Jack's younger sister, Rosie Thornton pulled up to her childhood home. Her fiancé, Lee, was comfortably sitting in the passenger set next to her.
"Thank you for coming to dinner with my mom tonight. It's hard for her having both Jack and Tommy so far away."
"Rosie, we're getting married. Your family's my family now. Besides, I've grown up coming to this house back when I'd spend so much time with Jack. Your mom's awesome. Trust me, this isn't a chore."
"I love you for that." She leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Let's go see what experiment Mom's made for us to eat tonight."
"Bring it on!" Lee cheered, raising his hands up in the air.
As they climbed the steps to the front door, Rosie heard a blaring alarm noise from inside.
"Oh no!" She flung the door open and ran inside. "Mom! Mom are you okay?"
Inside the kitchen was a thick grey haze of smoke billowing from the open door of the stainless steel oven. Standing in front of it all was Charlotte Thornton, armed with a small red fire extinguisher.
"Stand back, honey!" Charlotte yelled over the alarm before letting the extinguisher rip again.
After making sure Charlotte did indeed have it under control, Lee grabbed a chair from the other room and silenced the small, yet effective, alarm.
"There. That's better." Charlotte pulled her sunflower apron up over her head and tossed it on the counter. "Evening, dears."
"Evening? That's all you're going to say? Really, Mother?! What the heck happened?" Rosie watched as her mom pulled a blackened mess in a pan out of the oven. "And what is that?" she cringed while pinching her nose.
"It was our dinner. Now it's the dog's." Charlotte gestured to the old basset hound laying in the other room.
"If he'll eat it..." Rosie muttered.
"What's that, dear?"
"What? Me? Nothing." Lee stood back and laughed at the comment as Rosie continued to study her mom. Something seemed off tonight. Something more than her usual less than stellar culinary skills. She looked back at Lee. With a slight nod, he read her mind and urged her forward. "So what do you say Mom, shall we make it a pizza party night?"
Charlotte smiled. It was a long standing tradition in the Thornton house that whenever one of Charlotte's "creations" went belly up, she'd turn to her family and announce it was pizza party night.
"Sounds like a good plan."
"Wonderful. Lee, would you go into town to get it, please?"
"Can do," he smiled graciously. "I remember everyone's favorites. Need anything else while I'm out, Mrs. Thornton?"
"No, that will be fine. You're a real gentleman, Lee."
As he exited, the two Thornton women got to work cleaning the mess left in the kitchen. After it was finished, they made two cups of hot tea. They retreated into the living room to sit in the big window seat that overlooked the forest. It was everyone's favorite spot in the home.
Rosie watched her mom as they sipped their tea. Something was indeed off. The normally boisterous woman sat silent as she watched the birds hop around the feeders.
"Mom, remember when I was a little girl how you'd always know when something was wrong without me saying anything?" Charlotte look over at her confused. "You'd come sit next to me, wrap your arm around my shoulders like this and say…"
She laughed, "I'd say, 'What's wrong, honey bunny?"
"Exactly. So, Mom, what's wrong "honey bunny?"
She sighed. Grabbing a letter from her back pocket she handed it to Rosie. "Read this."
Unfolding the lined paper she recognized the handwriting immediately. It was a letter from Jack. Now things were making since. The letter had a little bit of everything. Drama, comedy and a budding romance to boot. Rosie had gotten a similar one the day before. She had been over the moon with delight at the thought of Jack, "Captain Dateless" as she'd teased, finding love. Once she' finished reading she handed the letter back to her mom.
"What do you think about all that?" Charlotte asked her daughter. Her eyes showing her concern.
Rosie knew to choose her words wisely, but before finishing her own thought she blurted out, "I think it's marvelous really. Jack sounds like he's truly in love! She must be very special."
Apparently that wasn't what Charlotte wanted to hear. She rose to her feet and began pacing the floor. The old hound in the corner watched with great interest.
"Mom… stop moving and talk to me. You're making me dizzy."
"You're probably right." She spoke but continued her pacing. "This is good news. It's just… I'm worried about him. What happens when his time or her time in Haiti is up? He says she's from Connecticut. That's not exactly the right distance for a weekend visit."
"No, you're right about that." Rosie leaned back against the pillows as she thought about the possible predicament. "Maybe he'll move closer to her."
That got her mother's attention, and not in a good way.
"Or maybe she'll move here. You never know!" Rosie got up and walked forward to take hold of her mother's hands. "I trust Jack, Mom. When the time comes he'll have a plan."
"You're right. He's a big boy. I'm probably being selfish. Change has never been my strong suit. With Tommy gone for who knows how long and you getting married, it's a lot."
