Chapter 17

Elizabeth looked up when she heard JJ's little voice. She was leaving the café heading toward the mercantile. The smile instantly overtook her face. Just hearing that little voice call her name was all it took for him to take another piece of her heart. JJ was in a dead run smiling. She kneeled down and opened her arms. He ran right into the hug. He hit her so hard he almost knocked her over.

"Ms. Elizabeth…! Ms. Elizabeth…!" JJ was so excited that he was having trouble speaking.

Elizabeth pulled back just enough to look JJ in the eye. She didn't know why he was so excited.

"JJ…sweetheart, you need to take a breath. What has you so excited."

"Ms. Elizabeth…I have something to ask you."

"Sure, sweetheart. Slow down and take a deep breath. It's hard to understand you when you talk so fast."

JJ took two deep breaths. He smiled that little smile that melted her heart. She thought he looked so much like Jack at that moment.

"Dad said I needed to talk with you…"

"Dad?" Elizabeth asked very slowly.

"Yeah…Mr. Jack said I could call him dad. He's going to share that title with my dad that's in heaven."

Elizabeth didn't even notice the tear that was rolling down her cheek. She nodded her head.

"First, it's yes…not yeah. Secondly, that's great. I know Jack loves you just like a son."

"Yes." JJ smirked with a big smile. "He said he loves me like his son and he wanted to call me that. He said he would call me that even if I don't call him dad."

"Oh, JJ…that's great. I'm sure Jack will be a great dad to you."

"I think so too."

"Alright…you stated that you had something you wanted to ask me?"

"Oh…I do. May I…"

"JJ!" Jack yelled.

Elizabeth looked up and JJ turned his head to see Jack running up main street. He kept yelling JJ's name.

"JJ! Wait!"

Elizabeth and JJ just waited for Jack to catch up to them. She continued to kneel, and JJ remained in her embrace.

"JJ…don't." Jack stated as he was ten feet away.

When Jack reached the couple, he bent over at the waist with his hands on his knees. He was out of breath.

"Did you say anything?"

"No. Not yet."

Elizabeth looked between the two of them confused.

"Please don't. We need to discuss this a little more before you say anything."

JJ didn't understand. He thought Jack had told him he could ask her.

"But you said I could ask her?"

"Not yet." Jack was still breathing heavily.

"Ok…" JJ elongated the word in complete confusion. In his little heart, Elizabeth was his mommy just like Jack was his dad. They were sharing the same title as his parents in heaven. He didn't understand why Jack wanted him to wait, but he did trust Jack.

"We'll talk about it tonight."

"Mo…" JJ corrected himself. "Ms. Elizabeth, would you like to come eat with us tonight?"

Elizabeth broke her staring from Jack and her eyes landed on JJ. "I would love to have dinner with you two." Elizabeth's smile was growing thinking about spending time with Jack and JJ.

"He won't make you sick, but his cooking isn't the best." Smirked a mischievous JJ. He enjoys giving Jack a hard time about his lack of cooking skills. "If we're lucky, Auntie Abagail will send us home with some biscuits."

"Hey!" Gasped Jack. "You eat everything I put on your plate." Sassed Jack.

"Because I'm hungry." JJ patted his belly.

"Good enough." Jack stated as he messed up JJ's hair.

"Maybe dad will allow you to read me a bedtime story."

"Maybe." Jack answered when Elizabeth was quiet at the title JJ used.

"Then we can talk with Ms. Elizabeth tonight about that special thing." JJ stated to Jack but was nodding toward Elizabeth.

Jack sighed. He was hoping to avoid this conversation with Elizabeth for a little while. He quickly realizing that when JJ had his mind set on something, he wouldn't forget about it.

"We can talk about it with her then. Go and find Robert, young man."

"Bye!" JJ smiled as he gave Elizabeth and Jack a hug.

"What's that about?" Elizabeth asked as they watched JJ run down main street.

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. Elizabeth smiled at his nervousness. She thought he was adorable when he was nervous. He was rarely nervous. He was always strong and confident. She always thought it was due to his mountie training, but she knew it was just the type of man he is. He had this inner strength. As determined as JJ is, Jack knew that Elizabeth is much more determined when her mind is set.

