Chapter 28

The rest of the evening was perfect in Elizabeth's eyes. They watched JJ play a while longer in the field. He really seemed unphased by the discussion just minutes earlier. When they came inside, Elizabeth read two stories to JJ before he and Jack walked her home. She told them they didn't have to, but her little man insisted. After all, "A gentleman makes sure the person he loves is safe." He told her more than once. She loved reading to JJ. The time together just them was perfectly mother and son in her opinion. It just cemented her motherly instincts.

After reading to her son, Elizabeth helped Jack with washing the dishes. He washed and she dried them and put them away. She was beginning to make mental notes of where things went and what they needed to purchase when they were married. While JJ worked through the eighth grade math book Elizabeth gave him, Elizabeth would steal glances at Jack. She often caught him doing the same thing. They would smile silly at each other. Both were wanting to kiss each other, but knew they had to hold back because JJ was in the room with them. Many times, they would steal a touch when Jack handed her a plate. Their touch would remain much longer than necessary.

Jack looked up and noticed Elizabeth was staring intently at him. He tried to read her expression, but he couldn't. She was so focused on him that it unnerved him a little.

You have two days to ask me to marry you Jack Thornton or I will take things into my own hands. Elizabeth told herself for the fifth time while cleaning dishes. Everything in front of her was exactly what she wanted. She wasn't willing to wait any longer to get it. Jack clearing his throat broke her from her thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Tomorrow…" She stated.

"Oh…yeah, your father is expected tomorrow evening."

"Oh…I forgot about that." She stated embarrassingly. She wasn't thinking of her father. She was thinking of Jack proposing, a very quick engagement, and a marriage. Then she was thinking about sending JJ to bed early so she and Jack could have some alone time together. Elizabeth was a little surprised that she didn't feel guilty or embarrassed thinking that way any longer. She freely thought of herself and Jack and JJ. Especially her and Jack. If she concentrated, she could still see Jack chopping wood in the thin white shirt that was see through because of his sweat. She could see his muscles working and imagining how they would feel holding her. She remembered laying in his arms on the couch a few mornings ago. He was her personal heater. I bet your skin on your chest is soft…"

"What?" Elizabeth shook her head when Jack asked her the same question for the third time touching her shoulder.

"Are you ready to go home?"

"Sure." She wasn't, but it was getting late. Her two boys needed to get back home so JJ could get in bed at a decent hour.

…

Frank and Abagail just sat down on the two chairs just outside of her café door. Their evening was busy at the café, but she was excited and grateful that Frank was always willing to help her. With them working together in the kitchen, while not very romantic, was intimate for them. They were spending time with each other. They would often talk. That connected them through their many conversations. Most of those conversations were not deep talks, but it set the foundation for their relationship.

Frank seemed a little nervous and quiet. "Sweetheart are you ok?"

Frank gave Abagail a soft smile. "I am. Almost perfect actually."

"Almost perfect?" Abagail questioned.

"Abagail, I enjoy spending time with you."

"Even in the kitchen?" She asked timidly. He worked hard along with her, and she didn't think that was something a man would want to do every evening.

"Yes, any time I have with you is great. Actually, I would like to make it permanent."

"Permanent?" She asked, confused. She watched Frank shuffle in his chair. She gasped when he stood and turned to face her. He kneeled on one knee.

"I'm a little too old for grand gestures, but please know that I cherish you. Abagail, I would love to give you the whole world, but I'm just a simple minister. I can't offer you too many material things, but I can offer you the one thing that I have."

Abagail was trying to get her mind to engage. She knew what he was doing, but her mind just wasn't functioning very well.

"I promise you everything that I am. I promise you my heart and my love. Those are the two gifts that I can give you."

"I would cherish your heart and your love." Her smile gave him the courage to continue.

"Abagail Stanton, would you marry a poor old preacher?"

Abagail squeezed Frank's hand. She would have imagined that she would have thought of Noah, but she wasn't thinking of him at all. Frank was the only person in her mind at the moment. She felt bad that she was wearing her working dress and her hair was in a messy bun. She even had on a wet apron from washing dishes. None of that mattered. This precious man was kneeling in front of her promising his heart and love to her. Her smile continued to grow.

