"How does this look?" Elizabeth asked holding up a place card for Kate to look at with her name on it. Kate sighed shaking her head.

"They all look fine to me, I don't know what to tell you." She whispered.

A few days after it was decided Becky and and Cody would stay, Lee had proposed to Rosemary. The whole town was happy for them, everyone thought they were perfect for each other. This was the first Hope Valley wedding Kate and Elizabeth had seen and it was no surprise everyone was doing their part to help out with the planning. Elizabeth was trying to write place cards for them since she had all the training in calligraphy that no one else did. Rosemary however, was proving to be just as picky as always, and they had now spent an hour sitting in the saloon as Kate did her homework and Elizabeth wrote over and over trying to please her. Rosemary and Lee sat near by going over the guest list and seating and colors.

"I never knew so much work went into a wedding." Kate whispered.

"Poor Lee didn't either" Elizabeth smiled as they giggled watching Lee drink his third cup of coffee.

"Rosemary is picky."

"Well she's the bride, it's her day, she had a right to be." Elizabeth said softly standing and going over to them.

"How's this?" She asked holding out the careful scripted card.

"Well that's… a improvement. It's defiantly a baby step in the right direction." Rosemary said looking it over.

"You don't like it" Elizabeth sighed.

"Oh Elizabeth, I truly do appreciate you offering to do the place cards, but it's just so… school-teachery. It just needs a little flair, the letters need to dance across the paper." Rosemary said. Lee put his head in his hands as Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. Rosemary looked up watching them.

"Well, well this is just fine." She said nodded.

"Let me try again" Elizabeth sighed picking up the paper and going back to the table. Kate giggled as she sat down in a huff.


"There they are!" Kate cried as she and Elizabeth stood at the stage stop the next morning. They both grinned as the stage came to a stop and Abigail and Cody climbed out.

"How was your trip?" Kate asked giving Abigail a hug.

"Oh endless, there are storms everywhere and some of the roads are washed out, we had to take the long way home." Abigail said sounding tired.

"Becky won the scholarship contest!" Cody cried jumping down from the stage after Abigail.

"I had no doubt that she would, your sister is very smart" Elizabeth smiled at him before giving Abigail a hug of her own.

"Hey Cody want to play kickball?" Robert called from where a group of boy were playing across the street.

"Can I Miss Abigail?"

"I don't know where you get your energy from, go on." Abigail laughed as she took the bags from the coach driver.

"You look like you could use a good rest" Elizabeth smiled at her friend.

"travel I can do, a little boy I can do, but traveling with a little boy… oh my." Abigail said making Elizabeth laugh.

"Is Becky already as school?" Kate asked.

"She is, the term starts Monday and we didn't want her to fall behind. I'm sending her things. She's so excited to start and we were able to see the school it looks amazing." Abigail smiled.

"I'm so happy for her, fancy bonding school then on to collage, she deserves it all." Elizabeth smiled.

"And she will be back when the term is over which just happens to be right before Cody's birthday. This all worked out so wonderfully." Abigail smiled as Paster Frank walked over greeting them warmly and lingering.

"We should go, have a good day, we will be by later" Elizabeth smiled as she and Kate turned walking away to leave Abigail and Frank alone.

"I'm so happy for Abigail, she had Cody and Becky and Frank." Kate smiled.

"Me too, Abigail is one of those people who gives so much, she deserves everything." Elizabeth nodded.

"Can we say hi to Jack?" Kate asked as they past his office.

"Sure" Elizabeth smiled opening the door to Jack's office and letting them both in. She looked up, surprised to see another women standing with Jack by his desk.

"Oh, hello." Elizabeth said politely as Kate watched from behind her.

"Elizabeth, this is my mother Charlotte. Ma this is Elizabeth and Kathryn Thatcher" Jack said quickly. Elizabeth's eyes grew wide and Kate grinned.

"It's so nice to meet you Mrs Thornton, Jack why didn't you tell me your mother was coming?" Elizabeth asked perking up a bit.

"I didn't know" Jack said with a little sigh. Kate looked over Jack's mother, she had dark hair that just hit her shoulders and was curly. Kind eyes but Jack's sharp jaw and nose. She looked a little rough around the edges and from what Jack had told them, she knew it to be true. The most shocking thing however had to be that she wore men's clothes. Pants and cowboy hat with an overcoat. The striking opposite to how Elizabeth dressed, even if she did prefer more causal these days she would never be caught in pants except when she had worn them into the mine.

