Author's Notes: Hello Hearties! If you have seen me on Facebook lately, you know I have been keeping up with commenting and keeping up with fellow Hearties. I got a new Heartie Pen pal, and new Heartie friends! :) Shout out to Mary Jo and Cindie and Christelle and Angel! Hello ladies!

I will and I repeat WILL be updating "The Thornton Family" today for sure, and either Thursday or Friday! So watch out! :)

And also, thank you always for your positive reviews, I appreciate it! :)

~Angelica K.

Disclaimer (I've forgotten to add this lately...):I do not own the WCTH characters, just the one from my vivid imagination.

"I'm going to ask for her hand in marriage." Jack repeated.

"Oh now my baby's really growing up…" Mary shed a tear.

"Mum, is there a problem with Elizabeth?"

"Honey, I appreciate how you are growing up. I love you, I guess I wasn't ready…I know it would eventually happen. Please take my apology." Mary reached over and hugged Jack.

"I will, Mum. I love you too." He kissed her cheek.

After he finished talking to his mother, he went over to the jailhouse and saw the message. He opened it up, and was quite confused. He was just in Cape Fullerton, why do they want him back so soon? And Mr. Yost usually handed him telegrams immediately, not leave it on his desk. He rushed over to the Mercantile to get to the bottom of this.

"Ah, Constable Thornton. How are you?"

"Good thank you. Do you have someone new working for you?"

"No, why?"

"I got this message on my desk, I noticed the handwriting was different, plus usually you give me telegrams directly." Jack said handing him the message.

"I either hand them to Mr. Avery or directly to you, yes. And no telegrams have come in for you since that one yesterday…" Mr. Yost frowned. "This is definitely not my writing." He commented looking it over.

"Have any idea on who it might be?"

"No, seems like someone wants to try to remove you from town, Constable."

"I know…I must get to the bottom of this." Jack said taking the message back.

Jack tipped his hat, and left for the Saloon, maybe he could check the guest book, try to match handwriting together.

Jack walked up, and asked Mr. Trevoy if he could look at the guest book for the guests. He handed him the book, and Jack's eyes flew to Nicholas. Sadly the writing didn't match, because Nicholas changed his handwriting style.

'Well, just because the handwriting doesn't match doesn't mean I am not going to rule him out….'Jack thought. He was soon brought out of his thoughts when Rip, yes Rip, bounded over with a message from someone.

"Thanks, boy." Jack smiled and bent down for it. It was a message from Elizabeth asking if he was joining her for Dinner with the parents. Jack quickly replied and handed Rip the message back.

"Go ahead." He smiled.

Rip just looked at him, he was not going to listen to a command without a polite 'Please'.

"Please?" Jack raised an eyebrow, and Rip got up and left. Jack knew he better go talk to Bill.

Jack found Bill, and showed him everything.

"This is a serious matter, do you have a list of suspects?"

"Nicholas and a few other miners who have been eyeing Elizabeth." Jack drummed his fingers on the table.

"I knew you would have Nicholas up there on the list. Now I just need the names of the other men, and I can keep an eye on them."

Jack gave him the names of the other suspects, and Bill made a note of them. Then, an idea popped into Bill's mind.

"Jack, I have an idea."

"What is it?" Jack asked, looking at him.

"We need to use Elizabeth though…"Bill quietly replied.

"I don't want her in danger." Jack said quickly standing up, scared Elizabeth might be put in danger.

"It won't be bad, promise. Either I will or you will or both of us will be there, of course in civilian clothes. Now, here's the plan…" Bill lowered his voice so the plan wouldn't be said too loud.

Jack nodded, and listened. He gave another nod, and decided to ask Elizabeth for her help privately later that evening. He hoped she would agree.

Later, Jack fixed up his collar again, and left the jailhouse. He walked over, and entered the café, where Elizabeth was coming down the stairs.

"Jack!" She smiled, and missed the last step, and fell into Jack's arms.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked, helping her back onto her feet.

"I'm better now…." Elizabeth looked into his eyes, and Jack leaned in for a small kiss, but William cleared his throat and brought the young couple back to Coal Valley.

"Sorry…" Elizabeth whispered.

"It's fine, I can't help it either…" Jack winked.

"And there's my little boy…!" Mary smiled as she entered in from the kitchen, bringing in a roast.

Jack smiled and led Elizabeth to the table, where he pulled out a seat for her, and then pulled one out for his Mother, and then Abigail, and even Kate.

"Thank you, Jack." Kate smiled. Jack nodded and sat down next to Elizabeth, and reached for her hand under the table. William got the honor of cutting the roast, and insisted he served Abigail first. After a delicious meal, it was topped off with a chocolate cake baked by Jack's mother.

"Jack, I insist you have another piece…" Mary said putting another piece on his plate.

"But.."
"No buts, you'll eat it." Mary smiled and carried some more dishes into the kitchen. As soon as she left, Jack looked to Elizabeth for help, and she took a bit off of the corner with her fork, and ate it. Thankfully everyone was in the kitchen, so they wouldn't have noticed.

"You're so sneaky!" Elizabeth giggled as she watched Jack cut the piece in half and gave Elizabeth part of it.

"I would only do this with you, not Rosie." Jack winked, and took a portion off of his half and ate it. They finished up just in time as their mothers walked back in.

"Ah good, you finished." Mary smiled.

"Why don't you two go out for a walk…?" Kate winked.

"Oh no Mom, we'll help clean up first." Elizabeth smiled.

"I insist, you two go for a walk. There are enough of hands in the kitchen helping out." Mary smiled. "Go, have fun!"

Elizabeth smiled and looked at Jack, who returned the smile, and took a hold of her arm.

"Are you sure…?" He asked.

"Run along!" Mary winked.

So, Jack led Elizabeth outside, and planned to tell her the plan once they reached the lake…..