Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.

Chapter 4- Dancing Around Our Feelings

Jack slipped into the Uber he'd called and headed for town to find his home away from home for nearly the next two weeks. He was in his own world, paying no attention to the driver, sitting quietly in thought even after they'd reached their destination.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Jack stated before he stepped out, grabbed his bag, and headed inside to secure accommodations.

"I'd like to check-in…" Jack stated.

"For how long?" the clerk asked.

"For 13 days…" Jack replied.

"Two…"

"No, I said 13 days…"

"I mean for two; you and your partner…?"

"No, just for me."

The clerk slid the paperwork across to Jack, "It's not often that we get singles here. If you're looking for love, most of the women are already taken."

"Thanks for the information, but I'm not looking," Jack informed the clerk as he took his key and started for the elevator.

"Then why do you fly all the way from…" the clerk glanced down at Jack's information, "The States to a place known for love?" he softly commented as Jack disappeared.

Jack had other things on his mind, not realizing until he stepped off the elevator and was faced with a hotel sign, that he was actually at the Grand Pacific Hotel, a no dogs allowed facility, meaning that Bella would need to stay with Elizabeth for the entire 'vacation.'

Jack passed couple after couple walking arm and arm as he walked down the hallway, with the couple in the room next to his barely making it inside before every stitch of clothing was removed.

Jack slipped his key card into the door mechanism and quickly slipped inside having seen no one who seemed to be there alone.

Although the facility was quite nice, it came nowhere near the amenities at the house he'd just left, the main one being…it didn't have Elizabeth. "You're in trouble, dude. She just can't be 'the one,'" he stated through a frustrated breath before falling out on the bed.

While lying there wondering what Elizabeth and Bella were doing at that moment, his phone rang.

"Hey Lee, I guess you're awake now," Jack stated as he answered the call.

"Okay, now we can talk."

"Where's Rosie?" Jack asked before spilling his guts.

"She's at the grocery store, so we're alone. Tell me about Elizabeth and the electricity…"

"Lee, I can't even talk about it. How in the world can she be the one? I mean she's my boss's daughter, not to mention that she just went through a breakup. It is the absolute worst time for us to meet again."

"Jack, haven't you always said that fate is what it is, and you can't walk away from it?"

"I did once…"

"What are you talking about."

"I felt it with Elizabeth years ago."

"Jack, you just met her, right?"

"Well, this is the most time we've spent together, but on the day I went to pick up Bella, she was there. She actually was there to adopt Bella too, but I didn't know it. She had even named her Bella, too."

"WHOA, if that's not a sign, I don't know what is," Lee responded through a hard breath.

"That's not everything. We talked, and I assumed she was there for a different dog, but she walked out without a dog, and let me have Bella."

"WOW, that was really kind and thoughtful of her, but where does the electricity come in?"

"A while after I adopted Bella, we were walking around the lake at Freedom Park, and Bella took off running. I caught up with her as she danced around Elizabeth's feet. We introduced ourselves again and shook hands…Lee, I felt it then. I assumed she was with someone, which she was, and she pulled her hand away from me."

"Jack, could it be that she felt it too?"

"I guess I just always thought I'd know if the woman felt it too."

"How…? Is she supposed to fall into your arms? I mean, maybe she feels it, but doesn't understand what 'it' is…"

"I just never thought my fate would be in the form of my boss's daughter."

"Maybe you're misreading it; maybe it isn't the electricity that you're looking for."

"Lee, every time our hands touch, it's undeniable, the sparks fly, but I think I'm the only one feeling it. I mean she hasn't said anything, not that I think she would."

"So where are you and Bella staying?"

"We're in a hotel on the beach…well, actually, it's just me; Bella is with Elizabeth."

"You left Bella with Elizabeth? Man, you are in trouble."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, since you don't have Bella, I'm assuming that you'll be going by regularly to see her."

"Maybe…I said that I'd be by every day, but I think I should stay away."

"Jack, on those few trips you took without Bella, you facetimed her three times a day so she wouldn't forget what you look like. Are you really going to be able to stay away from Bella, let alone Elizabeth?"

"Well, if I go by Elizabeth's, I'm just going to see Bella."

"Jack, you can lie to me, but don't lie to yourself. You have been pushing this idea of fate and electricity on me since we were first dating," Lee responded.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Jack, you even thought that there was electricity between you and Tracy Blankenship back when we were juniors."

Jack laughed as he shook his head when the memory came to mind, "Yeah, I guess the fact that I always reached for her hand after scuffing my shoes on the rug on the 700 Hall in front of Mr. Powers English class shot the idea of electricity to pieces."

Lee laughed, "Yeah, static electricity and love electricity are two different things. So, are you scuffing your shoes when you're around Elizabeth?"

"Nope, no scuffing going on here."

"Okay, so what if she's your boss's daughter, there are plenty of people who work for their wife's father."

"Wife…whoa, put that horse back in the stable. You might think it's okay to date your boss's daughter, but I just think it crosses a line," Jack ran his hand roughly through his hair. "Besides, she just broke up with her fiancé, remember?"

"Will you do me a favor?"

"Lee, I'm all the way in Fiji; what kind of favor can I do for you here? Do you want me to pick up something for Rosie?"

"No, nothing like that. I just want to ask you something and I want you to answer me honestly."

"Oh, well that I can do…"

"Okay, I've never believed in the electricity thing, but I went along with it because you did. But let's say it isn't real, and you happened to meet Elizabeth at, hmm, say the beach, and you talk with her for a while. When you get up to leave, would you ask her out?"

"In a heartbeat…"

"Then I think you have your answer, Jack. If you're good enough to work for Thatcher Industries, you're good enough to date his daughter."

"I'm not so sure that Mr. Thatcher would agree with you. Besides, I don't think now is the time to ask her out. I mean her wedding just blew up in her face."

"Well, if she is the one, like your 'electricity' thing is telling you, you're going to sit back, maybe wait on an appropriate time to ask her out, and someone else is going to swoop in and get the girl."

"Lee, I understand what you're saying, but I want to be respectful of the relationship she had that recently ended," Jack admitted. "Besides, if she jumps right into dating, doesn't that make me, if I'm the one she dates, the 'rebound guy?'"

