Tom and Elisa decided to stay at the ranch that night. Elisa wanted to be wherever her Uncle Jack was and Tom didn't want to upset her more than she already was.

"It's getting late. I have school in the morning," Elizabeth told him. Jack nodded but he didn't want her to leave.

"You could stay here," he suggested.

"There aren't anymore guest rooms." She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged tightly.

"You could stay with me." He lightly brushed his lips across hers.

"No, I can't. That's a good try though."

"Please? I don't want you to go."

"Jack, I guess we've never talked about this but no sleepovers we're married."

"Are you saying you never slept over at Charles' house?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying." She pulled back and thought for a moment.

"Did you and Faith…?"

"She slept here a few times, but not with me." She felt a sense of relief with that answer although she wasn't naïve enough to assume he hadn't ever had the company of a woman. He was eight years older than she was.

"I know it won't be easy, but it's important to me."

"Ok. I respect that. I'm just surprised since you were with Charles for five years that you didn't sleep over."

"I didn't love him so I didn't feel the pressure. You, on the other hand…let's just say, it'll be more of a challenge." He grinned, liking that admission. "What are you smiling at, cowboy?"

"There's something in the fact that you're saving that part of yourself for marriage that makes me very happy." She laughed and kissed him, lingering a bit.

"Goodnight Jack. See you in the morning."

"Night, beautiful."

As Elizabeth walked out, Charlotte walked in. "Ma? It's midnight."

"Yes dear, and I'm fifty six years old." He couldn't argue with that.

"Did you have a nice time?"

"I did."

"You look beautiful, Ma." He hadn't seen her in a dress in probably a year and her hair was swept up above her neck showcasing a diamond pendant his father had given her and earrings to match.

"Thank you, son. How's Elisa?"

"She's scared. I can't believe this happened."

"You're not blaming yourself are you?" She could see it on his face.

He didn't answer, he just looked down.

"Jack, no one blames you except yourself. Everyone knows how much you love that precious little girl up there and would never think you would do anything to put her in danger intentionally."

"I do love her, Ma. I couldn't love her anymore if she was my own child."

"She's very lucky to have you and your brother to protect her."

"They're leaving in two weeks."

"I know. It's probably best for her, since all this happened today."

"Yeah." He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, Ma."

"I love you too." He stepped back, looked at her and squinted his eyes.

"Is it Monte?"

"Goodnight son." She chuckled and walked away.

"I've always thought he had a thing for you."

She waved at him, without looking back.

She walked into her room, the one she had shared with the love of her life for over twenty years. A picture of the two of them at Jack's graduation sat on the dresser. One of his shirts still had a place in the closet. Sometimes she would wear it to bed, even though it hadn't smelled like him in ten years. His ratty old slippers still sat by the chair in the corner and the ring he wore every day they were married, hung around her neck. She said goodbye to him at his grave on the first anniversary of his death but having these things close, was a comfort.

When Monte asked her to dinner, at first she said no. He worked on the ranch which made her his boss. However, she had known him for ten years, she knew his son Miles was a good kid, and Monte was a tall, good looking, hard working man. He owned his own ranch a few miles away, but felt a certain loyalty to Thornton Acres. So, she went out with him, multiple times. On their first date, they went to get Chinese. After that, he let her pick. Tonight, he told her he loved her and she returned the sentiment. She realized she was ready to move forward. Their relationship was comfortable and less lonely. It felt good.

Charlotte removed the necklace from around her neck. She was going to give it to Jack. She put the slippers, the t-shirt, and the picture in the closet and then she went to bed.

AT THE BEAN, THE NEXT MORNING

Jack met Elizabeth like usual. They waved at Clara and then went to sit in their corner booth, his arm around her shoulders.

"I think my mom is dating the cowhand, Monte."

"Oh yeah? He's pretty handsome." He raised his eyebrow at her. "Sorry, but he is. Are you ok with it if she is?"

