"Earth to Jack," Tom teased.

"Huh? What?"

"I asked you if you were going to ask Elizabeth out."

"No, I'm not."

"Why? You two are perfect for each other. I've never seen two people more attracted."

"There's nothing there, Tom. I don't know what you think you saw."

"I saw her checking you out, from the top of your crazy head to your toes. I saw you appreciating what you saw too."

"Even if there was attraction, which I'm not saying there was, but if there was, I know next to nothing about her and I just broke up with Faith."

"So you get to know her. As far as Faith, well, big brother, there was never any spark between you. Now, you and Elizabeth have spark."

"It's too early to have spark."

"Apparently it's not." Jack took a gulp of his beer and closed his eyes. Of course he was attracted to her. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. He just didn't have any inclination to start something when it would most likely end in heartbreak for one or both of them.

UPSTAIRS

"What was that?" Julie asked her, nudging her arm.

"What?"

"Jack. I saw you check him out."

"I didn't check him out."

"You did. It's nothing to be ashamed of. He's pretty cute."

"I hadn't noticed."

"Ok, so you're in denial. Well, I saw two people very obviously into each other. I say go for it."

"Julie, I just broke up with someone."

"Charles. You broke up with Charles."

"Yes. We were together five years. A person doesn't just get over that in a week."

"Did you love Charles?"

"He was kind and thoughtful. He would do anything for me."

"But did you love him?"

She had never been in love, but she had loved him in a different way. "I wasn't in love, no, but he'll always be my friend."

"Beth, you deserve to find someone that will treat you like a queen. Someone who you can love for the rest of your life. What if Jack is the guy?"

"Julie, this isn't one of your romance novels. Things just don't happen that way."

The dinner went off without a hitch. Of course, Clara set the table in pairs so Jack was next to Elizabeth, Tom next to Julie, and Pete and herself.

Jack sat down next to her, his arm innocently brushing against hers, giving her goosebumps. "Sorry," he whispered.

"No problem." Both of them were uncomfortable and the tension was palpable.

"Can I talk to you in the living room, Elizabeth?" he asked her.

"Sure." They stood up, excused themselves and walked into the living room.

"Look," he began. "I'm not going to deny that I am attracted to you. You are just. ..i mean I can't…Elizabeth, I just got out of a relationship and I'm not wanting to do that again right now. I know it's presumptuous to talk to you about it but it was uncomfortable in there and I was thinking maybe we could just be friends."

Elizabeth watched him pace as he talked a mile a minute. "Jack, you're making me dizzy." She touched his arm as he walked by, causing a spark neither expected but both felt to their toes.

"Sorry."

"Jack, I just got out of a relationship too and I would love to just be your friend."

"Good." He stuck his hand out and she reciprocated, slipping her fingers into his palm.

"Good."

"Let's go eat, friend."

THE BEAN

For the next few weeks, they got to know each other, meeting for coffee at around 4pm at The Bean everyday.

"How is the project going?" He put her croissant and iced Mocha down in front of her and then sat down across the booth from her.

"Good. This week we are focusing on Opal's dream."

"She wants to be a vet, right?"

"She calls it a bear doctor, but yes. We pulled up the encyclopedia on the big screen and read about the education she would need and what types of things veterinarians do. It was interesting."

Jack watched her sip her coffee, her eyes lighting up when she talked about her students. Those beautiful blue eyes that matched the sky.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"You're staring." He couldn't help it.

"What's your dream Elizabeth?"

"We're focusing on the children's dreams, not mine." Interesting she was dodging his question.

"At school, but here, I want to know what your dream is."

"I think I need another croissant." She stood up and walked up to the counter.

"Hey, Elizabeth. What can I get you?" Clara asked.

"I'll take another croissant if you have more."

"Sure. Everything ok?"

"Yes, why?"

"You don't usually eat two and you look uncomfortable. Did your cowboy say something he shouldn't have?"

"He's not my cowboy, Clara."

Clara handed her the croissant. "Isn't he?"

Elizabeth turned and walked back to the table where Jack was waiting. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I didn't mean to."

"It's fine. I'm not used to people caring about what I want." Charles never asked. She told him she wanted to be a teacher and move west, but that was it.

"By people, you mean, Charles?"