"I like to surprise him Lizzie" The women said giving the girls a smile. Kate nearly chocked as she held in a laugh. Lizzie, no one ever called Elizabeth, Lizzie in her whole life. It wasn't proper, she was an Elizabeth through and through. Kate coughed covering her laugh with her hand.

"Oh Ma, it's Elizabeth." Jack said softly glancing at the girls.

"That's ok, you can call me whatever you want." Elizabeth said with a kind smile meanwhile reaching her elbow back and connecting it with Kate's ribs forcing her to compose herself.

"This is my sister Kate, please excuse her manners, she seems to have forgotten them" Elizabeth said firmly

"How do you do Mrs Thornton, Jack has told us a lot about you." Kate said politely.

"Oh manners, who has time for them. Jack tells me you caught quite the trout this summer, you may have to show me a thing or two young lady" Mrs. Thornton said giving Kate a wink as she grinned back.

"Why don't you both come over for dinner tonight, I can make Shepards pie" Elizabeth offered.

"Oh, your going to cook for my mother?" Jack whispered stepping close to Elizabeth a worried look on his face.

"Is that a problem?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not at all, and I can help" Mrs Thornton offered.

"Oh Ma you can't cook either" Jack said now standing between the two women.

"What do you mean by either?" Elizabeth asked.

"now you did it" Kate muttered.

"I meant often, neither of you cook often. I just thought I could treat us all to a wonderful dinner at Abigail's tonight" Jack said gently as his mother sneezed.

"Bless you" Kate whispered.

"Thank you" Mrs Thornton said.

"She think's she's allergic to Rip" Jack sighed.

"Someone needs a bath." Mrs Thornton said.

"Jack or Rip?" Elizabeth asked raising her eyebrow at Jack. Everyone but Jack laughed, he accepted that as his punishment for the cooking comment earlier.

"I have an idea, why don't you come stay with us, we have plenty of room." Elizabeth offered.

"Oh in your house? You girls both take up the bedrooms." Jack said.

"Nonsense Kate and I can share, right Katie? That's nothing new, the bed is smaller but you are welcome to Kate's room" Elizabeth turned to Mrs Thornton as Kate nodded.

"Thank you, I might take you up on that, let me go get my bags." She gave Elizabeth a smile slipping into Jack's bedroom.

"You think I can't cook." Elizabeth crossed her arms turning to Jack when she was gone.

"Good luck with that Jack, I'm going to go watch the kickball." Kate said making her way to the door.

"A few minutes then you can help carry Mrs. Thornton's bags home." Elizabeth called as Kate slipped out with a wave.

"I mean, you have gotten much better" Jack nodded quickly.

"Then why would you say that in front of your mother?" Elizabeth sighed.

"Well it's something you both have in common, although you don't, because your a much better cook then she is." Jack stumbled over the words as Elizabeth's frown deepened.

"You look so nice today by the way" Jack whispered snaking his arm around Elizabeth's waist pulling her into him and covering her lips with his. He felt her muscles loosen as she gave into him and when he pulled back she was smiling at him. All was forgiven as usual, even if she did cast him one last look making him laugh.


"I don't know what Jack is thinking, I can certainly carry my own bags. A child carrying my bag." Charlotte rolled her eyes as Kate followed her out of Jack's office. Elizabeth had gone across the street to pick up some things for dinner and Kate had offered to help Mrs Thornton carry her things to their row house.

"Did you really ride all the way here from Buxton?" Kate asked.

"Jack tells me you like to ride too?" Charlotte smiled at her.

"I want a horse of my own one day." Kate nodded.

"You and I are going to get along very well little Miss, oh is that Rosie!" Charlotte cried turning to the street.

"Rosie?" Kate asked.

"Rosie! Rosie is that you!"

"Charlotte Thornton!" Rosemary cried turning was the voice called out to her and Jack's mother descended the stairs meeting her in the road for a warm hug.

"My look at you, I haven't seen you since you and Jack got engaged" Charlotte said.

"Oh, right, I hope there are no hard feelings about that." Rosemary said.

"Oh no, you two were oil and water you were never meant to be" Charlotte waved her off quickly.

"I guess we knew before we did." Rosemary said as Kate went to join them.

"Chalk it up to mothers intuition" Charlotte shrugged giving her a smile.

"Well I finally did find the man of my dreams." Rosemary smiled.

"They are getting married Saturday." Kate grinned as Rosemary smiled at her.

"Congratulations Honey!" Charlotte cried

"I am a lucky women." Rosemary smiled.


