Jack and Elizabeth scurried out of the restaurant, both laughing at their plan to secure a private spot to share a quick kiss. Jack looked around, "Ahh, why are there so many people in this city?" he tilted his head, his tone full of disappointment.

Elizabeth smiled, should she try it? "Come on, I think I know." She took his hand and led him down the block into a flower shop. There were flowers in the front, but she pulled him towards the back of the shop where exotic ferns and topiaries filled the space. She wiggled in between two ferns and looked up at Jack.

Forehead creased, Jack hesitantly stepped in, "You're a different Elizabeth here in the big city…" but before he could finish she kissed him and ran her hands up his chest. He pulled her into his embrace and they shared several romantic kisses.

"Is there something I can show the two of you?" A woman asked.

"Ahh," Jack turned and smiled at the woman.

The woman put her hands up, "Never mind, honey, I'd be doing the same thing if I was with you," she walked away. "Usually just the kids are doin' that, but who am I to say, he's a looker!"

Jack turned back to Elizabeth who was biting her tongue to contain her laughter. Jack shook his head and kissed Elizabeth again. Then they casually walked out of the ferns and out the front door. Jack put his finger up, "One minute," and went back into the shop. He picked up a tiny spray of violets and handed the woman some money. She leaned over the counter, "If you aren't the sweetest thing…" Jack winked at her and ran out the door.

"Oh, my favorites," Elizabeth put them to her face, "so pretty. Thank you."

Jack put her hand in the crook of his elbow, "Where's your father's torture chamber?"

Elizabeth laughed, "Jack! That's mean."

"I'm kidding, but I have a feeling he wants to see if I have a head for business."

"Well you're a confirmed Mountie, don't be afraid to remind him of that," she kept sniffing the violets.

"Believe me, I won't." He stopped, "And I don't even want to know why you knew about the flower shop hiding place."

She put her face close to his, "Miss Julie, that's how, she used to brag about hiding in there with boys!"

Jack smiled and leaned toward Elizabeth, "Oh really? What else did she teach you?"

Elizabeth blushed, "Nothing else….."

Jack shrugged, "Well remind me to thank her later."

Elizabeth looked at him, "Don't you dare!"

Several blocks away they arrived at a large building with a steel letter "T" over the entrance.

"We're here," Elizabeth said.

Jack leaned and whispered in her ear, "I told you it was torture, see the "T" stands or torture?" He laughed softly and opened the door.

"Very funny," she entered and a man at a large desk stood, "Hello Miss Thatcher, so nice to see you again."

"Hello, it's nice to see you too," she continued and waved hello to several other people before reaching a large glass door where two women sat behind large wooden desks. When Jack opened the door and Elizabeth entered the women stood.

"Hello ladies, it's so nice to see you both. May I introduce Jack Thornton," she gestured toward Jack who smiled politely.

"Hello, your father has told us all about your adventures Miss Thatcher and now that you're to be married," one woman said. The other woman went to a door and knocked.

Jack leaned to Elizabeth, "Look, they have telephones," he exaggerated, recalling when she was in search of a telephone in Coal Valley to call her father.

"Imagine that," she said sarcastically.

"Hello, welcome," William Thatcher came bounding out of his office. "Beth dear, leave Jack with me, we'll see you at home."

"But…I thought…..." Elizabeth was looking between the two men.

"I'm perfectly capable of showing him around, giving him a tour," he said, slapping Jack's shoulder.

Jack shot Elizabeth a look of surrender.

Elizabeth frowned, "Can't I come along?"

"Why would you want to do that?" Her father asked, "Here, I'll give you some money, you can go shopping," he reached into his pocket.

She put her hand up, "No thank you, I'll just see you later at home."

She pulled a few violets from her bouquet and pressed them into Jack's hand, "Bye," she said softly.

Initially Jack was nervous walking around the building with William, but as they progressed he relaxed as William seemed rather pleased to be introducing his future son-in-law to everyone. People were very polite and almost everyone said a kind word or two about Elizabeth that made Jack's heart sing. He did wonder about a few of the younger men who seemed to eye him critically. Had they expressed an interest in Elizabeth in the past? He wasn't concerned.

As the afternoon progressed, Jack had his fill of meetings and demonstrations of the latest technology the Thatcher empire was involved in. He respected the work they all did, but he wanted to get back to Elizabeth.

William had a plan, "Jack, let's go have some dinner and drinks at the gentlemen's club."

Jack did a double take, "What?"

"Well, they call it that, but really it's a nice place to get a good steak," he slapped Jack's shoulder.

"Won't the ladies be expecting us for dinner?" Jack was not pleased.

"I'll call and tell them," he assured him, "we won't be long."

