AN: Hello wonderful readers! I've got another chapter for you!
She waved goodbye to her family the next morning, promising to write to them soon, and receiving promises of news about Julie as soon as they had it. Elizabeth sighed as she thought of her reckless younger sister, and prayed that she wouldn't make too much of a mess of her life. She pulled her coat tighter around herself, and wandered back over to the cafe.
"Elizabeth, would you mind helping me for a moment?" Abigail asked as she whizzed around the kitchen.
"Oh, of course- do you need me to take something out to someone, or take an order?" Elizabeth asked.
"Actually, if you could cook an egg for me please?" Abigail asked as she pulled another tray out of the oven.
"Oh, are you sure?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, Elizabeth. I trust you, your cooking has come such a long way." Abigail said. "And I'll be over here, I just have to finish this batch of scones! I don't know how things got so behind this morning!"
"Alright, yes, I've got it!" Elizabeth said. She quickly tore off her coat, and went to the stove to face yet another challenge. "Alright, Elizabeth. You can cook eggs. You can make cookies, you can do this."
"Still talking to yourself, huh?" Jack asked, and Elizabeth jumped.
"Jack Thornton! You know, most people use the cafe's front door." Elizabeth said.
"I'm not most people, am I?" Jack asked, and came up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist as she tried to focus on the task at hand. "Did your family get on the stage alright?"
"Yes, they did. My father is on the way to see if she can find my sister." Elizabeth said.
"I'm half convinced that I should go to see if Tom had anything to do with it. I sent a telegram yesterday, but I haven't received a response." Jack sighed. "If I don't receive one in the next few days, I think I'll have to go."
"I don't want you to." Elizabeth sighed as she prodded at the egg with her spatula. "But I suppose it would be best if you went to check everything out."
"Believe me Elizabeth, I'd much rather stay here with you." Jack sighed. "Part of me hopes that she is there, just so we know where she is. But I also hope that she isn't, and that Tom has nothing to do with it."
"I understand." Elizabeth nodded, and carefully flipped the egg onto the plate. "There- Abigail, is this right?"
"Oh, that looks perfect! Thank you Elizabeth!" Abigail said, and set a fresh scone on the plate. "You two can run along now. I know you were going to go work on the house together."
"Are you sure Abigail? I don't mind staying to help-"
"No, no, it's fine, I'll be fine here!" Abigail promised. "Go along, have fun!"
"Well, alright. Thank you Abigail." Elizabeth said, and Jack took her hand.
"I think you'll be pleased with the amount of progress we've made since yesterday, Miss Thatcher." He said, as he led her out of the cafe. "Your father talked to me last night."
"Oh?" Elizabeth asked nervously.
"He said that he gave you a check, for a certain amount." Jack said, and cleared his throat.
"He did...I won't put it in the bank if you don't want me to, Jack. We could tear it up. and never think of it again." Elizabeth said.
"But you don't want to." Jack said, a bit crestfallen.
"No. Not because I don't think you can provide for us Jack. I do. But my father would be insulted if we didn't accept his gift...But I don't want this to cause a rift between us, Jack, not when we've come as far as we have." Elizabeth sighed. "You're everything to me. Here, take this. Do what you want with it." Elizabeth said suddenly as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the folded check.
"So, if I were to tear this up right now, and throw the pieces in the lake you, it wouldn't bother you?" Jack asked.
"I didn't say that. I said that you're the most important thing. If you honestly don't think we should accept this money, then I trust your judgement, Jack. You're going to be my husband, and I know that you want to provide for us. I know that we don't need this money." Elizabeth assured him.
"That...I was hoping that you'd say that." Jack sighed, and handed the check back to her.
"Jack, I don't…"
"I've been worried, Elizabeth. That I might not be enough for you." Jack said quietly. Elizabeth stopped walking, and lifted the hand that wasn't twined with his up to touch his cheek.
"Jack Thornton, you are everything." Elizabeth said softly, and then he was kissing her.
"I guess you should start looking for furniture." Jack said and resumed their walk.
"As simple as that?" Elizabeth laughed.
"I guess so." Jack laughed too, and the sound was musical.
"Thank you, Jack. I know that you don't want to accept any...help from my father-"
"This isn't help. It's a gift." Jack said, more to himself than to her. "Help would be if we needed the money, and had to ask him for it. A gift is...well, a gift. Not that I think we should ever make it a habit of accepting gifts like this."
"Of course not." Elizabeth agreed. "But this will be good. We can use the money to help pay for the reception, to furnish the house, make a sizeable donation to the church, purchase the new art supplies I've been wanting for the children…Maybe go on a honeymoon?" Elizabeth asked shyly, her cheeks burning.
"Oh?" Jack half smiled.
"If you don't want to- I didn't mean- we could just stay here." Elizabeth stammered.
"Spending a few days with you, alone? I can't think of anything I'd like more." Jack assured her. Her cheeks felt even more warm.
"I'm glad." She managed to say after a moment.
"We can talk about it more later." He said with a wink that made her blush creep down her neck. Yes, later. There was much to discuss later.
AN: Thanks so much for reading! The next chapter goes forwards in a time a bit, and we draw ever nearer to the Thornton/Thatcher wedding!