Jack arrived in Calgary tired but determined to catch the thieves and get back to Coal Valley to be with Elizabeth. He now had to focus on finding Bill Avery and apprehending the thieves. Calgary was a busy, vibrant town, the sidewalks crowded with people and various shops and businesses up and down the main street. Jack and Bill had agreed to meet in the saloon, often the best place in town to hear news, especially news of thieves and robbers. Jack tied up his horse and headed into the busy establishment, looking around for Bill.

"Welcome to Calgary Mr. Mountie, you looking for somebody?"

Jack put his hand on the bar and turned to see a woman with red hair, blue eyes and a big smile. He also couldn't help notice the fitted purple satin dress she wore.

"Ahh, yeah…" Jack looked away.

"Well, I could keep you company until she gets here," the woman leaned on the bar.

"Ahh, he should be here soon…" Jack glanced at her and then quickly looked away.

"Oh I see," she moved closer, "another Mountie? Maybe the two of you can arrest me and get me out of here!" She laughed and then put her hand on his arm, "where do you boys get these nice red jackets anyway?"

"My office…hmm, headquarters….," he looked past her for Bill, "Ahh, If you'll excuse me."

"Oh I don't mind waiting with you," she leaned closer, "it's kind of good if I look busy, you know what I mean? You're awful cute." She ran her finger up his arm.

Jack swallowed nervously, "Well…."

"We could keep each other company…" she leaned toward him.

Jack raised his eyebrows and looked at her, "No thank you Ma'm." he said.

She waved to the bartender, "Dougie, get the Mountie here a drink!"

"Okay…" Jack looked at the bartender, "Lemonade please."

"What's your name honey?"

"Jack," as soon as he said it he regretted it. The bartender put the lemonade in front of him.

"Well nice to meet you Jack, my name's Rose," she smiled.

Jack choked on the lemonade, "Of course your name is Rose, I should have figured that..." Jack whispered and rolled his eyes, "why me?"

"You married honey?" she asked.

"Ahh, no," Jack wanted to say as little as possible.

"Ever been with a woman?" she leaned and whispered.

Jack took a big gulp of the lemonade, "Look Rose, I'm waiting for someone, so if you'll excuse me."

"Aw, that's okay sweetie, you're just so darn cute, you must have a sweetheart, don't ya?" She backed away slightly, looking him over.

"I do," Jack still didn't look at her.

"Well you hold onto her, cuz if you're lucky enough in this world to find someone special to love and they love you right back, that's a little piece of heaven right here," she tapped her hand on the bar.

Jack looked down and then stole a glance at her.

"If you have someone that makes you feel special, that you're important," she went on, looking up, "you know, someone that you just can't wait to see and be with everyday, well there's nothing better in this world than that. That's the foundation for everything else in your life." She touched his sleeve.

Jack couldn't help but smile. Elizabeth was already on his mind and now Rose had just slung the hammer into his heart with her sentiment. "Thanks Rose…you're right."

"I kept thinking I'd get me somebody like that, but I'm too old now I guess," she sighed, "So Mr. Jack, Mountie man, you hold on to that sweetheart you have, she's a lucky girl."

"Don't give up Rose, it's never too late," Jack said. He turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Bill, good to see you."

"Jack," he looked over at Rose, "who's your friend?" he asked in a cautious tone, squinting his eyes.

Rose looked Bill over, "Well goodness me, I don't know if I can take two handsome Mounties," Rose moved closer to Bill Avery, "the ladies must just swoon over the two of you."

"No swooning Ma'm," Bill smiled. "Has she seen our two friends Jack?"

Jack shook his head, "I haven't asked her."

"There are more of you! Well get me a bucket of ice Dougie, these Mountie's are heating me up!" Rose put her hand on her chest and then fanned herself, "I just couldn't take any more Mounties, two's my limit boys!"

Bill wasn't sure what to make of this scene, he forced a laugh and asked, "We are looking for two men, have you noticed any strangers around here?" Jack just stood looking at Rose fan herself.

"Well besides you two, there were two brutes that caused trouble in here last night, our Mounties, who by the way are not near as handsome as the two of you are, took them over to the jail," Rose said.

"Jack, let's go," Bill said, "Thank you Ma'm, you've been most helpful." Bill nodded to Rose.

"Oh you have to leave so soon? I was hoping to talk some more with ya," Rose touched Jack's arm.

"Ahh, duty calls Miss Rose," Jack smiled and then leaned toward her, "remember it's never too late." He touched her hand and followed Bill out of the saloon.

Rose lifted her hand, staring at the spot Jack touched. "Oh if only I were young again…." Rose watched Jack walk out of her life.

"Dare I ask how you got mixed up with her?" Bill asked as they crossed the street.

Jack cleared his throat, "Let's hope our criminals are in the jail," he glanced at Bill and saw him chuckling.

Meanwhile on a private stagecoach headed east, Elizabeth lay her head against the window, thinking of Jack and how she missed him so much now and wondering how she would survive the coming weeks without him. She wondered how he would react to the note she left for him with Abigail.

William Thatcher knew his daughter was not happy, "Beth," he reached for her hand, "it means so much that you're coming home."

"I know and it will be nice to see everyone," she forced a smile, "and of course helping mother, that's the main point." She looked at her mother, who slept on her husband's shoulder.

"Yes, I will feel better once our doctor takes a look at that wound and makes sure it is okay," he said, "and on a brighter note, just think how happy Julie will be to see you."

Elizabeth nodded.

In Calgary, Jack and Bill entered the jail and after introductions inquired about the robbers. Constable Withers told Jack, "We have two thugs locked up that match your description."

Jack nodded, "They stole a purse and its contents from the victim they shot, did they have any items on them that would belong to a female?"

"Yes," the Constable went to a cabinet and retrieved a black satchel. He placed it on the desk and opened it and on top was Kate Thatcher's blue purse. Jack and Bill looked at each other. "Looks like you have our thieves and our shooter," Jack said.

After completing paperwork to put the bandits securely in prison at Medicine Hat, Jack and Bill felt they could leave Calgary.

Outside, Bill asked Jack, "I'm relieved that worked out so well. Would you like to go to the saloon and get something to eat, you can see your friend again?"

"Ahh, no thank you, and if you would have been there before me she would have been your friend." Jack adjusted his hat and walked away.

Bill laughed, "Well, she's closer to my age than yours," he ran to catch up with Jack, "and I won't even tell Elizabeth that you now have a lady friend in Calgary."

Jack stopped and glared at Bill.

"Okay, okay," Bill put his hands up defensively, "just joking, I would never say anything."

Jack nodded, "Come on, lets go find someplace to eat, I want to get out of here and get back to Coal Valley and Elizabeth."

Hello readers, it was so difficult to write a chapter without interaction between Jack and Elizabeth. Hang in there, they will of course be together again! Thank you all so much for reading!