"JJ and I just spoke in the jail. I asked him if I could call him son…" Jack spent the next few minutes sharing with Elizabeth the discussion he and JJ had. Elizabeth's smile only grew as Jack told her the story. She could easily see Jack as a dad. During the time Jack was speaking, Elizabeth took several half steps forward. She wanted to be a little closer to him. He was unintentionally drawing her in. Plus, hearing Jack talk about his love for JJ was making Elizabeth think of Jack as a dad. For some odd reason, this was making Jack even sexier. Those types of thoughts in the past would make her very uncomfortable. She would always scold herself for those thoughts. However, they were not making her uncomfortable today. She barely had enough of her brain that wasn't consumed with Jack to remember the discussion JJ wanted to have with her.

"That's great Jack. He will love having you as a dad." Elizabeth was grateful for their conversation. It was like it used to be before the Hamilton disaster. "But what does that have to do with me?"

"Well…" Jack was hesitant to answer her question. It was early in their rebuilding relationship to talk about something this major. He was hoping the relationship with Elizabeth would lead to a family, but this was happening too fast. Elizabeth coming into his and JJ's life in the role of wife and mother brought a smile to Jack's face. But they had just agreed to see where this was going to lead. He wanted to make it work, but it had to take a lot of time, much longer than just a few hours.

…

"Good afternoon."

"Hey Frank. What are you doing?"

"I'm about to head out the Wilson farm. He missed services and that's not like him. I just wanted to check on him."

"Would you mind taking him some of my biscuits and jam. He loves my jam."

"Sure, but on two conditions."

"Depends." She flirted.

"I get a biscuit and jam before I leave."

"I think I can do that. What else do you have?" Abagail's smile grew at his flirty grin. She leaned toward Frank and gave him a sweet kiss on his lips.

"Deal." Frank smiled as Abagail pulled away from the kiss.

…

"Well…" Jack repeated. We talked about him calling me dad and how I will share that title with his father in heaven."

"Yes, you mentioned that already." Elizabeth gave him a small grin. "I can tell there is something you are not wanting to say."

Jack looked at her confused. During their last talk, he realized he was able to read her facial expressions again. Now he realized that connection was restored for her as well. He wasn't against JJ calling her mom, but it was just too soon. They have just decided to really give their relationship a chance. Their previous conversation was a good one in that it propelled them forward, it wasn't the end all conversation that removed all doubt. Jack was praying that every word Elizabeth spoke was true. He still struggled with her time with Charles after he proposed.

"Elizabeth…" He elongated her name. "JJ asked if he could call you mommy."

Elizabeth gasped at Jack's words. Her hand involuntarily clasped in front of her chest and tears immediately fell down her cheeks. She already felt like JJ's mom in her heart and mind, but wasn't allowing herself to dwell on those feelings too often. She has never been called a mom before. She never really thought about it too much. She was in college with her sights on being a teacher. After teacher's college, she came out west to a town she didn't know anyone. Then there was Jack. Occasionally she thought about children with Jack, but their relationship was rocky at times. With her heart and mind made up, all she thought about was Jack and JJ.

"Mommy…" Elizabeth finally gasped in a very soft voice. Jack was barely able to hear it.

Jack instantly saw the emotions in Elizabeth's face and eyes as his words. He saw love and adoration.

"He…" She tried to breathe but was struggling to inhale and say the words. "He…wants to…call me…mommy?" For such an educated woman, Elizabeth was finding difficulty in finding words. She didn't know it, but she was nodding her head up and down.

Jack smiled at the woman in front of him. She was truly moved to her foundation.

"Jack…" Elizabeth drew out his name. She was truly struggling with words. "I…I would…I…"

"I know Elizabeth…I know. We'll talk about it tonight at dinner. Come by at six?"

Elizabeth could only nod her head.

…

"I don't know what she is thinking." Florence shook her head. "What are we going to do?"

"I thought she accepted that gentleman's proposal from Hamilton, Mr. Kensington?" Questioned Dottie.

"She did. I saw them the night before they left to go back to Hamilton. They were very cozy with each other eating in the café. Cat and I were in the café at the same time. I also saw him kiss her on the porch of the cafe after dinner. Then they left the next morning on the stagecoach together."

"That doesn't sound like Ms. Thatcher." Dottie slowly stated. "But I saw her and Constable Thornton earlier. They were intimate together. They were holding both hands standing very close to each other. They didn't kiss, but it was an intimate moment. They had a serious expression on their faces."

Abagail stood several feet away watching the two women talk. She saw the serious look and the confusion on their faces. While she couldn't hear everything they were saying, she could hear an occasional word or two. She did hear Elizabeth's and Mr. Kensington's name. She also heard the word 'together'. Abagail was becoming concerned with Florence. She thought Florence may cause some issues in the near future.

