Jack sat on the huge, comfortable bed in his room, the guest room. He looked at the ring he and his mother had carefully picked out. When he saw it at the jewelers, he knew it was supposed to be Elizabeth's. It was a two carat princess cut diamond solitaire with tiny diamonds on either side set in white gold. It was simple and beautiful just like Elizabeth.

Now, he wondered if she was simple at all. Seeing where she came from, knowing the money and influence her father had…Jack just didn't compare. William would never accept him.

His phone buzzed, interrupting his depressing thoughts.

"Please talk 2 me."

He debated whether to respond to her text, to go see her, or to just hop on a plane and head back where he belonged.

"I need 2 think," he finally texted back.

"Ok, but don't forget what I told u. I love u. U. Not things."

He slipped the ring in its box, placing it back in his suitcase and then laid down, promptly falling asleep.

ELIZABETH'S ROOM

Julie knocked on the door and then walked in. "Hey, what's going on? Why aren't you and Jack making out somewhere?"

"Julie, please. I just want to be alone."

"That's crazy. Tell me what's wrong." Julie walked over and sat down next to her on the bed.

"Nothing."

"Uh huh. Now tell me the truth."

"I don't know what happened. I was showing Jack his room and my room and then he started talking about how the house was nice and better than anything he could ever give me. Then he went to his room." Elizabeth flipped over and stared at the ceiling. "Julie, what if he breaks up with me over this? I can't lose him. It would break me."

"He won't. He loves you. Everyone can see it. Mom saw it too. It's good that he sees how you used to live, but he will come around. He'll see what is important to you."

"Him! He's important, not this."

"Did you tell him that?"

"Yes, I told him."

Jack knocked on her door. "Come in."

"Elizabeth? I need….oh, Julie."

"I'm leaving," Julie told them, walking out quickly.

Elizabeth sighed and ran over to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Jack, please don't leave me. I need you."

"I'm not leaving. I will not ever choose to leave you." He held her as close as he could. "I love you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I know that we won't ever have a house like this and I know it's not who I am."

"Who we are."

"It's not, I know. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy, Elizabeth."

"I am happy."

He kissed her softly. "Let's go somewhere. We need to talk."

"I know just the place."

An hour later, Robinson pulled into the parking spot in front of the coffee shop that Elizabeth frequented as much as she could when she used to live there.

"Mugs and Beans? Catchy," Jack said with a laugh.

"It's not as special as The Bean but it will do." They walked in and ordered and then sat down in the back corner booth.

Jack slipped his arm around her and kissed her temple.

"Beth?" She lifted her head from Jack's shoulder and looked at the man that had walked up to them.

"Charles, good to see you." Jack stiffened but held on to her hand, making a statement.

Charles looked at their hands and then at Jack. "Charles Kensington," he said, holding his hand out. Jack shook it.

"Jack Thornton. It's nice to put a face with the name."

"I'm sorry, you two seem awfully close. How do you know each other?"

"Charles, I met Jack in Hunter Creek after I moved there."

Charles nodded. "Have a seat," Jack offered. Charles sat down across from them.

"Beth and I dated for about five years," Charles told him. "Our families are close. I work for her father."

"Yes, I know."

"And Jack? What do you do?"

"I own a ranch and I'm a paramedic."

"Being a paramedic…that requires schooling of some sort?"

"Charlie, what are you doing?"

"I'm asking your friend here some questions."

"Boyfriend."

Charles ignored that comment and continued. "So, schooling, Jack?"

"Yes, I have a degree and am a certified paramedic."

"And your parents. What do they do?"

"Charles, please. I know what you're doing. Jack and I are in the middle of something."

"So I saw."

"I'm sure we'll see you soon."

Charles looked at their joined hands again. "Yes, I'll be around."

Elizabeth sighed when he left. "Sometimes he can be a jerk. I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"The only thing I'm feeling is grateful that I'm the one with you now."

"Me too."

"Elizabeth, I have something for you." He put his hand in his pocket and grabbed the box. He set it down and grabbed her hand. "I don't know if this is the right time to do this or not, but I'm going for it."

