Chapter 5

"You didn't know I was the same person?" Asked a confused Elizabeth.

"I didn't know your name was Elizabeth. I knew you as Ms. Thatcher." Stated a stunned Jack. His brain was trying to process everything. He was trying to reconcile his knowledge of Ms. Thatcher and the stories everyone told of Elizabeth.

"Ok?" She stated slowly. "Wow, what happened to you? Did you earn that black eye?" She sassed.

"I did. I earned it fair and square." He stated with a little bit of playful attitude.

"Are you ok?" She stated as she reached up like she was going to caress his bruise but was scared to touch it.

"Why are you being nice all of a sudden?"

His question caught her off guard. She was worried about his physical wellbeing. His black eye and bruises on his face showed he was in a fight, and she didn't know how hurt he was. She noticed he was also guarded toward her. She couldn't blame him for that due to how she treated him in their first meeting.

"I'm always nice." She stated with a small smile.

Jack laughed out loud. "You…always nice?" He asked. "You were very rude yesterday when I meet you and for no apparent reason. I've been told by a couple of people how great you are and how nice and friendly you are to everyone."

"Usually, I am. I was having an off day yesterday."

"And that gave you a reason to be rude?"

"No, it doesn't. I am sorry for how I acted yesterday. I shouldn't have treated you like that. You did nothing wrong. I'm sorry."

Jack stood looking at her. She seemed friendly and sincere in her apology, but he still remembered her actions from yesterday. He didn't say anything.

"Are you ok? You have a lot of bruises and a black eye. Did you have an altercation with someone?"

"Yes, I did. Last night I arrested a suspect who didn't want to be arrested. I'm ok. Just sore and tired." He looked at her with a questioning look.

She walked a few steps closer to him to look at his face a little better. When she raised her hand this time, she gently caresses his cheek where a smaller bruise was beginning to heal. He winched at her touch expecting it to hurt. However, it wasn't pain that he felt. For some odd reason, his toes tingled. His eyes cut to hers looking for an explanation. He saw something in her beautiful blue eyes that he wasn't expecting to see.

…

Bill went back to his house to rest from the long day and the burden of the crime spree. He grabbed a bottled water and walked to his patio to sit in his favorite lounge chair. After a couple of drinks, his cell phone buzzed. After looking at the text, he called Charlette. "Hey Charlette, I thought this would be better than texting. What's up?"

I wanted to talk to you about Jack and Tom for a few minutes if you have time?"

"I do. I just walked into my house. What is going on?"

Charlette sighed. She loved her youngest son. Tom was a good guy, but he didn't always make the best decisions. He didn't think things through before making decisions or doing things. "Tom is on his way to see Jack."

"Really? Is everything alright?"

"I'm not sure. Tom doesn't always think things through properly. He's not a bad guy, he's just impulsive."

"I understand. I will keep an eye out for him and make sure things go well."

"He is supposed to be bringing some new girlfriend with him. I think he said her name is Julie or something."

"Oh boy." Bill stated while shaking his head.

"Yeah. He was never one for relationships that last longer than a week or so."

"Yeah. This might cause issues."

"Usually does. Thanks Bill. I appreciate you looking after him. How is Jack doing?"

"He's doing great. We had a run in with a few people last night. Jack received a couple of bruises and a black eye, but nothing major."

"He's always finding himself in situations like that. I wish he would take better care of himself."

"He does great. He handled himself like a professional. You know the job, Charlette."

"I know. I know. Have you talked with him about what you want to do yet?"

"Not yet. He has only been here a couple of days. I still intend to talk to him about taking over for me when I retire. I think he will be a perfect fit here."

…

When Elizabeth touched Jack's face, she noticed him winch in pain. She knew it had to hurt. The bruises were beginning to heal, but they still looked bad. She didn't know why she reached for him, that was not like her. She just didn't touch stranger's faces. She expected to feel a bump or to feel his day old facial hair growth, but she didn't feel any of that. Something happened that she didn't expect, she felt her toes tingle. She gasped. "Oh my!" Where did that come from? She thought to herself. Her fingers lingered on Jack's cheek longer than they should have for someone she just met. She didn't fully understand the reasoning, but she wanted to feel him. After removing her fingers from Jack's cheek, her toes still tingled. She missed touching him. Then she realized something that made her cheeks turn a bright red. That is one of the feelings of love she has always wanted. She slightly shook her head when she noticed her toes were still tingling.

