Elizabeth pulled open her bureau drawer, found her matches, and struck one… creating a bit of light in the midnight darkness. She lit the lamp on the table beside her bed, and crawled beneath the covers again. Her feet were like ice!

Since she couldn't go to sleep, she picked up her stack of student's papers and started grading them. She was about halfway through the first test when something distracted her… a little sparkle going across the room. Her eyes followed it as it trailed the walls and ceiling, then she found where it was coming from—her diamond.

It was like a special part of Jack was with her, a special part of his love—lighting up the room with little sparkles. She smiled as she thought of how he must have spent forever picking out the perfect ring from the catalogue. It was perfect, not too plain, or too fancy. She ran her finger around the center diamond, then studied the tiny diamonds encircling the middle one.

Jack must have carried with him in his pocket since… since the day Charles proposed, she thought.

She was half-way glad that Charles had proposed, it gave her the courage to tell him who her heart really loved. He was fit to tied, stomping out the door, hurrying to the stagecoach, quite ready to get out of 'the wilderness', as he called it. Elizabeth laughed, How very different that life would have been.

She remembered the way Charles proposed to her. He acted like she owed it to him, like she didn't have a choice… he told her what he wanted her to do— "Marry me." He said. He didn't even ask. But Jack…

Jack's proposal melted her heart. Just remembering the words that he said to her made her toes warm. The way his eyes misted, the way he kissed the ring after he put it onto her finger, the way he kissed her…

Elizabeth's stomach growled.

She laughed. What a time to be hungry! She decided to go downstairs and drink some milk before she tried to sleep again. Maybe she'd even sneak one of Abagail's delicious biscuits or two. Grading the papers could wait until morning.

She grabbed the lamp and headed downstairs. She stopped when she heard a noise. It frightened her at first, but then she realized it was crying. Abagail was crying. She hurried, descending the rest of the stairs and closing the space between them as quickly as she could. She didn't remember ever seeing her friend cry. Abagail was always the strong, brave one that she went to for help.

Abagail heard her coming and quickly wiped her tears away. She cleared her voice, "Elizabeth! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm just worried about you."

"Oh, I'm fine." She paused. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I guess I'm just missing Noah, and Peter."

"Are you sure it's because of that? I know you, it just isn't like you to cry."

"I am fine. I just…"

"What is it Abagail? I'm your friend, you can talk to me about anything."

"Almost anything. But you're right, I do need to talk. I just don't know how to get the advice I need without breaking a promise that I made to someone else."

"Well, you don't have to say anything specific. Why don't you just try to explain the situation anonymously?"

Abagail thought a moment. "I could try."

"Of course, I don't know how much help I could be… you're the one who always gives me advice." Elizabeth smiled.

"You're very wise, Elizabeth. Sometimes you can just see clearer when it's not a situation or a person that you're involved with."

"That's true. I'll do my best to help. So why don't you tell me, why were you crying?"

"Well, it was silly of me to be crying. I just… Elizabeth, what would you say to a friend, who has a friend that really needs to talk about their past, but that friend has a hard time remembering and speaking of those things?"

"I would say that the first friend needs to just be there for the second friend, just let them know that its ok to remember and to talk about it, that the first friend will be there for them no matter what was in their past."

"Yes. But what if the first friend is afraid of what she might hear? What if the things in the second friend's past might make a difference in their friendship, but she doesn't want to hurt the second friend who chose to trust her?"

"That is complicated. But from recent experience, I've learned that the worst thing for friends to do is for one of them to keep things from the other. The best thing to do is to talk. If you don't, those feelings just build up more and more, threatening the existence of even the closest friends. But if you talk about it, usually you can find a way to deal with the problem… together. Maybe the first friend should proceed cautiously, but the friends should proceed, helping each other along the way."

Abagail nodded. "That makes a lot of sense. Thank you. I'll be sure to tell the 'first friend' what 'she' should do." She smiled.

Elizabeth's stomach growled again. "Another word of advice for the first friend… She should offer some of her delicious biscuits to her third friend, the one who gave her the advice, before the third friend starves!"

They both laughed. "Oh Elizabeth! The biscuits are over there, please help yourself!"

