The Thornton Trust

Chapter 8:

Clearing the Air

Author's Note: Sorry this update has taken so long to publish...I have been really busy with 'LIFE'. Stuff needing to be taken care of and alas, my writing has taken a little vacation. I do hope to make writing my career some day, but until then, I'll be here. I love my stories, {she states confidently, not smugly}. After all, if I don't like my stories, who will? LOL. I hope you like chapter 8!

Jack Thornton was waiting for his Pa to get home. He wanted him to see his latest report. His brother, Tommy was waiting by the window, running from Jack, at his customary spot by the fireplace to the window and back again. Charlotte was in the kitchen, waiting for that telegram that would tell her that her Tom was on his way home.

"Ma? Ma! Look!" Tommy suddenly cried out in excitement. "There's a man at the door."

Charlotte and Jack both ran to the front door, knowing that it had to be the telegram they were all waiting for. Charlotte stepped in front of an excited Tommy and opened the door. The man handed her the telegram. Charlotte ripped it open and read it to herself before sharing it with her boys.

Dearest Char~

I'll be heading home tomorrow morning. I'm due to arrive at nine o'clock. Please come meet me. Bring the boys if you can.

All my love~

Your Tom

Charlotte handed the note to Jack and he read it over and over again. Tommy listened to his older brother for about two minutes, then went back to playing with his blocks and military men. Jack went to get his jacket and asked his Ma if he could take a walk. Charlotte allowed him to and she watched him leave as he shut the door.

It had been three weeks since Jack had seen 'Anne'. He sighed as he remembered hearing her real name for the first time. Elizabeth Anne Thatcher. He couldn't believe that she would lie to him. He didn't want to believe it. He was still upset over the deception, but he hadn't given her a chance to explain. She had attempted to stop him a few times since then, but he had ignored her or told her to leave him alone. She agreed, but he had secretly hoped that she would keep trying to explain. It couldn't be helped. She was probably too busy to be bothered by their friendship, or lack there of.

While on his walk, Jack had unwittingly walked past 'Anne's' house. He didn't see that she was watching him from the window. He didn't know that she had been watching for him since he first found out who she really was. She was determined to talk to him today. She quickly wiped her tears away from her face and ran out the door.

"Jack! Jack! Wait!" Elizabeth began. "Jack Thornton, stop, please."

Jack was lost in thought as he recalled the day that he found out who 'Anne' really was.

'I'm not sure what to say. I have a secret that no one knows and I can't tell anyone.' Anne sighed.

'You can tell me.' Jack offered. 'After all, I saved your life.' Jack joked. He squeezed her hand.

'Very funny.' Anne acknowledged.

Jack waited until 'Anne' confided in him. But then the truth came out.

'Jack, I hope you won't be mad.' Anne began. 'My name is not really...'

Jack recalled that she was interrupted. A man came over to her to take her away from him. Her father, Mr. William Thatcher. The man he himself had heard his father speak of with admiration. She was a Thatcher, she was Elizabeth Thatcher.

"Jack!" Elizabeth stood in front of him. She had been trying to garner his attention for the passed several moments as he was lost in thought.

"What?" Jack inquired, realizing that Elizabeth was standing in front of him. He saw the shock cross her face. He felt bad for how he responded to her. "I'm sorry. What do you want?" Jack tried to be civil.

"Want? I want us to be friends." Elizabeth sighed exasperatedly. "Do you want that? Can you forgive me for not telling you who I was?" Elizabeth asked, resting her hand on his arm.

"I don't know, Elizabeth." Jack began.

"I tried to tell you, but then my father came and...and ruined everything." Elizabeth replied. "It was hard to keep it a secret, but I thought you wouldn't give me the time of day if you knew who I really was, Jack. I hope you can understand that." Elizabeth took a deep breath as she waited for Jack to say something.

"Elizabeth." Jack spoke in a breathy tone. "I don't know if I can..." Jack acknowledged, as he turned to walk back to his house.

Elizabeth watched as Jack walked away. Her heart was heavy as she watched him turn a corner and disappear.

Jack coulding get home fast enough. He heard Elizabeth calle out to him a couple of times, but he would cave if he turned back now. He had to be strong. He had a plan and it didn't include a girl. He vowed to devote himself to his studies. He too, would become a Mountie and his father would be so proud of him. Jack was sure that he would come to see his son as a man of worth. Jack knew that his father favored Tommy, but he had not animosity towards his brother. He loved him and strived to be jus as pleasing to his father as Tommy was.

