"Hey Julie" Kate called the next morning going to her cousins bedroom door. She turned the knob to let herself in a she always did, surprised to find the door locked.
"Why is Julie's door locked?" Kate asked as Elizabeth was walking by.
"That's strange" Elizabeth said as she tried the door herself.
"Julie let me in" Elizabeth said firmly.
"Just a minute!" They heard Julie call, there was shuffling around in her room before the door opened.
"Why is the door locked?" Kate asked.
"Well I have no idea" Julie said.
"What is happening?" Elizabeth frowned at her.
"Nothing." Julie shook her head.
"What are all those clothes doing out on your bed?" Elizabeth asked pushing past Julie going into her room.
"I was just sorting out some things to give to charity" Julie said quickly following Elizabeth over to her big bed.
"Julie can I borrow your sparkly hair clip?" Kate asked knowing Elizabeth was going to give Julie a stern talking to and wanting to get her problem out of the way first.
"Alright just don't lose it" Julie nodded over to her dressing table as Kate went to it.
"Julie we need to talk about what happened with Tom and the car." Elizabeth said putting her hands on her hips.
"I told you everything" Julie said.
"When the car went off the road who was driving?" Elizabeth asked. Kate found the clip using Julie's mirror to put it in her curls.
"What a strange question, you know I have no idea how to drive" Julie crossed her arms.
"Well you could have convinced Tom to let you try" Elizabeth said. Kate busied herself with her hair pretending not to listen but really wanting to know if Jack had been right.
"Please do you think I would do something that wreck-less?" Julie asked
"Yes."
"That's simply ridiculous" Julie shook her head.
"Julie!" Elizabeth said.
"If we don't hurry we are going to be late for the bridesmaids fitting and you know how Viola gets if we are late, come on Kate." Julie said picking up her handbag from her bed quickly.
"Julie there is evidence!" Elizabeth yelled making Julie stop short.
"Jack found it. Now will you please just tell me the truth?" Elizabeth asked.
"Promise me you won't say anything to my father?" Julie asked turning back to Elizabeth. Elizabeth didn't look surprised but Kate felt her eyes widen.
"I'm not going to say a word" Elizabeth said.
"thank you" Julie smiled.
"Because your going to tell him yourself" Elizabeth finished.
"I can't!" Julie wailed.
"Why not?"
"Because he will kill me!" Julie cried.
"Julie it's important you take responsibility for what happened!"
"It won't matter, father will just be more angry that Tom let me drive in the first place" Julie said.
"Then you will tell him it wasn't Tom's fault!" Elizabeth was yelling now, her usual even temper especially with Julie was gone. Kate wasn't sure if it was because of the fight with Jack last night or that Julie had lied to her. It wasn't often that Elizabeth got into such a yelling match.
"He won't listen!"
"Then you will make him!" Elizabeth yelled. Julie looked defeated knowing she couldn't argue with her as Elizabeth crossed her arms firmly.
"You got yourself into a big mess Julie, I hope you do the right thing here and own up to it, your not a child anymore I can't keep doing this." Elizabeth said firmly, Julie didn't say anything.
"Come on your right we can't be late" Elizabeth sighed leaving the room as Kate and Julie silently followed her.
Kate stood in the dress shop wearing the same light yellow dress as Julie and Elizabeth as Viola sat sipping tea looking them over.
"I think we need to take in the sides a little more Julie" Viola said as one seamstress was working on Kate's hem and another was adjusting the waist of Julie's dress.
"We? I am the one wearing it and it's tight enough already. I won't be able to eat anything all day." Julie said as Elizabeth glanced at her sideways clearly still mad.
"Someone is in better spirits" Elizabeth muttered.
"Especially for someone who's life was in ruins a few hours ago" Viola added raising an eyebrow. Kate stayed silent, it was a dark day when Elizabeth and Viola were both ganging up on Julie.
"Oh I'm over all that" Julis said waving them off.
