After their kiss at the stream, they hardly knew how to act around each other.

She definitely was developing even stronger feelings toward him than before. His gentle yet meaningful kiss tugged at her heart and made her wonder what he expected from her next.

As if he could read her mind, he stopped her on the porch. "Elizabeth, unless you'd like it to, this doesn't have to change anything. We will continue on as we were, raising Helen together."

She nodded, unsure. "I'm not sure what I want, if I'm being honest." She had absolutely wanted his kiss earlier though.

He touched her shoulder lightly and smiled. "Take your time to decide. I'm not going anywhere."

He opened their door to a very quiet house. Cat was sitting on the couch, both kids asleep next to her.

"Cat?"

She turned and stood. "Hi," she whispered.

"How was she?" Elizabeth wondered.

"Just fine. Sammy kept her busy and distracted. Did you both have a nice time?"

"Yes, it was very nice," Elizabeth admitted, her cheeks blushing. "Thank you for watching her for us."

"Of course, anytime. I took them to the outhouse before they fell asleep so she is all set for the night."

Elizabeth gave her a hug. "Thank you again. I'll see you in the morning."

Cat bent down to pick up Sammy. "If you'd like, he can stay here. I'll bring him with me tomorrow."

"If you're sure you don't mind, that would be wonderful."

So he stayed. Jack carried him into Elizabeth's room and laid him on the bed and Elizabeth laid Helen beside him.

"Is there enough room for you?" Jack wondered.

"If not, I'll figure it out," she assured him.

"You could take my room and I'll sleep in here on the floor."

"No, it'll be fine." They walked into the hall for a moment. She looked up into his amazing green eyes and lost her thoughts for a moment. "Thank you for tonight, Jack."

"I should be thanking you. It was your idea to go out."

"But you started courting me or I would never have thought to suggest it."

"Good night, Elizabeth. Sleep well."

"You too." He bent down and kissed her cheek and then walked into his room.

She stood there surprised at her thoughts because after experiencing Jack's lips on hers, that's what she wanted. A kiss on the cheek wasn't enough.

Jack changed for bed, a smile playing on his lips. It had taken every ounce of control he had not to suggest moving forward at a faster pace. He of course would always give her the final say in what happened next, he would never be the type of husband who demanded things that should be consensual. But he definitely looked forward to finding out what her next step was.

….

As she made breakfast for all four of them the next morning, she thought about possibly adopting the little boy at the table too.

The time was good because Abigail and Preacher Avery had organized a meeting with all the families in town at the church. They had various boys and a few girls of different ages that needed homes. Surely there were some families who could adopt.

Unlike an orphan train that resembled a cattle auction in Elizabeth's opinion, the children wouldn't be present at the meeting. If any couple showed interest in meeting any of the children, they would meet them at Hope Home, in a relaxed setting.

She felt a hand rest on the small of her back, causing her to look up. "Morning."

She found herself staring at his lips, those lips that had been in her dreams.

He leaned down and kissed her, having seen her gaze a moment before. "Morning."

"Can we talk tonight? I have some thoughts."

"Of course."

So the rest of the day, both thought non-stop about what they were going to discuss. Jack, however, didn't know that Elizabeth wanted to speak about the children. He thought their conversation was going to be about their marriage.

He brought her tea and sat next to her on the couch.

"You mentioned wanting to talk?"

"Yes. It's about Helen…well mostly Sammy."

"Oh? What about him?"

"What would you think if we adopted both of them?" He sat there and stared at her for a moment. "Jack, we don't have to, I just thought that now would be a good time. Helen's adoption is coming up and someone else might take him."

"The adoption meeting," he said with a nod. He had heard about it around town. It was at the end of the week. He reached for her hand and took it gently. "I'd be ok with adopting Sammy."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I think having a sibling is a great thing. I miss mine more than anything."

"I miss mine too."

"Tell me about your sisters, Elizabeth."

She put her tea down and turned toward him. "Julie is about two years younger than me. Last I knew she was courting an Allen. The Allen's are a very rich family in Alberta and my father is thrilled with the match."

"Were you two close growing up? You and Julie?"

She threaded her fingers through his, as if to draw strength from him, as if the story she was about to tell was difficult.

"Yes. But when I moved here, we lost touch. I don't want to blame my father but it doesn't seem that Julie would ignore me unless he told her to."

"She won't write to you?"

"No. I wrote her so many letters," she said, her voice shaking. "I miss her so much, Jack."

"Maybe you should go visit."

"Alberta is so far away. It just holds bad memories."

"Except for those you made with Julie."

She thought about that. "Will you come? I don't want to take both kids on my own and I feel safe when you're with me." As independent as she tried to be, she still needed help at times.

"We may need to wait until closer to Thanksgiving. I can't really get time off now."

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Thank you, Jack."

"I can't ever talk to my brother again, but if I can help you talk to Julie, I'll do it."

She reached up and touched his face. "That means everything." She kissed him softly and then laid her head back down on his shoulder.

…..

The next day, she talked to Abigail about her intent to adopt Sammy too.

