Chapter 14

"You found a nice man? Was he lost?"

"No mother, he wasn't lost." She said exasperated. "I'm dating him."

"What dear? You are dating a man? A man?"

"Yes mother. I am dating a man, as in a boyfriend, a relationship. Don't sound too surprised."

"Elizabeth Marie Thatcher, you better not be playing games with me!"

"I'm not mother. His name is Jack Thorton. Chief Bill Avery invited him to come and help with the current burglaries that are happening here. He is in a special investigation service through the state. He travels at the requests of local police stations to help with difficult cases. He is very good at what he does."

"He is a police officer who travels from city to city?"

"Technically, he is a police officer. He is an investigator. He is the youngest investigator in the program. He does travel, but he is looking into staying in one location. Bill Avery has known him his whole life. Actually, he was friends with Jack's father when they were in the police academy."

"Elizabeth, this is a lot in such a short period of time. The last time we talked was just a few days ago and you didn't mention anything about dating a man. Is that when you two met?"

"Yes. It has been less than a week. Our first meeting was awful. I was so rude to him. The next day he actually avoided me by sending Chief Avery in to talk to me when they visited me at school." She laughed at the thought.

"Wait, why were they visiting you at school?" Elizabeth could hear the worry in her mom's voice.

"They found a piece of paper from my class at a crime scene. They wanted to talk to me about it. They figured it was a paper I gave to my students."

"A piece of paper?"

"Yes. It was an assignment I gave out. They knew I wasn't involved. They were just hoping to see who it belonged too. They did and knew that student wasn't involved."

"Wait! You were rude to him. Elizabeth, you have never been rude to anyone. Why were you rude to him?"

"It's a long story."

"I have time, dear. Don't you think this is a little fast?"

Elizabeth went into the whole story beginning from the sketch that night up till today and their date in a few hours. She did not share the fact that they have professed their love to each other. She shared with her mom that this was more than a passing relationship and about their connection so quickly.

"Wow! That's some story, Elizabeth." She was having trouble processing everything. She thought her daughter would never be in a relationship. She has pushed for three years.

"I know. It really is. I know this is very quick, but please trust me that I know what I am doing."

"My dear, Elizabeth. I have always trusted you. You have never given me a reason not to trust you. Now, if this was Julie…"

Elizabeth cut her off. "I know. I thought the same thing. I know this is fast, but I also know me. I don't make impulsive decisions. Especially big decisions like dating someone."

"I know, dear. But you have to admit it is fast."

"It is."

"Are you happy?"

"I am, mother. Very happy. Jack makes me feel like the most important person. He values my opinion and wants to know what I think. He does the cutest thing." She hesitated to tell her mother this, but she was never one to keep too much from her mother. "He calls me beautiful all the time."

"That's very sweet of him."

"It is, but he always says it in a different language."

"A different language?"

"Yeah."

"How many languages does he speak?"

"Just one. He looks up the different words that mean beautiful and writes me notes or tells them to me instead of using the word beautiful."

"Oh, Elizabeth. That is precious!"

"I believe so."

Elizabeth spent the next hour sharing with her mother about Jack and their time together. Elizabeth's mother was impressed by Jack the more she heard about him. She heard the words her middle daughter was saying, but most importantly she was hearing the tone of her daughter's voice. She was beginning to wonder if her daughter was beginning to fall in love.

"Dear, may I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure mother. You would no matter how I answer that question." She sassed with a small laugh.

"Do you love him?"

…

Jack walked out of Victor's store with exactly what he wanted. First, he wanted to follow through his path from that night. He looked around his environment at each position he paused to see what he would have seen that night. He was at the location of his last pause before he was fired at and looked around. Then he noticed something that looked out of place. He didn't know if it was out of place, it just looked odd. Victor didn't have anything else in the store that was close to it.

He asked Victor if he could see it and Victor took it out of the locked glass case. After looking at it for a few minutes, he asked him, "Victor, where did you get this?"

"That's a strange piece. I normally don't buy items like that, but he was in need of money."

"Who was in need of money?"

"That's the thing. I don't buy my merchandise from individuals like this, but he said he was short of cash and the pawn shop wouldn't give him anything for it."

"Do you know the person who sold you this?"

"I know his face, but I don't know his name. I haven't seen him here before."

"Victor, may I take a picture of it?"

"Sure, Investigator. Whatever for?"

"I think it's a piece of evidence and may help explain the robbery."

"In that case, you can take it with you and place it in evidence. If it isn't part of the case, just bring it back."

"Thank you, Victor." Jack showed him a picture of Henry's uncle to see if that was the gentleman who sold the item. Luck was on Jack's side, and he was the man. Jack was feeling more confident that Mr. James Harvey and Mr. Jimmy Harvey is involved in the robberies. He wasn't sure to the extend of their involvement, but knew they were involved in it somehow.

