Here it is #Hearties Chapter Six
Thank you Lisa for proofing and editing. xo
Enjoy!
"Good morning, Ms. Henrich," Elizabeth greeted cheerfully when she arrived in her classroom the next morning.
"Good morning, Ms. Thatcher," Ms. Henrich replied. "How did it go at the station?"
Elizabeth forced a smile. "It went great at the station…the rest of the evening not so much," she mumbled.
"Why? What happened?"
"My cousin is in town," Elizabeth answered.
"Are you not happy about that?" Ms. Henrich interjected.
"Actually," Elizabeth countered, "It was great seeing Connor. We've always been very close. He treated, Rosie, Rosie's fiancé, and I to dinner last night."
"I'm not sure I understand," Ms. Henrich responded.
"I think Jack might be involved with someone," Elizabeth admitted.
"What does Connor taking you to dinner have to do with Jack?" Ms. Henrich asked.
"I saw him at the restaurant," Elizabeth sighed. "He was with a woman… and a young girl."
"A child too?" Ms. Henrich inquired.
"Yes," Elizabeth confirmed, "I honestly don't know what to think."
"I don't know what to tell you, Ms. Thatcher." Ms. Henrich suddenly looked up from the papers she was grading. "Wait a minute. I thought you said Jack is just a friend. What does it matter if he's involved with someone?"
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak when the school bell rang and footsteps and chatter could be heard in the previously silent halls. "Good morning, children." She called when the classroom began to fill.
"Good morning, Ms. Thatcher." The students shouted.
"Please put your things away and take your seats, we have a lot to do." Elizabeth told her pupils.
The students obediently scurried to the seats.
"What are we going to do, Ms. Thatcher?" Phillip raised his hand.
"We are going to make a family tree." Elizabeth answered, excitedly.
"What's that, Ms. Thatcher?" Opal asked.
Before Elizabeth could answer, there was a light tap on the door. "Sorry to interrupt, Ms. Thatcher." Principal Hudgins stuck her head in the door.
"Not a problem, Principal Hudgins," Elizabeth smiled, "What can I do for you?" She headed toward the door.
Principal Hudgins opened the door wider. "You have a new student." She acknowledged the little girl, holding tightly to her mother's hand.
The little girl looked familiar to Elizabeth. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Despite that fact, she knelt to her level and smiled. "Hey sweetie, I'm Ms. Thatcher."
The girl smiled shyly.
"She's a little shy," The girl's mother offered, "until she gets to know you. She'll warm up to you in no time."
Elizabeth stood and smiled at the mother. The mother looked familiar to her as well. Her smile faded slightly, when it finally dawned on her where she recognized them from.
"I'm Stacey Thompson," She introduced, "and this is my daughter Alyson."
"Mo-om," Alyson rolled her eyes.
"Oh sorry," Stacey playfully tugged on her daughter's ponytail. "Her name is Alyson but likes to be called Aly."
Elizabeth chuckled "Well it's nice to meet you, Aly." She offered her hand. Would you like to go meet your classmates?"
Aly nodded and took Elizabeth's outstretched hand.
"Boys and girls," Elizabeth acknowledged, "This is Aly; she's going to be joining our class. Now you remember how scary your first day of school was, so I want you to be nice to Aly and make her feel welcome. Can you all say hi?"
"Hi, Aly," The class said in unison.
"Hi." Aly waved to the class.
"I want you to sit in the empty seat next to Emily," Elizabeth gestured.
Aly took her seat.
Stacey walked into the class and crouched next to Aly's desk. "Are you going to be alright sweetheart?"
Aly nodded.
"Don't worry," Elizabeth advised. "I'll take good care of her."
"Thank you, Ms. Thatcher." Stacey returned to her feet and headed toward the door.
Principal Hudgins dropped off Aly's paperwork with Ms. Henrich and made her way the door.
"Well, Aly," Elizabeth smiled, "You came on a really good day because we are going to work on our family trees. Do you know what that is?"
Aly shook her head no.
