Chapter Forty-Nine
"There is no remedy for love but to love more."
~Henry David Thoreau
Jack pulled Elizabeth closer as he guided her around a large blueberry bush. The grassy lane had given way to a narrower, winding path bordered by berry bushes and prairie roses. Their walk through the woods was getting a little more strenuous, but neither of them appeared to have noticed.
Though he was smiling, Jack's thoughts were racing as he and Elizabeth made their way along the trail. He wondered if things were indeed coming together, as he'd told Abigail they would. His heartbeat quickened as he said a prayer that all would go as he had meticulously planned. He asked God to please help him surprise this dear woman who was letting him lead her through the forest without knowing their destination. That thought drew him back to the present and he looked over at Elizabeth. He added another prayer, thanking God for sending her to Coal Valley and allowing her to be a part of his life. He was watching Elizabeth, and not their path, when his foot caught a root sticking through the grass causing him to stumble. He managed to regain his balance before they both fell.
"Jack!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with worry.
"Sorry!" he told her as they resumed their walk.
"You didn't..." she started.
"No," he answered. "My foot is fine. I just need to pay better attention to where we're going!"
She nodded and turned her attention back to the path ahead of them. However, instead of minding the way, she was lost in her own racing thoughts. She was still trying to convince herself that she was wrong. However, she sensed Jack's nervousness. She played the overheard conversation between him and Abigail over and over in her head. She tried to convince herself that she had just jumped to the wrong conclusion, but she wasn't very successful. She couldn't think of anything else that Jack could've meant when he told Abigail he wanted to surprise her. It had to be a proposal. Again, she felt irritated that he was going to propose to her in front of the entire town without having asked for her hand from her father. He hadn't met her parents, so he certainly couldn't have asked her father anything. And they hadn't spoken of love, yet. They hadn't said the words, though she knew what she was feeling. That thought muted her irritation. She had to admit that she was excited by the thought of Jack proposing and of the possibility of their life together. However, she wasn't sure they were ready for that step, yet. She closed her eyes as she exhaled her frustration and confusion.
They rounded a bend in the path and Jack peered ahead over the bushes. His eyes widened when he realized that they were getting close to their destination. "Elizabeth?" he called to get her attention.
She jumped and her eyes flew open. "Yes?! What?" she asked in a shrill voice.
His eyebrows lowered. "Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded once quickly. "Yes, why?"
"Well, you jumped two feet off the ground when I called you. And you're shaking," he told her as he slid his hand up to where hers had been resting in the crook of his arm, laced his fingers with hers, and pulled their hands to his chest. "Are you cold?"
She tried to think of another explanation but none came to her. "Just a little," she agreed. It wasn't a complete lie since there was a bit of a chill to the late afternoon breeze.
"I guess we should've brought your sweater," he observed, his smile fading a bit. Then, he thought of something. "If you'd like, I could wrap the picnic blanket around your shoulders. I did shake it out before I repacked it."
The thought of wrapping that ugly, brown, wool blanket around her after it had been on the grass and dirt was not an appealing one, especially if she would soon be facing all of their friends and Jack's surprise. "I'm fine, Jack," she assured him. Though she most certainly was not fine. Her emotions were continuing to take her on a roller coaster ride.
"Okay," Jack told her. He lowered their entwined hands between them as they continued down the path, which had become very winding. He felt his heart beating faster as they rounded each curve.
Elizabeth's heart was racing, too. She wasn't paying attention to where she was walking. She was letting Jack lead her as she tried to decide what she would say when he proposed to her in front of the crowd. Though she was angry with him for doing this, she certainly didn't want to put her anger on display for all to see. She thought that she might thank him and then lead him off to a private spot to tell him her thoughts. However, she knew everyone would want to know her answer immediately. She realized she might have to say yes and then talk with Jack later. Her anger grew further, infuriated that Jack would put her in such a situation.
Jack knew they were getting very close now. He took a deep breath before he began his prepared speech. "Elizabeth, we've known each other for several months. Our friendship got off to a bit of a rocky start but that didn't last very long as I realized what a wonderful teacher and beautiful person you are."
Elizabeth looked up at him. He was looking straight ahead as he spoke. "You care so much about your students and their families. I have been so impressed with your passion and determination. I'm so happy that you decided to stay in Coal Valley. And I am especially thankful that you have agreed to spend time with me and that we have gotten to know each other better. Your friendship is such a gift! I have never known a woman like you."
"Jack," she interrupted in a weak voice, but he didn't hear her.
