Chapter Four

"Bill, what's wrong?" Jack asked.

"Headache…must be from watching Gowan too much," he tried to make light of it.

"Can I get you anything?" Jack offered.

"No, I think some sleep is what I need," Bill reclined on the bed, "thanks Jack."

Jack went to his own bunk, anxious to dream of Elizabeth.

Several hours later, Jack awoke to Bill's coughing. Jack got some water for his friend, "Bill, here, maybe this will help."

"Thanks, sorry to wake you," he sipped the water, "this headache won't quit."

"Bill, you've been coughing a lot, maybe it's more than a headache."

"Ah, I'm tired, that's all." Bill replied and rolled over.

Later that morning, Jack went to the café, "Abigail, would you please bring some hot soup over to the jail for Bill? He's feeling a bit poorly and I am sure he would appreciate it."

"Certainly Jack, I'll prepare something for him right now," Abigail replied.

After the morning rush at the café, Abigail headed to the jail with her pot of soup, her concern rising for Bill.

Bill looked up, "What a nice surprise," he was seated at the desk, looking fatigued.

"I brought you some hot soup, I hope you like it." Abigail didn't want to let on that Jack informed her of Bill not feeling well.

"You're an angel Abigail. My throat is feeling a bit sore today."

"Words with Mr. Gowan scratching at your throat maybe?" She tried to make light of Bill's condition and put a cup of soup in front of him.

He reached his hand to hers, "Thank you."

Abigail's smile faded, "Bill, you feel very warm."

"I'll be fine," Bill insisted, putting his handkerchief to his mouth as he coughed.

"I think it would be good for you to see the doctor," Abigail was concerned.

"No, really I'm fine."

"I'll be right back," Abigail rushed out.

Elizabeth saw Abigail rushing past, "Abigail, what is it?" She hurried to catch up with her.

Abigail expressed her concern for Bill and then swept into the doctor's office and convinced him to pay Bill a visit at the jail. She and Elizabeth returned to the café, awaiting news. Jack came in several minutes later, "Ladies…I just left the jail and the doctor has recommended Bill stay in bed and rest. Probably just a cold, but Bill wanted me to let you know."

"Oh no, poor Bill," Elizabeth responded.

"I don't think he'll stay put, he wanted to go to the mine with me," Jack shook his head.

"Please do what you can to persuade him to stay put," Abigail asked.

"I've noticed a few of the children coughing a bit more than normal lately," Elizabeth crossed her arms.

"Doc said he has seen several cases of coughs this past week, but hopefully it will pass soon and Bill will be up and around. I'm sure your hot soup will make him feel better." Jack nodded, "Well, I have work to do, ladies."

Elizabeth followed Jack out the door, "Jack, please take care of yourself."

Jack was touched by her concern, "I will," he moved closer to Elizabeth, "would you like to take another walk with me later?"

Elizabeth tried to stop herself from smiling and bit her lip, "I would love to. Will I see you after school?"

Jack smiled, "I'll see you then." Jack stopped at the jail to check on Bill and then headed to the mine, where activity seemed normal. He went into the office to speak with Gowan.

"Mr. Gowan, have you had any miners complain about feeling ill?"

"No more than normal Mr. Thornton, although in this line of work people falling ill isn't unusual," Gowan pressed back in his desk chair.

"I understand. Just let me know if you see a rise in illness. The last thing this town needs is a rash of poor health among the citizens." Jack put his hat on and headed to the door.

"We have a company doctor, Constable." Gowan stood.

"I am aware of that, but I don't want to make him any busier than necessary, do you?" Jack nodded and left.

Elizabeth was wiping the chalkboard when Jack entered the saloon.

"Good afternoon," Jack greeted her.

"Jack," she quickly moved the chalkboard, "Gabe, James and Rachel were home sick today. Seems the doctor was right, something is going around."

"Certainly is," Jack was concerned, "I checked on Bill when I came back from the mine, he is tired and still coughing, but at least he is resting."

"Hopefully Abigail's soup will make him better," Elizabeth tried to be positive and lift Jack's obvious troubled mood.