She heard Jack's voice but didn't catch a word he was saying. She looked at him confused. He returned her look of confusion. "Elizabeth, I asked if you are ok. Your facial expression changed, and you color is redder."

"Oh. No. I'm fine. Everything is great."

He didn't know where he had the ability to ask such a question. He was still in shock that his toes were still tingling. What caused that? He thought to himself. He knew what caused it, he just wasn't ready to admit it.

"Jack, your food is almost ready, and I will place it at the small table in the corner for you. Elizabeth, I have your favorite order in too and it is getting prepared for you. I'll bring it over to the table when it is finished with Jack's. Go. Go. Have a seat. It will only be a couple of minutes." Abagail said as she started to push the two toward the small, secluded table in the corner.

Elizabeth knew what her friend was trying to do. She was trying to think of something to change the seating arrangements, but nothing was coming to mind. She smiled when she couldn't think of something. As they sat at the table, the two looked everywhere except at each other.

Finally, their eyes connected and each smiled. Wow! Her eyes turn bluer when she smiles like that. He thought as her eyes sparked. I could easily get lost in those seas of blue.

Wow" Those dimples…I could look at those dimples all day. She thought. I wonder what it would be like to kiss him.

Elizabeth finally broke the silence. "I hope you don't mind me eating with you. I know this wasn't your plan, but sometimes Abagail can be a little bossy."

"I am no such thing!" Abagail stated making both, Jack and Elizabeth, jump in their seats. They were so focused on each other they didn't hear her walk up to the table carrying their plates of food.

"Oh goodness, Abagail. You scared us."

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I have your dinner. I hope you enjoy it."

Abagail placed the plates in front of them and chuckled. As Elizabeth and Jack looked at their plates and then at each other's plate, then they laughed together.

Jack leaned in as if he was sharing a secret. "I learned quickly that Abagail is in charge. I figured if I had an older sister, she would act a lot like Abagail."

"Oh, you have no idea." Laughed Elizabeth. She is the best friend you could ever have. She is my honorary sister since I moved here.

Looking at her plate, he stated, "This is your favorite meal here?" Jack asked.

"Yes. And you ordered the same?"

"Well, I did order it before you did." Jack sassed.

"Well, not really. I have been ordering it for three years." She sassed back.

"Baked chicken, broccoli cheese casserole, and carrots are my favorite foods."

"Mine too," Elizabeth exclaimed.

They both laughed and then smiled at each other. This was their first big smile toward one another, and they both felt it.

"I uh…would…I mean…"

Jack cut her off. "Would you mind if I pray for my food before we eat?"

"Would you please pray for both of our meals?" She asked with another smile on her face. This made him relax and he prayed for their meal.

Much to their surprise, the conversation flowed easily. There were no awkward silences and plenty of laughter. They didn't notice when Abagail came over with refills. They were lost in each other.

"I have one brother who is three years younger than me. His name is Tom. He is a tumble weed. He is a very smart guy, just has trouble settling down on one thing."

"That sounds like my younger sister, Julie. She can't settle on anything."

"Do you have any other siblings?"

"I have an older sister, Viola. I haven't seen her in a couple of years. She married some man from England and moved there after their wedding. She has kind of forgot about us."

"I'm sorry to hear that. That must be difficult for you and your family."

"Viola was always her own person. I was never really close to her. Julie and I are so different, but we are close."

"How are you different?"

"Well, she can't settle on anything. She jumps from one thing to another. She can't stay with one profession for very long. She doesn't know her calling in life. I knew what I wanted to do in grade school. I have always wanted to be a teacher. No other profession impressed me."

"Why is that?"

When I was in the fourth grade, Mrs. Johnson the librarian, introduced me to books. I instantly took to them. I love learning and from then on, I wanted to make a difference in the lives of people. Then in the sixth grade my English teacher encouraged me to work on a project involving second graders. I was responsible to help them learn to read. After the first student, I knew what my calling was. I never looked back."