"I understand what you're saying, and I see your point, but maybe let her know that you're interested once she reaches that point."

"Right, let me go to her and pant about how much I want to spend time with her, and see if she'll throw me a bone sometime."

"Who's throwing you a bone, Jack?"

"Hi, Rosie; what are you fixing for dinner?" Jack asked.

"Linguini in clam sauce," Rosie replied.

"Mmm, I wish I was there."

"No, you don't. Now how are things going with you and Elizabeth Standish…I mean, Thatcher?" Rosie asked. "Oh wait, I have frozen stuff I need to get in the freezer. I'll be right back. Don't answer that question yet."

Lee took over the conversation, "So, what are you going to do?"

"I'm just going to have to keep my distance and be professional when we're together. Who knows, maybe I'll meet someone who will take my mind off of Elizabeth."

"Don't count on it, and don't do anything you'll regret."

"You know me, Lee, I think through everything."

"Well, maybe, just maybe you think through things a little too much."

"Tell Rosie we'll talk again soon."

"Jack, please think about what I've said and don't do something that you'll end up regretting…"

"Lee, don't worry about me."

"Sorry, too late."

Following their call, Jack changed into a pair of shorts, and fell into bed. Although tired, he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, or remove Elizabeth's image from his mind.

Across town, Elizabeth changed into her pawprint pajamas and teal tank top. Although she was tired, she felt antsy, unable to settle. So, she and Bella walked out into the backyard to enjoy the clear star-filled sky.

Elizabeth turned on the stereo prior to taking a seat beside the pool, assuming that some soft music would relax her.

With Bella sitting beside her, Elizabeth ran her fingers through her soft black coat, just the feel of which began to soothe her.

Elizabeth paid little attention to the first few songs that played, as the lyrics had no impact on her life. Then, song number four, "Mr. Perfectly Fine" by Taylor Swift quickly grabbed her attention. She sat perfectly still, barely breathing as she listened to each and every word…

Mr. "Perfect face"
Mr. "Here to stay"
Mr. "Looked me in the eye and told me you would never go away"
Everything was right
Mr. "I've been waiting for you all my life"
Mr. "Every single day until the end, I will be by your side"

But that was when I got to know Mr. "Change of heart"
Mr. "Leaves me all alone," I fall apart
It takes everything in me just to get up each day
But it's wonderful to see that you're okay

Hello Mr. "Perfectly fine"
How's your heart after breaking mine?
Mr. "Always at the right place at the right time," baby
Hello Mr. "Casually cruel"
Mr. "Everything revolves around you"
I've been Miss "Misery" since your goodbye
And you're Mr. "Perfectly fine"

Mr. "Never told me why"
Mr. "Never had to see me cry"
Mr. "Insincere apology so he doesn't look like the bad guy"
He goes about his day
Forgets he ever even heard my name
Well, I thought you might be different than the rest,
I guess you're all the same

'Cause I hear he's got his arm 'round a brand-new girl
I've been pickin' up my heart, he's been pickin' up her
And I never got past what you put me through
But it's wonderful to see that it never phased you

Hello Mr. "Perfectly fine"
How's your heart after breakin' mine?
Mr. "Always at the right place at the right time," baby
Hello Mr. "Casually cruel"
Mr. "Everything revolves around you"
I've been Miss "Misery" since your goodbye
And you're Mr. "Perfectly fine"

So dignified in your well-pressed suit
So strategized, all the eyes on you
Sashay away to your seat
It's the best seat, in the best room
Oh, he's so smug, Mr. "Always wins"
So far above me in every sense
So far above feeling anything

And it's really such a shame
It's such a shame
'Cause I was Miss "Here to stay"
Now I'm Miss "Gonna be alright someday"
And someday maybe you'll miss me
But by then, you'll be Mr. "Too late"

Goodbye Mr. "Perfectly fine"
How's your heart after breakin' mine?
Mr. "Always at the right place at the right time," baby
Goodbye Mr. "Casually cruel"
Mr. "Everything revolves around you"
I've been Miss "Misery" for the last time
And you're Mr. "Perfectly fine"
You're perfectly fine
Mr. "Look me in the eye and told me you would never go away"
You said you'd never go away

Elizabeth wiped the tears from her eyes as Bella continued to sit beside her, one paw resting in her lap. "I'm sad, and I'm angry, but I think what hurts the most is that I wasted time with a man who I now believe simply used me for publicity, or a cover, or…I don't know, but it certainly wasn't love. He never loved me; he couldn't have and then treat me as he did."

She took a deep breath before continuing, "What happens if my true 'one and only' passed through my life when I was in the middle of his game. I don't want to be with someone who doesn't want to be with me, so why couldn't he just be honest instead of acting like everything was always PERFECTLY FINE," Elizabeth released the harsh emotion she held inside with the final two words being strongly punctuated.

"It's time, Bella," Elizabeth stated as she stood and headed back inside, followed closely by her faithful companion.

Elizabeth walked back to her bedroom, pulled her journal from her bag and took a seat on her bed. She'd wanted to write in it so many times since Ryan walked out and after meeting Jack, again, but her thoughts, feelings and emotions were a tangled mess inside, and until now, she didn't even know where to start to unravel them.

Opening her journal, Elizabeth flipped to the next blank page. She took a deep breath and as she released some of her anger and confusion, she hoped to color the blank white page with her words for healing…

"I'm angry for so many reasons. I'm angry that you couldn't be honest; I'm angry because you were so content to walk out without so much as a goodbye, and I'm angry because you left me to pick up the pieces of the mess that you helped to create. I'm thankful that you came forward to admit that you didn't want to marry me, for a marriage entered into for the wrong reasons will only bring heartache. However, I would have hoped that you would have handled it like the man I thought you were, instead of the man that I have come to know you to be. You are a coward to walk away and leave me alone to face everyone, but as I sit and contemplate the past few days, thank you, because I truly didn't want to marry you either.

Life continually changes; some people move in, while still others move on. Some leave you with a part of themselves that somehow redefines your life forever without you even realizing it. Yet others move in and out leaving no impact, and no real sense of loss. Sadly, and at this moment I don't understand why, but Jack is the former and you are the latter.