"And are you over Tom?" Kate asked.
"Yes" Julie nodded. Elizabeth gave her a look.
"I am!" Julie cried turning to her.
"I should have listened to both of you. When I really thought about it I realized, he wasn't right for me, we never would have worked out" Julie said with a shrug.
"Really?" Elizabeth asked surprised.
"Really, in fact I was going to ask you if Lionel has any cousins" Julie said turning to Viola. Viola grinned as Kate and Elizabeth shared a glance.
"I will see if I can arrange something" Viola smiled.
"Are you seeing Jack today?" Kate asked softly as she and Elizabeth hung their dresses up in Kate's closet.
"No, I don't think so" Elizabeth said softly.
"I heard the butler tell you earlier he telephoned from the hospital, is Tom ok?"
"Yes, Tom was released, Jack was calling about plans to return home. We will be going with him in 2 days" Elizabeth said her voice flat and even. Kate had to keep her feet planted on the floor to stop herself from jumping for joy. She couldn't wait to go home!
"It will be nice to go back together" Kate smiled trying to perk Elizabeth up.
"Yes, it will be."
"Can I expect that things are right between you two again?" Kate asked softly.
"Well, I told him that Julie had lied and Tom wasn't driving. And that I was trying to get her to tell Uncle. I also apologized for dinner last night, and he did the same, we were both very short with each other. But there is still this… tension between us." Elizabeth sighed.
"Something about being in Hamilton seems to bring it out." Kate said.
"Yes, I'm not sure what it is, I wish Jack would just tell me. We aren't where we were, but we aren't as cold as last night. It will be good to get back home, things always seem simpler there" Elizabeth said.
"They are." Kate agreed.
"Now I need to go and make up with Julie, will you run down to the kitchen and ask them to make tea for the three of us? We can take it in her room and have one of our chats, that always makes everyone feel better" Elizabeth said.
"Sure" Kate smiled hurrying into the kitchen.
A few minutes later Kate opened the door to Julie's room as Elizabeth followed her with the tea tray.
"Julie, how about one of those tea parties we always used to have?" Kate sang as she let them both in. They were both surprised when she wasn't there.
"Julie" Elizabeth called.
"Elizabeth look!" Kate cried pointing to Julie's dresser drawers left open and clearly empty.
"Oh no!" Elizabeth cried quickly setting the tray down and hurrying to the wardrobe pulling it open gasping when she found that empty too.
"Where have all her things gone?" Kate asked.
"More like where has Julie gone. Come on we have to find Jack!" Elizabeth cried as she hurried from the room and Kate followed her.
"I need to speak to Constable Jack Thornton immediately, tell him it's Elizabeth Thatcher." Elizabeth said as soon as they entered the constable office.
"Of course" The man at the desk said going into the back room.
"Sit down it might be a while" Elizabeth said gesturing to the benched along the wall. Kate sat, Elizabeth sat with her for a minute before she got up starting to pace back and forth. It felt like forever before Jack came rushing through the door.
"Elizabeth, is it Kate!" Jack asked not seeing her sitting down.
"No" Elizabeth shook her head as Kate jumped up.
"Oh, goodness you gave me an attack" Jack sighed wrapping an arm around Kate as she went to his side.
"Julie is gone, she ran away. Do you know where Tom is? I think they may be together." Elizabeth said.
"I haven't seen Tom since last night. Do you have any idea where she went?" Jack asked.
"No, but I think I know who to ask" Elizabeth said.
"Ok, I'll come with you" Jack said. Elizabeth nodded leading the way out as Jack followed her his arm still around Kate.
"Come! Quickly before the train leaves!" Jack called as Elizabeth and Kate chased him through the busy train station.
"Should we split up and look?" Elizabeth asked.
"There they are!" Kate yelled pointing seeing her cousins red hair standing by the tracks. No one was surprised to see Tom with her.
"Tom!" Jack yelled as they ran over to them.