"Wow. That's great. My mother was a teacher. She just retired a year or so ago. That sounds just like her story when she was little. She didn't want to be anything other than a teacher except to be a wife and mom."

Elizabeth blushed. Those were her three wishes as well. Well, they were before Charles.

"Are you ok? That's the second time this evening your face turned red. Are you alright?" A concerned Jack asked.

"I'm fine."

"Well, I'm not sure I believe you, but you are adorable right now, so I guess I won't push the issue." He smiled his dimpled grin at her.

Those dimples are going to be the death of me she thought.

"What about you, you always wanted to be a cop?"

"Yes. Ever since my…" Jacks word faded into silence.

She knew there had to be a story there, "Ever since…?"

"My father was killed in the line of duty when I was younger."

"Oh Jack. I am so sorry."

"Thank you. That's kind of you to say."

"I bet that's the first time you said those words to me." She sassed with a huge grin.

Jack offered a smile in return. "I always wanted to be like him. When I finished high school, I received my degree in criminal justice and joined the police academy. After that, I was asked to join the Special Investigators Department. I joined and finished their requirements. Now I am an investigator. I usually travel to different departments at their request to help in their unsolved cases."

"Sounds like you do important work."

"I guess. It's losing it shine though. I am getting tired of the traveling."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I want what my parents had."

"May I ask what that is?" She wasn't sure why she asked that question. She really didn't know why she was hoping he would say the reason was because he wanted a family."

"My parents loved each other deeply. My father always said he couldn't wait to get home to mom. That was his greatest desire, to be with her. Mom always said that she couldn't wait to hear the garage door open. I remember she would always get excited and stop whatever she was doing to go to the door and wait on him."

Elizabeth smiled at his memory. "That sounds like a perfect life."

"I want that kind of love. The kind of love that makes you want to be home. The kind that you can't wait for your spouse to walk through the door. The kind of love that makes your toes."

"Tingle." She stated surprised at her response.

"Yeah, how did you know that?" He asked shocked.

For the third time in their short evening together, she blushed. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs that she wanted the same thing. However, she simply nodded her head up and down.

"My parents have the same thing. They are always kissing and hugging each other. Every time they pass each other they would touch. Mostly simple acts like touching each other on the shoulder or placing a hand on the other's back but loving touches none the less. I hated it as a kid, but I find myself wishing for that when I get married."

Jack looked surprised and Elizabeth caught his expression.

"What?" She asked as a chuckle slipped past her lips.

"I'm just a little bit surprised I guess."

"Why is that?"

Abagail stood back and watched them talk. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but the conversation flowed smoothly. She guessed the two of them didn't realize all the smiles they gave each other. They look like long time friends instead of their first true conversation. She also noticed several flirty eyes from them both. She couldn't help but smile at the sight before her.

"When I only knew you as Ms. Thatcher, I thought of you as a rude individual who I couldn't get away from fast enough. I was told by Abagail she had a friend who was a teacher who was so kind and nice named Elizabeth. I remember telling her that I wish I was able to speak to her instead of Ms. Thatcher." He shook his head remembering the memory.

"Ah yes. Chief Avery asked me not to scare you anymore. He said you were hiding from me at the school today." She laughed and he thought that was the best sound he has ever heard.

"I wasn't hiding." Jack sounded overly defensive. "I was just checking on something else from the day before." He couldn't help but smile a little. He was hoping she didn't see it.

It was too late, however. Elizabeth saw the corner of his lips curl upward slightly. No matter how hard he tries, he can't hide his feeling from his facial features. That's good to know. "Sure. Sure. You weren't hiding." She smirked which caused him to smile.

"What was it that you were working on?"

"Oh, just something with Ms. Alice from the cafeteria."

"What would you have anything to do with Alice?" She knew since Alice told her but didn't want to share that piece of information.

"Nothing important." He stated with an embarrassed look.

Yup, can't hide his true thoughts from his face. She thought. That will help me out in the future. Wait…future?

Jack spoke, "Ms. Alice is a nice person, very helpful."

"She really is. I'm a little surprised she allows you to call her Ms. Alice. She normally doesn't allow anyone call her anything other than Alice."