Elizabeth hurried over to the counter. She took a big bite of one, "Thank you. I was so hungry!"

The next morning, Elizabeth came down the stairs to find Abagail rushing around preparing breakfast. "Good morning, Abagail. You seem to be very busy this morning, are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you. I plan on talking to that 'second friend' later on today. Your advice really helped me a lot, Elizabeth." Abagail blew a stray lock of hair from her face as she cracked another egg into the bowl.

"I'm so glad I could help. I'll be here to help you anytime, you just let me know when you need it, ok?"

"Would you mind if I took you up on that offer right now? Since it's Saturday and you don't have to teach, and everyone seems to have come here to eat breakfast today, I sure could use some help in the kitchen."

"Of course. You must be desperate if you're asking for my help… cooking."

"Well, if you're getting married soon, you might as well start learning to cook now. Here, can you finish these eggs for me?"

"Okay… what do I do?" Elizabeth asked as she held the egg between her index finger and thumb, as if they were contaminated.

"Hold the egg, like so. Then gently tap it on the side of the bowl, like this… And then you separate the shell." She demonstrated while she spoke. "Now you try."

Elizabeth tried her best to mimic her friend's skillful moves.

"See, you did a great job. Almost no shell ended up in the bowl." Abagail praised.

"Oh Abagail, I don't think I'll ever be able to cook like you… I know I won't. Jack and I are going to starve."

"Now, now… don't give up so easily. I know you, Elizabeth Thatcher, when you set your mind to something—you do it! And you don't let anyone stand in your way." She started flipping the bacon in the pan. "Now you just keep on practicing over there until you've mastered the art of cracking eggs."

"Thank you, Abagail."

A while later, Jack came into the café. He didn't stop in the dining room, but went straight to the kitchen to ask where he could find his bride to be. He stopped when he saw her stirring a pan of eggs. She is so beautiful, he thought quietly.

"Good morning to you, Constable. Let me get you a table." Abagail led him to the dining room, after he and Elizabeth exchanged smiles.

"Thank you, Abagail. May I ask you a question?" He said, sitting down.

"Of course you may."

"Where those eggs, eggs that Elizabeth cooked?" He wondered if he should go eat chili and cornbread at the saloon, but he didn't want to hurt his future wife's feelings.

"Yes, they were. But trust me, I don't think you'll be disappointed." Abagail winked.

Jack hoped he could trust that she was right… he sat up a little straighter when he saw Elizabeth coming with his plate. Thornton… whatever you do—no matter how runny, crunchy, or black those eggs are… Do not let her see you get sick. You're a Mountie, you've been through worse, you'll get through this. He mumbled under his breath.

"Talking to yourself now, are you, Constable?" She set the plate in front of him and sat down.

"No… just… counting my blessings, that's all."

"Mmmm. Well, apparently you have one more to add to your list. You'll have a wife who knows how to fix your breakfast, I made this just for you… Don't worry, Abagail taught me, and approved it fit for human consumption. Try a bite, let me know what you think!"

"That's really sweet. Thank you, Elizabeth. I must be the luckiest man on the face of this earth." He studied it, it smelled good, looked edible...

"Well?" She was waiting.

Hesitantly, he forked a bite of egg, put it into his mouth, and chewed. "Elizabeth!"

"Yes, Jack?"

"This is really good… No, I mean really good!"

"You really mean that?"

"Of course I do. You made this, all by yourself?"

"I made the eggs, but I can't take credit for the rest of the meal, Abagail made that. But she said she'd teach me. I'm going to learn how to make all of your favorites. I'm going to be a good wife for you, Jack."

"You'll be the very best wife I could ever have." He took her hand in his, "Can you learn how to make biscuits and gravy sometime, it's one of my favorite meals?"

"Of course! That will be my specialty!"

They exchanged smiles, and she enjoyed watching him eat the first edible breakfast she ever made.

"Good morning, Rosemary!" Lee called to her as she walked toward him, they were both headed to Abagail's café for breakfast.

"Hello, Lee." She took his arm.

"Would you like to join me for breakfast?"

"Thank you, I would."

They were about to head into the café when Elizabeth and Jack came out. They didn't realize anyone else was around.

