"Jack, walk me back to the café please," Elizabeth needed to leave the saloon and spend time with Jack.

"Okay," Jack took her arm, "do we have time to take a little walk, I sure could use it."

She let him step ahead and then she took his arm, "I thought you would be tired, but a walk does sound good. Some fresh air…." They walked in silence until they reached their grove of trees.

"Elizabeth," Jack said softly, "I really need a little ear time, that's why I wanted to take a walk."

"What?" she asked softly as they stood facing each other.

He took her hands in his, "You know, ear time, I've missed that."

"Ear time? Listening? Is that what you mean?" She didn't understand.

"No," he leaned closer.

"What then?" She laughed softly.

"Elizabeth," he whispered in her ear, "don't tell me you've forgotten what our ear time is." He touched his lips to her ear.

"Oh….," she rolled her head slightly.

Jack put his hand on the side of her head to keep her close, "please tell me you didn't forget."

"No, of course not," Elizabeth felt like she couldn't breathe for a moment, "you make it unforgettable."

Jack reached down and picked tiny white flowers. "It's nice to see a beautiful sign of life isn't it?" He weaved a stem into her hair.

Elizabeth stood perfectly still, "Yes, very beautiful," she stared up into his eyes.

Jack smiled, "I wish I had a garden to grow flowers."

"Maybe someday you will," she was mesmerized.

"Do you garden?" he weaved another flower into her hair.

"No."

Jack laughed, "Sorry, I had to ask."

Elizabeth pouted, "Jack, you asked me that on purpose!"

When she stepped back, Jack pulled her close, "No, I didn't. I just thought living in the city maybe you had a flower garden…" his shoulders raised, "I thought that might be something city ladies do."

"Well I'm not a city lady anymore, am I?"

"No, you aren't. I think one day you'll have a garden with flowers and vegetables too. Until you kill it all," Jack teased.

"Jack! You're so mean!" She playfully hit his arm and laughed.

He pulled her close, "I love when you make that little snort sound when you laugh."

"What? I don't snort. Ladies don't snort." She wiggled in his hold.

"Yes you do, it's charming. Do it again."

She sighed, "Enough. I think we should go back to town." She turned away from him.

"No wait, I'm sorry. Come here," He tugged on her sleeve and she turned and went to him. Jack kissed her gently and Elizabeth put her hands to his face and he melted against her. He made a soft sound as she pressed against him.

Elizabeth smiled, "I like that sound."

"What sound?" He looked into her eyes still thinking of the amazing kiss they just shared.

"That sound you make when I kiss you, very charming." She smiled, turned away and put her hand out for him to grasp.

When they arrived at the café, they stood on the porch for several minutes.

"Jack, you need your rest, I better go in now." She touched his arm.

"You're right," he replied, "I hope you sleep well." He gently removed a flower from her hair.

"You too," her eyes fluttered at the nearness of him.

"Hmm, I will, I am tired," he removed another flower and stepped to the side to look. "I'll leave one for you. Is that okay?" His eyes narrowed and his lips turned up in a shy smile.

Elizabeth could only nod. Jack put the flowers into his jacket pocket, "Something to remember, a keepsake of you," he patted the pocket. He then embraced her and they kissed good night.

Upstairs, Elizabeth looked in the mirror at the flower entwined in her hair, "Jack Thornton you are the most romantic man on the planet." She removed the flower and laid it on her dressing table.

The next morning, activity was busy in the saloon, although the doctor felt the worst was behind them, "Things are definitely improving and just in time too, the medicine supply is dwindling."

Abigail, "We can get more can't we?"

"Yes, I've wired for some, should be here today or tomorrow." The doctor replied.

When Jack arrived at the mine, he found it difficult to concentrate; his thoughts were on Elizabeth and their romantic walk the evening before. He was ready for all the illness to be gone and resume their walks every evening. He was ready to share his feelings with her, even though he was nervous. "Come on Thornton, it's time to tell Elizabeth how you feel." He shook his head and entered Gowan's empty office, sat down and enjoyed the quiet time. Within minutes he dozed off.

