Elizabeth happily led Jack around the house, impressing him with room after room. They met up with the butler Wilson on the second floor hall, "I placed Mr. Thornton's luggage in the gray room."

"Thank you," Elizabeth pulled Jack along, "I'll show you where you can stay."

"Elizabeth, maybe I should stay in town at a hotel," Jack said.

"Jack, you are staying here, not at some hotel," she looked at him with a frown.

"I don't want to impose, it isn't like I was invited…"

"Don't be silly, there's more than enough room for you here," she moved closer to him, "besides, don't you want to be close to me?" She playfully batted her eyelashes.

Jack laughed, "Of course I do, you know that," he leaned in to kiss her, but she backed away.

"Behave yourself," she kidded. "Come on, the room is down here on the right."

She opened the door and led Jack in, "Now I see why you call it the gray room, there must be fifty shades of gray in this room!"

"Mother was in a mood when she was decorating I suppose." Elizabeth said, "but look," she pulled Jack to a doorway near the corner of the room, "a bathroom…" she put her hand out inviting him to enter.

Jack was wide eyed, "Very nice…" he looked at her, "if you're ever looking for me, I'll be in here," he joked pointing to the bathtub.

"I'll think of you when I'm in the bathtub next door," she said innocently.

Jack smiled a crooked grin, "Ahh, okay, you do that."

Elizabeth led the way out of the bathroom as Jack wiped his brow and cleared his throat.

Downstairs they met up with Kate Thatcher who looked well, all healed, "Jack so nice to see you."

"Mrs. Thatcher, nice to you also, you look well. The arm healing okay?"

"Yes, much better…so, I was going to ask what brings you here, but I already know the answer to that question," she smiled.

"Ahh, I was worried about Elizabeth…and you and Mr. Thatcher. Wanted to make sure you all arrived here okay," Jack stammered. "Good news, we did apprehend the men who robbed you, they are in prison now…and I did recover your purse."

"Oh Jack, that is good news, thank you." Mrs. Thatcher replied. "Do take off that jacket, it's warm and we aren't that formal around here," she was admiring Jack and softening up a bit.

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at her mother being hospitable to Jack and as she looked at him, she realized even more how very much she missed him. She smiled feeling a peacefulness descend upon her just from being in the same room with him again and when he glanced her way she felt a smile spread across her face as she fought the urge to go stand closer to him. She knew she had to rescue him from this room and bring him outdoors where they could be alone.

"Jack you must be thirsty from your trip, let's go sit on the patio and have some iced tea." She took his hand. He nodded to Kate and let Elizabeth lead the way.

"Maybe you'd like to take a little walk, we can have our tea later. I can show you the stables…" Elizabeth kept leading Jack, walking backwards gently pulling him along.

Jack's eyes were fixed on her, "Take me wherever you'd like, I'm yours."

Elizabeth looked down, blushed, "Hmm, fine."

As they got closer to the barn, Jack rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt. Elizabeth bit her lip watching him. Could he be even more handsome since she saw him last, she wondered. Why was he even more handsome in a white shirt? She felt herself blush when he caught her looking at him.

Jack was pleasantly surprised at the number of horses in the barn as well as the other animals. "Doesn't seem to fit, this is like a working farm."

"Well, I guess the food comes from somewhere," Elizabeth shrugged.

Jack laughed, "You aren't going to tell me you have crops planted out back are you and I know these horses certainly don't pull plows," he looked at her, loving her innocence and naivety in such matters.

She looked at him, "I don't know…about that."

He pulled her over to a corner, "Just what do you know, can you tell me that?" he whispered and brushed a piece of hair from her cheek.

"I know my mother was right," she said.

"About what?" he smiled.

"It is warm here," she untied his tie and pulled it slowly off his collar and dropped in on the ground.

Jack cleared his throat.

Elizabeth undid his top button, "Feel better now?"

"Ahh, I feel just fine," he swallowed and had to look away for a moment.

She placed her hands on his chest.

He was sure she felt his heart pounding. He had to try to talk, so he wouldn't kiss her. "Your dress is so pretty." He ran his hand up the little sleeve and then ran his finger under the lace collar. "It's new isn't it?"

"Humm, yes it is. I'm glad you like it," she looked down and bit her lip.

"Elizabeth….I love you," Jack whispered. He cupped her face in his hands. "I love you so much." He kissed her, gently and she moved her hands to his back. He pulled back slightly but she reached up and held his shoulders pulling him to her, kissing him again and he put his hands on her waist.

"Well hello Miss Elizabeth, welcome home!"

The voice startled Jack so much that he fell backwards onto a pile a hay as an equally shocked Elizabeth nervously smoothed her hair and her dress, "Hello Dewey, it's good to be here," she said, "hmm, this … " she pointed to Jack who somehow managed to stand, "this is Jack Thornton."

"Mr. Jack…Miss Julie told me all about you," Dewey said.

"Nice to meet you…" Jack said, stunned by the man's presence.

"We better go back to the house, almost dinner time," Elizabeth scurried out of the barn with Jack following her.

On the patio, Elizabeth finally stopped walking and looked at Jack, he tilted his head, "You…"

She put her hand to her mouth giggling and then got serious, "I guess it's fair to say we both missed each other."

Jack sighed and nodded, "That's fair."

A short time later William Thatcher arrived home from the office and greeted Jack enthusiastically. Jack filled everyone in on the incarceration of the robbers and admitted he and Bill exerted no effort in their capture. "Well, what matters is that they are in jail, where they belong," William slapped Jack's shoulder. Let's have some dinner." He led the way to the dining room.

The Thatcher dining room was like the rest of the residence, large and opulent. The table was wide and long and each place setting had several dishes, glasses and pieces of silverware. Jack shook his head thinking about the transformation Elizabeth had made living in Coal Valley. He looked at her lovingly as she graced the room and sat across from him.

Julie, happy to have a larger audience, chatted about plans she had in mind for her sister and Jack.

"Ahh, I don't want to spoil your plans, but I have to get back to Coal Valley and my job," Jack said.

"Oh? But Elizabeth told me you have another Mountie helping you now," Julie said.

Jack smiled, "He's an investigator and he has his own job to do," he looked at Elizabeth, "But we certainly can stay for a visit."

"Oh, I know! We should have an engagement party while you're here!" Julie practically squealed.

"Lovely idea Julie," Kate Thatcher said.

"Yes, we must introduce Jack to everyone," William replied.

Jack nervously looked at Elizabeth, "That's very nice, but it isn't necessary."

"A party would be nice, but nothing elaborate and it has to be this weekend," Elizabeth took control.

"Excuse me, Mr. Thatcher, Dewey found this tie in the barn, in the hay sir," Wilson held up Jack's tie.

Jack stared down at his plate and Elizabeth gasped softly.

Mr. Thatcher took the tie, "Hmm, not mine."

Julie snickered, "Jack that looks like the tie you had on earlier, before you and Elizabeth went to the barn."

Elizabeth turned to Julie and glared at her.

Jack had to admit ownership, "Ah, yes, it is mine. Quite warm here," he coughed.

William handed the tie to Jack, "Ahh, so that explains the hay stuck to the back of your trousers."

The meal continued in silence.