That evening in the café dining room, William Thatcher entertained everyone with stories from his business and a few from when Elizabeth was younger.
"Father, no one wants to hear boring stories about my childhood," Elizabeth said.
"Why not? You're among friends here," he moved his hand indicating everyone, "right Jack?" he stared at Jack.
Jack stared back for a moment, "That's right, everyone here cares about Elizabeth."
"I remember one time when a young man was coming to call and you and Julie decided to be creative with your dress, remember Kate?" He looked at his wife.
"Father, please," Elizabeth stood and walked to the kitchen.
"William, that's enough, you're embarrassing Elizabeth," Kate Thatcher patted her husband's hand.
Jack excused himself and went to the kitchen to check on Elizabeth. She was looking out the window, her arms folded. "My father is such a story teller," she sighed.
Jack felt sorry for Elizabeth, he didn't like to see her like this and he felt almost as uncomfortable as he knew she did. He wanted to take her in his arms and walk out of the café, but he knew that wouldn't be appropriate. "Let's go sit down, I think he got the hint that he shouldn't be talking about you." Jack took her hand and led her back to the dining room. Once they sat down, Jack closed his eyes for a moment, needing to temporarily escape, and thought about the way Elizabeth kissed his ear earlier in the day. It made him feel better. He opened his eyes and looked at her, she was a lovely woman, had an attractive beauty about her, a grace in every movement. He looked down, thankful how fortunate he was to have her in his life. He smiled when he thought of how she kissed him, held him. He was so appreciative of her affection for him, the way she comfortably touched him, held him, kissed him.
"Jack?" William Thatcher said loudly. "Did you?"
Jack shook his head to clear his thoughts, "What? Did I what?" He shifted in his chair.
William Thatcher knew Jack was thinking about Elizabeth, he saw the way the young man looked at his daughter. He was fine with that, he wanted the man who was going to marry his daughter to be in love and to respect his daughter. Jack Thornton appeared to be an honorable man. She picked a good one, he thought, this man would make a good husband for Elizabeth. He was pleased.
"I was saying how you and Elizabeth had house plans, I wondered if you spoke to the fellow who drew them up for you?"
"Ah, no, I'll stop by tomorrow and make arrangements for us to meet with him."
"Excellent."
Jack rubbed his palms on his thighs, "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to call it a day."
William stood, "I'll walk you out Jack."
Jack's eyes shot to Elizabeth, who stood and walked to Jack, "I'll be over to say good night," she whispered.
Jack nodded, "Good night everyone, Abigail thank you for another wonderful dinner."
William Thatcher opened the café door for Jack, "After you." Once on the porch, "Thank you Jack for spending time with me today."
"My pleasure sir," Jack replied, waiting for the next unusual question from the business tycoon.
"You know Jack, you eased some of my worries today. Not just any man could handle my daughter, but I think you can take the challenge."
Jack winced at the man's choice of words.
"Tomorrow I would like to talk to your builder and see where you want to build this house," he looked at Jack. "What do you think?"
"I think it's a great idea, I'll arrange it in the morning and let you know."
"Good," he slapped Jack on the back, "now wait right here, I'll send Elizabeth out."
Jack froze in place, surprised that there wasn't a strange question and even more surprised that he was going to send Elizabeth out to see him. When he turned to say something, William was inside the café.
Elizabeth stepped out onto the porch to find Jack staring off into the distance, "Jack? Oh no, now what happened?"
"I'm not sure," Jack stared straight ahead.
Elizabeth took his arm, "Well, where would you like to go?" She wanted him to relax.
Jack turned and looked at her, "Just over to the jail, if that's okay."
They walked in silence and sat on the porch. "I think your father is okay with me."
"Okay with you?" Elizabeth smiled, "Did he say that?"
Jack looked at her, "Not exactly." Jack stood and took her hand, "Elizabeth, let me walk you back, I'm kind of tired."
She stood and embraced him, "I understand, you go on in, I can walk myself back." She kissed him and hugged him.
"I'm so lucky to have you," Jack said, he stepped back, "I love you so much."
Elizabeth pursed her lips, "I love you too Jack. Thank you for spending time with my father. Now you need to spend some time with my mother."
"Tomorrow your father wants to see where we are building our house, so we should all go."
Elizabeth nodded, "That's a good idea…"
"But?" he noticed her hesitation.
"I don't want them to see our special place," she lifted her shoulders, "I want that to stay our secret, the fewer people that know the better. Keeps it special." She looked down.
Jack put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his, "I like that. I know where we can take them, don't worry."
"I'm not worried," she said softly.
"Good, I hate to see you worry," he kissed her quickly.
She laughed, "Okay, you're walking me home Constable." She pulled him and they walked to the café.
Upstairs, William Thatcher was looking out the window, "Kate, look, here they come. Wonder where they went?"
"Don't stand there watching them Will," Kate scolded her husband, "they probably just walked and talked, probably about you."
"Me? What did I do?" He looked at his wife.
"Oh I can only imagine what you've asked the poor boy. He's a good choice for Elizabeth and she loves him."
"Tomorrow we're going to see where they intend to build their cabin," he looked out the window again, "he's kissing her!"
"William Thatcher, get away from that window," Kate walked over and pulled on her husband's arm, "get ready for bed. And I don't think they would appreciate you calling their house a cabin."