I am so confused… how can I be more devastated by Jack leaving than I ever felt when you walked out? How can I have pledged my love to you and yet so quickly walk away as if we were nothing more than acquaintances? Apparently, we were nothing more that co-workers, and what I seem to feel most at this point is embarrassment…how can I possibly show my face around the station again?

Mark Twain once said that "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured." Anger has the tendency to darken one's soul, filling your insides with hate, mistrust, and fear, leaving no space for joy, happiness and love. Although I am a work in progress, I am making the choice to release that anger. I refuse to allow you to have power over me and my feelings. I will move on, but love may take some time to find and build, and I guess I have you to thank for making me cautious and questioning the motives of those in my future.

I don't think that I have ever felt so many emotions at one time…hurt, disappointment, and sadness for what you have put me through, and yet, appreciation to my family and friends who understood that this debacle does not make me a failure.

Although you admitted nothing, I suspect that you were not faithful during our time together. What proof do I have, you may ask? I literally have nothing but my gut, and the sense that while we were not intimate, (Thank you Lord), I do suspect that you had a little honey on the side. I've suspected for a while, but somehow in the grand scheme of things, I sadly thought that you were the absolute best that I could do; that somehow, you are what I deserve…

Ryan, I won't mourn the loss of this relationship, because I know that I deserve so much better than this. I deserve a man who will love me unconditionally, put me first, as I will do for him, and makes it a point to let me know every day that I am special; that I am wanted, needed and desired. I think I wish you the best, but at this point I'm not so sure. One thing I do know, if I never see you again, it will be too soon!

My heart is a precious commodity, and although you may believe you broke it, you didn't, and you most certainly did not break me. I am resilient; I will recover, I will find love, and my life will go on…"

Elizabeth took a deep breath in through her nose as if she were smelling a flower but released it powerfully through her mouth as if she were blowing out a candle. She closed her journal and placed it back into her bag, "Goodbye…" she whispered.

"Come on girl, let's go sit out by the pool…"

Sitting by the pool, Elizabeth was thankful not to be alone. With Bella by her side, she was far from alone, but lonely, nonetheless. As her feet dangled over the side submerged in the water, her hand ran through Bella's coat, and she talked…

"Can I ask you something?" Elizabeth glanced down and laughed, thankful for the chuckle. "I'm sorry, I know I can talk to you about anything. So, do you think I'm lovable? I mean, Ryan didn't want me, and well, since he's gone, I actually feel a weight lifted off my shoulders, so obviously that wasn't the relationship for me. But I guess I'm asking, in the long run do you think it's possible that I'm just meant to be by myself…" as tears formed in her eyes and began to spill over and down her cheeks, Bella was quickly on her feet. She nuzzled close to Elizabeth as she licked away the tears.

"I love you so much, and I'm glad that your daddy understands my connection to you, but…" she stopped for a moment and took a deep breath, "But, after we leave here, I'm going to miss you and your daddy…I mean, you, I'm gonna miss you so much."

Getting out of the pool, Elizabeth clapped her hand against her thigh, "Let's go to bed…"

Being alone, she closed and locked the sliding door in the bedroom, pulled the bedding back and crawled into bed beside Bella. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Bella's waist and pulled her back against her chest.

"Hey," Elizabeth whispered, "You know that electricity stuff your daddy was talking about; well, I felt it. I mean, I felt it with him several times, and I've never felt it before. But I guess it doesn't matter because apparently he didn't feel it, so just because one person gets the jolt, doesn't mean the other one will."

Elizabeth released a cleansing breath, "I promise you this, once we leave here, I'll come and visit you at least once a month." She stopped for a moment, and pulled Bella closer, as if that were even possible, "Oh who am I kidding; I don't even know where I'm gonna be. I'm just not so sure that I can stay in Charlotte," Elizabeth admitted.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, bent her knees and curled her body around Bella before falling asleep.

The next morning, Elizabeth stretched before opening her eyes. Finding Bella gone, she jumped out of bed, "Bella, where are you?"

Elizabeth rushed through the house, knowing in her heart that Bella couldn't have gotten away, but also aware that Jack would never forgive her if she lost her. "Bella, please…where are you?" finally finding her laying alone in Jack's bed.

"Do you miss him?" Elizabeth asked as she watched Bella's tail begin to wag. "I don't want to keep you from him, so maybe tonight you need to stay with him."

Elizabeth got up and dressed in a coral romper shorts set with open shoulders, belted at the waist and slant pockets at the hips, before taking Bella outside for a walk. The weather was beautiful, and although warm, the humidity was low, which made the temperature quite comfortable.

As they walked along the beach, both Elizabeth and Bella scanned the area looking for Jack. Although nowhere in sight, Elizabeth assumed that he'd come out to surf today, and would certainly not let a day go by without visiting Bella.

Once home, she changed into her bikini, her favorite, the one with the blue top and the coral bottom with floral designs. She left Bella in the air-conditioned house, grabbed her bag which contained her sunscreen, hat, reading material and several towels, and headed for the beach.

Elizabeth set herself up between the beach proper, and the area designated for surfing only. Although she told herself that she wasn't looking for Jack, the truth is, she was, and she assumed that he'd have to pass right by her to reach the surfing area.

She laid out for several hours, finally packing up and returning home without accomplishing her intended task.

Sadly, and surprisingly, several days passed without Jack stopping by to see Bella. Elizabeth was concerned, but although she had his phone number, she had Bella and didn't want him thinking that she was checking up on him. In her mind, he'd found someone to spend his time with, and not just anybody…Katie.

Across town, Jack sat in his hotel room looking at pictures of Bella on his phone. His favorite, taken shortly after he'd adopted her, had Bella sitting on a rock, while they camped, with beautiful flowers in the background. With no pictures on his phone of Elizabeth, all he had to do was close his eyes and her image quickly came to mind.

Jack's days had been spent at the hotel pool and the restaurant, assuming that he'd not see Elizabeth there. Understanding that his silence was rude and inconsiderate, he still hadn't come to grips with the fact that in his mind, Elizabeth was his one. Even if he could get passed her father being his employer, he knew that her emotions had to be in a fragile state, and he couldn't add to her turmoil.

