Jack led Elizabeth to a grove of trees. "Elizabeth, I have something to discuss with you."
Elizabeth followed him. "Oh no, the last time you said that it wasn't good. Please tell me you aren't leaving Coal Valley again."
"Ahh, no, I'm not leaving. Here, let's sit here on this log for a minute," Jack brushed off the log for Elizabeth. "I don't want to talk about anything bad or sad. I'd like to talk about you and me. I was wondering what you may see for us in a year or two." Jack swallowed and looked at her hesitantly.
Elizabeth's eyes widened, this was not what she expected him to say, "Well….I…" She took a deep breath and looked at him, "I hope we're happy here in Coal Valley of course."
Jack smiled, glad she didn't change the subject as she had done in the past when their conversations got personal, "Elizabeth, I want you to know that we will be happy here in Coal Valley and I am not going to let anything or anyone stand in our way."
Elizabeth wondered at his choice of words, "Why are you bringing this up now Jack?" She frowned, "You don't have another fiancé coming to town do you?"
"No, of course not," his forehead creased, "I am so sorry you had to go through that and I want you to know, now that she is gone, we never have to bring her up again."
"Thank you for saying that Jack," she put her hand on his.
Jack sighed and shook his head, "I didn't want this to be a conversation about her. I want to discuss you and me….our relationship and where we're headed. Our future," he looked into her eyes.
Elizabeth leaned in, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought her up. I didn't mean to upset you."
The nearness of her melted his heart, "You can make it up to me," his voice was soft.
"I can? How?" she looked into his eyes.
"I think we can think of a way together," he smiled, his eyes twinkled.
"What way did you have in mind?" She moved closer.
They were nose to nose until Elizabeth made the move and touched his lips with hers. To her delight Jack made a soft sound and leaned in to deepen the kiss. Jack felt the tingle he now was accustomed to feeling whenever they kissed. He was grateful Elizabeth finally knew his feelings for her and that her response was everything he hoped it would be. Sometimes at night he had to laugh thinking about when they first met, how he wanted to be far away from her and now he wanted to spend every minute he could with her.
Jack smiled, "Hmm, what were we saying? Oh, yes, so where do you see us?"
Elizabeth bit her bottom lip, "Hmmm, I see a big white house and lots of children running around…" she moved her hands descriptively, "and a big garden that we tend and a pond where we all go fishing. We all go to the city whenever we can..."
"Hold on. How many children?" Jack froze in place, his eyes wide.
Elizabeth stopped, "Ten, at least."
"Ten? Really?!" Jack sat up straight.
Elizabeth smiled, "Jack, don't you want children?"
Jack stood up, "Well, yes, but ten children are about 7 or 8 more than I was thinking of."
Elizabeth's teasing smile faded, she never imagined that he would have given thought to them having children. "Jack, you've thought about us having children?"
He sat next to her again, "Sure. I've thought about that, haven't you?"
"I've thought of the future…I guess I really didn't think about children." She was surprised and curious, "tell me what else you're thinking about Jack."
"Okay," he had a nervous laugh and rubbed his palms on his thighs, "for instance, I've thought about a place for us to live."
Elizabeth was surprised, "You have? Where, in the jail?"
"No. We'd have to build something," Jack replied.
"Do you know how to do that?"
"No. I guess I'll have to think about this some more," Jack said.
Elizabeth was amused, "I think we have time to think about it, don't you?"
"Well not that much time, if you want ten kids!" Jack laughed softly.
They sat in silence for a moment. Elizabeth's head was now swirling with thoughts of their future.
Jack stood, "Maybe it's time to head back, it will be dark soon." He put his hand out.
"Yes, I suppose we should." She took a step and her shoe caught on a branch. Jack put his arm out and prevented her from falling.
"Oh, sorry," Elizabeth regained her balance.
Jack did not release her, "Why don't we dance here in the twilight among the trees." He put his hand on her waist and started to gently sway.
Elizabeth followed his lead, giggling softly at their unique dance floor.
"Who needs music?" Jack pulled her a little closer, watching her expression.
"Reminds me of our dinner, only I feel less nervous," she smiled at him.
"Me too," Jack moved his hand up her back, "In fact, I'd like to do something I didn't have the nerve to do that night."
"What's that?" Elizabeth asked.
"I think you know," his eyebrow raised waiting for her response.
She bit her lip, "Yes, I think I do." She stopped dancing and waited, looking into his eyes.
Jack leaned in and softly kissed her lips, gently pulling her close. Elizabeth responded, her hands on his arms, not wanting the kiss to end.
Jack ran his hand down her arm. "Even though I didn't have the courage to kiss you that night, I wouldn't change a thing about our dinner."
"It was perfect," Elizabeth nodded in response as she took his hand.
They walked slowly back to town, hand in hand.
When they arrived at the café, Jack took both Elizabeth's hands, "I hope we can continue to talk about the future."
"I do too, even though it does make me nervous," Elizabeth responded.
"There's nothing to be nervous about," Jack moved closer, "I enjoy it."
"I can see that," she smiled, "now you will have me thinking about things."
"Good, I think we should be talking about our future," he leaned in and kissed her as he held her hand. Elizabeth put her hand on his neck and spread her fingers against his cheek. Jack loved her touch, always gentle but revealing her feelings. He could stay like this all night, but he did step back.
"Elizabeth…" Jack's voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes looking into hers.
"Hold me Jack."
Jack felt his heart surge as he wrapped his arms around her, "Elizabeth, remember when I told you that you could come to with any care, no matter how small. That includes talking to me about any care too, whatever is on your mind." He smiled softly.
"I remember Jack."
Looking at her blue eyes, her soft smile, "Elizabeth, you're so beautiful."
Elizabeth blushed and cast her eyes down, "Thank you," she looked up into Jack's eyes, "I guess I owe that to my parents." She laughed softly.
"I'm sure you were a beautiful baby, but you're being a beautiful woman is all your own doing."
She caught her breath and felt her heart flutter at his words. "Jack…..." She didn't know what to say.
Jack stepped back, took her hand and kissed it, "Good night Elizabeth."
She smiled, "Good night."
Inside, Elizabeth leaned back on the door with a deep sigh. Abigail was coming down the stairs, "Elizabeth, are you okay?" She knew her friend was hopelessly in love.
"I'm wonderful. We had the most romantic walk. Every time I think it just can't get better, somehow it does." She sighed again and leaned her head back on the door.
"Aww, with all this romance I think you two better make plans for the future."
Elizabeth's eyes widened, "We actually did talk about the future!"
"Good, I know it's something the two of you would want to plan out."
"We have different ideas on things," Elizabeth replied thinking of her conversation with Jack.
"Of course you will, that's natural. The two of you will learn what you like and don't like and how to compromise. That's all part of courting," Abigail said. "It's the natural next step."
Elizabeth laughed, "That natural next step is frightening."
The two friends went up the stairs, "Count your blessings and sleep well Elizabeth," Abigail touched her arm.
"I'm sure I'll have nice dreams," Elizabeth smiled.
At the jail, Jack stood on the porch thinking of the lovely evening he shared with Elizabeth. They spoke of the future, which pleased him, but he couldn't help thinking of the sweet kisses they shared. He ran his tongue along his bottom lip, thinking of her teasing him about children. He opened the door and went inside the jail, anxious to sleep and dream. Courting was wonderful with Elizabeth, he'd never been so happy.
Inside the jail, Jack saw Bill Avery sitting on the edge of his bed, hands on his head.
"Bill, what's wrong?" Jack said.