"You are so important to me and you are important to everyone in Coal Valley. I told you that this town needs you. They really do. And I need you, too," he told her as he looked at her for the first time since he'd started his speech.
She looked up at him, overwhelmed by his words. Tears welled in her eyes. "Jack," she whispered.
He looked back ahead of them as they came around another bend in the road. "I donated that reward money to build a school and church because I couldn't bear to think of you leaving Coal Valley. I mean, of course, I wanted everyone to have a place to worship and learn. But, Elizabeth, if you had left..." His voice caught at the thought. He cleared his throat before continuing. "Fortunately, things have worked out as they should, I believe."
Elizabeth looked at him, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. She was unable to speak as she was overwhelmed by his speech. She studied his face and saw his dimples grow as his smile widened. Then, she realized that they'd stopped walking and Jack turned away from her, setting the picnic basket down.
"Elizabeth," Jack said as he turned back to face her. "Your school!" he exclaimed as he turned to his left.
Elizabeth followed his gaze and saw the new church and school. It was obvious Adam Miller had finished his work. Her mouth fell slightly open in surprise before she looked back at Jack. She returned his smile and gazed into his eyes for several moments. He led her a few more steps closer to the school.
"Surprise!"
The cries startled Elizabeth as the bushes along their trail path had blocked her view of all the people who had gathered there. Her eyes widened and she screamed, "Oh my goodness!"
Elizabeth felt her legs weaken as it dawned on her that this was the moment. She looked at the people gathered there but she didn't see their faces. She only saw what a large group they were. Her heart was beating so fast and so loud it was all she heard. Then, Jack pulled her back to face him.
"Elizabeth," he said, his voice breaking through the cacophony of her heartbeats. "I have something I need to ask you."
Her eyes widened and the color drained from her face in anticipation of his question.
"Would you," he began but stopped short when he saw how pale she'd become. "Are you okay? You look like you're getting ill!"
She mumbled, "I'm fine."
He didn't seem convinced but chose to continue. "Would you please..." he hesitated as he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small box. "Would you please do me, and of course all of us," he clarified as he motioned toward the crowd.
Elizabeth felt like she couldn't breathe yet her heart was still racing. The tears were again threatening to spill down her cheeks and she began to feel faint again. She looked down at her feet, trying to get her emotions under control.
"Elizabeth," Jack said, pulling her gaze back to meet his. "Would you please do us the honor of unlocking the school house door?" He thrust the now opened small box at her and she saw there was a key with a red ribbon attached inside.
Her eyes narrowed as she struggled to comprehend his question. Jack looked at her, awaiting her answer. She struggled with his question for several moments before asking in a faltering voice, "You... you want me to open the school house?"
Jack nodded, perplexed at her reaction. "Yes. This is your key." He held up the key by the ribbon.
Elizabeth felt her heart slow as she realized that she had indeed jumped too the wrong conclusion. The only proposal Jack was making was for her to unlock the school. Again, her emotions bounced from relief to anger. She was a bit surprised that some part of her was angry with Jack for not proposing. She shrugged away those thoughts.
"Elizabeth?" Jack called as he squeezed her hand.
She looked at him, her eyes meeting his.
"Do you want the key?" he asked. He studied her face, clearly concerned by her reaction.
She nodded. "Of course," she told him as she reached for it.
He smiled and placed the key in her hand as the crowd applauded. "Your school awaits," he told her.
She smiled back at him before she climbed the stairs to the school house door. She slid the key into the keyhole and turned it, feeling the tumblers click as the door unlocked. She reached for the doorknob and rotated it. As she pulled the door, she realized that her hands were no longer shaking. The heavy door opened with a loud click. She spun around when she heard the loud applause behind her and smiled at their friends.
"Well, go inside, Miss Thatcher! Take a look at your new school!" Jack urged with a warm smile.
Elizabeth smiled and stuck her hand out to him. "Only if you'll join me," she told him.
He slid his hand into hers and their fingers entwined. "Okay, let's go," he whispered as he joined her in the doorway.
They stepped through the door together. Elizabeth's head turned in all directions at once, it seemed, taking in the schoolroom. She let out a breathy laugh as she surveyed the benches, desktops, large chalkboard, windows, stove, and teacher's desk before her gaze moved to the large bookshelf. It was filled with her books, the ones her family had sent after hers were lost en route to Coal Valley. She looked back at the teacher's desk and noticed it was her desk from the saloon with all of her supplies on it. She turned back to Jack. "When did you do all this?" she asked him, her voice filled with emotion.