"How did you know!" Julie cried.
"Next time you run away don't use the driver to set it up" Elizabeth said firmly. She had found out where Julie was quiet easily when she thought to ask the family's driver.
"I need to talk to you, alone" Jack said firmly to Tom.
"You can't change our minds!" Julie cried. Elizabeth rolled her eyes putting her hands on her hips.
"It's ok Julie, it's just talk" Tom said gently before taking a few steps toward Jack. Jack grabbed his arm roughly pulling him a few feet away as Elizabeth stepped closer to Julie hoping not to draw to much attention to them in the busy station.
"Of all the foolish things you have done this is by far the most outrageous. What are you thinking Julie!" Elizabeth cried.
"I love Tom and.."
"If you love him you won't let him do this" Elizabeth said not letting her finish.
"It's what we both want!"
"Julie! If you two run away together you deny him the chance to get a good job and start a new life, and make something of himself. Is that what you want for Tom?" Elizabeth said her voice losing a bit of it's edge. Kate glanced over where Jack was talking to Tom just as firmly a hand on his arm as if he thought his little brother was going to try and run away.
"Of course not" Julie said.
"Then start thinking of him, and not only of yourself" Elizabeth said firmly. To Kate's surprise Elizabeth started walking away from Julie.
"The car is out front, come when you have made your choice." Elizabeth said walking back out of the station as Kate ran after her.
"That it! Your not going to make her come! Your not going to drag her back to the car?" Kate asked.
"Julie is an adult, I have chased her down, I have spoken my piece. There is only so much I can do Kate. If I drag her back home against her will she will just run away again" Elizabeth said as their driver held the door open and they climbed into the back of the car.
"But Elizabeth…"
"I have faith that Julie will do the right thing. Deep down she knows I am right and that I only want what's best for her. She just needs to be reminded of that." Elizabeth said. Kate sighed glancing out the window, to her surprise a few minutes Julie came walking over and climbed into the back of the car with them. After Elizabeth told the driver to take them home the rest of the ride was silent.
Elizabeth followed Julie through the house and up to her room.
"Why is everyone against me" Julie sighed saying something for the first time as Elizabeth closed the door to Juli's room behind her.
"That is so far from the truth." Elizabeth said shaking her head.
"Well why are you treating me so badly" Julie tossed her handbag into one of the chairs.
"Honestly Julie you have to grow up!" Elizabeth shook her head going to Julie's dressing table and sitting down.
"What does that mean?" Julie huffed turning to her.
"It means your life should be more then shopping sprees and chasing men. You should be finding your purpose" Elizabeth said firmly.
"Don't you think I know that! I was going to start a completely new life with Tom."
"By lying to your family and running away?" Elizabeth asked.
"You ran away with Kate and left the family" Julie shot back.
"I did not run away, I ran to something there is a difference. I wanted to find a place I could fulfill my destiny and I found it in making a difference in the children's lives. They needed me and Kate needed to get out of here. Don't accusing me of running away and dragging her with me when you know very well it's not like that." Elizabeth said not allowing herself to be pulled into Julie's tricks. Julie crossed her arms angrily.
"I don't know what makes me feel fulfilled" She shook her head. Elizabeth rose from her chair walking over to her slowly.
"The only way to find out is to start looking, and taking responsibility for your behavior is the first step. You can start by telling your father the truth about the car." Elizabeth said gently.
"Alright, I will tell him" Julie sighed. Elizabeth gave her a smile squeezing Julie's hand gently.
"But I can't let Tom go without saying goodbye. Please Elizabeth can you arrange that? I would give anything to see him one last time!" Julie begged. Elisabeth sighed shaking her head gently at Julie. She quickly went to Julie's desk picking up a pen and writing a note before going to the door. Julie frowned and followed her down the stairs as Elizabeth entered the piano room where Kate sat practicing.
"Kate, bring this to Jack at the constables office pease, wait for his reply and come back" Elizabeth said handing her the paper.
