Chapter 4:
Elizabeth Anne Thatcher's Dilemma
Author's Note: Lets see what little Miss Elizabeth Anne Thatcher was up to in those early days. Will she ever tell Jack her name? Why hasn't she seen him in several days?
Elizabeth Thatcher waited by the window for the fourth day in the row, still not seeing the cute boy with the cowlick. She had been asked to tea that afternoon with her mother. She didn't want to go. She hoped to catch a glimpse of the cute boy with the cowlick, bu t as four o'clock rolled around, he still hadn't walked by. She resolved to take a walk later in hopes to run into him.
At half passed four, she and her mother descended the car and walked up to the Kensington's manor. Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the thought of seeing the Charles. She knew her parents were wanting them to like each other, but she could only ever see him as the kind tall boy who she could never even see holding his hand, let alone let him kiss her. Yuck!
"Mother? Do I have to be here?" Elizabeth began. "I had plans this afternoon."
"Elizabeth Anne Thatcher! You have been invited to tea. The least you can do is come in and be gracious for at least a half an hour." Mrs. Thatcher scolded.
"Yes, Mother!" Elizabeth responded dejectedly.
Just as planned, Charles Kensington was sitting across from the chair which had Elizabeth's name on a place card. She hmfffed. It was not going to be a pleasant afternoon. 'I wonder where the cute boy with the cowlick disappeared to?' Elizabeth thought inwardly.
She smiled, shyly and the boy, Charles stood and bowed his head. She knew that this was going to be the longest half hour of her life. But she pressed her shoulders back and held her head high as the two joined their mother's in 'polite' conversation.
Tom Thornton woke up on the fifth day, since he had spent his leave with his family. His heart was heavy this morning as he remembered the tearful good byes and the I love you's. Charlotte never ceased to amaze him. He thought about their last night as he prepared for work.
Charlotte Thornton laid her head on Tom's chest. Her hair was spread out wildly on his pillow. She hadn't wanted to move for fear that he would disappear when she turned away. Tom held her closely, protectively to his chest. He didn't want to leave in the morning, but they both knew it couldn't be helped. He must leave and try to solve this case so he could hopefully return to his permanent posting here in Hamilton.
"Char? Are you awake, Love?" Tom looked down to see his wife's face.
"Yes. I'm awake, Tom." Charlotted replied, a bit sleepily.
"I know that you will miss me just as much as I'll miss you and the boys, but you have to have faith that I will come home to you, all of you, always..." Tom began. "If the Lord..." He trailed off.
"Don't, Tom." Charlotte looked up and pressed her fingers to his lips. "Please don't even speak it! I can't think of 'if the Lord'...right now." She looked into his eyes.
He stared right back at her as his emotions took over and he claimed her lips. Their kisses were soft and sweet. She moved easily onto his torso and he pressed her body into his as their kisses deepened and their love grew intense.
His lips moved onto her skin and she welcomed his every caress as she placed kisses along his shoulders and collarbone. Her heart became one with his. They were kindred spirits and she could not imagine her life without this man. She refused to imagine the unthinkable.
"Char!" Tom exclaimed between kisses. "I love you, my sweet Char! You'll have my heart forever." He spoke in his breathy tone.
"Tom!" She breathed into his neck. "My heart is yours! I will carry your love with me wherever I go."
The sudden sound of someone knocking on the door across the hall jolted Tom back from his reverie. He hadn't wanted to leave that next morning, but duty called and he was never one to shirk from his duty. Charlotte knew this and for that, he was grateful.
Constable Houston had been working on his loose ends. He didn't want to have to let the new constable go. He was an invaluable asset to this case and he wanted him to solve it as long as they could come to the same conclusion. That this scheme he had planned was a brilliant one and would make them both a lot of money. Deep down, however, Houston could tell that Thornton was a man of integrity. If he found this to be true, then he would have no other option but to take care of him or have someone do it for him. This prospect saddened him greatly. He had come to admire Constable Tom Thornton. He was unyeilding in his pursuit of the truth, however and that was something that Constable Houston could ill afford. He looked over the reports submitted by Thornton and decided that he would make a visit to the families Thornton had interviewed the previous weeks leading up to this moment.
Jack and Tom were ready for school and were about to head out the door.
"Jack, Tom." Charlotte called to them.
They both turned to face their mother, who looked worn out from her tears she had cried the last few days.
"Yes, Ma'am?" Jack inquired.
"I'll need you to pick up some things at the mercantile." Charlotte wiped her tears and put on her brave face. "Here is the list and some money. There should be enough there for you both to have an ice cream cone." She smiled.
"Yes, Ma!" Jack's face lit up at the prospect.
It was quarter passed three and the boys were on their way to the mercantile. On their way, they ran into the little girl with the errant curl. She ran up to meet them.
"Hello!" Elizabeth greeted them.
"Hello." Jack acknowledged her, but kept walking.
Why is she here? I really don't have time for girls. She is so pretty. If only I could get her name and maybe invite her for ice cream. Maybe I can? His inner monologue was getting the best of him.
"Would you like to join us for ice cream?" He turned to her and smiled shyly.
"I would love to, if that's alright?" She questioned just as shyly.
"Come on, Jack!" Tom interrupted. "I want ice cream." He pulled his brother's hand.
