Chapter 46

The next morning, Elizabeth entered the hotel lobby where she saw Jack talking with a woman near the main entrance. Abigail was at the doorway to the restaurant and called to Elizabeth, "We're ready for breakfast, are you coming?"

Elizabeth looked toward Jack again, who was still talking with the woman, "Yes, I'm coming with you." The two ladies joined Bill and Patrick and Sarah in the dining room and ordered food. They drank coffee and chatted before Jack finally joined them. "Good morning everyone," he said as he joined the group. He looked at Elizabeth who smiled at him.

"How are you today Jack?" Abigail asked.

"I'm good, how are you?" Jack replied as he reached for his coffee cup.

"Fine," she glanced at Elizabeth, then back at Jack, "did you know that Marco paid us a visit last night?"

Jack choked, "Marco?"

Bill dropped his fork and looked at Abigail, "Who?"

Elizabeth brought her napkin to her mouth.

"Oh, I'm just teasing Jack," Abigail grinned, "but we appreciate you coming to check on our safety, don't we Elizabeth?"

"Yes, of course we do," Elizabeth said as she concentrated on her cup of coffee.

Jack leaned to her, "It was my pleasure. How are you this morning?"

She looked at him, "I'm fine, how are you?"

"Wonderful, ready for the ride home, aren't you?"

"Yes…" she replied as the food was served, "you were up early."

"I had a few things to do," he began to eat.

"Oh, like what?" she sipped her coffee.

"Nothing important," he looked away with a smile. "I hope you're going to eat this morning, you didn't eat very much last night."

"Don't worry, I'll eat," she looked at him.

Jack did a double take at her, but then continued to eat.

After saying good bye to Patrick and Sarah and after Vernon secured the stagecoaches cargo, everyone was ready for the trip back to Coal Valley.

Bill assisted Abigail into the coach and when Jack offered his hand to Elizabeth instead of assisting her into the coach he pulled her aside, "Wanted to sneak a good morning kiss," he kissed her cheek, "I love you."

Elizabeth melted at his action and she touched his face, "I love you too," and gave him a quick kiss.

"Miss Thatcher, you shouldn't be swooning me in public," he teased.

She smiled, "You're using the word swooning incorrectly Mr. Thornton."

"You're the teacher, you need to give me a private lesson," he whispered.

She blushed and bit her lip. He took her hand and led her to climb into the coach.

After several miles of relative silence, Elizabeth dropped her hands into her lap, "It would be nice if we had a book to read," she glared at Jack.

Jack rubbed his hands on his thighs, "Sorry, no Marco on this trip."

Bill and Abigail smiled but remained uncomfortably silent and Elizabeth crossed her arms.

Jack reached for her but she pulled away, "Okay, okay," he reached down into his bag, "you win…"

Elizabeth smiled in anticipation as Jack retrieved the book from the bag. He smiled and handed her a book.

Elizabeth took the book, "What? This isn't…" she looked at Jack and then back at the book, "The Emerald City of Oz" by L. Frank Baum." She ran her hand down the colorful book cover, "Jack, where did you get this?"

"I went to the mercantile this morning. I asked someone," he touched Elizabeth's hand and looked at her, "the woman you saw me talking to in the lobby, she told me where the store was and I went and they just got a new shipment of books."

Elizabeth gasped softly, as she looked at Jack and the others. She held the book against her chest.

Jack smiled and looked at Elizabeth, "I know you have other books by this Frank Baum, I guess this is a new one and I figured you would want to read."

It took all of Elizabeth's self control not to kiss Jack for his kind gesture. "Thank you Jack. What a sweet and thoughtful thing to do."

Jack tapped the book, "You can read to us about Dorothy if you want." He leaned to whisper in her ear, "Although I don't think Marco is in the Emerald City."

She giggled, "Thank you Jack," he was so close, she kissed his cheek.

Abigail smiled, "What a thoughtful thing to do Jack."

Bill put his hand up, "Does this mean I can read the other book?" Jack smiled and shook his head at Bill.

Their arrival in Coal Valley found Adam Miller waiting at the jail for Jack. He had some things to review with him at the house so the men went up to the home site and began to work. "I trust you had a good time at your Mountie Ball," Adam said.

"Yes we did," Jack flipped a hammer in his hand, "now I just want to get this house done so we can have a wedding."

"When is this wedding that everyone's waiting for?" Adam asked.

"Don't have an actual date yet, but we will. The closer this house is to being done, the easier it will be to get Elizabeth to commit to a date," Jack said.

At the café Elizabeth and Abigail were putting away items from their trip. "Elizabeth, did you and Jack actually set a date for your wedding?"

"No, the house has to be finished first," she said.

"Well, didn't Jack say it has about a month to go?"

"A month?" Elizabeth stopped what she was doing. "Is that what he said? That soon?"

Abigail closed the now empty suitcase and walked to her friend, "Elizabeth, are you frightened at the thought of marrying Jack?"

"Frightened? No…of course not," she avoided eye contact.

