Hello Friends! I apologize for the delay in posting...life gets busy sometimes! Thank you for sticking with me! As a brief recap, Jack and Elizabeth are in Coal Valley but Jack and Bill have just received orders to attend a training that will take them out of Coal Valley for a few days. Jack and Elizabeth's home is under construction and Elizabeth and Jack are just returning from there to the cafe where Jack tells Elizabeth to look at what is happening in the dining room...

Elizabeth turned to see Jack was looking into the dining room where Abigail and Bill were engrossed in what appeared to be a friendly conversation. Abigail was animated in her attention to Bill, touching his arm and laughing as Bill's hands moved engaged in telling a story.

"That's a positive sign," Jack said.

"Yes, it is, a very good sign," she turned to Jack.

Jack took her hand, "Love is contagious," he kissed her cheek. "I'll see you later."

"You'll come by for dinner?"

"Of course," he turned and left the café.

Elizabeth sighed, grateful for Jack's presence in her life.

Abigail and Bill continued their conversation in the dining room and Elizabeth went upstairs. She looked in the closet, preparing for a special evening with Jack, as he would be leaving tomorrow. She pulled out several dresses and then had an idea. She noticed a package on the bed and after opening it and examining the contents, her idea began to come to fruition. She prepared several items and headed downstairs. Abigail was in the kitchen.

"I'm glad to see that smile on your face," Elizabeth said.

"Well, it's contagious," Abigail replied.

Elizabeth grinned, "That's just what Jack said!"

"He's a smart man," Abigail smiled.

"Yes, he is," Elizabeth sighed. "Will you help me with a surprise for Jack? I'd like to make something for us to eat and bring it to our home site," she rocked on her feet, "I want to spend time with him before he leaves tomorrow…"

"Sounds very nice, let's get started," Abigail shook her head. The ladies were busy in the kitchen working and talking.

After Elizabeth packed the picnic basket, "I'm going upstairs to get ready…will you come up in about ten minutes?"

After finishing cleaning the kitchen, Abigail headed upstairs, "Elizabeth….that's quite the dress…"

Elizabeth ran her hand down her beaded engagement dress from the party at her parent's home, "It's from our engagement party. Jack admired it so…"

"Well, I can see why…it fits you so well….it's really beautiful," Abigail couldn't contain her awe.

"Thank you…can you help lace me up?" Elizabeth turned.

"Of course," Abigail moved behind Elizabeth, thinking of how to address a delicate subject, "I'm sure Jack really admires you in this dress…"

Elizabeth smiled, pressing the dress against her, "Yes…"

"You know how men are," Abigail tugged at the lacing…waiting for a response.

Elizabeth's eyes fluttered, "Yes…well, I know how Jack is."

"It's nice that you two aren't a couple of love struck teenagers…"

"Hmm, right," Elizabeth inhaled as Abigail tightened the dress.

"Men are so visual," Abigail took a final tug and tied a bow.

Elizabeth turned around, "Visual?"

Abigail scanned Elizabeth head to toe, "Yes, visual…you're quite beguiling in this dress, I'm sure Jack is captivated and enticed…"

"Yes…" Elizabeth felt nervous, looked down, touching the fabric, "should I not wear it?"

Abigail touched her arms, "Oh no, no…that's not what I'm saying…not at all," Abigail took her hand, "you're a beautiful woman Elizabeth, it's you Jack admires, not the dress…"

"Thank you…" she hugged her friend. "I should go before Jack comes here expecting supper."

Abigail nodded, not sure Elizabeth understood her message, but knowing they would speak again.

Elizabeth headed out with her basket, instructing Abigail only to tell Jack to meet her at their home site.

At the jail, Jack and Bill finalized their plans for their trip to Sanders Train Station. Bill rolled down the sleeves of his shirt, "I guess if we have to go it's a good thing that things are quiet here in town. For now, I'm getting hungry, ready to head to the café?"

"Yes…and I'm glad things are good for you and Abigail now?" Jack asked giving Bill a quick glance.

"Jack, if you try to kiss a woman and she isn't ready to be kissed….well, let me just say, a woman like Abigail will let you know how she feels," Bill replied.

Jack nodded, understanding and remembering his first kiss with Elizabeth and how she was ready and accepting of his affection. A smile crept across his face.

"Apparently you don't know that feeling," Bill took note of Jack's reflective but happy stare.

"No, but I do know this. A woman can change her mind…and in a relatively short period of time," Jack said.

"Yes…indeed," Bill nodded, "so let's go get some dinner before she changes her mind again!"