"I love you, Frank. I would be honored to become your wife."

Frank opened his hand to present an engagement ring. It was essentially Abagail. The ring was elegant in its simplicity. Abagail wasn't a showy type of person. Frank didn't think a flashy ring would be Abagail. However, she thought the ring was absolutely perfect. She intently watched as Frank placed the ring on her finger. She turned her hand and looked at the ring on her ring finger.

"This is perfect, Frank."

"You are the one who makes it perfect."

…

The evening was perfect for a stroll. The evening air was ideal. It wasn't hot or cold. The sun was hinting at going down behind the mountains, but it still had enough light to easily walk. JJ was walking between Jack and Elizabeth. He was holding their hands just like normal. If anyone looked at them, they looked just like a family.

Jack was looking forward to not having to walk Elizabeth back to her room over the café. The wind blew and he noticed her hair blowing gently in the breeze. He glanced down and noticed that a button had come undone on her blouse. He could see the very top of her her cleavage. He couldn't see any more than the beginning of her cleavage. He hadn't seen that part of her before and it was making it very difficult to walk.

Jack shook his head trying to get the thoughts out of his head. He tried to be a perfect gentleman and not look, but he just couldn't keep from stealing glances every few seconds. Elizabeth was too distracted with the stories JJ was sharing with her to notice what Jack was struggling with. Before the walk, she would have told you that her father would have carried her thoughts. The fear of how he would react. However, he wasn't on her mind at all. She was too lost in the moment. JJ's voice filled the air. When the wind blew in the right direction, she could smell Jack's cologne.

Elizabeth looked up from JJ to see Jack's expression. His face was a light red and he looked lost in thought. She started to say something until she noticed he bit his bottom lip. He held his bottom lip in between his teeth for a long moment. Jack looked forward and then back at her just a moment later. She couldn't understand what he was thinking about. When he licked his lips, he stole her breath. Whatever he was concentrating on, he was lost in his thoughts. She was enjoying the scene in front of her. His facial expressions were intense. She loved his passion that she was beginning to see in his actions and facial features. Jack may stumble over his words when he is talking with emotions, but his facial features told Elizabeth what his heart struggled telling her.

Jack looked up after a little while and noticed Elizabeth staring at him. He straightened his back a little and cleared his throat. He quickly looked down and back to her eyes.

"Are you ok?"

Jack didn't think he could speak. He simply nodded his head up and down. JJ didn't notice any of the looks.

…

Abagail excused herself from the café just after the morning rush and walked to the mayor's office. She still didn't call it her office. She was trying to get accustomed to the new title. She smiled when Sargeant Adam's was waiting for her by the door.

"Good morning, Mayor Stanton."

"Good morning, Sargeant Adams. Are you waiting for me?"

"I am. Do you have a few moments for me?"

"I do. Come in. What may I do for you?"

"A couple of things…First, I am to award Jack a promotion. This is typically done through the mounties with the assistance of the town's mayor if available."

"I would love to assist in any way possible. What may I do?"

"We would like to have a special presentation. I will do the ceremony and you would have the opportunity to say a few words if you would like."

"I think I would. He means so much to the town."

The two spent a few more minutes discussing the ceremony and the upcoming things from Gowan's arrest. The mounties haven't had much time to look through all the evidence, but Adams assured Abagail that there would be some money returned to Hope Valley. He just didn't know how much yet.

"That would be nice. We will discuss it within the town council when we know for sure how much to expect."

"Perfect. Do you have anything for me?"

"You mentioned that we should hire a sheriff. Do you think we should with a mountie stationed here?"

"Yes. The sheriff would work for Hope Valley and would fall under your leadership to some degree. You two would work together closely with the stationed mountie."

"Who would have ultimate authority…the mountie or the sheriff?"

Adams was impressed with the questions. He wouldn't have expected such detailed questions from someone who had never held office before. He knew he was dealing with a special lady.

"Anything town related; the sheriff would have final say. The stationed mountie will be his back up. Anything else would fall under the mountie's authority."

"Could you give me an example, please."