Her eyes finally met his. "I suppose."

"Well, I'm not him. I'm Jack, your friend, and I care about…what you want in life."

"I know you aren't him." She shut her laptop and started putting things away. "I need to go."

He stood up as she did and walked her out the door to her car, handing her her coffee. "Thank you."

"Elizabeth…"

"Jack, it's fine. It all comes down to my dreams just aren't important." They were important to her, very important, but she wasn't ready for them to be important to someone else.

"Of course they are." Did he really care?

"See you tomorrow?"

"I'll be here."

THE NEXT DAY

It was Saturday and Elizabeth knew Jack had to work at his ranch, so she headed to The Bean to get the next week's planning done. She smiled at the empty coffee shop, happy for some quiet. She sat her laptop and bag in her booth and went to get her usual.

"Good morning, what can I get you?"

Elizabeth was surprised. The woman behind the counter was not Clara. "Oh, hi. Is Clara here?"

"She's not feeling well this morning. I'm Abigail."

"I'm Elizabeth."

"Nice to meet you."

"Can I get…."

"An iced Mocha, extra shot, no whip and a chocolate cream croissant," Jack said from the doorway.

Elizabeth smiled. "That's what I want. And so does he."

"Well, Jack Thornton, it has been awhile," Abigail said, a huge smile on her face as she came out from behind the counter and hugged him.

He hugged her back, kissing her cheek. "It's good to see you too, Abigail. In town visiting Pete?" Elizabeth watched the two of them, obviously old friends, but very comfortable with each other.

"Yes. I was hoping I could bring Henry to the ranch this afternoon. He's been bugging me and Noah to let him ride Thunder again."

"Sure. Come by later. Ma would love to see you."

"Great. Now you two go have a seat and I'll bring out your order."

Elizabeth nodded and walked off and Jack followed, sitting next to her instead of across from her. "Elizabeth, about yesterday."

"Don't worry about it."

He looked into her eyes and smiled. "Your eyes are so beautiful." She looked down, suddenly very aware of how close he was and how good he smelled.

"Thank you." His eyes traveled down to her lips for a split second and then back up, realizing what he had done. He had verbalized his thoughts when he should have kept them inside. Friends don't want to kiss their friends.

Her eyes went to his lips too, his intriguing heart shaped lips that she wanted to feel against hers more than she wanted to breathe. She leaned just a fraction of an inch closer, hoping he'd take the hint, but instead he slipped out of the booth and sat across from her, a much safer distance away.

"Here you go," Abigail said, a knowing look on her face. "Enjoy."

"Elizabeth, do you ride horses?"

"It's been years, but yes, I love to ride."

"Abigail is bringing her son and I'm sure Tom and Elisa will be over. Why don't you come and I'll get you set up on my mom's horse?"

The thought of riding again was wonderful. It made her feel free when she rode with the wind in her hair.

"I'll be there."

THORNTON ACRES

"Uncle Jack! Can I ride Thunder?" Elisa asked him.

"After Henry does or maybe your dad can take you on Lightning." Jack picked her up and kissed her all over making her giggle and squirm.

"I love you Uncle Jack."

"I love you too, peanut."

Jack looked over at the driveway to see if Elizabeth had arrived yet, but he didn't see her SUV. "Who ya lookin for, Uncle Jack?"

"No one."

"Is it Miss Thatcher? She's my teacher ya know. Daddy says you like her."

"He does, does he?"

"Yeah. She's real pretty."

"That she is, peanut."

"If you marry her, she'll be my aunt! That would be so awesome!"

"Hang on now. I'm not marrying anyone. She's my friend."

THE GIRL'S APARTMENT

Elizabeth was nervous. She couldn't decide what to wear and the worst part was, it shouldn't have mattered, but it did. After almost kissing her "friend", Elizabeth was worried what he might do and what he thought of her.

"Beth, let's go," Julie called from the other room. "We're late."

"I'm not going."

Julie opened the door. "Of course you are." Julie laughed at the pile of clothes on the bed. "You look great."

"It doesn't matter. I made a fool of myself this morning. He probably thinks I'm crazy."

"He does not think you're crazy. He invited you to the ranch. What happened this morning?"

"He sat next to me in the booth and I almost kissed him. It was like I wasn't in control of my own body anymore. All I could think about was how much I wanted to kiss him. Good grief, he is sexy and he smells so amazing."

