"Tell me everything I missed about Coal Valley, tell me everything about Jack!" Julie cried as she and Elizabeth came down stairs the next morning.
"You already know more then you should about Jack!" Elizabeth frowned.
"Well I am your favorite cousin your supposed to tell me everything." Julie said making Elizabeth laugh, Julie wasn't wrong.
"Well, when we're together it's like the rest of the world fades away and it's just the two of us. I have never felt anything like it, When I try and picture my future, Jack is always there." Elizabeth smiled thinking of Jack.
"Is it love?" Julie asked.
"It could be." Elizabeth sighed a little smile playing on her lips before she could realize it. She knew she was only fueling Julie's fire bit she was just so happy with Jack right now.
"Has he said it?" Julie cried grabbing Elizabeth's arm excitedly.
"No!" Elizabeth turned away.
"Have you?" Julie asked chasing her.
"Of course not!" Elizabeth cried.
"Oh it must be so wonderful to be in love" Julie sighed dreamily as they entered the study seeing a man talking to Uncle Henry and Grandmother.
"Charles?" Elizabeth gasped a little recognizing the face right away.
"Elizabeth, I must say, frontier life suites you." The man said turning to give her a grin. He had dark hair and was tall, dressed in a suite and tie with a briefcase. Charles's parents were a close friend of the family and Elizabeth had grown up along side him for most of her childhood.
"It's so wonderful to see you again." Elizabeth smiled always happy to see a friend.
"You as well" Charles smiled.
"Charles came to drop off some paperwork, but he may have had an anterior motive." Uncle Henry said.
"Guilty, I would never pass up a chance to see Elizabeth." Charles chuckled.
"It's been far to long, when was the last time we saw each other?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh as I recall when I was your escort to Julie's debutant ball" Charles said.
"No! Was it really that long ago?" Elizabeth cried turning to Julie who had come out almost three years ago now.
"We have a lot to catch up on." Charles nodded
"Begin with how Uncle managed to talk you into working for him." Elizabeth smiled at her Uncle who just smiled and waved her off.
"He had given me a wonderful opportunity for which I am very grateful" Charles said.
"As am I, Charles has been a wonderful addition to the company, Charles I hope you will join us for dinner this evening?" Uncle asked.
"I wouldn't miss it" Charles said.
"Wonderful, Elizabeth why don't you take Charles out to the garden, I know he hasn't seen it in a long time." Grandmother said from the chair where she was sitting listening to everything.
"Oh Grandmother I am sure Charles has other things to do besides see the flowers" Elizabeth said.
"Actually I am very interested" Charles said.
"Alright" Elizabeth said finding she had to force her smile a bit. They walked through the sitting room as Kate was coming down the stairs.
"Charles" Kate said surprised to see him.
"Well little Kathryn! Look at you" Charles smiled at her as Kate returned it.
"We are going to take a walk in the garden, would you like to come?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, Kathryn come here, I want to hear your piano lessons." Grandmother called firmly. Kate turned back to Elizabeth with a sigh.
"Go on, I won't be long and then we will go shopping." Elizabeth said as Kate went into the sitting room.
"Play me your scales please" Grandmother said as Kate sat down at the bench and Elizabeth and Charles went out to the west porch.
"You look like no time has passed, Kathryn however…" Charles smiled as they walked into the large garden.
"Well yes it's been years, she would have been eight the last time you saw her." Elizabeth nodded.
"She is still attached to you, always has been." Charles nodded.
"Well after Father died we didn't have much of a choice. She's different in Coal Valley though, she is finding herself and her independence. She has friends and plays outside, she's even learning to fish and ride horseback. Half the time I have to go out and find her somewhere in town to call her in for dinner." Elizabeth said.
"No!" Charles cried so surprised Elizabeth burst out laughing.
"I thought it was her growing up, but then we came back and she's already so reserved and silent after just a day. I think it's the place that brings it out of her more. It's amazing to watch her flourish so." Elizabeth sighed with a smile.
"Do the people of Coal Valley know how lucky they are to have you?" Charles asked.
"I'm lucky to have them. They have taught me so much." Elizabeth smile thinking again of Abigail.
"So no plans to come home?"
"No, I am worried about Grandmother and I know she wants us here. But I am the only teacher in town, they need me."
"And that's the only thing keeping you there?"
"I would be lying if I said yes" Elizabeth gave him a smile knowing what he was truly asking.
"I see, well I must admit I am a bit saddened to hear that." Charles.
"Charles! no, you and I are great friends, we always have been and I will always care about you very much." Elizabeth said firmly.
"Well that's good to hear" Charles smiled at her as they kept walking.
