When Calls The Hearties
Thank you Hearties for the support of chapter one, and I decided under requests of non facebook users they wanted to read Jack and Elizabeth Journal entries along with the twitter feeds. So chapter 2 is about the inter most thoughts Jack and Elizabeth.
Chapter 2: Call in Writing One's Feelings
Jack Thornton was eager for Elizabeth's School lesson to end so he can confirm. What time he should arrive at Abigail's for dinner. He walking to the saloon until the shop keeper stop him,
"Constable Thornton, your package has come for you."
Jack confused as he did not order anything as told the shop keeper, "I'm sorry but I did not order anything."
Shop keep try to play cool as smirked and inform him, "Well you must have an admirer then, because this is for you, enjoy." Shop keeper handed Jack the package. Before opening the package Jack saw an envelope address to him which of course he doubt it was in Elizabeth's handwriting. Jack did not waste anytime as he open the envelope first, as it was a letter which he read.
Dearest Jack,
I thought it best since you gave me a little piece of you with the drawling, that you do the same, and give you a Journal to what you want draw, write whatever your heart calls you to do so. I think this journal will help be brave enough in expressing your feelings to you and I. Thank you for making my life in Coal Valley a blessing. Enjoy
Your Dearest Elizabeth.
Jack open the the package, and saw the how beautiful the journal was. Jack never though in million years how even more happy he was in this moment and how lucky he was to have Elizabeth in his life. He skim through the journal to see ton of blank pages except for one. Which Jack noticed Elizabeth had written a inscription a bible quote from 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (NIV)
Something just sprang inside of Jack, as he did not longer care whether Elizabeth's lesson was done or not he need to see her thank her for such an amazing gift, he rushed across the street as he was running down townspeople and horses. Jack succeed in not dying by being run down he enter the saloon not having a care in the world who was here or not. He enter the saloon as his sight were on Elizabeth Thatcher on were desk. Elizabeth was writing in her Journal as children were reading. She wrote,
Dear Journal,
As I see the progress taking place on our new church and schoolhouse, I've been reflecting upon my first days in Coal Valley. Some parts are humorous now. But they were not so much when they occurred!
I truly don't remember what I was expecting when I first set foot in Coal Valley. Having not known the way life is in the West I had probably thought up wild ideas that, though not true, were brought to reality by sister's ingenious imagination. Even still, my stagecoach being robbed on day one was not in my itinerary! I still wonder to this day what Abigail saw in me. My first hours and few days in Coal Valley were by no means a testament to my good reputation. I still chuckle when I think about the high-pitched squeal I released upon seeing the mouse in the saloon as I spoke seriously with the ladies of the town.
And then when I first met Jack...His discovery of his purpose in being assigned to Coal Valley did not please him whatsoever! But then I think we both discovered that God had brought us to Coal Valley for a reason. This town was in need of hope. And perhaps we both were and still are an intricate part of delivering new life to a town in need of it most. And the fact that God brought the two of us together is the completion of it all. I do pray that I will be here in Coal Valley for a long time. This is my home. And I hope to be by Jack's side also for a long time to come.
After finishing her entry she unexpected sweep off her, by Jack pick her up hugging in front of the whole class as she notice the class smirking and giggling at them. Elizabeth not used this kind of display of affection establish from she pleaded,
"Constable Jack Thornton, as I am flattered by this display of affection I rather we do it after class."
Jack was lost in his happiness that he didn't the Elizabeth was still the middle of her lesson. So he tamed himself down by putting down Elizabeth back on her feet, as he apologizes,
"Sorry, Ms, Thatcher, and children, forgive for the interruption, I was just... um"
Jack trying to come up with acceptable excuse for children to understand his interruption but he was happy to have Gabe to explain by saying.
"It is okay, Constable Jack, I think we all know you feel about Ms. Thatcher. Were happy for both of you."
Elizabeth and Jack look at each as Elizabeth reply, "Thank you class, and Gabe, now back to your reading as me and Constable Thornton need to have a chat about classroom matters."
Elizabeth took Jack's arm pull back to saloon door, as Jack immediately started to again apologizing,
"Forgive me, Elizabeth I was so happy, I got to eager in expressing my joy."
Elizabeth asked "For what reason may, I ask."