"Is that to see Tom?" Julie cried as Kate hurried out.
"Yes, but I will be there, and it's just to say goodbye Julie" Elizabeth said. Julie squealed throwing her arms around her.
"He's here" Kate whispered glancing out the window in the sewing room she could see Tom slip behind the bushes in the west garden by the house. Uncle Henry was gone for the day but Aunt Agatha was home and they were trying to keep it a secret.
"Jack isn't with him." Kate said softly to Elizabeth as Julie rushed to put on her coat.
"Just as well" Elizabeth nodded putting on her own coat.
"May I come?" Kate asked.
"No we are just going out to the garden. If Aunt Agatha comes tell her we went to get some air at the park." Elizabeth said.
"Alright" Kate nodded watching from the window as Elizabeth and Julie slipped out of the house going into the garden and down the path until she couldn't see them anymore. Elizabeth walked beside Julie until they got the the Willow tree and Tom stepped out from under it.
"Quickly, I will be waiting for you there" Elizabeth said nodding back towards the path. Julie nodded going to meet Tom as Elizabeth stepped back a little giving them space. She was disappointed Jack didn't come, but she tried not to let it bother here. Despite going to get Julie and Tom at the train station together, she and Jack were still on what she would consider to be very rocky ground. When Kate had returned with the message from Jack it had been short and to the point just agreeing to send Tom to the meeting place. A part of her wished he had come giving them their own chance to talk, she hoped they would get that soon. It was so hard knowing he was in Hamilton with them and they were not seeing each other. She couldn't get the nurse out her her mind. Faith, it was like this kept happing to them. They couldn't seem to be in the same place together long enough to move forward again. Julie came walking back and Elizabeth watched Tom slip back out of the garden.
"It's not goodbye you know. We will still be together, but we agreed to wait until he has a job and can make a better name for himself." Julie said stubbornly as if she still wanted to prove to Elizabeth that she was at least a little bit wrong.
"If you can be in a relationship that doesn't involve bringing shame to yourself or Tom and makes you happy I will celebrate it with you Julie." Elizabeth told her gently.
"Thank you" Julie gave her a smile as they walked back into the house.
"Now, shall I go with you to talk to your father when he comes home this evening?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, I will do it myself" Julie said.
"I'm proud of you Julie" Elizabeth said squeezing her hand.
Kate was coming down the stairs the next day when she heard Jack's voice coming from the parlor she stopped frowning. Elizabeth had gone out with Viola and Aunt Agatha to do more shopping for the wedding before they left tomorrow, what was Jack doing here? She slipped silently down the rest of the stairs creeping along the wall staying out of sight.
"Julie told me everything. I am sorry your brother took more of the blame then he deserved." Kate heard her uncle say. She smiled to herself her Uncle might be strict but he was fair and kind.
"Thank you sir, but we can both agree Tom is not entirely blameless. But he has been offered a good job and a chance to make a fair living for himself and he plans to take it and turn his life around." Jack's voice said.
"As long as he stays far away from Julie he won't have any trouble from me."
"That sounds more then fair" Kate peeked around the corner to see Jack nodding.
"Thank you for all the work you did Constable, and thank you again for escorting my nieces here and back home. The trip can be dangerous and it makes us feel better that you are with them."
"It's my pleasure sir, if you'll excuse me, we do have the early train tomorrow." Jack got up.
"Constable, I wanted to talk to you about something" Uncle Henry said.
"Of course"
"Elizabeth, it's clear her feelings for you. I always thought my niece had good taste in people and I wouldn't hold what your brother did against you. I wanted to offer you a position in my company, here in Hamilton" Uncle Henry said. Kate bit her lip to keep from gasping.
"Thank you sir, I just can't say see myself spending my days behind a desk."