Kate sat by the piano focusing on what she was playing finding she was much more rusty then she thought.
"They look so perfect together." Grandmother said watching Elizabeth and Charles walking outside the window.
"Don't get ahead of yourself mother" Uncle Henry said going to sit by her.
"A grandmother can want what is best for her granddaughter."
"If only it were that easy with Elizabeth" Uncle sighed. Kate didn't say anything as she kept playing and their talk changed to the other families in the city. She glanced out the window at her sister, sure Elizabeth and Charles were good friends, but she didn't think her sister had ever thought of Charles as the type she would marry. And she was different with him, with Jack, Elizabeth was freer, he made her laugh, they were always talking about everything and more and more often Kate caught them holding hands or Elizabeth's arm in Jack's elbow. With Charles, Elizabeth walked stiffer, her hands were clasped in front of her and she didn't have the same easy smile. Kate thought about what they had talked about the night before, Her grandmother was clearly pushing for Elizabeth to marry Charles, for his family standing and Kate hoped they could go home soon before Elizabeth was forced into anything.
"Do you think I got the right dress?" Elizabeth asked as the four Thatcher girls picked up their shopping bags at the fancy store they often shopped at.
"Yes, it's so pretty" Kate nodded.
"I think Jack will love it" Julie smiled.
"I think it's beautiful" Viola agreed.
"That sounded like a compliment" Elizabeth said as the three younger girls turned to the oldest in surprise.
"I know I am hard on you. I suppose sometimes I wish I was as free as you are." Viola said shrugging a little.
"Well why can't you be?" Kate asked.
"This is my world, I am not sure I fit in anywhere smaller, or that I would want to." Viola said
"Ohh! What do you think of this one?" Julie asked losing interest and spying another dress on a stand near them.
"Maybe for a women with questionable morals" Viola said looking at the thin sleeved dress with a deep frown.
"Well then maybe you should try it on Viola" Julie gave her a teasing smile.
"Don't be ridiculous" Viola huffed as Kate laughed.
"I think it would be perfect for your next dinner with Sir Lionel" Elizabeth joined in Julie's teasing.
"Ohhhh yes" Kate nodded as they walked out of the store Viola following them rolling her eyes.
"Do you know what Elizabeth and Kate need, hair jewels." Julie said as they walked down the street.
"Don't you think thats a bit much?" Elizabeth asked
"Oh please Elizabeth?" Kate begged.
"Alright, as long as we can get some afternoon tea after" Elizabeth smiled
"We can go to the French cafe, they have new finger sandwiched that are divine" Viola said.
"We can get you something sparkly Kate, for dinner tonight it will look lovely with your dress" Julie said pulling back one of Kate's curls.
"Am I going to be the only one without a man at dinner tonight?" Kate asked.
"Kathryn! You are much to young to be even thinking of such things!" Viola cried.
"Well It's boring at a dinner party when everyone is trying to out flirt someone else" Kate sighed.
"Don't worry, Julie doesn't have anyone either" Viola said. Julie opened her mouth to argue when suddenly two men were thrown out through a saloon door into the street almost landing on their feet as all four girls stopped short with a shriek. They stood up suddenly and Kate let out a yell.
"Jack!" She cried happy to see him.
"Jack?" Elizabeth cried in horror as Jack his eyes going wide seeing them.
"Oh, Elizabeth, we were just grabbing a bite to eat" Jack said brushing dirt off his coat. Next to him the other man stood up, he was a bit shorter then Jack with lighter brown hair but the same bright blue eyes. Jack looked horrified but the other man had a boyish grin as he looked over the girls.
"Apparently you like to eat and run, or roll" Viola said turning up her nose at them.
"That was just a misunderstanding" Jack said quickly.
"And who is this?" Julie asked pointing to the other man.
"Tom Thornton. I apologize for my brothers bad behavior but trouble seems to find him" Tom said giving them a dramatic bow.
"This is your brother" Elizabeth grinned holding back a laugh.
"His much younger and better looking brother" Tom said Kate laughed while Jack shot him a look.
"Tom, these are the Thatcher sisters Elizabeth and Kate, and their cousins Viola and Julie." Jack said.
"Miss. Thatcher, Miss. Thatcher, Miss Thatcher, and you must be Miss Thatcher." Tom greeted each of them, landing on Julie last who gave him a wide smile.
"Jack how could you keep this charming man a secret?" Julie asked.
"I am the black sheep of the Thornton family, right Jack?" Tom asked. Jack didn't say anything.
"Well I for one find black sheep quite fascinating" Julie said softly raising an eyebrow as she and Tom smiled at each other. Elizabeth and Jack met each others eyes holding back their laughs.