Jack took a picture and sent it to the Chief. Then he called him. The discussion was going to be too long for text.

"The engraving on the back of the ladies watch is made out to Mrs. Harvey. Jimmy and James are not married and have been divorced in a very long time according to our records. I believe it was one of their mother's watches." Stated Jack.

"Why would they sell that off. That doesn't make sense if it if their mother's watch." Bill asked.

"If they are hooked on drugs and needed the money, they would have sold anything to get enough to buy some. Bill, you've seen that too many times. Once they were off the effects of the drugs, they would have realized what they did and would want it back, but they didn't have any money to buy it back."

"But why Victor's store. He isn't a pawn shop."

"Victor said he normally doesn't do that, but they stated they really needed the money. Victor said that the man stated the pawn shop wouldn't give them anything for it. They had too many watches already."

"And you think part of the reason for the robbery was to seal the watch back."

"I believe so."

Bill thought about this for a few moments. He knew people addicted to drugs progressively got worse and more desperate in their actions and not everything they did made sense.

"I think I disrupted them before they were able to get it. They didn't shoot at me until I was close to the case. They knew they could be tracked down by the watch if we found it."

"You've sold me Jack. I think the evidence is piling up against them, but I don't think there is enough here to arrest them."

This was the area of the job that frustrated Jack the most. He knew in his heart that Jimmy and James were guilty of this, but he couldn't take his heart to trial. He had to have sound evidence. If not, the suspects would get off without any punishment. If he took the chief's job, he would have to get better with this area of the job.

"I know. I don't like it, but I know."

…

Elizabeth stopped and thought about her mother's question. She knew the answer. There was no doubt in her mind or her heart. Despite knowing him for less than a week, she loved him. It wasn't an infatuation type of thing. She wasn't fifteen crushing on the boy in English class. She knew her mind. This love for Jack was a love for a lifetime. It may be new, but it wasn't confusing.

She decided to be completely honest with her mother. "Yes, mother. I do love him. He is everything I have wanted in a man. He makes my…"

Her mother cut her off by finishing her statement. "Toes tingle?"

"Mother, how in the world did you know that?"

"My dear Beth, I may be an old woman, but I wasn't always old. I do have three children after all. I love your father dearly. My toes still tingle when he touches me."

"Mother! I don't want to hear that." Gasped Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, we are both women here. This isn't shocking news."

"Mother, please." She pleaded.

"Ok dear. Whatever makes you feel better. I must ask one more time, this isn't too fast?"

"Normally I would say yes, but I know my heart."

"I agree. I hope to meet him soon."

"How do you think father will react to this?"

"It's never easy for a father to see his little girl fall in love, but he will come around."

"I hope so."

"Trust in your father, dear.

…

Jack walked into his apartment to get ready for his date with Elizabeth. He was hoping she would like this. It was a little different, but maybe she would enjoy herself. His father always told him to shave before a date. So, he showered quickly and shaved before dressing. He told Elizabeth casual, so he didn't want to dress too fancy, but felt he wanted to make sure he wasn't too casual. After trying his fourth shirt on, he heard a knock on the door. Much to his surprise and relief, it was Abagail.

"Oh Abagail. I am so grateful you are here. I need your help."

"I thought you would. What have you decided on?"

"Well, I told her casual, but I want to make sure I am dressed well enough."

"Let me see what you have." After looking at the small pile of shirts on the bed, she looked at him and shook her head strongly side to side. "At least the dressy jeans and the undershirt look good, but those shirts won't work. Let's see what else you have."

After looking through his closet for a few minutes, she found the perfect dark green shirt with small white vertical strips. "Here, wear this and roll up the sleeves. Leave it untucked. That will give you the casual look but still a little dressy. The green brings out your eye color well. Knowing Elizabeth, she will not be too casual."

"Thank you Abagail. You are a life saver."

"I figured you needed a little help."

While he smiled at her, there was another knock on the door. He walked over and opened the door to see Frank and Charlette standing there. He stared at them with a confused look.

"We weren't going to pass this up." Stated Frank.

"I'm your mother and I have the right to be here."

"Fine, but no pictures and no following us. I'm not heading out to prom." Jack stated sternly.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Said a smirking Charlette.

"I remember you following Tom on his first date."

A grinning Charlette looked at her son, "Well, technically this would be considered your first true date. You went out with friends within a group, but this is the first women you dated that you loved."

"Ma!" Jack stated with a son's tone.

"Enough young man. You need to get going or you will be pushing being late. Now go!"

"Yes ma'am."

"Smile Jack." Frank stated as he took a picture of Charlette standing beside her son.

Shaking his head, he grabbed Elizabeth's gift and left the apartment.

