Chapter Forty-One

"Be completely humble and gentle;

be patient, bearing with one another in love."

~Ephesians 4:2

Jack was finishing his morning rounds when he rounded the corner onto Main Street and spotted Elizabeth descending the cafe stairs. He hastened his stride and met her when she was halfway to the saloon.

"Good morning, Miss Thatcher!" he called as he fell in step beside her.

Elizabeth turned toward him, surprised. "Morning, Constable Thornton," she replied, flashing him an amused smirk.

He laughed. "Can I persuade you to call me Jack?" he teased.

Elizabeth beamed up at him. "Perhaps! We'll have to see," she needled back.

"Alright!" Jack replied around a loud chuckle. "How are you this morning?" he asked as he extended his elbow to her.

She shifted the basket onto her left arm before she wrapped her right hand around his offered elbow. "I'm very well," she answered. "How are you?" She asked as she met his eye and smiled.

He nodded. "I'm good," he said around a smile.

They walked toward the saloon in silence, stealing glances at each other. They were almost to the saloon, when Elizabeth's mouth flew open as she remembered something. "Oh! I still have your jacket! I have to get that back to you," she told him.

Jack nodded and laughed. "That's right! I forgot that you stole my jacket last night," he baited her.

"Stole?! As I recall, you willingly parted with it and then never asked for it back," she retorted with a laugh. "So, I suggest that if you want it back, you be nice to me!"

He laughed as he escorted her onto the saloon porch. "Yes, ma'am," he conceded. "Actually, it looked a lot better on you than it ever did on me." He grinned as he held the door open and followed her into the saloon.

As she passed through the doorway, her hand slipped from his elbow down to his hand. A little color filled her cheeks as she realized they were now holding hands. Her eyes met his as they crossed the saloon. "Thank you," she replied. "But, you will need it back, especially before the next cold snap."

"Indeed," he agreed as they stopped at her desk.

She quickly placed her basket on the desk and turned back to face him.

"Perhaps we could go for a walk after school?" he asked as he set his hat atop her basket and reached for her other hand.

"Today?" she inquired as she briefly glanced down at their clasped hands before meeting his gaze again. But then, her face clouded and her smile faded. "Oh, it's Friday! I can't! I have tutoring after school."

Jack's smile faded, too, and his eyes fell to the floor as disappointment filled his face. Elizabeth held her breath and watched him closely, worried that they might quarrel, again. She saw his jaw set and felt his grip on her hands loosen. She held his hands firmly, unwilling to let go. His eyes met hers again, surprise and questioning in them. She met his gaze, her eyes flashing with intensity. She was pleased when his face softened and he smiled at her. Then, he asked, "Okay. How about I walk you back from your tutoring and we could have supper at Abigail's tonight?"

A grin broke across her face. "I'd like that," she answered. After a moment, she added, "And, why don't you ask your mother to join us?"

Jack's eyebrows shot skyward. "You sure?"

She nodded. "Yes, she'll be heading home and then back east soon. You should spend as much time as you can with her," she explained.

"WE should spend time with her," he corrected her.

She smiled and nodded. "Okay," she concurred. "She wanted to teach me to make your apple cake, but I saw her at Abigail's earlier and told her that I wouldn't have time after school. So, it seems that tomorrow morning we're making it," she informed him with a mild grumble.

He leaned in and gave her a brief kiss, startling her. "Jack!" she admonished him in a whisper.

"Just wishing the schoolteacher a pleasant day and promising to see her later," he told her, whispering, too. He stole another kiss but she didn't remonstrate him this time."Where should I meet you? The Gradys?" he inquired, still leaning close to her, their lips just inches apart.

Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, please. Around 5:30?" she asked.

"Absolutely," he answered. He started to stand up straight but stopped when she moved in and kissed him. Their kiss lingered for several moments before Elizabeth finally, slowly, pulled away.

Jack opened his eyes and gave her very amused look. "My goodness, Miss Thatcher! In the middle of the schoolroom!" he teased.

She pursed her lips, suppressing the smile that her eyes revealed. "Actually, I believe it's still the saloon until the children arrive," she informed him.

As if on cue, the saloon door opened. Jack and Elizabeth turned their attention to the door as the children began entering the saloon. They quickly stepped apart and dropped each other's hands.

"Good morning, children!" Elizabeth called as the children dropped off their lunch pails in the back and moved to their seats.

"I'll see you at 5:30," Jack told her, pulling her attention back to him.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, 5:30," she concurred.

They stood in silence looking at each other for several moments before the children's giggles jarred them out of their reverie.

Jack cleared his throat. "Have a good day, Miss Thatcher," he offered in a sonorous voice before scooping his hat from her desk.

"Good day, Constable," she returned, her voice even and quite professional.

Jack flashed her a wide smile before heading toward the door.

Elizabeth watched him walk away for a few moments before her students' snickering pulled her attention back to them. "Good morning, class," she began. "Let's begin our day. Take out your slates and let's start with some math problems."

Jack opened the door and looked back. He saw Elizabeth turn to the chalkboard, pick up a piece of chalk, and start writing numbers on the board. His grin widened as he walked through the door and shut it behind him.

Author's notes: Just a little Jack and Elizabeth teasing and fun as we start the weekend! I hope you enjoyed it!