Chapter 31

Once again back in the coach and on their way, Elizabeth stared out the window and Jack fiddled with his red serge on the opposite seat.

"I would have caught on to that Billy…" she crossed her arms, still mulling over their lunch conversation about Billy Hamilton and the chocolate cake.

Jack sighed, disappointed that she was bringing up the subject again, "Please…"

"Well you brought him up and now Vernon heard all that and what if he tells my father."

"Elizabeth, he has probably forgotten all about it and he certainly won't go tell your father," Jack sat back. He looked at her sad expression and put his arm around her, "Come here, I'm sorry but I really don't want to talk about Billy Hamilton. It was bad enough I had to watch you dance with him."

She looked at him all wide eyed, "You could have prevented that by asking me to the dance, but you were on duty in your official capacity."

Jack smiled at the mocking tone she used, "You want the truth?"

She continued giving him her wide eyed expression, "Of course I do!"

Jack licked his lips, "I was afraid to ask you to the dance."

She lowered her voice, "Afraid? Why would you be afraid?"

Jack's nervousness surfaced, "Oh I don't know, I can't remember now."

"Well you couldn't have been afraid I would say no…"

Jack shook his head, "Maybe I was afraid you would say yes." He watched her reaction closely.

She backed away, "Oh, I see."

"Do you?"

"Oh Jack, really."

He stifled a laugh and kissed her cheek.

"Jack? I know you were jealous but…were you in love with me then?" She looked at him curiously.

Jack thought for a moment, not wanting to upset her. "I really was concerned for your safety. I didn't trust him and I also didn't know what lies he was telling you. I didn't want him to hurt you."

"Because you loved me?" She asked softly, determined to get an answer.

Jack nodded slightly, "I was certainly feeling those feelings, but I was trying to push them back."

"Why?"

He looked down, "I had to consider my job, my duties, my responsibilities…"

Elizabeth sighed suspecting the real reason, "Jack, were you afraid of getting hurt?"

"Hurt? No…well. I was thinking you weren't….you didn't want me around." He shrugged.

Elizabeth reached for his hand, "Why did you think that?"

"You kept kicking me out, saying 'have a good day'…so I'd leave you alone, figuring you didn't want me around. Whenever I started to think we had a connection, you broke it."

"You did your fair share of breaking it, telling me that Mounties' don't marry. Why would I want you to court me if it wasn't going to lead to marriage?"

"Courting doesn't always lead to marriage Elizabeth," he tilted his head.

"You would know."

"Ouch, that stung," he said, leaning back. "I wasn't ready. I didn't want to scare you away."

"Oh Jack really…you didn't scare me away."

"Well, you scared me away!"

"I did? When?"

"When you told me you wanted to clean out your closet instead of having dinner with me. That really hit hard."

Elizabeth raised her hand to her mouth, "Oh, I'm sorry I said that."

He brushed her hair off her shoulder, "Maybe you were afraid too."

She leaned toward him, "I was…a little. Do you know what I was afraid of?"

"No, tell me." He looked at her lips and then her eyes.

"Well… I was afraid of doing something improper."

"You? I can't imagine you doing something improper," Jack was curious and whispered, "What did you think you'd do?"

Elizabeth smiled shyly, "Well if I tell you it would be improper…"

Jack was intrigued. "You could just show me, then you wouldn't have to tell me….wouldn't be as improper," the corner of Jack's mouth twitched, showing her his dimples.

"Well it would involve your lips…" she ran her fingers over his lips.

"What would they be doing, my lips?" he mumbled a bit, his lips sticking to her fingers.

She picked up his hand and brought it to her mouth, "Kissing these."

"Okay, let's try that," Jack moved closer, unable to resist.

Elizabeth laughed as Jack kissed her.

"That's not so improper," he whispered. "But I'm going to have to sit over there if you keep doing that."

She smiled, "You did that!"

Jack smiled and sat back.

"Maybe we can do something fun tonight."

He leaned and whispered, "A lot of fun!"

"Oh Jack really!"

As the ride continued, Jack napped on Elizabeth's shoulder. When she was sure he was asleep, she took out a book and began to read. She absently began running her hand up and down Jack's thigh as she continued reading. When her touch became more and more intense, Jack put his hand on hers, "Please stop doing that."

