The Departure

Jack laughed softly, "No, not now," he squeezed her hands, "We're going to get married like we planned, after we build our house and we're ready, just like we've discussed."

Elizabeth smiled, "You'll….we'll be okay until then?"

"Of course," he took a deep breath, "I'm sure there will be times …. But that's okay, as long as we both understand," he put his lips to her ear, "I could wait forever for you."

She looked at him, her eyes bright with a special spark and the corners of her mouth turned up in a shy smile.

"So, at certain times, if I may take a step back…" Jack looked away blushing.

Elizabeth loved his bashful glance away, exposing his dimpled smile, "I'll know it's because you love me…" she whispered.

He nodded, "Yeah…that's good," he whispered back, crinkling his nose.

She smiled, content that they were back in a good place now, unified and understanding their feelings for each other.

"Come on, let's go spend time with your family…our family," he smiled.

"Oh Jack, that's such a sweet thing to say," they joined hands and walked back to the house.

They spent time talking with William and Kate about their trip to Coal Valley and then went into the kitchen, where they participated in food preparation, much to the kitchen's staff chagrin. It was a fun afternoon filled with laughter and culinary mistakes.

Jack jokingly asked a cook, "Would you be interested in moving to Coal Valley so I don't starve?"

Elizabeth tossed a towel in his direction, "Don't worry, you'll get used to eating raw turnips!"

Jack and the cook looked at each other and shook their heads.

Before dinner, they went upstairs. "Thank you Jack," she said.

"For what?"

"For sharing with me. I know it isn't always easy for you…" she said.

"It isn't, but you help me…you make me feel brave," he puffed out his chest.

She giggled…."My brave Constable. I'm going to freshen up for dinner, will you call on me in ten minutes?" She blinked several times.

Jack bowed, "Why yes Miss Thatcher, I'd be happy to call on you in ten minutes."

Dinner was a relaxed conversation that included Julie offering her ideas for a perfect wedding. "Beautiful flowers, candles everywhere and violins playing…"

"You play the violin?" Jack asked.

"Me? Heavens no, there must be someone in Coal Valley who plays a violin." Julie replied.

Kate said, "I'm sure it will be lovely, Mrs. Stanton will certainly help and all your school children…"

"Yes, we'll get lots of help to make the day very special," Elizabeth smiled.

After dinner, Jack and Elizabeth walked to the gazebo and danced as the sun set over the lake.

"I'll never forget this time here with you," Jack said.

Elizabeth put her face close to his, "Hmm, me either, lots of nice memories."

"Yes, especially you in that dress," he pulled her a little closer, "you are bringing that dress to Coal Valley right?"

Elizabeth pulled back slightly, "Yes, but I don't know when I would get to wear it…"

"How about the jail?"

"The jail? Why would I wear that dress in the jail?" Elizabeth laughed.

Jack stopped, "Just so I can look at you in it…and relive the magic of our engagement party," he said in a low soft voice.

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment, "Jack…I'll never forget that night, you created the magic, right up there behind the house," she giggled softly remembering his passionate kisses.

Jack nodded, swallowing the lump building in his throat, afraid to speak. He pulled her close and swayed with her in his arms.

"You know… just imagine….when we're celebrating ….oh, I don't know, our fortieth wedding anniversary and telling our grandchildren about our courtship….," she glanced up at him, "what will you tell them?"

Jack looked up thinking, "I think I would tell them how grateful I was to have found you and that we had some very special times together leading up to our marriage. How about you?"

"Easy, I would tell them that you were the most stubborn man I had ever met and I just had to marry you!" She smiled.

Jack shook his head, "Good thing there's plenty of time 'til then so you can think of something better than that to tell them!" He kissed her nose, making her giggle.

The next morning, Jack was out front watching the trunks being loaded onto the carriage. When William came out Jack asked, "Are you sure this is all ours?"

William slapped Jack's shoulder, "Get used to it Jack, women tend to accumulate things…lots of things."

Jack nodded, "Okay…"

"Nice day to travel," William said, checking the coach.