"If it doesn't at least her visits will make him feel better." Jack put his hand out, "ready to take a walk and get some fresh air?"

"Yes, definitely," she took his hand and they left the saloon.

"How were things at the mine?" Elizabeth asked.

"Seemed okay. Gowan didn't indicate anyone was ill up there, not with a cold anyway." Jack didn't want to use his time with Elizabeth talking about Gowan or illness, so he changed the subject. "I hope you've thought about what we've talked about, our future." As they approached their spot in the grove of trees, Jack stopped.

"I've thought about it and I've decided you were right," she smiled at Jack, "ten children are a few too many."

Jack laughed, "Well the only thing about ten children would mean we would have to start right away."

Elizabeth blushed, "Oh….."

Realizing what he implied, Jack quickly said, "We'd have to get married first…or soon..and …well…we aren't…I mean…"

"Jack," Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, "I don't think we are ready to have children now. You're putting things out of order aren't you?"

Jack was flustered, "Yes, I am..I mean our talk is …..well.." He looked at her, "What kind of house would you like?" He wanted to change the subject.

Elizabeth laughed, "Jack, can we dance again?"

"You liked that?" Jack stood up and took a few steps, embarrassed by his blundering implications.

Elizabeth shook her head and walked to him. She put her hand on his back, "Jack turn around, look at me."

"I'm sorry Elizabeth," he turned and looked at he sincerely, "I didn't mean…."

She put her hands up in the position for dancing and Jack stepped right in and pulled her close. They swayed to their imaginary music for several minutes.

"Elizabeth, I could stay here for…"

"Ever?" she interrupted him. She stepped back and looked into his eyes.

He froze, "Yes, forever. Right here, in your arms."

"You're the only one I want to dance with Jack," she replied and lay her head on his shoulder.

"I hope so. The thought of you dancing with anyone else, well I don't even like to think of it."

"You mean Billy Hamilton? I'm so glad you took care of him."

"If I didn't, well who knows what would have happened."

Elizabeth stopped dancing, "You aren't saying I would have continued spending time with him are you?"

"No, I'm not saying that," Jack looked at her, "I didn't want you to be hurt by him." He pulled her close and resumed dancing, "the thought of him touching you…"

"Jack, he did not touch me!" Elizabeth straightened and dropped her arms to her side.

"Dancing! I meant when you were dancing." Jack held her arms.

"Maybe we should go back now Jack." Elizabeth stepped away.

Jack was stunned by her response, "Elizabeth, please…" Jack took her hand. "I'm sorry. Please understand what I meant, I've always wanted to protect you. You know that. When I think of times you may have been hurt, well, it makes me want to protect you all the more. I care about you Elizabeth." He took a step closer to her and lowered his voice, "I don't want another man laying a hand on you, especially in a romantic way."

Elizabeth softened and was moved by his words, knowing he meant that he wanted to be the man to protect her, "Jack, you're the only man I want to be with." She reached for his hands, "Like you said, you're the one, the only one." She brushed her lips against his.

Jack pulled her close and held her tight, feeling overcome with emotion for her.

"I'm so happy I had the sense to come around and tell you how I felt…show you how I felt," Jack looked down.

"I'm glad you had the sense too," she gently shook his hands, "I was waiting for you to express interest, I knew you would."

"You did?" Jack smiled, "You kept pushing me away!"

"You kept saying you wanted to be friends," she replied. "You always said you were speaking to me as a friend." Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him.

"Well, I'm a Mountie, maybe that's why I said it that way, but that isn't what I was thinking."

"Jack Thornton, don't you dare hide behind that red serge jacket and that silly hat. You did not want to pursue a relationship."

"Silly hat?! Let's see who has the silly hats. Some of yours have feathers and flowers and whatever else you can stick on them."

"That's called fashion. I'll have you know those hats are very expensive." Elizabeth put her hands on her hips.

"Really?" Jack tried not to laugh. "Elizabeth…."

Elizabeth looked away and couldn't contain her laughter, she rushed into his arms.

"All I know is wearing a hat makes it harder to kiss you," and he pressed his lips to hers.