Jack smiled. "I had a lot of help," he answered. "We have some wonderful friends who worked very hard while you and I had our picnic."
Elizabeth's mouth fell open. "You are something else!" she told him as she gifted him with a wide, warm smile.
"So, what do you think, Elizabeth?" Abigail asked as she entered the school. "Is it everything you imagined?"
Elizabeth laughed and told Abigail. "More. It's more than I ever imagined. It's perfect!" she exclaimed.
"It is a beautiful school," Ann, who had walked in with Abigail, concurred. "I daresay it is much better than any school I ever had during my teaching career. Well done, Jack!"
"Well, Adam deserves the credit. He did all the work," Jack corrected.
As if on cue, Adam Miller and his wife, Laurel, followed Abigail and Ann through the door. "Oh, Adam! This is amazing!" Laurel complimented her husband as she squeezed his arm. "The girls are going to love this!"
"Yes they are!" Elizabeth agreed. "This is fine work, Mr. Miller. Thank you, so very much!"
Adam smiled at Elizabeth. "I'm just happy that we were able to build this. Thank you, Jack!"
Jack shook his head. "No, that money belonged to Coal Valley, anyway. This was the best way to put it to good use," he told them.
The school room continued to fill with parents and children as everyone was excited to see the new school and church. Elizabeth stood to the side, watching her students' faces light up when they walked through the door for the first time. She watched them explore the room, opening the desktops to look in the storage space underneath. Jack stood next to her, still holding her hand, watching her face beam as her students and their parents approached her to tell her how excited they were about the new school.
After several minutes, Abigail's voice rang out above the clamor. "Don't forget there's supper outside! We have covered dishes, cakes, cookies, coffee, lemonade. Please enjoy as we celebrate our new church and school!" She waited a few moments for people to begin to move outside, but they did not. They all seemed quite taken with their new school and church. Abigail forced her way across the room to Jack and Elizabeth, who had just finished chatting with Bo Grady and his mother. "Jack? Elizabeth? Would you please lead everyone outside to the food tables?" she requested. "I think if you'll lead, they will follow."
Elizabeth nodded and Jack answered. "Of course, Abigail." He pressed his elbow against Elizabeth's arm and she threaded her hand around it. They started toward the back door when Emily Montgomery ran up to them.
"Miss Thatcher! Miss Thatcher!" she called.
Elizabeth stopped and turned to Emily. "Yes? What is it Emily?" she asked.
"We have desks! And we can keep our books and supplies in them!" she told Elizabeth excitedly.
Elizabeth laughed. "Yes we do! Isn't it wonderful! And we have Mountie Jack to thank for all of this!" She turned to Jack and gave him a proud smile.
Emily nodded and turned to Jack. "Thank you, Mountie Jack! This school is beautiful!"
Jack smiled at Emily. "You're welcome, Emily," he replied. "Now, I think I'd like to try some of Miss Thatcher's cake." He winked at Elizabeth and tugged her toward the door.
"Emily, why don't you, your mother, and your brothers join us? We're heading outside to enjoy some supper," she called as Jack pulled her through the door.
Emily laughed as she watched them leave before she turned back to find her mother.
Later that evening, the party continued. The sun had set and the grove outside the school and church was illuminated with lanterns hung on strings from the trees. People were enjoying the delicious food and fine fellowship.
"Well, Jack, it looks like you pulled it off," Bill offered as he slapped Jack's shoulder.
Jack looked up at Bill from his seat next to Elizabeth. "You doubted I could surprise her?" he asked as he stood.
Bill smiled. "No, no, of course not, Jack. I have witnessed your tenacity, here and when you were at the academy. However, I, also, am well aware of how this town works. I'm surprised that no one spilled the beans, as you put it, to Elizabeth."
Jack chuckled. "That's true. I'm a bit surprised myself," he agreed. He glanced back at Elizabeth, who was still chatting animatedly with Cat Montgomery.
"But, you know," Bill said, getting Jack's attention again. He lowered his voice so that only Jack could hear him. "She did have a funny expression on her face when you two first came out of the woods. " He looked over his shoulder at Elizabeth, who was laughing, and whispered, "At one point, she even looked like she was going to faint!"
