Chapter 8: When one calls to be patient
The sun was rising over the town Coal Valley. Before starting his round Jack was planned on going to Abigail's to get his usual breakfast. He walked over to Abigail's he stop for second to look up the window know his beautiful Elizabeth was sleeping possible dream of their pending future engagement having so much hope and expectation. Jack prayed that Elizabeth would be patient and now how be disappointed in how he proposes. But he is smiles at Elizabeth's window knowing that there are things that need to be accomplish before first before asking her hand in marriage.
After a small prayer of patience and hope, Jack enter Abigail's cafe. Abigail sees prepares his usual she gets out the ring out of secrete cookie jar where she place in this morning. Jack enter the kitchen greeted her,
"Good morning, Abigail, I appreciate you helping me and Elizabeth last night ."
Abigail a bit nervous but smiled and reply,"No problem, here is your usual."
She him a cup of black coffee, Jack tells her, "Thank you."
"You're welcome" then she decided it was time to tell him and give the ring.
"Jack if you mind before heading out for you rounds that we talk about something"
Jack took a sip of his coffee as he said, "Of course, we talk about Abigail, mind if we sit."
Abigail lead Jack to the dinning room. They sat at the table, and jack sat his coffee aside, and asked,
"You have my attention, Abigail."
She sighed as she was grasping on to her engagement ring she was about give him, but first she need to apologize
"Jack, I need for you to forgive me"
Jack chuckled "Why on earth for, Abigail, I don't recall you doing anything wrong."
"But I have, Jack, you see, I'm sorry, but I have overheard your private conversation with Elizabeth about marriage."
Jack sighed, "Oh, Abigail, it is okay"
Abigail said "No! It is not! Jack! You see I know, how hard it is especially a man in your position to make a vow of marriage to the woman you love."
"Abigail, don't need to worry have very intention in marrying Elizabeth. It is just going to take some time and patience." Jack inform Abigail trying to reassure her of his commitment to Elizabeth.
Abigail admitted, " That is what fears me the most, Jack. That time and patience will hurt you and Elizabeth, and I want you both to be happy like me and Noah were. That is why, Noah and I have decided on something that will the wait less painful."
Jack concerned, "What have you and Noah decided Abigail."
Abigail asked "Hold out your hand please, Jack"
He holds out his hand Abigail places her engagement ring in Jack's hand,
Jack told her,"I can't take this"
Abigail insisted, "You can and you will"
"Abigail, I don't know what to say"
"Thank you, would be a good start."
Jack said, "Thank you."
"Keep this safe, go ask her father for her hand in marriage and then ask her to be wife Jack, waste no time."
He gasped on to ring gave back to Abigail, "Keep it safe for the both of us, I will inform when I will need it."
She shooked her head in agreement as Jack got up to leave for his morning rounds before he did he gave Abigail to give to Elizabeth. He tip his hat and left to go and do his rounds
Chapter 9 When Summer plans Come to call
Hours later...
Mountie Jack stops at school w a note & flower that states
"E, I have missed you. When can I see you again? Soon I hope. Yours, J" Elizabeth is preparing to leave the cafe when she sees Jack leaving the saloon as she looks out from her room's window
Elizabeth proceeds to the schoolhouse after breakfast-sees the note from Mountie Jack with a smile, she lifts the note to read it through. Elizabeth walks over to the jail
"Jack? "
It is all very quiet
"Jack?"
Rip whimpers from his spot nearby she bend to him with a smile
"So where has...sweet note. I would be glad to spend an evening together. Would tonight be too soon? Love, E"
She old the piece of paper then sign. After laying it where Jack will see it, She turn around to see smoke bellowing from a shack just outside of town. rushing outside.
Elizabeth cry "Oh my..."
Elizabeth whisper to herself as I run past the cafe Abigail Stanton & see Jack come from the shack just before it then explodes
"Jack!"
Elizabeth and Abigail Stanton saw smoke and Jack coming out the smoke falling to knees coughing. Elizabeth and Abigail rush to Jack, Elizabeth got to Jack first screaming
" Jack, Are you okay?!
Abigail Stanton got to Elizabeth and Jack as she said
"I saw the smoke too but I was to busy in the cafe to think about it., Jack are you okay."
"Yes I am fine. A little shaken but that is not an issue." Jack replying both to Abigail and Elizabeth
Elizabeth and Abigail still concerned, Elizabeth demanded to know, "Whatever happened?!"