Jack chuckled, "You have already forgotten that, you order this for me." as Jack show her the letter and journal."
Elizabeth sighed, "That incompetent shop keep, he was suppose to give to you."
Jack stunned and concern look on his face "What"
Elizabeth saw the concern and she interacted, "No, I mean the gift is intended for you, it just I wanted to be the one to give it after our dinner tonight, to thank you for the gift you gave me."
"Oh I see" said Jack, "Well, thank you Elizabeth for the gift, and to be honest I happy was given this way, but yes I do that you have given it yourself."
Elizabeth smiled. "Wish so too."
Jack added "Do not worry, though Elizabeth."
"Why?" Elizabeth asked
"Because we have a lot more occasions to give gifts." Jack smiles
Elizabeth smiled as she agreed, "You are right, so there is anything else Constable before return to my class."
"Yes, there is one more thing, What time should I arrive at Abilgail's tonight?"
Elizabeth told him, "Does 7 work?"
Jack leaning whisper in her ear, as the children were watching every moment rather read, as they kept quiet to hear him whisper, " 7 is perfect my sweet Elizabeth as I cannot wait, I am most grateful for the gift." he leans back up before he leave Jack gives Elizabeth a kiss on the cheek. The class could contain their emotion as they could not but singing in unison.
"Jack and Elizabeth seating a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g first come loves then comes marriage, there is little Jack in baby carriage."
Elizabeth says, "Enough, back to your reading." then looks at Jack to tell him, "You better go."
Jack tips his hat, and like the gentleman he is, leaves Elizabeth to finish her lesson.
Jack returns to jail, put his new journal on the table, takes a sit on his desk looks at the journal for minutes, as he his dog Rip trots over to him barks, Jack smiles at Rip pets him and tells him,
"I Know boy, I should try to write something but what."
He sits back to see the picture he took of Elizabeth at his favorite spot. Then he grabs a ink and pen and slides his journal towards him opens the first page and starts to write the following.
Dear Journal,
Is that how you are suppose to start one of these things? I have no idea, I will have to ask Elizabeth Thatcherfor some tutoring on the art of keeping a journal. I do know she keeps one (will not tell me if I am mentioned init but I suspect I am) and she seems so composed and understands her feelings and emotions even when they are difficult that I thought this might be worth a try. I seem to have great difficulty expressing what is in my heart especially to her. I just find myself at a loss for words. I have definitively said the wrong thing enough times that I do not want to take a chance of saying something wrong and losing her. I have always had a hard time expressing my feelings with words. I feel much more comfortable with my art and so I think I will include some of that here as well. Today I am including a small version of the picture I just gave Elizabeth. Just looking at this picture brings me back to that day. At Elizabeth's request I thought long and hard about my feelings and kept coming back to the same conclusion - she is the one and only for me and is my present and my future. Once I realized that I had to figure out how to tell her what I was feeling so I decided to draw a picture of us. I thought she would like it as it was from after our first date but before I had to share the devastating news of my new post. That posting turned out to be fortuitous because even after I told her I was staying Elizabeth told me I had to go and it was after I left that my feelings became crystal clear and I knew who I was meant to be with and just had to find a way back to her. Capturing the Tolliver gang made that possible since I was given my choice of posts. Coal Valley was my answer, probably a little too vociferously for my superiors but that is alright because I was headed home. I will say Rosemary showing up did throw me for a loop but again I think that was fortuitous because it forced me to face my past head on and realize the strength of my true feelings for Elizabeth. And the one way I could think to show her was my picture. She loved it and when she told me she was not going anywhere I could not help myself and I kissed her. I was pretty glad she did not recoil in fear and actually kissed me back. I know our path will not be smooth and without obstacles but I think together we can overcome anything and I think we have begun on a wonderful journey together.
Then Jack ends his first journal entry with a picture of him and Elizabeth's kiss, to reminded of the moment and feelings. After this sketch, he put his journal in the cabinet of his desk along with his art supplies. He got up from his went over RIP gave another pet on the head and said,
"Wish me luck, tonight RIP."
Jack then put on his hat left the Jail, to make his rounds of Coal Valley. He hope times passes by as he eager for tonight's date.
Chapter 3 will be the date promise I just thought this chapter gives good introductions of Jack and Elizabeth's journal entries which there will be more of them.