Abagail looked over at Charlette who had a tear in her eye and stated, "I don't think it will take very long before you have two daughters."

"I think you are correct, Abagail." Charlette said continuing to wipe tears. "And I can't wait! I've never had girls around; it was always boys."

…

Jack pulled up at the new store in the south end of town. The store has only been open for just over a week. He heard about it while he visited stores looking for clues and asking questions. When he heard about it, he just knew this would be the best location for their first true date. After talking to the owner and striking up a quick friendship, he learned of the special event happening tonight. He hoped Elizabeth would like it.

Jack walked into the store and notice the store was set up for six people. He was grateful there wouldn't be too many people but big enough they wouldn't be singled out. His anxiety was starting to grow. While he has been out with friends before, he was twenty eight years old and has never been out on a real date. Then he was second guessing his decision of not picking her up, but he was afraid he wouldn't have time in case he had to work over. He did secure an Uber to pick up Elizabeth so he would have the opportunity to take her home. He also hoped she would like the reason for visiting the shop. This isn't a normal first date activity and it was making him a little nervous.

Jack was freaking out with everything. He was second guessing all of his decisions and was now doubting everything. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. This was his technique to calm himself.

The car bringing Elizabeth pulled up in front of the store right on time. She didn't know the building had a new store located in it. The sign above the door was, "Draw-N-Things." I wonder what that is? She thought.

She looked up and saw Jack walk through the door. His smile melted her heart. I love that smile she thought. He walked up and gave her a small kiss on the cheek and squeezed her hand gently. He whispered into her ear, "E-liz-a-beth" He elongated each syllable, which drove her crazy with the breath on her ear. "You look stunningly beautiful tonight. I am one lucky man."

Elizabeth was wearing skinny jeans that appeared to be molded to her body. They were fitted, but not too tight. Her thin, light blue sweater made her eyes seem a deeper color of blue. The color of the sweater also made her auburn hair stand out as it fell across one shoulder. He brushed back a loose curl off of her left shoulder. The simple act made her gasp. She was having trouble breathing. I hope he didn't see that! She thought. As she looked up to his face, she knew by his little grin she wasn't that lucky.

She smiled at him as she got lost in his eyes. "You look very handsome, Jack."

"Thank you, Belle. I hope you enjoy tonight's activity?"

"Will I be with you?"

"Absolutely."

"Then I will love it."

"Let's go, Belle. We have something to do."

Jack opened the door for her and followed her in. She stopped two steps in the store and place her hand over her mouth. She turned to Jack and gasp, "Jack, do you know who that is?"

"Yes, Ms. Thatcher. I know who that is."

"Jack, that's Steve Ross, Bob Ross' son. I grew up watching Bob Ross on YouTube. Jack, how did you do this?"

"Are you ok with this?"

She was bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Jack, this is amazing! What are we doing?"

He smiled at her excitement. He was happy she seemed excited about tonight's plan. "Mr. Steve Ross will teach us his father's technique in painting. The techniques he did on his show for so many years. I know this isn't sketching, but Mr. Bob Ross didn't sketch. So, tonight, we paint. Are you ok with that?"

She tried to say something, but she was too excited to speak Without really thinking, she wrapped him into her arms and kissed him passionately on the lips."

When they pulled apart, too soon for their liking, he felt he needed to say something, but there was nothing in his mind. So, he did the one thing he could think of. He said, "Hi."

She smiled at him and repeated, "Hi."

After realizing what she had done with the kiss, she looked around the room and was grateful that only Steve Ross and the owner was there. She was never one for PDA, but with Jack, all rules were tossed out the window. She has never seen anyone so thoughtful. He paid attention to her and not the attention to just get something. He thought of her first, truly loved her. A tear slipped down her face without her noticing.

"Wait, what's this?" Jack said as he wiped the tear away. "This is supposed to be fun, not sad. There's no crying here."

"I'm so happy to be here with you. This is amazing Jack. I always wanted to do something like this and for it to be taught by his son, Steve. This is even more amazing. I don't know what to say."

Jack loved to see the pure joy on her face. They took their seats by their easel and looked over their supplies that were supplied by the store. They were so excited they were having trouble sitting in their chair waiting for the ten minutes for the seminar to begin.

Over the next two hours, they painted three different scenes learning the techniques Bob Ross taught so many years on TV. Elizabeth thought it was hilarious when Steve would quote his father. About thirty minutes into the seminar, Elizabeth made a mistake while working on a hill. Steve walked by when he heard her moan. He leaned over her shoulder and quoted his father, "We don't make mistakes. We just have happy accidents." She giggled at his remark and listened to him when he was describing how to turn her happy accident into a small forest of trees.