Jack's smile faded. He, too, had noticed Elizabeth's odd reaction. He'd, also, detected her relief when he'd handed her the key. He considered why she had reacted as she had. One thing he had learned about Elizabeth was that she was a woman of complex thoughts. He sighed as he pushed his confusion aside, promising himself to talk with her about it later. He looked back at Bill and noticed he, also, was no longer smiling. He followed Bill's stare and found Wiley at the end of it.
"Any plans for that, yet?" Jack asked.
Bill swiveled around and gave Jack a questioning look.
"For catching him red-handed, as you put it," Jack clarified in a low voice so no one else would hear.
Bill shrugged. "Working on it," he replied. He looked back at Wiley, who was having a dynamic conversation with two of the single miners.
"At least he's staying away from Abigail," Jack observed. "Perhaps he listened to her. Or do you think Abigail used that iron skillet of hers?" Jack chuckled.
Bill shifted his gaze to Jack. "I wouldn't want to cross her!" he laughed. "Okay, I'm going to find her. Well done with the surprise and this party, Jack!"
Jack nodded as he watched Bill walk away. He looked around and was pleased to see his Coal Valley neighbors enjoying the food and each other's company. Suddenly, the sound of a violin drew his attention and he spotted Adam Miller standing under a string of lanterns near the food tables. Couples were already filling in the square of grass near Adam, dancing to his music. He saw Gabe approach Cassandra and then, as she blushed shyly, lead her to join the others dancing. Jack smiled and swiveled around to face Elizabeth. Her eyes met his as he walked toward her. He extended his hand and she smiled as she placed her hand on his.
"Excuse me," she told Cat as she stood, never breaking eye contact with Jack.
Cat smiled and watched them join the others dancing before she turned to join a conversation with Irene Weaver and Marta Crocker. As she listened to Marta talk about her son's misadventures with a mouse in their shed, Cat spotted Wendell Backus approaching them.
"Irene, could I have the pleasure of your company on the dance floor?" he asked.
Irene smiled and nodded. "Of course," she agreed as she rose.
Cat and Marta smiled at each other, clearly amused, as they watched Backus escort Irene to where the other couples were dancing.
Abigail was surveying the food tables when she looked up and saw people were dancing. Her eyes immediately fell on Jack and Elizabeth and she smiled.
"Well, it appears that our constable and our teacher are keeping company," Florence observed.
Abigail turned to her sometimes pessimistic friend and laughed. "If you mean that they are courting, Florence, then yes, you know they are," she said.
Florence gave Abigail a skeptical look. "Abigail, do you think that is wise?"
"Wise?" Abigail asked.
"Well, I mean they are both public servants. And she comes from such a rich family. I didn't think she'd make it here a week, much less this long! Mountie Jack certainly isn't from her family's class. I am not sure it's a good idea for them to court," Florence shared.
"What does Jack being our constable and Elizabeth being our teacher have to do with anything?" Abigail asked. "And as for Elizabeth's family, if they are anything like Elizabeth and her sister, Julie, than they are kind and loving people. And it's the twentieth century, Florence, for heaven's sake! It's not like Elizabeth is a princess and Jack is a peasant."
"Florence," Ann stepped between Abigail and Florence, startling them both. "I hope you aren't suggesting that my son might be distracted from his work as constable because he is courting Elizabeth. Or that he would sidetrack Elizabeth from her teaching. Surely not!"
Florence's mouth dropped with surprise. "Oh, no! Of course not, Ann! I was just concerned that others might perceive it incorrectly."
"Of course," Ann allowed.
"I think we should all let them decide where this courtship will take them," Abigail interjected.
"They do make a handsome couple, I must admit," Florence conceded. She turned to them and smiled before she walked away.
Abigail looked back at Jack and Elizabeth and whispered, "They are indeed."
"Who are what indeed?" Bill asked, as he offered Abigail a cup of coffee.
Abigail smiled and took the coffee. "How about we get some pie?" she asked.
"You know I love your pie," Bill answered, grinning as he followed Abigail toward the pie table.
Ann watched them move away and returned to her seat a short distance from the tables. She turned her attention back to the dancers. She watched Jack and Elizabeth dancing and smiled. Her head bounced just bit to the beat of the music.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Thornton?"
Ann shifted her attention to her left and was surprised to see Tom Trevoy. "Mr. Trevoy, how are you this lovely evening?"
"I'm well, Mrs. Thornton," he replied and then cleared his throat before continuing. "I was wondering if you might do me the honor of a dance?"
Shock flickered across Ann's face momentarily, surprised at his request. Then, she smiled as she replied, "I am flattered, Mr. Trevoy, by your request. However, I must decline. I'm afraid my dancing days are over. But, I do greatly appreciate your offer."