Lee and Rosemary overheard the couple talking softly to each other. Jack said, "I wish I didn't have to go to work, I don't want to leave you."

"Well, we'll see each other later, I'm going to stay here all day and learn how to cook, and sew, and make house."

Jack wiped a bit of flour from her cheek and chuckled, "I'll be back for dinner."

"You better be!" Jack and Elizabeth kissed. When they finished their goodbyes, they both saw that they had an audience.

"Uh, good morning! Lee, Rosie." Jack awkwardly moved slightly away from Elizabeth.

Lee laughed. "It seems like you two are having a good morning."

Rosemary added, "We weren't spying on you, we just couldn't really help but overhear…"

Jack looked up at Elizabeth who was standing on the steps of the café. She answered, "I guess they'll know soon enough anyway."

Jack nodded and grinned, "We're engaged!"

Rosemary's mouth dropped open, "No!"

"Yes!" Elizabeth quickly said, very cheerfully, as she remembered the troubles she used to have with Rosemary. She was more than glad to share this news with her.

Lee shook Jack's hand, "That's just great! And… speaking of getting engaged… Rosemary and I— "

Rosemary elbowed his ribs, and finished his sentence, "… We… are so very happy for the both of you!"

Jack and Elizabeth exchanged looks, "Thank you."

Lee kept looking at Rosemary for an explanation, trying to hide his pain beneath a fake smile. Rosemary finally said, "Well, we would just love to stay and chat, but we don't want to keep you, and we really must be going."

The couples exchanged goodbyes, then Rosemary pulled Lee far enough away to talk to him privately.

Lee put his hand on his side, "What did you do that for?"

Rosemary switched her happy face to her angry face, "Why here YOU about to tell them that WE were engaged?"

"Well, aren't we?"

"NO. You haven't even proposed to me, Mr. Leland Coulter. You have not even given me a ring. Are you, or are you not going to ask me?"

"I'm sorry, of course I'm going to ask. I just assumed we had an understanding."

"Well, that's where you went wrong, NEVER assume ANYTHING about a lady."

He rubbed his side. "I'll remember that."

"Well…"

"Well?"

"You said you were going to ask?"

"Right now? Here?"

"Of course not here! Let's go to your office."

"Okay…" He watched as she changed her angry face back into a happy face and guided her to his office, as gently as if she were a ticking time bomb… He didn't want any more injuries this morning. But of course, her unpredictability was what attracted him the most to her. And if he was sure of one thing, it was that he was in for a very exciting life with Rosemary at his side.

He opened the door to his office, and made sure no one was in the other room. Rosemary closed the curtains.

"Get down on one knee." Rosemary demanded.

He nodded, and complied. He kneeled sincerely in front of her, and took a deep breath.

"Now, hold my hand." She stuck her hand out.

"Rosemary, are you proposing or am I?"

She gave him a look that told him not to press further.

"Rosemary… Will you marry me?"

There was no answer.

"Well?"

She looked off the other side of the room and made a face.

"Are you going to answer me, or are you going to make me kneel in front of you all day?"

"You need acting lessons." She said plainly.

"Acting lessons!?" he shouted.

"Shhh. How do you expect a lady to feel moved enough to accept your proposal to spend the rest of her life with you, unless you use your emotions, your voice, your body, your heart, and your soul—to show her how you can't stand to be without her, how you'd die unless she said yes?"

Lee's mouth hung open.

"Here. Stand up, I'll show you."

He stood, and she kneeled. His eyebrows raised.

"Lee… Oh, my special Lee..." She animated her facial expressions. "I have loved you, from the very first day I met you. When you rode into town on your motorcycle, you ran right into my heart. Even when there is distance between us, I feel that you are still here with me in my heart. I couldn't dream of spending the rest of my life apart from you, my Love, and I will be devoted to you for the rest of my days. Lee, will you marry me?" She stood again, and motioned for him to kneel. "Now you try."

