A/N As always, thank you for the sweet comments! I should be back to my regular posting schedule for now. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I promise the wedding is very soon!

...

I curled up against Jack on the sofa.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?"

I nodded into his chest. "I think so. I'm excited to get back to work, but I've gotten so spoiled being able to spend so much time with you this summer. It's not going to be fun being away from you all day."

"Well, just think about how, in less than three weeks, we'll be married." He kissed the top of my head.

"I can't wait." I turned to face him, bringing my lips to his. "You know, my poor students might get confused."

"And why is that?"

"They'll get used to calling me 'Miss Thatcher' for two and a half weeks, but then they'll suddenly have to start calling me 'Mrs. Thornton.'"

Jack grinned, revealing his dimples. "'Mrs. Thornton.' I love the sound of that." He pressed his lips to mine, kissing me deeply.

He suddenly pulled back from me a few moments later, giving a frustrated sigh.

"Jack?"

"I'm sorry. I need to get home. I love you." He kissed my forehead and walked out the front door before I could even respond.

To say I was confused would be an understatement. I thought back through the conversation we had been having, wondering if I had upset him with something I had said. I analyzed every word, every movement. His departure had been so abrupt, I really didn't know what to think about it.

My phone buzzed, and everything finally clicked when I read the message on the screen. I felt my cheeks flush as I sent a message in response, assuring him that I completely understood.

The closer we got to the wedding, the more difficult is was to keep ourselves from crossing the boundaries we set earlier in our relationship. Jack had forced himself to leave before we were tempted to go too far.

Maybe it would be a good thing that Jack and I would be apart more often in the final weeks before our wedding.

...

I was exhausted when I woke the next morning, having had a restless night's sleep. I took a cold shower, hoping the frigid water would help wake me up. There was no way I would make it through the day with twenty-five second graders if I couldn't get rid of my fatigue.

I wished I had time to see Jack before work, but as it was the first day, I needed to arrive early.

I was in such a hurry that I nearly knocked over a vase of flowers on my way out the door. I took a deep breath and made myself slow down a bit.

The flowers were beautiful: pink, purple, and white roses. I read the card as I carried the vase inside.

Beth,

I hope you have a wonderful first day! I just know your students are going to love you. I can't wait to see you tonight and hear all about it. I love you.

Your almost husband,

Jack

Had anyone else been around, they would've seen the biggest, goofiest grin on my face. I had no idea what I had done in my life to deserve someone like Jack Thornton. Even when I had imagined the man I would marry, I never imagined anyone as wonderful as Jack. He was so much more than I could ever wish for.

I made it to the school just a few minutes later than I had planned. I had a few more things to finish up before my students arrived for the day. I was putting the last couple of papers on desks when the first few students entered the classroom. I greeted them and showed them to their desks, allowing them to talk quietly to each other while we waited for the rest of the class.

The rest of my students shuffled in over the next ten minutes, and soon the classroom was full.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm so happy you're all in my class this year! I'm Miss Thatcher."

I started the day by telling them a little about myself and letting them ask any questions that they had. They were very curious about Bronte and Jack, and I eventually had to curb all the questions about them.

I allowed each of the children to introduce themselves to the rest of the class, and for their first assignment, I asked them to write about something fun they did during the summer break.

The rest of the day went on tremendously well. While I knew enough not to expect a perfect year, I was hopeful that it would be a good and productive year for all of my students.

I sank down onto my bed as soon as I arrived at home, desperate for a nap.

...

Before I knew it, I was standing in the entryway of the church. I looked down and noticed I was in a long, white dress. I had no idea how I got there. My father stood beside me, holding out his arm.

"Are you ready?"

I felt myself nod as I looped my arm in his.

The doors opened in front of me, and I saw Jack standing at the front of the sanctuary with the pastor. He was dressed in a dark gray suit, looking very handsome. A grin spread across his face as soon as he saw me.

I forced myself to keep my steps small, my gait slow, even though I wanted to sprint down the aisle. Every step brought me closer to the man I loved.

Just as my father placed my hand into Jack's, I jerked awake.

I rolled over in the bed, groaning when I realized it had been a dream.

Eighteen days. I had to get through eighteen more days before I would marry Jack Thornton.

"Long day?"

He startled me, and I nearly missed the last stair. My hand flew to my chest, my heart pounding.

"Jack Thornton, you scared me!"

He left the sofa and stood in front of me, sliding his arms around my waist. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He leaned in and kissed me deeply. "Forgive me?"

"I would've forgiven you without the kiss, but that was a nice bonus." I smirked.

"Did you have a nice nap?"