Elizabeth jumped, "Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I got carried away with my story." She put both hands on the book.

"What story is it?" He tried to look at the book.

She slammed it shut and put it into her bag, "Nothing, just a book Julie gave me…"

Jack smirked and decided to tease Elizabeth, "Why don't you read to me?"

Elizabeth did a double take, "Oh no, I can't do that."

"Why not?" he blinked at her.

"It's boring…you wouldn't like it."

"Couldn't be that boring, your hand was pressing harder and harder on my leg." He took her hand to demonstrate but she pulled it back.

"Oh Jack really! You're such a tease!"

Jack laughed and laid his head on her shoulder again.

The sound of several horses galloping past them woke Jack and he peered out the window.

"Anything to worry about?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, I don't think so," he touched her hand, "I believe we must be close to town."

"Good, I'm hungry," she said.

They rolled into town and watched out the window at all the busy activity.

"This place is always busy, lots of ranches around here, so lots of cowboys," Jack checked his revolver.

"Will you need that?"

"Hopefully not, but I'm keeping it handy," he touched her face, "don't worry."

"Worry? Me? Oh Jack really!"

They entered the lobby and just as Jack said, lots of cowboys and ranchers. At the front desk the clerk asked, "Name please sir."

" 'Oh Jack really', I feel like that's my name today…" he looked at Elizabeth.

The desk clerk stopped searching the register, "Beg your pardon sir."

"Thatcher, Jack Thatcher," he said as he slapped his hand on the counter, winking at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth laughed. Jack signed the registry and the clerk handed him a key, "Double room, top of the stairs all the way down the hall, number 26."

"Double room?" Jack asked.

"You'll see," the clerk turned to the next person.

Jack picked up the bags and led the way to the stairs, not without noticing at least three men tipping their hats at Elizabeth and giving her a twangy 'Ma'm'. She smiled shyly and motioned for Jack to continue walking. Jack turned and almost ran into a man carrying a woman, "We got ourselves hitched!" Jack looked beyond the exuberant couple who came out of the room marked 'Justice of the Peace'. Jack looked at Elizabeth who smiled and turned away. "Good to know," Jack said with a chuckle.

Upstairs, he unlocked the door and was amused at the arrangement. A small sitting room with three doors along the back wall. Elizabeth opened one door, "A bedroom," she opened the middle door, "A bathroom."

Jack opened the third door, "Bedroom."

"It's perfectly normal Jack, it's an arrangement for a family, they can stay together but have separate bedrooms." She got nervous hearing herself.

Jack put his hands in his pockets, "You okay with this? Staying here as a family?"

"I have no choice, do I?"

Jack knew she may have a choice, but wasn't going to suggest it. He rather liked this arrangement, he would feel comfortable that she was safely nearby and still far enough away. He took her bag to the room and put it down.

She went to the bedroom door, "I have to change out this dusty dress…maybe I'll put on my engagement party dress." She smiled at him teasingly.

Jack walked toward her, "Oh no you don't, not with a hotel full of rowdy cowboys!"

She shut the door as he got close. "Okay, don't worry, that dress is packed away."

"Good, leave it packed away," Jack mumbled.

"What?"

"You'll look good anyway!" he yelled over his shoulder as he headed to his room.

Elizabeth pulled a rose colored dress from her bag, a very straight dress with small buttons up the side. She wanted to freshen up in the bathroom before putting on the dress. She went out in to the sitting room and found Jack looking out the window. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing special, just how busy this city is," he turned and noticed she hadn't changed. "Are you ready?"

"No, I want to wash up a bit first," she walked to the bathroom while unclasping her necklace, "would you put this on the dresser for me please?" She handed him the necklace.

"Of course," he went into her room and noticed the pretty rose dress on the bed next to her opened bag. He saw the book she'd been reading laying on top, "The Untamed Lady", he chuckled and picked up the book. He glanced out the door to make sure Elizabeth wasn't coming and opened the book. "Ernestina leaned against Marco, running her fingers up his muscular chest and dragging her finger around his ear. She knew that Marco liked her touch. She whispered,"Take me in your arms Marco…" Jack grinned and shoved the book back into the bag when he heard the bathroom door. He went to the window.

