Chapter 41

When the coach pulled into Coal Valley, Elizabeth woke, happy to be sleeping against Jack, who was awake looking out the window. "Why didn't you wake me?" She asked.

"I didn't want you to move," he smiled, "its comforting having you in my arms."

"This is where I belong…" she whispered.

He nodded and kissed her.

"Oh Jack, what a nightmare the past two days have been," she placed her hand on his chest, "I'm so grateful you're here with me now, the thought of anything happening to you…"

He rubbed her arm, "It's okay, I'm here and I'm staying here."

She leaned closer to him and they kissed.

Vernon knocked on the stagecoach door, "You two okay in there?" He assumed they were kissing, again.

"Yes, we're fine," Jack answered.

"Just fine," Elizabeth added, smiling as she ran her hand down Jack's face. "You're the most handsome man…even when you have whiskers…"

Jack laughed, "I do need a shave, a bath, a hot meal...and one more thing.."

"What's that?" she asked.

"One more kiss before we climb out of this rig," he smiled.

Vernon shook his head and walked around to the other side of the coach.

Abigail came running outside and jumped up to the coach's window, "Elizabeth! Jack! So glad you're both here, is everything okay? Where's Bill?"

"Bill's fine, just fine. I can't ride, so he'll be bringing the horses back. He'll probably be here tomorrow," Jack explained as he climbed out of the coach.

"What happened to you? What kind of accident was there?"

"An explosion, some ammunition exploded. Bill investigated, he'll tell us everything when he returns. My leg got cut up a bit but I'm good. Thank you for your concern," he smiled at Abigail and leaned closer, "Elizabeth had a bit of a fright, but I think she's calmed down now."

Vernon assisted Elizabeth out of the coach and she hugged Abigail, "Everything is fine now, Bill will be home and then we'll all be okay."

"I'm so glad, let's get some food into all of you," Abigail led the way into the café.

After a filling meal, Jack and Elizabeth headed to the jail, "Are you sure you want to stay here? Who can help you?" Elizabeth held his arm.

"I'm okay, the doctor just didn't want the cut opening up from me bending my leg more than necessary," he looked at her, "I'm really okay, stop worrying."

"I knew before you left …I had a bad feeling…"

"It's all over now. Tell me about the house," Jack wanted to change the subject.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "It's still standing, I didn't knock it down or anything."

Jack chuckled, "Glad to hear that. Did you finish your project?"

"Yes, I'll show you later," she opened the jailhouse door.

"Good, can't wait to see it."

Elizabeth smiled, nervous but anxious to show him.

"Hey Rip…." The dog howled as they entered the jail. Jack sat at his desk and pet Rip.

"Is there anything I can get you?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, I'm fine. Will you stop worrying about me," he said.

"Can I do anything for your leg?"

Jack looked up at her, "Ahh, thank you, but its fine." He noted her look of disappointment, "Come over here."

Elizabeth put her hands behind her back and walked to Jack, when he slapped his thigh, she lowered herself onto his lap. "I just want to take care of you, make sure you're okay," she fiddled with his collar.

"I know and I appreciate that …very much, but I'm okay," he pushed her hair over her shoulder, "I can't walk up to our house, so tell me what's been done."

"Our house…, hmm that sounds so nice doesn't it?" She smiled and put her hand in his, "Well, Adam has been very busy and had some other men helping him nail walls and work on the roof. They put these big pieces of wood across the top and then they nailed wood on them. .."

Jack played with her engagement ring, biting his lip at her cute explanation of the construction of their house. Finally he couldn't resist and he pulled her in for a kiss. "I have to tell you, you're probably the cutest construction worker ever!"

Elizabeth sighed and laid her head on his shoulder, "Thank you, but I wouldn't say I actually did construction."

"Oh? I can't wait to get up to the house and see what you did."

She sat up, "You don't have to go to the house to see it! Want me to go get it?"

Jack was surprised, "Sure." His curiosity was peaked although he was a bit apprehensive to see what she created.

Elizabeth rushed to the door, "I'll be right back!"

Jack grinned, shaking his head at her excitement and began looking at the papers and notices Ned Yost had collected while he was away. He was relieved there was nothing that appeared to need his immediate attention.

The door opened and Elizabeth's head appeared, "Are you ready?" She walked in, hands behind her back.

"Okay, let's see it," Jack tried not to smile, wanting to be serious and supportive.

Elizabeth was giddy as she presented a wooden plaque about ten inches by ten inches that had a letter "T" etched into it, "What do you think?"

Jack's mouth hung open, he looked at the plaque and looked at her and back to the plaque, "It's …amazing!" He slammed his hand down on the desk, "Let me see that!"

Elizabeth proudly handed Jack her creation, "Do you like it?"