He also had Elizabeth's number, having been given it by Mrs. Thatcher before he left Raleigh, but the more time that went by without him seeing her, the harder it was to call.

After days with no contact, either at the house or the beach, Elizabeth took an Uber to the Shangri-La Hotel. Stepping inside, she walked to the front desk, "I'm looking for Jack Thornton…"

"I'm sorry, but we aren't allowed to give out room numbers," the clerk stated.

"Okay, can you get a message to him, please?" she asked.

Slipping her a pad of paper decorated with hearts, Elizabeth looked up, "Do you have anything that isn't so lovey-dovey?"

"Lovey-dovey…?" the clerk tilted his head, looking quite confused.

"Romantic, loving…" she asked. When the clerk still looked confused, she asked, "Any white paper?"

The clerk simply shook his head back and forth, leaving Elizabeth to write her note on the heart covered notepad.

"Jack,

Are you okay? Bella and I are worried about you. We haven't seen you in days. Call me…919-864-2433.

Elizabeth"

As Elizabeth walked out of the hotel, the clerk perused the check-in ledger. Seeing no one named Jack Thornton, he simply balled up the note and tossed it in the trash.

Elizabeth passed the Grand Pacific Hotel, located next door, but had no idea that in fact that was Jack's hotel, and even if he wanted Bella to stay with him, she wouldn't be allowed.

Having left the house wearing her coral bikini with the high thigh and V dip bottom and the matching top, hidden by a white cover-up, Elizabeth headed for the beach.

She walked down toward the surfing area but saw no one who resembled Jack or Katie. Stretching out on her towel, she slipped on her sunglasses, doing her best to appear nonchalant as she perused those who were coming and going.

Observing Katie and Jack as they walked together down the beach carrying their surfboards, it was the first time in days that Elizabeth had physically seen him. He looked good, safe and healthy, but since they were together, it simply set in her mind that Katie was the woman he was spending his free time with.

Elizabeth did her best to hide her face behind the book she'd brought. As they passed nearly right in front of her, her thoughts immediately went to their conversation several days ago when she questioned Jack about the possibility that Katie could be 'his one.' She recalled him denying it, but what she saw before her eyes possibly told a different story.

Although Jack and Katie physically walked together, the only one pushing the conversation was Katie.

"Hey Jack, "Can I ask you something?" When he didn't respond, she asked again.

"Oh, I'm sorry, what…?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask, but I'm not promising to answer."

"Okay, I did some checking and Elizabeth, and Ryan didn't get married…"

"Yeah…"

"Why?"

"Katie, the reasons belong to her and Ryan, and it's no one else's business. So, do you think you can just leave her alone?"

"One more question…"

"Again, I may not answer."

"Well, let's just say, if you don't answer, I think that will be my answer."

"Are you asking for any purpose other than for journalistic reasons?"

"Jack, I'm a meteorologist, broken relationships don't fit into the daily highs, lows and weather fronts that I report on."

As they reached the surfing area, Jack suggested, "Are you ready to surf?"

"After you answer my question."

"Okay, what is it?"

"Are you the reason that Elizabeth and Ryan broke up? I mean, do you two have something between you?"

"What…?"

"Look Jack, I like you and I'd love to spend some time with you, but if you and Elizabeth have a thing going, I'd like to know before I make a fool out of myself."

"The answer is no; Elizabeth and I are just friends. I'm a pilot for her father's company, and I flew her down here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going surfing," Jack huffed as he carried his board out into the water, followed closely by Katie.

Seeing them together simply solidified the fact to Elizabeth that Jack felt nothing when they touched, leaving her to believe that the feeling was one sided. "It doesn't matter. I'm here to have fun and to get over my broken engagement, not to look for a new man."

She'd barely whispered her comment when she felt someone standing over her, blocking her sun, "I thought that was you…" a man's voice commented.

Even through her sunglasses, and with her hand shading her eyes, she had to squint to make out the figure before her. "Oh hi, Dr. Andrews…"

"Please call me Blake," he stated as he laid out his towel and took a seat beside her. "I'm sorry, I remember your dog's name, but we were never introduced…"

"I'm sorry. I'm Elizabeth Thatcher," she stated as she held out her arm to shake his hand. The first thing she noticed was that there was no electricity.

"Well, it is nice to meet you, Elizabeth. So, since you are by yourself, am I to assume that you really are on a non-honeymoon?"

"Well, I hate that term, but as sad as it sounds, it's accurate," Elizabeth responded as her eyes continued to peruse the surfing area.

"How's Bella doing?" he asked.

"Oh, she's fine. She back at the house sleeping in the air-conditioning."

"I'm glad she's doing well." Dr. Andrews stated before he stood and pulled up his towel, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your sunbathing. I just wanted to stop and say 'hi.' I hope you have a nice time here on the island, and maybe we'll see each other around while you're here."

"Maybe so," she replied. "Have a nice day…"

"You too," he called out as he started to walk away. Turning back around, "You know, you aren't going to be here forever, and I'd like to…" he stopped momentarily before starting over. "Elizabeth, I know that things are a little up in the air for you right now, but I'd like to tell you that you are a very beautiful woman."

"Um…thank. you," she replied, surprised by his comment, and not knowing exactly what to say in response.

He released a soft laugh, "I'm sorry, that may have sounded creepy, and I didn't mean for it to be. I just wanted you to know that even if one man walked away, there are a lot of men who would be honored to be with you."

Feeling oddly appreciative of his comment, she simply smiled nervously, lowered her head and whispered, "Thank you."

"Well, that's the truth, but what I actually want to say is that I'd like to ask you out to dinner and dancing, if you're up for it. There's a really nice place to hang out down on the strip just a short way from here. It's called O'Reilly's and is attached to the Grand Pacific Hotel."

Her sunglass covered eyes caught his. Again, it was odd, but nice to know that she wasn't viewed as an old maid, or not worth the time. She smiled appreciatively, "I passed it on my way here. Is it okay if I think about it?" Elizabeth replied, initially having no intention of following through.

"Sure, I was thinking tomorrow night. So, I'll be there, and if you're up to it, meet me at say 7 o'clock?"