Jack knew William Thatcher was scheming something to make him uncomfortable. Jack would play along and prove himself yet again to the man.

William led Jack into the entrance of Ashbergs, a small place with a black door. Inside the dark mahogany walls led to a dining room dressed with red velvet drapes and tables draped with white linens. Along the back wall was a bar with smaller tables nearby, that seemed to be the more popular area. William spoke to someone and then headed to a table. "This should be fine," he motioned for Jack to sit down. The place smelled of cigars and alcohol. This was definitely not a place Jack would frequent and right now he couldn't wait to leave. Just how fast could he eat a steak?

William ordered two steaks and two brandies. The drinks came right away accompanied by a very flirtatious woman who seemed to know William. Jack felt sick to his stomach as he watched them interact. "Jack, this is Helen, she serves up the cocktails here. While normally I do not partake, I do indulge now and again with a good cut of steak." He lifted his glass and waited for Jack to do the same.

Jack did lift his glass, but put it right back on the table. "Maybe I could go and meet you back at the …"

"Nonsense, if you're worried about the women at home, don't. They're so busy with the party plans they won't even know we aren't there," William said. "We'll eat our steak and be gone," he looked over at the bar, "excuse me a minute Jack, I see someone I need to speak with."

Jack ran his finger over a spoon while he waited for either the steak to arrive or William to return. A woman came to the table and put a glass in front of Jack, "I see you aren't touching that brandy, maybe I can get you something else?"

Jack looked up at her, "No thank you."

She bent over, "Don't I know you from somewhere?"

"No, I don't believe so," Jack stood, "excuse me." He walked determinedly through the room and out the door and began walking down the sidewalk until he heard William yelling his name. Jack clenched his jaw and turned, "Mr. Thatcher I'm done with your games. I am going back to the house."

"Okay Jack," he grinned, "yes, we can go home now." He raised his hand and their carriage rolled up and the two men climbed in. "You certainly are a gentleman Jack."

"Yes I am and right now I'm a pretty angry gentleman," Jack gritted his teeth, and looked at the man "I hate to think of what you were trying to do back there. If you want to catch me doing something wrong, you have a long wait and if you're trying to tempt me into something, then you have an even longer wait. I love Elizabeth and she is the sole focus of my mind and my heart."

"Well, glad to hear that. I know what kind of man you are Jack, I was just making sure, nothing personal," he put his head back and closed his eyes, "have to protect my daughter, that's all."

Jack was furious and the ride continued in silence.

At the house, Jack came in through the front door and Elizabeth ran into the foyer to greet him, "Jack, I'm so glad you're…"

"Excuse me," Jack put his hand up and ran up the stairs.

William was barely through the door than Elizabeth asked, "What did you do?"

"Nothing, just took him to Ashbergs," he walked by her.

"Ashbergs? Why that place…that place is only good if you want a cigar or a drink or… a woman…" Elizabeth stormed into the parlor, "What did you do? How could you?" She turned and quickly headed up the stairs.

She knocked on Jack's door, "Jack? Can I come in?" She opened the door and saw Jack, hand up against the window, staring out.

He glanced at her when she approached, "Hi," he said softly.

As she went to speak, he put his hand up, "Now I know why your other sister and her husband moved away."

"I'm sorry Jack…" she touched his arm.

"Elizabeth, your father plays games, he's like a spider, he invites you in and then spins you in his controlling world, waiting to see if you fail…" he made a spinning gesture with his hand.

She stepped in front of him and put her hands on his shoulders, "Jack, you know how to handle a spider, remember? You just gently put it aside and then focus on me." She kissed him, kissed him hard to remind him why he was here.

He took a deep breath, looking down, "I'm sorry, I just can't stay…"

"What? No, you can't leave," her voice filled with worry.

He put his fingertips softly on her lips, "Shhh, let me finish. I came in here ready to pack my bags, but then I reached in my pocket and saw this," he pulled out the violets from earlier and sighed, "and …," he cleared his throat to hold back his emotion, "and then I remembered why I'm here…why I came here," he looked into her eyes, "you, you're the reason…you're my reason for everything."

"Oh Jack," Elizabeth caught her own emotion.

He took her hands, "Your father can torture me all he wants. He isn't going to get rid of me," he looked down, laughing his soft laugh that she loved, "I'm going to be here, holding your hand always. He has to get used to that."

She smiled and caressed his face, "Jack, I love you….thank you for putting up with him and everything."

"You're worth it…but…"

"But?" her brow wrinkled.

"Can we leave after the engagement party?" He asked.

She kissed him, "How does Monday sound?"

"Hmm, perfect," he smiled, "now come here…" He pulled her into his embrace, held her close and kissed her…several times.