Elizabeth went to the board and proceeded to draw a tree with many branches. "A family tree is a tree that shows all the members of your family." She wrote her name at the top of the tree. "My name is Elizabeth so that's what I put at the top of my tree. My father's name is William, and my mother's name is Grace." She wrote their names next to each other, underneath her own name. She then drew two more branches under each of her parents' names. "Who knows what would go on this line?"
Laura raised her hand.
"Yes, Laura?" Elizabeth acknowledged.
"Your grandfather?" Laura guessed.
"That's right," Elizabeth praised. She walked toward the back of the classroom. "My two helpers today are Opal and Philip," She returned to the front with two stacks of construction paper, and handed one stack to Opal and one to Philip. "They are going to give you a piece of construction paper. You can draw pictures if you want, do whatever you like. It's alright if you don't know all the names of your family members; go as far as you can. If you would like, you can take your family tree home with you and ask your parents for help."
The pupils worked silently for a half hour, when Elizabeth noticed it was time for music class. "Okay if you will find a stopping place…" She advised, "…it's time to go to Ms. Vincent's class for music. Line up quietly please."
Elizabeth returned to the class after dropping the children off at music. "You're not going to believe this," she told Ms. Henrich."
"What?" Ms. Henrich asked.
"I couldn't say anything in front of the children, but Aly and her mother Stacey are the woman and little girl I saw out with Jack last night."
"Are you sure?" Ms. Henrich asked.
"I'm certain, Elizabeth confirmed. "I thought both she and her mother looked familiar."
"Well it shouldn't be too awkward for you, since you and Jack are just friends," Ms. Henrich offered.
"It just took me by surprise," Elizabeth replied. "He implied that he isn't seeing anyone, when he just might be married with a child, and that child is in my class."
"Well my suggestion is you ask him about it." Ms. Henrich advised, "and not just assume. Her last name isn't even Thornton."
"It isn't?" Elizabeth asked.
"No," Ms. Henrich assured, "it's Thompson, same as her mother."
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, it says it right here," Ms. Henrich held up the paper that contained Aly's information, "Alyson Thompson."
Elizabeth sighed with relief, "I guess I misunderstood, but there must be some reason why they were having dinner with Jack."
"Ms. Thatcher," Ms. Henrich advised. "I think you should talk to Jack, otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy."
"I can't do that," Elizabeth countered.
"Suit yourself, but you'll never know unless you do," Ms. Henrich replied.
Elizabeth glanced at the clock "Well it's almost time to go get the little ones." She headed toward out the door of the classroom
Jack walked into the precinct. He'd hardly slept a wink last night and the station was the last place he wanted to be. He was on his third cup of coffee and still that wasn't enough. He went straight to his desk collapsed in his chair and rubbed his temples trying to shake the headache that was forming
"Whoa Thornton," Lawson called as he approached, "You look terrible."
"Thanks a lot," Jack groaned sarcastically.
"Rough night?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Jack grumbled.
"Trouble in paradise then?" Lawson teased.
"Knock it off Lawson." Jack defended. "Elizabeth Thatcher and I are just friends. End of discussion.
"Hey," Lawson laughed, "I never said a word about the damsel in distress."
Jack gripped the arms of his chair, fighting the urge to jump up and punch Lawson in the nose. For the most part Jack and his colleagues were friendly, but Lawson was starting to get on his last nerve and it was starting to show.
"You better leave him alone, Lawson." Pimental called as she approached. "He doesn't look like he's in the mood."
"Sorry, Thornton." Lawson said before he walked off, leaving Jack and Pimental alone.
"Thanks," Jack half smiled at his partner.
"Thornton, what's going on?"
"I really don't want to talk about it," Jack countered.
"I know but it might help," Pimental urged as she patted his shoulder. "Just know I'm here if you want to talk."
"Thanks," he smiled. He was always grateful to Pimental. She was probably his best friend among his colleagues at the precinct. He had confided in her many times in the four years they had been partners. "You want to grab lunch at the Asian Dragon today?"
"Sure," Pimental replied.
"Great." Jack forced a smile. "I have to get a new phone. I can't get it until my lunch break. The Asian Dragon is right next to the Verizon store."