"Jack, now what are you looking at?"

"Nothing, just looking…" he kissed her cheek as he left the room.

When Jack was ready he waited for Elizabeth in the sitting room. He didn't know what to expect this evening, he could hear music outside among the crowds of people.

Elizabeth felt nervous as she buttoned her dress. She looked in the mirror, the dress hugged every curve, she pulled her hair up into a loose bun and put in two clips. She went out into the sitting room where Jack was waiting.

"Elizabeth…you look so beautiful," he couldn't move.

"Thank you," she took his hand, "I'm so hungry, let's go eat."

In the hotel lobby, there was such a crowd of people, Jack stopped and asked a hotel worker what was going on.

"Calgary Carnival sir, there's a poster near the door that lists what is happening tonight."

Jack and Elizabeth decided to walk outside, enjoy the warm air and find some dinner. "Now we know why there are so many people here," Jack said.

Elizabeth squeezed his arm, "Don't lose me in the crowd."

Jack looked at her, "I'm never going to lose you."

They stopped at a cart selling spiced meat pies and bought one. Jack broke off a piece and fed it to Elizabeth. "Yumm, it's good," she said as she broke off a piece and fed Jack. They continued feeding each other until the little pie was gone. "That was delicious," Jack said, "and the pie was good too."

Elizabeth smiled, took his arm and they walked taking in all the activities. They watched people juggling and someone playing a concertina while children danced. It was such a happy event and Jack and Elizabeth were delighted to be out walking together. Jack held her hand tightly at his elbow, keeping her close in the big crowd. They came upon a stage where a group of musicians had gathered. Someone took the stage, "Okay folks we're going to be doing some folk dancing, and if you'd like to come and join us, don't be shy!"

Elizabeth looked at Jack. "Oh no, don't even suggest it," he said waving his hand.

"No," she whispered, "I have no idea how to do folk dancing."

Jack grinned, "I don't think you do folk dancing…it's like the waltz only harder."

People filled the stage and started dancing to the lively music. A vibrant young man with blonde curls and a red and black costume leaped from the stage, landing in front of Elizabeth. "My lady," he bowed, "would you like to try the dance?"

Elizabeth shook her head, "No…" and moved partially behind Jack, trying to hide.

The handsome dancer was persistent, "Oh, I'm sure you'd be fantastic!"

Jack looked over his shoulder, "If you want to, go ahead…"

Elizabeth squeezed Jack's arm, "No…I can't do that…"

"If you change your mind, I'd love to teach you." He leaped back onto the stage.

Jack looked at Elizabeth, her eyes big with wonderment, "Pretty handsome guy, I don't know…."

"Oh stop it Jack, I can only handle one handsome guy…you!"

"Glad to hear you say that," he kissed her.

They stopped again at an ice cream stand and each had a cone of ice cream. Jack loved how happy Elizabeth was and the way she giggled when he put a dot of ice cream on her nose. Jack finished his cone before Elizabeth. "Look at that!" he pointed over her shoulder. When she turned to look, Jack took a lick of her ice cream.

When she turned back, "I didn't see anything…okay, what did you do?"

"Nothing…" He took her hand and they continued walking. "Are you having a nice time?"

"I am, it's so nice to walk after sitting in that carriage and to see all these happy people," she squeezed his hand.

"Very happy people," he leaned to whisper, "except….don't think that I haven't seen all these men admiring you."

"Oh Jack, really!" She nudged him with her shoulder.

A clap of thunder brought a collective groan from the crowd. Jack put his hand on Elizabeth's back, "We should walk back toward the hotel." Everyone scurried to pack up their belongings and head for cover as the thunder continued and rain drops began to fall.

Jack took Elizabeth's hand and led her along the sidewalk, they turned the corner walking faster as the raindrops increased. "Jack! Maybe we should go inside until it passes," Elizabeth said.

"No, the hotel is right down here, we'll get a little wet, that's okay," he continued leading the way.

The rain became heavy and Elizabeth was trying to avoid the puddles as Jack pulled her along. When he stopped suddenly, Elizabeth slammed into him, "What is it?"

He looked at her, his hair totally wet, "I think we went down the wrong street!"