"Being frightened is perfectly normal, every woman feels that way," Abigail sat on Elizabeth's bed, "but when you love a person and have trust in that person all those worries leave." She didn't see any relief in Elizabeth's face. "Jack loves you so much and I'm sure he's a little frightened too. But you shouldn't worry, you should trust in that love and everything will be just fine."

Elizabeth sighed and nodded.

Abigail touched Elizabeth's arm, "Let's look at a calendar, shall we?"

The ladies went downstairs and after doing some laundry they made a pot of tea and took a look at the calendar. "I can't really do this without Jack," Elizabeth covered the calendar with her hand.

"Oh, I am not intending to select a date, just to review what might be possible, so you can talk to Jack. For instance we need to consider his mother and your family traveling here…"

Elizabeth put her hand on Abigail's, "Thank you…for everything. You've been so helpful to me in so many ways and I'm so grateful."

"Elizabeth, this is a time in your life when you need someone to talk to. Someone besides Jack…you need a woman to talk to. I'm always here for you," Abigail gave Elizabeth's hand a squeeze.

Later, Bill came by and ate dinner with Abigail. Elizabeth went upstairs and read The Emerald City of Oz, expecting Jack to arrive. She fell asleep and woke as the sun was setting. She hurried downstairs where Abigail was busy in the kitchen.

"Did Jack come by for supper?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, and you were asleep, so I didn't even think about him. Bill went back to the jail to review some work."

Elizabeth looked worried, "I'm going to the jail to see Jack."

Bill was reading paperwork when Elizabeth entered the jail. "Hello Elizabeth…Jack isn't here. I suspect he's at your house."

Elizabeth hurried up to the house when Jack was indeed busy working.

"Jack Thornton, what do you think you're doing?" Elizabeth walked up onto the porch and through the doorway where Jack was on his knees securing a board.

"Hello, I'm putting boards along the bottom of the wall, doesn't it look good?" Jack pointed the hammer at the board.

Elizabeth smirked, "Looks just fine, but do you know it's getting late and you haven't had any supper."

Jack put the hammer down, stood and walked to her, "I don't need any supper. I'm trying to finish our house…so I can be your husband." He moved closer and put his hands on her waist.

Elizabeth felt nervous, "Oh…well, thank you."

"You're welcome," he kissed her neck, "I want to be your husband."

Elizabeth took a deep breath, "Yes…"

"I can hardly wait…" he kissed her neck again.

"I know …."

"Shouldn't be long now…" he hugged her.

"Not too long," she clung to his shoulders, thinking about what she and Abigail talked about, "how about six weeks?"

Jack pulled back, "Six weeks? That sounds reasonable."

Elizabeth nodded and looked down.

"Are you sure?" Jack's smiled faded at her lack of enthusiasm.

She looked up into his eyes and nodded.

Jack wasn't convinced. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, let's get back to town."

Jack knew something wasn't right as they walked hand in hand back to town, but he didn't want to ask her again.

Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "I can make you a sandwich you can take to the jail and eat if you're hungry."

Jack smiled, "Okay, thank you."

They went into the café and Jack sat on the settee and Elizabeth got busy in the kitchen. When she was finished preparing him a meal to go, she wasn't surprised to see Jack's eyes were closed. She sat next to him and brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead. His eyes shot open, "Oh, I guess I dozed off…"

"You did…it's understandable you worked for hours up there on our house," she leaned on him, "you can't keep doing that Jack."

He put his arm around her shoulder, "I'm sorry…I want to get the house done."

Elizabeth took a breath, "I know…"

Jack stood, took her hand and headed to the door, "I love you very much and I don't want you to worry about anything. I'm fine, our house is fine…" he kissed her nose, "so no worrying, okay?"

Elizabeth nodded, "I love you …good night."

"Good night," Jack left. Elizabeth put a hand on her chest and whispered as she closed the door, "I promise Jack, I'll try not to worry."

The next morning Vernon, Adam and Jack were working on the house. Elizabeth went to the mercantile to send a wire to her family about the wedding. "Good Morning Mr. Yost, I'd like to send this wire please," she handed him the paper.

"Very good Miss Thatcher, I'll get this out right away."

"Thank you," she headed for the door but turned, "Wait…"

Ned Yost was reading the message, "Oh, change your mind?"

"No, but I may add something else to it…" she reached for the paper.

"Well you let me know," Ned replied.

Elizabeth read the note again, "No, here, send it please." She knew she was being foolish, her family had to plan for the trip, they were bringing things for the wedding and for Elizabeth and Jack's home, things they had talked about when she was visiting. "Thank you…" She touched the door and this time she left the mercantile. She walked up to the house, she wanted to see Jack.

"Jack!" She ran up on to the porch, running her hand along the smooth railing, admiring the work.

Jack came out the front door, "Hello! Welcome to the Thornton residence!" He bowed to her.

Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you, it's a lovely residence. The Thornton's are very fortunate."

He took her hands, "Well, I know Mr. Thornton is…" he kissed her cheek. "Are you here to make sure I eat or to just distract me?"