"Okay, thank you, and maybe I'll see you there."

"Well, my fingers are crossed that you'll be there," he held up both hands to show her. "Seriously, I do hope I see you there…" he softly added.

"Okay, thank you for asking," Elizabeth replied as she watched him walk away.

Turning her attention back to the surfers, Elizabeth held a book in her hands, appearing to be intent on the contents. However, through the dark lenses of her sunglasses, her eyes were actually fixated on the surfing area. Wave after wave, Jack and Katie rode each one together, and in Elizabeth's eyes, they may as well have been on the same board.

Although it was evident that Katie was flirting, with her giggling, and seemingly touching Jack whenever possible, in Elizabeth's eyes, his lack of brushing her off, was just as good as him welcoming her with open arms, which she didn't see until she closed her eyes, and in her mind, Katie was all over him.

Elizabeth, feeling nauseous at the display before her, grabbed her towel and other belongings and headed home. Once there, she immediately woke up Bella as both took a dip in the pool before laying out in the sun to dry.

Several hours later…

"Knock…knock…" Jack tapped on the fence to the backyard. Stepping inside, he observed her in her bikini, laying out with Bella. His heart pounded, and although he took air in through his nose, it was somehow not reaching his lungs, leaving him feeling quite lightheaded.

"Hey…long time, no see…are you okay?" she asked, glancing around to see if Katie was accompanying him.

"Huh…oh, I'm fine; I just thought I'd come by to see my girl…hey Bella," he called out.

Elizabeth was confused, somehow it felt disrespectful to her relationship with Ryan, whatever that truly was, but yet here she was feeling jealous of Bella, simply because Jack called her his girl.

"By some chance, have you been by the past few days, and I just missed you? I mean, I haven't seen you in days and I thought you were coming over every day to see Bella."

"No, I'm sorry…"

"Jack, what's wrong? We've missed you…I mean, Bella's missed you," Elizabeth corrected her prior loose comment. "I kept telling her that you'd be coming by, and then nothing…you were a no show. As a matter of fact, she starts out sleeping with me, but I've found her in your bed the past few mornings. Apparently she's not used to you blowing her off."

"I said that I was sorry; I've been busy. Besides, she's just a dog. Do you really think she wonders when she doesn't see me for a few days?"

"Jack, what's wrong with you. This is Bella we're talking about; of course, she understands what's going on."

"I'm sorry; I've been busy…"

"Seriously Jack…? The only thing you could be busy doing is surfing, or maybe chasing the ladies."

"You must not think a lot of me if that's what you think," he stated sensing her perturbed tone.

"I'm sorry, Jack; I don't know what to think. It's just a shame that it took getting my note to get you to come by and see her."

"What note?"

"I stopped by your hotel on the way to the beach this morning and left you a note."

"I didn't get it."

"Well, I left one; so, you may want to check the front desk when you go back."

Elizabeth continued, "I assume you went to the beach today," although she knew he had, she pretended only to assume so given his appearance in Aviator Blue boardshorts and a Light blue t-shirt.

"Yeah, I went surfing."

"By yourself?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, it just seems like it would be more fun to go with someone."

"Elizabeth, I don't know anyone here."

"You know Katie, and she surfs."

"Well, she was there, but we didn't go together. I mean, she came up while I was renting my surfboard," he replied, wondering why she was seemingly prodding for information. "Are you okay?"

Relaxing slightly at the knowledge that they didn't go to the beach together, she replied, "Yes, of course I am. I went to the beach for a little while too."

"Did you see me there?"

"I thought I did," she replied.

"Why didn't you come up and say 'hi?'"

"Well, I didn't have my contacts on," which was the truth, but her sunglasses were prescription, "It looked like you, but you were busy with a woman, and I didn't want to intrude."

"It was just Katie," Jack responded. "Just so you know, I thought it was odd, but she asked me if you and I had a 'thing' between us."

"What; why would she ask that?"

"I guess because Ryan isn't here and I am."

"But Jack, it's pretty hard to have a thing with someone if they're never around."

"What do you mean?"

"Jack, Bella and I haven't seen you for days, so I don't know why she'd assume we were an item. Truth be told, she's probably seen you more than we have. So, if anyone has a thing going, maybe it's you two."

"Elizabeth, that's not true…"

"Whatever, so, what did you tell her?"

"Don't worry; I set her straight. I just said that I work for your father, and I flew you down here, that's as far as our involvement goes."

"Oh, well, that is the truth."

"And then she asked me out to dinner."

"Are you going? I mean, are you really interested in her?"

"Elizabeth, are you jealous?"

"Absolutely not. You should go and have some fun."

"Do you really think so?"

"Jack, she seems nice; you both love surfing, and she lives in the same city you're in…maybe that's a sign."

"But she's also asking questions about you, and I don't like to be used."

"Well, maybe she just wants to make sure that you and I aren't…you know, involved with each other, which we obviously aren't."

Jack's eyes caught Elizabeth's, "But there isn't any electricity…"

"You aren't going to feel it with everyone," Elizabeth softly responded.

"That's my point, but when you do feel it, it's hard to walk away from it."

"You say that like you've experienced it. Have you?"

Jack feeling somewhat cornered, was a bit curt in his response, "Look, you don't believe the electricity thing, so let's just drop it."

Feeling herself becoming more emotionally involved than she should be, she blurted out, "Take her out; maybe the sparks and electricity come later. Or maybe she won't be the one, but you'll meet someone through her."

"I don't like to date, just to date."

"How are you going to know that you've found the one unless you date?"

"That's my point exactly, Elizabeth. You feel it; you sense it…you just know it, but you don't get it…actually most people don't get it. Can we just stop talking about it?"

"No, I'm still confused, what happens if one person feels the electricity but the other one doesn't?"

"I don't think it happens like that."

"Well, I'm not so sure." Not wanting to feel as though no one was interested in her she blurted out, "Maybe we could double…"

"As in double-date?"

"Uh yeah, that's what it means…"

"You have a date?"

"What, am I too pathetic to ask out?"

"No, that's not what I meant, and so extremely far from the truth. Who asked you out?"

"Well, while I was on the beach, Blake Andrews came up and took a seat and we talked.