Elizabeth stood there for a few moments, but then decided that their conversation was not over. She followed Jack down the street. She neither knew nor did she care if he heard her coming, They would talk this out and he would listen. Elizabeth was getting closer when a car pulled up beside her.

Jack was mulling over his conversation with Elizabeth. He was not being fair to her, but she wasn't either when she lied about who she was...was she? He thought about this, not aware of her following him.

'She did say her name was Anne. That is her middle name. I guess it wasn't a complete lie. Why did she have to conceal her identity in the first place? I do like her! In fact, I like her so much that I can't wait to walk by her house before and after school. She is an intriguing puzzle that I must figure out. I should talk to her. Maybe, I was too hasty to...'

"Go away, Charles! I do not wish to speak with you!" Elizabeth spoke loud enough, in hopes that Jacfk would hear her and hopefully care enough to come to her aid.

Jack stopped abruptly as he heard Elizabeth. He turned around and saw that Charles was standing close to her, holding her by the wrist. Jack was not having this. As he strode up to the pair, their conversation became clearer.

"Elizabeth! Don't make a scene." Charles implored. "Your father sent me to bring you home."

"I'm not that far. I will walk home when I'm ready. I have to speak with someone, first." Elizabeth glanced passed Charles to see Jack coming towards them.

Elizabeth smiled, which did not escape Charles' notice. He turned around, seeing Thornton, made his demeanor change immediately.

"Not you! How are we ever going to be together if he's here?" Charles whined.

"Be together? What ever gave you that idea, Charles?" Elizabeth asked, infuriated, trying to pull her hand free.

"Let her go, Charles." Jack commanded.

"Charles, you're hurting me." Elizabeth replied.

"Stop struggling and it wouldn't hurt, Elizabeth." Charles gritted his teeth, keeping his focus on Jack.

"I'd let her go if I were you, Charles." Jack spoke darkly.

"Don't be so dramatic, Thornton. She's the one who is struggling for no reason." Charles quipped.

"Charles!" Elizabeth squirmed. "Let me go, please?" She whispered.

"Charles?" Jack asked expectantly as he strode over to Elizabeth.

"Your father sent me to get you. Remember that when you go home." Charles responded, releasing his grasp as he swiftly removed himself from the situation.

"Jack! Thank you so, Jack!" Elizabeth swung her arms around his neck. "I was so scared." She buried her face into his shoulder.

Jack held her, but chuckled slightly as he couldn't make out her unintelligible whimpering.

"I'm sorry, Jack! Please let me make it up to you?" Elizabeth stepped back to look into his face. "I shouldn't have lied to you about who I was..." Elizabeth trailed off.

"Elizabeth." Jack began. "I understand why you did. I shouldn't have been so quick to get upset. I'm sorry for pushing you away." Jack remarked. "Friends?" Jack asked, resting his hand on her cheek.

"Friends." Elizabeth nodded, pressing her face into his hand. "Jack? What are you doing this afternoon?"

"I'm helping my pa with chores. Why do you ask?" Jack inquired.

"My mother is having a party this evening and she said that I could invite whomever I wanted. I thought it would be nice to have you and your family over. There will be plenty of food and my mother even hinted that she would open the dance floor if there were enough people." Elizabeth blushed suddenly.

'Oh, no. I hope he doesn't think me too forward for implying that I wanted to dance with him.' Elizabeth thought inwardly.

'Is she hoping I'll dance with her?' Jack thought to himself. 'I don't know if this is such a good idea.'

"Jack? What do you think? Would your family like to join us for dinner?" Elizabeth asked hopefully, fearing that she may have been too bold.

"I'll talk to my parents. I don't think my ma would mind. I'm not sure if my pa will be free, but I'll ask."

Jack bowed his head slightly and lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it softly. He turned to walk home.

'Jack? What have you gotten yourself into?' He thought to himself as he looked forward to the night's dinner party.

Elizabeth watched him turn the corner and then sighed as she thought about what could happen that evening at the dinner party. Surely, her father would not mind hosting the family who's son had rescued her from a bully.

Surely not!

Author's Note: I hope you liked Chapter 8. The next chapter is the dinner party!