Jack ran his hand over the wooden plaque, "Did you really make this? Tell me how…"

"Well, it wasn't easy. I admit my original intention was to carve the full name, but I …well…if only you had a shorter name," she stuck her tongue out a bit.

Jack laughed, "Well, it's perfect the way it is, I love it," he stood and reached for her hand, "Great job."

Elizabeth took the plaque from him, "It's my first project and I want to do more. But for now, take off your pants…"

Jack's eyes widened, "What? Excuse me?"

Elizabeth did a double take, "Oh….well, I meant … I can take care of your leg now…" she nervously pointed to his leg.

Jack chuckled, "I can do that…but thank you." He reached for her and she came into his embrace. "I could go for more of those kisses you gave me on the coach however." He sighed and tugged her gently against him.

She ran her fingers around his collar, "Good idea Constable," she kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hmm, yes it's so nice to have you home."

"This is where I belong," he said as he hugged her close.

The next day Bill Avery rode into town, with Jack's riderless horse carrying his belongings. He came into the jail to find Jack sitting at his desk, "Don't tell me your're back to work already?"

"Bill, good to see you back. Everything go okay, were you able to close the explosion report?"

"Yes, all finished. Not the best experience, but glad its over. How is everyone here?" Bill put down a satchel.

"Good. I got a reception from Elizabeth that was well….overwhelming. There was a mix up at the train station, but it's all good now." The two men talked and Jack filled Bill in on the details.

"I think I'd like to go see Mrs. Stanton now, care to go to the café with me Jack?" Bill picked up Jack's crutch and handed it to Jack.

At the café, Abigail was watching Elizabeth cook, "You're doing much better, I didn't see any eggshells go in the pan."

Elizabeth glanced up at her, "That's the first time…finally."

They both looked up as Jack and Bill entered. "I'm back!" Bill said as he put his hand out to Abigail who took his hand and smiled broadly.

Elizabeth hurried to Jack, "How are you today? The leg okay?"

Jack nodded, "Yes, in fact I don't think I need this crutch anymore, but I'll keep it handy just to lean on."

"You can always lean on me…" she slid her arm under his and around his back.

"Thank you," he smiled.

"Are you hungry? I cooked!"

Jack smiled, "Okay…"

While they ate, Bill filled them in on the happenings at the training and his trip home. Elizabeth watched Jack, wondering what he thought of the food.

"This is delicious," Jack said, "Did you really make this?" He looked at Elizabeth.

She gave him a look.

After their meal, the men had to head back to the jail to attend to work, Elizabeth walked with Jack. "Can I spend time with you today?" she asked.

"Of course, how about later I come by the café?" he held her hand.

She got closer, "Don't make me wait too long," she brushed her hand around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

He pulled her close and deepened the kiss. "Oh what you do to me Miss Thatcher…" his voice was low.

"I can't even describe what you to do me Constable," she ran her fingertip across his lips and turned and walked away. When she looked over her shoulder he was watching her with a smile on his face.

Later that day, Abigail came upstairs looking for Elizabeth. "What are you doing?"

"Just looking at photographs. Did you and Bill go for a walk?"

Abigail blushed, "Yes, it's nice to have him back. I admit he's changed my mind about pursuing a relationship."

"How did he do that?" Elizabeth was curious.

"I don't even know exactly except that he's kind and patient and now that he's invited me to the Mountie Ball, our relationship may go a bit further," she covered her mouth with her hand and sat on the bed.

Elizabeth looked up, "Mountie Ball? What's that?"

"Oh, according to Bill it's an annual Ball the Mounties put on. Sort of a thank you for all their work. Bill said it's a nice evening, they present awards, there's a meal and of course dancing," she smiled and looked at Elizabeth, "hasn't Jack mentioned it?"

Elizabeth shook her head.

"Well perhaps with his injury and catching up with work he hasn't had a chance yet."

Elizabeth put the photos back into the box she kept them in, "Perhaps. Would be fun to go to a Ball….what would you wear?" Elizabeth started planning.

"Good question, I don't have anything appropriate for a Ball."

"I can remedy that, I can have Julie send something for you. Do the women wear red?" She frowned remembering what red could imply.

Abigail tilted her head, "I don't know but if they do please remember its Mountie red…."

"I bet Jack will ask me this evening, he wants to go to our house. I hope he can walk that far."

"Why don't you surprise him with a buggy ride…could be very romantic," Abigail raised her eyebrows and tapped Elizabeth's hand.

Later at the jail, Jack slapped some cologne on his freshly shaved face in anticipation of seeing Elizabeth. He was surprised when there was a tapping on the door. He hobbled over and opened the door, "Elizabeth…"

"Are you ready?" she stepped back and cleared the view of the little buggy with a single horse pulling it. "I've arranged the transportation handsome sir."