"Why are you talking like that?" Kate asked giving Julie a look before Elizabeth pulled her away shushing her.
"As interesting as all this is we must be going" Viola said.
"Your still coming tonight right Jack?" Kate asked.
"I am looking forward to it" Jack nodded and Elizabeth smiled at him glad she would see him again soon. Jack reached out pulling Tom's jacket forcing him to move out of the way so the four girls could pass.
"And these are the type of people you want to invite into our family" Viola muttered to Elizabeth.
"He said it was a misunderstanding" Kate said feeling the need to defend Jack.
"So was the war of 1812" Viola said as between Elizabeth and Voila, Julie turned looking back at Tom. Viola and Elizabeth grabbed her forcing her to turn around and walk as Julie giggled."Let's see, there, you look lovely" Viola said putting the sparkly hair comb in Kate's hair holding back her long thick curls.
"Thank you." Kate smiled at her cousin, sometimes Viola could be very sweet and caring. Kate wore a long light purple gown with sparkles on it. Julie had a light blue gown, Viola had a tan gown and Elizabeth was slipping on a beautiful pink gown.
"What are you going to do about Jack and Charles both being here?" Julie asked as Viola buttoned up the back of Elizabeth's dress.
"I don't feel it's a problem, they are two very different people to me but I think they would make wonderful friends" Elizabeth said as they heard more voices downstairs.
"We should go or we will miss dinner drinks" Viola said.
"You look pretty, I bet Jack will love that dress" Kate smiled as she followed Elizabeth out of the room and down the hall. At the top of the grand staircase they all stopped. Grandmother was at the bottom talking to both Jack and Charles while Uncle Henry and Aunt Agatha were off to the side talking to a few other family friends. Elizabeth started down the stairs and the three other girls followed behind her. Kate smiled as Jack's jaw dropped as he watched her sister. Julie and Viola hurried off to great friends as Charles stepped up to Elizabeth.
"You look breath taking" He said.
"Thank you" Elizabeth smiled.
"I couldn't have said it better myself" Jack said going to stand next to Kate.
"Have you two met?" Elizabeth asked.
"Charles Kingston, I work for the Thatcher family" Charles said as Jack shook his hand.
"Jack Thornton" Jack said.
"Jack is the constable of Coal Valley" Kate said as Jack put his hand on her shoulder smiling at her.
"You look stunning little shadow, your all grown up in this dress" Jack told her.
"Doesn't she? I can hardly believe she talked me into letting her get it, she won't ever wear it in Coal Valley that's for sure." Elizabeth smiled.
"Maybe we could have another dance, and you could dance instead of work" Kate offered giving Jack a smile.
"I'm sure it can be arranged." Elizabeth agreed as Jack nodded.
"That reminds me, I got a telegram from Abigail, she is glad we are here safely, she misses you both very much and promises to have apple pie when you get home." Jack said.
"Yay!" Kate smiled
"Sounds wonderful" Elizabeth said as the three of them laughed.
"Elizabeth, Kathryn come greet the George's" Grandmother called waving them over.
"Excuse us" Elizabeth said leading Kate over to the other small group of people.
"So the life of a mountie on the frontier must be dangerous." Charles said. As Jack smiled watching Elizabeth greeting other people.
"It has it's good days and it's bad days." Jack shrugged easily.
"I'm guessing escorting Elizabeth and Kathryn must be one of the good days" Charles said.
"That wasn't an assignment." Jack shook his head still unable to take his eyes off of Elizabeth.
"Oh, so Elizabeth asked you to come?"
"Actually I insisted"
"Well I am glad you did, Elizabeth can be rather independent, as long as Kate is trailing behind her." Charles said making Jack laugh.
"I have noticed, even if it isn't always in her best interest." Jack chuckled nodding.
Across the room Kate glanced back at Jack surprised to see them getting along so well after what she head heard her grandmother talking about this morning.
"Kathryn, this is Sir. Lionel, Lionel this is Kathryn, Elizabeth's younger sister" Viola said as Kate turned offering the man next to her a smile.
"Pleasure to meet you" Kate offered him a smile.
"And you miss,
"Kathryn, Lionel was telling my just a few days ago that he has a brother only a year older then you." Viola said.
"How lovely" Kate smiled.
"Yes, when you move back from the west you must come to dinner with Viola and meet him." Lionel nodded.
"She would love to, we can make a trip of it Kathryn, see London and maybe Paris" Viola gave her a smile as Kate tried to return in.
"He will be here spending some time with me after Christmas, perhaps we can arrange a dinner or tea then." Lionel said.