Elizabeth stood over the stove cooking the meat for the pie as Mrs Thornton came down the stairs.

"Your sisters room is lovely, thank you both for giving up your beds for me"

"Oh it's nothing truly, Kate and I are used to sharing. I'm glad your comfortable." Elizabeth said as Kate came in through the back door with a full water bucket.

"I can see you don't like dusting anymore then I do."

"Actually, we just dusted this afternoon." Elizabeth said.

"Of course you did, aren't you worried about messing up your pretty blouse?" Charlotte asked pointing to Elizabeth's white shirt.

"Oh this is nothing fancy" Elizabeth shook her head. In truth it was one of her more planer tops compared to other things in her closet.

"I make all my own clothes, do you sew?"

"Grandmother made us learn, we used to have to work on needlepoint two hours every afternoon." Kate said feeling the need to speak up on behalf of Elizabeth.

"Oh my, well needlepoint and sewing are two very different things." Jacks mother turned to her surprised.

"I made a pillow case once" Elizabeth said quickly as Kate nodded.

"That's nice" Charlotte smiled.

"Katie set the table please." Elizabeth asked as she reached up for the spices.

"What's that?" Charlotte asked watching her sprinkle some into the pan.

"Paprika" Elizabeth smiled.

"Oh no Jack likes pepper" His mother said reaching for the shaker.

"I did't know that" Elizabeth smiled her thanks but Charlotte kept shaking.

"Isn't that a lot of pepper?" Elizabeth asked causing Kate to turn from where she was setting the table to watch.

"Oh you can never have to much pepper. And now for me secret ingredient."

"Love?" Elizabeth asked.

"Nope, lard" Charlotte reached for the usually untouched tin Elizabeth kept on the shelf.

"oh.. oh my" Elizabeth whispered as she grabbed a large spoonful and before either of the sisters could stop her she tossed it into the pan. Elizabeth turned to Kate horrified.

"That looks great" Kate said as Elizabeth forced a smile onto her face.


"This is very good" Jack said pointing to his plate with his fork.

"You hardly took one bite" His mother said spooning another forkful into her mouth. Elizabeth had managed a few polite mouthfuls but Kate had eaten even less then Jack as she fed hers to Rip under the table. Usually it would earn her a stern talking to from Elizabeth but today her sister had turned a blind eye.

"It's filling, but very good." Jack said quickly.

"Your mother put lard in my pie" Elizabeth said with a forced smile.

"It helps it stick to the Shepards ribs, eat up dear you need something on your ribs. No wonder this poor girl is so skinny." Charlotte told Kate firmly

"yummy" Kate said putting another tiny forkful in her mouth and a smile onto her face.

"Here, have some milk" Elizabeth quickly passed Kate her glass so Kate could wash the taste from her mouth.

"I guess, I just had a big lunch" Jack shot Kate an apologetic look as she frowned at him.

"Speaking of lunch we should go to the settlement tomorrow, before lunch, maybe just after breakfast" Jack said turning to Elizabeth as Kate expertly slipped Rip another chunk of pie.

"That sounds lovely." Elizabeth nodded.

What's the settlement?" Charlotte asked.

"It's just over the river outside of town. A number of new families just moved there" Jack said.

"They are renting the land until the can build homes. They really don't have much." Elizabeth added.

"It's a hard life" Charlotte sighed.

"Elizabeth is trying to set up a school there" Jack smiled proudly.

"Why can't the children come here for school?"

"It's to far, it's a three hour walk"

"The first school I taught was set up in a tent." Charlotte said.

"Jack told us you were a teacher" Kate smiled

"Well I have not been in a school for a long long while. I miss the kids" Charlotte reached over cupping Kate's chin making her laugh.

"You should come tomorrow Ma" Jack said.

"Oh Jack we don't want to impose on your mother" Elizabeth said.

"Well I would love to come as long as Lizzie doesn't think I will be in the way." Charlotte said.

"Not in a million years" Elizabeth said giving her a smile putting another forkful in her mouth. She made a face forgetting how bad it was before forcing the smile back as Kate slid the cup of milk back across the table.


Elizabeth awoke with a start to a noise downstairs she sat up quickly waking Kate in the process.

"What is it?" Kate muttered next to her.

"Quiet." Elizabeth whispered listening closely.

"It's Mrs Thornton" Kate sighed as they heard the noise downstairs again along with someone humming. The sun was just barely coming up and the air was cold.

"What time is it?" Kate moaned pulling the blanket up tighter.

"Five" Elizabeth cried as she checked the little clock on her bedside table throwing herself back onto the bed.

