Elizabeth looked at Jack, put her hand in the crook of his elbow and leaned against him slightly, "You look so handsome and my parents will love you."
"How'd you get so calm?" he asked, fixated on the stagecoach.
"I don't know, it just suddenly came over me," she squeezed his arm, "I love you Jack, that's what matters," she whispered.
He looked at her and he too felt calm, "We're in this together." He gave her hand a squeeze.
"Yes we are…" Elizabeth stopped, "Father? There he is," she began walking faster, "Father!" she yelled.
William Thatcher stepped out of the coach, dressed in a dark brown suit, he was tall with brown hair and he gave Elizabeth a big smile as he held his hand up for his wife to step down from the coach. Elizabeth hurried toward them, "Hello! I'm so happy to see you!"
Mrs. Thatcher stepped down from the coach, a tall, slim woman in a dark purple traveling suit. Her hair, a dark brown color with a hint of red, was up in a neat bun under a purple and gray hat. She was a stunning woman and Jack instantly saw the resemblance of both parents in Elizabeth.
"Beth!" Her father hugged her tightly, "we made it! We're actually here." Elizabeth was jumping up and down as she then hugged her mother.
"Mother, father," she turned to Jack, who stood straight and still, "may I present Jack Thornton."
Mr. Thatcher held his hand out, "Jack, very nice to meet you."
"Very nice to meet you too Mr. Thatcher," he then turned to Elizabeth's mother, "Ma'm, it's a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled and extended her hand to Jack, "Jack, we've heard so many wonderful things about you. Between Elizabeth's letters and Julie going on and on about you, we feel as if we know you."
"Indeed and we thank you for taking such good care of our girls." Mr. Thatcher was directing the men regarding their cargo. "We'll talk much more about that later."
"Thank you sir," Jack felt like he could finally exhale, "let me help you with all this…all your trunks."
Elizabeth was beaming, so happy her parents had arrived and Jack didn't faint. She took her mother's arm, "Let's allow the men to straighten out everything, you must be exhausted."
"Not exhausted, but I do feel the need to walk a bit," she looked around for the first time, "this is a nice place."
Elizabeth noticed her mother wasn't really smiling as she gazed about her surroundings, "It's small and quaint, but you'll like it. Come on, I'll bring you where you'll be staying." The women walked and the men continued managing the Thatcher's belongings.
Once upstairs in the café, Elizabeth's mother took her daughter's hand, "Your ring is lovely," she tapped her daughter's hand and walked to the window to see the men still outside organizing the freight, "and so is your young man. You and your sister were right, he is quite handsome."
Elizabeth smiled, "He is and so much more than that. You'll see and you'll love him too."
"A Mountie…" She held the curtain back and continued looking outside.
"Jack takes pride in being a Mountie and is very good at his job." Elizabeth said proudly.
Her mother smiled, "I already know that, I still can't think of you and Julie and those outlaws without almost crying. We'll always be grateful to Jack for coming to your rescue. It's just unthinkable." She looked at Elizabeth, "Oh dear, I promised I wouldn't talk about that. But we are grateful."
Later, after more introductions and the Thatcher's many trunks were delivered, Abigail prepared a special dinner for the Thatcher's and Jack and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was in the dining room preparing the table when Jack came in, "Good evening Elizabeth."
"Jack," she noticed he looked a bit nervous but handsome in his brown suit, "you look wonderful." She walked over and, looking over his shoulder to ensure they were alone, she kissed him. "We're going to have a nice evening," she straightened his tie.
"Okay," he touched her arms, "you look beautiful Elizabeth. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better, they seem very nice." He smiled, and when she smiled back at him, he couldn't resist pulling her close and kissing her. Only the footsteps behind them ended their warm embrace.
"Okay you two," Abigail walked in with two glasses and put them on the table, "you better not be doing that tonight." She touched Jack's arm, "at least not until later."
Elizabeth headed upstairs and Jack walked to the window, silently praying that the evening ahead would be pleasant and that he wouldn't say the wrong thing to the Thatchers.