"Why do you have to get a new phone? What happened to your old one? Is that why you're having such a lousy morning?" Pimental inquired.
"Part of it I guess," Jack explained. "I'd rather talk to you than the guys. I'll tell you at lunch."
"It's a date!" Pimental exclaimed jokingly.
Elizabeth met Connor at Abigail's immediately after school. They were going to have a late lunch and then go to Magnifique Jewelers to look at diamond rings for Connor's girlfriend Chloe.
"It's good to see you again, Connor." Abigail said when she approached to take his and Elizabeth's food order.
"You too, Mrs. Stanton," Connor replied.
"So, what brings you to town?" Abigail inquired, "And I told you to call me Abigail."
"Yes, ma'am," Connor chuckled, "I mean, yes Abigail. I wanted to see Liz, it's been awhile. I also wanted to enlist her help. I'm going to pop the question to Chloe."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Abigail exclaimed, "Congratulations!"
"He wants me to help pick out a ring!" Elizabeth chimed in.
"I'm sure she'll love anything you pick out." Abigail said with a smile.
"I've never been good at romance." Connor chuckled. "I'm actually surprised Chloe didn't dump me years ago." He squeezed Elizabeth's hand, "I'd feel a lot better if my favorite cousin here would help me pick out a ring."
"She sticks around because she loves you," Abigail assured.
"And I can't propose to her for you." Elizabeth chimed in, "You have to do that yourself."
"I've got the proposal covered." Connor chuckled, "I just need help with the ring."
"And I'd be happy to help," Elizabeth patted Connor's hand.
Elizabeth and Connor enjoyed their meal and made their way to Magnifique Jewelers.
After leaving the Verizon store with a brand-new phone, Jack and Pimental walked the short distance to The Asian Dragon for a later lunch than they had anticipated. "Sorry about that," Jack apologized. "I'm sure you're starving. I wasn't expecting to be held up at Verizon this long."
"No worries," Pimental assured. "I called the chief and explained the dilemma. You know he doesn't like us to be unreachable, and if you didn't have a phone, he wouldn't have a way to call and yell at you for whatever reason. It would totally ruin his entire day."
Jack chuckled.
"Surprisingly enough," Pimental continued, "he said we could take the rest of the afternoon off. He must be in a good mood."
Jack held the door open of the restaurant and ushered Pimental inside. Once they were seated, ordered and received their food, Pimental fixed him with a knowing look, "Okay, Thornton, tell me what's going on."
Jack took a deep breath. "Well the good news is my cousin, Stacey, is moving back home. Remember you met her the last time she was in town?"
"Yeah, that's great." Pimental replied.
"Yeah," Jack agreed. "I love little Aly like she's my own. It'll be great to have them both in town."
"So, what's wrong then?" Pimental queried.
"I took the two of them out to dinner last night to celebrate," Jack stated.
"Still not seeing the problem..."
"I saw Elizabeth," Jack explained further.
"I would think you'd be happy about that," Pimental replied.
"Well she didn't see me," Jack added. "She was with someone… a cowboy."
"I'm starting to understand now." Pimental wiped her mouth with a napkin, "You should have said hi."
"Why?" Jack queried. "She looked pretty chummy with him. I didn't want to interrupt."
"Wait a minute! You said you and the pretty school teacher were just friends, so what does it matter to you that she was chummy with the cowboy?"
Jack conceded "Pimental, you know me better than anyone. You got me, I like her. Alright I admitted it. Are you happy now?"
"Yes I am," Pimental boasted. "Now what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing." Jack pushed his food around with his fork. "I missed my chance; she's involved with that cowboy."
"Thornton, you didn't even talk to her." Pimental advised. "There could be a million reasons she was out with him."
"It just took me by surprise." Jack sighed. "She did mention that she wasn't ready for a relationship then I saw that cowboy put his arm around her and put his hat on her head."
"Well you should call her," Pimental recommended. "You'll drive yourself crazy jumping to conclusions if you don't."
"I don't know." Jack replied, nervously. "What if I don't like what she has to say?"
