"Tom, thank you for setting up that bath and shave for me, I feel like a new man," Jack wiped his hands on the towel and put it on the back of the chair. With Dr. LeClaire nowhere to be seen, he took the opportunity to inquire about him. "Tom, tell me what you think about this doctor?"
"Well, he seems a bit arrogant. He told me he wants to get settled somewhere, he's been doing a lot of traveling and getting tired of it. He must be a good doctor, you seem to be better." Tom replied. "Do you think something's wrong with him?" He noticed Jack's concerned look.
"No, not something wrong with him, but he does seem a bit arrogant, I think you're right about that." Jack mumbled a bit, "he seems a bit too interested in Miss Thatcher…"
Tom cleared his throat, "Yes, I wasn't sure if I should mention that, he did seem to be flirting a bit with her, and….."
"And what? What else?" Jack walked toward Tom.
"He did ask me about her," Tom put his hands up defensively, "I didn't give him any information. I told him I didn't know about her personal life, it's not my business."
Jack nodded, "I see… and where is he now?"
"I don't know." Tom walked to the stove.
Elizabeth looked around the empty saloon room, everyone was either well enough to go home or at least go home to finish their recovery. She heard Rip barking outside and went to check on him, thinking Jack was outside with the dog.
"Miss Thatcher," Dr. LeClaire was leaning on a post on the porch, "nice to see you getting some air."
"Is the Constable out here?" Elizabeth stayed near the closed door and noticed Rip lying on the porch.
"I think Mr. Travois set up a bath for him, he must be in that back room," he walked closer to Elizabeth, "I would like you to accompany me on a buggy ride later."
"No thank you," she didn't look at him.
"Well, I don't see a ring on your finger, so unless I am mistaken that means you are a free woman and I am a free man." He took one step back as if he were displaying goods for her review.
Elizabeth wasn't buying; she took a deep breath, "Dr. LeClaire…"
Inside, Jack thought he heard Dr. LeClaire and Elizabeth's voices and he stopped and listened through the door.
Elizabeth exhaled, "Dr. LeClaire, I may not have a ring on my finger, but I can assure you I am spoken for and, not that it's any of your business, but I have a man in my life who has the highest moral character… who is a true gentleman, isn't pushy and makes me feel safe and strong and cared for."
"Miss Thatcher, I am a gentleman and we both share a professional life…"
"That isn't what's important," she was angry at his assumption, "the important things include the way a person makes you feel by the care and love they give you. The right person. It takes time and trust…." She looked away, "Why am I am even telling you this..." she reached for the doorknob.
Dr. LeClaire reached for her arm, "Don't go back inside yet."
"Please don't touch me," she pulled her arm away from him.
The door flew open and Jack took one step, "Get your hands off her Doctor LeClaire. Now go inside and get your things, you're medical services are no longer needed in Coal Valley." Jack put his arm up to protect Elizabeth, "Please go inside." Elizabeth moved just inside the doorway.
"Look Constable, who do you think you are, the lady and I are talking," Dr. LeClaire tried to get past Jack to Elizabeth.
This angered Jack and he grabbed the doctor by the collar, "The lady is not interested in talking to you and I won't tell you again to get your things, you're leaving town."
The doctor pushed Jack and spoke close to his face, "You're still feeling a bit weak Constable, best not put your hands on me."
The doctor's words angered Jack and he grabbed the doctor's shirt and pushed him against the wall, "There's nothing weak about me, LeClaire."
The doctor swung at Jack and Jack maneuvered quickly avoiding the punch. Jack took hold of the doctor's arm, twisted him around against the wall again. Not being in uniform, he did not have his handcuffs with him, he yanked the doctor back, "We're going to the jail, and you'll be the one resting there." As he pushed him to step off the porch the doctor swung around and the two men began throwing punches.
Elizabeth moved along the porch wall, "Jack!" She ran toward the café to get Bill Avery.