"I can understand. It's nice having him here. We've been counting down the weeks till he's home for good. This woman could bring a whole new world of change. You don't want him moving away for good."
"No," she sighed. "But I won't stop him either." Her eyes went to a picture on the mantel above the wood stove. It was her wedding photo. "I had my great once in a lifetime love. I can't keep him from his. If that's what this is."
Rosie wrapped her mom in a warm embrace. "That's what makes you such a good mother, you know? You've always put us first."
They held each other for a long moment, both thinking about how much had changed in the past few years. How much things would keep changing.
"Have you heard from Tommy?" Rosie asked.
"No. Not since his email. He's probably off on another long fishing expedition. I'm sure someone would call if…"
"Don't. He's fine. Who knows, maybe he'll join us for Christmas this year." Rosie tried to sound hopeful, but knew it wasn't likely.
"Maybe. At least Jack will be home. That is, unless he's not now." Charlotte laughed, brushing the thought away. She needed to let her children live their lives. "What about you, honey bunny? You leaving me for the holidays?"
"Are you kidding? If I leave you, what will you eat for Christmas dinner?"
"Pizza."
"Exactly! Nope, Lee and I talked about it. You're stuck with us."
"Thank you, dear. Really." Charlotte looked back down at the letter from Jack. "He does seem very happy. You're right that this Elizabeth must be very special."
…...
Down in Haiti….
Elizabeth sat on a pile of wood at the work site of the orphanage eating her breakfast while Jack worked. Gloria, the woman who ran the kitchen at Hopes Landing had graciously packed enough food for both her and Jack in the little brown To Go box.
The rebuilding of the orphanage had been weighing heavily on Jack's heart since the fire. As soon as Carson gave him the okay to return to work he took any chance he could to get to working on the new home. Even on top of his other work.
He'd get up long before the rest of the sleepy village and begin his work, even working through most meals. Elizabeth would bring him food when her schedule allowed and sit watching him hammer away. Today was no exception. It was the best way she could think of to eat at least.
Even the evenings, which had been time reserved just for he and Elizabeth at their spot, had changed. The few times he didn't miss he was so tired she'd send him to the dorm to sleep shortly after he'd arrive.
Elizabeth's heart had been yearning for him. "How can I miss him when he's right here?" she thought. To make matters worse, Thanksgiving was coming up. After that, they'd be heading back to the states for a much deserved break. Only problem was, they'd be apart. The very thought brought a thundering ache to Elizabeth's heart.
"Jack?" she spoke sweetly, yet loud enough for him to hear. "Can you eat please?"
He stopped and looked at her. His beautiful angel, sitting there patiently trying to take care of him. He missed her. She was right there, yet he missed her. Putting the hammer down he walked over to sit on the ground next to her.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth." He accepted the bite of eggs off her fork as she fed him. "I'm sorry I'm so preoccupied with this."
"I get it." She offered him another large bite. "You want the children to have a place to rest their heads that feels more like home again. It's important to you."
"We're important to me too."
"I know." A gentle smile spread across her sun kissed face as she gazed into his green eyes. He meant it. "Now eat."
"Yes, boss," he teased. After they finished their shared breakfast, Jack took the empty box out of her hands and placed it on the ground, taking Elizabeth's hands in his.
"You're going into the city today, right?" he asked.
"Yeah. With Carson and Faith. I have the letters from you to mail. I'll make sure it gets done." She wanted so much to beg him to come.
"Thank you. When will you be back?"
"I'm not sure. Depending on the weather it may not be till after supper time."
Jack looked back to the work site then back to her. "Let's make tonight about us. What do you say?"
Her face lit up at his suggestion. "What do you have in mind?"
"I don't know yet but I feel like we have some time to catch up on." He raised up from his perch on the ground to kiss her sweetly on the forehead. "So how about it? Whenever it is you get back, we can go down to our spot. Talk. Not talk." He wiggled his eyebrows at the last suggestion.
Elizabeth giggled at his cuteness. "Yes. I can't wait." With a glance at her watch she sighed. "I need to go. I'm supposed to meet Faith and Carson in five minutes and I need to run back to my room."
"Let me walk you back a little ways. Leo, I'll be right back."
"Take your time!" His older friend smiled at the couple.
Jack squeezed Elizabeth hand. "Hey, you should take my camera with you."
"Why?"
"You wanted to get photos of everything to show your parents when you go back after Thanksgiving. She's a beauty, I bet you'll get some great ones with her."
"Oh, thanks. To be honest I kind of forgot about that."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I guess I've been trying not to think about going home after Thanksgiving. It means being thousand miles away from you. I'm not ready for that."