"Well I could show you the ropes, and you would have every opportunity to move up and make a name for yourself. It would put you in good standing here in the city and you would be sure to live a very comfortable life." Uncle Henry went on
"Thank you for the offer, but I don't think it's what I want for myself" Jack said. Kate was surprised Jack was turning him down to quickly.
"Constable this is only an offer that will come once in a lifetime. A mountie's job is so undetermined and dangerous. It's no life for a women or a young child."
"I believe I am doing the right thing for me sir, thank you for the offer but I will have to say no. I don't believe in changing myself to fit anyone's lifestyle" Jack said firmly.
"Good day Mr Thatcher." Jack said and Kate bit her lip slipping into the drawing room as Jack left the parlor heading to the front door. Kate knew she couldn't tell Elizabeth, not only would Elizabeth yell at her for eavesdropping but Jack had turned down a wonderful job opportunity and almost blamed Elizabeth for it. Kate sighed shaking her head, she understood what Jack meant, it was the same reason why Elizabeth had stayed in Hope Valley instead of taking the teaching job here just a few weeks ago. But it didn't make it seem like Jack and Elizabeth's relationship was going to get solved anytime soon.
"Your quiet this afternoon" Elizabeth noted later that afternoon as she was telling Kate all about her day shopping and Kate sat silently, half listening and half pretending to be studying. Mostly her mind was still racing over the conversation she had heard earlier and the guilt over not telling Elizabeth.
"Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind." Kate said softly.
Elizabeth took a seat next to her looking at her.
"Tell me" She said softly.
"Just school stuff, I fell more behind then I had planned" Kate shrugged.
"Well it's a long train ride, I will help you catch up tomorrow. That's not it is it?" Elizabeth said.
"And Julie, and I'm just tired. It will be nice to be back home, I miss Abigail and Laura and Anna." Kate lied.
"I understand. Once we get home we will be staying there. We have a quick trip for Viola's wedding but it won't be more then 4 days I already have our return tickets. Let's just try and enjoy this last night alright, I will help you study tomorrow, and we will be back in our own bed tomorrow night." Elizabeth said gently.
"Good" Kate forced a smile, Elizabeth wasn't totally satisfied knowing it wasn't a true smile but she accepted it.
"Aunt Agatha and Uncle Henry are having dinner at Lionel's parents house with Viola and Julie. Charles is coming over to say goodbye, would you like to join us for dinner and then maybe we can play some cards." Elizabeth offered.
"No thank you, you should have your time with your friends. I will just eat in here and go to bed early, we have an early train tomorrow." Kate said.
"Are you sure there's nothing else?" Elizabeth asked softly.
"Yes, I'm just tired" Kate nodded.
"Alright, well come join us if you feel like it. I will tell the maid to bring you dinner here" Elizabeth stood up smoothing her skirt.
"Tell Charles I said goodbye."
"I will." Elizabeth nodded leaving Kate's bedroom.
A little while later Elizabeth sat at the piano with Charles as they played together. It was one of their favorite pastimes both having taken lessons from the time they were old enough to reach the peddles. They had grown up playing together teasing each other to race and finish first. Now Elizabeth laughed as Charles teased her again playing faster and faster until she fell behind.
"That's not fair, you have been practicing." Elizabeth cried laughing.
"Guilty, how about one more?" Charles asked.
"I can't, keeping up with you is tiring, besides I should go finish packing. Kate and I are leaving tomorrow morning." Elizabeth said.
"Your uncle wants me to negotiate another contract with Lee Coulter so we will just have to finish this when I am in Hope Valley" Charles said with a shrug.
"Well there is no piano in Hope Valley to play." Elizabeth sighed.
"Well I can fix that" Charles said giving her a smile. Elizabeth hesitated for a minute before turning to him.
"Charles, you know how much I adore you, you have been a life long friend to me and there is nothing I would not do for you. But I can't let this continue any longer" Elizabeth said.
"What do you mean?"
"I have enjoyed every moment we have spent together. But this isn't fair to you, you deserve better then this." Elizabeth said gently.