"I guess. He's been working for us for a long time."

"Is he a hard worker?"

"I don't have any complaints."

"So what's the problem?"

"He's not my dad. I don't know how comfortable I am with someone else kissing my mom and sleeping…" She covered his lips with her fingers.

"Stop. Your dad would want her to be happy, wouldn't he?"

"Yes."

"You want her to be happy?"

"Of course."

"If Monte makes her happy, you might need to ignore how uncomfortable it makes you. She is old enough to decide on her own."

He knew she was right. "Are you always right, sweetie?"

"Usually." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Just remember that and the rest of our life should be smooth sailing."

"The rest of our life?" He smirked, loving the turn the conversation took.

"Yep, from now until we are ninety five with five children and twenty five grandchildren, just tell yourself, "Beth is always right."

"Five children?"

"At least, but I'm pretty set on five."

"Here are your iced mochas and one chocolate cream croissant for Elizabeth and one cranberry walnut muffin for Jack," Clara said, delivering their items.

"Cranberry walnut muffin?" Elizabeth asked him.

"Thought I'd change it up a bit." He stood and offered his hand. She frowned.

"What? I don't want to get in a rut."

"It's a shame. I like the way you taste after the chocolate cream croissant and I'm not a fan of cranberries." She kissed his cheek again and walked out the door.

He ran up and got a croissant and then headed out the door. "Elizabeth?" He looked over toward her car and smiled. She was waiting, leaning against her door. He walked over, opened his second bag and took a bite, making sure she noticed it was chocolate.

"You bought one?" She smiled.

"Mmhmm." He swallowed and then stepped dangerously close to her, their noses bumping. "Pretty sure I taste like chocolate now."

"Lemme see." She grabbed the lapel of his coat and kissed him long and slow.

"Yeah, um…it's good." He laughed and kissed her once more before walking away. "See ya later, cowboy."

"Bye beautiful."

November left with a vengeance, dumping sixteen inches of snow on the town, closing the school for three days until the streets were plowed.

Needless to say, unless you owned a tractor or a four wheel drive, you were pretty much stuck inside. Jack had a four wheel drive so he spent a lot of time at Julie and Elizabeth's apartment and Tom's, helping him get packed.

The electricity went out on the second day, quickly dropping the temperature inside both apartments.

"Oh my goodness, I don't think I have ever been this cold," Elizabeth grumbled. Jack chuckled.

"Welcome to Montana."

"I mean, it got cold in Wisconsin but this is crazy."

Jack walked over and wrapped his arms around her. "Body heat is helpful."

"Jack, we are not alone. Elisa is just in the other room with Julie and Tom."

"Your point? They've seen us kiss before." He leaned his head slightly to the left and captured her lips for a brief moment. "If the electricity isn't back by tonight, maybe you should rethink your no sleepovers rule."

"Don't worry, Beth, I'll be there," Julie said as she entered the room.

"Just think, a nice warm fire, blankets, hot chocolate or wine if you prefer. Me."

Jack smirked mostly because he knew what her response would be but she surprised him.

"I'm sleeping on the couch then."

"No need. We have two guest rooms."

"If we have Julie, Tom, Elisa and me, we need at least three."

"Um…" Jack's eyes darted to Julie and then back to Elizabeth.

"What?"

"Julie, Tom, Elisa in one room. You in the other?"

Elizabeth looked at Julie. "What, Beth? I'm twenty three years old. Also, Elisa will be with Tom and I will be on the floor. Nothing scandalous."

"You could sleep in my room with me."

"No thanks. I'm fine where I'm at." Julie walked out and Elizabeth sighed.

"Elizabeth, what was it you told me about my mom? Oh that's right. She's a grown woman. She can decide for herself." He said it gently so she wouldn't take offense.

"I know but, I guess I thought…"

"She would make the same choices you are?"

"Yeah. I guess that's not very fair."

"Maybe not but you just want what's best for her. You're a good sister."