"Elizabeth, you have to get up." Kate muttered her head already buried in the pillow.

"Why?" Elizabeth moaned but knowing full Kate was right.

"Because, we haven't eaten since lunch yesterday, and if she makes breakfast we will starve. Besides she's a guest in your house and it's rude" Kate popped her head up to look at Elizabeth who grinned at her despite their growling stomachs.

"Are you getting up too then?" Elizabeth asked sitting up again shivering in the cold air as she pulled her shawl around her.

"no, I am a little girl it's not rude for me to sleep" Kate sighed snuggling into the warm spot Elizabeth had given up. Elizabeth wanted to argue with her but Kate had already given up a meal and her own bed to please Jack's mother, that was certainly all she could ask of her sister.

"Alright, get some sleep for the both of us" Elizabeth whispered picking up the quilt and covering Kate with it before slipping down the stairs.

"Good morning sunshine" Charlotte smiled as she came down.

"It's five in the morning" Elizabeth forced a smiled.

"There's coffee, I have been up since four. I was trying to do my laundry but I can't find your wash board"

"Oh thats because I don't have one" Elizabeth said pouring a cup of coffee.

"How do you do your laundry?"

"I pay Mrs Miller too, with my schedule it's hard to get the laundry done and the Millers just moved here and could use the money." Elizabeth said.

"Well, I suppose I couldn't get used to the idea of someone washing my under things." Charlotte said.

"Oh I wash our unmentionables" Elizabeth said quickly.

"Sit, you know I really do love this time of day, you can get so much done before the rest of the house gets underfoot. You must understand, raising a child on your own. I bet your Ma felt the same way." Charlotte said as Elizabeth sat down at the table.

"Oh well Katie is hardly underfoot anymore, she's mostly just helpful, and Mother had help." Elizabeth sighed.

"You pitched in?"

"I meant the servants" Elizabeth said weakly.

"Oh yes, Jack told me about your life in Hamilton and you girls living with your grandmother. It must have been very… comfortable."

"Maybe a little to comfortable, that's why I moved us to Hope Valley, I wanted to do things for myself." Elizabeth smiled.

"Except your laundry" Charlotte chuckled as Elizabeth forced out a laugh.


It was an hour later before Kate got up making her way downstairs.

"My goodness you do like your beauty sleep dear girl" Charlotte said with a laugh. Elizabeth looked up from where she was grading papers at the desk.

"Mrs Thornton made us breakfast, but you should be going, Abigail asked for your help in the cafe this morning. You should hurry there so you can help out, she will have breakfast for you, stop by Jack's office and let him know you are there. He can come get you before he comes to pick us up in the wagon to go to the settlement." Elizabeth said quickly. Kate glanced at her, Abigail had said nothing about needing her help today. Elizabeth met Kate's eyes and suddenly Kate understood her sister was saving her from the breakfast Charlotte had made. Sending her off to Abigail's for some good food and a break.

"Oh, to bad it smells wonderful, thank you for cooking." Kate gave Charlotte a smile.

"Don't forget your coat" Elizabeth called as Kate grabbed it buttoning it up.

"Your the best sister" Kate whispered as she gave Elizabeth a kiss goodby hurrying out the door.


"Hi Oliver aren't you a handsome boy" Kate cooed to the baby in the cradle as Jack fixed a women's tent.

"Have you heard anything about the mines up north, the rain is awful there." The baby's mother, Edith asked Jack her voice worried.

"Yes, it washed out the roads last year. But Ned Yost send up a wagon of supplies so even if they are stuck they won't go cold or hungry." Jack assured her.

"Thank you" Edith smiled. Kate got up going to join the small group of children and Mothers, Elizabeth and Mrs Thornton were talking to.

"Our kids don't have time for school" One of the mothers were frowning.

"We're just trying to survive." Another said more gently.

"There is nothing more essential then an education." Elizabeth said gently.

"They aren't going to be scientists and Doctors Miss Thatcher."

"Well they could be, if we just give them a chance." Elizabeth cried.

"You don't know the first thing about our way of life."

"I'm a teacher, and I know how important is it for children to learn." Elizabeth said. Her voice was gentle against all the frustrated mothers. Kate watched her knowing how much Elizabeth loved education and truly did believe it was so important.

"I'm sorry, we aren't setting up a school here. There isn't time for lessons, the children have to many chores!" Kate watched Elizabeth's face fall at such a firm answer.

"They said they would read us a book Ma" One little boy whispered.

