway my father is William Thatcher that owns most of the high society resorts around the world. He's rich and so am I. I have enough money to last the rest of my life and all the generations after me. Everything that I own is paid for including this cabin. There is so much power that comes with this name. My father sent me to college to get my masters degree in business so that I could come back and help him run his business. I don't want that and when I got home from college I decided I didn't want the same things he did. So I looked for other places that had ski slopes and was hiring a ski instructor. Aspen was hiring. So I went through the realtors in the area. Found this cabin. Bought it, had the furniture and everything in sent and set up and put away. I went downstairs for breakfast and told my parents I was going out on my own. My father was livid. I packed up my room put everything in my SUV and moved here. I don't need all that fancy stuff and all the high society. It's just not me and my father was so upset with me that the day I left he wouldn't even come out of his office to say goodbye. I said my goodbyes and left. Jack speaks up and says, your money is no concern of mine. Everything that I own is paid for. I owe no one. I don't need your money Beth, I have my own. She sighs with a relief. Most guys want to get close to me because of my father's money. Jack Thornton you surprise me. He reaches for her hands and says I'm not like other guys. I hope you realize that. She reaches out and hugs him so tight. He thought, he would holds her for as long as she needed him to. You don't know how relieved I am that I don't have to worry about your intentions. They stand at the back window staring out in silence. Still wondering about Jarrick, Elizabeth asks, so can I invite you and Jarrick over for dinner one night or do you want to wait? Jack thinks about what she was saying and what Jarrick would think. He finally says can I get back to you on that? I haven't told anyone about you. Not that I'm hiding you or anything but just need time to tell them especially Jarrick. She said that was fine. Take all the time you need. Jarrick needs to come first. They lean back in and their foreheads touch. Jack yells her that she is a very special woman. Their lips meet for several soft kisses. They sit back down on her couch. He raps his arms around her. They just stared at the flames in the fireplace. Both into the moment not thinking of anything else. They had lost track of time. No food or drink for either one. Jack's thoughts pops back into the present and looks down at his watch. Realizing that it was already 9:30 pm. He gently pulls away from Elizabeth to tell her that he has to go and pick up Jarrick. He's probably been worried where I've been. So would you like to go out to dinner on Friday? Elizabeth gets up and walks him to the door. Kisses him good night and tells him she would love to. With that Jack walks out the door. She watches him get in his car and leave. Elizabeth thinks, what a man! Never has she had someone want her for just her. Her heart was pounding so fast. She tells herself to get a grip it's to soon. As Jack was lost in his thoughts on his way home after picking up Jarrick he meditates on the evening with Beth. He can't believe the connection he has with Beth. He thinks to himself that she was the one the only one. They get home and him and Jarrick goes into the house. They both take their coats off and hangs them on the hooks. Takes their boots off and places them on the rug. He puts Jarrick to bed and walks into his bedroom and pulls out his phone, wondering if Beth was still up? About that time a text came in from Beth .
B. Just wanted to thank you for tonight. I really had a great time.
J. I did to. Thank you for opening up to me.
B. Your welcome. All relationships should be an open book.
J. Yes they should. Are we in a relationship? Lol.
B. Yes I do think that we are if you want it to be. I don't just go around kissing guys.
J. Good to know. Did we kiss? Lol. Yes I like the relationship idea.
B. Lol. I do believe that is what they call it.
J. Sweet dreams Beth.
B. Oh I will be! Good night.
J. Good night.
