Hello everyone.
I am so sorry that i don't publish anything since so long but i had a long and hard year of teaching . I suffered writer block too. I hope that you won't be angry with me.
I hope that you will read my new chapter anyway and that you will enjoy it as much as the others .
A big thank you to Ashley Staten for proofing and helping me.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters within this story. All rights and respect go to Crown media, Hallmark, Brian Bird , Michael Landon Jr, the creators and writers of the show " When calls the heart".
Read and review, please.
Chapter 7
Tom & Julie
Jack quickly composed himself and immediately went to help his brother. He placed his arm around his waist, walking slowly toward the sofa. He made him lay down while Julie followed and came kneeling in front of the sofa near Tom's head, taking one of his hands in hers. He checked his brother's wounds, thanks to his first aid certificate.
"I am going to look for the first aid kit. I will come back. "Jack explained, as he exited the room.
Elizabeth looked at Tom and then at Julie, who was shaking and very pale.
"What happened?" Elizabeth coldly asked her sister.
Julie looked down, tears in the corner of her eyes. She knew what Elizabeth was thinking and knew that she would lecture her, since she always seemed to find trouble.
"We were ambushed as we exited the restaurant, near a cul-de-sac. Tom had lost a sum in a poker's game a few days ago. They found us and began to push us. One of them knew who I was, but Tom distracted them. He promised to pay the men, but he didn't have the money. He had tried to play for time to collect it, but they beat him and told him that they won't forget, and if he doesn't pay at the end of the week, they will find us. " She began to sob as she explained the angst of the night then remembered the comforting memory of their first meeting.
This evening felt like it would never end. Julie was at home and was bored. She was in her room, pacing, when a text rang on her phone. She was delighted. It was her friend Amanda who invited her to a party with some of her friends. Julie immediately accepted and joined her a half hour later.
She was there for an hour, enjoying the party when she laid eyes on him. He had blue eyes, blond hair, and a very charming dimpled smile. She instantly walked toward him. She introduced herself to him, and they spent the whole evening together. When he accompanied her home, she took the lead and kissed him.
After that night, they were inseparable, and she knew that she was already falling in love with him.
Elizabeth sighed as she cooled down, came closer, and took her in her arms to comfort her young sister, as she stroked her back. Julie hid her head in the crook of Elizabeth's neck as she cried. When she had calmed down, she looked up and said, "I am sorry, Elizabeth, to come like this, but Tom said that his big brother could help us, and his flat was nearest. I was so afraid when they attacked us, and he protected me with all his might, but there were four men. We were lucky to escape. So the only thing I was thinking was to walk quickly and come here to be safe." She sobbed.
At that instant, Jack came back in the room, and the two sisters moved to let Jack take care of Tom, who was barely conscious. Jack did as best as he could. Julie was constantly looking at Tom with worrying glances while Elizabeth had kept her arm around her sister's shoulder to comfort her.
During a half hour, he had treated him and bandaged some wounds, thanks to his first aid certificate and his training of law enforcement official. He finally looked at the clock on the wall.
"I think it's time for all of us to go to bed. We have had enough emotions for today," he said, turning toward Julie. "You are going to sleep in the guest-room, and we talk about this and see what we can do tomorrow. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
Julie nodded and came hesitantly closer to Elizabeth, and she hugged her. Then Jack helped Tom to get up and walk him in the room, as Julie helped him.
When he came back in the room, Elizabeth was on the sofa waiting for him. She had lifted her legs up, her chin was on her knees and her arms around them. She looked sad. The evening had begun so well, and now it was all upside down.
He sat down and took her in his arms.
"It's going to be okay. I promise." He softly told her as if he had read her mind.
She smiled and squeezed him in her arms, burying her face in his shoulder. Then she composed herself, pulled away, and got up.
"It's getting late. I am going home." She announced, heading to a chair to take her handbag and her vest. He got up, too, and held her back sweetly by the wrist.
"Please stay with me, Angel," he pleaded.
She didn't answer, as she kept her back to him. She knew what could have happened tonight. Before Tom and Julie's arrival, she was going to succumb to him. He felt her hesitation.
"I just want to have you in my arms, to hold you. I know what could have happened a bit earlier. I am so sorry that I let things go too far," he explained to her, as he turned her around, placing his arm on her waist to snuggle with her.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I didn't stop either. I am as guilty as you are. But I must confess, I wanted it," she said, looking at him lovingly.
"Maybe it's better that we take our time, don't you think?"
"Yes, slowly but surely." She murmured, smiling.
