Chapter 32

Elizabeth sat perfectly still on Jack's lap, staring into his eyes. "This is our last evening…out here…together."

Jack barely nodded, "Yeah…." His hand reaching around her waist carefully, watching her every expression, trying to read her thoughts while controlling his own reactions.

"What would you like to do?" She continued staring into his eyes.

He swallowed a small laugh, "Part of me would like to toss you over my shoulder and go downstairs to the Justice of the Peace…"

Elizabeth smiled, "Oh…toss me over your shoulder?"

Jack looked away briefly, "Well, I wouldn't really do that…"

She interrupted him with a kiss.

"Elizabeth…" Jack whispered, but she kissed him again.

He looked at her face still dewy from the rain, her lips pink from his kisses, her big blue eyes staring back at him. He looked at her dress, damp and hugging her skin, the fabric of what she was wearing underneath her dress visible to him. He glanced at her face, feeling somewhat guilty, but he touched the soft material, rubbing his thumb over it. She didn't move. He moved the tips of his fingers just under the buttons, touching her. His self control was pushed to its limit and he looked at the sofa cushion, tempted to lay her down and cover her in kisses. He let out a sigh and looked away.

He nudged her arm and she looked down, "What are you doing?"

"Buttoning up your dress."

"Why?"

"You're telling me something…I'm reading your thoughts…" he continued to button her dress.

Realizing what he was doing, she touched his fingers, stopping him. "Part of me wants to go downstairs too Jack."

"I know…" he whispered. "But…?" he couldn't look away.

She looked around the room, "Not here. I want to be with you in our home, the place we'll build together…just for us," she took his hand in hers, "Is that being selfish?"

Jack had to look away for a moment, swallowing hard, knowing she was right, this wasn't the time or place and he had to control the feelings that were overpowering him. He began unbuttoning the buttons. When he was done, he closed his eyes and pressed his face into her arm, planting a kiss, "I love you," he said softly.

She moved slightly, taking his face in her hands, "I love you too," and kissed him. The dress slipped and he looked, seeing a band of white lace, so pretty against her skin. He put his hand there, under the fabric of her dress. He felt her shiver, but kept his hand there, gently rubbing her back. She took his other hand in hers, "Hmmm, I love your hands." When she kissed the palm of his hand, he abruptly stood up and lifted her over his shoulder. "Jack! What are you doing?" she yelled.

"Taking you downstairs," he said as he adjusted her on his shoulder.

She giggled and grasped his shirt, afraid she would fall. When he reached the door, he put her down, her back against the door. She leaned on the door, breathing heavy, "Jack…"

"Elizabeth Thatcher, I want you to know that you came very close to becoming Mrs. Jack Thornton tonight." His look was sultry with a hint of a smile.

She bit her tongue and put her hand on his neck, "That wouldn't be so bad."

Jack was amused by her attitude, "Oh you'd like that?"

She looked up, thinking, "Well, we can wait for our passion filled nights of romance…"

Jack squinted, realizing what she was doing and decided to play along, so he kissed her passionately. He knew he was succeeding when she slapped her hand against the door and made a gasping sound. He slid his hand inside the dress and pulled her against him as he leaned against her. He moved his lips from hers and dragged his open mouth across her neck. She held his shoulder, enjoying his kisses, "Ohh…" He pushed the sleeve of her dress down with his chin and quickly glanced at her face, she was all wide eyed, as he wanted her to be. He moved slowly against her as he kissed her shoulder. "Oh….my….Jack!" When she leaned against him more heavily, he backed away.

"What? Where are you…going?" She watched him walk away. He looked over his shoulder and smiled as he entered her room. Elizabeth felt her heart pound, adjusted her dress and brushed strands of hair from her face, not sure if she should follow him. When she finally looked, he was looking in one of her bags.

"What are you looking for?" She entered the room.

"Found it," he pulled the book out of the bag and sat on the floor, leaning on the bed.

"What are you doing with that?" she asked.

He thumbed through the pages, stopping at her bookmark and read out loud, "She longed for her passion filled nights of romance with Marco…" Jack's eyebrows wiggled, "Hmm, sounds familiar."

Elizabeth went to grab the book but Jack pulled it away, continuing to read silently to himself. Elizabeth laid across the bed on her tummy, innocently resting her face on her hands. "Learning anything?" She asked.

"Yes….oh, hmm, you've done that," he pointed to the page, "hmm, that too. You haven't done that yet…oh…or that! Wow….I can't wait til you do that!"

"Jack! What… let me see that!" She again tried to grab the book from him.

He laughed and playfully kept it away from her. When he stopped for a moment to look at her, she was all disheveled, her dress twisted, both sleeves askew on her arms, her hair damp, curly and needing to be brushed, her cheeks pink from blushing and her lips puffy from his kisses. She looked beautiful and he had to kiss her. She took that tender moment to try to grab the book! Jack jumped up, "Oh no you don't. Time to go to sleep." He kissed her, "Good night my 'tamed lady'…."