He tried to refrain from laughing out loud as he started once more. "Rosemary…" He shook his head, "I'm not an actor, and I don't think that even the best acting teacher, you of course, could teach me how to be one. But the words you said, those words meant a lot to me, because they came from your heart… and I want to tell you what's in my heart. You're an actress, and I love you for who you are. I'm own a saw mill, I'm a business man, and I hope you love me for who I am. You are a very special lady, Rosemary LeVeaux, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

She smiled sincerely, "Of course I will." She looked at him for a moment. "Now the ring. You do have one, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. Do you think that I would be proposing to you if I didn't have a diamond in my pocket?"

She giggled. He pulled the box out of his coat, opened it, slid it ono her finger, and kissed her hand.

"You may stand up now." She said.

He stood, "Ok, what now?"

"You… can kiss me now."

He wasted no time with that command. He took her into his arms, kissing her repeatedly, until she had no more breath. When he let go, her eyes were wide.

"How was that, Rosemary?"

Henry Gowen held open the door of the saloon for Nora Avery. They were meeting each other for lunch.

"Thank you, Henry."

"Your welcome, Nora." He held the chair for her as she sat down.

"You make me feel like a princess." She smiled.

"You should feel like that always." He hesitated, "I just wish I could have been there for you when…"

Her smile faded. "When Martin died?"

He nodded. "I hope you don't mind my asking this… How did… What happened to our son, Nora?"

A tear slipped down her cheek. "He was angry, that day. He was thirteen, but he was still my baby. What hurts so bad is that we parted with angry words, he was mad at me. He wanted to go somewhere with some friends that I didn't approve of, and I of course, told him no. He said he didn't care that he was going to go anyway. He said he was going to run away. I didn't think he really meant that, I thought that it was just a rebellious teenage stage. I told myself that he just wanted to get away from my apron strings for a while, and he'd be back for dinner. But he wasn't back, not that night, or the next, not for a whole week."

"That must have been very painful for you."

"It was. Bill was leading the case, trying to find him. And one day I got a call, Bill was crying, he found him. It was so terrible. My baby was lying in a field, he was beaten, and he was so bruised that Bill couldn't even tell it was him. But his watch was in his hand, the watch we gave him for his birthday, with his initials on it. He was so proud of his watch…"

Henry stood, walked around the table, and put his hands on her shoulder. "I would have loved to meet him."

"He looked a lot like you, Henry."

Clara walked in the kitchen, "Hello Elizabeth, Abagail, Cody!" She walked over and hugged Elizabeth. "I heard about you and Jack. I'm so happy for you!"

"Oh, thank you so much! I'm so excited too. And I have something I wanted to ask you. I'm not sure exactly when the wedding will be, but I would like you to be one of my bridesmaids. Will you?"

"Oh, I would be honored… but isn't that supposed to be something for your sisters to do?"

"They can be bridesmaids too, if they want, but I really want you to be standing there with me, and Abagail. I've asked her to be my maid of honor."

Clara smiled. "I'll be there."

"Wonderful!"

"I've never been to a wedding before, except for mine and Peter's, of course… that wasn't a wedding like yours, it was just a plain wedding."

Abagail walked over to her daughter in law, "Sometimes that's the most special kind."

Clara nodded, "I wish you could have been there."

"I was, in heart." Abagail hugged Clara.

They were interrupted by a loud bang. All three of the ladies turned around quickly and saw that the bowl of biscuit dough that Cody was helping to prepare had hit the floor, and all of the flour had spilled out.

"I'm so, so sorry, Mrs. Stanton. It was an accident." Cody looked as if he was going to cry.

Abagail hurried over to him, and hugged him. "I know, it was just an accident, it's alright. There's no harm done. Don't worry, it will clean right up."

"I'll get a broom and mop." Elizabeth volunteered.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. They're in that closet."

Clara asked, "What can I do?"

"Well, that was the last of the flour. I was planning on picking up a grocery order from Mr. Yost after the lunch crowd has gone…"

"I could pick that up for you right now."

"Would you? That would be wonderful, thank you so much, Clara! Everything should be ready for you, except the flour, please ask Ned to add some for you. The money is in the cookie jar."

Clara left for the general store, very happy to be helping Abagail, even in a small way. She felt guilty for not being able to cook or wait tables, she wanted to repay her mother in law's kindness. She was so thankful that she had a real family. If only Peter were still alive, she thought. The hole in her heart still hurt from his death, but she felt ready to move on—to try to love someone again.

