When Jack got back to the jail, he tossed the telegram in the top desk drawer. "I'll send another telegram tomorrow," he said to himself. He didn't want to tell Elizabeth that his mother clearly didn't understand his telegram. He went to lie down and soon fell fast asleep.

At the café, Abigail finished putting the clean plates away and noticed Elizabeth touching the beautiful flowers from Jack. "Those are so lovely, it was nice of Jack to give them to you."

"Yes it was. I've never seen these colors. I didn't know Mr. Yost carried flowers in the store."

"Occasionally he does have different things," Abigail sat down at the table, "Jack was quiet tonight and you two didn't take a walk. Is everything okay?"

Elizabeth shrugged, "I think he feels a bit overwhelmed. Of course I didn't help matters by going on and on about a silly telephone," she rolled her eyes, "I drove him batty I suppose."

Abigail laughed softly, "I think Jack knows how you hold your father in such high regard and he understands."

Elizabeth nodded, "I asked my parents to come here to Coal Valley. When Julie was here she did say they spoke of possibly traveling here, so they may come," Elizabeth spoke softer, "I do so want them to meet Jack."

The next morning, Jack was at the mercantile when Ned Yost unlocked the door.
"Constable, good morning, hope nothing's wrong that brings you here so early."

"Just need to send another telegram," Jack walked in.

Ned read the paper Jack handed him, "I'll get this right out for you."

"Thank you Ned." Jack left the store and headed back to the jail.

"Constable!" Adam Miller called out to Jack, waving a large rolled paper in his hand, "I have this drawing for you to review. I'll stop by later today and we can discuss."

"Thanks Adam, I'll look it over," Jack put the rolled paper under his arm and continued on his way.

Elizabeth saw Jack heading for the jail and hurried across the street, "Jack!"

Jack smiled, seeing her made him instantly feel better. "Good morning," he absorbed the comfort only she was capable of providing him. "Come on in, I want to show you something."

Elizabeth excitedly hurried into the jail and sat in Jack's chair at his desk, smugly looking up at him.

"Okay, Constable Thatcher," he cleared his throat, "lets unroll this and take a look," Jack smiled and moved the typewriter.

Elizabeth opened the drawer hoping to find something to anchor the curled paper, but instead noticed the telegram, "Surprised to hear you've reunited with Rosemary. I will come to visit. Mother." She pulled the paper out of the drawer, stood up and read it again.

Jack reached for the telegram, "Elizabeth, let me explain," he took it from her and let it fall to the floor, "I didn't clarify in my telegram to her…"

"Clarify?" Elizabeth interrupted him, "what did you tell her?"

Jack reached for her. "I told her I was engaged and wanted her to come here for a visit," he touched her arm, "I foolishly left out that it was you and I wanted her to come here and meet you!"

Elizabeth squinted, "Jack, why would she think you were reunited?"

"I don't know, but I just sent her another telegram this morning, being much more specific," he noticed her hurt expression, "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I didn't want to upset you with my mistake that's why I didn't tell you and that was wrong, I'm sorry. She must think I've lost my mind…reunited, not possible." Jack tried to make Elizabeth see how wrong her thinking was. He reached for her hand, "This is all making me nervous. Forgive me?"

"As long as she doesn't want you to be reunited…" Elizabeth replied, thinking it through.

"No, of course not, believe me she does not want that. She wrote she was surprised, I'm sure she was shocked actually," he took a deep breath. He stepped closer to her, "Elizabeth, we're driving ourselves crazy just telling our families that we're engaged. We can't keep doing this or …"

"Or we'll be batty by the time we get married," Elizabeth grinned, "Jack…" she touched his face.

"I'm sorry I did such a stupid thing," he sighed with his nervous smile, shaking his head and looking away.

"Oh Jack…" she touched his face again.

He looked down to the paper on his desk, "Let's sit and talk about this house."

"What house is this?" Her eyes darted over the paper.

He held down the paper, "Our house," he said softly, watching for her response.

She looked up at him, "Ours?" she looked at it again, "did you draw this?"

"No, I didn't," Jack smiled and sat down, "I met with Adam Miller and told him what I was thinking and he actually drew this. Of course I want your ideas, but I thought if we got the basic house down on paper…"

"Ours?" Elizabeth ran her fingers across the paper. When she looked up at him again, her eyes were filled with tears.

Jack let go of the paper, walked around the desk and embraced her, "You didn't think I was going to have you move in here did you, hmm?"

She laughed softly, "No," she sniffled.

"Look, its small, but as I explained to Adam, we can start out small and then add on as we need to," Jack smiled and looked down.

Elizabeth nodded, almost unable to speak, she reached and touched the paper again, "It's beautiful."

