Disclaimer – Nothing, I own. – This chapter is a bit of a different style but I was having trouble with Jack and Elizabeth being apart so I thought I'd try something different.
My Jack,
I know that you've only been gone one night but it is one night too many. Even though I could not be more proud of the man that you are, I'll admit the thought of living a life with you where we may be parted for long amounts of time saddens me. I'm sure it will be easier with time, right now all I can do is feel sorry for myself and miss you so that's what I'll continue to do.
I received a letter from your mother, she's well and she said she'll be here by the time you get back.
I won't keep you too long from your work but just know that I love you and I miss you and I am quite literally counting the sleeps until I get to see your face again.
Nine days and counting.
Yours,
Elizabeth
…
My Elizabeth,
I won't lie to you, this job is a difficult one and we'll have many more difficult days ahead of us but I have faith in us. I have faith in our love. You should see this town. The people are hard, not nearly as hopeful or community minded as in Hope Valley, but the views, Elizabeth, it is one of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen. I can't tell you how often I wish I had my pastels or paints with me. I'm trying to memorize something new every day so that I can get them onto paper when I get back.
I miss you too, more every day. I especially miss your cooking. I can hear your astonished laughter but it's the truth. The food here is atrocious when I'm with the men it's a man who goes by the name Big Chuck who cooks for us and it's about as good as my mothers. In town it isn't much better the saloon serves four items and each one is worse than the next. Please tell Abigail that I'm desperate for a nice fried steak with her incredible mashed potatoes my stomach is growling angrily just thinking about it.
I have to go now, eight days and counting.
All my love,
Jack
…
Dear Jack,
I can't tell you how happy it made me to hear that you miss my cooking…Abigail said that she'll have whatever you like waiting for you upon your return.
I dreamt of you last night, of us. It was a lovely dream; we were in the house, married, it was early morning and when I woke up you were already out of the bed. I climbed out of our bed and as if I could feel where you were, I made my way down the stair and out the back door. I found you sitting on a rocking chair looking out over our land. It wasn't until I got closer that I saw the bundle wrapped in your arms, a small infant with your eyes and my dark hair. I couldn't tell you if it was a girl or boy because in the dream it just simply didn't matter.
When I woke up this morning I was filled with the greatest sense of longing, and excitement. I am so excited I can hardly wait.
Rip is doing well; Cody comes by every day in an attempt to get him to play. I haven't the heart to tell him that Rip just isn't the kind of dog who's going to go out and fetch a ball.
We received six more letters accepting their invitations to the wedding and three declined. They were all family friends from Hamilton; I'll admit I'm not one bit sorry they can't make it.
Also we received a gift, from a friend of yours…Adam McClary. I haven't opened it yet but I want to. Could you see my smile there, because it's all over my face! I know that I shouldn't admit this but I love presents!
Seven days and counting,
Your Elizabeth
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My dearest Elizabeth,
That dream was like a balm for my soul in this heartless place. I could almost picture that little one and while I completely agree that gender has to importance to me, in my mind's eye it was a little girl. She would be just like you, full of fire and life. It thrills me to think of it.
There isn't much to tell you about here, the job is all I do. We ride we protect the shipment and then we sleep. Shouldn't be too much longer and I can start heading home. Have your heard anything from Tom. I sent him another post but it was returned with a wrong address stamp. I feel worried and at the same time frustrated. He has had so many opportunities to make a positive change, what more can I do?
I love you with all my heart - six days and counting.
Jack
…
Jack
I'm afraid I haven't heard from Tom either, your mother mentioned she was going to try and find him on her way here. Let's be hopeful until she arrives that he will be here with her and this is all a miss-communication.
I have the most wonderful news to share with you. Lee and Rosemary are expecting! It was the funniest thing you would have collapsed in a fit trying to contain your laughter.
Rosemary came bursting into Abigail's one morning, I was complaining for the hundredth time of how much I missed you, she nearly took the door from its hinges as she entered the kitchen. She was going on and on about how she'd never be a famous actress, her dreams were over and hadn't Lee just got exactly what he wanted – a wife and mother at home every day waiting on him hand and foot. Well he was going to be surprised she wasn't giving up all her dreams just because they were going to have a baby. Abigail and I darn near choked on our tea. Abigail jumped from her chair and wrapped Rosemary in the warmest hug; I put my hands over Rosemarys and the three of shared a beautiful moment Jack.
I have to tell you, when Rosemary arrived I wasn't sure I would be able to handle all of her…quirks. I am so thankful she stayed in Hope Valley she brings life every place she walks and it's a remarkable gift and now she and Lee will have the most beautiful gift of all.
She acts put out but like much of Rosemarys behaviour it really is simply an act. She's thrilled to bits and so is Lee. He's walking around town like he's ten feet tall; telling everyone in earshot about the wee one.