"Me either." He squeezed her hand again.
They continued walking hand in hand down the road that lead back to the center of the village. Once out of sight of the work zone but not in town, Jack stopped. With a hand on her arm, he pulled Elizabeth firmly against his chest.
"I'll miss you today," he whispered against her cheek.
"I'll miss you too." She closed her eyes as he left three tender kisses on her right cheek. "See you tonight."
"Tonight, angel." With one last quick kiss on the lips he let her go.
Elizabeth jogged back to her room and tossed everything she thought she might need into her backpack before hurrying back out the door.
As she walked she could see her curly haired friend leaning up against a beaten up rust red jeep. She was intently listening to an animated Carson telling some story. The many hours they had been clocking together in the clinic had been bringing them closer and closer together. Though if you'd asked them, it was nothing. "Just friends" they'd say.
Elizabeth watched with envy as she approached, wishing Jack was by her side too.
"There you are!" Faith cheered. "All set?"
"Just about. Carson, Jack suggested I take his camera today to get some shots to show everyone back home. Would you mind grabbing it for me?
"Sure thing. Be right back." He quickly ran off in the direction of the dorms.
Elizabeth tossed her bag in the back of the jeep before leaning up against it.
"How was breakfast?" Faith asked.
"Wonderful. Mostly. We'll be back shortly after dinner at the latest, right?"
"That's the hope anyway. Why?" Elizabeth's grin gave her away. "Ah! Got it."
"Got what?" Carson asked as he ran back up. He handed Elizabeth the camera and they all climbed in.
"Elizabeth wanted to confirm the return time from our little venture."
"Oh yeah? Got a hot date?" he grinned from the driver seat.
"Yup." No reason to hide it. Especially from her closest friends.
Carson laughed. "I'll do everything I can. He's been missing you like crazy."
"The feeling is very mutual."
A couple hours later, Elizabeth and Faith sat at the mission headquarters in the city, checking email while Carson ran a few errands. Elizabeth had already purchased what she needed for the school so now she could spend a little time on one of the mission's outdated computers. Scrolling down, most of the emails were from her sisters, friends or parents. One however surprised her. It was from Trent.
She stared at his name for what seemed like forever. Then reluctantly she opened it.
Hi Beth,
Hope this email finds you well. Word through the grapevine is that Haiti is treating you well. I have no doubt you are doing a tremendous job with your students there. Your family mentioned you'd be heading home for a reprieve around the holidays. I bet you can't wait for that. I know I can't.
I'll get to the point here, I miss you. Seeing you again at Viola's wedding did something to me. I know you're committed to Haiti through the rest of the school term and you're nothing but dependable when you've committed to something. Nevertheless I wanted to ask you to reconsider us. Consider what we could be once your time there is up. What we had was real, Elizabeth. I know you weren't ready before for a real commitment. You wanted adventure in your life. Just give us another go. I won't make you regret it, I promise.
Yours,
Trent.
Elizabeth stared at the screen. What was he thinking? This was absurd. There was nothing between her and Trent anymore. Nothing. The only man she wanted a future with was Jack.
"Whatcha looking at?" Faith walked in from the private room after making a phone call home. "You look as if that screen's gonna bite you."
"Look." She turned the screen to give Faith a better look.
Her eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Delete it."
"What?"
"Just delete it. You don't need to go back there. You have Jack now."
"You're right. I'll just deal with this another time. My turn?" She pointed to the mission's cell phone in Faith's hand.
"Yes! Here you go. Second room on the left has good signal."
Elizabeth nodded and headed down the hall. She called her mother's cell and patiently waited as it rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mom, it's me."
"Beth! Oh, honey, it's so good to hear your voice! How are you?"
"I'm doing well. Great in fact."
"Great, huh?" Grace was tickled by the joy in her daughter's voice. "So tell me, what is going on down there that is so great?"
"Well…" Elizabeth bit her lip. She knew she had to tell her mother about Jack. She just wasn't sure how. "Life here has been full of surprises. I love teaching the children here and Faith and I have had some wonderful adventures. I've been taking pictures to show you when I come home for Christmas."
"I can't wait to see them! How's the village recovering from that awful fire? We sent some supplies for the children just the other day. Hopefully you'll get them soon. I made note of the ages of the children so there should be plenty in the right sizes."
"Thank you so much, Mom. I knew we could count on you."
"Of course, dear. You all were lucky no one was seriously hurt or worse."
"Yes, God was certainly with us that night. When Jack ran into the building after the boys I thought my heart would…" She stopped herself mid-sentence.
"Jack is your contractor friend, correct? Why'd he run into the building? That was very dangerous!"