"An escaped convict would fall under the mountie's authority. Anything Province related would be under the mountie's scope."

"That makes sense."

"The town is growing. You really need a sheriff. Hopefully, the mountie and the sheriff would be seamless."

"That sounds good. I will get with Jack sometime and discuss this with him. He may have someone in mind that he knows he could work with very well."

"I think you two will work well together."

Abagail and Adams spent another twenty minutes discussing the town's activities. Adams also expressed that Abagail needs to hire an assistant. Especially with her owning and running the café. She had to balance the two responsibilities. He was convinced she would figure out how to do both jobs very well.

…

The morning was going well for Elizabeth, save the fact that she hasn't seen her two boys this morning. She knew Jack would be busy with the three prisoners and extra mounties in town. However, she was hoping to at least see him for a few minutes. Even JJ hasn't been in the café this morning. That was a little unusual. She did see two mounties, Richardson and Jackson. They came in early for breakfast to go for the other mounties and prisoners. She asked them to say hi to Jack. They assured her that he was busy that morning and they would give him the greeting when they saw him. Elizabeth mentioned going by the jail but was hesitant to do so with Charles in the cell. Since her late night talk with him, she just wasn't interested in seeing him or talking to him. However, she would do anything just to see Jack for a few minutes.

Jackson informed Elizabeth that Jack was out of the office this morning. He was in the jail for a few moments earlier, but he wasn't expected to be in until much later. He spent his time with Sargeant Adams discussing Mr. William Thatcher. Both were expected to meet William at the stagecoach later in the evening. Since then, they haven't seen Jack. He just stated that he had something urgent to do.

Elizabeth helped with the morning rush. She was also excited about Frank and Abagail's engagement. They spoke together before the breakfast rush hour. She was excited for her sister and best friend. She was grateful that Abagail opened her heart to love again. Frank was a good man. Elizabeth laughed at Abagail's insistence that she didn't know how to be a pastor's wife. Abagail just didn't know all she did for the town.

"You have been the glue for this town for years. You helped with the squatters who came to town. You were the lead for the women during the trial. Months after the explosions, people came to you for guidance. You took in a helpless schoolteacher who just burnt down the teacherage. Without you, I would never have earned the respect of the town. You were my guardian angel."

"Elizabeth…" Abagail wiped away a few tears.

"You are the strongest person I know, Abagail." Elizabeth gave her a hug.

"I believe that title goes to you. You moved here without knowing anyone. You left so much."

"And I stayed because you were my advocate. Thank you."

Elizabeth spent a couple of hours working through her lesson plans for the beginning of school and working out the reading list for both age groups. She was looking forward to the first day of school. Before leaving the school, she looked into the corner where she first noticed her and Jack's initials. She smiled every time she did that. For some reason, knowing they were in each corner just brought her peace. As far as she knows, she and Jack were the only two people who knew. That made it even more special.

…

Sir, we are set to arrive in Hope Valley at six thirty tonight."

"Fine." Willaim huffed. He just checked the telegram office and there weren't any telegrams from Charles. He didn't understand why he hadn't heard from Charles. That was unlike him.

"Dear, we should be there this evening."

"The train ride took forever. I can't believe we have to ride in this thing." Grace stated as she stared at the stagecoach.

"We can't take the car. There isn't a petrol station anywhere close to that hick town. We would run out of fuel and be stranded for days."

"How could our Beth thrive in a place like that?"

"I'm not sure. From all she said, she is happy there."

"The scenery is nice so far. The mountains are beautiful. A far cry from the big city of Hamilton."

Grace decided at the last minute to go with William. William hadn't planned on her traveling with him. Grace's reasoning was to help convince Elizabeth to come home. After all, no one knows their child like a mother.

"I suppose it is." William looked around the mountains. "I'm told these are small mountains compared to Hope Valley."

"What did Charles say?"

"That's the problem…there wasn't anything from him."

"Really?" A shocked Grace asked.

"I don't understand it. I hope all is well."

"I'm sure it is. Maybe he is too busy preparing Beth to come home."

"Alright dear. Let's get going and we can get Beth ready for her reak life. We should be stopping in a couple of hours to rest and water the horses."