"Who's Blake Andrews?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, it's the Vet, Dr. Andrews; his first name is Blake. He invited me out for dinner and dancing," she responded, now feeling more like accepting his invitation.

"Are you going out with him…like on a date?"

"Jack, I'm not dating anyone, but if I decide to meet him, it will be like friends, you know, like you and me."

"Yes, I'm well aware of the friend's zone. But don't fool yourself, Elizabeth, if he invited you out, it's a date. Do you want to go out on a date with him?"

"Are you jealous, Jack?"

"No, of course not. Why would I be jealous?"

"I don't know, just asking. Jack, he's nice. What's wrong with going out and having some fun?" she asked. "Here we are in Fiji; we should be having a blast, and that's what I'm going to do. So, yes, I'm meeting him for dinner, and I guess it is a date."

Elizabeth stepped inside to change, allowing Jack time alone with Bella.

Jack squatted down and looked Bella in the eyes, "What's wrong with her? Can't she see I'm standing right here in front of her?"

Although he always enjoyed cuddling with Bella, his mind was now consumed with the possibility of Elizabeth hooking up with "Dr. McCharmer," Jack's new name for the good veterinarian.

Not only was his head now hurting, but he also felt an ache in his heart. For all the years he'd held on to the concept of electricity in relationships, it never dawned on him that it could be one sided. Remaining in the 'friend's zone' with Elizabeth would be torture. All he could do was hope that their time together in Fiji passed quickly, leaving them to eventually go their separate ways.

Elizabeth enjoyed being around Jack; she didn't know why, but yet she always felt comfortable and safe. But, not understanding what she was feeling, and assuming that she alone was feeling it, she felt the date with Dr. Andrews was the right move.

"Hey, stay as long as you like, but I'm going into town to do a little shopping," Elizabeth stated as she grabbed her purse and started for the door. "I need to find a dress for my date."

"Do you want some company?" Jack asked, going totally against his plan to keep distance between them, but hoping to encourage her to purchase something not too sexy.

She laughed softly, "I wasn't really planning to go out anywhere, and all I packed were bikinis, shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops. Jack, be honest, you don't want to go dress shopping with me."

"How do you know; I may actually be a closet clothes hoarder for all you know?"

"Jack, I saw your bag that you brought for two weeks here in Fiji. I guess the military taught you how to pack lightly."

"You have no idea. You should see the closet in my bedroom…" he stated, not certain why he made the comment, especially since it was nowhere near full capacity.

"Well, you're welcome to go if you want, but if you'd like to stay with Bella and get in some quality time, that's okay too."

Elizabeth slipped the house key into her purse. "Why don't you call Katie and ask her out to dinner. I'm supposed to meet Blake tomorrow night at 7."

"You're really pushing, aren't you…you're worse than my friends back at home."

"Okay, well call her if you want, or don't call her, but I'm throwing the 'blah' out of my head, and I want to have some fun…"

Before Jack knew it, Elizabeth closed the front door and left him alone with Bella.

Elizabeth found the perfect dress in the first store, something that generally doesn't happen to her at home. When she returned to the house, Jack was gone, and Bella was sitting out by the pool.

Across town, Jack sat on his bed contemplating life, love and electricity. Although he'd believed the theory of 'love' electricity for more years than he could fathom, it now appeared as though the concept was laughing in his face.

Jack pulled out his phone, turned his hand over and read Katie's cell phone number from his palm, a gift she'd given him at the bar as they drank a beer after surfing.

"Hey, Katie, It's Jack…"

"Hi Jack…"

"Well, I was calling to see if you are free for dinner tomorrow night?"

"Really? Of course, I am."

"Okay, do you want to meet me at O'Reilly's at 7?"

"Thank you Jack. I look forward to seeing you."

Jack's next phone call was to Lee, "Hey how are you doing?"

"I haven't heard from you in several days, how are you?" Lee asked.

"I'm fine; the weather is beautiful here and you won't believe the surfing; some of the waves are killers."

"That's nice; what's going on with Elizabeth?"

"Nothing…oh, we have a date."

"Now that's what I'm talking about, Jack. Good for you. I told you that you needed to just put yourself out there."

"Oh, no, she's going out with Dr. McCharmer, and I have a date with Katie Amhurst."

"Katie Amhurst, there's a Katie Amhurst on WRAL; she's the weather girl."

"Same one, but she's actually a meteorologist."

"Is there a difference?" Lee asked.

"Well, the difference is a matter of education."

"That's nice for her. How did you meet her there in Fiji?"

"We both love surfing."

"Okay, so why are you going out with her instead of Elizabeth?"

"McCharmer asked her out first. I'm sorry, but I think it's too soon for her to date."

"I understand that Jack, but if you sit back, Dr. Mc…"

"McCharmer…"

"Okay, but if you sit back and let Dr. McCharmer move in, you'll lose out," Lee advised, his tone sounding frustrated. "Jack, you two don't need to date now, but talk to her, let her know you're there if she needs someone to talk to, to confide in…"

"I know you're right, but…"

"But nothing, Jack. Rosie and I have thought Elizabeth seemed right for you for a long time; we just didn't know she was a Thatcher."

"How do you know she's right for me; you've never even talked to her."

"You have, and you are smitten big time. That makes me know Rosie and I were right. I hate to say this but enjoy your date."

"Stop it, Lee. Katie is nice, and we have surfing in common, but that's it."

"Well then, I'd suggest you turn it around."

"Hey, is that Jack…?" Rosie called out from the other room.

"Yeah, why…?" Lee responded.

"Tell him to tell Elizabeth that I saw a commercial on WRAL where they are redesigning their morning show here in Raleigh. They were asking for people to send in tapes for on air host positions."

"Did you hear that?" Lee asked.

"I did, but Katie had already told Elizabeth."

Back at the house, Elizabeth sat by the pool enjoying the feel of the cool water on her dangling legs. "It would be nice to have a place like this at home and be able to sit out by the pool on warm evenings, don't you think?"

When Bella didn't respond, Elizabeth continued, "Why did I push your dad to ask out Katie, and why did I tell him that I was going out with Blake? You know, I really don't want to go, but I think I was trying to make him jealous. That worked out really well, didn't it? Why can't your daddy and I go out as friends and see what happens?"