The two men headed to the café. Abigail was busy in the kitchen when the men came in. "Hello," she smiled, "I hope you're hungry."

"I am and it smells delicious," Bill said.

"Where's my beautiful fiancé?" Jack asked rubbing his hands together.

Abigail touched his arm, "Your beautiful fiancé is at your home site and she would like you to join her there."

"Now?" Jack was surprised.

"Yes, now," Abigail nodded, "get going!"

Jack smirked, "Okay…" and hurried out the door.

Abigail turned to Bill, "Looks like it's just the two of us for dinner."

"Perfect," Bill replied.

Jack slowed his pace as he approached the house, he was surprised to see the progress that Adam had made. There were actual exterior walls up and the flooring for a porch in the front. He was amazed as he stood staring at his future home. He looked away for a moment, imagining the day he would come here after a day's work… come here…come home to his wife. He shook his head not daring to dream too far into the future. He continued to the house, "Elizabeth? Are you here?"

Elizabeth called out to Jack, "Come in here Jack Thornton!"

Jack went to the doorway, running his hand up and down the smooth wood of the doorjamb admiring Adam Miller's skill. "This place looks great…" he walked into the large open space and turned to his right and his mouth fell open. There was Elizabeth, looking beautiful…smiling at him.

"Welcome home…," she said, rocking slightly on her feet, her hands clenched behind her back. "I hope you don't mind if we have a little dinner in our new house," she motioned to the crate she improvised as a table and the two smaller crates as seats, "a little bit of make believe…"

Jack didn't even hear her, he didn't move, he just looked at her, "That dress…you're wearing that beautiful dress!"

Elizabeth acted like it was nothing, "Oh this? Do you remember this dress?" She put her hand to her chest and faked a quizzical look.

Jack gasped, his mouth still open, "Do I remember that dress? I still dream about that dress." His gaze went from the floor to her face and back again, "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Elizabeth cupped her ear, "Hmm? Come over here, closer, I didn't quite hear that."

Jack chuckled, "If I could manage to move my feet I would!" He did eventually walk to her, "You've got me enchanted once again." His eyes continued their admiring gaze over her, "You're so beautiful."

Elizabeth felt herself blush as she reached out for him, "Thank you…"

"I feel a little under dressed," Jack said as he took her hand, "So tell me, why are you wearing that, what's the occasion?"

She pulled his hand against her, "You're leaving tomorrow and I want to be sure you don't forget about me."

Jack threw his head back laughing, "Are you kidding?" He moved closer, "First, I will never forget you and second, I will hold the vision of you in this beautiful dress in my head the entire time I'm away." He caressed her cheek.

"You won't have to," she bit her lip.

"What? Why?" Jack's brow creased.

Elizabeth reached to the crate and handed him a small envelope, "Here, open this."

The corners of Jack's mouth turned up as he opened the envelope and found several photographs, one in a cardboard folder of both he and Elizabeth from their engagement party at her parents' home. Another photo was just Elizabeth. "These are beautiful…oh my" as he looked at each photograph, "Look how gorgeous you are, and the way your dress sparkles. I don't know….hmmm" He looked at her, "these will only make me miss you even more."

"Oh, okay...then don't take them," she tried to take them from him.

He held them up over his shoulder, "Oh no, no… they're mine and I'm keeping them." He smiled, "Thank you."

"The package arrived today, there are several other photographs, but I want you to have those," she smiled.

Jack carefully returned the photographs to the envelope and placed it on the crate. He lifted the napkin covering a dish, "Ah, you made cookies!"

Elizabeth frowned, "Those are biscuits!" She looked at the small, flat discs on the plate, "I guess they do look more like cookies than biscuits."

Jack laughed through his teeth, "Sorry…" He covered his smile with his fist.

She put his hands on her hips, "I'll keep practicing."

Jack appreciated her determination, "Ahh, it's okay. I know one thing you don't need any practice at…" He took her in his arms and kissed her, then licked his lips, "yes, yes you have that kissing recipe down perfectly."

Elizabeth giggled and touched his face, "You're so sweet," she kissed him. "Hmm, doesn't the house look good?" She whispered.

"What house? I'm looking at something much nicer," his gaze went from her face down to her dress.

She tugged his arm, "Oh Jack really, be serious!" She led him around the room. "Of course it's just one big open room right now, but won't it be wonderful."

Jack looked around, "Yes. It already is wonderful…you're here."

Elizabeth tilted her head, "Jack, I'm serious…"

"So am I," he stepped back and looked her up and down, "Hmm, why oh why did you wear this dress?"

