Elizabeth was beside herself for the second time this evening. This time it was for joy. She knew, now more than ever, that Jack was her forever, the one she was meant to be with. It was in this joyous rapture that Rosemary got up again and announced that they would play a new game she had learned in San Francisco.

"I need all of the single men to line up, you too Jack, you're not married yet", she said, embarrassing Jack for the second time in a row, "and I want all of the single ladies in a line as well. We will proceed in alphabetical order, which means that miss Allison Grant is going first. Come here Allison, I need to blindfold you. Now, you will take the hands of each gentleman until you find your true love".

"I already have, why should I.."

"Oh hush dear, you'll spoil the fun otherwise".

"Wait wait wait", Allison said, objecting, turning to face Rosemary, "what about Mrs. Stanton, she's a.b., I'm a.l.".

Rosemary turned, training her sights on Abigail, but before Rosemary could say anything Abigail spoke up, loud and clear, "as Mayor I overturn that ruling", earning her a round of laughter.

Allison closed her eyes, defeated, and let Rosemary blindfold her, vowing to get revenge somehow. Unbeknownst to her, Rosemary had silently indicated for the men to shuffle so Allie wouldn't know who was where. One by one Allie felt the hands of each man in the tow, wuickly passing up those who were not Cody. When she got to the spot where she thought Cody was she grasped the hands, instantly recognizing the roigh, strong hands in hers. But they did not belong to her true love. She smiled anyways.

"Hi Uncle Jack", she said, standing on tip toes to kiss his cheek.

"Hi Allie girl".

Allie kept going until she felt them. Hands like her Uncle Jack's, but they were noticably smaller. Without hesitating she kissed his cheek, much to the amusement of the crowd, and much to the annoyance of Abigail.

"That's my Cody", she said confidantly, and upon removal of the blindfold she learned that she was right. She was rewarded with his brightest smile, but as bright as it was, it was tinged with sadness.

"Alright", Rosemary called, "who's next"?

One by one the single women had their turn until it was Elizabeth's turn. As Rosemary blindfolded her, heart raced, but it eased with one last look at Jack before her eyes were closed. His smile melted her worries. She would know his hands, how could she not. The first hands she felt were smoothe, she could feel slight callous on the tips of his fingers, something that reminded her of her father, who was a amateur pro when it came to playing the piano.

"Mr. Bouchard"?

"Well done Mrs. Grant", she blushed as he gave her hands a gentle, friendly squeeze.

"Watch it Bouchard", she heard Jack say. She smiled, and would have made her way to him if Rosemary hadn't interrupted.

"Jack", she complained, "now she knows where you are, you big galoot".

Elizabeth chuckled.

"It's okay Rosemary", she said, removing the blindfold, "I think Jack just needs some personal attention".

It was a beautiful night out as the two stepped out onto the boardwalk.

"Am I in trouble, Mrs. Grant", Jack asked, teasing her slightly.

"No, Mr. Thornton", she said in response. Her teasing tone dropped as she said, "I-I just wasn't sure how you might act when you're jealous".

Jack smiled and kissed her hand.

"I trust you Elizabeth, full stop".

"But you don't trust Mr. Bouchard"?

"I trust him to not make trouble for himself".

Elizabeth understood, smiling cheekily at him.

"What", he asked, slightly wary.

"You were staking your claim, Mr. Alpha Male".

Jack groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Maybe a little, but it's because I don't want another man moving in on my woman".

"You're woman", she asked, fully set in teasing mode.

"Yes, my woman, whom I fully intend on marrying one day".

"Well, if you play your cards right she just might say yes".

So I would like to address something. The party was not to celebrate the "opening of the saloon", the opening has nothing to do with it. The party was to celebrate the new telephone lines in Hope Valley, something that everyone dressed up for, not just Elizabeth and Jack.