"Ah, wait until you see it," he unbuttoned his shirt.
"Will, let them be, every couple starts small, it's romantic," she implored.
He looked at his wife, "Romantic?" he shook his head, "It's okay, I'll help them out."
Outside, Jack and Elizabeth shared several good night kisses. "I'll be by after I talk to Adam Miller," Jack ran his hand down the side of her face and his fingers through her hair.
Elizabeth took his hand and kissed his palm, "I love when you do that Jack."
Jack smiled, "and I love when you do that," he whispered.
"Good night," she stepped toward the door.
"Good night," he rushed forward and kissed her again, "I look forward…" he looked down, "ahh, good night," he turned and walked away.
Elizabeth put her hand to her face, she knew what he was going to say and it touched her. She loved him so much.
The next morning, Kate Thatcher again took her morning walk and stopped for her Jack viewing, she smiled and looked down to remove her gloves, when she looked up Jack was watching her. Jack waved, "Good morning."
Kate nodded and quickly went on her way.
Jack put the axe down, wondering why Kate Thatcher was standing there, "One interrogates me, the other one watches me," he laughed as he rolled his sleeves down. He walked to the water barrel near the door and splashed water on his face. He had to go get a wagon for today's Thatcher adventure.
At the café, Elizabeth was upstairs fixing her hair when her mother stepped in. "Elizabeth dear, I wanted to give you this, it's a gift from your Aunt Margaret." She handed her a white box wrapped with a pink ribbon.
"Oh, thank you," Elizabeth smiled and pulled the pink ribbon, "is this an engagement gift?"
"Yes, for your trousseau. She's very happy for you, she and Julie were jumping up and down in their excitement."
"Oh, they're so much alike," she opened the box, lifted the tissue paper and revealed a champagne colored lace fabric. She put the box on the bed and removed the fabric and out came a long satin nightgown. "Oh my goodness," she pushed it back into the box. "Mother, it's so….so…" she blushed.
"It's lovely dear," she patted her daughter's hand, "wrap it up and put it away."
Elizabeth looked at her mother, wondering if her mother was accepting the fact that she was engaged to be married and if they would ever be able to discuss it. She wrapped the beautiful gown and put it into a drawer and headed downstairs.
Jack came into the café, "Good morning Elizabeth," he walked to her and kissed her cheek. "Where is everyone? Oh, I mean where's your father, I know your mother is out walking."
She looked at him, "No, mother is upstairs. I'm not sure where father is."
"Elizabeth, I saw your mother watching me this morning," he whispered, his eyes wide.
Elizabeth smiled, the look on his face reminded her of one of her student's tattling on another student, "What? Watching you? What are you talking about?"
"Earlier, I was out behind the jail chopping wood and I noticed her on the street, watching me."
Elizabeth remembered watching Jack chop wood once, "Really? Well what's so strange about that?" She bit her lip and hoped Jack didn't notice the color rise in her cheeks.
"Good morning," Kate came down the stairs.
"Good morning," Jack moved away from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked at her mother and smiled.
William Thatcher came into the room, "Are we all set to go on our little trip?"
"Yes sir," Jack replied.
When they arrived out just past Jack and Elizabeth's special place, Elizabeth, unaccustomed to getting out of a wagon, went tumbling onto Jack, sending the two of them to the ground. Jack instinctively held Elizabeth protectively and when he looked up Kate and William were just standing there looking at him. Elizabeth wiggled her way off Jack and they both stood and wiped themselves off.
"Well now," William cleared his throat and looked away, "this is a nice piece of property."
"Yes, it is." Jack said. "We can talk to Adam Miller this afternoon about the plans, if that's okay."
"Yes, perfectly fine." William Thatcher continued looking around.
"It's lovely here, the mountain views are spectacular," Kate said.
"Yes, I know you like nice views Mother," Elizabeth said.
Kate turned and looked at her daughter, "Yes…of course," she smiled.
Jack smirked at Elizabeth and turned away.
After walking and surveying the area, the group decided to head back to town. "Should I help you into the wagon, can you do that without hurting yourself?" William Thatcher asked his daughter.
Elizabeth gave her father a look, "I think I can manage thank you."
Jack jumped into the wagon, "Here, take my hand," he pulled her up and she let out a squeal. Jack just shook his head.
Back in town, William offered to return the wagon. "Let me do it, my treat."
Inside the café, Abigail was in the kitchen speaking with a woman as Kate, Elizabeth and Jack entered.
Jack looked, "Mother?"
The woman turned, "Jack! Jack, it's so good to see you!" She embraced Jack and rubbed his back. She was a petite woman with dark hair, blue eyes and a beautiful smile.
Elizabeth was awestruck, watching the two of them. She then reached up and started pushing her hair in place.
"Mother, when did you get here? You should have told me you were coming today," Jack held her arms.
"I wasn't sure when I would arrive and I wanted to surprise you!" She cupped his face in her hands, "You look wonderful son." Then her eyes went to Elizabeth, "Is this your young lady?"
"Yes," Jack turned and took Elizabeth's hand, "Mother, this is Elizabeth…Elizabeth Thatcher."
Mary Thornton's smile vanished, "Thatcher?" She quickly composed herself, smiled and extended her hand, "It's so nice to meet you Elizabeth."
The café door opened and in walked William, "Wagon's all set." He closed the door, turned and stopped, "Mary?"