"Beth! Thank goodness you aren't in denial anymore."

"I wasn't!"

"You were. Now, at least you acknowledge how much you two belong together."

"I never said that. Julie, it's only been three weeks since Charles and I broke up and Jack and I said we would just be friends."

"Did he realize you wanted to kiss him?"

"Pretty sure he did."

"Good."

"I don't know. He moved to the other side of the table. I don't think he wanted it as bad as I did."

"Let's go find out."

"What? I'm not finding out anything. What if he doesn't even want to be friends now?"

"Just because you wanted to kiss him? I say you two should just kiss and get it out of the way."

Fifteen minutes later, the girls pulled in to Thornton Acres.

"Oh, Jules…it's gorgeous here. Look at those mountains."

"We've been here three weeks and you're just now noticing them?"

"I guess."

"Miss Thatcher, Miss Thatcher! I rode Thunder! He's Uncle Jack's horse and he's big!"

"Hi, Elisa! Show me which one is Thunder." Elisa took her hand and basically dragged her over to the fence.

"That one. Uncle Jack is riding him."

He certainly was. He sat tall and proud on the large black horse, his tan cowboy hat set perfectly on his head. When their eyes focused on each other, he gave her a huge dimpled smile, causing her stomach to do a flip flop and her heart to palpitate.

"Miss Thatcher, I think Uncle Jack likes you."

"Why do you say that, sweetie?"

"He said you're pretty and he smiled at you like Daddy smiles at Julie." Elizabeth blushed. Elizabeth watched Jack and Thunder prance around the fenced area. A few moments later, he walked Thunder over.

"Hey, Elizabeth." He hopped off his horse and tipped his hat.

"Hi. Nice horse." Nice cowboy.

"Thanks. The kids have ridden. Do you want to go for a ride now?"

"Sure." She climbed over the fence, accepting his hand helping her down. It may have been her imagination but he seemed to hold on to her hand longer than necessary. Then he let go.

"This is mom's horse, Captain. He's real gentle."

"He's beautiful." She stroked the chestnut horse on the nose. "Hey buddy." He nodded his head and snorted.

He was already saddled so she mounted, proud that she had done it on the first try.

Jack walked over, mounted Thunder and led her out the gate and through the pasture. Once Elizabeth got her bearings, she nudged Captain into a canter. They rode for awhile and then Jack slowed as they approached a clearing. "We can rest here if you want."

She stopped and got off, leading Captain by the reigns. Jack walked up and smiled.

The need and want to kiss the beautiful woman in front of him was so strong. He knew she wouldn't mind after their encounter at the coffee shop that morning. The only thing stopping him was whether he knew they were both emotionally ready for that step.

"This place is more beautiful than anywhere I've ever been."

"It is. I'm so grateful that it's mine, or partly. When my dad left it to me and Tom, I didn't appreciate it very much. It was just where I lived. Now, it's my home. It's where I want to live and raise a family."

"You don't mention your father much. Is it still painful to talk about?"

"It is, but I'll tell you whatever you want to know."

She stepped closer. "How long has he been gone?"

"I was 23 so about ten years ago."

"How did it happen?"

"It was winter and my parents were coming home from a date. They were pulling through an intersection and a truck ran a red light. It slammed right into my Dad's side of the car. He died instantly." Elizabeth gasped. She reached for his hand and squeezed.

"I'm so sorry that happened. Your mom wasn't hurt too badly?"

"She had a broken leg and arm and a few cuts. When the ambulance I was riding in got to the scene and I saw who it was…I had to help them. I got to my Dad's side of the car and…"

"Jack, you don't have to go on. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"Elizabeth, I want to tell you. You're important to me." He turned her to face him.

"You're important to me too." He stepped even closer, grabbing her fingers.

"Jack, about earlier at the coffee shop. I'm sorry if I crossed the line."

He kissed her forehead and then pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her. "What line is that?"

She chuckled, wrapping her own arms around his back. "The "just friends" line." She breathed deeply the scent that was him. She was pretty sure hugging him and enjoying it this much was crossing that line too but she didn't care.

"I think we're good but just so you know, I'm a hugger."

She was good with that. She was very good with that.