Chapter Thirty-Nine

"Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous."

~Georgia O'Keefe

Elizabeth was alone in the cafe, as Abigail had gone upstairs shortly after Jack left with his mother. She poured herself a glass of lemonade and settled at the kitchen table to read as she bided her time awaiting Jack's return. For the first couple of minutes, she kept glancing at the door. After she checked for the sixth time, she shook her head and silently chastised herself. She turned her attention to the book she was reading and soon became engrossed in the story.

Several minutes later, Jack opened the cafe door and spotted her in the next room. She hadn't heard him, yet, so he smiled mischievously and padded across the dining room towards her, trying not to make a sound. As he stopped behind her, he studied her long brown hair and his lips transformed into a smirk. Finally, he bent down and tickled her waist with one hand as he kissed her cheek.

Startled, Elizabeth leapt about three feet in her chair and tossed the book she was reading across the table. "Oh! Jack!" she exclaimed, her voice quite squeaky. "What are you...?"

He was prepared for her shocked reaction and had pulled back quickly. As soon as she faced him, he gently grasped her shoulders and moved in to kiss her. Her eyes widened as she realized what he was doing and lifted her fingers to his lips to stop him. "No! You don't want to catch this, Jack!" she reminded him in a husky whisper.

His face fell and he protested through her fingers which were still pressed against his lips, "But I haven't kissed you in days!"

She moved her fingers away from his lips but her hand hit the bandage on his chin by mistake. His hand flew to the bandage as he inhaled sharply and winced with pain. Her face filled with concern and she quickly told him, "I'm sorry! Sorry!" She cupped his other cheek and stroked it soothingly.

He looked at her and assured her, "It's okay." He studied her face and saw the concern and caring in her eyes. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly as his face filled with desire. "It's been days, Elizabeth!" he complained, his voice full of emotion.

She pulled her hand back and shook her head. "I know but I don't want you to get this. It's too frustrating to not be able to talk! And, if you get it... well, it'll be even longer before we can kiss again," she said softly, her voice quite rough.

His mouth went into a straight line as he admitted defeat. "Hmmm," he exhaled with a low groan. Then, he turned to her and asked, "Take a walk with me?"

She smiled but told him, "I don't think I can talk much. My voice is really going." The last part of the sentence was barely audible.

He shook his head. "No problem. I wasn't planning for a conversation, anyway."

She looked at him, bewildered. "But...," she began to protest again.

He stopped her by taking her hand and pulling her toward the door.

A half an hour later, they were sitting in chairs behind the jail. Elizabeth wore a contented smile and held a tea cup with both hands, enjoying its warmth. She glanced over at Jack and her smile grew even wider. He was strumming his guitar, which his mother had brought with her to Coal Valley, and serenading Elizabeth with the song, "Cowboy Jack:"

"He was just a lowly cowboy

With a heart so brave and true

He learned to love a maiden

With eyes of heaven's own blue

They learned to love each other

And named their wedding day

When a quarrel came between them

And Jack he rode away

He joined a band of cowboys

And tried to forget her name

But out on the lonely prairie

She waits for him the same

One night when work was finished

Just at the close of day

Someone said sing a song Jack

T'will drive dull cares away

When Jack began his singing

His mind it wandered back

And he sang of a lonely maiden

Who waited for her Jack

Jack left the camp next morning

Breathing his sweetheart's name

I'll go and ask forgiveness

For I know I'm to blame

But when he reached the prairie

He found a new made mound

His friends they sadly told him

They'd laid his loved one down

They said as she was dying

She breathed her sweetheart's name

And with her last breath asked them

To tell him when he came

Your sweetheart waits for you Jack

Your sweetheart waits for you

Out on the lonely prairie

Where the skies are always blue."

He ended the song but continued to strum a slow melody. He smiled at Elizabeth but was surprised to see her frowning. "That's such a sad song, Jack! She dies?!" she asked with chagrin.

Jack stopped playing. "Well, I'm afraid I don't really know any love songs, Elizabeth. My father taught me that one. He said they'd sing it around the campfire." He shrugged and moved to set the guitar down.

Her brow furrowed and she shook her head quickly as she reached out to stop him. "No! Don't stop!" she managed with her hoarse voice. "I like your singing. Maybe something happy?"

"Oh, okay," he agreed, smiling. He pulled the guitar back onto his lap. "Let's see... something happy? What would be a happier song?" he mused as he stared at Elizabeth.

She sipped her tea and smiled back at him. A few moments later, his dimples deepened as he smiled wider. "Ah! I've got it!" he exclaimed as he began playing a lively tune. After a few introductory bars, he began singing, "In a coal town, above a cafe, teaching students in a saloon. Lived a teacher, Miss Thatcher, and her friend Abigail!" He had to work hard to make his manipulated lyrics fit the melody of "My Darling Clementine," but he managed it.

Elizabeth's mouth flew open in surprise and she began laughing.

He stifled his own laugh and continued. "Oh my darlin'! Oh my darlin'! Oh my darlin' Elizabeth!"

She continued to laugh as she set her tea cup down on the ground and began clapping with the beat.

He looked at her, his eyes twinkling, strumming the guitar and thinking of the next line. "You don't have a voice now, dreadful sorry, Elizabeth!"

She gave him hearty round of applause as he set down his guitar between their chairs. She was shocked when he quickly moved in and pressed his lips squarely on hers. She placed her hands on his arms and began to push him away. Their lips parted for a moment and he whispered, "It's definitely worth it!" She giggled and his lips met hers again. They kissed for several moments before Elizabeth pulled away. She shivered and rubbed her hands against her upper arms.

"You alright?" he asked, concerned.

"Just a little chilly," she explained, her voice breaking. "I should've brought my shawl."

Jack stood and quickly climbed the stairs into the jail. He disappeared inside for a moment before returning with his jacket in hand. "Here," he told her as he gently placed it on her shoulders.

"Oh! Thank you!" she offered in a hoarse whisper, tugging the jacket around her shoulders. She pulled the collar up and inhaled. She smiled as she realized it smelled like him, just as she'd hoped it would.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You're welcome." Then, he headed back to his chair but, instead of sitting down, he moved the guitar away and pulled his chair closer to hers.

Elizabeth watched him move his chair next to hers and gave him an amused look. As soon as he sat down, he leaned over and slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her very close. She leaned against him and whispered, "What are you doing?"

"Getting you warm," he told her as he gently rubbed her arms.

She smiled and relaxed into him, her head resting on his shoulder. She felt her eyes close as she enjoyed the warmth from his body and the very pleasant sensation of him massaging her arms. She heard herself whisper, "Sing something else, Jack," before she even realized she'd had that thought.

Jack, too, was enjoying the warmth of her body leaning against him. He was surprised by her request but quickly complied. He began to sing, a cappella, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me..."

As he sang, he continued to hold Elizabeth close and rub her arms. "How precious did that Grace appear," he sang, his voice lowering a bit as he felt her breathing grow regular and slower. He felt her nestle into his neck and his breath caught briefly, causing him to hesitate for a moment before he continued, "And Grace will lead me home."

Postscript: Hope you enjoyed it! I had to have Jack play guitar and sing but it had to be something appropriate for 1910. "Cowboy Jack" is real song! It dates from the 19th century, but no definite date for it has been given. Google "Cowboy Jack song" and you can hear the song on YouTube.

Post-Postscript: Yes, this chapter is a big change in pace. After the heavy action of the hostage situation and then the drama from last chapter, Jack and Elizabeth needed some quiet time to just be alone, together.