"Let's get this nightmare over with." Grace sighed as she stepped onto the stagecoach with the help of William.

…

Elizabeth was laughing at something Abagil said. Elizabeth was pulling out the first batch of chocolate chip cookies she made by herself. Abagail was in the kitchen with her, but Elizabeth did it all by herself. She was very pleased with the way they looked. She did hold back a little on the chocolate chips, but not too much. Both ladies looked up when the side door opened.

JJ walks into the café looking for his mommy. He was half wet and half muddy. He didn't make it into the kitchen two steps before he heard her voice.

"Stop!" Elizabeth turned from the stove and shook her head in disbelief. "Son, I don't know what I'm going to do with you…" Her voice trailed off as she saw the spectacle standing in front of her.

"I guess you just have to love me…" JJ shrugged his shoulders with a playful smirk.

"I guess…Now, go upstairs and get you a change of clothes."

"I don't have any here. Daddy took them all home because they were all dirty."

"I guess from the pond."

"Maybe…" JJ shrugged his shoulders. Elizabeth fell in love with his little mischievous grin.

"I'll go home with you so you can wash up and change."

"I have to wash up?"

"Yes, my boy. You're half muddy. Now, let's go by the jail and I will step in and let Jack know we are going to your home to change."

"Don't worry about it, Eizabeth." Abagail stated. "I'll tell him. He will probably be by here soon for the food for the prisoners."

"Thanks Abagail." Elizabeth turned her attention to her little boy. "Grab that towel and clean up your puddles before we leave. Let's go."

"Yes, mommy."

JJ did exactly what he was told to do. When JJ stepped outside on the front sidewalk, he glanced up and saw Jack standing in front of the jail. Elizabeth immediately followed JJ out the door, but she didn't see Jack standing to the left several yards away. Elizabeth and JJ turned to the right to walk toward the row houses. JJ glanced back at Jack when Elizabeth spoke to Mr. Yost. He stuck out his right hand and nonchalantly stuck up his thumb. This was his and Jack's way of saying they were good without being able to speak to each other.

"Am I in trouble, mommy." JJ smiled up at Elizabeth.

"With a smile like that, no. Not for playing in the pond, but I think you may need to learn to clean your boots because you forget to take them off."

"I love you, mommy."

As frustrated as she wanted to be with her dirty, little son who smelled like the pond and who looked like someone who lived on the banks of it, she just couldn't be. His little grin pulled her in just like Jack's dimples. She really didn't like washing clothes, but it was just different when it came to JJ's clothes. She welcomed doing things for him. It all made her feel very motherly. Her or her sisters would never do anything like this when they were younger. She just figured that was one of the many differences between boys and girls.

"I love you, sweet boy. Now, let's get you cleaned up and changed. I think I may need to let those pants soak for a little bit before they will come clean."

"Maybe…I am pretty dirty."

"Yes, you are. They are already getting a little crusty." Elizabeth shook her head. "How can a little boy get so dirty?"

"It's a gift, mommy." JJ teased.

JJ took a quick glance over his right shoulder and noticed Jack walking a good distance behind them. He quickly looked back around. He didn't want Elizabeth to notice anything.

…

"Constable! Constable!" Charles bellowed out.

Reed and Williams let out a loud sigh and rolled their eyes. The look passed between them was filled with frustration. Between Charles and Gowen, they were constantly yelling about something. They were hungry, bored, and wanted to send a telegram. They wanted to complain about something.

"If they say one more thing, I will hog tie them and stuff a shirt in their mouths."

"Calm down Reed. We don't want to fill out that report."

"It may be worth it." Reed stated as he stood from his chair beside Jack's desk. "What is it this time prisoner?"

"It's Mr. Kensington, Constable."

"Actually, it AL4299."

"What's AL4299?"

"That is your prisoner number. AL stands for Alberta. You are Alberta prisoner 4299."

Charles paused for a moment. For some reason, this became real. He thought Jack overstepped his role as a mountie by arresting him. He thought Jack was just trying to remove him from Elizabeth. But for him to have a prisoner number, Charles thought he may be in real trouble.

"I would like to send a telegram."