"Jack, the ladies are still getting ready and talking, would you like to walk outside?" Mr. Thatcher was in the kitchen doorway.
"Of course," Jack followed the man out the door.
"Julie wanted to come along with us, but we felt that this visit trip didn't need any drama, and we know Julie can cause a ruckus, as you found out very well." William Thatcher smiled broadly as he walked along the street.
"Julie is a special girl, very lively," Jack replied.
"Thank you. She thinks highly of you. She told us you would be marrying Beth," he said.
Jack was shocked, "How intuitive." He didn't know how to reply.
"Would you like a cigar?" Mr. Thatcher reached into his jacket.
Jack held up his hand, "No, I don't smoke, thank you."
Mr. Thatcher nodded, "Good, glad to hear that, neither do I," he slapped Jack on the back, "Let's go see about dinner."
Jack wondered if the man was testing him. They entered the café and the ladies were in the kitchen talking to Abigail. They all then went into the dining room for dinner.
"You must be hungry," Elizabeth said, "Abigail made something special and I know you'll love it."
"Julie told us she's a wonderful cook," Mrs. Thatcher said, "Do you cook Jack? Being a single man you must know how."
"Now Kate," as William Thatcher called his wife, "of course he must cook, Mounties' don't have servants. I do know that he doesn't smoke." He smiled at Jack.
"I do cook Mrs. Thatcher, but I admit I frequently eat here at the café," Jack took a sip of water from his glass.
"Elizabeth dear, are you learning to cook?" her mother asked.
"Yes, Abigail has been teaching me." She pressed the napkin on her lap.
"You must prepare something for us while we're here," Mr. Thatcher smiled.
"Stop Will, don't tease her," Kate Thatcher gave her husband a look and shook her head. "I should have made sure you girls had basic cooking skills."
"Did we ever think they'd ever need them?" He laughed.
The food was served, much to Jack's relief. "Cooking isn't that hard, just takes patience and time. Elizabeth and I can learn together and take turns making meals." Jack smiled at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth smiled, so grateful for Jack's statement.
"That's very nice, not many men would do that," Kate Thatcher said.
"Of course not, not all men have to," William Thatcher replied and picked up his fork.
At the conclusion of the meal, Mrs. Thatcher said, "Well, I know I am tired and I think we should call it a day Will. If you'll excuse us Jack, we can talk more tomorrow."
William stood, "Ah, I think you're right, you don't mind do you Beth?" He took Elizabeth's hand.
"No, I'm sure you're tired from your trip, we have plenty of time to talk," she kissed her father's cheek, "Good night."
"Jack," William reached his hand to Jack, "thank you for your company this evening, we'll see you tomorrow."
"My pleasure Mr. Thatcher," Jack stood and shook his hand, "Good evening Mrs. Thatcher, have a good rest."
The Thatcher's went up the stairs and Elizabeth moved to Jack's side and reached around his back. "Can we go walk for a minute?" She asked softly.
Outside, Jack started walking, Elizabeth hurried to keep up, "Jack, are you okay?"
"Fine," he stopped, "I'm glad that's over truthfully. They're very nice, but I feel they have their doubts about us."
"Maybe," Elizabeth played with is tie, "but we'll erase their doubts."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, "yes we will."
Upstairs at the café, William Thatcher hung up his jacket, "Well, what do you think of him Kate?"
"He's very nice…"
"Kind of quiet, don't you think?"
"You have to give him a chance to talk Will. He was a bit nervous," she removed her earrings.
"He's nervous all right, he's nervous we'll be bringing Beth back home with us," he pulled the blanket off the bed.
"Now Will, I told you we are not forcing her to come home with us," she replied.
"Forcing? There won't be any forcing involved I assure you Katherine." He reclined on the bed and put his hands under his head. "What are they going to do, live up here? Over a restaurant?"
"I doubt they plan to live up here Will," she brushed her hair.
"I hope not, but tomorrow I want to see where he lives, the place he and my daughter will call home."