"Well then, you'll know," Pimental rolled her eyes. "You are stubborn sometimes, Thornton, you know that?"
Jack chuckled.
"What happened to your phone?" Pimental asked.
"I don't know what happened," Jack admitted. "I forgot it when I went out with Stacey and Aly last night and when I got home it wouldn't power up so I put it on the charger by my bed. I must've knocked it on the floor in my sleep without realizing it. When I rolled out of bed I heard something crack under my feet.
"Well at least you got a new one now."
"Yeah," Jack agreed, "I just hope no one has tried to get a hold of me." Suddenly, it dawned on him, "Just great!" He rubbed his eyes.
"What now, Thornton?"
"Elizabeth still has my jacket."
"What do you mean she still has your jacket?" Pimental emphasized.
"When she came to the station yesterday, she wanted to get her mind off things. I took her for a walk on the trail behind the station. When she got cold I lent her my jacket and… well she still has it."
"Well you better talk to her when you meet her so you can get it or I'll have to turn you over my knee." She grinned and shook a finger at him, "And you know I'll do it too!"
"I do," Jack couldn't help smiling at her.
"Ah, there's that smile I like to see!" Pimental said as she patted his hand.
"Are you ready to get out of here?" Jack asked as he pushed himself from the table. "Thanks for listening."
"Anytime, Thornton you know that," Pimental replied. "I just hope you were listening to me," She nudged him playfully.
"I will try to talk to her, that's all I can promise."
"Thank you," Pimental fell into step beside him, "That's all I ask."
"You ready to go back to the station?" Jack asked.
"Not really," Pimental replied. "Chief gave us the rest of the day off, we might as well live it up. How about we go get a banana split at that ice cream shop across the street? It will be my treat since you paid for lunch."
"Alright," Jack agreed. They walked across the street to the Dairy Barn.
After enjoying their ice cream, Jack and Pimental made their way back to their police cruiser. They passed by the nearby jewelry store when Pimental stopped short and stared in the window.
"Pimental," Jack asked, noticing her abrupt pause, "What is it?"
"Isn't that your friend inside the Magnifique Jewelers?"
Jack glanced in the window and saw Elizabeth with the cowboy. They were hovering over a display of diamonds and pointing. Jack felt his heart sink. "I-I can't believe this," He stammered.
"You don't know what's going on." Pimental stated, in an attempt to console him.
"She's looking at diamond rings." Jack huffed. "What else could be going on?"
Pimental opened her mouth to speak, immediately changed her mind when she saw the defeated look on Jack's face.
"Let's just get out of here." Jack abruptly made his way to the cruiser.
Elizabeth headed home after a long day of school and helping Connor. She changed into her favorite pair of flannel pajamas and collapsed on her bed. She opened her side table drawer and pulled out her romance novel. She opened the book to the marked page and began reading. She was having a hard time concentrating. She couldn't read the love scenes without picturing herself as the female lead. She felt a smile creep to her lips when the male lead in her fantasy was... Jack. She closed her eyes tightly and rubbed her face. "No!" She grumbled to herself, "I can't be having these thoughts. He's moved on." She glanced in the direction of the desk in the corner of her room and noticed Jack's coat hanging on the back of the chair. She put her book back in the drawer, picked up her phone and saw that her text to Jack had still been left unanswered. She sighed sadly and slid lower into her bed, resting her head on the pillow. Since tomorrow is Saturday, she decided to stop by the station to see what she could do about getting the jacket back to him. She closed her eyes and was asleep within minutes.
I guess you're not coming to get your jacket after all... your new girlfriend must be keeping you warm. Elizabeth read the words across the screen, debating on whether she should send the message. "No," she decided. She deleted the entire message and started over. I hope everything is alright. I haven't heard from you. I still have your jacket. I'm going shopping with Abigail today, so I'll drop your jacket by the station on my way to meet her. She hesitated before finally pressing send. She waited a few moments for a response, but when one never came she rushed to take a quick shower. An hour later, Elizabeth pulled into the station. She headed in the door with Jack's jacket draped over her arm.