"That's wonderful, Elizabeth. I still remember that night two years back when Bill brought him here. It's a blessing really that he was so young when his parents died. If he had been older and remembered the fire, he would have so many emotional scars."

"Yeah, I agree. Do you think Jack and I can finalize this soon?"

"Bill is coming this evening. Maybe come after dinner and we will get the paperwork done."

"Great. Do you mind if I go see Jack for a few moments? It's about his lunch time."

"Of course. Mary is watching Helen. How are things between you and Jack?"

"Just fine."

"Cat mentioned that things seemed more than fine the other night."

"Things are good," she admitted with a smile.

"Did he kiss you yet?"

"Abigail!"

"What? I'm your friend! I'm pulling for you," she said with a laugh.

"There have been a few kisses. That's all I'm saying. I'm going to say goodbye to Helen and Sammy and then I'll go see Jack. Thanks, Abigail."

Elizabeth walked up to the livery about twenty minutes later and watched him work for a moment, his muscular arms pounding on the metal. He was sweaty and he looked tired but he was relaxed, almost happy. And watching him work that hard just to put food on the table and a roof over their heads made her fall a little deeper for him. In love maybe…but more likely in very deep like.

He looked up and their eyes met. "Hey, what are you doing here?" He picked up a rag and wiped his hands and arms before walking over to her. "Is Helen alright?"

"Yes, she's fine."

He walked over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Then, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I wanted to see you. I was thinking maybe I could keep you company on your break."

"I'd love your company, Elizabeth."

Jack headed into the barn to let his boss know he was taking his break and then they walked over and sat under a nearby tree.

Once he started eating, she mentioned going to the orphanage that night.

"Abigail says we can finish the adoption paperwork for both kids."

"Sounds good."

"You're sure you're ok with adopting Sammy too?"

"Will it make you happy?"

"Yes."

"Then I am absolutely ok with it. Plus, I've always hoped one day I'd have a son to carry on my name, you know?"

"I'm sorry I wouldn't be able…"

He grabbed her hand. "No. Don't ever think you need to apologize for something like that. With God, all things are possible."

"Of course you're right."

"Elizabeth, you've given me and Helen so many things. She needed a family and I didn't know it or realize it, but I needed a wife. Now you're going to make it possible for her to have a brother and me, a son. That is wonderful, no matter how it happens."

She nodded. For the first time in a very long time, she felt less like a failure and more like someone that was needed. As a wife and a mother. What a wonderful gift.

She walked back with him to the livery when he was finished eating. "See you at home?" she asked.

"I'll be there." He winked at her and watched her head down the road to the orphanage, her dark curls blown about by the late summer breeze. Yes, she had captured his heart. He hoped one day she would feel the same.

….

Elizabeth changed into different clothes before dinner, partly because they were going to see Pastor Avery and Abigail but mostly because she liked the way Jack looked at her when he thought she looked pretty.

"Dat!" Helen said as she ran to him. "Dat home, Me-Me."

"I see. Thank you for telling me." Elizabeth looked at Jack and he looked at her, his eyes dancing as they took in her blue dress that she had worn on their first date.

"You look beautiful," he told her, kissing her on the corner of her mouth.

He put Helen down and started down the hall. "Jack."

"Yes."

She started to hug him but he stopped her. "I'm all dirty. I don't want to make your nice dress dirty too. Let me clean up first."

She nodded and headed to the kitchen. After about ten minutes, she heard his footsteps behind her. She turned and he smiled. "Hi."

"Hi." He walked over and opened his arms for her and she walked right in. "I missed you," she told him. She had. After seeing him at lunch, she had thought about him all day.

"I missed you too." He could hold her all day, she fit perfectly in his arms. He loosened his hold slightly and touched her cheek before slowly lowering his lips to hers. He was finding it harder and harder to pace himself when it came to showing affection. She was his wife so in normal circumstances, they would be closer than just an occasional kiss.

He pulled away and leaned against the counter. "Later, can we talk?" he asked her. "We need to."

"Is anything wrong? We have a little time before supper is ready."

"Nothing's wrong. I promise. We just need to decide some things."

….

The three of them came home that night, tired, but excited. They had told Sammy that in a few days, he would be coming home with them, to live with them for good.

He had immediately started calling her Mama and Jack, Daddy, knowing they were now his family.

After the bedtime routine of a visit to the outhouse, a small snack, and a story, Helen was peacefully sleeping.

Elizabeth found Jack in the living room with their tea.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"What's going on, Jack?"

"We need to decide our boundaries."

"What boundaries?"

"When it comes to each other. I'm finding it difficult, well nearly impossible actually, to keep you at a distance. I don't want you away from me. Elizabeth, I care so much for you."

"I care for you too. I'm not sure exactly when it happened but it's true and I don't want boundaries, Jack."

"What are you saying, Elizabeth?"

"I'm saying, we've been married for almost two months. I think we need to buy a second bed for the small bedroom and move the kids in there."

"Where will I sleep?"

"With me, husband. Silly man," she said with a laugh.

"Just checking that you weren't making me sleep at the livery or something."

She shook her head and laughed. "I want you with me."

"Thank heavens."