Gifts

Jack adjusted the plaques on the jailhouse wall that he received at the Mountie Ball. He smiled remembering how beautiful Elizabeth looked that evening in her red ball gown and shook his head thinking of her giggling from the champagne. He looked forward to toasting to their life together at their wedding and couldn't wait to marry her. He walked out of the jail ready to begin his rounds, but the smell of bacon stopped and made him smile until he looked toward the café and saw smoke. He rushed to make sure Abigail and Elizabeth were okay.

At the café, Abigail had opened the door to clear the smoke, "Elizabeth, it's okay. It's better to take the pan off the stove before you remove the bacon or, as you now know, the grease can drop on to the hot stove and make a little smoke. It's nothing to get upset about."

"Oh, I burned the bacon and made all this smoke," she was waving her hands until she saw Jack come through the doorway. "Jack!" Elizabeth moved to the stove to try and hide the evidence of her latest cooking venture.

Jack smiled at Elizabeth trying to block the stove, "Is everything okay in here?"

Abigail smiled, "Yes of course, just a little smoky, would you like some coffee or breakfast?"

Elizabeth brushed a strand of hair from her face with the back of her hand, "Don't you have to go make your rounds?"

Jack looked away with a smile, "Yes, I should get to my rounds. If everything's okay, I'll see you ladies later." He smiled sweetly at Elizabeth wanting to go and hug her, tell her it was okay but he knew she was embarrassed.

"Have a wonderful day!" Abigail yelled after him as he left, she then turned to Elizabeth, "You don't have to be so nervous. He knows you're learning."

"He knows I'm helpless is more like it," she put her hands on her hips, "the poor man will starve being married to me."

Abigail couldn't help but laugh at Elizabeth's attitude and demeanor, "No, he'll be fine, because you'll be fine. You're learning and you'll get there. Just remember, remove the pan from the stove."

Jack made his rounds smiling thinking of Elizabeth burning bacon. He shook his head and tried to think of things they could eat that didn't require cooking. He frowned, thinking he'd probably get her upset if he shared a list like that with her, so maybe it wasn't a good idea. He shook his head and continued on his rounds. He wanted to get up to their house today and complete a few projects.

"Jack!" Vernon called out as he saw Jack ride by, "Jack, are you heading up to the house later today?"

"Yes, I plan on it," Jack slowed his horse, "are you going there now?"

"Yes, the paint we ordered arrived and I want to get started," Vernon replied.

"Sounds good, I'll be there as soon as I can."

At the café, Elizabeth finished putting the last of the dishes away when Vernon came in. "Hello?"

"Vernon! Would you like something to eat?" Elizabeth smiled.

Vernon looked around, "Ahh, no thank you, I just wondered if you wanted to come up to your house with me?"

Elizabeth looked around nervously, "Why…?"

"Well, I have a painting project I am going to do and I thought you'd like to help," he smiled.

Elizabeth relaxed, "Yes, I'd like that very much." She went upstairs, changed and the two left.

Abigail was busy working in the kitchen before the lunch when Jack came in. "Jack, how are you?"

"I'm good," he seemed nervous and fidgeted with the brim of his hat.

Abigail couldn't help notice the way he kept looking from the stove to the table, "Don't worry Jack, Elizabeth will learn to cook. It just takes practice and I'm having her practice as much as possible."

"I'm not worried about her cooking, I know that will all work out. It's her confidence. She's so competent in things and this whole cooking issue has her really rattled. I hate to see her that way," Jack continued tugging at his hat.

"Your support will get her through," Abigail touched his arm.

"Can I have an apple and a piece of cheese?"

Abigail's forehead creased, "Sure," she got an apple and wrapped a piece of cheese in a small piece of cloth, "here you are. Going mouse hunting?"

"Not exactly," Jack smiled, "Thank you," he left the café.

At the house, Elizabeth put down her paintbrush, "I can't do this either," she sighed.

Vernon walked over and surveyed the space, "Looks okay," he dabbed his brush on a spot she missed, "there …looks perfect. You did a fine job."

Elizabeth wiped her forehead, "I'm going for a walk. All these paint fumes are getting to me."

Vernon smiled and felt a tinge of sadness for the young woman he'd known for so many years. She was such a fighter, tackled any obstacle. He didn't like to see her so defeated. "You're doing a great job."

Elizabeth smiled back at him as she walked out the door and headed for the grassy field near the pond. The air was cooler today and warm sun felt good on her face. She crossed her arms and looked out at a flock of birds across the water.

Jack rushed into the house, "Elizabeth?"

Vernon came around the corner, "Hello there, I'm afraid your lady love has taken a walk to get some air. She's been doing a great job painting, she's really helped out a lot this morning."

Jack smiled, "I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you." Jack rushed outside and headed for the meadow where he knew she would have gone. Since the building of their house they had often headed to the meadow to relax and picnic. He stopped when he saw her standing there, looking out over the water. He knew she was worried about things and he wanted to ease her mind.

"Taking it easy while Vernon does all the work? Is that what's going on here?" He teased as he walked closer.

Elizabeth turned, "Jack! No, I'm not taking it easy, just getting some air. I've been working…"

Jack put his hand up, "I know…I'm just teasing. Vernon told me you've been painting," as he stepped closer it was obvious what she had been doing, "you look good in that color…" he smiled.

