Chapter 42

Once back in town after returning from their house, Elizabeth was concerned that Jack spoke very little on their ride. "Jack? Is everything okay?" she asked.

He stopped the buggy near the café and turned to her, "Everything is fine…couldn't be better."

"You're so quiet, I thought something was wrong."

He shook his head, "No, just thinking…thinking too much maybe," he climbed out of the buggy and offered her his hand.

Elizabeth climbed down and they walked to the door, "Think good thoughts, okay? Would you like a cool drink? I believe Abigail made some lemonade."

"No thank you, I'm tired, I think I'll just go bring the buggy to the livery and then go to the jail…rest my leg," he kissed her cheek and stepped back toward the buggy.

"I can bring something for you to eat, if you'd like."

"I'm not hungry," he turned and kissed her again, "Good night."

Elizabeth watched for a moment then hurried into the café. Elizabeth and Bill were in the dining room, she didn't want to disturb them, so she poured herself some lemonade and intended to go upstairs.

"Elizabeth? Come in here," Abigail called out.

Elizabeth tentatively went to the table, "Hello..."

"Join us please," Abigail said. "Bill and I were talking about plans to go to the Ball and wondered what Jack would think."

"I don't know if he'd think anything," Elizabeth sat, "he hasn't mentioned the Ball."

Abigail and Bill exchanged looks, "He probably just forgot about it," Bill said.

Elizabeth tried to smile, "He's been traveling so much, maybe he doesn't care to go away again."

"No, I'm sure he's thinking about his leg and just forgot about it," Bill said.

"Jack wouldn't miss an opportunity to dance with you Elizabeth," Abigail wanted her friend to smile.

Elizabeth shrugged. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go upstairs, good night."

After she left Abigail was perplexed, "Maybe you can remind Jack about the Ball, he apparently did forget."

Bill nodded, "Yes, I will."

At the jail, Jack sat strumming his fingers on the desk and was startled when Bill came in. "Bill, something wrong?"

"Yes, something is wrong," Bill said, "I just saw a beautiful young lady concerned because her Prince Charming hasn't asked her to the Ball."

Jack's head snapped up, "Oh no…I forgot all about it," he slammed his hand on the desk, "and you asked Abigail, so she mentioned it to Elizabeth…did she say something about it? Is she upset?"

"More like disappointed, because I believe she thinks you don't want to go."

Jack stood, "I have to go talk to her." He hurried to the café and knocked on the kitchen door.

Abigail opened the door, "Jack? Is something wrong?"

"Yes, I need to speak with Elizabeth, please."

Abigail, "Good, I'll go get her." She went upstairs, "Elizabeth, you have a visitor downstairs. I'll stay up here and give you two some privacy."

Elizabeth managed to get herself slightly irritated thinking of why Jack hadn't mentioned the Ball. Now that he was here she was curious to find out why. She slowly descended the stairs to see Jack waiting, hands on his hips. "Jack?"

He took her hands, "Come here," they sat on the settee. "I got so nervous tonight at our house that …well, I forgot there was something I wanted to ask you," he looked down, glancing up at her.

Elizabeth was silent and focusing her gaze on the floor.

Jack sensed her demeanor and felt a chill from her, "Okay…I'm not much of a Prince Charming but would you like to go to the Mountie Ball with me?" He smiled and laughed shyly.

Upon hearing his choice of words, Elizabeth quickly softened and took his hand, "Jack…you are my one and only Prince Charming, and so much more. I would be honored to go to the Mountie Ball with you."

Jack tilted his head and smiled, "Good, I'm glad. You have to promise to behave…"

Elizabeth frowned, "Behave? Me? What about you?" She crossed her arms, feeling the irritation rise again.

"Me? Elizabeth," he whispered, "you know what you do to me. You can't do that if we go to the Ball. We'll be staying in a hotel again."

"Oh, if we go to the Ball?" She leaned forward, her forehead wrinkled, "You don't really want to go do you?"

He reached for her hand, "Of course I want to go, but…"

She pulled her hand away, "But what? Jack, if you don't want to go, we don't have to go. I don't want to force you."

"Force me? You aren't forcing me. Bill said..."

"Oh, are you asking me because Bill said something to you?" Elizabeth stood.

"No. He has nothing to do with it," Jack stood, shocked at her increasing agitation, "I want to take you, I want to go with you."

"Well I'll have to think about it," she turned slightly away from him.

His mouth hung open as he thought for a moment, he wasn't going to play a game with her. "Fine. You let me know your decision. Good night." He left slamming the door.

Abigail frowned when she heard the door slam and as Elizabeth stormed up the stairs. "Oh my, doesn't sound like that went well."

"It didn't," she crossed her arms, "Did Bill tell Jack to ask me to the Ball?"

"No, Bill said that Jack wanted to go. Bill specifically said when they were given the tickets, Jack seemed excited to ask you to go," Abigail said, "Oh Elizabeth, if Jack didn't ask you quite the right way…don't be upset. Jack loves you."

