Chapter Three
Elizabeth paced repetitively around her bedroom, glancing out the window each time she neared it, hoping to catch Jack arriving home. It had been a busy week assembling her varied course material that she would be passing off to the woman kind enough to fill in for her while she was in Hamilton. Even though Elizabeth had cut the trip as short as possible, it still required her to be away from Hope Valley for ten whole days! Ten long tedious days, half of which were spent travelling, but a long time nonetheless.
She mentally ticked off her to-do list, ensuring she had accomplished everything she had intended to. Elizabeth chuckled as the thought of Rosemary and what she envisioned would be an interesting week for the children. They had agreed to meet in the middle with Rosemary sticking to Elizabeth's prepared course material in the mornings and be free to teach drama and music each afternoon. She knew from reading many science journals that music actually helped children learn and was secretly pleased that Rosemary would be able to facilitate such an enriching environment for the children.
As much as Elizabeth wasn't fully prepared to admit it, Rosemary had grown on her since returning from her last stint in Hamilton. Now that Lee was there for Rosemary and provided an outlet for her larger-than-life personality, Elizabeth no longer felt she was a threat to her and Jack's relationship. "Besides." Elizabeth thought. "She has a good heart. And I can't blame her for not wanting to let Jack go."
The sound of a horse's trotting steps pulled Elizabeth away from her mental checklist and she raced to the window to catch the sight of Jack's back as he slowed in front of the Mountie Headquarters, a place he also called home,. "Not for long though…" She realized as she quickly grabbed her heavy jacket and scarf, racing down the stairs as quickly as possible all the while highly anticipating welcoming him home.
"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed somewhat breathlessly as she slowly ran towards him,unknowingly smiling a broad grin. Her eyes drowned in the sight of him, pleased to see he looked much the same as when he left, except for the scruff of beard that had grown on his face. While she couldn't deny how handsome and manly it made him appear, she also noted the tell-tale signs of exhaustion written on his face. He still managed to flash her a beautiful smile and took his hat off while approaching her.
"Elizabeth. You don't know how good it is to see you." The emphasis on good was music to her ears. He pulled her into a solid grasp and held her close, his warmth a pleasant change from the brisk northern air currently settled in the valley.
"I missed you so much." Elizabeth pulled away slightly and looked up into his eyes. She brought her hand up to to rest on the side of his face and tried to gently ease away his fatigue with the stroke of her thumb.
His lips quickly touched hers, softly at first but quickly deepened in intensity once the effects of their touch registered within their subconscious. Elizabeth completely relaxed and surrendered herself into his arms, loving the way his supportive hold felt gentle yet highly protective, and felt a week's worth of longing starting to surface. Jack must have noticed it within himself as he was the one to gently pull away and compose himself in such a public place.
He nodded his head towards the door and asked "Would you like some tea? We can sit out on the porch and watch the sky. It seems we are being blessed with quite a treat tonight." He made a motion to the door but Elizabeth quickly stopped him, intrigued.
"What do you mean?" She looked at him when she noticed him break her gaze to look directly up and found herself mesmerized by dancing, flickering lights of green and purple blazing across the black sky of night.
"Oh my goodness. Jack! Are those what I think they are?" She looked like a small child with unabashed amazement on her face.
"If you are referring to the Northern Lights...that would be them. And judging by your reaction ,I sense you've never seen them before?" He asked, confused.
"No. Never. Hamilton is not quite high enough on the latitude scale to welcome such an enchanting sight." Elizabeth's gaze was drawn sky-high as Jack wrapped his arm around her waist and stood in awe at the heavenly show.
Elizabeth broke the spell when she glanced towards Jack and noticed just how tired he was. "How about I go and make that tea while you unpack and get changed out of that uniform. Can I help with anything else in the meantime?" She looked at him, hoping he would accept her offer.
"Remember to ask me that when we're married." Jack said in a serious tone and raised his eyebrows, but immediately looked down and softly laughed, hoping his comment had the impression he intended. "For now, though, I can handle it."
Elizabeth blushed but let out a soft laugh of understanding at Jack's statement and proceeded to gather the necessary items to steep a pot of tea. As she found the items she needed, she was highly attuned to the movements Jack made behind her back and resisted the urge to spy on him as she heard the familiar sounds of clothes being removed and dropped to the ground.