She brushed the back of her hand across her cheek, "Well you told me everything suits me…" she said softly, embarrassed by her paint splotches.

He laughed softly and stepped closer. "I was right, everything does suit you." He kissed her cheek, "oh, but doesn't taste so good," he licked his lips.

She rubbed her cheek, "Oh…"

He took her hand, "It's okay." He moved his face in front of hers, "I don't see paint right…there," he touched her lips with a finger before kissing them, "hmm, no paint taste there."

"Oh Jack…" she looked down shyly.

"Come on, lets sit down for a minute," he took her hands as they sat on the cool grass. "I brought us some lunch, you want to share?"

She nodded.

He took out the apple and wedge of cheese.

She looked at them and then at his face, "This is lunch?"

He nodded, "Enough for me. How about you?" he asked softly.

Elizabeth felt her eyes tear up. She knew he what he was doing, offering a lunch that required no cooking, no stress. She covered his hands with her own, "Yes, plenty."

He put his arms around her and kissed her. As she gently pressed against him, he pulled her with him as he lay back in the long grass. Her soft coo'ing sound made him drop the apple and cheese and he held her close against him as his continued kissing her lips.

Elizabeth held his shoulders before moving one hand up and raking her fingers through his hair. "Jack…"

The weight of her against him was comforting. He felt she was his and that made him happy. His grip on her was so tight he shuddered slightly when she gasped. He stopped and took a breath, their eyes connected for a moment and he gently pushed a curl from her face.

With one quick move, he laid her on her back and was on his elbow looking at her. "You're so beautiful. Those blue eyes' looking at me…hmm means so much."

She bit her lip, "I hope you always find me beautiful."

He snickered, "Why wouldn't I?"

She ran her finger down his cheek, "You're so sweet and kind. You make me so happy Jack."

He kissed her nose lightly before letting out a small laugh. He took her hand and entwined his fingers with hers and they both stared at their hands for a moment.

"Elizabeth?"

"Hmm?" she looked into his eyes.

"Do you want Reverend Anderson to pronounce us husband and wife?" Jack looked at their hands and glanced at her.

The question shocked her momentarily, "Well…I suppose it should be him. Were you thinking of someone else?"

Jack swallowed, "No….no, I was thinking it will be him." He laughed nervously. "We should probably go and talk to him sometime."

"Yes, I suppose we should."

"It's not like he'll be shocked or anything," Jack smiled.

The corners of Elizabeth's mouth turned up, "No, I think he knows we're getting married."

He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed each finger. She watched, mesmerized by his gentle actions. She felt her heart pound and took a deep breath.

He looked at her, "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "I'm happy."

He touched her face, "I told you. You don't have to be nervous about anything." He kissed her and she ran her hand around his neck and held him close.

Jack sat up, "We better go back to the house," he swallowed and looked out over the water.

Elizabeth sat up next to him, straightening her skirt, "Yes," she looked at him, "I could stay here with you all day," she kissed his shoulder and looked up at him.

He growled, "Oh what you do to me!" He jumped up and pulled her up. They held hands as they hurried back to their house. They spent most of the afternoon working around the house.

Later, Jack came to the café for dinner. "Something smells good," he said as he entered the kitchen.

"Well, I admit, I didn't really make the dinner, but I did help and paid close attention as Abigail worked," Elizabeth said.

"That's my girl," Jack kissed her cheek. "What is it?"

Elizabeth looked confused, "I don't know. Oh wait, chicken and dumplings?" She looked at Abigail for confirmation.

"Yes," Abigail smiled at Elizabeth and winked at Jack.

Jack and Elizabeth went to a corner table in the café and began their meal.

"Do you like it?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, it's wonderful. Is it difficult to make?" He asked.

"No, I don't think so. Did you know that dough is very particular? You can't handle it too much or the biscuits will be hard and you can't let it sit too long or the biscuits will be too chewy…"

Jack smiled at the way she was looking up as if reciting from a book, "Is that so?"

"Vegtables too, you can't let them cook too long or they get mushy," she shook her head.

"No one wants mushy vegetables," Jack said scrunching his nose.

"Of course not," Elizabeth said, then she looked at him. "Don't make fun Jack. I've been reading more about cooking, so I have a better understanding of it."

Jack smiled. "Good, glad to hear it."

They were alone in the café, "Would you like some cobbler?" Elizabeth asked.

"Just a little, I'm pretty full from the chicken," Jack patted his stomach.

"Okay, I'll be right back," she took their plates and went to the kitchen.

Jack dug in his pocket and put a box at her place.

"Here we go, smells wonderful doesn't it?" She put the two small dishes on the table and sat down, "What's this?" She looked at the velvet box.

Jack folded his napkin, "When we were at your parents, I bought something at the jeweler in the city."

She looked at him, "For me?"

"Open it," he said softly, watching for her reaction.

She looked at him, "Oh Jack…" She picked up the small velvet box and held it for a moment.

"Are you going to open it?" he asked impatiently.

She nodded and carefully opened the box. "Oh! Oh my…" she looked inside and looked at Jack. She put the box on the table, "I don't understand…"