"Jack? Are you…"

"I love you, sweetheart. I love your independence and your love and concern for others. I love your beauty inside and out. Honestly, I spent way too much time denying how I felt instead of just accepting it. I'm not denying anything anymore. I want to marry you." He opened the box and turned it toward her. "Will you be my wife, Elizabeth?"

"Yes of course, I will." He slipped it on her finger and smiled.

"Perfect fit." He rubbed his finger over the ring. "The second I saw it, I knew it was yours."

"It's amazing." She sighed and kissed him briefly. "We need to go somewhere where I can kiss you properly."

They waited for their order and then walked to the vehicle. Robinson hopped out and opened the door for them.

"Robinson, you're the first to know. We're engaged!" Elizabeth told him, showing off her glistening ring.

"Congratulations, Miss Beth and Mr. Thornton."

"Thank you. Would you mind giving us a moment alone?"

"Tell you what. I'll go grab myself a cup of coffee and meet you back here in a few."

"Thank you." He walked off and Jack gestured to the car.

"You're chariot awaits, Miss Thatcher."

She climbed in and then he followed. "I'm very grateful for Robinson and his tinted windows," she said quietly.

"Yeah, tinted windows are good."

The couple returned to the Thatcher Estate thirty minutes later, just in time for dinner. They walked in and sat down, Jack next to Elizabeth, on her left, while William sat at the head on the table, on her right. Elizabeth put her hand on Jack's thigh, feeling nervous about the ring that now resided on her hand.

A maid, Rhonda, walked in, setting a platter of food in front of Jack. "Filet mignon?" Jack asked. There was also buttery mashed potatoes and roasted Brussel sprouts.

The filet was so tender, no one needed a knife. The mushroom gravy was smooth as silk and Jack couldn't get enough. "Mrs. Thatcher, this food is amazing."

"Thank you, Jack. I will tell the chef you said so."

Without thinking, Elizabeth used her left hand to reach for her napkin.

Everyone saw it at the same time. Julie just looked at Elizabeth. Grace gasped and William wiped his mouth and left the table without a word.

"Beth? Anything you want to share?" Grace asked.

"Jack asked me to marry him." She grabbed his hand and smiled at him. "I said yes."

"Beth, forgive me, but you have only known each other for a few months."

"True, but that doesn't change the fact that I love him very much. He's a wonderful man." Jack brought her hand to his lips.

"And I love you, Elizabeth."

She smiled and kissed him quickly.

"Congratulations!" Julie said walking over to hug them both. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, Julie." Elizabeth finished eating and then looked at Jack. "I need to talk to my father."

"Do you want me to come?"

"No. You enjoy dessert. I'll see you in a bit." He nodded and then watched as she walked out of the room.

She knocked on his office door and waited. "Come in." She walked in and looked at him, prepared for his anger. "What are you thinking? You couldn't possibly know him well enough, Elizabeth!"

"You don't know him at all, Dad. He is wonderful. He is caring and he works hard and most importantly, he supports me. That is something I never got from the important people in my life. Not Charlie and certainly not you."

"I will not support your decision to follow this silly dream, young lady!"

"I followed it and do you know what I found when I did? I found happiness and love and I am actually making a difference in my students lives." Elizabeth walked over to her father and sat down on his desk, right next to his chair. "Dad, I'm not looking for your approval in my marriage because I know I won't get it. I'm looking for your support."

"Beth…"

"Wait, before you say anything, I want to suggest that you get to know him. Talk to him. Ask him about his life." He finally made eye contact with her. "I want you to walk me down the aisle, Dad."

His hard exterior melted a bit and she saw tears filling his eyes. "Bring him in."

"Promise you'll give him a chance, please."

He stood and untied his tie, placing it on his desk. "Bring him in, Bethie." He hadn't called her that in years. It gave her a glimmer of hope.

"Thank you, Daddy." She kissed his cheek and left the room.

THE DINING ROOM

Elizabeth walked in hearing laughter and voices. She walked up to Jack, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Dad wants to speak with you."

Jack knew the time would come when he would need to speak with her dad, but that didn't stop his nerves. He stood up and took a deep breath. "It'll be fine. Don't worry."

