Ned Yost looked up from the counter of the mercantile when Elizabeth entered the store, "Good morning Miss Thatcher and yes, before you ask, I do have a telegram for you today." He handed her the piece of paper.

"Oh good," Elizabeth took the telegram, "thank you Mr. Yost."

"You're welcome and congratulations again on your engagement," he smiled.

"Thank you," Elizabeth rushed out the door to read the telegram. She scanned the paper, held it against her chest and hurried to the jail.

Jack was at his desk writing a list of things to be done prior to his marriage to Elizabeth. The growing list included not only obtaining a home for the two of them but also things he wanted to do for the wedding. He stood when Elizabeth opened the door, "Elizabeth, good morning."

"Jack, does Mr. Gowen have a telephone?"

"What? A telephone? I don't believe so, why?" He noticed the piece of paper in her hand.

"My father, he wants me to telephone him," she waved the paper, "his telegram asks me to telephone him."

"That's all he had to say?" Jack was surprised.

"No, here," she gave him the paper.

"Beth, happy for you. Telephone me to discuss." Jack crinkled his forehead, "He calls you Beth?"

Elizabeth bobbed her head, "Jack, that's not the important part!"

"I didn't know he calls you Beth…" Jack stared at the paper.

Elizabeth sighed and grabbed the paper from his hand, "Does anyone have a telephone in Coal Valley?"

"No, I don't think so," he replied, "Beth huh?"

"Then where is the nearest telephone?"

"Cooperton probably," Jack replied.

"Okay, I'm going there," she turned to leave.

"Wait a minute, that's four hours away by stage," Jack reached for her arm, "can't you just reply with a telegram?"

"Jack, if my father wants to speak by telephone, then I have to find a telephone," she responded, "I'm sure he has a lot of questions, too many for a telegram." She reached for the door, "would you like to go to Cooperton with me?"

Jack thought for a second, "Of course I'm going with you, I wouldn't let you go alone," he followed her to the door, "even if it is against my better judgment," he said softly.

Jack followed Elizabeth across the street and into the café, "I'll get my purse."

"We aren't going now," Jack slapped his hands down against his thighs and looked at Abigail, "Please talk to her. She wants to go to Cooperton."

"Cooperton? Why does she want to go there?" Abigail wiped her hands on a towel.

"Her father."

"He's in Cooperton?" Abigail was surprised.

"No, but there's a telephone there," Jack sat down with a thud.

Abigail was confused, "A telephone? Maybe I should go upstairs and talk to Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was sitting on her bed counting money, "How much do you think the stage costs to Cooperton?"

Abigail frowned, "I don't know, but why are you going there?"

Elizabeth looked up, "Oh, my father wants to speak to me on the telephone," she looked across the room, "maybe he wants to talk about me going home for a visit, or bringing Jack there for a visit. Can you imagine?"

"Elizabeth, I believe the stage will take you there, but you'd have to either wait a week to return or hire a horse."

"Oh, really?" The reality was hitting Elizabeth, "well, we could rent a carriage I suppose."

"That's an awful lot for just a telephone call."

Elizabeth thought for a moment, "You're right, perhaps I should just telegraph him and tell him there is no telephone here."

Downstairs, Bill entered the café and found Jack sitting at the table, "Jack, what are you doing?"

"Waiting to talk some sense into Elizabeth, she wants to go to Cooperton to use the telephone," Jack was tapping his fingers on the table.

Bill was confused but responded with the logic of the situation, "Cooperton would be an overnight trip at least, quite a trip to use a telephone."

Jack looked up at Bill, "I didn't even think of that, we aren't going. She isn't going."

Elizabeth came down the stairs followed by Abigail. "Jack, I am going to send a telegram back to my father. We aren't going to Cooperton."

Jack stood, "That's sensible. Let's go send the telegram now." He put his hand out; he didn't want to give her any time to change her mind.

Elizabeth looked at all of her friends, "Okay," she said somewhat reluctantly.

Outside, Elizabeth took Jack's arm. "I'm sorry I panicked. I just know my father, if he wants to speak with me, he is looking for information."