While working on her second painting, she would steal glances over at Jack. While this wasn't sketching, she was having the time of her life. She loved how Jack would concentrate on his project. He would barely stick his tongue out when he was really concentrating. She couldn't believe he would think of doing something like this for them to do together.

During the third painting, Jack decided he didn't like the landscape of the mountains he was working on. He wanted to change but didn't think he could. "What are you thinking, Jack?" She asked.

"I wish I could add a lake to the front of the mountains, but I don't know if I can."

Steve overheard his comment and walked over. My father would always say, "Isn't it fantastic that you can change your mind and create all these happy things?" Steve smiled. "Just add the lake in front of the mountains and surround one side of it with small trees and the other side with bushes. Then you can add the reflection of the mountain in the lake." Jack smiled at his encouragement and was excited how the painting turned out.

When the seminar was finished, Steve took some time to tell personal stories of his father and signed some autographs and take some pictures. The owner of the store told everyone to make sure to sign their work. A part of the seminar would be they would frame their artwork. They could come back in a week to pick up their paintings.

Elizabeth grabbed Jack's hand and smiled at him. During the two hour seminar, she couldn't touch him and that was too long to go without holding his hand. She was touched by his thoughtfulness of the evening. The date was about them as a couple. It wasn't meant to be physical. He wasn't pushing her for something she wasn't ready to give. They sat beside each other, stealing glances, and talking, but also enjoying their activity by themselves. Somehow, this made her want to be with him more. His thoughtfulness drove her to be beside him. She just couldn't get enough of this man.

For Jack, this evening had the same affect. He loved the activity and the fact they experienced it together made it even more special. They laughed at their mistakes and awed over their victories. The evening was perfect. He could only hope she enjoyed it half as much as he did.

Once the evening was finished at the store, he had one more surprise for her. He extended his arm for her, and she instantly took it.

"Elizabeth, I have one more surprise for you."

"Jack. This evening has been perfect. I have never enjoyed myself this much. You did more than you should. You didn't have to plan another surprise."

"Yes, I did Elizabeth. You deserve this and much more."

She looked into his eyes and knew he was sincere with what he said. If she didn't already love this man, she did now. She realized she fell deeper in love with him every time she was around him. She didn't know how that was possible, but it was.

He opened her door and she notice a wrapped box sitting in her seat. She gasped at his thoughtfulness. "Jack, you shouldn't have."

"I hope you like it, Belle. Would you please open it now?"

He reached for the box to hand it to her. She remained still. She was trying to process the evening and how special Jack made it, but it was a little over whelming. This was normal for her when Jack was involved.

He frowned when she took her time and gently unwrapped the gift. "Come on Elizabeth, open it already." He wasn't certain but he thought she unwrapped it ever slower than before his statement.

"Patience, Jack. Patience." She smiled at his impatience and thought that must be how he was as a child at Christmas. She could see him tearing into the wrapping paper and laughed at the thought.

"Presents are not meant to be unwrapped like that."

She smiled at him and his eagerness. She slowed down just to aggravate him. Once the paper was off the gift, she didn't recognize the box. Once she opened it, she gasped and cover her mouth. "Jack, it's that beautiful jewelry box from Victor's. Jack, this is too much."

"You are worth it, Bella."

Tears started flowing down Elizabeth's cheeks. "Jack. This is perfect. Everything has been perfect tonight. Actually, it's been perfect since you arrived here. You're so kind and thoughtful. You have made the evening's activity great. How could you think of everything tonight? The jewelry box is beautiful. The painting was perfect. Having Bob Ross' son teach it was the greatest."

She was talking so fast Jack was having trouble understanding her. He was certain she didn't take a breath since she began. She kept speaking and crying all at the same time. He smiled thinking that must be how he sounded when he did it.

He leaned into her and quieted her with a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. When he had her attention, he leaned in and place a soft kiss on her lips. She smiled against his lips and instantly deepened the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair before grabbing it and pulling him to her. He moaned when she deepened the kiss. His verbal moan and the vibration from his moan drove her even deeper. Somehow, someway, that simple act touched a part of her that she never knew she had.

She took his breath. His toes were tingling along with his lips, and his hands which were on her hips. He was completely lost in her at that moment. He knew then this woman was everything to him. His present and his future. She was his soulmate. In less than a week, he went from a happy bachelor to a blessed boyfriend. He thanked God for this precious, beautiful woman in his arms. Somehow someway, he had to convince this precious woman to marry him. He didn't now how, but he was determined to live his life with the amazing Elizabeth Marie Thatcher.

After several minutes of kissing, which was way too short for them both, he asked. "Elizabeth, it's not too late. Would you take a walk with me?

"Jack, I would go anywhere with you."

Yeah, somehow I have to convince her to marry me. He thought. She took his breath, and he was happy to give it to her.