"Oh I don't think we will be here for…" Kate started shooting Elizabeth a glance who was watching her but Viola cut her off.
"Nonsense, of course you will be here for the holidays with your family. It's wonderful Kathryn we can get you a new gown…" Viola started when suddenly there were two hands on Kate's shoulders and she turned seeing Jack standing behind her.
"Excuse me, pardon the interruption, I was just looking for Kate to show me around the library, she has been talking about Elizabeth's collection for months." Jack said.
"Oh of course" Viola nodded giving Jack a tight smile as her and Lionel walked away.
"Thank you" Elizabeth mouthed to Jack unable to leave her own conversation to save Kate.
"They were trying to set me up with his brother" Kate whispered as she and Jack left the busy room.
"We're not in Coal Valley anymore are we?" Jack sighed at the thought of setting up an eleven year old girl for marriage.
"I will be glad to go back" Kate sighed as a bell rang.
"That's dinner, come on" Kate whispered leading Jack into the dining room with everyone else.
Dinner was served as they gathered twelve people around the table. Grandmother had spent all afternoon on the seating and Kate wasn't a bit surprised to see Elizabeth ending up sitting next to Charles. But she was just glad to be next to Jack as she whispered to him which fork to use when his plate was put in front of him.
"What does one even do with four different forks for one meal?" Jack whispered but Kate just shook her head.
"Well I had a dickens of a time at that last chukker. Willson got in a shot that no one could lay a stick on" Charles said talking to Uncle Henry.
"What in heavens is he talking about?" Aunt Agatha asked.
"Polo" Elizabeth told her with a slight smile.
"Somehow the conversation always turns to horses, do you play polo Sir Lionel?" Aunt Agatha asked.
"It is one of my favorite past times" Lionel nodded.
"I would love to see your team play." Viola smiled at him.
"Well then perhaps you will favor me with the pleasure of your attendance this season" Lionel said and Kate held back a grimace with how formal they were with each other.
"Constable Thornton is also quite the horseman" Elizabeth said.
"Thank you but I can't say I know a chukker from a baseball bat." Jack said making everyone give a little laugh.
"He has more important things to worry about like keeping Coal Valley safe." Elizabeth said giving Jack a smile.
"Or getting thrown out of drinking establishments." Viola shrugged. Elizabeth dropped her fork on her plate loudly shooting her a look as everyone looked at Jack wide eyes and Kate narrowed her eyes at her oldest cousin.
"Who was thrown out of a drinking establishment?" Grandmother asked frowning.
"Jack's brother Tom, who is every bit as good looking as his dashing older brother" Julie said quickly trying to help Elizabeth.
"How is it that you are aquatinted with this Tom person young lady?" Uncle Henry asked her.
"He landed at my feet this afternoon, literally" Julie said as Jack, Kate and Elizabeth managed to hide their chuckles.
"Tell me do you make a habit of drinking Constable Thornton?" Grandmother asked.
"No, No I don't Mrs Thatcher" Jack said.
"Certainly not on the job" Elizabeth added firmly.
"Or really much at all" she said quickly when everyone turned to her. Kate bit her lip, this was not going well.
"Or ever, except maybe at dinner" Elizabeth went on clearly flustered as Jack just smirked at her and she widened her eyes at him.
"Perhaps it's time for dessert" Kate offered.
"I agree" Julie said.
"Children are to be seen and not heard" Grandmother snapped turning to Kate. Kate nodded looking back down at her empty plate.
"Your mountie is very charming my dear" Mrs George whispered to Elizabeth.
"He isn't my mountie Mrs George" Elizabeth whispered back.
"Isn't he?" She asked as Elizabeth turned to Jack who was looking at Kate seemingly horrified that she had just been spoken to in such a way. Elizabeth sighed, that would be a problem for later.
After dinner Kate was sent up to her room as everyone else gathered in one of the sitting rooms with a piano. Jack looked up the stairs longingly missing Kate and the comfort that she brought him admits all the other people he hardly knew. He had never seen a child shooed out of a room as often as Kate was here.
"When was the last time we played?" Charles asked Elizabeth glancing at the piano.
"Forever it seems like" Elizabeth smiled.
"Come on" Charles lead her over to the piano while everyone else found a seat and they started to play a duet. Jack stood off to the side watching them feeling very out of place as Elizabeth giggled trying to remember how the song went from memory.
"They are having such a good time together aren't they?" Jack turned as Henry Thatcher walked up next to him offering him a glass of rum. Jack took it.
"I have heard they have been friends for a very long time." Jack said.