She stood shyly in front of the stove, staring intently at the warming pot, when she felt his hands grab her softly at her shoulders and turn her around. He was wearing a plaid shirt under his heavy navy coat. Elizabeth thought he looked amazing in everything he put on.
"Shall we?" He was holding a quilt draped over his arm. More specifically, he had grabbed the quilt he slept with on his bed, and was bringing it out for her comfort. It was a gesture that registered sweetly for Elizabeth as she considered one's blanket a very personal item.
"Yes." She grabbed Jack by his arm and let him lead her out to to a chair on the porch. As he gently laid the quilt around her legs and tucked in the sides, Elizabeth stifled a laugh.
"What?" Jack asked, surprised.
"Nothing."
"No seriously. What?"
"I should be doing this for you...judging by the lack of sleep you've so obviously had." Her hand was drawn to envelop his in her grasp. "Please, sit. And relax. I want to you to tell me how your week was. Anything you can share?"
Jack sat down slowly and looked deep in thought, a far-away look in his eyes. He looked over at her. "No. Not really. I'm sorry." He looked at her truly apologetic.
"Well...what about the ride. How was that?" She asked, genuinely interested in his reply.
"Oh that. Well...that's always the best part. The weather was beautiful, I found a lot of excellent fishing holes for next summer, and some breathtaking places to camp."
"Well maybe, next summer, you could show me some of those breathtaking places?" She asked slowly.
Jack looked at her curiously and smiled. "That sounds like a plan. Now, tell me, how was your week? You manage to keep yourself busy?"
"Of course, Jack. I had a lot of planning to do. And packing. But I think I have everything covered, so far." Elizabeth suddenly remembered the tea and stood up to retrieve it. As she carefully carried it out to the porch she was surprised to find that Jack had moved the table separating the two chairs to the side so they could sit next to each other. He was still standing and gestured for her to sit and laughed happily as he set about tucking in the quilt, again.
He took his seat and proceeded to pour each of them a cup of tea, handing Elizabeth her's first. "Did you figure out a date yet?" He asked nonchalantly, as if this was not the first time he had questioned their plans for marriage.
Caught off guard, Elizabeth took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Yes. No...Well. I think so. I was thinking sometime over the Christmas break would work. That would give us over two months to prepare and I'd be on a school break. But, of course, I want you to tell me if you think that's a good time?" She steadied her cup and took a hesitant sip, careful not to burn her tongue.
"Elizabeth. You don't need me to tell you yes or no. I've already told you I would marry you anytime, anywhere, so I'm leaving this completely up to you" He raised his arm and rested it gently around her shoulders, subtly pressing her side into him.
"Okay. Well. I can check that item off the list then. Have you thought about where we are going to live? Hope Valley surely can't have a surplus of homes for rent, does it? " She inquired, raising her eyebrows and turning to bring her eyes to meet with his. "This has had me the most worried this week."
"What, more worried than thinking about having to return home and tell your parents you agreed to marry me? I'm sure this is not nearly as nerve-wracking for you." She felt him gently squeeze her further into his depths while he reached for his tea with this free hand.
"You got me there Jack. I guess I don't really care if we have to live here, of all places, but you're right." Elizabeth focused her gaze towards the waning dance of the light fading into the starry night. "I know my parents are disappointed that I don't live my life the way they wish I would. But... it's still disappointment... and it kills me that people can look at my life and see a failure? It makes no sense to me."
Jack sat quietly by her side and pressed his cheek to the top of her head, silently coaxing her to continue. "Most parents would be proud of their daughter, but mine seem to be more concerned about who they can marry me off to. I always knew they had grand expectations of who I should marry, and I'm a little shocked at how they favor Charles Hamilton over the multitude of British noblemen looking for an heiress to marry. An heiress who will save their royally appointed titles in the process." The distaste in her voice ran thick.
Jack had never heard Elizabeth speak so candidly about her life prior to moving out west to pursue her dreams. He assumed she was highly sought-after but never imagined it was at the level that she had just revealed. He felt suddenly sad for Elizabeth as he realized how deeply affected she was by her parents dismissal of her new life and couldn't recognize the significant impact she was making on many children's lives.
"Is that what caused you to choose teaching school? So you could get away?" His concern was strongly felt by Elizabeth and she slowly smiled.