"She left the students with two weeks left in school. She just disappeared with very little notice."

"Good afternoon, ladies." Abagail stated as she approached Dottie and Florence's table.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Stanton. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. Is there anything else I can get for you two?"

"Well, do you have a moment to sit with us?" Florence stated. "You're on the school board. We would like to discuss something with you."

"Sure. Give me a moment." Abagail stated as she walked toward the kitchen. She appeared just a few moments later. "What's going on?"

"We need to discuss with you about the teaching position here."

"What about it? Elizabeth is doing a good job. The kids love her, and they are learning very well."

"Is she staying?" Florence asked.

"We can't have our schoolteacher courting two different men at the same time." Dottie stated.

"What do you mean?" Asked a concerned Abagail. She was concerned this may become an issue for Elizabeth.

"Well, for four or five weeks Ms. Thatcher was gone. It was widely known that she accepted Mr. Kensington's proposal. She left two weeks before the school year ended. She just left with barely a day's notice. Now we see her being very close to Constable Thronton. What is that teaching our children?"

"You shouldn't be spreading rumors, ladies."

"Abagail…we are on the school board and an important issue concerning our schoolteacher has come to the surface. This isn't spreading rumors. We are concerned about the teacher's conduct. How is that spreading rumors?" Dottie stated. "It is widely known by everyone in this town that Ms. Thatcher was courting Constable Thornton. Then this man from Hamilton shows up and she accepts his marriage proposal and leaves with him the next day. She's gone for weeks and now she just suddenly appears again."

"And now it appears she is courting Constable Thronton again." Florence added. "What are we going to do?"

"Well, first, Ms. Thatcher did leave with two weeks remaining in the school year. However, she had already finished all her lesson plans. She was using the remaining time to review and help the students that needed the extra help."

"And courting two men?" Florence challenged.

"She wasn't courting two men. She was courting Constable Jack Thronton."

"Constable Thornton informed me a week after Ms. Thatcher left that they were no longer courting because she accepted the proposal from Mr. Kensington."

"He was mistaken. She did not accept his marriage proposal. She went home to speak with her father concerning her living in Hope Valley."

"I spoke with Jack two weeks ago and he told me the same thing that Florence just said. Ms. Thatcher left with Mr. Kensington and was engaged to be married to him."

"There were four weeks of misunderstandings and miscommunications between them. I know for a fact that she did not accept Mr. Kensington's marriage proposal." Abagail stated with confidence.

"And the intimate dinner they had and the kiss in public the night before Ms. Thatcher and Mr. Kensington left together on the stagecoach?"

"It was a friend's kiss. They have been friends since childhood. Mr. Kensington did propose that night, Elizabeth went back to Hamilton to speak with her father concerning her living here. Elizabeth did not accept Mr. Kensington's proposal."

"A friend's kiss?" Florence asked shocked. "How many male friends do you kiss in public, Abagail? Especially with a friend that just proposed to you the same day. She was gone for weeks. Everyone here, including Constable Thornton, thought she left with Mr. Kensington engaged to him. Jack even said it himself to several people."

"All of that is true except for accepting Mr. Kensington's proposal. Ladies, we all know Elizabeth very well. She has been here for three years. The parents and students love her. She has always represented herself and the school with the upmost dignity."

"That is true Abagail, but these last few weeks brings her moral character into question."

"I think that's taking it a little too far, ladies. We know her very well."

"Abagail, are you telling me that you wasn't troubled with Ms. Thatcher's actions over the last couple of months?"

"Dottie, we know Elizabeth. We know what she has done for our children. There is no better teacher for our children."

…

After Jack's time talking with Lee and the discussion with JJ and Elizabeth, he went to the jail to write up his report on the explosion of the mill. He also made detailed notes concerning the fee that Henry Gowan handed Lee. He made a copy of that fee and then made copies of the other fees Gowan presented Lee early on his new business. He placed those in a large envelope. He needed to send that information off to headquarters.

Jack placed the second blasting cap in the safe with the other one. However, he kept the watch with him. He wanted to talk with Elizabeth about the watch, along with the case. He had a couple of questions that he thought she may have some information concerning anyone new in the area.