"Charles and Elizabeth have a lot in common, they took lessons from the same teachers, shared the same friends, skinned their knees together as children. It's a bond that has stood the test of time." Henry said.
"Sometimes what people have in common are the things they feel inside. A shared spirit." Jack said.
"Elizabeth is spirited alright, so much like her father in that way." Henry said with a smile.
"That's what I like most about her sir." Jack said.
"Sometimes I think she doesn't quite know who she is yet, she has a tendency to follow her heart instead of her head, and drag that poor little girl with her. She most likely will wake up to it one day and I would hate to see her pass up the life she so dearly deserves" Henry said softly as the song they were playing ended and Elizabeth burst out laughing as everyone else clapped unaware of the conversation Jack and Henry were having.
"I don't think you need to worry about that sir, if she follows her heart I am sure she will be just fine." Jack said
"Jack it was so good to see you" Julie said as the night was coming to an end.
"You too Julie" Jack gave her a smile as they walked over to Elizabeth.
"Thank you for inviting me" Jack said going up to Elizabeth as Julie went to say goodbye to someone else.
"I hope you had a good time." Elizabeth gave him a smile.
"What's important is that you are both home with your family" Jack nodded not quite returning it.
"We are at home in Coal Valley too." Elizabeth said softly as Grandmother walked up to them.
"Constable I trust you had a pleasant evening?" She asked.
"Very much, thank you ma'am" Jack nodded.
"Will we be seeing you again?" She asked.
"No, I am leaving Hamilton in the morning." Jack said firmly.
"That seems kind of sudden." Elizabeth said surprised, frowning a little.
"Well you are safe and settled with your family and I have a job to return to. I have arranged for another constable to escort you both back to Coal Valley when you are ready to return." Jack told her with a firm nod.
"That is very kind of you thank you Constable." Grandmother said.
'It was very nice meeting you Ma'am" Jack gave her a nod.
"Likewise" Grandmother nodded.
"Miss Thatcher" Jack said turning to Elizabeth before he turned and left. Elizabeth stood watching him fighting every part of her that wanted to run after him. When was the last time Jack had called her Miss Thatcher that wasn't flirty and teasing? What had gone wrong between last night and tonight? Elizabeth climbed the stairs going into her room and changing into her night gown before slipping across the hall and going into Kate's dark room. Kate sat up wide awake even though she had been sent to bed hours ago.
"What happened?" Kate asked as Elizabeth slipped into her bed.
"Jack is leaving, tomorrow morning" Elizabeth said softly.
"What! Why?"
"Shhh I don't know, he seemed fine, it was so sudden"
"He can't leave us here"
"Kate, this is our home."
"It's not. Coal Valley is our home now" Kate said firmly.
"Maybe… maybe I was selfish to leave home and take you. Maybe we should be here. You would certainly get a better education, you would be with your family…" Elizabeth thought out loud.
"Elizabeth, today Viola was trying to set me up with Sir Lionel's brother. I got yelled at for saying three words at dinner." Kate said. Elizabeth sighed squeezing Kate's hand in her's.
"I know, I know." She whispered.
"Elizabeth, Jack wouldn't leave without saying goodbye."
"We'll see what we can do tomorrow ok? Get some sleep sweetie" Elizabeth sighed.
Jack walked through the busy train station his bag slung over his shoulder.
"There!" Kate cried pointing.
"Jack! Jack!" Elizabeth ran through the train station after her as Jack turned surprised to see them both.
"Kate? Elizabeth? What are you doing here?" Jack asked
"You didn't say goodbye" Kate said softly.
"I'm sorry, I left late and I had an early train" Jack felt guilty immediately.
"Why do you have to go?" Kate asked.
"I have to get back to Coal Valley, but I will see you soon." Jack said giving her a hug. Kate nodded hugging his waist before stepping back.
"I don't know what went wrong between us last night" Elizabeth sighed.
"Nothing did, I just have to get back." Jack said, he was warmer then he was last night and Elizabeth took some comfort in that.
"We're ok?" She asked.
"Yes, we're ok" Jack nodded.
"Then, take this with you" Elizabeth whispered standing on her tip toes and pressing a kiss to Jack's cheek lingering there for a second as Kate looked down suddenly very interested in her shoes.
"See you soon" Jack whispered when Elizabeth pulled away.
"See you soon" she nodded as Kate waved and Jack turned to get on his train.
"Do we have to go back to Grandmother's?" Kate asked when Jack was gone.
"Come on, we can stop for some breakfast on the way. Grandmother will be angry enough we missed breakfast with everyone, we mine as well have full bellies when we get yelled at" Elizabeth sighed. Leading Kate back out onto the street.