She bit her lower lip and pulled him closer, "I hope this trip goes well and you come home quickly," she said softly.

Jack nodded, quickly changing his thought to the job ahead, "So do I. I don't like leaving you."

"I know, but I have plans while you're away," she said.

"You do? What?" Jack was surprised.

"I'm going to help Adam, here at our house," she said proudly.

Jack stood straighter, "What? What are you going to do?"

"Don't you think I can help?"

"I can't picture you with a hammer…" he looked away, "or a saw. I don't know if that's a good idea…"

Her shoulders slumped, "You have no faith in me. I have talents!"

Jack tried to be supportive, "No…I mean, yes, of course you do. I'm just not sure if carpentry is one of them."

"Well it isn't really carpentry and it's a surprise so I'm not telling you anything else," she looked away.

Jack felt bad, "I'm sure it will be great whatever it is. You have a magic touch with everything."

"I try," she whispered, a sad look on her face.

"You do…maybe not cooking…or sewing…or baking…" Jack frowned trying to think of something positive.

Elizabeth sighed, "So much for a magic touch," she walked toward the opening in the wall that would one day hold a glass window.

Jack stuffed his hands in his pockets before following her. He stood behind her, "Hey, come on…you have lots of talents and you do have a magic touch." He slid his hands down her bare arms, staring at the sparkling little sleeves on her dress. He brushed her hair aside and kissed her neck, "You have the magic touch with me."

She shivered at his touch and looked over her shoulder at him, "I do?"

He nodded, "Absolutely. When you touch me, it's magic." He leaned and kissed her shoulder. "I like magic," he swallowed waiting for her reaction. She sighed softly so he kissed her shoulder again. He thought of the night of their engagement party and fondly remembered kissing her shoulder that evening too.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, enjoying his soft kisses. She reached up and brushed her fingers across his hands. She leaned back on him as he moved his hands to her waist and held her. Her soft sighs affirming that she liked his touch. "You have a magic touch too," she whispered as she laid her head back on his shoulder. He reached up and turned her face to his and kissed her lips. She slowly turned her body to his and slid her hands up his back, embracing him.

Jack was lost in her kiss and as she moved against him, he ran his fingers down her back over the lacing of her dress. When she rubbed his back and pressed her hands into him, he tugged on the laces, fighting the urge to pull them free. He swallowed and pulled away from her, looking at her, "Elizabeth…what you do to me."

She bit her lower lip again, "Jack, I'll miss you when you're away," she pulled him against her by his suspenders.

Jack hissed at her action, closed his eyes and leaned against her, sliding the little beaded sleeve down her shoulder, watching closely as her shoulder shifted back and her head turned exposing her neck and bare shoulder to his kisses. "Kiss me Jack…" she whispered, her hands pressing against his back.

Jack obliged and kissed her lips first before trailing down her neck, past her shoulder pressing his lips into her soft, warm skin. She squeezed his arms as she leaned against the wall as Jack's lips went lower. She ran her fingers through his hair as she felt his lips press against the edge of her dress, his breathing heavy and warm.

Jack was overwhelmed by the moment, the thought of leaving her, even for a few days, made him want her all the more. He tugged again on the laces of her dress and felt her jump slightly. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes, "I love you…so much."

"I love you too Jack…always," her voice breathless.

"Elizabeth, you're such a distraction to me….." Jack whispered as he once again laid his cheek against her shoulder. "I have to stop, because if I keep kissing you…."

Elizabeth inhaled, "I know…" she glanced at him. She looked at the crate, "Would you like a cookie?"

Jack laughed, "Sure, let's eat some cookies."

She took a step, "Oh dear...Jack, I'm stuck..."

"Stuck? What do you mean?"

She reached her hands behind her back, "My dress must be caught on a nail…oh dear." She tried to free herself, but couldn't.

"Here, let me look," he bent to look where her hands were tugging, "move your hands please…" He reached and tugged on a nail, "the string…the laces….they're stuck on a nail."

"Can you free it?" She wiggled against the wall.

Jack moved in front of her to put his other hand around the other side of her and worked on the laces, trying to untangle her. He smiled at her as he manipulated the laces.

"Jack, you're enjoying this," she looked away, "stop laughing."

"I'm not laughing," he bit his tongue trying not to laugh, but couldn't resist, "stop wiggling."

"Step back, let me try," she said, the tip of her tongue sticking out from her closed lips.

Jack put his hands up in surrender and stepped back, enjoying the site of her body twisting while the dress remained still. "Ah, making any progress?"

She wiggled back and forth, "No….I'm still stuck!"