"He's not just a contractor, Mom. Back home he's actually a fireman for the Seattle fire department. He went inside because four of the young boys were still inside. He didn't have a choice. It was amazingly brave and truly honorable."
"I see." Grace was putting the pieces together for herself. "So this Jack fellow, is he still just a friend of yours?"
Tell her, she thought to herself.
"No. He's more than that actually."
"I see." Grace cleared her throat. "May I ask how much more?"
Elizabeth was quiet for a long moment. "I've never been anything but honest with you, so here it goes. I'm in love with him, and I don't say that lightly."
Now it was Grace's turn to be quiet.
"Mom?"
"Your father is going to have a heart attack when he hears this."
"I figured as much." She sighed, falling backwards in the old wooden desk chair she sat in. "I have a feeling he's still holding out hope for Trent and I. But that's not going to happen. He emailed me recently, you know? I can't help but wonder if Dad's hand is in this somehow. He made some comments before I left." She expected some comment to that last remark but there was nothing. "Mom?"
"You let me handle your father, Beth." Grace let out a small giggle. "Now, do you have time to tell me more about Jack? I'd love to hear about him."
Butterflies filled her stomach and the thought of him. "I think I have some time." She smiled, feeling relief at her mother's sign of support.
…..
Jack finished his work just as the sun began its descent in the sky. He rushed back to the dorms to shower and pack his backpack for the night ahead. Elizabeth would be back any minute and he wanted to be ready.
He had made a lot of progress that day, but with every swing of his hammer, thoughts of Elizabeth were never too far. He had a lot on his mind. Their relationship took a huge leap forward that fateful night of the fire. He hadn't planned on telling her he loved her. He did feel it though. Truly and deeply. He had no regrets. Now that the sentiment was out there though, he wanted to make sure they were on the same page. He prayed the conversation they were about to have went well.
Once he had all that he thought he'd need, he headed towards the dining hall.
"Evening, Gloria!" Jack greeted the older woman with a smile.
"Well looky here! How are you doing, handsome? Happy you've decided to slow down long enough to give that pretty girl some attention?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Jack grinned. "Were you able to do that favor for me? If not I completely understand."
"I have it right here! Took me a bit to figure out how to do it. We don't have such things here. I asked the other American, Lynn and she knew. Guess its one of her favorites too. I made her one also."
"You're amazing, Gloria. I own you."
"Do ya now?" She laughed loudly. It was a deep, infectious laugh that made Jack happy to hear. "You know my husband, Bo, isn't supposed to do as much as he used to. I could use a hand with a repair or too out at our home."
"It's a deal. Make a list for me."
"You're a gem, Jack. A real gem."
"Nah. You are. You feed all of us day after day. Even go the extra mile for guys like me."
She shrugged. "I like me a good love story. You treat that girl right, ya hear? She's like… like a…" Gloria search for the most fitting word.
"An angel?"
"Yes! She's an angel. Don't you break her wings."
"Never! She's too important to me."
"Good. Now get going. She'll be here real soon."
"Thanks again, Gloria. I'll be by to help with those repairs soon."
Jack walked out of the dining hall and heard the familiar sound of the old jeep revving down the dirt road towards the village.
"She's back." He grinned. He rushed over as the jeep parked in front of the main building. Extending his hand, he helped Elizabeth out of the jeep.
"How was your trip?" He kissed her cheek.
"Good! I got to talk to my mother."
"Yeah? I bet that made her day."
"It did! She um, well she knows about us." Elizabeth blushed.
"Oh yeah? That's good. How'd she take it?"
"Pretty well. I think she's a little nervous but she trusts me. The one I'm nervous about is my dad."
Jack nodded. He was concerned how he'd win over Elizabeth's father as well. William Thatcher seemed to be a man that was used to getting what he wanted. How could he prove he and Elizabeth belonged together without meeting him himself? Jack had been formulating a plan since he'd serenaded Elizabeth before the rainstorm weeks ago. He'd make it work. Somehow.
Saying goodbye to Carson and Faith, they headed away to their secret spot. Neither said much as they made their way down the hill to the beach.
"What a beautiful night," Elizabeth sighed, showing her contentment.
"It is. But not half as beautiful as you."
"Sweet talker," she teased.
"Sometimes." He brought her hand to his lips for a kiss. "I have a special treat for you, but I want to talk to you about something first."
Elizabeth tilted her head, "You sound so serious."
Jack nodded. "It's a serious kind of talk."
"Should I be worried?" She laughed, but deep down she was nervous.
"No, angel. Take a walk with me." With a dimpled grin for reassurance, he took her hand in his and lead her down to where the tide met the sand.
She nodded. She'd follow him anywhere.