Jack pulled the chair around next to hers and they sat side by side looking at the drawing, "You see this fireplace, it's on the outside wall so we can sit out there at night on a nice cool evening," he touched her hand, "would you like that?" He asked inquisitively, knowing they hadn't discussed a house in detail, but hoping she would like the choice he made.

Elizabeth looked at him, a bit taken aback, "Jack I've never seen such a thing. It's wonderful."

"On the inside of the wall is another fireplace, so only one chimney has to be built."

"Practical," the corner of her mouth turned up, "What room is that?"

"That would be our bedroom," Jack whispered.

"Oh, I see," Elizabeth replied shly.

"Only one bedroom for now."

"Hmm, what about him, where's he going to sleep?" Indicating Rip, who let out a small howl.

"On his blanket on the floor where he belongs," Jack said. Rip growled.

Elizabeth ran her hand across the paper again, "Where will we build this beautiful house?"

Jack took her hand, "At our special place, where else?"

"Oh Jack, that would be wonderful," she hugged him.

Jack whispered in her ear, "All for you Elizabeth."

She pulled back, cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.

The jail door opened and in walked Bill Avery, "Well, enough of that! I ought to put you two in jail!"

Jack stood up, "Bill…good morning."

Elizabeth put her hand to her face, embarrassed.

"Please…" Bill waved his hand, dismissing any impropriety, smiling broadly.

"Oh my gosh!" Elizabeth jumped up, "I have to go." Before Jack could do anything she hurried out the door and headed to the mercantile.

She opened the door and rushed in, startling Mr. Yost. "Miss Thatcher, is everything okay?"

"Yes…yes, fine," she cleared her throat, "I was wondering if you have a telegram for me?"

"In fact I do, came in last evening," he reached for the paper and handed it to her, "you sure you're okay, you're a bit flushed…"

"I'm fine, thank you," she took the paper, brushed a hair out of her face and left. She read the telegram and calmly walked to the jail and sat on the porch, breathing in through her nose and exhaling through her mouth, the way Jack taught her to do when she found out about the Founders Day play.

Jack stepped out onto the porch, "Elizabeth, are you okay?" He crouched at her side, "Don't worry about Bill seeing us kissing…"

"No, that's fine, it's this," she handed him the telegram and breathed in.

Jack read the telegram, "Mother and Father are on their way, with several trunks. Miss you. Julie." Jack stood, "Oh boy…" and he laughed, his nervous laugh.

She looked up at him, "It will be okay. I can't wait for them to meet you." She smiled, very positive in her statement.

Jack tried to be positive as well, "Yes, I look forward to meeting them."

Elizabeth stood, "How about I pack a picnic for us … for later?"

Jack smiled, "Sounds good, it's a nice day, would you like to go out to the lake and have another picnic on the boat?"

"Yes I would," she smiled, "I look forward to it."

Later, Jack assisted Elizabeth into the boat, "Now remember, you have to sit still, don't rock the boat."

Elizabeth gave him a wry smile, "I won't rock the boat." She watched him climb in and untie the rope from the wooden dock. She liked how he looked in his civilian clothes, so comfortable and relaxed. She certainly liked him in his red serge but there was something about Jack in suspenders that made her love him even more. He was with her as a man, not as a Constable.

Jack paddled the boat out several yards, "Okay, what did you pack from Abigail's?"

Elizabeth tilted her head, "Don't you think I made something?"

Jack chuckled softly, "Okay, sure. I just thought Abigail always has something ready to go." He smiled at her, "So, what did you make?"

"Nothing, it's all Abigail's," she said dryly and flipped open the basket.

Jack looked down, trying not to smile.

Elizabeth bent to see his smiling face and moved off her seat.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

She was on her knees in front of him, touching his shoulder and stretching to look behind him.

Jack looked over his shoulder, "What?" But as he turned back he was captivated by her closeness, her face inches from his, "what are you doing?"

She ran her hand down his arm and looked into his eyes, "Checking for spiders," she whispered and then she moved to his other shoulder and repeated her search.

Jack sat motionless enjoying her little spider search. He enjoyed the attention and her gentle touches. It took a lot of control not to kiss her, her face was so close, but he was curious to see what her next move would be. "You see any?" his voice low and deep, his eyes fixed on her.

She shook her head and shrugged, "No, I don't. I guess you won't be jumping up anytime soon," she centered herself in front of him and stared into his eyes.

"Would you rescue me?" he asked in a low, serious tone.

"Of course I would," she whispered.

"That's all I need to know," he pulled her closer and kissed her. The small sounds she made as he wrapped her in his arms, pleased him. He didn't want to let go. He went to her ear, "I love you Elizabeth," he kissed her ear softly, enjoying her tiny giggles.