"You could always just climb out from underneath it…" he pointed to the floor, "shimmy down…"

Elizabeth's head tilted, "Very funny."

Jack shrugged, "Just trying to help."

In frustration, Elizabeth's hands slapped against her sides, "Please help me."

"Okay," Jack tugged on the laces and finally giving up, pulled one lace and twisted it free. "Why couldn't you have worn the dress with the little buttons…" he whispered.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "I didn't know you were so into fashion."

"Only yours," he kissed her cheek.

"Jack, what are you doing?" Her hands flew to her chest as she held the dress up. "Are you untying my dress?"

"How else are you going to get off the wall?" He kept busy at the laces, "Stop wiggling!"

"I am not wiggling," she inhaled, "you have to stop!"

He pressed his forehead against hers, "Relax, I'll lace it back up as soon as you're free…" he licked his lips, "maybe…"

Elizabeth gasped, "What? Jack Thornton! You stop this instant!"

Jack laughed as she moved her head, so he pulled his hands away, "Okay…okay," he held his hands out by his side.

Elizabeth continued wiggling, one hand holding her dress, the other hand behind her back freeing herself from then nail.

"Stop looking at me that way," she said.

Jack wiggled his eyebrows, "What…what am I supposed to do? You want me to hold the dress," he moved and reached for the dress.

"No!"

The side of his mouth turned up and he tried not to laugh at the look on her face as she continued tugging in the back and holding up the front. "Oh here, let me help you." He stepped closer and reached behind her, pulled the laces and freed her, "there, you're free."

Elizabeth gasped and stepped away, finally free. She reached back and quickly felt how loose her dress was fastened. She glanced at Jack, who had his arms crossed across his chest, watching her. "You'll have to lace me up," she whispered as she struggled to hold the dress up.

Jack smiled, "Okay…I can do that" he couldn't help but look at the way the dress shifted. He stepped toward her, "but you know it looks pretty good this way," he moved a curl off her shoulder and kissed her skin.

"Jack, this is serious, I can't go walking back to town with my dress hanging off me!"

Jack shook his head trying not to laugh at her panicked tone, "Okay, okay, let me see what I can do here," he stepped behind her and began manipulating the laces.

Elizabeth inhaled and shimmied in the dress, adjusting the fit as Jack tugged on the laces. "Pull it tight, I don't want it to slip down," she whispered.

"Oh no, we wouldn't want that," he was glad she couldn't see the big smile on his face.

"Tighter!" she pressed the dress against her chest.

Jack pulled, forcing her back toward him, "Not that tight…I do need to breath!"

Jack rolled his eyes, "Okay…" he stopped and stepped in front of her, "Am I going to have to do this when we're married?" his hands slapped against his thighs.

Elizabeth grinned, "Yes, I believe you will be the one doing this…once we're married," she squinted at him.

He stepped closer, "Okay ….but it's going to cost you."

Her mouth hung open, "What?"

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Her hand stayed crushed against her chest, holding the dress in place.

Jack then stepped behind her again and continued his lacing job. "How's that?"

She wiggled, "Could be tighter, but I think it will do…for your first time."

Jack tucked his finger into the back of her dress, "It's a little loose…"

Elizabeth jumped and pulled away, "Jack, behave."

He chuckled. "I think I did a pretty good job…another one of my talents."

Elizabeth smirked, "Just don't go make a drawing of this escapade…" she whispered.

Jack thought about it, "Not a bad idea," until he noticed the look she was giving him.

They ate the cookies and walked around the house, Elizabeth holding her dress the entire time. "I think we should leave soon, I need to put on something else."

Jack nodded, "Okay, lets head back, I'll get the basket and my photographs."

Once back at the café, "You must be hungry, will you come in?" Elizabeth asked him.

"I'm okay, maybe I'll come by a little later," he looked to see who was around, "just in case you need help untying this dress…"

She leaned against him, "Oh because you're just so polite.."

He wrinkled his nose, "Yes, I am."

"Such a gentleman..." she whispered,looking up at him.

He nodded, "Yes Ma'm."

"Go Jack, I can get out of this dress all by myself," She gave him a quick kiss.

He smiled and headed back to the jail.

Elizabeth went into the café where Abigail was preparing for the next day. "Did you have a nice time?"

Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, very nice…"

"Well you sure look happy," Abigail took the basket.

Elizabeth smiled, "I'm going to change and I'll come back down and help you."

Abigail nodded and then her mouth dropped open when Elizabeth turned around and she saw the lacing on the back of her dress in a crazy criss-crossed pattern that she knew she didn't create. She wondered just how it got like that…