Elizabeth sighed and sank onto the bed, "I know. I think part of it is that Jack is afraid to go away with me again."

"Afraid? Why would he be afraid?" Abigail asked.

"You know, it's just the two of us and things can get…well, romantic…since we're alone a lot."

Abigail nodded, "Oh I see. Well Bill and I will be with you, so we'll be chaperoning you two," she smiled slyly.

Elizabeth thought for a moment, liking the idea, "I'll tell Jack tomorrow!"

Early the next morning Elizabeth hurried to the jail and stormed right in, "Jack!" She walked around to the cell where he bunked and he was treating his leg. "Oh Jack!" She looked at his exposed leg and then at his face, "I…I'm sorry…can I do anything to help you?"

Jack quickly threw the blanket over his lap, "Elizabeth…ahh, help me? No, I'm fine, thank you."

"Okay," she said softly, still staring at his leg.

"Ahh, can you turn around so I can put my pants on?" He tried not to laugh at the way she was staring at his naked leg.

"Oh...yes, of course," she backed away towards his desk.

Bill came into the jail, "Good morning Elizabeth, is Jack not here?"

"Yes, he's putting his pants on…" she noticed Bill's eyebrow go up, "he's taking care of his leg."

"Oh I see," he smirked, "I'll see him later." He nodded and left the jail.

Jack came out, "Good morning," he was hesitant remembering the way he stormed out of the café the previous night.

"Good morning," she said, pointing to his leg, "Is it healing okay?"

"Yes, yes it is," He forced a smile, "What are you doing here?"

She took a breath, "I want to go to the Mountie Ball. That's my decision and I'm sorry if we got a little side tracked last night about it. Bill and Abigail will be there with us…" she glanced at him.

"You and Abigail can share a room," he said.

"Yes, perfect," she began to feel uncomfortable as he wasn't moving, "well, I'll be going, have to help Abigail."

He took her arm as she passed on her way to the door, "Wait, you can't just leave."

She turned to him, "I can't? Why?"

He stepped closer, "Because you haven't kissed me yet."

She stepped into his embrace, "Jack, I'm sorry…"

His kiss quieted her, "Everything is fine. I'm sorry I left the way I did last night, I shouldn't have left you like that." He ran his hand down her face, "I'll be out at the house today, I have to finish that place. I can't wait much longer to be your husband." He brought her hand to his lips.

She blushed, "I'll come up later, Abigail and I have to make plans for the Ball…" she puckered her lips, "we're going to be princesses."

Jack laughed. "Not a stretch for you," he said softly.

She squinted at him, "Now Jack…"

He playfully swatted her behind as she opened the jailhouse door, causing her to squeal.

After sending a telegram to Julie, Elizabeth went back to the café. Abigail was busy baking and the two ladies cooked and baked up the days supply of food, "Elizabeth, do you think it will be a problem, if the café is closed for the few days while we're off at the Ball?"

"No, it will make everyone appreciate you even more, but I did wonder why do they hold the ball now, just before school is due to start up again?"

"Bill said in the past they've held it in the winter, but often times the weather intervened and people got caught in blizzards or bad weather…," she took placed scones on a dish.

"Oh, I see," Elizabeth thought for a moment, "my, could you imagine being caught in a blizzard?"

"No, that is an experience I hope never to have," she wrapped biscuits in a towel and put them in a basket, "here you are…now go and bring Jack some lunch."

"Thank you," Elizabeth took the basket and headed out the door.

At their house, Elizabeth entered through the doorway and heard Jack...grunting toward the back of the house. Elizabeth tip-toed toward him and was a bit surprised to hear his grunts get louder, accompanied by moans. She stopped wondering what he was doing. She continued around the corner, "Jack, what are you doing?"

Jack looked up, surprised to see her, "Moving this monster bathtub! Adam should be here soon and we're going to connect it to the pipes." He fell to his knees.

Elizabeth looked at the bathtub, "It does look large, can I help you? Is your leg okay?"

Jack stood and went to her, "My leg is healing up nicely thank you…it is a nice tub, isn't it?" He looked down, glancing up at her expecting a question or comment. To his surprise, she nodded and walked away, although he did notice a blush rise on her cheeks.

Jack caught up with her, gently tugging the back of her blouse, "Did you bring something for me?"

Elizabeth turned around, "Yes, I brought you some lunch." She went outside, spread a blanket and began unpacking the food. Jack washed his hands with water from the pump and joined her.

"What's in there a book of poetry?" Jack asked.

"No, I'm sworn off men who are fond of poetry," Elizabeth raised her eyebrows as she reached into the basket.

"Glad to hear that," Jack smiled as he reclined and rested on his elbow. "I'll just use my Latin charms…..Bella," his voice was low and seductive.

Elizabeth looked at him, "Oh, well... no one says that quite the way you do…"

"I say this even better, Je te aime ma belle fille…" he took her hand to his lips.

"Hmmm, speaking French now are we?" she blinked repeatedly after staring into his eyes.