"Thanks."

Julie walked back in. "Beth, did you call Mom?"

"No. I haven't decided yet."

"She keeps texting me and asking if you're coming home. What should I tell her?"

"Tell her I haven't decided."

The week before, Grace had called and asked if they would come home for Christmas. It was "for family and family should be together," she said. Elizabeth's heart wasn't in it. She didn't want to see her dad and she didn't want to see Charles. She wanted to stay with Jack.

Jack watched Elizabeth's mood slipping. At this point, tears had filled her eyes and she looked as if she was ready to leave the room.

"Hey," he said, gently kissing her forehead. "Let's pack your things and head to my house. You don't need to decide tonight, do you?"

"No, I don't." She stepped forward and buried her face in his chest. "Jack, I don't want to go there. This is my home now." She left out the "with you" part.

"Not even to see your mom?"

"I don't know what to do. I don't want to see my dad or Charles and they will be there."

"What if I went with you? We don't have to stay very long. Just a few days."

"You would go?"

"Of course, if it would make you feel better."

"What about your Mom and Tom and Elisa?"

"Mom is going to see Tom and Elisa in Idaho."

"I would love to have you come." She kissed his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too."

She pulled out her phone out and called her mom, still holding on to Jack. "Mom? Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good sweetheart. How are you?"

"I'm great." She smiled up at Jack. "I wanted to tell you, I'm coming for a few days at Christmas and I'm bringing someone very special to me."

LATER, THORNTON ACRES, MAIN HOUSE

They sat on the couch in the living room under a blanket in front of the fire.

"Babe, have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?" she asked.

"Babe, huh?" Jack teased.

"Yeah, I think it fits. Especially in your uniform." Her cheeks turned red as she pictured him.

"You like my uniform?"

"Uh yeah, but there's also the dark wash jeans you have and that cowboy hat. Good grief. Oh and that suit you wore on our first date."

"Anything else?"

"Pretty much anything you wear."

"Miss Thatcher, what would your mom say if she heard you've been checking me out?"

"If my dad was in the room, she'd say, "Beth Thatcher, the things you say." If my dad wasn't in the room, she'd agree with me and say you were quite dashing."

"Dashing? Who says dashing anymore?"

"Shush. I'm pretty much convinced Grace Thatcher should have lived in the 1800s." She took his hand and weaved her fingers through his. "So, the Grand Canyon? Ever been there?"

"Once. I was ten, I think. Dad took us on vacations every year. Have you ever been?"

"No, we never traveled. My father travels for work all the time but we never went as a family."

"In June, after school gets out, let's go."

"You don't need to do that Jack."

"I want to. Any chance I get to spend time with you, I'm going to take it."

"Like going to Madison for Christmas?"

"Absolutely."

"I'm a bit nervous for you to meet my father."

"Yeah, me too but I think meeting the parents of the person you love is necessary. I want him to see that I'm not a bad guy, I just love his daughter."

"Of course you're not a bad guy."

"I just mean that he can trust me to always be there for you and support you and take care of you."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I can take care of myself." She sat up and immediately felt guilty for saying the words.

"Elizabeth, of course you can but he isn't taking care of you anymore and I'm sure he wants to know that someone will keep you safe." Jack moved to the floor so he was right in front of her. "You don't need me to, but I will always try my hardest to keep you safe. I love you and I don't want anything to ever take you away from me."

She looked in his eyes and saw love and patience but she also saw a little bit of Jack being scared. "I'm not going anywhere, Jack. This is where I belong."

"My parents were married twenty four years, which in today's world is a long time, but also much too short. My mom died a little bit too that day when he did. I saw it. Her heart broke when we buried him." Jack hadn't cried over his father for years, but he was now.

"I think yours did too, babe." Elizabeth wiped his cheeks and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you, Jack Thornton, with all of my heart." She kissed his cheeks where his salty tears were and then place a sweet kiss on his lips. "I don't want to lose you either."