A dimpled smile lit up his face, and he kissed her tenderly, then led her to his bedroom. It was a beautiful room with pale green walls, a double sized bed, a big closet, and big window with a balcony. He gave her one of his white shirts, a toothbrush, and a towel. She went to the bathroom and prepared herself for the night. When she came back, Jack was laying down waiting for her. He pulled back the sheets, and she cuddled against him. He clutched her in his arms, placing his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. After a few minutes, she lifted herself up on her elbow, cupped his cheek, and kissed him goodnight. Quickly, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
At 6 am the next morning, Jack was cooking breakfast when Tom entered the kitchen, limping and looking drawn.
"Morning, Jack," he said, quite sheepish.
Jack lifted his head up and glared at him.
"Morning! You seem in better shape than yesterday!" he snapped at him.
"Yes, thanks to you and Julie. But I have been better though," he answered, ashamed.
Jack clenched his fist around the spoon. He must not let his temper rise. He deeply inhaled to remain calm.
"What happened, Tom? Do you realize that you have put Julie in danger, too? When did you meet by the way? What's the story between you two anyway? "Jack bombarded him with questions. "It's Julie that you told me about in your texts: 'the perfect woman for you'."
Tom stayed silent a few moments to clear his mind and answered his brother the best way he could.
"I know what you think, but I don't play poker like before. I have stopped. It was just this time. Some friends invite me to play and I couldn't resist them. It was bad luck during all the evening . As I already owe them some money , they threatened me even more at the end of this game. But they weren't very patient, and to be sure that they will be paid, they found me when I was with Julie. One of them had recognized her, so they didn't want to let her go, as I asked them when I saw them approaching. One of them threatened to hurt her if I didn't pay. So I told them that I will pay the $1,200 before the end of the week." He paused a few seconds. "As for Julie, I met her, thanks to some friends. We spend a lot of time together, and quickly, we have understood that we were falling in love. She is the woman of my dreams, Jack! I know it, and I can tell that this is the same for you with Elizabeth. Don't deny it, I can tell by the look in your eyes."
As he was telling this to Jack, he remembered his first meeting with Julie.
When Tom saw her enter the room the first time, he could not take his eyes off of her. He was there with his friends for a good evening and to have fun. But he hadn't thought that this evening would give him so much more.
He watched her . She had long,red hair and beautiful blue eyes. She was cheerful and all smiles. His eyes caught hers, and she came toward him.
"Hi. I am Julie Thatcher, and you?" She mishievously greeted him.
"Hello. I am Tom Thornton. Nice to meet you," he answered.
After that, they stayed together for the rest of the evening, and he took her home. Behind the front door, they exchanged their phone numbers and their first kiss. She made the first move, and he let her do it.
After that night, they couldn't seem to get enough of each other and always tried to see one another as soon as they had free time. Tom's mates were jealous of him because some of them had noticed her that night, but she only had eyes for him, just as he did for her.
The anger could be visible on Jack's face. He knew that Elizabeth and Julie's father was a powerful businessman, but if he knew that some criminals had threatened one of his girls' life, Jack didn't know what could happen. He didn't say anything about his brother's relationship with Julie neither about his with Elizabeth.
"Tom! You need to grow up! How are you going to find this money? You will eat breakfast, go get a shower, and then you are coming with me in the precinct to press charges for the threats to Julie. Hurry up. I'll go get ready," he ordered as he left the kitchen.
As he entered the bedroom, Elizabeth exited the bathroom. Her smile instantly faded when she saw his facial expression. She walked toward him to kiss him, but he passed close to her without touching her and took his uniform in the closet. He was angry.
"Morning, Jack." She simply greeted him, disappointed.
"Morning, Elizabeth." He answered a little coldly, while he passed again near her without kissing her, as he entered the bathroom. He rarely had called her Elizabeth since the morning in her flat when she was sick. She had to confess that she loved when he called her "Angel" with his deep and sensual voice. He was the only one who was allowed to use it because it was a special bond between them, and it was their private world. She stayed there, surprised for a few seconds, and then headed to the kitchen.
During this time, Tom had returned to the bedroom to talk to Julie. She was still in the bed. She looked at him, and he sweetly told her, "I am going to the precinct with Jack because of yesterday. I don't know what will happen for the rest of the day. But I think you are going to go with Elizabeth." He sat on the bed near her, taking her hand to his lips, and then kissing her on the cheek.
She was not very happy with it, but she knew there was no other choice.
"Alright, if I must. But you will have more trouble if you press charges against them."