"She wouldn't let me call her Mrs. and I can't just call her Alice. So, we agreed on Ms. Alice." He smiled that dimple smile again.

"You need to stop doing that" she mentioned without realizing she said it out loud.

"I need to stop what?"

…

Mary, one of Abagail's waitresses, stepped up to Abagail and said, "Do you see that?"

Abagail smiled, "It's great, isn't it?"

"It is! What do you know about him? Is he a good guy? Worthy of her?"

"I don't know him that well, but the Chief does, and he likes him a lot. What I do know of him, he is a great guy."

"They look like they are getting along well. They have been sitting there for hours. I picked up their plates forty-five minutes ago and they didn't take their eyes off each other. They don't realize their plates are gone."

Both ladies smiled at each other knowing they are witnessing something special. Abagail said what both ladies were thinking, "I just hope all that stuff with Charles doesn't jump up and cause problems."

"Yeah, me too. I wonder if he has any issues from his past?" Asked Mary.

"He's a good looking man, I say there would be someone in his past."

"I bet they're married within six months." Mary initially shocked Abagail with her statement, but, honestly, Abagail was thinking the same thing.

"Huh…maybe so." Abagail couldn't stop watching them and how they are interacting with each other.

…

"Nothing, Jack." She said embarrassingly not realizing she actually spoke the words. This is the fourth time she was embarrassed. I think my face is just going to be red forever.

"You're adorable when you are embarrassed." He spoke very softly, almost soft enough she couldn't hear him.

She nodded but didn't say anything.

"You mentioned your sister, Julie. Do you speak with her often?"

"Oh yes. A couple of times each week. She really is great, she's just silly. I never know what she is going to do or say. I don't think she knows either." She laughed.

"That sounds so much like my brother, Tom. He surprises himself sometimes with the things he says."

"Elizabeth, may I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure, Jack. You may ask me anything."

"After meeting you yesterday, I am surprised I'm asking…" he trailed off not sure if he should ask. He wanted to know but didn't want to push too much. "How is someone like you still single?" There, he said it. He felt relieved in asking, but now he was nervous waiting for the answer.

"Well…"

Abagail interrupted Elizabeth before she was able to finish the sentence. "I hate to break up the conversation, but I closed thirty minutes ago. I need to let my staff go home and I need to go home to Frank."

"Closed thirty minutes ago? What time is it?" Asked Elizabeth.

"It's 10:30."

"10:30!? We have been here four and a half hours?"

"Yes, you have. I'm sorry but I really do need to go home."

Jack looked at Elizabeth, "Have we really talked for four and a half hours?"

"I guess we did, but I didn't notice the time." She looked down at the table and didn't see their plates or glasses and wondered when they were picked up.

"Hey, where did the plates and cups go?" Asked Jack.

She thought, I don't want the night to end, but it's getting late, and I must work tomorrow.

"Elizabeth, would you mind if I walked you home?"

"That's nice of you, but you don't have too."

Jack's head dropped with disappointment. He didn't want the night to end and was sad that it was.

"I'm going to pay the bill. I'll be back in a moment."

Jack stood and walked over to the register.

"Elizabeth." Mary scolded her when she walked over. "I can't believe you wouldn't let that man walk you home. You have been here almost five hours talking and laughing and you want the night to end this way? How could you say no to him?" Mary gave her a frustrated look. Mary walked off shaking her head without allowing Elizabeth to answer her.

Elizabeth looked up and saw Abagail talking with Jack shaking her head. She didn't have to say anything, she knew her sister's look. "Why did I say that. I don't want the night to end so why did I say no." She spoke to herself under her breath.

Abagail looked at Jack with a questioning look. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm here to pay the bill, Abagail."

"Oh, well, I closed out the cash register when I closed over thirty minutes ago. The meal is on the house."

Jack gave her a smile for her kindness, and then his face saddened.

"What's wrong, Jack? You seemed to be having a good night with Elizabeth."

"I really enjoyed myself. She is great to talk to. She isn't what I thought she was when I first meet her, but…" he trailed off before finishing his statement.

"But what?" She pushed.