"Yes." I stood on my toes to kiss him. "I had a dream about our wedding."

"Eighteen more days and it won't be just a dream."

"That's eighteen days too many." I leaned my head on his chest. "I told my students that I'm getting married, and they're all very curious about you now."

"Oh really?" He raised his eyebrows. "What did you tell them about me?"

"That you're a sheriff."

He kissed my forehead. "That's all?"

"And that you have the world's laziest dog."

"Anything else?"

"And that you're very handsome."

He grinned and brushed his lips against mine. "That's more like it." He brought his hand to my cheek, kissing me again. "Are you hungry? I brought dinner from Abigail's."

"That sounds perfect." I reluctantly left his embrace to go set the table. "Oh my goodness. I can't believe I almost forgot to thank you for the flowers!" I admired the vase of roses that now sat on the middle of the table. "So, thank you for the flowers, almost husband."

He came up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist and kissing my neck. "You're welcome, almost wife." His fingers brushed lightly up and down my arms.

I shivered at his touch. I turned to face him, placing my hands on his chest. His fingertips slipped beneath the hem of my shirt, pressing against the bare skin of my back. My whole body was ablaze—in the very best way. His lips met mine, but just barely. As he tried to lean away, I pulled him back to me, kissing him harder.

At the very same time, we pushed each other away, realizing that we were quickly losing control.

"Eighteen more days."

"I think I should go home after we eat."

I sighed. "Okay."

"I don't want to go, but we keep getting closer and closer to crossing our boundaries. It's easier this way."

"I know."

I finished plating our dinner and set the food down on the table. We ate in silence, sitting as far away from each other as the small table would allow. Our wedding day couldn't come soon enough.

...

"So, I was thinking that maybe I could start moving my stuff over here. Just a little at a time over the next few days, so we won't have to move it all at once after the wedding."

I looked over at him as I placed the last of the clean dishes in the cabinet. "I think that's a good plan. I already made space in the dresser and closet for you. I guess everything else can go in the guest room for now, just until we decide where to put it all."

"Come here, Beth." He held out one hand.

"What?"

He pulled me into his lap. "Nothing. I just wanted to hold you." His arms encircled me, and he kissed me deeply.

My cheeks warmed. "I love you, Jack Thornton."

"I love you, Elizabeth Thatcher-almost-Thornton."

I rested my forehead against his, brushing my thumb across his cheek. "Thirteen days. Thirteen more days until I'm Elizabeth Thornton."

He kissed me softly. "Music to my ears."

I leaned into him, and he tightened his arms around me. We didn't speak. We didn't move. We simply enjoyed each other's closeness.

I sighed contentedly, thinking about all the evenings we had spent together and all the evenings we would get to spend together in the future.

I thought back to the first time I felt his arms around me, when he walked me to my door after our first date. At the time, I had a vague feeling that I was hugging the man I was going to marry, even though I had only known him for a few weeks. Little did I know I would be marrying him less than seven months later.

I wondered what thoughts were filling his mind as he held me close. A smile played on his lips as he absentmindedly twirled a strand of my hair in his fingers.

My voice was soft when I finally spoke again. "Stay here tonight."

"Elizabeth…" He brought his hand to my cheek. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"You can stay in the guest room. I just don't want you to go."

"Do you remember what happened when you stayed in my guest room?" He chuckled. "You didn't stay in my guest room. We can make it for thirteen more days."

"I guess." I brushed my lips against his. "Remind me again why we didn't just elope."

He kissed me again. "Right now, I can't remember, but it's probably time for me to go home."

...

I sat between Abigail and Jack on the pew, Jack's hand resting on my leg.

Abigail squeezed my hand. "Only a few more days. Are you ready?"

I looked up at Jack and smiled before turning back to Abigail. "I've been ready for a long time."

"It does feel like it's been a very long time since that day you were asking me all about the mysterious new sheriff." She winked.

"What is this about a mysterious sheriff?" Jack squeezed my leg slightly.

I felt color rise in my cheeks.

"I was just reminding Elizabeth of how she was smitten with you from the first time she saw you in the café."

"Okay, okay. I was not smitten. I will admit to being interested, but I was not smitten."

"Well, I would say I was smitten the moment you walked into Lee and Rosemary's living room." Jack kissed my temple. His breath tickled my cheek as he whispered in my ear, "and I fell in love with you on our first date."

I met his gaze, eyebrows raised.

He shrugged. "I'm not kidding."

Before I could say anything in response, the pastor moved to the front of the sanctuary to begin the service.

All I could think about through the entire service was how, in only five days, I would be standing at the front of the church, marrying Jack Thornton.