At the saloon, after Abigail passed around bowls of soup, she took two bowls to the table for Elizabeth and her, "More and more men are able to sit up and have soup, that's a good sign. Before you know it, everything will be back to normal and once Bill returns from Cooperton with the medicine, things will be better even sooner."

"It was nice of Bill to volunteer to go." Elizabeth kept looking at the door, "Jack said he would be here for lunch."

"It's a little early yet, if he said he'll be here, he will be," Abigail said.

"Yes, I hope so." Elizabeth responded. "We had such a nice walk last night, but I know he is tired."

"We're all tired….but I know Jack would never be too tired to spend time with you." Abigail said. "If he said he'd be here, he will be. He keeps his word."

Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, he does." She looked at Abigail and they both smiled.

The ladies cleaned the dishes and began making tea when the saloon door burst open.

"Mr. Gowan, what happened?" Abigail rushed to the door.

Elizabeth was right behind him, "Jack!" She rushed to Jack who was barely standing, leaning on Gowan. "Is there a place he can lie down?" Gowan asked, helping Jack to stand. "I found him like this in my office."

"I'm fine, just a little tired, that's all." Jack said, trying to stand on his own, holding a hand over his stomach. "I am a little thirsty."

Elizabeth was at his side, holding his arm, "Jack, what happened? You should have told me you were sick." She helped him to an empty cot against the wall. "Jack sit down, I'll get you some water." Tom was right there with a pitcher of water and glass.

The doctor checked his eyes, touched his neck and forehead, "He's burning up, bloodshot eyes. Quick, let's get him comfortable and I'll get some medicine for him."

Elizabeth panicked, "Is it influenza?"

"Afraid so." The doctor replied.

"Abigail…" Elizabeth's voice was shaky.

Abigail took charge, "Elizabeth, get a pan with fresh water and a few towels, we have to cool him. You can apply cool clothes to his face." Tom helped by removing Jack's boots and jacket.

Jack protested, "I'm okay."

"No you're not." Elizabeth said, trying to hide the tears welling in her eyes.

"I got to the mine and felt a little warm, that's all."

The doctor, stethoscope in hand, "remove your shirt, let me listen."

Jack pulled his shirt over his head, leaving his undershirt on; he unbuttoned the top few buttons. The doctor listened at his back, "Have you been coughing?"

"A little," Jack said, "I'm thirsty….I'm okay. I was fine yesterday, it's just a cold."

Elizabeth handed him a glass of water.

"Thank you," Jack replied, seeing her worried expression, "I'll be fine."

"Yes, you will be. I'll make sure of it," she said confidently. She took the empty glass from him, "Now lie down, I'm going to take care of you."

Elizabeth patted a wet clothe against Jack's forehead. "Thank you, that feels good," Jack smiled.

The doctor handed Elizabeth a cup with medicine, "Make sure he drinks all of this. I'll be checking on the families in the row houses, but I'll be back."

"Jack, sit up a bit, you need to drink this."

"I'll be okay, really," he smiled slightly.

"Shhh, you need to rest. Try to take a nap," she said softly.

"Hmmm, I just might do that." He closed his eyes and reached for her hand.

Elizabeth swallowed as she took his hand.

Several hours later, Abigail touched Elizabeth's shoulder, "Go have something to eat, I'll sit with Jack."

"No, I'm fine." She gently swabbed the cool clothe against his forehead. Jack moaned slightly. "I want to take care of him."

Abigail nodded, knowing Elizabeth wouldn't leave Jack's side. "I'll bring you both some fresh water."

Jack began to cough and tried to sit up. Elizabeth tried to help him taking the glass of water from Abigail, "Here, take some water Jack."

Jack continued coughing, his hand up, refusing the water.

"He's shivering. Abigail help, what does that mean?" Elizabeth was trying to hold Jack's shoulders.

"It means we get the doctor back here right away," Abigail said and she headed for the door.

"Please hurry!" Elizabeth yelled frantically.