CHAPTER 11

Elizabeth just couldn't get over the heartache since coming back to Hope Valley.

She thought back to her arrival following Jack sending her away. Abigail had been a true friend, giving her encouragement, but Elizabeth was still struggling greatly. The memories here were too painful.

Abigail had told her, "Elizabeth, I believe the same as your mother and Faith. Jack will come around in time. However, you need to do what you feel God is leading you to do, no matter what that is. Pray for His direction."

So Elizabeth had started praying again and, considering alternatives, she had begun searching for some other teaching positions. She actually had some offers, including one back east, away from Hamilton, and even further away from Hope Valley that she had just decided to accept. How she would miss the children she had quickly grown to love.

Until now, she had avoided the place in the meadow she had often come to with Jack, where they had shared their first kiss and so many other memories. This could be the last time she came to this spot. On this afternoon the day was nearly perfect; one thing, rather, one person, was missing.

She breathed in the cool fresh air and looked out at the grand mountains. A tear slid down her cheek. "Lord," she prayed. "Show me what I am to do." She closed her eyes and cross her arms trying to keep out the cold she felt. She was so involved in her thoughts that she didn't hear anyone approaching closely from behind.

"Elizabeth."

She gasped and whirled around, losing her balance a little and nearly falling. "Jack." she said breathlessly, her heart quickening its pace. She wondered if this was a dream. Would it be a good one? Or bad?

He came and stood next to her. He looked just as handsome in his flannel shirt, jacket, jeans, and cowboy hat as he did in his red uniform. She gazed at him while he looked over the scenery. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

She looked out at the mountain view. "Yes, it is." She replied weakly. She thought her legs would give out beneath her.

"Have you come to say 'goodbye' again?" she managed to squeak out with pain showing in her voice but still that hint of attitude that he had come to know and love.

He turned and stood in front of her. She hadn't noticed the package at his side until he gently dropped it to the ground next to them; it was about the same size as the picture he had previously given her of the two of them. He took her hands in his.

"Jack, please, I can't go through another goodbye." Tears appeared in her eyes.

He held a finger to her lips. "Shhhh. Just listen for a moment." She remained quiet. "I've had some long talks with your father." At this news, her eyebrow raised, but she didn't say anything. "And with my mother as well. They helped me see how wrong I was and that I need to trust God for our relationship. I realize how much of a fool I've been. I underestimated you. I underestimated us. I underestimated God." He looked down at her hands in his. He then looked into her eyes. "Elizabeth. Will you ever forgive me?"

She remained silent just looking into his eyes. He waited, wondering, and began to doubt this would go as he had hoped and prayed. Finally with a twinkle in her eye and her mouth slightly upturned on one side with that look he loved so much, she said, "May I speak now?"

He grinned and let out a little chuckle. "Yes."

"I do forgive you, Jack." A tear slid down her cheek.

His grin turned into a heartwarming smile showing his dimples. He touched her cheek to wipe away the tear and became serious. "Elizabeth, I love you. Getting shot was nothing compared to the pain I felt watching you leave the hospital that day. I'm so sorry for pushing you way. I'll never do that again." He paused. "I asked your father before I left Hamilton. He gave his blessing."

Elizabeth couldn't breathe as Jack reached for something in his pocket. So much had happened since that day she thought he was going to propose, she had given up all hope and actually put the memory, the hope, in the far reaches of her mind. But now she watched as Jack took off his hat and slowly, with just a slight grimace of pain from his physical wound, knelt down on one knee, placing his hat on the ground. He looked up at her. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Opening the box, he displayed the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. Simple yet stunning. "Elizabeth Thatcher, will you marry me?"

She took a deep breath, looked at the ring again, looked in his eyes, and with lips turning into a big smile, she said, "Yes! Yes, Jack Thornton, I'll marry you!" He pulled the ring from the box and placed it on her finger. A perfect fit. He rose and gently cupped his hands around her face and tenderly kissed her lips. Tears ran down her face. Happy tears this time; it had been a while. He gently brushed the tears away and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close to him. "Elizabeth, I'll never push you away again. I promise!" he whispered in her ear.

She drew back and looked into his eyes. "You'd better not!" She said with a hint of a smile. "Or I'll sic Rip and Lizzie on you!"

He grinned mischievously. "What? No goat?" Their combined laughter faded as they looked at each other tenderly and their lips met again in a passionate kiss, his hands along the sides of her neck. He then wrapped his arms around her waist and started to spin her around when the pain in his chest reminded him of his still healing injury. He gently put her down.

"Jack! Are you okay?"

"I couldn't be better. We're getting married!" he yelled up to the sky. Elizabeth giggled. "Yes, we are, Jack, my love! Yes, we are!" And she reached up and kissed him again, her hand going to the back of his neck and then his to hers as he pulled her close to him.

He suddenly pulled away from the kiss, much to her disappointment. "I almost forgot. There's one more thing." He reached down and picked up the package he had placed on the ground earlier. He handed it to her.

"Just a little something I did. Open it," he said with a dimpled smile. She unwrapped it and found a beautiful painted scene of the Canadian countryside… just like the mural for the school play, only a closer view with the focus on what was previously one tiny relatively unnoticed portion except to the eyes of some of her overly observant students. But this one had been enlarged significantly. She gasped. It was the likeness of her and Jack under the tree. Just like in the mural.

She looked up quickly at him with a crooked smile on her face as it finally dawned on her. "Jack! It was you! You painted the mural! With us kissing in it!" After her students had discovered it and she told him about it, she recalled how he had acted like he had no idea who painted the mural when not only did he know all along, but he was the actual culprit! Now she playfully, yet gently (remembering his injury), punched him on the shoulder; he feigned pain and then laughed. She then remembered Rosemary proudly sharing that Jack had wanted to be an artist. And the other pencil drawing of the two of them that he gave her. How did she not figure it out before now?

"It's beautiful," she said admiring the sentiment. "Thank you." She hugged him again. Then they took a long walk together arm in arm.

To be continued...