"No. I wanted to be a teacher since as far back as I can remember. And then I met my aunt, Elizabeth, actually, when I was eight and meeting her made the dream so much more enticing."
"Wait...you have an Aunt Elizabeth?" I'm confused." He smiled good-naturedly.
"Yes. She came out west years ago to teach and told it in such fine detail that I couldn't help but be convinced it would be an amazing adventure. If you think about it, it's pretty much the only thing a young lady can leave home by herself to do…"
"Wait...So... you have an aunt with the same name, and she is also a teacher?" That is quite a coincidence!"
Elizabeth held her tongue to prevent her from adding yet another coincidence to the mix, like how her Aunt met and fell in love with a handsome Mountie. "Yes. Quite." Elizabeth scrambled to change subjects but was beaten to the punch by Jack.
"Are you prepared to see Charles while you are back home?" His question was direct and sounded like he had been waiting for an opportunity to get to the point. She would bet on the fact that he had been rehearsing this question around in his head since he left.
"Yes. I assume he will be around. But...I'll have nothing to do with him." She scrunched up her face in a physical response to imagining coming face to face with him again.
"Elizabeth. It's understandable that you will come into contact with Charles again. Especially at something like your sister's wedding and…"
"Jack?" Elizabeth cut him off, desperate to address her guilt. "Do you forgive me?"
"Forgive you? For what?" Jack replied.
"For letting things with Charles get to the point that they did." She looked away suddenly and fought back tears she did not want Jack to see.
"Elizabeth...I would be lying if I told you I never once doubted your conduct with Charles. I know all too well what it's like to have known someone since childhood and what feelings arise when seeing that person again after a long time. But I know that you love me... and I also know that you are a very honorable woman who would never jeopardize her reputation."
"And just how do you know me that well, Jack?" Elizabeth looked at him coyly, and masked a deep flattery from his compliment.
"I told you. I'm good at what I do I had you pegged since the first time we met, I've already told you as much." He grinned and effectively stifled a laugh.
Elizabeth simply giggled at Jack's chiding and she punched him playfully in his arm.
"Are you coming to see me off tomorrow?" Elizabeth looked at him expectantly, confident in his reply.
"Of course. And tomorrow morning...I will make you breakfast. For once." Elizabeth snuggled in closer, as close as the armrests between them would allow comfortably.
"Really? You'll cook for me? Interesting." She looked at him as if she were assessing an opponent.
"Really. And then I am going to judge whose breakfast was better." His face lit up in genuine humor and was enjoying the reaction it was inciting in Elizabeth.
"Are you challenging me, Mr. Thorton? Because... you'd better be prepared to lose." Elizabeth's sat up straight and looked Jack square in the eyes, staring him down with determined look
"I'd hardly call your attempt last weekend worthy of the winner." He scoffed playfully.
"Well I still get another chance. You just declared a contest so now I get another chance. I can't wait to beat you." She said in all seriousness.
Jack met her intense stare and whispered "That's what I'm hoping for" as he moved his head in for a kiss. Elizabeth stopped him, held him closely at bay and sighed noticeably.
"I'm really going to miss you, Jack. " She looked down at her fingers at it rubbed at the edge of her coat.
"I know. Me too." Jack's somber tone mimicked hers.
"And I can't wait to be your wife." Elizabeth leaned in and pressed her lips into his, startled by the prickly sensation his stubble created. She stopped the kiss and looked at him again, running a hand against his rough scruff. "Hmmmm...I kind of like it."
"Well then...enjoy it now because tomorrow it disappears." He playfully taunted, eager for the response it garnered from this woman who was clearly in love with what she was looking at. She then brought his lips to his, boldly seeking him out as wrapped her arms around his neck and lightly ran her fingers through the back of his hair. Elizabeth's breathing came heavier and she pried her lips from his, a tingling sensation coursing through her veins.
She rested her forehead against his and sat back in her chair, taking a moment to let her body return to normal. Letting out a slow breath of air, she raised her eyebrows in Jack's direction and smiled.
"I have a reputation to uphold, Constable. Perhaps we should pass the time together in another manner?" She asked him innocently and fell into comfortable laughter. He held her hand and settled into his chair, comfortable in her silent presence, each savouring these last moments together.