"Elizabeth, you're up awfully early," Abigail said as she entered the kitchen, "did you sleep okay?"

"Yes, I've just been trying to compose a telegram," she tapped her pencil on the table.

"Oh, I see," Abigail filled a cup with coffee and sat across from her friend, "your parents will be fine with you marrying Jack and I'm sure Julie filled them in on all Jack's qualities."

"I'm sure she did and I know they will love Jack," she continued tapping.

Abigail put her hand down, stopping the tapping, "Then what are you nervous about?"

Elizabeth shrugged, "So many things. Where will we be married? I'd prefer to be married here but I think my family is going to say back home would be appropriate."

"What about Jack, what would he say?" Abigail sipped her coffee.

"I think he would say here in Coal Valley would be more comfortable for him," Elizabeth sighed, "we haven't discussed that yet. There's his mother to consider as well. I don't even know where she lives."

"Has he talked about her, I assume she would come here."

"He hasn't talked about her very much. Truthfully, I haven't talked about my family very much either. We've been mostly getting to know each other," she blushed.

Abigail sensed Elizabeth's modesty, "Of course you have, and that's what you're supposed to be doing. These days ahead will be for talking about family."

"That's true," she tapped the pencil again, "so many things to consider."

"Elizabeth, these are things the two of you will discuss, over time," Abigail smiled and covered Elizabeth's hand "put the pencil down."

Elizabeth chuckled softly and rose from her seat, "We don't even know these things about each other. Oh Abigail, maybe we aren't ready to get married, maybe it's too soon." She was pacing, her hands on her hips.

Abigail tried not to smile, "Don't be silly and don't panic. You don't have to rush."

"According to Bill we do." Elizabeth smiled wryly. They both laughed.

At the jail, Bill noticed Jack deep in thought sitting at the desk. "I hope you're not having second thoughts about last night Jack." He poured some coffee and sat opposite Jack.

Jack smiled, "No, no second thoughts, my thoughts are about what comes next."

"Ah, meeting the parents?"

"Yes, definitely that. We'll also need a place to live," Jack drank from his coffee cup.

Bill looked around, "Some curtains in here may help, a little paint," he laughed.

Jack laughed and looked around, "I couldn't even imagine Elizabeth living here," He put the cup on the desk. "I may have to hire Adam Miller to build us a place. He did such a good job with the church."

"One problem solved," Bill brushed his hands. "I know her family will see you'll be a good husband. What about your family?"

"Just my mother. I'm almost afraid to tell her I'm engaged," Jack replied.

"Why? She'd be happy for you wouldn't she?"

"Yes, she will, although maybe not at first, but of course she will love Elizabeth, I'm not worried about that. The fact that I was engaged before will make my mother critical and a bit guarded."

"Did she not like your former fiancé?"

Jack sighed, "Well, as you know, my former fiancé and I had known each other since we were children. We were just always together; I was used to her being around. She was fun, she liked to fish and hunt like I did." Jack shrugged.

"So what went wrong?" Bill was curious.

"Truthfully, I guess as we grew up we changed. She wanted to be an actress. She became obsessed with it. It put a wedge between us. Bothered me then and it hurt when she left."

"It wasn't a true love affair was it?" Bill asked. Rip growled and both men looked at him.

"No, it wasn't. It definitely wasn't going to lead to marriage, although I tried to talk myself into it." Jack shook his head, "It hurt when she left, but it did help me make my decision to attend the Academy." Jack picked up a pencil and started tapping it on the desk.

"Love can hurt sometimes Jack, no doubt about that," Bill sighed, "but as we get older and learn more about ourselves, I truly believe we learn what we want and need in our life. Seeing you and Elizabeth together is right, it's what you both need. You are a perfect pair."

"Thank you, I feel its right. She's the one," Jack smiled and kept tapping. "Now you make me want to marry her today!"

Bill laughed, "Ah, the right woman will do that to you. You just have to control yourself and let the plans take shape."

Jack laughed and tapped, "Yes, but I can't wait."

"Just relax," Bill said, "and put the pencil down."

Jack laughed, put the pencil down and headed for the door, "I'm going to see Elizabeth."

At the café, Elizabeth felt she had to see Jack right away; she wanted to make sure Jack knew all the things they needed to discuss. She stopped suddenly when she opened the café door and Jack was standing there about to knock.

"Jack!"

"Elizabeth!"

The two hugged each other so tightly, "Elizabeth, I want to plan the wedding now, right away."

"Jack, we have so many things to consider," she laughed softly as he held her face in his hands and kissed her cheeks, "Jack, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing's wrong. I love you and I want to marry you." He crushed his lips to hers.

Elizabeth gasped at the strength of his kiss and his hold on her. "Jack…..." she pushed his chest gently, "what happened?"

"Nothing, let's take a walk," he took her hand.

As they approached their grove, Jack said, "Elizabeth, we have to discuss what we want to do."

"I agree," she looked at him, "so what are your thoughts?"

"Ah, I don't really know," he rubbed his chin, "lets sit down and talk." They went to their log bench and sat. "I will let my mother know we're engaged."

"Jack, you've never really spoken about your mother. When was the last time you saw her?"

He shrugged, "Not long before I came here to Coal Valley, I was hesitant to contact her when I first got here."

"Because of me?" Elizabeth put her hand to her chest.

"No, not you. I was waiting until I was transferred."

"You haven't told her about me?"

"No."

"I see."

Jack sat and looked to the ground.

"Jack, are you afraid she won't like me or approve of you getting married because you're a Mountie?" She was thinking of possibilities.

"No, nothing like that," he looked at her, "she'll love you, who wouldn't love you? I sure do," he leaned and kissed her softly.

"Then what is it?"

"She'll be surprised."

"Oh," Elizabeth thought she understood, "did you swear off engagements after your last experience?"

Jack faced her, "Elizabeth, she will love you. It will be fine."

Elizabeth didn't want to push Jack to discuss his mother, but clearly sensed he was hesitant to tell her that he was engaged for the second time. "Well, we should try to write telegrams then. It isn't as easy as you think, I tried this morning."

"Just tell them," Jack put his hands up, "I guess we just tell them. Let's go right now."

Jack stood and started to walk away. Elizabeth put her hand on his back, "Jack?" He turned to her, "Yes?"

"Jack, I promise you I'm never going to hurt you or do anything like she did to you. If you or your mother are worried about that please don't…"

Jack was overcome by her words, and stepped forward and embraced her. "Elizabeth. You truly are the one; you understand what's bouncing around in my head." He ran his hand down her hair, "I'm sorry, I'm worried over nothing, but I'm not worried where it counts, here," he pointed to his heart and looked into her eyes, "I love you so much."

She smiled, "I know and I love you too Jack. Let's go send those telegrams!"

As they approached the mercantile, Gabe came bounding out the door, "Mountie Jack, Miss Thatcher!"

"Hello Gabe," Jack greeted his young friend.

"Gabe, we have something to tell you," Elizabeth bit her bottom lip and looked at Jack.

"We're engaged," Jack announced.

Gabe looked from Jack to Elizabeth, "Really? That's good news. When's the wedding?"

Elizabeth laughed, "Why is everyone in such a hurry?"

Gabe walked near Jack, "Guess those lanterns did the trick…"

Jack coughed, "see you later Gabe," he turned to Elizabeth, "you ready to send those telegrams?"

Elizabeth shook her head and ran up the steps.