"That's wonderful!" Jack followed Elizabeth into the buggy, "This is great, thank you for thinking of me." He touched her cheek.

"Well, it was Abigail's idea, so you really need to thank her, but isn't it romantic?" She curled her arm with his.

He picked up the reigns, "Yes, it is." He kissed her nose.

At their home site, Jack was pleasantly surprised at the progress. "This is amazing," he quickly climbed out of the buggy and assisted Elizabeth.

They hurried onto the porch which was almost complete, "Do you like it?"

Jack looked over all of it, nodding his head, "It's wonderful and I see a place for your wonderful plaque," he put his arm out and she moved against him, "I'm so happy."

She nuzzled at his neck, "So am I Jack, it's actually happening." They both stood in silence for a moment imagining their future.

"Lets go inside," Jack said finally able to move. There was no door so Jack motioned for her to enter, and she swayed in.

"It's still one big room, sort of," she said. "This will be the parlor," she walked to the left, her arms out encompassing the room.

Jack walked toward the back, "This will be another parlor, next to the wash room, and you'll have a room for that big crank washing machine like the one that Abigail has out back. Since we'll have running water."

"Wait, where's the kitchen?" She asked.

"Kitchen?" Jack's brow crinkled, "Why do we need that, you can't cook!"

Elizabeth gasped and swiped her hand at him, "Oh Jack, that's mean! You'll need a place to do all your cooking."

He put his arm around her shoulder and laughed, "Okay, MY kitchen will be back there, in the corner." He took her hand through a doorway.

She walked off to one side, "What room is this, it's kind of small…. Oh is this for a …"

Jack followed her, "This is your dressing room," he smiled shyly, stuffing a hand in his pocket, "I wanted to surprise you when it was a little more finished. But I figured you would like a room for all your clothes, we can put a big mirror in here and shelves for all your hats. See, there's a window so you'll be able to see everything in here. You'll have privacy…" He turned and she was standing there, tears in her eyes, "What? Don't you like it? I'll finish it real nice for you."

"Jack…" her voice was soft, emotional, "you did this for me?"

He leaned on the window opening, "Yes…"

She rushed to him, grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him.

He held her, his hands gliding up and down her back enjoying her kiss. He stepped back and leaned against the wall, fighting his feelings as she pressed against him, touching his face, his neck and squeezing his shoulders. "Elizabeth…."

"Jack, this is such a beautiful room, thank you for doing this for me." She fingered his collar and ran her fingers against his neck. "I can't wait to use it."

Jack swallowed, "I thought you would appreciate having a room right off the bedroom…our bedroom. You can hang all your pretty dresses here…and your other…things…"

"Hmmm, it's good that you made it big enough for both of us…I will need your help," she ran her fingers down the buttons on his shirt.

Jack swallowed, "No, this room is just for you…what help will you need?"

"I think you know…lacing my dresses," she brought his hand to her side, "buttoning those tiny buttons up my side…then..."

"Then?" he swallowed again.

"Yes, then unbuttoning those little tiny buttons and unlacing those dresses," she kissed his ear, "I'll need your help to get undressed," she whispered in his ear.

Jack took a deep breath, "Oh…well…I see."

"You will, yes…you will," she touched his face and kissed him.

Jack made a sound deep in his throat as they kissed imaging being in this room one day in the future.

"Will there be a place for shoes?"

He nodded, speechless as his imagination created images.

"I'll need a few drawers," she fingered his ear, "for stockings."

"Ah ha…those..." Jack closed his eyes.

"Can you make those?" She asked.

"Stockings? Ahhh, no I don't think so," Jack's voice was low.

She laughed, "No, drawers…like dresser drawers for my personal items," she pressed her hand against his chest.

Jack nodded and inhaled, "Oh …yeah…sure I can do that."

"I think you can do anything," she kissed his neck.

"Well, not anything…what else do you need?" As soon as the words came out he regretted asking.

"A dressing table," she whispered.

"A dressing table? What's that?"

"A little table with a mirror and a little seat," she lifted her skirt a bit, "So I can sit and put on stockings and shoes. Unless you want to help."

"It's getting awfully warm in here," Jack inched his way along the wall, needing to keep his composure and get away from her.

Elizabeth smiled, "What about you? Will you have a room too? Where are you going to keep all those red serge jackets?" She crawled her fingers up his chest and around his neck.

Jack grinned, "I'll have a closet," he looked around, "a little smaller. Not near you."

Elizabeth tried not to laugh as she kissed him softly.

"We should leave now," Jack was trying not to look at her.

"Okay…"

Once back in the buggy, "Jack, are you okay?" She asked.

He nodded, "Oh yeah, sure….I'm fine…just fine." He clicked the reigns and they headed back to town.