Extra Note: I want to take a moment to especially thank Mary Jo Vincent, Cindie Henrich, LisaNY, HeartieAngelica, JackandElizabeth, Bobbi, and CherylinBoston for your very kind reviews and support both for this story and my first story. Y'all are absolutely fabulous!

Chapter Four

"Most mothers are instinctive philosophers."

~Harriet Beecher Stowe

Jack and his mother, Ann Thornton, sat at a table in the saloon, finishing their dinner. Jack had changed from his uniform to a plaid shirt, brown vest, and brown pants. Ann was wearing a black dress, the high neckline clasped with a small cameo pin. It was one of the few pieces of jewelry she wore, the others being a gold watch pin and her wedding ring. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a rather severe bun.

Ann had insisted that she would stay at the saloon, though Jack had balked at the idea. He'd wanted her to stay with Abigail and Elizabeth, but Ann refused, saying she she would not impose upon ladies she hadn't even met. Jack offered to take her to meet Abigail, but she insisted that she wanted a private room. After several minutes of trying to change her mind, Jack had finally yielded to his mother. So, Ann moved into room eight at the end of the hallway above the saloon.

Ann Thornton was quite a dynamic woman. The dinner she and Jack were finishing was not Trevoy's signature chili and cornbread. Instead, though she'd been in Coal Valley less than a day, she had convinced Trevoy to allow her to use his kitchen to prepare dinner for her and Jack. That afternoon, she had gathered food and supplies from the mercantile and a very obliging Abigail. Then, she made herself at home in Trevoy's kitchen preparing steaks, boiled potatoes, carrots, and braised greens.

Jack set down his fork and wiped his mouth with his napkin, while uttering a satisfied sigh. "Mmmm! Thank you, Ma. That was delicious!"

Ann smiled widely. "I'm glad you liked it. I've missed cooking for my boy."

Jack's eyes widened briefly and he uttered a mildly annoyed chuckle at his mother calling him a boy. He took another drink of coffee, pushing aside any annoyance.

"So," Ann began as she wiped her mouth with her napkin and then set it back in her lap, "tell me about Elizabeth? What exactly are your intentions?"

Jack choked on his coffee. He was taken aback by his mother's forthrightness, though he shouldn't have been. His mother had always been a plain-spoken woman. However, he really wasn't quite ready to discuss his feelings for Elizabeth with her. His coughing calmed and he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, what?" he asked, stalling.

Ann's mouth went into a straight line, as she knew her son was trying to postpone any discussion about Elizabeth. He'd told her that he was courting Elizabeth shortly after she'd arrived that morning and he'd introduced her to Elizabeth as he was escorting her to her room at the saloon. She and Elizabeth had exchanged pleasantries, but, since Elizabeth was watching her students at lunch, there was little time to really have a substantial conversation.

Later, while she and Jack were enjoying an afternoon cup of tea, she'd made subtle inquiries but Jack hadn't said much. She'd already guessed that Elizabeth was the reason he'd turned down his transfer to Cape Fullerton and remained in Coal Valley. But, she wanted to know just how deep her son's feelings were for the school teacher. So, she was going to press the issue now. "What are your intentions?" she asked clearly and succinctly.

Jack inhaled and exhaled slowly. "Well," he started and then cleared his throat again. He shifted in his seat under his mother's intense stare. He took another deep breath and sat up straight in his chair. Finally, he offered, "We're courting and I am very fond of her." He hoped that would suffice.

Ann considered his answer before asking another, even more intrusive, question. "So, do you think you might ask for her hand in marriage someday?"

Jack's upper body moved backwards, as though he'd been struck, and he exhaled sharply. It took him a moment to regain his composure from his mother's broadside attack. He glanced around to be sure no one in the saloon had heard his mother's pointed query. "Mother," he began, addressing her formally, "with all due respect, I believe that is something I should discuss with Elizabeth before I discuss with anyone else, even you."

Ann smiled mildly and looked down at the table. She'd expected him to make an excuse and dodge the question. Instead, he'd politely told her it was none of her business. She was pleased to see just how Jack had changed, matured, since she'd last seen him. She, also, realized from his reaction that her son was indeed completely smitten with Elizabeth Thatcher. Now, she wondered if Elizabeth had similar feelings for Jack and, more importantly, if she was worthy of her son. That was something she would have to discover during this visit.

"Ma?" Jack called loudly, pulling Ann from her thoughts.

"Hmmm?" she replied, meeting his gaze.

"Are you okay?" he asked, clearly concerned.

"Yes, of course," she answered curtly. "Why do you ask?"

Jack shook his head. "Because I called your name three times before you answered."

Ann certainly wasn't going to tell Jack what she'd been thinking. "I guess I must still be tired from the ride out here," she told him.

"Oh, well, then maybe you should go upstairs and rest," Jack told her, concerned. "I'll wash these dishes before I go walk Elizabeth home."

"Walk her home?" Ann asked. "Where is she?"

"She's tutoring a student," he replied. "I'm going to meet her out at the row houses and walk her back to the café."

Ann appeared surprised. "Does she usually spend her evenings tutoring students?"

Jack shrugged. "I guess a couple of days a week she does that." He noticed his mother's frown. "She's a very dedicated teacher," he told his mother proudly.

Ann nodded. "Well, you head on out to meet Elizabeth. I'll clean these dishes before I head up to bed."

Jack opened his mouth to protest but Ann shook her head firmly. "Go on! I can certainly wash a few dishes!"

Jack stayed in his seat and shook his head.

Ann's voice rose slightly, "Go!"

Jack shook his head again as he slid out of his chair. He walked over and kissed her cheek. "Night, Ma."

"Goodnight, Jack," Ann said, standing up. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'am," Jack called over his shoulder as he walked toward the saloon door.

As Jack passed the bar, Edmond Allen ducked behind the keg sitting on the countertop. After Jack was past the bar, Allen peered around the keg and watched him head toward the saloon doors. He was frowning and his eyes revealed his anxiety. Ever since Jack had arrived at the saloon that evening, Allen hadn't left his position behind the bar and had kept a wary eye on him.

Trevoy spotted him hiding behind the keg and frowned. "What are ya doing?" he asked sharply.

Allen's's eyes widened as he realized Trevoy was speaking to him. He didn't turn around as his mind raced for an excuse. After a second, he reached down to the floor, pretending to pick something up and then shove it into his pocket. He turned to face Trevoy. "Just picking up something I dropped," he explained.

Trevoy eyed him suspiciously. "Well, go over there and see if those men want some more whiskey," he ordered, nodding toward a table where five men were playing poker.

Allen nodded, glanced back at the saloon door that had just closed behind Jack, and headed to the table as ordered.