"Fine." Williams handed Reed a piece of paper and a pencil. "What is it you would like to say?"

"I'll write it down."

"No sir, you are not allowed to have a pencil." Reed stated with authority. "Tell me what you would like the telegram to say, and I will write it for you. You also need to tell me where to send it."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"First, I am a mountie. Secondly, if you choose not to send the telegram, that is your choice. But remember, you made that choice."

"Fine!" Charles huffed. "I have two telegrams to send."

"You have one telegram a day."

Charles stared at this man for a few minutes. He didn't like this mountie either. "Fine. I would like to send a telegram to Mr. William Thatcher in Hamilton at Thatcher Shipping."

"Go ahead." Reed gave Williams a look. They knew about the telegram that was sent earlier from Willaim Thatcher to Charles.

"Wait…that reminds me. He sent a telegram to you earlier." Reed stated.

"He did?"

"Yes." Williams opened the middle drawer of Jack's desk and picked up the telegram. He walked it over to Charles.

Charles read the telegram. "This arrived yesterday. Why did you wait so long to give it to me?" He demanded.

"We were busy arresting this one." He nodded toward Gowan. "Now, we are required to get you the telegram within twenty four hours of receiving it. If you notice the time stamp, we are well within that time frame.

Charles huffed and looked back down at the telegram.

Charles –

Heading your way. Wait for my arrival.

– William

Charles looked up. "That means he's arriving sometime today."

"Yes, tonight around six thirty. Now, what do you want the telegram to say?"

"Never mind. He'll be here soon. He will get me out of here and you all will pay!" He hissed.

…

JJ followed Elizabeth into the row house. The two chatted during the whole walk. She noticed JJ would occasionally look over his shoulder but didn't really think too much about it. She just figured he was looking around or he noticed something.

"Now, before you make a mess in the house, please strip down and cover yourself with the towel. Leave your pants down here and I'll put them in the sink and let them soak. They're going to need it."

"I believe you are correct. They are getting a little hard to bend my legs."

Elizabeth handed him the towel. "Now, take off your clothes to your undergarments and I'll get the sink filled with water and soap.

JJ smiled at Elizabeth while he undressed to his undergarments. He handed her his socks, shirt, and pants. He wrapped the towel around himself and started toward the stairs. When he reached the first step, he stopped and turned around to watch his mommy. She was diligently working on filling the sink with water. She placed the socks and shirt in the sink and made sure they were completely submerged under the water and soap. When she reached for his pants, JJ grinned when Elizabeth very slowly began to reach into his front pockets. She just knew there was something alive, or used to be alive, in them. "That boy will kill me with something in his pockets." She whispered to herself. She didn't know that JJ was standing on the stairs watching her. She stopped when she felt something in the right front pocket. It wasn't soft. It was a hard, small box "What in the world…"

JJ quickly put on the pants and shirt that was sitting on the stairs. He placed them there before him and Jack left that morning. He saw Elizabeth pull the black box out of his pockets. He smiled at her confused expression.

Elizabeth looked at the box. It looked like a ring box. "Why would JJ have a ring box in his pockets?" She stated to no one. She turned around to look up the stairs, but the large bouquet of wildflowers on the kitchen table caught her attention. They were filled with different colors of daisies, her favorite flower. She was frozen for a moment. While holding the ring box, she walked toward the table and the flowers. Elizabeth used her free hand to run over a few pedals. She noticed a note at the base of the vase.

Mommy –

I can't promise you I will never get dirty again. I can't promise you I will never be completely wet. I can't promise there will never be anything in my pockets, but I can promise you with all my heart that I love you very much and I always will. Would you please become my mommy officially?"

– JJ

The handwriting was messy and not every word was spelled correctly, but that wasn't why she was having trouble reading the letter. Her eyes were filled with tears. She had wiped them a few times, but the tears continued to flow easily. They flowed even more when she looked toward the stairs and noticed her little boy standing there.

"Mommy…" JJ stated as he began to walk toward Elizabeth. He reached for the box and took it from her. Elizabeth stood frozen not knowing what was happening. He opened the box and pulled out a white gold ring with the word 'MOM' spelled out with a heart for the 'O'. "…would you officially be my mommy?" JJ never broke eye contact with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth tried her best to inhale a breath she desperately needed, but she just couldn't. What does he mean officially be his mommy? I am his mommy on earth… She thought to herself.