"Well, I thought everything was going well, but she didn't want me to walk her home. She wanted the evening to end." Jack's facial expression saddened even more. "Plus, I think she is seeing someone."

"Why would you think that? She sat with you all evening."

"It wasn't a date, Abagail. I know I don't date much, but I do know what a date is."

"Ok. So why do you think she is dating someone."

"I asked her how someone could be so great and still be single." He paused.

"Yes."

"She began to say something when you walked up, and she said 'Well'"

"Well?"

Jack nodded in agreement. "Like, well, I am dating someone."

"Jack, you are reading too much into that. I have known her for three years. She hasn't dated anyone since she has been here. She isn't dating anyone. Now, get over there and escort that young lady home."

"Abagail, I tried, and she said no. What am I supposed to do?"

"You heard me young man. Now, go."

"You're so much like a sister." Then Jack's cell phone rang. "Excuse me, Abagail. I'll be right back."

…

Jack stepped to the side and answer the phone call from his mother. When he left the counter, Abagail made her way over to Elizabeth. She saw Abagail coming in her direction and already knew she was in trouble. By Abagail's facial expression, she was really in big trouble.

Elizabeth stood up and put her hands in the air in a surrendering position. "I know, Abagail. I know. I just got scared for a moment."

"Scared! Why are you scared now? If you wanted to be scared, you should have been scared almost five hours ago." She stated with a little bit of attitude only an older sister could say. "He's confused. He thought everything was going so well but then you didn't want him to escort you home. Then he thinks you're with someone."

"What? Why would he think I'm with someone?"

"When he asked how you are still single you answered him with 'Well.'"

"Because you interrupted me!"

"Oh. Sorry about that. I think he's nervous about you."

"Why would he be nervous about me?"

"He said that he hasn't dated much. I don't think he has a lot of experience in dating."

"Well, neither have I. I only dated one person."

"Yes, but you dated him for years."

"Well, yes, technically. But we never really dated.

Abagail stood in front of her little sister still giving her the older sister look.

"What?" Asked Elizabeth after several moments of awkwardness.

"You better fix this young lady, and quickly."

"Fix what?"

"He isn't Charles. Do not allow that shallow of a man to influence any part of your life. You like Jack and he likes you. Correct this misunderstanding and fix it now."

"How do you know I like him, or he likes me."

"Seriously?" Abagail answered exasperated. "You two were talking for almost five hours. You didn't realize I took your plates and glasses. I brought you refills, and you didn't notice me. You two were lost in each other and enjoyed every moment of it."

"I don't…"

She was cut off by Abagail. "Don't you lie to me young lady!" Abagail exclaimed with a smirk on her face. "You like him, and I can see it written all over your face. You can't even hide it."

Elizabeth looked up and gave her a smile of someone who was busted. Abagail responded with a knowing smile of he own. They smiled at each other not having to say anything to know what the other was thinking.

"Excuse me ladies. I'm sorry but I must go. After my mother called, Chief Avery called, and I need to go. Abagail, thank you for everything and the meal was excellent. Elizabeth, thank you for spending time with me and for the conversation. He reached for her hand and gently took it in his. With a gentle squeeze, he said, "I called you an uber to take you home. I'm not sure where you live but I don't want you walking home this late by yourself. Please let me do this for you?"

She heard everything until he took her hand. She couldn't get past the feel of her hand in his. It just fit. Then it was the fact that her toes were tingling again. How does he do that?

"Elizabeth, would you please let me do that for you?"

She just didn't hear anything he said. That strange tingling feeling had all her attention.

"That's ok, Jack. I will take her home. Save your money on the Uber. I will make sure she gets home safely. She doesn't life far from me."

Talking to Abagail but looking at Elizabeth, "Thank you, Abagail. Elizabeth, I enjoyed our evening. I'm sorry, but I need to go now. Good night."

Elizabeth didn't have the ability to say anything, but at least she was able to nod. She looked up and saw the ridiculously huge smile on Abagail's face. "Sush you." Said Elizabeth.

When Jack let go of her hand, he instantly missed it. He loved the feeling of her hand in his. It just fit. Like their hands were formed for each other. "How does she make my toes tingle?" he asked himself while walking out the door.