Jack places a hand on her shoulder to calm her and tells her,
"The stove started on fire & the kerosene was too close"
Abigail asked, "Is anyone else hurt or inside
Jack reply "No, thankfully. I saw the smoke and went to investigate."
Elizabeth relieve that he was and safe and no else was harm she smiles softly at Jack
Abigail though to find these two helping each other thought it would be nice to ask,
"Would you like to come over to the cafe for a cup of coffee and you and Elizabeth can talk"
Elizabeth reply, "Thank you, Abigail, we should like to but only if Jack is capable to do so."
Jack accepts Abigail's invite by telling her,
" That would be great."
Jack then turns to Elizabeth and tells her
"Elizabeth, I am more of capable to have a moment of conversation with you Elizabeth besides there is something I would like to ask you?"
"Oh" Elizabeth getting giddy and hopeful in thinking he had reconsider about what they talked about last night and has decided he could not to ask for her hand in marriage.
Trying her to keep her calm as she had something to ask him too,
"Well, that's funny, because I have one or two things to ask you."
Jack then asks, "Would mine helping me up the smoke has take a lot of me"
Abigail and Elizabeth waste no more time as they help Jack on his feet and help him walk to the cafe porch.
Jack and Elizabeth sat together as
Abigail asked,
"Tea, coffee, or water"
Elizabeth said, "tea, please"
Jack said, "coffee"
Elizabeth interjected, "I don't think so, Jack Thornton you have smoke in you lungs, you need water not coffee."
Jack didn't take the chance to argue with Elizabeth as he told Abigail.
"You heard what the lady, water for me please."
Abigail nodded her head and said
"I'll go and get some ready. So you can talk,"
Elizabeth and Jack said their thank yous as she left them alone to talk Elizabeth wanted to know what Jack had to ask,
"So Jack, what were you planning on asking me?"
Jack coughing, and with hoary voice said,"Elizabeth, sorry can you oblige by telling me what wanted to ask me:"
"Oh okay, well, um I am asking not for me but my students you see."
"Really, and how can help your students" Jack snickered
Elizabeth told him, "They and I know how experience you are in hiking trails of this fine town and they were wondering, if you can accompany us on a hiking field trip. Showing us around what goes beyond nature of this lovely town."
Jack said, "I see, so when would your students like to take this hiking trip."
"Whenever you are willing and able"
Abigail came back with their tea and water place their drink on beside and left quietly.
Jack take a drink of his water, he coughs Elizabeth pats on him the back, telling him,
"Keep drinking water and coughing out and soon you'll get that smoke out of you."
Jack said, "Okay, now about the hiking trip when is the last day of class."
"Soon, about two weeks why?" Elizabeth asks
Jack taking another sip of water, "Alright then, here is the plan, in toe weeks I will take you and your students on a hike trip if you promise me something in return."
"Promise what" Elizabeth asks
Jack smiles at Elizabeth replies,
"A Picnic, for two, a day after the hike so we can make our summer plans."
Elizabeth grinned ear to ear as she held out her hand and said "deal"
He takes her hand kisses it "deal"
Jack stands tall and strong says, "If you don't mind, I have a jail to smoke out"
Thank Abigail for me for the water.
"I will" as Elizabeth stands
Jack leans in kisses on cheek whispers,
"Thank you, my love for saving me."
She kisses him on the lips in return,
"Anytime for the man I love."
"I love you, Elizabeth, see you soon my darling" jack walks back to the jail to see the smoke has clear and to asses the damage done. Elizabeth takes her tea cup and Jack's glass of water back into the cafe. Abigail exits out the kitchen and asks
"So what did you talk about, what did ask you.?"
Elizabeth told her,
"He is taking me and the students hiking two weeks and..."
"And what, Elizabeth"
"And Abigail, I hope to be engage the day after the hike."
"Oh, but Elizabeth, don't get your hopes yet, I mean jack has yet to meet your patens to ask for hand." Abigail inform her.
Elizabeth said, " Jack does not need to meet my parents to ask for my hand, I am an adult willing to make my choices . And Jack knows that, I believe after today he has release how much of a capable wife I can be for me. If just asks"
Abigail said "Well, if that is the case, I wish all the best for the both of you deserve the upmost happiness"
Elizabeth walks over to Abigail gives her hug and saids.
"Thank you, Abigail"
As they hugging Abigail looks at the cookie jar which sits the symbol of her and Noah's love that they once had the same ring the symbolizes the future commitment of Jack and Elizabeth