She stepped in, the bell on the door signaled her arrival. Jesse appeared from behind the back room.

"Hello, pretty Girl."

She smiled, "Hi…" She looked around, "Where is Mr. Yost?"

"He had some business to attend to, left me in charge for a while. What can I do for you?"

"I'm just here to pick up an order for Mrs. Abagail Stanton, she said it should be ready."

He left, and found the crate with her name on it. "Here you are. And didn't you say before that your name was Stanton? You her daughter?"

"Daughter-in-law, actually. But she is like a mother to me."

"So… you're married, then?"

"I was, my husband died in the coal mine accident." She pursed her lips, trying to think of how to change the subject. "Oh, I'll need some flour too."

"How much… How many pounds?"

"To be honest, I really don't know! I don't cook much. I know she uses a lot, so whatever you think is 'a lot'."

"'A lot' of flour…" He went to the back room again. "How about five pounds now, and thirty delivered later to the café?"

"That sounds great." She handed him the money, and he opened the cash register. She turned to walk out.

"Clara?"

"Yes?" She looked over her shoulder.

"Take a walk with me sometime. I'd like to talk… find out more about you."

She smiled. "Alright."

She didn't stay long enough to see him close the cash register and tuck her money for the groceries into his own pocket.

Bill Avery exited the saloon, wondering if he should talk to Lee about his offer of a job at the sawmill. After all, he had been a Mountie for a very long time, and he wasn't getting younger. Maybe he was ready for a slower paced, less dangerous job.

After he came out, he watched Henry and Nora leaving. He's such a fake, and she falls for it, just like before, he thought. It almost seemed like everything he tried to do when he married her was all for nothing. At least I gave Martin a father. He shook his head and kept walking.

A little way down the street, he saw Abagail coming out of her café. He wished he could have had a life with someone like her. A real life, with real love—not just a pretense. Maybe if he stayed in Hope Valley, he might have a chance… a job at the saw mill might be just what he needed.

"Hello, Abagail." Bill watched, jealously, as Frank Hogan approached her.

"Hello, Pastor. I just on my way to the church to see you."

"Oh really, what about?" He smiled.

"Actually, to finish our conversation last night… that is, if you are ready. Mainly, to apologize for what happened, and to tell you that I am here to listen when you're ready to talk."

"That's very kind of you, I appreciate that so much."

Bill's interest was mounting at this conversation.

Abagail stepped to the side, "If you'd like to, you can come inside. We can have some lemonade and talk before the dinner crowd arrives."

"I would… except I really need to take care of something first. I would say we could meet later tonight, but I promised Old Mr. Hodges that I would come sit with him tonight. Between you and me…" He lowered his voice. "The man thinks he's dying, and he somehow is convinced that the only way he can get into Heaven, is if a pastor is with him when he dies to persuade God to let him in."

Abagail chuckled, "Oh dear."

"Don't worry." Frank laughed. "I might have my work cut out for me, but I'll set him straight. See you soon, Abagail?"

"I'll be here."

Bill watched Abagail go back into the café, and the pastor walk to the jail. Bill didn't realize someone was behind him.

"It just burns you, doesn't it?" Henry Gowen growled in Bill's ear.

Bill turned around, "What?"

"Seeing that man with Abagail… When you loved her first? Now you know what I've felt."

"It's not the same and you know it. You left Nora."

"We're not talking about Nora; we're talking about Abagail."

"I don't want to talk to you about Abagail."

"That's your choice… But I do worry about her these days."

"Since when did you worry about Mrs. Stanton?"

"Since she might be in danger."

Bill's eyebrows lowered, "What danger is she in besides your threats?"

Henry's eyes followed Frank as he entered the jailhouse. "I don't know for sure, but rumor has that there might be more 'past' than 'pastor' to that man…" Then Henry glared at Bill. "But I'm sure I don't need to be telling you anything, after all you're the one who's the investigator… I'm sure you've already been checking up on anyone who is keeping company with Mrs. Stanton, I'd hate to see her get hurt again." Then he patted him on the shoulder and left. "Good day to you, Bill."

