Early the next morning, Elizabeth headed to the jail, "Good morning Jack," she announced as she opened the door. Rip howled a greeting, "Hmm, where's the Constable, pup?" She scratched Rip's head. She walked into the cell where Jack slept, smiling seeing that Jack had their photograph on the small bedside table. She saw a small velvet box and was tempted to open it, but something else caught her eye.
Jack had gotten an early start at the house and was busy putting up shelves in Elizabeth's dressing room. He leaned on the window opening, remembering the way she rushed to him and kissed him when she first saw this dressing room, the way she was overwhelmed. He picked up a hammer and lifted a board into place, thinking about her telling him how she'll need his help to get undressed, to unbutton her dress. He smiled thinking of those little tiny buttons and how something so small could make him sweat. He placed the nail on the board and hammered. He thought of her removing a stocking from a drawer, sitting on the small chair. He hammered harder. He imagined her buttoning one of those lacey undergarments and pulling the little pink ribbon he saw once peeking out from her blouse. "Ohhh!" he swung the hammer against his thumb, "concentrate Thornton…" He lifted another nail, looked at it and Elizabeth's dress caught on the nail came into his mind, the way she moved trying to free herself. He rolled his eyes, "Good grief…" he hammered that nail deeply into the piece of wood.
Elizabeth rushed into the café and ran up the stairs to her room. Abigail noticed but was busy preparing food. When Elizabeth came back downstairs, Abigail couldn't help ask, "Everything okay?"
"Yes, perfect why?" Elizabeth tied an apron around her waist.
"No reason…" she shrugged. "We need to finish packing, maybe later we can get some time upstairs. Did Jack say when we should leave?"
"Hmm? No, but Vernon was going to talk to Jack and Bill this morning I believe."
"Can't wait to see the dresses Julie will send for us for the Ball," Abigail said.
"Oh, well I hope she uses good taste," Elizabeth commented.
"Of course she will. The men will wear suits, won't they?"
Elizabeth began to roll out dough, "Suits? Yes, you know…normal suits…vests…white shirts…" she bit her bottom lip and pushed the rolling pin a little harder thinking of Jack dressed in a suit. She sprinkled sugar on the dough and thought of Jack removing his jacket and tie, she rolled the pin a little harder. The way the left side of his mouth turned up and he made that soft sound, like a laugh, made her smile. She pressed the rolling pin into the dough as she thought of the chill she got when he ran his finger down the side of her face and then rolled the pin right off the table. "Oh my!"
Abigail turned around, "Elizabeth! You better keep your thoughts on your baking," she laughed, knowing Elizabeth was daydreaming of Jack.
Meanwhile, Vernon walked into the house, "Jack? You here?"
"Back here," Jack shouted as he shook out his hand.
Vernon whistled, "Looks really good in here."
"Thanks, but I could use your help." The two men worked while talking about plans for the trip to the Mountie Ball.
"Elizabeth is going to love this," Vernon said looking around the room.
"She'll love that you helped. She has no idea that you've been helping and keeping her father aware of what's going on."
Vernon chuckled, "She is busy thinking about other things, but she won't be all that surprised when she finds out I'm acting as her father's eyes and wallet."
Jack nodded, not too pleased with the wallet part, but accepting it because it's for Elizabeth. "Are we ready to leave tomorrow for the Ball, is it safe to tell the ladies?"
"I'm ready whenever you are. I bet you the ladies are ready, probably have a half dozen trunks to bring!"
"I'm sure," Jack grinned, looking around imagining what would be packed in those trunks.
Later in the day, Elizabeth kept walking to the door, stepping out onto the porch of the café.
Abigail sighed, "Why don't you just go over to the jail, he's probably busy doing paperwork, you know how dedicated Jack is."
"It's supper time, he's always hungry…he'll be here." Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as she stretched her neck looking toward the jail.
As the sun began to set and Jack still hadn't appeared for supper, Elizabeth headed to go to the house site thinking he was probably busy working. As she walked she smiled thinking how determined Jack was to help Adam finish the house so they could set a wedding date. She was eager as well but not willing to admit her nerves at the thought of being a married woman.
She walked into the house, "Jack? Are you here?"
"Back here," Jack was in what would be their bedroom. He put the drawing he was working on into the bag on the floor. He looked up when she entered the room, always glad to see her, "Hi there…guess I missed supper, sorry."
She looked at him, sleeves rolled up, clothes dusty, yet looking so handsome. "I was getting a little worried, you must be tired and hungry Constable."
Jack nodded, picked up a hammer, flipping it several times in his hand before putting it in the toolbox. Elizabeth walked around the room, when she neared her dressing room door, Jack said, "Don't go in there, it isn't finished and I want you to see the finished product."
Elizabeth shyly put her hands behind her back, "Hmm, okay, I guess I can wait," she looked over her shoulder at him, "I'm sure it will be beautiful."
Jack grinned, "I want it to be…for you." He walked to the window opening and took a deep breath. "We leave for the Mountie Ball tomorrow."
"I'm sorry to take you away from this, I know how much you enjoy it and want to finish it," she walked toward him.
"I do, but we've waited this long…," he stopped when he felt her hand on his back.
"When we come back, I can help and I promise we'll get it done. We have a wedding to plan," she whispered as she laid her cheek on his shoulder and slid a hand around his waist.
Jack touched her hand, "A wedding…nothing too fancy, just me and you would be nice. I'll tell you that this is your home," he turned to face her, "here, in my arms." He kissed her softly.