Chapter 17: Hot Days, Cool Nights

The next few days, Jack kept his distance from Elizabeth, and from the café, in order not to run into Elizabeth inadvertently. Jack took long rides in the countryside after his rounds, trying to clear his mind and think about his situation.

Jack recognized that, if Elizabeth were truly a stranger to him, he would never have been so forward with her, or so flirtatious. Even though Jack couldn't recall specific memories of his initial friendship and courtship with Elizabeth, he was clearly comfortable with her in a way he wouldn't have been if he had just met her a few weeks ago.

Jack realized that, on some level, he did remember Elizabeth, and for that matter, Abigail and Lee, and Hope Valley in general. He felt at ease in Hope Valley, and happy (when he was not arguing with Elizabeth!).

Jack knew, too, that he desired Elizabeth – strongly - on a physical level; his memories may be lagging, but his body was giving him away. Visions of warm lips, soft skin, and gentle perfume bedeviled him at night, in his dreams, leaving him restless and frustrated in the mornings.

But love? Marriage? The mere thought of such things made Jack want to leave town immediately, even before receiving his new orders. He had been burned once by Rosemary, and had his world unmoored by the loss of his memories - Jack still felt so uncertain about where he stood in life. If he couldn't remember where he was a year ago, or simple things like people's names, how could he consider taking on greater responsibilities like being a good husband, or a good father? No, he was in no condition to make any serious commitments other than to his Mountie unit at this point.

Jack figured that seeing Charles in town courting Elizabeth again must have revved up his competitive juices; but that was no basis for continuing to seek out Elizabeth's attentions when Jack was determined to give her up, and give up all women for the time being.

Jack turned his horse around, and started back for town. Jack had made up his mind (again) – the sooner he left Hope Valley, the better for everyone. Now he just had to make it through the time it would take to receive a response from his commander without continually running into Elizabeth – how difficult could that be?

Jack's determination to keep his distance from Elizabeth was undermined upon his arrival back in town, when he received word that a package had arrived for him at the mercantile. Jack went to pick it up, guessing that it was the plaque for the dedication of the gazebo. Now how was he going to safely ignore Elizabeth, when he had to deliver the plaque into her very hands?

Abigail had noticed Jack's absence from the café earlier that week, and innocently asked Elizabeth about it one afternoon, while Elizabeth was grading her students' final papers before the last day of school. "I haven't seen Jack in the café lately – is everything okay?" Abigail inquired, while sweeping near Elizabeth's table in the café.

Elizabeth barely raised her head as she responded coolly, "I hadn't noticed. I'm just fine - you'd need to ask the Constable about his whereabouts, I'm sure I don't know." Abigail slowly removed herself from Elizabeth's presence, whistling through her teeth and thinking to herself, "Whoo boy, I wonder what's happened now . . . ."

Later that evening, Abigail saw Jack standing on the café porch, peeking in the window. Abigail opened the door and stuck her head out. "Jack, are you okay? Did you want to come in? We're still open if you'd like some dessert."

Jack took a few tentative steps towards the door, then held his package out to Abigail. "Uh, Abigail, this is for Elizabeth, could you give it to her?" Abigail put her hand on her hip and looked at Jack skeptically. "Really, Jack? I think you can do it yourself, she's sitting in the parlor." Jack's shoulders sank and he looked around the porch for some means of escape. Abigail opened the door wider and motioned to Jack to walk inside. Jack pursed his lips at Abigail and walked through the threshold.

Jack took a deep breath and strode into the parlor. "Elizabeth, good evening. I am here to deliver a package to you. The dedication plaque for the gazebo arrived today." Jack held his breath as he held out the package to Elizabeth, who looked up from the table she was working at.

Elizabeth, hearing Jack's voice, at first felt anger, but then seeing the package, ran over excitedly to open it. "That's wonderful. I can't wait to see it!"

Jack breathed out again – relieved that Elizabeth was even talking to him!

Elizabeth quickly tore open the brown wrapping paper, and pulled out the wooden and bronze plaque. "Oh, Jack . . . it looks . . . exactly like your design." Elizabeth stood staring at the plaque, then turned it around to show Jack. Jack walked over and examined the plaque. "Hmm . . . yes, they did a good job. I hope you like it." Elizabeth looked up at Jack and said warmly, "I do, it's wonderful. Thank you, Jack. For all your help." Elizabeth smiled at Jack gratefully.

Jack nodded, then turned to leave. Elizabeth called out, "Jack, I know we've had our differences lately." Jack turned around, surprised that Elizabeth was still willing to converse with him. Elizabeth continued, "I know you're leaving Hope Valley soon, and I'm leaving soon. I want us to part as friends – do you think we could do that?"

Jack smiled ruefully and replied, "Friends . . . of course. I . . . I . . . ." Jack couldn't get out his words, and didn't exactly know what he wanted to say anyway. "Good luck to you, Elizabeth" Jack said finally. Elizabeth nodded and replied, "Good luck to you too."

Jack left the room, and exhaled as he exited the café. "That wasn't too bad," Jack thought to himself as he crossed the road back towards the jail. "Not bad at all," Jack said under his breath, his steps slowing as he reached his porch. Jack looked at Rip, lying on the porch, snoring. "Hmmm," Jack thought to himself, turning around to look at the café again. Then Jack turned to look at Rip again. Jack sighed, then headed over to the saloon. "I think I need a drink tonight," Jack thought to himself, not wanting to spend another night by himself at the jail, alone with his own, agitated thoughts.