"I will do whatever it takes to protect you, no matter what, Julie. "
She didn't answer but kissed him.
A half hour later, Jack and Elizabeth were in the living room, preparing their belongings to leave for work. They were silent, as there was some tension in the air. Elizabeth decided that she didn't want to let things like this. It reminded her too much what happened between them with their friends. They absolutely needed to talk and make the things clear. She deeply breathed ready to tell him.
"I will take Tom to the precinct with me, and we see you later. You take care of your sister, Elizabeth." He told her first, taking his coat, putting his service pistol in the holster.
Elizabeth took Jack's wrist as he passed close to her. He turned, she took him by the waist embracing him, and she placed her other hand behind his neck bringing his lips to hers. He was tense, but he gave up enjoying the softness of her touch and her kiss. Her touch was magic. He closed his eyes and melted into her embrace, deeply inhaling her scent. He loved her so much. After a few minutes, he pulled back.
"I am so sorry about earlier in the bedroom. I am angry and very worried about Tom and this entire story," he whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry. I understand, Darling. But please, when something is wrong or if we are angry, we need to talk. I don't want us to make the same mistakes like with Charles and Faith," she said tenderly.
"I love that you call me Darling. It's the first time." He said as he gave her a bright dimpled smile that she returned. "You're right. In the future, I promise that I will talk. I am sorry, Angel. Now, I have to go. See you tonight." Then he kissed her one last time, while Julie did the same with Tom. The two men left the apartment. Elizabeth turned to her sister.
"You are going to come with me to school." Julie didn't protest and followed her older sister.
When Tom & Jack entered the precinct, one of Jack's colleague came to them.
"Hi, Jack. There is some news about THE case."
"Hi, John. Thanks," he answered as he took the case folder from his hands. "Can you take my brother's statement, please? Something happened last night. I need an objective view."
"No problem."
He left his brother and entered his office. He sat and began to read. Shock was visible on his face. He blinked several times, as he didn't believe his eyes. The events took a turn for the worse. He brought his notepad out and began to collect all the new informations he was given. He worked for a while when John came in his office, very dour, giving him Tom's statement.
"What you are gong to read in there won't please you." John stated.
Jack skimmed through the document.
"Where is Tom? "
"I left him with Bill in his office. "
"You keep an eye on him and don't let him leave, okay?"
"Whatever you say, Jack," John said, as he exited his office.
He sunk down in his seat and sighed. How was he going to settle this? Besides he couldn't tell anything to Elizabeth. This case was bothering him since that day when he was waiting Elizabeth in his car. Since then, he knew that this was going to be complicated, but things just got harder than he thought.
Tom decided to come in picture in the wrong moment.
At school, Julie was very helpful, and the children were happy to have a new face in the class. During the whole morning, Elizabeth had thought about Jack, but he hadn't called or texted yet. As they say: no news is good news. Right?
At noon, he finally texted her.
*Angel. I have a lot of work to do today . I will lend my flat to Tom. I suppose Julie will stay with him, and they will want to have some time alone. I will meet at your flat after I drop Tom off and get some clothes for a few days, if you're ok with that. I will be there around 7 pm if things go right. See you tonight. Yours, Jack. *
She smiled as she was reading. She answered.
*Darling, I will be delighted to have you with me for a few days. But we have to keep an eye on Julie and Tom. She behavedwell today at school with me. The kids were happy to have a new person in the class, but I certainly worry about what happened last night. I know you will tell me about it if you can, and it reassures me to know that you are working on it. Anyway, be careful please. Your Angel. *
The rest of day was fun. They worked on lessons, and she let her sister read the story for the end of the day. The children enjoyed it very much because she played all of the roles with her voice to give birth to the characters. At the end of the day, some of them asked her for kisses and hugs that she willingly gave them with big smiles.
At 8 pm, Julie and Tom were at Jack's flat. Like this, each couple could have some privacy, but Julie and Tom had to stay home as long as they hadn't resolved the problem. Jack and Elizabeth were cooking dinner at Elizabeth's flat when a knock rang out at the door. She looked at the clock, it was nearly eight.
"I wonder who that could be? Will you open it please, Jack? My hands are wet."
He went to the door and opened to a man in a suit and a well dressed woman.
"Good evening, sir, madam. May I help you?" He nicely asked.
"Good evening. Is Elizabeth here?" The man asked a little coldly, barely even looking at Jack.
He didn't answer and called her, then she approached.
"Mom, Dad! What a surprise!" she exclaimed.
To be continued ….