He looked away and then back into her eyes, "Yeah…"

"Je te aime….to you too," she smiled, unable to look away.

After a moment, Elizabeth reached into the basket and nervously unwrapped the biscuits, a sandwich and apple slices. She raised an apple slice and Jack grabbed her hand and brought it to his own mouth, "Hmm," his lips lingered at her fingers as he chewed the apple slice. She watched intently. He then reached, picked up another slice and brought it to her lips and fed it to her. When she licked her lips and said "hmmm", Jack bit his lip. Next, it was her turn so she took a slice, kissed it playfully and fed him. He exaggerated his bites, making her giggle and then softly kissed her fingers. After he swallowed, he picked up the last slice, put half in his mouth and motioned for her to come collect the other half, "Come on…you want it?"

Elizabeth looked around and leaned forward on her hands, taunting him slightly by getting close but not biting the apple. Jack moved toward her, rubbing the apple over her lips and chin teasingly while laughing. Elizabeth moved her face giggling at his antics and then finally bit the apple and pressed her lips against his. He pulled her close and they fell backwards, laughing.

They looked to the right of the blanket and saw Adam standing there, watching. "Hello…" Adam said, purposely staring at them trying not to smile at their playfulness.

Jack helped Elizabeth sit up, "Adam! Good to see you."

Adam raised an eyebrow, "I'm not so sure about that, but I'll just be inside…" he shook his head, went to the house and disappeared inside.

Elizabeth nervously collected herself, "Jack, how embarrassing!"

Jack laughed, picked up the sandwich and handed it to her and pointed to himself with his other hand.

She pushed his hand away, "Oh no you don't, feed yourself!"

After lunch Jack and Elizabeth joined Adam inside to help in the bathroom. "This is quite the tub," Adam said as he used a wrench on the pipe.

Jack knelt next to Adam holding the pipe steady, "Shhh."

After a busy afternoon, the trio left the home site, satisfied with their progress.

Later that night, Jack took Elizabeth to their grove of trees, "Are you happy?"

Elizabeth sat on the bench, "Of course I am, aren't you?"

"Yes, very. Just making sure you are…things are really happening now and we're getting closer to being married. I don't want you to change your mind…" Jack licked his lips.

Elizabeth thought she saw slight concern on his face and took his hand, "Jack Thornton, don't think for a minute that I am going to change my mind. When you asked me to marry you, right here, in this very spot, I was thrilled to say yes and I can't wait to be your wife."

Jack smiled and hugged her, "Good, I can't wait either… our beautiful house, we're going to be so happy there."

"Yes we will. Now tell me about that bathtub," she stared at him.

"What? The bathtub? What about it?" He nervously rubbed his thigh.

"Well you and I aren't exactly big people, why is the tub so big?"

Jack grinned, "Elizabeth, it's just a tub…just the latest design I guess. Don't ask anymore okay?"

She squinted, "Okay…but one day you'll tell me," she took his hand again, "Do you wear your red serge to the Ball?"

He looked at her, surprised she changed the subject so willingly, "I don't know, it would be kind of strange with one hundred Mounties all dressed the same wouldn't it? I plan to bring my blue suit."

"Good, I love that suit on you," she touched his shoulder.

He kissed her and slid her closer on the bench, wrapping her in his embrace. "I'm looking forward to it, are you?"

She nodded, "Yes, I love dancing with you and staying in a hotel will be fun again. Maybe Marco will be there!"

Jack laughed, "Marco? I don't think we'll ever see him again…except in the book."

"Are you still reading that book Jack?"

"No, well…I've looked at it…but ….it's best if I leave it packed away."

"Then can I have it?" Her eyes were big, "I'd like to read more of it."

"No, that's not a good idea Elizabeth."

"Why? Why won't you let me read anymore of it? I've already read the beginning, it's just romance…"

"No, it's more than romance…in parts…eventually…" Jack was nervous.

"Bring it on the trip, we can read it on the coach. Bill and Abigail might like it too," she innocently said.

Jack choked, "No, they aren't going to read it! Don't even tell them about it."

"Why?"

He sighed and touched her face, "It's a little too romantic. Parts of it are what happens after kissing…" He could tell by the look on her face that she was about to ask another question. "After kissing…like when people are married."

She straightened, "Oh, I see…well, I don't ….but they've both been married before, so just give the book to them."

Jack rolled his eyes, "Enough about the book. That book…"

Elizabeth stood, "Can we go back now, its getting late and I'm tired and you need to get off that leg and put it up."

He stood and pulled her against him, "Don't worry about the book. One day we'll read it, together." He kissed her nose.

"Okay, I won't think about it," She took his hand, "tomorrow we need to talk to Vernon, he can take us to the Ball."

Jack smiled, "That's a good idea. Is he staying here, looking out for you?" Jack rubbed his chin.

"No, he is doing work for my father," she took his arm as they headed back to town.

"What kind of work?" Jack asked.

"I don't know exactly," Elizabeth answered, "but I know he can take us to the Ball."

Jack smiled, a secretive smile.