The rebuff deflated Trevoy somewhat but he answered politely, "Well, thank you, anyway, Mrs. Thornton. Enjoy your evening, ma'am."
Ann watched him walk away. Her expression revealed how pleased she was that he had asked her to dance and her regret that she didn't feel she could accept. Her knees were already hurting and, though she would've enjoyed the dance, she feared they just wouldn't have. She exhaled her frustration and returned her attention to the dancers.
Adam began another, more spritely tune and the couples began dancing a two step. Jack guided Elizabeth away from the dancing. She was surprised when he grabbed a lantern from one of the tables and led her around to the back of the school.
"Well, he stole my idea," Dewitt Graves told Mary Dunbar as he watched Elizabeth and Jack disappear around the corner of the school.
"What?" Mary asked as she followed Graves' gaze.
"I was going to take you behind the school so we could have a dance by ourselves," he told her. "But, it seems Jack had the idea first and now he and Miss Thatcher are back there."
"Oh!" Mary replied.
"But, that's okay," Dewitt declared. "After all, this time tomorrow, we'll be married! And I'll have you all to myself!" He grinned widely.
Mary blushed. "Oh, Dewitt!" she admonished.
"Mr. Graves?" Reverend Anderson called as he approached.
"Reverend!" Graves called back.
The minister stopped next to them. "I was just wondering if perhaps you might want to proceed with your wedding this evening?" he inquired.
Mary's eyes widened in shock and Graves exhaled his surprise. "What?" he asked.
"Well, all of your friends are here," the reverend began his explanation. "And, then, there's all this food," he added as he motioned toward the tables, still loaded with casseroles and desserts. "And, we have the church," he concluded.
Graves looked at Mary. He clearly was pleased with the reverend's suggestion, but then he saw Mary's expression. He gave her a nod and a smile before turning back to the reverend. "We appreciate the offer, reverend, we really do, but I think we'll stick with the original plan for tomorrow. After all, Mary and the other ladies have been preparing her pies for days getting ready for our reception. And I certainly wouldn't want any one to miss having Mary's delicious pies!" He winked at Mary and she smiled as her cheeks flushed.
The reverend nodded. "I certainly understand that," he yielded. "But, do you still want to be married in the outdoor chapel? Or would you prefer this wonderful new church?"
"The outdoor chapel," Mary answered immediately. Graves looked at her, amused.
"Very well," the reverend replied. "Then, I'll see you tomorrow. Good evening!" He tipped his hat and walked away.
Graves took Mary back in his arms and they resumed dancing. "You don't want to get married in the new church?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No. You and I have only gone to church together at the outdoor chapel. That's where we should be married," she explained.
Graves smiled. "I like that." He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. "I cannot wait til tomorrow!"
Mary laughed as they whirled around the grassy dance floor.
"What are we doing back in here?" Elizabeth asked as Jack set the lantern down on the teacher's desk.
"I thought you might want some time in here alone, without all the children and their parents," he answered.
Elizabeth smiled and looked around the school. Jack studied her as she surveyed the classroom. After a few minutes, she flopped down on the bench behind her. "Oh, Jack, this is absolutely amazing! Thank you!" she told him enthusiastically.
"It did turn out really nice. Adam did a great job!" he agreed as he joined her on the bench.
They sat in silence, taking in the school and the night. The lantern light danced on the walls and ceiling as the distant sound of Adam's violin drifted in through the closed windows. Elizabeth smiled as she watched the lantern light play over the books on the bookshelf. She thought of the first lesson she'd teach here and the first poem she'd write on the chalkboard. She knew she'd have to find a special one for her students. Perhaps something from Walt Whitman or John Greenleaf Whittier? As she planned the lessons in her head, she heard Jack exhale next to her. Her thoughts turned to this wonderful man and his amazing gift of this school and church. She thought of their early, contentious days and marveled at how far their friendship had come.
"Elizabeth?" Jack broke the silence.
She turned to him, raising her eyebrows in question.
He looked down at his hands and inhaled for a second before he continued. "Earlier, before I gave you the key to the school, you had a strange expression on your face. I mean, you looked like you were ill or might faint." He turned to face her. "Was there something wrong?"
Elizabeth's eyes widened as she tried to compose her answer. She was loathe to admit to Jack her earlier suspicions. "Oh, no... of course nothing was wrong," she stammered. "I just... I was expecting... I mean, I wasn't expecting... I knew that you were going to ask me... That is, I knew that you had something special planned..."