"Good morning, Ms. Thatcher," Chief Snyder called, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, fine," Elizabeth forced a smile. "Is Ja… ahem… is Detective Thornton available?"
Snyder smiled and directed her to his desk.
"Thank you," She walked toward Jack, who hadn't yet seen her. "Hello, Jack."
Jack looked up from his paperwork. "Elizabeth," he was surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?"
Elizabeth held the jacket up. "Look familiar?"
He stood from his chair, "Oh, you're returning my jacket." He reached out to take it, and inadvertently brushed his hand against hers, which momentarily caught them both off guard, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Elizabeth then noticed Jack staring at her hands which were folded in front of her, "What are you looking at?"
"Where's your ring?" Jack asked.
"What are you talking about? What ring?"
"Your engagement ring," Jack replied.
"My what?" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Your engagement ring," Jack repeated.
"Jack, where did you an idea like that?"
"I-I…" Jack began, when one of his colleagues walked by and whistled. "Come with me," Jack urged. "Let's go somewhere we can talk in private." He escorted her to a lounge near the end of the hall. "Would you like some coffee?" He asked as he motioned for her to sit down on the sofa.
"Yes, please," She took a seat.
"I apologize in advance," Jack chuckled. "Lawson doesn't make the best coffee." He carried two cups of coffee to the sofa and offered her one before sitting down next to her.
"Thank you." She took a sip. They were silent for a moment. "Do you care to explain to me why you thought I'd be wearing an engagement ring?"
Jack took a deep breath, "Pimental and I were leaving the Dairy Barn and I saw you inside Magnifique Jewelers. I saw you with that same man at your apartment," Jack continued. "And later, I saw you at the bar at Outback, and the two of you seemed pretty chummy."
"Jack, are you jealous?" Elizabeth asked.
"N-no," Jack stammered.
"Well we're not dating…"Elizabeth advised, "…and besides even if we were, you'd have no right to be jealous, since you seemed pretty chummy yourself with a woman, and a child. If you bothered to check your messages," Elizabeth continued, "you would know that the cowboy is…"
"Elizabeth," Jack began at the same time. "That woman you saw me with is…"
"My cousin," They both managed to say simultaneously.
Jack and Elizabeth both stopped talking and stared at each other.
"What did you say?" Jack asked. "The cowboy I saw you with is your cousin?"
"Yes," Elizabeth responded, "His name is Connor. He's a famous rodeo star in Tennessee. He wanted me to help him pick out an engagement ring for his girlfriend, Chloe. I sent you a text, and told you that he was in town and that he was taking me out."
"I forgot my phone that night," Jack explained. "When I got home it was dead. Sometime in the night my phone fell on the floor and when I got out of bed I stepped on it and it broke beyond repair. I had to get a new one."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, that happened to you." Elizabeth patted his knee. "Is Stacey really your cousin?"
"She's more like a sister to me," Jack replied. "We grew up together. Her daughter is my goddaughter." He then gave a sideways glance at Elizabeth. "Wait! I never mentioned her name, how do you know that."
"I have a new student," Elizabeth remarked. "Her name is Aly."
"Really," Jack couldn't help smiling, "Aly is in your class?"
"Yes."
"She's a sweet kid, you're going to love her," Jack assured her.
"She seemed a little shy."
"Trust me," Jack chuckled, "that won't last."
Elizabeth giggled.
They sat quietly for a few moments. "Some coincidence," Elizabeth broke the silence, "that we were both out with cousins at the same place and jumped to the wrong conclusion."
"You know what this means don't you?" Jack asked. He slowly put his arm around her shoulder.
"What?" She instinctively leaned closer into him.
"We must be soul mates." He said, jokingly.
"You really think so?" She teased.
"Well we could be," He turned to face her. "Elizabeth," he stated more seriously, "I know we haven't known each other very long. I know that you just got out of a bad relationship, but you have to know I like you."
"Jack, I…"
"Let me finish," Jack interjected. "I felt an instant connection to you from the very first moment we met. I'm sure you feel it too, otherwise you wouldn't have been jealous of my cousin."