Glancing over at Bella she responded, "You don't even have to say it, I know it's because he's not interested in me like that."

Bella took hold of Elizabeth's hand and pulled, doing her best to get her out of the pool.

As Elizabeth stood, she called out to Bella who disappeared into the house, "Where are you going?"

A moment later, she returned with her leash in her mouth.

"You need to go for a walk now? It's kinda late," Elizabeth mentioned observing that the sun was down, and the beach was only lit by the moon.. Seeing Bella's persistence, she grabbed the leash, "Okay, maybe the salt air will clear my head."

As they walked along the nearly empty beach, Elizabeth's mind was drawn to the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. Paying no attention, Bella pulled hard as she ran down the beach. Meeting up with someone, she turned and ran back to Elizabeth.

"You have to stop pulling like that. What's your problem?" Elizabeth asked as Bella grabbed ahold of her clothes and began pulling her down the beach.

"Bella stop…"

"Bella behave…" a man's voice called out in the near darkness."

"Jack, what are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same question. Do you realize how dangerous it is for a woman to be out here alone this late at night?" Jack asked.

"Well, I…I mean, uh, Bella needed to go for a walk. What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep, and I'm used to taking her out for a walk at night."

"But why are you here…?" Elizabeth asked, implying that he was close to her house.

"I don't know. I started walking, and…here I am," he replied.

"How is your hotel room?" she inquired.

"It's nice, but it's a bit noisy," Jack stated implying that the couples around him were loud when lovemaking.

"You know you can come back to the house, right?"

"Do you miss me?"

"The truth is, Jack…Bella misses you a lot."

"Oh, well I'm sure it's good for you two to have some time together."

"Well, in all honesty, Jack… I miss our talks, and I know Bella misses seeing you. You're welcome to stay here with us, or Bella could spend a night or so with you."

"It's nice of you to free her up to me for a night, I mean since she is my dog."

"Are we back to scraping with each other? Because personally, I don't enjoy it."

"I'm sorry; I just don't want anyone getting the wrong idea about us staying together, especially your father."

"I know you miss Bella, and if you don't want to stay here with me, I guess you could take her to your hotel if you wanted, but I think she's happier here."

"Well, actually, as far as the hotel goes, I thought I was at the Shangri-La, which allows dogs, but I guess my mind was somewhere else, because I actually got a room at the Grand Pacific Hotel, and unfortunately, Bella is not welcome there."

"You're not at the Shangri-La?" Elizabeth asked as they unintentionally started walking down the beach back toward her house.

"No, why…?"

"That's where I left the note. No wonder you didn't get it. So, the offer still stands if you want to stay with us, or…"

"Or what…?"

"Well, if you don't want to stay here with me, on the days that you spend with Bella, you stay at the house, and I'll stay in your hotel room."

"No, I won't make you move to some place else. How about I stay tomorrow night. That way after our dinner with him and Katie, I'll see that you get home safely."

"Well, his name is Blake, and I'm capable of seeing myself home safely. So, I guess I can assume you asked Katie out?"

"Well, she's meeting me at O'Reilly's." Glancing in her direction, he asked, "You're meeting him, right? I mean, you are riding in a car with him, are you?"

"No, I'm meeting him there. Are you worried about me?"

"No, but I'd hate to have to call your dad and tell him that you'd been…oh, never mind," he teased, but she assumed that he was serious.

"Oh, I get it, you're just worried about what my dad will think."

"No, I am worried about you."

"Well, I'll be fine, but you'll need to make sure Katie gets home safely afterward, right? Same with Blake; I'd assume that he'd make sure I get home safely. So, no need to worry about me."

"Too late…" he thought. "WHOA, I didn't realize that we were walking back here," Jack stated as they stood at her back gate.

"Do you want to come in?" she asked.

"No, I guess I need to get back to the hotel, but I'll stay tomorrow night if that's okay."

Thinking ahead, Elizabeth mentioned, "Maybe tomorrow night isn't a good night for you to stay here."

"Why; you aren't bringing him back here, are you?"

"No, of course not, but I thought you might…" she stopped before starting again, "I mean, maybe you'd want some time alone with Katie."

"She's not the one I'd like to spend more time with…" he blurted out, unable to stop himself.

"You met someone else?" she asked, feeling even worse that he'd found another woman, now two of them, and neither one in her mind was her.

"No, it's too late, she already has a date."

"Jack, did you ask her out; who is she; where did you meet her; where is she from?"

"No, I didn't ask her out, but it's just not the right time."

"The right time for what?" Elizabeth asked. "And Jack, did you forget we're in Fiji, there's no time like the present."

"Elizabeth, I asked Katie out like you wanted me to. She's nice and lives in Raleigh, so who knows; we'll have to see if anything comes of it," he responded sounding somewhat defeated.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you and Katie together. If you don't want to go out with her, let's just call it off. I mean, Blake doesn't even know that I'm coming to meet him, so if I don't show up it's no biggie."

"I can't do that. I've asked her out, and I need to show her a nice time."

"Okay, well if I don't see you tomorrow, I'll see you at O'Reilly's at 7."

"Okay, but I'll be over earlier in the day to bring my bag for the night," Jack stated. As he tried to walk away, Bella had wound the leash around their legs several times, and when he started to move, Elizabeth fell against his body.

With his arms around her so she wouldn't fall, her eyes were locked on his and their lips were mere millimeters apart. With each one feeling the sparks between them, it was surprising that they didn't instantaneously combust.

Both quickly swallowed hard as each one bent down trying to release the tie that bound them. The more they wrestled to release themselves, the more they held on to each other.

Jack unsnapped the leash from Bella's collar and unwound their bodies from each other. "I'm so sorry, are you okay?" he asked, unable to deny the electricity that seemed to course through his veins as their skin touched.

"I'm fine," Elizabeth stated as she stepped away, the heat flowing through her causing her to fan herself.

"It's late; I need to go…" Jack stated as he kissed Bella's forehead and left the backyard heading toward the beach.