'Elizabeth, I know you believe you are doing the right thing, and if the situation was reversed I would be telling you exactly what you are telling me." Charles said.
"Thank you for being so understanding" Elizabeth said.
"But," Charles went on making her look back up at him.
"As someone who sees you as possibly more then a friend, I feel I should be the one to make the decision as to when it is time for me to consider other options" Charles said.
"I don't want to argue" Elizabeth said softly
"then don't" Charles said. Elizabeth looked away not saying anything.
"I should let you get back to packing. It was lovely to see you again. I hope you have a safe ride back and I will see you in Hope Valley soon." Charles said giving her a smile and standing from the piano seeing himself out. Elizabeth sighed sinking further into the piano bench.
Kate was presently surprised to see Jack waiting for them outside the train station when the driver dropped them off the next morning. Jack picked up their bags as Elizabeth greeted him and Kate just glanced his way.
"This certainly has been quite the trip" Elizabeth said as Jack carried their bags through the train station.
"Let's hope the next time I'm in Hamilton it won't be because of some crises" Jack nodded.
"How's Tom?" Kate asked.
"Tom is in good spirits, I think he is finally getting himself on the right track" Jack said.
"Good" Elizabeth smiled warmly.
"Hopefully he will forget all about Julie" She added.
"Well let's also hope Julie forgets all about him, I think the expression is it takes two to tango" Jack said.
"Yes, but you have to admit trouble does seem to follow Tom wherever he goes" Elizabeth said lightly.
"Of course you would see it that way" Jack said the smile fading from his face. Kate turned away from them, clearly they were headed toward another argument.
"What do you mean by that?" Elizabeth asked an edge in her voice.
"Well my family doesn't have the breeding yours does so of course we are always a problem." Jack said. Kate slipped behind Elizabeth hoping to hide.
"Jack I didn't say that" Elizabeth sighed.
"My brother and I, we don't exactly fit the image your family has of the right kind of people for the Thatcher girls" Jack said.
"That's not true." Elizabeth said firmly.
"I think it is, that's why your uncle offered me a job." Jack said. Kate let out a sigh of relief that Jack had told Elizabeth and she wasn't hiding it from her anymore. Elizabeth's eyes got wide as she looked at Jack.
"He did?" She asked softly. Jack just nodded not saying anything.
"Jack that is wonderful! That proves that he really likes you." Her voice was soft and filled with something like relief.
"No, Elizabeth it proves I am not good enough for him as who I am." Jack said.
"Did he say that?" Elizabeth asked narrowing her eyes. In the back of her mind she vaguely through of sending Kate away from yet another argument but there was no place in the busy station to send her.
"He didn't have to" Jack shrugged.
"Look Jack my uncle is a generous man. My Father built a wonderful and prosperous company and when my uncle took it over he ran it the same why. I believe he thinks he is offering you a good opportunity." Elizabeth said taking offense to the way Jack was looking at her family.
"Tell me Elizabeth can you see me as an executive in your father's company?" Jack asked.
"Why not? I think you should at least consider it"
"I'm sorry Elizabeth, but I am not going to change who I am to fit into your family" Jack said shaking his head.
"I didn't ask you to" Elizabeth said. Jack just nodded silently holding out her suitcase and Elizabeth took it. He set Kate's down next to her as Kate didn't meet his eyes and Jack started to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Elizabeth asked softly after him.
"My seat is in coach" Jack said.
"Well we have a first class compartment just ride with us" Elizabeth said.
"Thanks, but I have some thinking to do on the way home." Jack said slinging his bag over his shoulder. Elizabeth gasped softly her eyes softening as Jack turned walking away to the other end of the train.
"Elizabeth." Kate whispered looking up at her, Kate almost felt tears threatening her eyes at how hurt Elizabeth looked.
"Come on, we need to board" Elizabeth said softly as Kate picked up her suite case and they walked to the front of the train.