Elizabeth chuckled, "Don't forget you were jealous of my cousin too."
"I would like to take you on a date, see where this goes." He suggested nervously, "Let me prove to you that I am nothing like Charles Kensington." He gripped her hand and gave her a hopeful look, "We can take things as slow as you like."
"Jack, I," She hesitated, "I like you too, but… I just don't know."
"Elizabeth, I would never rush you or make you feel uncomfortable." Jack released her hand, stood from the sofa and headed for the door, "Maybe another time."
"Jack wait," She called as she stood.
Jack stopped in his tracks, but didn't face her.
"Alright," she whispered.
Jack turned around, "Alright what?"
"Alright, one date," She agreed, "That's all I can promise for now."
"That's all I ask." Jack couldn't help smiling. "If you hate it I'll never bother you again."
"I don't think that's possible," Elizabeth countered, with a grin. "I'm sorry, I can't promise more, but I trusted Charles at one time too."
"I understand," Jack stroked her arm. "All I'm asking is for a chance to prove to you that you can trust me."
"What kind of date do you have in mind?" She asked.
"Just leave that to me, I'll take care of everything. All you have to do is show up. How is Friday night?"
"This Friday night?" She asked apprehensively.
"Elizabeth," Jack soothed, sensing her anxiety. "Don't be nervous. It's okay if you want to wait. I don't want to, but I will as long as it takes to make you feel comfortable."
"I'll be fine," She smiled at him, "I agreed to go. You've never given me a reason not to trust you." She stared at the floor in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. "I'm just being silly."
"You're not being silly," He lifted her chin, "You trusted your heart, and it was broken." He lowered his voice to a whisper, "And I intend to mend it, if you'll give me the chance."
"I would like that," She smiled and pushed a stray curl behind her ear, "I really would… and Friday would be lovely."
"Looking forward to it," He said.
She stepped closer to him, "Me too, but first you have to get back to work, and I have a shopping date with Abigail." She leaned forward and placed gentle kiss on his cheek, surprising him and herself. Without saying another word, she spun around and exited the lounge.
Jack was elated. He wasn't sure this had really happened. He had a date with Elizabeth. He wanted to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He soon realized that he was still standing alone in the lounge so he turned on his heels and walked out. He sped up to catch up to Elizabeth before she walked out the door.
"Elizabeth, wait!"
Elizabeth stopped and turned to face him, "What is it, Jack?"
"Let me walk you to your car," He suggested. He held the door open for her and allowed her to walk past him. He then fell into step beside her, "I'll call you." He said when they arrived at her car.
"You better," She commanded before climbing in her car.
He headed back inside and sat at his desk. He couldn't remove the smile from his face, even if he wanted to.
"Hey, Thornton, what's going on with you?" Pimental slapped his arm.
"Huh?" Jack glanced at his partner. "Oh hey, Pimental when did you get here?"
"About ten minutes ago," Pimental answered, "I've been trying to get your attention but you've been in your own little world."
"Sorry," Jack replied, even though he wasn't that sorry.
"What's up, Thornton?" Pimental asked again.
"I saw Elizabeth," He answered casually.
"And?" Pimental prodded.
"And…" Jack paused, "…I have a date Friday night!"
"It's about time!" Pimental exclaimed. "I knew you should have talked to her. What was the deal with the cowboy?"
"He was her cousin," He shook his head, realizing now how silly he was by jumping to conclusions. "And what's funny is she saw me out with my cousin as well and jumped to the same conclusion as me."
"Told you everything would work out," Pimental boasted. "All you had to do was get over your stubbornness and talk to her. You are a detective after all. You should know not to jump to conclusions before talking to the person involved."
"Okay you were right," Jack stood and wrapped Pimental in a hug, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," She replied. "Anytime I can help you come to your senses." She said before she sat down at her desk.
"Could you help me with one more thing?" He asked.
"What?"
He chuckled and stared at his desk. "Can you help me plan the perfect date for Friday night?"
To be continued…
Thanks for reading. Chapter seven coming soon.