"Why don't you telegram him and tell him that you'll go home for a visit and you can see your family and catch them up on everything that's happened here."

Elizabeth stopped walking and looked at him, "No, I won't go there unless you come with me."

"That wouldn't be appropriate Elizabeth," Jack answered.

"Jack, no…"

"Lets go to the jail for a minute," Jack wanted privacy.

Once inside, Jack took her hands, "Elizabeth, you can't just show up at home with me in tow. Either I can come later or I can meet them when they come here for a visit."

Elizabeth shook her head, "No, Jack, I'm not doing that. If you won't go with me, I'm not going." She hugged him, "I don't want to be away from you Jack."

Jack inhaled deeply, "I don't want to be away from you either, not for a single day, but we have to reassure your parents about our intentions."

"Let me send the telegram and see how he responds." She looked up into his eyes and reached up to touch his face, "why are you able to be so logical when I'm not?"

Jack smiled, "I think I'm more practical than logical," he laughed softly and looked into her eyes, "and the practical man is telling me it's been too long since I kissed you." He pulled her into his arms and they shared a romantic kiss.

"Hmm, not only practical but romantic too," she hugged him, "thank you Jack."

"I have to make my rounds, so I'll see you later at the café for dinner?" Jack gently caressed her arms.

"Sounds good Constable." Elizabeth replied and she left to send a telegram to her father.

After ensuring the community was safe and sound, Jack went to the mercantile, "Any telegrams for me Mr. Yost?"

"Yes," the shopkeeper replied and reached to the back counter, "here it is Constable."

Jack nodded, "Thank you." He read the telegram, folded it and put it in his pocket. When he turned to leave he noticed boxes piled high near the window, "what's all this, new shipment?"

"Yes, in fact," he came around the counter and pulled the top box off the pile and reached inside, "look at these."

Jack's eyes lit up, "I'll take them."

"Well, okay, let me get some paper."

Jack headed to the café, his purchase hidden behind his back. He tapped on the door but noticed a burning smell emanating from the café. He opened the door slightly, "Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth was at the stove waving a towel, "Jack! Come in."

Jack walked into the smoke filled room, "Ahh, what are you doing?"

Elizabeth frowned at his look, "Cooking and baking." She walked across the room and opened the windows.

"Where's Abigail?" Jack was fanning the smoke in front of him.

"She's taking a walk with Bill. I thought I would help by starting dinner," her shoulders slumped and she threw the towel onto the table. "Why is cooking so difficult?"

Jack shook his head, "You're doing better. Do I smell apples?" His sly smile showed off the dimples on his handsome face.

Elizabeth was absorbed by his expression. "What?"

"Usually I can't smell anything but burned food," he tried to look sympathetic.

"Oh, so that means I'm improving?" She shook her head and noticed his hand behind his back, "Did you bring food? You knew I'd be cooking and ruining dinner didn't you?"

Jack laughed softly, "Come here," he put his hand out for her, "these are you for you, my beautiful chef." He presented her with a bouquet of pink and yellow carnations.

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide in awe of the pretty flowers, "Jack, they're so beautiful," she inhaled their fragrance, "oh, so lovely."

"In honor of my engagement to the most beautiful woman in Coal Valley," he leaned and kissed her cheek.

"Jack…you're so sweet. Thank you." She held the flowers to her face and inhaled deeply, "I didn't see these when I was at the mercantile, is that where you got them?"

"Yes, of course it is. Must have been a delivery after you were there," he replied, "when I saw them, I had to have them to present to you."

"Thank you Jack," she kissed him.

"Hmm, what are we going to eat?" He asked softly, looking at the stove.

Elizabeth bit her lip, "Whatever Abigail makes when she gets back."

"In that case, come here," he pulled her close, kissed her ear and said softly, "please learn to cook."

Elizabeth giggled and went to put the flowers in a vase. "So Mr. Yost didn't have a telegram for you today?"

Jack looked at her and then looked away, "No, not today."

"Well, maybe tomorrow," she put the vase of flowers on the table.

"Yeah, tomorrow," Jack replied, "tomorrow…"