"We're lost?"

"No, just on the wrong street, come on." He crossed the street, still tightly holding her hand. As they went around the corner, Jack stopped again. "No, this isn't right…"

Elizabeth laughed, "Jack, you don't know where we are do you?" She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.

He looked at her, "Well, we can't be that far off!" He laughed.

Elizabeth pressed against him and kissed him, unable to resist his smile and how handsome he looked in the rain.

They ran down the next street, finally entering the hotel lobby laughing.

When they got to the room, Elizabeth leaned back on the door, pressing her hand against her chest laughing. "Oh Jack, I've never been so wet from rain!"

He collapsed onto the green velvet sofa, "Me either, but it sure was fun."

Elizabeth looked at Jack, who sat on the sofa, one arm across the back of the sofa, one leg stretched out on the sofa. He looked so handsome even in his wet clothes, his white shirt clinging to every muscle, so outlined as he continued breathing heavy from their run. She knew she should look away, but she couldn't help herself from admiring him.

Jack's side ached slightly from laughing and he was enjoying Elizabeth's giggles. She was soaking wet and he couldn't resist looking at her in her clinging wet dress. He swallowed hard when she slowly walked to the sofa and sat down next to him.

"Thank you Jack, even though we got caught in the rain, I had a wonderful time," she looked at him, licking her lips, "I hope you did too."

Jack nodded, "Of course I did," he started to get up, "we should change…"

Elizabeth grabbed his arm, "Wait…" she moved closer and kissed his cheek, "thank you."

Jack touched her cheek, "I'm glad we walked around, it was nice," he said softly.

Elizabeth put her hand on his face and leaned and kissed him, moving closer. Jack responded but did not lean back, knowing that would lead to trouble. After their kiss, Jack stood, "Well, we better change into dry clothes." He reluctantly walked to his room.

Elizabeth hurried after him, "Jack…is something wrong?"

He turned, almost afraid to have her too close, "No…I just thought you'd want to…" He couldn't finish the sentence, Elizabeth pushed against him, forcing him against the bedroom door.

Elizabeth kissed Jack, rubbing her lips against his, as she held his arms. Jack put his hands on her waist, enjoying their kiss. She pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes. Jack reached up and removed the hair clips from her wet hair and tossed them on a chair. She smiled and ran her hands up his chest and undid a button on his shirt. She kissed him again and ran her hands around his neck, pulling him close. Jack ran his hands up and down her back. He shivered as her lips moved down his neck and her hands grazed his shoulder.

Jack moaned, "Elizabeth….what are you doing to me?"

Elizabeth smiled and continued with her taunting kisses. She raised her hand and made a circular motion on Jack's ear with her finger tips, "Take me in your arms Jack."

Jack rolled his head to the side, "Am I Marco?"

Elizabeth stopped, "What?"

"Nothing…" he tried to kiss her.

"Jack Thornton, did you read my book?" She put her hands against his chest.

"I did…I just opened it and saw a paragraph…that's all…" he tried to pull her close, "I think it's sweet that you're reading that…"

"Sweet?" Her eyes widened, "I'm not reading it as a manual…"

"No…of course not…I didn't mean that…." He took her face in his hands, "You don't need any help…"

"Jack!"

"No, I mean…the way you kiss me…," he swallowed, "you make me weak in the knees, every time I hold you, kiss you."

She played with the button on his shirt, "You do that to me too."

His head swayed, "Elizabeth…I love you." They shared a passionate kiss.

Elizabeth sighed, "I do believe I have to get out of this wet dress."

"Yeah, we need to take off these wet clothes." They stared at each other for a moment.

Elizabeth reached for the buttons running down her side, "Can you help me with these buttons?" Her eyes never left his.

He nodded, looking at her hand running up and down her side, "I can…but should I?"

"They're hard enough when they're dry, but wet …. They're too hard to handle."

"Are they?" Jack's voice was low as he reached for a button. He took her hand, "Come over here." He led her back to the sofa and sat down, "stand here, it will be easier for me to unbutton your dress...the buttons...unbutton them."

She stood perfectly still as Jack undid the row of small buttons.

"There…" he said, resting his hand on her waist. He looked up and she smiled and lowered herself onto his lap.