Elizabeth squatted down and wrapped her arm around Bella. As tears slipped down her cheeks, she asked, "Why do I keep doing that; why can't I tell him that I feel the sparks? I'm pushing him into someone else's arms, and…and…I'm gonna regret it."

The following morning, Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a poorly made cup of coffee. "Did I even put coffee in here?" she asked as she glanced at the counter and observed nothing, realizing that she was drinking a cup of hot water. "Get it together, Elizabeth," she told herself.

As she got up to fix an appropriate pot of coffee, her cell phone rang. Seeing Payton Grier's face on her iPhone screen, her best friend from the Charlotte network, she quickly answered.

"Hey girl, what are you doing?" Elizabeth asked.

"I should be asking you the same question. Are you having fun; have you met any good-looking men?"

"Payton, I'm supposed to be here on my honeymoon. Hardly a time to be seeking out men."

"But, you aren't on your honeymoon, you aren't dead, and deserve to be having some fun."

"Okay, maybe so…I mean, thank you for trying to build me back up."

"You're welcome, but while I'm thinking about it, don't look at Ryan's social media account."

"What's that supposed to mean, and just so you know, telling me not to makes me want to do it even more."

"Well, he posted some pictures of some party he was at, and…let's just say, he…"

Elizabeth blurted out, "He's already dating?" she stated as she quickly pulled up Ryan's Instagram account on her phone."

"See, I told you not to look, and isn't that the girl that he told you was his cousin?"

"WOW, I'm not sure, but look at picture number 3, is his tongue in her ear? WOW, that's classy…" Elizabeth stated as she deleted his page from her account.

"Elizabeth, you are way too good for Ryan. I think he wanted a beautiful woman on his arm, and he didn't realize that you are intelligent, creative, and let me tell you this…"

"What…?"

"I heard from Leslie in the legal department that when Ryan went to the station heads and said that he wanted to leave, they didn't try to talk him out of it."

"What do you mean? We were supposed to get married and if we had, and he left, I would have been leaving too. I guess they don't want me either."

"No, what I heard was that Ryan went to the station and said he was leaving."

"Okay, I get that."

"No Elizabeth, he told them he was leaving the week before the wedding, and you two weren't getting married."

"Why didn't someone call me?"

"Well, don't look at me, I just found out."

Elizabeth's hand covered her mouth, "Oh man, I was on vacation the week before the wedding, and I got a bunch of calls from the station, but I didn't take any of them. I was so tired of wedding plans, and things not working out, I just figured, it would be what it was going to be. And well, we know how that turned out."

Elizabeth took a deep breath, "May I ask you something?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"Payton, do you think the station pushed the whole wedding thing as a publicity stunt?"

"I don't think it started out that way, but I wouldn't be surprised if they saw it as a ratings booster."

"That's what I was afraid of…"

"So, you aren't mourning that wedding, are you?"

"Payton, can I be honest with you?"

"Always…"

"After my parents contacted vendors and guests to say the wedding was off, I felt a sense of relief. I don't think I really cried over losing him, it was everything he left me to take care of that was so upsetting."

Elizabeth continued, "Hey, why are you calling; is something wrong, and tell me the truth?"

"Well, the truth is, your mom called and said that she hadn't heard from you. She didn't want you thinking that she was checking up on you, but she wanted to know that you were okay."

"I can call her, but if you happen to talk to her, I'm fine. I actually have a date for dinner and dancing tomorrow night with a veterinarian who's from The States but lives here now."

Elizabeth could hear Payton laughing on the other end of the phone. "What's so funny?" Elizabeth asked.

"Have you kissed him yet?"

"Of course not, why?"

"Did he shake your hand…?"

"Uh, yeah…why?"

Payton calmed herself long enough to ask the question, "Did you feel sparks, fireworks or electricity?"

Immediately thinking about Jack and his Theory of Electricity, she asked, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not surprised that you don't remember," Payton giggled. "Shortly after you came to the station, we went out for drinks."

"Okay, so what's so funny about that?"

"Well, apparently you hadn't eaten all day, and after the second glass of wine, you were a little…let's just say, loose with your lips."

"Oh my gosh, what?"

"Don't get upset; it's nothing sexual. We were talking and you asked me if I knew about this electricity thing that happens when two people touch."

"I don't remember that."

"Really, I'm not surprised. So, anyway, you started crying about this dog you were going to adopt, and you let this military guy adopt her instead. Then you saw them in the park, and when you introduced yourselves again to each other he shook your hand."

Payton's laughter continued, "You said he was gorgeous, and the electricity when he held your hand caused your ovaries to do the teaberry shuffle."

"What?"

"The teaberry shuffle; I'd never heard that saying before, and it was so funny," Payton responded as her laughter slowly subsided. "I felt so sorry for you; you cried over that guy and his dog, and you told me never to bring it up again, so I never did."

"Why are you bringing it up now?"

"I didn't, you did…"

"No, I didn't; I just asked you why you were calling."

"Oh, well since we're talking about it, do you remember telling me that he was married with kids and then breaking down again because you just knew that he was your fate, or he would've been if he didn't have a wife?"

"No, and I don't believe I said that; I think you're making this up," Elizabeth remarked.

"I'll swear on a stack of Bibles; I'm telling you exactly what you told me. You didn't tell me his name, but I will also tell you this, if there is something to this sparks, or electricity or fireworks thing, you never once told me that you felt it with Ryan."

"No, I honestly never felt it with him."

"I know you said that he was married with kids, but I wonder where he is now?" Payton asked. Logging into her computer, she asked, "Hey do you know his name, I'll see if I can find him online."

"His name is Jack Thornton; he has no wife or kids, works as a pilot for my father and is here in Fiji with me."

"With you…? Well, I guess I don't have to look him up then."

"Don't get too excited; he's not with me, with me…"

"So why are you going out with the Vet instead of…"

"Jack, his name is Jack Thornton."

"Alright, so why are you going out with the Vet and not Jack?"

"Payton, he works for my father; I just broke up with Ryan, and to be honest, the most important reason is that I've always thought it was polite to wait until you were asked, and he didn't ask."

"Okay, but the question of the day is, do you still feel the electricity?"

"Yep…"

"WHOA, you go Girl…"

To be continued…