(Chapter Ten)

Unexpected Return

"Good morning, Mrs. Thornton," all the children yelled as they ran up the schoolhouse stairs past Elizabeth, to take their seats.

Elizabeth was turned to the one-room schoolhouse watching the children chatting with their friends. She was about to join them for the singing of the national anthem and the reading of the Lord's prayer to start off the day when she heard a deep voice behind her.

"Good morning, Miss." His voice was serious, yet it held the faintest hint of teasing. She turned around to face a very dear, old friend.

"Charles!" she exclaimed wide-eyed. She was extremely shocked to see him back in Hope Valley. "What are you doing here?"

Charles had once proposed to Elizabeth. But that was years ago. She had said no at the time. She knew that Charles had always though highly of her, but she thought it was only out of friendship, but apparently he thought more of it. And besides, she knew she loved Jack. Jack was on his way to propose to Elizabeth, but Charles had beaten him to it. Jack was extremely hurt, and it took years for Elizabeth to prove to Jack that she truly loved him and would not choose any other over him.

They had been married for only six months, and now Elizabeth was expecting their first child. Elizabeth Thatcher and Charles Kensington were best friends since before they could remember. Charles had read their friendship for something more, and Elizabeth felt the need to end the life-long friendship.

"It's been such a long time since I've seen you, Elizabeth."

"Why didn't you send word that you were coming?" she questioned him again.

"I wanted to surprise you," he answered good-naturedly.

"Well you have succeeded that," she chuckled.

"So, how are you, Elizabeth?"

"I'm doing okay," she replied honestly. "How are you Charles?"

"I'm great! – You seen, Elizabeth, the real reason I came was to ask your forgiveness for rushing into things the last time we spoke. I also wanted to introduce you to someone, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was more than a bit surprised, but Charles didn't notice.

"I see. When will I meet this 'someone'?" she asked teasingly.

"How's tomorrow?"

Elizabeth nodded. "That's fine," she replied.

"Alright. Shall we say – 7 o'clock – at the saloon?"

"Sure. Of course I will bring Jack." She wanted to make things perfectly clear.

"Of course. I was actually hoping you could drag him along," Charles teased.

"Really?" Elizabeth did not even try to hide how shocked she was.

"Yeah, of course. I mean he is your friend, and – "

"Husband," Elizabeth interrupted.

Charles did not continue. He just stood there in awe.

"Charles, we're more than just friends. Jack and I are married."

"Really?" His voice sounded shaky.

Elizabeth nodded, and Charles continued.

"Well, how could I expect any less. You two were meant for each other." He struggled to get the words past his tight throat. "I can tell that now. It was foolish of me to stand in your way. I just always thought since we were best friends – we would marry. But that is not always the case. I am sorry, Elizabeth. I only ever wanted the best for you; and I can tell he is the best for you."

Elizabeth was extremely shocked to hear her childhood friend, Charles, who only a few years prior, proposed to her, now say that he thought Jack was the best for her.

"I'm glad to hear you say that, Charles . . . So – do I get any hints as to who this 'someone' is?" she tried to pry it out of him.

"You'll have to wait and see."

"But – "

"Wait and see," he laughed good-naturedly. "All I can say is she is someone very special."

She? thought Elizabeth. She; the 'someone' is a she? I never would have guessed. What is Charles keeping from me? Her thoughts went on, and on, and on. Finally she concluded, I will let him tell me in his time.

She noticed something different about her long-ago friend; something strange going on under the surface. He seemed happy even though he knew Elizabeth was a married woman. And for some odd reason, she could not understand his behavior. Was he falling for this 'someone'; this 'she'? She had no idea what was going on. She finally settled on "Wait and see" just as Charles had told her.