Elizabeth wiped away another tear and nodded her head. "Oh..JJ…I would love nothing else than to be your mommy." She placed her left hand over her mouth trying to gain control of her emotions.

JJ reached up and took her right hand. He took the ring and placed the ring on her right ring finger. He had practiced all morning to make sure he took the right hand. He didn't want to mess this up. After placing the ring on her finger, he turned it, so the MOM was visible. He pulled on her hand until she bent down. He kissed her on the cheek. "I love you mommy."

"I love you, JJ." Elizabeth finally stated through tears. "But what do you mean 'officially be your mommy'?" Elizabeth looked confused at her son's growing smile. He didn't say anything. He simply nodded his head toward the front door. Elizabeth turned around and gasped.

Jack was standing in the doorway dressed in his blue suit with the biggest dimpled grin on his face. The light behind him lit him in such a way that it looked like a spotlight was shining on him.

"Jack…" She gasped. She inhaled a deep breath, but no air reached her lungs. Her hands clasped together in front of her chest. For Elizabeth, time stopped. She didn't hear any sounds. She didn't even notice the birds chirping out the kitchen window. All she noticed was Jack. He stood tall and strong. He looked very handsome in his suit. He was cleaned shaven, and his hair was perfect. She was certain she wouldn't remember a thing about the moment.

Jack slowly began walking toward her. She was about fifteen feet away. "Elizabeth…I should have done this years ago." Jack's smile only grew as he continued to slowly walk toward her. "I knew the first time I saw you that you would be someone special to me. You scared me. I didn't want to get married. After all, if mounties were to be married they would issue us one. Deep down…I knew you were the one God had for me. I ran from you for some time."

Jack reached for Elizabeth hands when he was standing in front of her. While Jack's hands were usually a little rough, at this moment they were soft as a cloud. She was a little surprised she noticed that. When she focused on his eyes, she was completely lost in them. He was drawing her in, and she was very willing to let him.

"Elizabeth…" Jack elongated her name. "I love you with all my heart. You have all of me without any reservation." Jack looked down as he ran his thumb over JJ's ring. Elizabeth followed Jack's gaze. She realized at that moment what JJ meant about officially becoming his mommy. Her mind finally kicked in what Jack was doing. She finally realized that Jack was going to propose. Her right hand flew to cover her mouth. The act was involuntary. She had no conscious control over her body. She was simply lost in the moment.

Jack continued his hold on her left hand. He kept eye contact with Elizabeth as he took a half a step back and slowly kneeled onto his knee. Elizabeth never took her eyes off him.

"Elizabeth Marie Thatcher…I love you with all that I am. I would love for us to walk this life together. To face whatever it throws at us as one. Everything will be better with you standing by my side. Elizabeth…will you walk this life with me and face it together? Will you marry me?"

Elizabeth was so lost in Jack's eyes that she didn't know that JJ walked around her and kneeled beside Jack. JJ placed his hand over Elizabeth's hand that Jack was holding.

"Mommy, will you marry us and become our family?"

Elizabeth reluctantly tore her eyes away from Jack when she heard JJ's voice. She smiled when her eyes focused on her boy's face. Her grin turned into a huge smile when she noticed both Jack and JJ were kneeling in front of her holding her hand. When her focus returned to Jack, she noticed he was holding an open ring box that contained the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It wasn't ostentatious or gaudy. It was simply gorgeous. When her eyes left the ring, they returned to look into Jack's eyes. She saw the most complete love looking back at her.

With the biggest smile her face could ever hold, she slowly nodded her head. She whispered yes but said it so softly that Jack and JJ couldn't hear her. The more she nodded her head, the more her voice gained strength. She kept repeating the word yes until she finally screamed it.

"Yes! Yes! Of course, I'll marry you!"

Jack placed the ring on her finger and stood in front of her. He met her lips in an intimate kiss. With her lips against Jack's, she smiled when she felt her son's arms wrapped around her waist.