"Alright, one story they time for chores, Maggie you stay with your brother, she likes to wonder off." The mother told Elizabeth.

"I will keep an eye on her." Elizabeth smiled taking the little girl's hand as she led the rest of the children to another tent.

"You know, I grew up dirt poor" Charlotte said having back to talk to the mothers.

"Then you know what it's like for us."

"I do, but the best thing I did was learn to read and write. That's why I became a teacher, I wanted to give back what I had been given." Charlotte nodded.

"That young teacher means well, but she doesn't understand people like us." Another mother sighed. Kate was about to open her mouth to defeat her sister when Jack came up behind her putting a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Ma'am, May I tell you about that young lady? Elizabeth Thatcher had worked wonders for the children of Hope Valley and if she's willing to help your children I think you should thank your lucky stars. There's not a teacher alive who is as dedicated and talented as she is. If you want a better life for your children, take her up on her offer." Jack said. Kate grinned up at him proudly and Charlotte looked like she was in shocked surprise as she gave Jack a nod and a little smile. Kate grinned walking over to the tent where Elizabeth was sitting on the ground reading to the six children gathered around her. Kate was so proud of her sister as she watched the children seemed captured by her story telling until she finished the book and the firmer mother walked up.

"Can you read another story?" A little boy asked.

"There is another book but it's back in Hope Valley." Elizabeth said.

"You can come visit some day." Kate offered.

"Can we!" Little Maggie asked turning to her mother.

"We will see what the other mothers say." She said firmly. Kate and Elizabeth shared a look of hope as the children smiled.


That night Kate was allowed to join many of the other town women as they sat in Abigail's parlor having a wedding shower for Rosemary.

"How lovely Florence thank you" Rosemary said putting away another gift.

"Elizabeth wasn't Charlotte going to join us tonight?" Abigail asked.

"Oh she said she was to exhausted." Elizabeth said.

"Poor dear she is probably tired from her long ride, I don't blame her at all for needing some rest." Rosemary nodded.

"Mrs Thornton is colorful isn't she?" Florence asked.

"How are you getting along? I hear she is staying with you." Molly nodded turning to Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Kate glanced at each other.

"Oh well she is a wonderful house guest." Kate said quickly.

"And very creative in the kitchen, and an early riser" Elizabeth added trying to make it sound nice. Abigail raise her eyebrows in a little smile knowing her girls were not such early risers. Rosemary chuckled nodding.

"I'll get the punch and cookies" Elizabeth said standing to move to the kitchen.

"I will help you." Rosemary smiled following her.

"So how are you really getting along with Charlotte?" Rosemary asked when they were away from the group.

"We're just so different." Elizabeth sighed.

"I will let you in on a little secret, when God made that women he broke the mold, there is not a person alive on this planet who has anything in common with her." Rosemary said making Elizabeth laugh.

"She's very unique." Elizabeth giggled.

"You are to kind, but yes, let's go with that." Rosemary laughed as they picked up the plates going back to the group.


"Wait, so your mother ditched the bridal shower and crashed the bachelor party!" Kate giggled the next morning as Jack walked them to school telling them about how his mother had beat all the men in Poker the night before.

"She said she was tired" Elizabeth chuckled.

"She must have gotten a second wind." Jack shrugged.

"Sometimes I don't believe she's your mother." Elizabeth said.

"Why not?" Jack asked.

"You and she are so different" Elizabeth said softly as they stopped to talk and Kate hurried to catch up with Anna before school.

"She's a surviver, it's wasn't easy having Tom and I so young, and raising us herself while my father was often gone for work. And holding down a job." Jack said. Elizabeth nodded unable to imagine how hard that must have been.

"Look I want to thank you for spending so much time with her."

'It's my pleasure" Elizabeth gave him a warm smile.

"You sure about that?" Jack asked as Elizabeth gave him a look Charlotte came riding up with Bill Avery.

"We're heading out for a duck hunt, what to come?" She asked.

"Sorry I have patrol" Jack shook his head. Elizabeth was surprised when Charlotte turned to her, the question still in her eyes. She thought it was obvious that she had never been on a hunt in her life let alone held a gun.

"Oh, darn I have school maybe next time." Elizabeth sighed.

"Did you get that lose button fixed like I told you?" Charlotte asked nodding at Jack's red serge jacket.

"I'll do it tonight" Jack assured her.

"Don't forget" Charlotte said starting to ride away.

"And you need a haircut" She called over her shoulder.

"Ma!" Jack yelled annoyed as Elizabeth bit back a laugh.