She pursed her lips, "I just wanted to see you, but now that you mention it, would you join me for supper later?"

He kissed her cheek again, "I'd love that."

She looked away, "This is a beautiful porch."

Jack stepped to the railing, "We'll be spending a lot of time out here, in the evening," he looked at her.

Elizabeth nodded, "Okay…I'll see you later." She stepped off the porch but Jack took her arm.

"Hey, everything's okay, right?"

"Yes…I can't wait to sit out here with you in the evening," she said softly.

He ran his finger down her face, "Good…I'll see you later."

Elizabeth smiled, turned and walked away.

Jack watched her, unsure if she was nervous about the wedding or being married. He had an idea of one thing he could do to help.

Abigail offered to help Elizabeth prepare dinner, "I don't mind helping, but if you're sure you want to do it yourself, I'll leave you alone."

"I think I'm ready," Elizabeth clapped her hands together and looked over the ingredients she had placed on the table.

"Okay," Abigail turned, "I'll be upstairs if you need me."

Elizabeth took to her task and hummed a little song as she worked.

An hour later Jack arrived and presented her with a bouquet of wildflowers, "For you…"

"Thank you, they're beautiful," she kissed him. "I hope you're hungry."

He rubbed his hands, "Yes, what can I do to help?"

"Help? You don't have to help, you're my guest," she took his hand, but he didn't move.

"No, it's you and me, I can help, we're having dinner together," he said pointing from her to himself.

"Okay," she responded nervously "you can help me carry dishes." They both took plates to the table and sat down. Jack updated her on the house, "We may move in with some small projects still to be completed, but overall it will be done." He picked up his fork and knife.

Elizabeth nodded, "Good."

"This all looks delicious," he reached for her hand, "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," she watched him take a bite.

"Hmm," Jack's eyes went wide after taking a bite, "this sweet potato…it's very….sweet."

Elizabeth grinned, "Isn't it? I added extra sugar and cinnamon!"

Jack nodded and took a bite of the roast, he looked at her, "What did you put on this one?" he chewed.

"I rubbed on spices and put bay leafs in the pot," Elizabeth watched him, looking for his approval.

Jack quickly moved on to the next dish, "Is that an apple…in a pudding?" He used a spoon, took a big scoop and began to cough. He gulped some water, "What's in that one?"

"Well, I sliced the apples, added sugar, cornstarch and salt. I added a little cream, it was a little dry," she noticed his eyes watering, "not good?"

"It's ….it's different," he didn't want to hurt her feelings or discourage her, "and I like it."

Elizabeth frowned, "No you don't." She took a small taste, "it's terrible."

She gathered the dishes and rushed to the kitchen.

Jack hurried behind her "No…it's not terrible."

Elizabeth turned, "Their Abigail's recipes." She picked up a towel.

Jack looked away, "Were you paying attention?"

Elizabeth huffed and threw the towel on the table.

Jack rushed to her side, "No, I mean, maybe you did it in the wrong order or something." He looked at the stove and back at her, "Next time it'll be great, I know it. What's that proverb, 'Hunger finds no fault with the cooking'."

Elizabeth sighed, "The fault is that sugar and salt look the same!" She looked away, "I don't know if I can do it Jack."

He held her by the shoulders, "Of course you can. Just takes a little more practice. We'll do it together." He picked up the towel.

Elizabeth looked at him, "What are you doing?"

"If you wash, I'll dry," he pointed to the dishes.

"Jack, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what? I'm working with you."

"You don't have to do this, I don't expect you to do dishes…"

He touched her arm, "Wait, I can dirty the dishes and that's okay, but if I want to help clean them, that's not okay?"

"Jack, what are you doing?" She looked away.

He put the towel down and turned her to face him, "Elizabeth, this is what marriage will be, working together, doing things together." He took her hand.

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears, "I should have let Abigail help me, but I wanted to try to do it on my own. Maybe I can't do it by myself," she pouted.

"Then it's a good thing you're getting married and you won't be by yourself. I'll be with you." He winked at her.

She looked up into his eyes, "Jack…oh, I hope I can do it," she wiped a tear, "I love you so much, I just hope I can do it."

Jack swallowed, "I promise you, it's going to be fine, I'll be with you," he lifted her chin, "we can eat at the café every night if you want." He tried to make her laugh. He rubbed her arms, "You know…if you remember when I gave you the drawing of us, and I told you I wasn't as brave as people thought, you looked right at me and said, 'yes you are', do you remember?"

She nodded.

"That's you too," he gently shook her hands, "you're brave and strong. You can do anything Elizabeth."

She smiled and kissed him. They hugged and kissed, Jack wanted to alleviate her worry, he was glad she seemed to relax in his arms.

"No more worrying, okay?"

She slid her hands under his suspenders and squeezed his shoulders, "I can't promise that, but I'll try…for you."

He pulled her against him, "I love you Elizabeth. Together we can do anything. It won't always be like living in Oz, but as long as you're beside me, I know we'll be fine."

She gasped softly and kissed the man she loved.