Jack looked at her, frowning. "You knew I had something planned? You knew about the surprise?"
"Oh no! No!" she assured him, her voice high pitched.
Jack studied her. "What did you think the surprise was?"
She looked down, studying her hands.
"Elizabeth?" he prodded.
She folded her hands together and exhaled loudly. "Okay, I overheard you talking with Abigail when I was on the stairs this afternoon." It came out in a rush.
Jack's eyes moved as he searched his memory to remember that conversation with Abigail. "Alright. So, what did you think the surprise was?"
Elizabeth squirmed on the bench as she struggled to manufacture a plausible answer besides the truth, but no good lie came to her.
"Elizabeth?" he pressed.
"Well," she began in a barely audible whisper. "It sounded like you might be... that you might... I just wasn't sure...but I thought you were going to ask..." she sputtered.
He watched her carefully and sudden realization struck him. "You thought I was going to propose?!" he asked, incredulous.
Elizabeth's face flushed with color, the redness extending all the way to her ears and neck. Her mouth moved to speak but no sound came out. Jack saw how embarrassed she was.
"Elizabeth," he said in a low voice as he reached for her hand. "We haven't been courting for very long. I don't think we're quite ready for a proposal."
Her head jerked up and she told him, "Of course we aren't! I was so furious with you when I thought..." she stopped herself from completing that sentence.
"I haven't even met your parents, yet," he added, speaking over her.
"I know. I thought the same thing," she concurred.
"I would certainly have to talk with your father and ask for your hand," he assured her.
"Of course," she agreed.
Then, he stopped and looked at her. "Wait," he said. "Did you just say that you were furious with me?"
Elizabeth looked away. She'd immediately regretted saying that and had hoped he hadn't heard it.
"Why were you mad at me?" he questioned. "Elizabeth?" He reached for her arm.
She turned around but didn't meet his gaze. "It was everything you just said. I was upset that you'd propose so soon in our courtship and you hadn't met my family. And, we haven't even said that we..." she stopped short, realizing she had, again, said too much.
Jack looked at her and his mouth fell open when he understood what she had been about to say. He looked away and seemed to watch the lantern light dance on the wall. After a few moments deep in his thoughts, Jack stood and reached for Elizabeth's hands. She looked up at him and he gently pulled her to her feet.
"Elizabeth, we may not have spoken of it, yet, but I can assure you that we will," he told her as he continued to hold her hands.
She looked up at him, her expression filling with joy and a smile teasing at the corners of her mouth.
"I'm not very good at saying what's in my heart. I've told you that before." He looked around the school. "This school is here partly..." He hesitated before admitting, "Okay, in large part because I couldn't bear to see you go."
Elizabeth smiled and a chuckle escaped her lips.
"Elizabeth, you are so kind and beautiful," he told her as he looked into her eyes. After a few moments of expectant silence he whispered, "Of course, I love you."
A wide smile filled Elizabeth's face as tears filled her eyes. She fought to get her breathing under control before she, too, whispered, "And I love you."
Jack smiled as he leaned in and his lips danced on hers. He released her hands and slid his hands around her back, pulling her close. As their kiss deepened, Elizabeth's fingers danced up his arms until she grasped his shoulders. After several moments, they broke their kiss and Elizabeth immediately started to laugh.
"What?" he asked, chuckling at her laughter.
"You're kissing the teacher in the schoolhouse!" she exclaimed.
"Isn't that the best place to kiss a teacher?" he asked as his lips met hers and they kissed again.
Author's Notes: I hope you are continuing to enjoy the story! This is the longest chapter, yet! I know there's a lot going on in this chapter. I'm hoping to get this story wrapped up before the season premiere. So, we have a good bit of ground to cover between now and them. I hope you'll stick around with me! The excitement is certainly growing as we get closer and closer to the new season! I really appreciate the story follows, favorites, and reviews! It's very nice to know people are reading and even better that y'all like the story. Writing can be very solitary and I always wonder if anyone is reading, much less enjoying, the chapters. Please write a review if you have a few moments. Also, I noticed that some of you may not be Hearties (that is, Fans of When Calls the Heart)... yet. If you like my story, I urge you to check out the series, When Calls the Heart, on which it is based. Season One is available for download on iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. Or DVDs can be purchased from Walmart, Fishflix, Christianbook, and other retailers. Check it out! Season Two starts April 25th on Hallmark Channel!