Jack. That is his name. I thought I had heard the name before several weeks ago. Jack. I like the sound of that. Elizabeth thought inwardly as she followed after the two boys. Dare I tell him my name? No! I can't. There's no point. My parents would never allow me to be friends with them. She thought about the previous nights conversation at their dinner table regarding the new Mountie and his family.
The night before...
"William, I believe it is our civic duty to invite the new Mountie and his family over for dinner. That is what we have done for years." Grace Thatcher approached her husband.
"Grace, dear. I would usually concur with you, but I do not want them near our daughters. The Thornton's have two boys and you know how Elizabeth, Julie and even Viola get when they are around boys." William countered.
"William. Honestly! Surely you can agree that Viola and Elizabeth are more mature than their ages dictate. As for Julie, I do agree with you in that respect." Grace replied, raising her brow.
"Grace. I have decided. We are not going to have our daughter's cavorting with the Thornton boys. Understood?" William stated with his husbandly finality.
Elizabeth had been listening at the door. She was mortified that her father refused to have the Mountie and his family over. This was a first! She was saddened by this news as she had planned to talk to her parents about inviting the Thornton's to dinner the next evening. She sighed dejectedly and went to her room.
Elizabeth was following the Thornton boys to the ice cream shop. Jack seemed to be lost in thought as she caught up to him and settled beside him. Tom was on the other side of Jack. Tom was all conversation, asking her questions about anything and everything in Hamilton. Elizabeth smiled and answered the questions as best she could. Jack remained silent as he picked up his pace, lost in his thoughts about this pretty girl beside him.
Why did I have to invite her? What have you done, Jack? Now she is going to think you care for her. True that you are intrigued, but she is in a different class. Boy is she pretty. No, Jack! Stop it! You promised yourself that you would dedicated yourself to your studies so you can impress your father and show him how much you want to be a Mountie just like him when you grow up. But, this girl, I can't focus when I'm near her! What is wrong with me? I need to know her name. I can't ask her. She knows my name, but what about her name. Jack!
Jack had finally made it to the ice cream shop, still not having mustered the courage to ask for the girls name. They sat at the ice cream bar. Soon their orders were taken and Tom and Elizabeth fell easily into their conversation. Jack just listened. He was enamored by this girl. He was admittedly, as shy as all get out, as well. She smiled at him and he turned to puddy. He needed to get out of here. He was going to say something he would regret. Maybe even hurt her feelings. He couldn't do that.
At length, Elizabeth told the boys that she had to get back home. Tom said good bye and as she was about to head out the door, Jack stopped her, by grabbing her arm at the elbow.
"I uh, can't let you walk home by yourself." Jack felt his nerves rise as he held her elbow. A surging warmth came over him.
"Oh. Well, I don't want to bother you." Elizabeth replied, feeling that same warmth course through her body.
True that they were only kids, but surely kindred spirits can feel each other's warmth. They stood there half a moment longer and Tom interrupted them.
"Come on, Jack! We got to get home." Tom barrelled through them, breaking their connection.
Jack sighed as his hand fell to his side. Elizabeth sighed as she watched the soft look in Jack's eyes turn to a stoic, determined expression.
He thought about his mother's words as he looked into the pretty girl's eyes.
"Ma. Do you know the neighbor girl who always plays outside with her sisters?" Jack inquired.
"I've seen them around. I don't think that they run in the same circle as we do, so I don't see how you two can be friends." Charlotte responded. "We don't belong in the their world." Charlotte finished as she kissed her son on the forehead and walked out of his room.
Jack came back from his reverie as he looked back at the pretty girl walking beside him. Sorrow covering his face as he determined that he would not ask for her name and that he would soon forget about her and act as if she never existed.
They walked down the street to her house and Jack was about to turn to leave, when Elizabeth spoke.
"Thank you, Jack!" Elizabeth expressed. "I hope we can be friends?" She spoke hopefully.
"Well, I don't see how..." Jack began. Here he was staring into the prettiest girl's eyes he had ever seen, about to break her heart. "We don't belong in the their world." Jack quoted his mother.
"Oh." Was all Elizabeth could say. She tried to hold back her tears, as her lower lip began to tremble. She stilled her breathing and looked into his eyes.
Jack watched several emotions cross her face: Sadness. Anger. Determination. He suddenly felt uncomfortable and wanted to take back what he said, but it was too late.
"Fine!" Elizabeth answered. "If that is how you want it, then I'll never bother you again." Elizabeth turned on her heal and stormed off to her house. She slammed the door and ran up to her room, throwing herself on the bed, tears finally escaping from her beautiful crystal blue eyes.
Jack stood there, stunned. How could such a wonderful day end up so badly? Why did I say that? What have you done, Jack Thornton! Jack's thoughts consumed him as he took Tom's hand and they made their way back to their house. Tom's words were falling on deaf ears. Jack's thoughts were too much for him to pay attention to anything else. He blew it. She will never speak to me again.
Author's Note: It is a bit longer. My intention was to showcase that they had met, but I never intended for Jack to know Elizabeth's name. I'll tie this into my other story. I'm excited for all to see how this unfolds and how it will be linked to Valentine's Vignette: Be Mine. Have a GRAND DAY!