Jack rowed the small boat back to the dock and secured it. He offered Elizabeth his hand to step onto the dock, "Easy, give me both your hands."
Elizabeth took Jack's hand and picked her skirt up, "I can't use both hands, I have to hold my skirt so I don't trip…" and she was standing in front of him with one pull. "My goodness Jack!"
He jumped back into the boat, grabbed the picnic basket and jumped back onto the dock. "You ready?" he asked.
Watching him, Elizabeth got her foot caught in the rope and fell onto Jack sending the two of them tumbling onto the dock with Elizabeth landing on Jack, "Oh, I'm so sorry," she put her hand on his chest.
Jack held her protectively, "I'm good."
She squirmed nervously in his hold, "I can get up."
He brushed a curl from her face and laughed, "I knew you wouldn't let the day end without jumping into my arms."
"I didn't do it on purpose," she tentatively laid both her hands on his chest.
"I think you did," he kissed her, "Hmm, you just wanted me to kiss you."
"Jack, if I wanted you to kiss me, I wouldn't have to fall on you," she kissed him, "would I?" She slid her hands under his suspenders as she kissed him, tenderly squeezing his shoulders.
"True," he kissed her quickly, loving how she was holding him, "but it is fun, you have to admit that." He smiled and winked.
She laughed softly and awkwardly moved her legs against him. They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment before moving and sitting up.
"I hope we can still get some time together once your parents arrive." Jack said softly, looking down, still feeling the moment they just shared.
"We will," she bit her lip and reached for his hand.
"I hope so," he kissed her hand.
Later at the café, Abigail asked, "Elizabeth, you and I could share my room and your parents could stay in your room, if you think they would like that?"
Elizabeth thought about it for a moment, "Abigail, you're so generous. That would be better than staying at the saloon."
"It will be such a big adjustment for them, maybe they would be a bit more comfortable here." Abigail replied. "How is Jack doing? He must be a bit nervous to meet them."
"He's so wonderful, he won't say if he's nervous, although I suspect he is," she thought of the moments they shared earlier, "For now, I think he is more worried about not being able to spend time with me…" she laughed softly, "we're getting so comfortable, spending time alone together." She smiled remembering their boat ride, how she was so attracted to him and loved being close to him. Their engagement brought out different feelings in her, she was comfortable with him and wanted to be with him more frequently. Her attraction to him felt stronger and she wasn't sure if it was proper to display those feelings.
"You two will still have time alone, I can help with that," Abigail winked and she and Elizabeth shared a playful laugh.
"Now, let's have a cooking lesson, shall we?" Abigail asked tying her apron.
Elizabeth sighed, "You're a brave woman Abigail Stanton."
The next day, Bill and Jack helped move furniture around above the café. Bill wiped his brow, "I think the Thatcher's should stay in this room and you two ladies share the other room. That way you won't disturb them, would that be all right?"
"You're right. Let's keep the big bed in here for them and the two beds in the other room," Abigail put the clean folded sheets on the dresser. "How about some lunch, you men must be hungry."
Jack and Bill were glad for the break and headed downstairs. Elizabeth was at the stove, "Stew?" she held up a spoon.
"Sounds wonderful," Bill sat down.
"Hope it tastes wonderful," Jack whispered and sat down.
Elizabeth gave him a look, "Don't worry, Abigail made it."
They all enjoyed the lunch and finished arranging the upstairs rooms for their guests.
That evening Elizabeth and Jack took their walk to their grove of trees.
"You're not saying very much this evening, is everything okay?" Jack asked as they sat on the log.
Elizabeth nodded, "Yes fine. I guess I'm just thinking about my parents visit here and your mother's visit," she reached for his hand, "excited."
"Yes, it is exciting," he turned to her, "Elizabeth, when would you like to get married? I think your family will ask us that and its' important that we're unified on that."
She swallowed, "Would next spring be too soon?"
Jack looked at her, surprised by her answer, "Really? I agree with that."
"If our house will be done by then," she said.
He stood, "I'll make sure our house is done," he offered her his hand, "Dance with me."
Elizabeth stood, put her hand on his shoulder and took his hand. "Jack, our house will need to have space for us to dance," she giggled and moved closer to him.
Jack moved his hand across her back and held her closer, "Absolutely, and we'll have several dancing dates every week, won't we," he whispered in her ear. They danced for quite a while before heading back to town.
The next morning, Elizabeth helped Abigail with the breakfast dishes after a busy morning crowd. "Would you like some coffee?" Abigail asked.
"No thank you, after I finish these, I think I'll bring some biscuits to Jack."
Abigail smiled, "How thoughtful."
Elizabeth wrapped a towel around four biscuits and put them in a basket and headed out. As she stepped off the porch of the café, she saw the stagecoach coming around the corner, "Oh dear…." She hurried to the jail.
"Jack!" she rushed into the jail, "Jack, the stage is here!"
Jack stood, "Okay…okay, did you see your parents?" He opened the door, peered out and then closed the door.
"No, I just saw the stage come around the corner," she put the basket down on the desk. "What do we do?" she was wringing her hands.
"Relax, you need to go outside and go to the stage," he held her arms and looked her in the eye.
"Okay, yes," she turned toward the door and then abruptly turned around, slamming into Jack. "Oh…"
Jack reached for her, "Elizabeth, relax…" He opened the door and looked again, "The stage is at the saloon, so let's go see if they're on it." He picked up the basket.
Elizabeth waved her hands, "Jack, why are you bringing the basket?"
Jack looked at the basket in his hands like it was a foreign object, "I don't know…what's in this?" He moved the cloth covering the biscuits, "we don't need this, here, put it down." He handed her the basket.
"Jack, I'm so nervous!" She put the basket on the desk.
Jack shook his head, "Everything's fine, we just go out and welcome them," he reached for the basket again, "What am I doing!"
She grabbed the basket and slammed it on the desk, "We don't need this. Are you coming with me?"
"Yes. Unless you don't think I should. Maybe it would be better for me to meet them later, after they've gotten settled and had some time with you." Jack's mind was racing.
"Okay, thank you Jack," She took another deep breath and hurried out the door.
Jack stood at the desk holding the basket, "What the heck am I doing with this basket?" he pushed it aside. Rip lifted his head and growled.
The door flew open, "Jack! What are we doing? Come with me, I have to have you with me!" She grabbed his arm and tugged him.
He pointed at the basket, "You stay here and start praying," he mumbled under his breath.