"Bill! Please come outside, Jack and the doctor are fighting in the street!" Elizabeth was frantic.
Bill grabbed his gun and handcuffs from the chair near the door, "Stay inside," he told Abigail and Elizabeth.
Abigail took Elizabeth's arm, "What happened?"
"Dr. LeClaire grabbed my arm, Jack told him to stop," Elizabeth felt like she couldn't breathe, "Then they started fighting…"
Bill came upon Jack holding the doctor on the ground, gripping his hands behind his back. Bill tossed the handcuffs to Jack, "Here you go Jack."
"Thanks," Jack pulled the now handcuffed doctor to his feet, "Let's go see how you like the jail."
From the café doorway the ladies watched Jack and Bill take Dr. LeClaire to the jail.
Abigail turned, "Let's have some tea." Realizing she had to try to calm Elizabeth down.
"Do you think they're okay?" Elizabeth was still staring out the doorway.
"They're fine, now come help me make tea and tell me what happened."
Elizabeth stepped away and sat at the table, "I was looking for Jack and found the doctor instead. I made the mistake of talking to him. I said things I shouldn't have." She shook her head.
"Apparently the doctor said things he shouldn't have," Abigail said. "I'm glad Jack took care of him."
"So am I." She gasped a bit, "I told that doctor I have someone in my life who is a gentleman, who is kind and caring…." Elizabeth started to sob.
Abigail rushed to her side, "its okay, it's over now. Jack is fine and you're fine. Jack has locked that doctor up and I'm sure he'll be on the next stage out of here."
"Poor Jack, he is barely feeling better and this happens," she took a deep breath, "Abigail, I have to tell Jack how I feel about him, I don't want to wait any longer."
Abigail put her arm around Elizabeth's shoulder, "You will, you'll have that chance."
The tap on the door startled both women. Abigail got up and opened the door. "I'm glad to see both of you."
Jack walked right to Elizabeth and she threw her arms around him. "Jack, are you okay?"
Jack held her tight, "Never better."
Bill smiled at Abigail and to his delight, she put her arms out and he stepped right into her warm embrace.
Jack took Elizabeth into the dining room for privacy and pulled her close, "It feels so good to hold you again."
"Jack," she sighed and they shared several sweet kisses.
Over the next few days, everyone in town helped put the saloon back in shape by cleaning every inch of every surface. They had a small celebration one evening, where Jack and Elizabeth and Abigail and Bill relaxed and even joked about the chili and cornbread meal.
Jack and Elizabeth walked back to the café. "I think tomorrow evening we need to get our walks back on schedule," Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand.
"I was thinking the same thing," she glanced at him.
"So, it's a date?" Jack returned her playful glance.
"Hmm, yes it is," she put her hand at his elbow. "We need to celebrate you're feeling better."
"Okay." He stopped at the door and pulled her into his arms, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I can't wait," she smiled. They kissed good night, several times.
The next afternoon, Jack was getting ready for his date when Bill came into the jail. "You're even wearing a tie?" he commented to Jack.
Jack stopped, "Is it too much?
Bill laughed, "No, not at all. Very admirable that you want to look your best for the woman you….for Elizabeth." He smiled.
Jack tried to hide his smile…."Okay, I'm off."
"Have a wonderful evening." Bill gave Jack a wink.
At the café, Elizabeth came down the stairs. Abigail smiled, "You look lovely Elizabeth."
Elizabeth smoothed the skirt of her pink dress, "Thank you."
Abigail couldn't help notice how nervous Elizabeth seemed, "Relax, you're going to have a wonderful evening with Jack."
Elizabeth cast her gaze down, "When Jack was sick I promised myself I would tell him how I really felt, something that I've never put into words. I hope to change that tonight."
Abigail sighed, "Well, he'll be very pleased," she hugged Elizabeth, "and it's about time!'
Both ladies laughed softly, until there was a knock on the door.