"You care about her very much don't you?" Elizabeth asked. softly.

"Yeah, when she's not driving me crazy" Jack chuckled making Elizabeth laugh.


Elizabeth smiled as Emily and Hattie came into the empty school house.

"Recess isn't over yet girls" She said.

"We want you to come skip rope with us" Emily said giving her a warm smile. Elizabeth couldn't help but return it, Emily was turning into such a little lady, she had come a long way from the little girl she was when Elizabeth first came here. She may no longer crawl into Elizabeth's lap when she read to her but she still held a special place in her heart, as all the children did for different reasons.

"I'll tell you what, give me five minutes to finish packing these books and I will come out and play with you." Elizabeth said.

"What are they for?" Hattie asked.

"I'm sending them to the children at the settlement."

"I thought they couldn't read?"

"Well hopefully these book will help them learn."

"Why don't they have books of their own?" Emily asked.

"They don't have as many things as we do. Their parents don't even have enough money for proper houses. Their families traveled a long way to start new lives here and there wasn't much room to bring much with them." Elizabeth told the girls.

"I have some books at home they can have." Emily said.

"I have some dolls I don't play with anymore." Hattie nodded.

"And Miles doesn't play with his tin soldiers anymore, Ma has been telling him to get rid of them." Emily added.

"That's a wonderful idea, why don't you go ask the other children if they have anything to give as well" Elizabeth smiled at the girls.

"Is this going to be like kindness week?" Hattie asked.

"It's the sort of kindness we should show people every day" Elizabeth nodded. The girls grinned running outside to talk to the other children.


"I heard the mothers at the settlement are going to let you go once a week for lessons." Charlotte said as she and Elizabeth were walking down the street.

"I know you spoke with them, they didn't just magically change their minds." Elizabeth gave her a smile.

"Oh it wasn't me, it was Jack."

"Jack?" Elizabeth asked in a happy whisper.

"When that mother turned you down he gave her a piece of his mind. I'm surprised that sister of yours didn't tell you. You made an impression on my son and he's not an easy one in impress" Charlotte said.

"Like his mother?" Elizabeth asked giving her a little smile.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Charlotte frowned making Elizabeth laugh.


"Good Afternoon" Elizabeth smiled as Jack walked into the school house the next day after Elizabeth rang the bell.

"Take a walk with me" Jack said holding his hand out.

"Alright" Elizabeth smiled taking his hand. They chatted as they walked a ways outside of town stopping when they came to a hill.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Elizabeth gasped taking in the view of the hills and trees beyond.

"You like it?" Jack asked.

"Yes, why are we here?" Elizabeth asked knowing he was up to something.

"It's mine, I bought it, I signed the papers today." Jack smiled as Elizabeth turned to him shocked.

"That's the private business you were doing before! What made you decide to do it?" Elizabeth smiled as Jack smirked.

"Rip, he said it was getting to crowded in the jail" Jack teased making her narrow her eyes at him playfully turning back to take in the view.

"Now I just have to save enough money to build a big kitchen, three, four bedrooms." Jack said.

"That's an awful lot of room for one mountie" Elizabeth said softly as she turned back to him.

"Well there's always Rip" Jack shrugged.

"Good old Rip" Elizabeth smiled.

"Some chickens, a goat.." Jack went on.

"Sure, goats are good" Elizabeth nodded going along with him knowing full well the question Jack wasn't asking her.

"Anything else?" Elizabeth asked.

"Any Ideas?"

"A couple" She nodded

"Like?"

"Well you will need a guest room for when your mother comes to visit" Elizabeth smiled returning his teasing with her own.

"Can't forget about Ma" Jack smirked.

"And a nice feather bed, for your blankie" Elizabeth widened her eyes at him smirking.

"My blankie?" Jack shifted uncomfortably.

"She told you about…?"

"mmmhmm" Elizabeth smiled at him as his ears turned red.

"She really needs to stop sharing so much" Jack sighed making Elizabeth laugh.

"I guess I'm going to have to figure out another way to keep warm at night." Jack said softly looking deep into her eyes. Elizabeth smiled knowing he meant her. Jack may have bought this land, but he had every intention of living on it with her, building a house, with many bedrooms. Living together, married. The thought sent butterflies of joy into her stomach as Jack pulled her close tangling his fingers in her curls as he kissed her deeply. She sighed leaning into him as suddenly thunder rumbled and it started sprinkling on them making them break apart and both laugh.

"Come on" Jack chuckled taking her hand and hurrying her back to town out of the cold rain.