She frowned, "Jack…"

He whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, you'll be my 'untamed lady' soon enough."

Elizabeth's eyes popped open, "Jack! But what about my book?" she whined.

He tucked it under his arm as he headed for the door, "I'm keeping it." He ducked at the pillow that came flying at his head.

"Good night Marco!" She yelled.

Jack couldn't help but chuckle as he entered his own room. He peeled off his damp clothes and lay on his bed. He picked up the book and opened it, 'her kisses on his chest made him want her all the more…', "Oh great…..enough of this book," he growled and threw it on the floor.

Early the next morning Jack woke, smiling thinking about he and Elizabeth's antics the night before. In a way he would be sad to return to Coal Valley, he would miss spending all this alone time with her, it really strengthened their relationship. He did feel a bit guilty about teasing her last night and he hoped she would be okay this morning. He dressed and picked the book off the floor chuckling, he laughed, maybe one more joke would put her in a happy mood for the day. He went out into the sitting room, sat on the sofa and opened the book. He would pretend to be reading it when she came out of her bedroom. He began to read and wondered aloud, "is this entire book romance?"

Elizabeth woke, tied her robe and opened the door. She gasped, "Jack, you're still reading that book?"

"Good morning my love," he pressed the book to his chest to make her laugh, "ah yes, this Marco fellow has quite the….stamina should we say?"

"He does? How do you know?"

Jack squinted at her, "Do you know what happens….oh never mind. Are you hungry?" He put the book in his bag, "You get dressed, I'll go get some breakfast."

Elizabeth took a quick bath and went to the bedroom to dress. Jack returned with some muffins and a canister of coffee from the bakery next door. He put everything on the table and did a double take, her bedroom door was open slightly and he could see her leg up on the bed as she put on a stocking, he couldn't help but watch. He felt his pulse quicken as she wove the stocking up her leg. When she put her foot back on the floor, Jack quickly sat on the sofa and waited for her. "Okay, I'm ready," she came out, "hmm, smells so good." She sat next to Jack, "Why are you blushing?" She asked him.

"Blushing? I'm not blushing, must be flushed from running to the bakery and back, for you…" he kissed her cheek. She gave him a suspicious look as she took a bite of a muffin. "Can I take your bag downstairs?"

She nodded, "Yes," and took another bite.

Jack went into her room, her perfume lingered in the air and he took a deep breath. He looked out the door to make sure she wasn't watching and lifted her white lacey robe, he felt the soft fabric in his hands before putting it into the bag. He shook his head, "Mrs. Thornton can't come soon enough," he mumbled.

"I'm done, are you ready?" She asked as he carried their bags.

They arrived in the lobby and Jack saw Vernon, "I'll put these in the coach."

Elizabeth went to the desk, "Excuse me, do you know if the bakery next door carries those delicious meat pies?"

"Why yes they do Miss Thatcher, the small spiced pies…they're delicious aren't they?" The desk clerk remarked.

"Yes, they certainly are, I'd like to get a few for my trip, thank you."

Outside Jack and Vernon were at the coach waiting for Elizabeth. Jack looked admiringly at her as she approached, "You're so beautiful," he whispered into her ear as he took her hand.

"Oh Jack, here take my purse, I'm going to buy some meat pies to take with us, I'll be right back," she waved the money and headed to the bakery.

Vernon laughed at Jack's face as he stood there holding her purse. He moved the bags in the coach and saw the book in Jack's bag. He raised his eyebrows and let out a small laugh, "Good read?" he asked Jack.

"Oh, that's Elizabeth's…" Jack mumbled, "it's ahh….interesting."

Elizabeth held the door as two cowboys followed her into the bakery and said a cheerful good morning. She began looking at the display cases filled with treats, "Hmm, so much to chose from!"

One man bumped into her, "Oh, excuse me," he said loudly but then pushed against her, "Don't scream or say anything and no one will get hurt." He shoved a revolver into her side. "Just come with me Miss Thatcher and you won't get hurt."

Elizabeth froze for a moment, looking at the clerk who clearly had no idea what was happening and said something in French to Elizabeth. She nodded nervously.

The other man held the door open and pushed Elizabeth along in front of them. The woman clerk ran out from behind the counter, finally realizing Elizabeth did not belong with these men.

Elizabeth was shoved into an older coach and they pulled away.

Jack and Vernon stood at their carriage waiting for Elizabeth when the clerk from the bakery came running outside yelling, "Obtenir la police, ils ont enlevé la femme, obtenir la police, ils ont enlevé la femme!"

Vernon said, "Oh my Lord….."

Jack looked at him, "What? What did she say?"