Jack sat behind his desk—halfway dreaming, halfway sketching. He was trying to draw himself, proposing to Elizabeth, putting the ring onto her finger. It would be a wedding gift to her, he would frame it and hang it over their bed… It would be a constant reminder of his love for her—then, now, and forever. It would also be a reminder of how far they'd come, and how much their love had grown throughout the years.

The years. That was the subject of his daydream, how he would spend years loving his beautiful Elizabeth. Holding her by a warm fireplace—stroking her long, dark, curly hair—kissing her soft, small, pink lips…

The door opened.

Jack took his boots off of the desk and closed his sketchbook. "Hello, Pastor. What can I do for you?"

Frank nodded, "Jack. I could use a Mountie's help with a problem."

"Sure, I'd be glad to. What's the problem? Is one of your congregants not tithing?" Jack grinned.

Frank was quiet.

"Sorry, bad joke."

"Oh, no it's alright. I'm glad you're in good spirits… I was just thinking…"

"Is everything okay? Frank?"

"Can I tell you something in confidence?"

"Absolutely."

Frank nodded and swiped at his mouth nervously. "There is someone here in Hope Valley that shouldn't be. He is a danger to this community, trust me, I knew him. He is just as bad, or even worse than when I saw him last."

"Well, who is this person?"

"…" Frank was silent as Bill stormed into the jail, stomping his feet.

"Jack, does this man have business here, or can he come back later—I need to talk with you urgently."

Jack was surprised at Bill's behavior. Lately, he came to expect Bill to be less than sociable, but he was downright ornery and rude. "Well, actually the pastor here was talking to me about something important…"

"That's alright, Jack. I can come back another time. It's fine." Frank looked at Bill, who was basically staring him out the door, then at Jack.

Jack's eyes apologized to Frank as he left. When the door closed, Jack asked, "What's wrong, Bill? Why did you do that?"

"What did that man say to you? I need you to tell me everything." Bill paced around the floor.

"I'm not at liberty to tell you anything about that conversation, and last time I checked, you were on leave… you're not my superior."

"Well, I'm back now. I'm going to go wire headquarters, and tell them I'm officially back on duty."

"What have you got against the pastor?"

Bill looked back over his shoulder before he went out the door. "Nothing yet."

Elizabeth dashed around the kitchen trying to prepare Jack's dinner in time. Abagail had been teaching her all day—and finally, she felt ready to cook 'solo', as she called it. So she watched everything Abagail did to prepare her dinner, looking over her shoulder, memorizing all of the ingredients and steps she took… then she went to her own little corner of the café kitchen and mixed up dinner… her own style.

She wanted absolutely everything to be perfect for him. She had his own table fixed up beautifully for two—candles, flowers, Abagail's best dishes… everything. She looked out the window and saw Jack coming, so she hurried to the mirror to fix her hair and wipe away any flour that might have found its way to her nose, for the hundredth time. She smoothed out her skirt, took a deep breath, and went into the other room to greet Jack.

"Don't be nervous, I'm sure he will love your dinner, Elizabeth." Abagail soothed Elizabeth's jitters.

"I sure hope so!"

Jack walked into the café, and was pleased to see most everyone had already been and gone. He looked forward to having a quiet dinner with his fiancée. He tried to peek at the other diner's plates to get an idea of what he could expect. The only thing he was able to see was mashed potatoes. At least those can't really burn.

Thornton! He silently scolded himself. How can you possibly say that after those delicious eggs that she made you today? And you've been looking forward to this meal all day. I'm ashamed of me.

"Jack!" Elizabeth appeared from the kitchen. "Your dinner is ready; I hope you're hungry." She had on a pretty pink skirt and white lacy blouse, her cheeks were a deep pink from being the hot kitchen all day.

"You look beautiful, and I am so hungry. It smells wonderful!"

"Thank you." She sat the first two dishes of food down on the table. "I hope you don't mind me serving you in courses, I'm saving the best for last."

"Oh, we're eating fancy tonight, are we? Should I have worn my suit?" He held the chair for her while she sat down.

She flung her curls behind her, "I think you look very handsome in red." She dipped out a small portion of green beans on his plate.

His stomach growled.

"You are hungry!" She laughed.