"Yes sir," Jack said as he approached William, "Mr. Thatcher I can't thank you enough for your hospitality, it's been a wonderful experience being here," he extended his hand.

"Glad to have you here Jack," he shook his hand, "we look forward to seeing you in Coal Valley…soon. You have any problems with the house, you let me know."

"I appreciate your generosity…" Jack started to say.

"Jack, I do the same thing for all my daughters, that's what a father does. You'll find out one day."

Again Jack nodded and was glad when Elizabeth came out the front door. She put a few items in the carriage and turned to Jack, "Why is your red serge laid across the seat?"

"In case I need it on our way home, I am a lawman…"

"Oh," she looked down, "I thought it was so I would have to sit next to you in the carriage."

Jack nodded, "Well I hadn't thought of that. Would I really have to do that to have you sit next to me?"

Elizabeth just looked at him. William interrupted them, "Are you almost ready?"

Saying good bye was difficult, Kate hugged her daughter, "We'll see you soon and let me know if you need anything for the wedding, I'll ship it out right away."

"Maybe a violin mother?" Julie asked before she turned to Elizabeth. "Sister, do let me know how things are going…" she winked.

"Julie…" Elizabeth couldn't scold her sister, so they hugged. "What will I do without you?"

"Just don't get into any trouble..." Julie hugged her sister again and whispered in her ear, "and if you do, be sure to tell me all about it."

Elizabeth shook her head and turned to her father, "Thank you…for everything. It's always good to be home." They embraced.

William touched his daughter's face, "Safe travels my dear."

"I'll be safe with this one," she touched Jack's arm.

"Of course you will, but please send us a telegram when you get there, so we know you're safe," Kate took her husband's arm.

"We will," Jack said, "thank you again for everything." He assisted Elizabeth into the coach and then looked at Julie, "you better practice that violin, I'm counting on you."

Julie swayed and clasped her hands together, charmed by Jack's comment.

As the coach pulled away, Elizabeth reached for Jack's hand.

"You okay?" he asked.

She nodded, her eyes fighting back the tears, "Yes, it's hard to leave, but I'm ready to go home."

Jack pulled her hand up to his lips, "Me too, so no tears," he pressed his lips against her hand.

His action only made her tear up even more, "I know, we have so much to look forward to…just like when I first when to Coal Valley," she smiled.

"And you met me," he smiled.

"I'll never forget that meeting," she said.

"Ahh, but I remember seeing you before that, do you remember?" he asked.

"Of course I do, at the mine…the plank," she remembered, "you came riding in…"

"That's right and I distinctly remember seeing you," he looked at her.

"Really?"

"Of course, you were holding a child and I remember thinking you were married, aww too bad Jack," he clicked his tongue, "but then riding out, I thought maybe you were a widow and that made me feel sad for you."

"Really?" she frowned, "but at the saloon you found out the truth about me."

He coughed, "I sure did. But wait, what did you think of me when you first saw me?"

Elizabeth looked down, "Oh…well, I thought there's one handsome Mountie," she nuzzled at his shoulder looking up at his face, "how can I get him to rescue me?"

Jack laughed, "You did not think that!"

"Well, maybe not, but you sure were handsome in your uniform."

"Thank you…" Jack said, "But you seemed to have forgotten about that at the saloon the next morning."

She sat up straight, "You called me a princess, a princess with stubbed toes! You said you were there to babysit me!"

"Well, that is what happened…" He held his hands up.

"That's not true, I didn't need anyone's help," she crossed her arms.

He turned and looked at her, "No? Who helped you?"

She looked up at him, "You did…but not because I needed help…"

"Oh really? Why then? Do you think I had nothing else to do?" He tried not to smile.

"You…you…" she glanced up at him, "oh all right you helped me."

"Don't you know why?" He whispered.

She looked up and quickly looked down, "Because I was helpless?"

Jack chuckled, "Not exactly…" he lifted her chin with his finger, "because I was hoping it would lead to this one day," he leaned and kissed her.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and said, "But you did say I was a princess."

Jack looked out the window and sighed, "This is going to be a long ride…"