He nodded and smiled. "I'll see you soon."

She bit her lip as he walked off.

"How did it go?" Grace asked.

"It was ok. I asked him to give Jack a chance. He's amazing."

"Tell me about Jack, Beth."

Elizabeth sat next to her mom and started at the beginning.

"The first time I saw him, he and Faith, his ex girlfriend, were standing in line in front of me. She got a text and had to leave. I could tell he wasn't happy from his demeanor…."

WILLIAM'S OFFICE

Jack knocked. "Come in," William said from within.

Jack walked in and took in the details of the room. Dark wood furniture, expensive leather chair. The lamps even boasted the wealth of the man he'd come to speak with.

"Jack, please have a seat. Would you like a drink?" William poured a shot of brandy into a glass.

"No thank you, sir."

"Because you're nervous, or not thirsty?"

"I'm not a fan of brandy."

"Wine?"

"Wine is good, but I'm fine. Thank you."

William sat across from Jack, taking a swig from his glass. "My daughter wants me to get to know you. Honestly, I wasn't planning on giving you a chance. You see, Charles is the one I've always seen as the man for her."

"I know. I appreciate your candor, sir. I met Charles today."

"How did that go?"

"It could have gone better."

"I figured. He's a stubborn man and when he doesn't get what he wants, he lets you know."

"I noticed." William took another swig.

"What do you do, Jack?"

"I own a ranch that my father willed to me. I live on it with my mother. I'm also a paramedic."

"Which is your passion? Your dream, as Beth calls it."

"I love the ranch but I run it because it's my father's legacy. I love being an EMT because I want to help people. It's what I believe that I'm meant to do, besides being Elizabeth's husband."

"When did your father pass?"

"Ten years ago. He and my mother were coming home from a date and some guy ran a red light and hit my dad's side of the car. He died instantly. I was in the ambulance of first responders." Jack stopped to compose himself, wiping his eyes. "I'm just grateful that my mom survived."

"I'm sorry for your loss. I too lost my father. I know what it's like to want to live up to your father's expectations."

Jack was grateful for a common ground. "Sir, I broke up with my ex girlfriend because I didn't feel for her what she felt for me. There was something missing in our relationship. The moment I met Elizabeth, I figured out what had been missing."

"What's that?"

"A spark. A want and an intense need to be with the other person. I wanted to be that person for her as well."

"That's nice, Jack, but what happens when time passes and that spark fades?"

"It's replaced by a different feeling. Contentment and companionship. I saw it first hand with my parents. They had a love for each other that I always wanted for myself. Now I found it and I'm never letting go."

THE PATIO

Jack found Elizabeth about an hour later, on the patio, watching the stars. "Aren't you freezing, sweetheart?"

He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Not anymore." She kissed his cheek and looked down at her ring in the light from the window. "I can't believe we're getting married."

"Second thoughts?"

"Never." She turned and looked at him, wanting so badly to ask him about the talk. "Tell me. How did it go?"

"Good, I think."

She let out a sigh and then wrapped her arms around his waist under his coat, burying her face in his neck. He smelled amazing. Like his shaving cream, soap, and Jack. She would get to smell that wonderful concoction for the rest of her life.

She stood on her toes to kiss him but he stopped her. "Um, I promised your dad no kissing until the wedding."

"What?! That's crazy. Why would you do that?!"

"I didn't. I'm kidding."

"Jack! I'm going to get you back for that." She tweaked his side's making him laugh.

"How are you planning to do that?"

"Maybe I won't kiss you until the wedding. Oh, and no touching at all." She stepped back, letting go of him completely, crossing her arms. "Don't want to tempt each other too much."

He kept a straight face and then picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her inside while she laughed. "Put me down," she told him, slapping his rear end.

"I wouldn't do that too often."

"Jack Thornton!" He gave in and put her down. The fire in his green eyes took her breath for a moment. The adrenaline coursing through their bodies all but forced the deep, slow kiss that followed. As they separated she sighed. "Thank goodness you didn't promise my dad no kissing."

"My thoughts exactly."