"Those look so good… and they smell good too." He put his nose up to them, and took a big whiff. "And each one is such a perfect color green…"

"Jack… Just eat."

He chuckled, "I'm savoring them with all of my senses."

"Well, you have two left… Pick up a bean… touch it, put it into your mouth, and taste it."

He laughed, then did what she said—picking up a bean with his fork, touching it as if he was admiring the shape of it, then ate it.

"You're such a clown!"

"Mmmmm. Elizabeth! This is really, really good!"

"If I'd had known how much you would enjoy that particular bean I would have put it on a golden platter for you!"

"Mmmmm, mmm." He quickly finished the rest of them, until his plate was empty. "Can I please have some more."

"May I… and no, you may not. Now, I have plenty more food for you to try and I don't want you filling up before you try everything."

While she opened her next dish and dipped it onto his plate, Jack snuck his hand in her green bean dish, snitching one while she wasn't looking.

"I saw that Jack; you're being a bad boy."

"Yes, Teacher."

She sat the plate of mashed potatoes in front of him.

"I like those, they pretty and soft and white." He picked up a spoon and put a bite of them into his mouth.

"And how do they taste?"

"Mmmmmmm. So good!"

She giggled while she watched him stuff spoonful after spoonful in his mouth—even trying to smile at her while his mouth was full.

Jack could hardly wait to taste the next part of her meal. What did I tell you, Thornton? Is this great or what? Pretty girl, great food…

"Here, here is your fried chicken. You can eat that with your fingers while I take your plate to the kitchen to get your surprise, ok?"

"Okay! Thank you!"

She laughed again while she walked to the kitchen, shaking her head while she listened to him 'Mmmmm-ing" in the other room. A few minutes later, she came back with another plate… this time she covered it with a silver buffet lid.

"Voila!" She lifted the lid and he tried to identify the special creation she seemed to be so proud of.

It was a creamy white sauce with little pieces of something dark colored, covering something… maybe pieces of pastry? He smelled it… it smelled sweet… Probably some kind of dish the rich people eat in Hamilton. Jack thought. Just keep smiling and 'mmm-ing' she'll never know you don't know what it is.

He cut a piece with his fork, the sauce was turning into something like a frosting. Must be a dessert. He ate it.

"Well?"

He tried not to furrow his brow, "Mmmmm…" The dish was so sweet, sweet was all he could possibly taste! And were those biscuits under that frosting?

Her smile dropped waiting for more enthusiasm.

"Elizabeth, this is so sweet, I love it!"

"Sweet?" Her face was puzzled.

"Yes, it's one of the sweetest deserts I've ever tasted."

"It's not supposed to be sweet. I haven't even served you your desert yet! Jack Thornton, you're kidding right? It's not funny anymore." She put her hands on her hips.

He tried to figure out what was going on, but all of the sudden he felt sick. He grabbed his glass of water and gulped it down without a breath… causing an infuriated, hurt Elizabeth to run to the kitchen.

He set the glass down. Oh, what did you do now? He followed her. She had her arms crossed and her face fixed in an angry position.

"From now on, Constable Thornton, you may fix your own biscuits and gravy."

"Biscuits and gravy?" Now he was confused. "That was biscuits and gravy?"

"Yes." She said very angrily.

"But it was sweet?"

"Elizabeth, I don't mean to interrupt, but when you were making your gravy, is it possible that you may have mistaken the powdered sugar with the flour?" Abagail held up her jars that were identical, except for the labels… and they could have been turned around so that she didn't see them.

"I guess that's possible."

Jack smiled, but quickly changed it to a serious look when she glared at him with her 'scary teacher face'.

"It was the best biscuits and sausage icing I've ever had."

She picked up a wet towel and flung it on his head, then he started chasing her around the kitchen. They were both giggling. When he caught her, he brushed the curls out of her face, then kissed her.

"I'll get your dessert ready, Elizabeth." Abagail smiled.

Thank you all so very much for reading, I hope you enjoyed chapter two! I really appreciate all of your overwhelmingly kind reviews that you left me for the first chapter. Please, if any of you have any suggestions or ideas for me, I'd love it if you put them in your review so I will see them. It will help me to know what to write in chapter three! Thanks!