I wish you were here to celebrate with us but you'll be back soon.
Five days and counting.
Your Elizabeth
…
Elizabeth,
I received a letter from Lee just after yours. His exuberance leaps from the page and I have to say your letter wasn't any less colorful. I'm thrilled for them and excited to meet that baby it sure is blessed to have Lee and Rosemary for its parents.
How is the wedding planning going? I'm so sorry to have left you with everything I hope it isn't too stressful. There was word of a storm coming in so if you don't hear from me for another day or so please don't worry.
I also have to share a secret. I can't sleep anymore for thinking of that morning at the hotel. The way you wrapped your arms around me, your warm breath spreading out over my back and into my soul. At first it helped me to fall asleep thinking of your warmth next to me, now it keeps me awake. I'm so anxious for our wedding I can hardly stand it.
I love you more than I can say,
Four days and counting.
Your Jack
…
Mr. Thornton,
Your description of our morning together had me blushing up to my ears; you should put a warning at the top of the letter before you write so intimately. I was at school when I read that letter and the children thought I'd become ill. Little Opal even mentioned my color to her mother and the next day I had three pots of soup delivered to my house.
I feel your absence as deeply as you feel mine and I too am having trouble sleeping. It won't be for long now, you'll be home in three days and then it's only five more days to the wedding. We are almost there.
Stay safe during the storm and preferably out of the school teachers home.
Three days and counting.
Your Elizabeth
…
Jack,
You told me not to worry and I am desperately trying to do that but I'm so used to a new letter every other day. I hope the storm isn't too bad. Please be safe and always remember that you have a soon to be wife to come home to and she would be devastated and broken if anything ever happened to you.
Two days and counting
Elizabeth
…
Miss Elizabeth Thatcher, Hope Valley school teacher, you are the only school teacher on the planet that I have any interest in riding out a storm with. I can promise you that with my entire heart. I can also promise that I will always remember to stay as safe as I can, I fully understand how broken you would be because I would be just as broken if anything ever happened to you.
I have some bad news. Please don't be too disheartened but unfortunately the snow has delayed us an additional three days. I promise you I will be there before our wedding I just regret that I'll have to leave you with all of the work on your own.
On a lighter note, I am envious of your soup.
Can you feel the truth in that statement because I can, its rumbling in my stomach and I can't do anything but dream about the food I have waiting for me at home. To be completely honest I don't even dream about you anymore…just pork chops and gravy and all those pots of soup.
Alright…you know that I'm joking right? Sort of, you're smiling right? Feeling bad for me? I lied I do dream of you but you're always in our kitchen cooking me up something delicious.
Your very sorry and very hungry fiancé,
Five days and counting
Jack
…
Jack,
I can't tell you how conflicted your last letter left me. I was instantly relieved and thrilled to see that you were safe. Then I was saddened by the knowledge that we would be apart longer than anticipated. Not because of wedding plans, that's the last thing you need to worry about and it's all being handled we have a family of friends who are an immovable force. They have everything taken care of.
Then you had me laughing uncontrollably. All I can say is that I promise to fulfill your dreams of me in a kitchen the moment you return.
We've been apart nearly ten days already we can handle a few days more.
All my love and patience,
Once again – four days and counting
Your Elizabeth
…
My beautiful, talented, smart Elizabeth
I'm sorry Elizabeth, two more days and I will be home to help with everything, I promise. I miss you so much that I keep seeing you around town. The other day, believe it or not, I actually chased a lady from the bank right to the mercantile because I was sure her brown curls belonged to you. I would have been absolutely furious had you left Hope Valley on your own to visit me, but at the same time the thought of seeing you made my heart race and my stomach flip with excitement.
I love you more than anything,
Three days and counting
Your Mountie,
Jack
…
Dearest Jack,
Everything is going fine here, the wedding plans are moving along smoothly and my sisters have both arrived. You should see Viola, the baby is growing big and she looks about ready to have the little one even though I know that she's months away still. All this talk of babies, Rosemary and Viola and our upcoming wedding, its a blessed time here in Hope Valley.
Julie's wondering if Tom will be in attendance, I told her that we haven't heard from him. Have you heard from him?
I feel for that poor lady, you must have given her quite a fright. Rip is keeping me company in the evenings and to be honest he reminds me so much of you that it's helping with the loneliness. Thankfully there aren't any young men waltzing around in bright red serge.
Two days and counting.
All my love,
Elizabeth
…
Warning – this letter contains intimacy. Do not read at school or in the café or anywhere else that you might be noticed.
Tomorrow I'll be home. Tomorrow I'll hold you in my arms and kiss your lips and breathe in your delicious scent. I'm going to leave at dawn and I'll be home before you even get this letter. But I'll send it anyway and hope that my love reaches you through these words.
One day left.
I love you.
A/N – Next up…wedding day!