Jack led Elizabeth down the road out of town and towards the school house. He continued through the grove of trees to a section of land that had a view of the mountains and another pond. Jack stopped and said "What do you think? Isn't it beautiful?"
"Jack," she whispered. "This is breathtaking." She looked towards the sky; it was painted in the colors of a sunset.
"I was thinking that we could put the swing on the side of the house that faces the mountains. I can imagine us sitting out here watching the sun set, just like it is now. We can put the rocking chairs on the side that faces the pond and watch the ducks and geese play. That pond is supposed to be stocked full of fish. I would love to catch our dinner and cook it for you, then maybe have a picnic there."
"That sounds heavenly, Jack. I can almost see us there right now." She thought about it for another moment, then turned to Jack to kiss him. "How did your meeting with Adam go?"
"It went well. He loved our ideas for the house and he said he could start working on it as soon as I buy the land. I stopped to talk to Mr. Gordon, the man who owns the property. The price he offered is more than fair and he agreed to wait until I had a chance to talk to you before making the final deal. I told him I would be back tomorrow with an answer."
"Jack, go find Mr. Gordon first thing tomorrow and tell him it's a deal. I love this piece of land. I have a picture of our home in my mind already." She kissed him. "I love you, Jack."
Jack put his arms on her waist and replied. "I love you too, Sweetheart." He felt her shiver a little. "Are you cold?"
"Yes, a little. I should have brought my shawl. I was just too excited about the telegram from my father and coming to look at this land that I didn't think to go get it."
Jack removed his jacket and gently placed it over her shoulders. He took her hand and said, "Let's walk back to the café and have dinner. We can tell Abigail and my mother our news and maybe discuss our wedding plans again.
Elizabeth leaned up to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "I would love to have dinner with you, Constable and discuss our future."
A short time later they arrived back at the café and walked through the back door towards the kitchen. Abigail loved to have them eat at her table and it would give them a chance to talk about plans for the wedding. Charlotte was sitting at the table when they got there.
"Where have you two been this afternoon?" Abigail asked. "You look like you have something big to tell us.
"Yes, Jack, Elizabeth." Charlotte concurred. What's going on?"
"Jack took me out to the property he wants to buy for our home. Oh, Abigail, it was so beautiful. It has a view of the mountains to the west and we can watch the sunset. It was so beautiful." Elizabeth continued to tell Abigail and Charlotte about the land and Jack told her where it was located. "I will take you both there to see it when you have a chance." Elizabeth promised.
"I would love to see it. Do you want some dinner?" Abigail inquired, although she already had the answer. "I have beef stew and roast chicken tonight."
"Yum, beef stew" Jack liked his lips. Beef stew was one of his favorite meals.
"That sounds good. I will have the same." Elizabeth replied. "Abigail, how is the dinner crowd tonight. Jack and I would like to talk to you about some of the wedding ideas we have."
"Actually, the last time I checked there was no one in the dining room, so I can sit down with you right now."
"Great!" Elizabeth clapped her hands with excitement. She waited to talk until Abigail had placed their meals in front of them. "Jack and I have some ideas for the food at the reception but first, I wanted to ask you something. Would you be my matron of honor?
Abigail put a hand to her heart and felt a tear come to her eyes. She loved Elizabeth like a little sister and she couldn't be more honored that Elizabeth had ask her, but she felt she needed to clarify something first. She took Elizabeth's hand and squeezed it before responding. "Nothing would make me happier but don't you want to ask one of your sisters?"
Elizabeth took a breath. "Abigail, I want you. I have never been that close with Viola. I could never ask her to be my maid of honor. Julie, well, I think is a little too immature. Besides, no one in the family knows where she is. If she contacts me between now and the wedding I will ask her to be a bridesmaid." She paused, wondering if she say out loud what she was thinking. "Abigail, you are more of a sister to me than either of my own. You took me into your home when I was just a stranger to you and you made me feel like family. I have grown to love you and care for you as a sister in the time we have known each other. Please say you will be my matron of honor?
"Oh, Elizabeth" she said with a tears in her voice "I think of you as a sister too. I would love to be your matron of honor." She reached over and hugged Elizabeth.
"Thank you so much, Abigail. You have no idea how much this means to me." Elizabeth paused again. "But maybe you won't want to be matron of honor when we ask you to make the refreshment for the receptions. It might end up being too much work."
"Nonsense!" Abigail exclaimed. "Nothing I love better than cooking for a crowd. You tell me what you are thinking about, maybe give a couple of choices and I will tell you if I think it can be done."
Elizabeth and Jack looked at each other before she responded. "Well, we decided to have the reception in the saloon. There will be more room there than here is the café. We were thinking we would like to have roast chicken and of course, your biscuits. Would that work for you?"
"That does. I can make a potato side dish as well as a vegetable, whatever is available. Have you thought about a cake?"
Elizabeth nervously bit her lip. "We haven't gotten that far yet. I don't want you to have too much cooking and baking to do. I could ask Mother to have our cook make the cake and she bring it out to be assembled here."
"Elizabeth I have no problem making dinner and the cake for you. I can even ask Cat, Molly and Florence to help. Rosemary would too if you wanted. In fact, they all would help me with everything. It's definitely no problem for me to work on your entire menu and still be your matron of honor."
"I can help with the cake too." Charlotte said, surprising Elizabeth. Charlotte laughed a little before continuing. "Elizabeth, I am a much better baker than I am a cook. Jack, you tell her."
"It's true, Elizabeth. Her cakes are great" Jack said. "Would you be willing to take charge of our wedding cake, Ma?"
"Nothing would make me happier, Jack. I may ask the ladies for a little help because I have never made a cake for that many people but I am sure we can handle it.
Elizabeth smiled and replied "Thank you, Abigail and Charlotte. I really appreciate this, more than you both know."
"Then it's all settled. I will handle you're the dinner menu and Charlotte will handle the cake. I will talk to the other ladies about helping us." She got up and picked up their plates to go wash them
"Do you want any other desserts?" Charlotte inquired. "Think about some and let me know."
"Thanks, Ma." Jack leaned over to give her a kiss on her cheek. "Thanks for dinner, Abigail. Elizabeth and I are going to sit on the swing for a while." Jack took Elizabeth's hand and help her up, before walking to the back door.
They sat on the swing for a few minutes, enjoying each other's company. Then Elizabeth leaned over to kiss him. "I don't want to say good night yet, but I have to get to those papers I need to grade."
Jack stood up with her hand still in his and help her stand too. "I know what you mean; I have work to complete too, before going to bed." He lowered his lips down to hers and gave her a passionate kiss. "Hope that keeps you thinking of me until morning." He turned toward the door to let her in. "Sleep well, Sweetheart. I love you!"
"You too, My Love. I love you with all my heart." She closed the door behind her and walked up the stairs to her room.