Jack also thought about the conversation on the hill with Elizabeth that morning. Part of him was excited about the potential of them working out while another part of him couldn't believe he did it. His mind was losing that battle. His heart knew it was the right thing to do. He knew time would tell, but he was hoping she was true to her words.

Jack placed the original fees in the safe and made sure it was locked. He thought the papers were proof of Gowan's misdeeds with the town's funds. He has shared his thoughts with headquarters before with nothing being done. He wasn't holding out too much hope. He noticed it was getting a little later on in the afternoon. He sighed at himself for losing track of time again. He never had to keep track of his time on the job before. He was not doing a good job with that. He was very grateful for Abagail stepping in and taking care of JJ. As Jack stood to gather the pocket watch and the envelope, he promised himself to do a better job of being present for JJ.

…

A little later Elizabeth walked into the mercantile to pick up a couple of items for the café. Abagail asked if she would be willing to pick up her supplies. JJ wanted to go along with her when they saw each other after seeing each other on the sidewalk. He wanted a couple of books to read. Elizabeth was excited that the little guy loved to read, but she knew there was something different about the boy. Reading was an escape for him, but Elizabeth was noticing that he recognized and worked well with numbers. She was beginning to think he may be a little gifted with numbers. After the mercantile, she was going to take JJ to the schoolhouse for some books. She was wanting to get a math workbook to test her theory.

"Ms. Thatcher." Mr. Yost called out. "You have a telegram that just arrived."

"Thank you, Mr. Yost. I'm here to pick up the items for Abagail."

"Give me a couple of moments, I will have those items ready for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Yost."

Elizabeth accepted the telegram but didn't look at it. JJ had pulled on her hand asking her a question about a candy stick.

"You may have one if you will get me an orange one." She smiled at his excited face.

As JJ walked away, Elizabeth looked down at the folded piece of paper she was holding. She opened the paper and gasped when she scanned to the bottom of the note to see who sent her a telegram. "Charles…why would he send me a telegram." She mentioned it out loud to herself.

JJ captured her attention when he ran up to her and placed his hands around her waist. "I got you two oranges sticks and I got me two watermelon sticks."

"Perfect. Now, let's see if Mr. Yost has Auntie Abagail's things ready and we will go to the schoolhouse to pick up some books."

"Great. Maybe you can read me my bedtime stories tonight."

Elizabeth really wanted to, but she didn't want to push too much. Her and Jack were just getting their footing under themselves. She was also holding a telegram from Charles. She knew this wouldn't go over too well with Jack. She did not want to read it. However, with the discussion with Jack concerning JJ calling her mommy, all she wanted to do was to take the time to read JJ's bedtime stories.

She placed the unread telegram in her pocket and reached for JJ's hand. "Let's get going, young man."

…

Twenty minutes later, Jack walked into the mercantile holding the envelope. "Mr. Yost." Jack called when he didn't see anyone behind the counter.

"Hello constable." Mr. Yost stated as he walked around the back aisle. "What may I do for you."

"I would like to send this out as quickly as possible."

Mr. Yost accepted the envelope and notice the address was the mountie headquarters. "I can send this out this evening. The stagecoach is running late and should be here soon. They should have it delivered tomorrow."

"Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Yost."

"You're welcome, Constable."

Jack and Mr. Yost chatted a few minutes while Jack gathered some items for dinner. He was hoping to run into Elizabeth. He was serious about taking it very slowly with Elizabeth, but he couldn't keep himself from hoping to run into her. He was also excited about her coming to dinner. While he was at the mercantile, he was going to pick up some items for dinner. He tried to fight against it, but he just wasn't winning that internal battle.

…

Elizabeth and JJ walked back to the café after visiting the schoolhouse. JJ was engrossed in the math workbook. Elizabeth wanted to run some math questions by him later to see if her thoughts were correct with JJ and his math skills. The workbook was above his age level. As she thought about reading the telegram from Charles, Mr. Yost stuck his head out of the mercantile and called for Elizabeth.

"Ms. Thatcher, you have another telegram."

"Wow Ms. Elizabeth, you are very popular today." JJ smirked.

"I guess. I'm not sure why."

Mr. Yost walked up with his hand extended. Elizabeth accepted the telegram with a sigh. She was afraid it was another telegram from Charles.

She quickly opened the telegram and looked for the sender's name. "Julie…" She whispered.

"Who's Julie?" JJ asked.

"She is my youngest sister."

"How many sisters do you have?"

"I have one younger sister, Julie. I have one older sister, Viola."

"Do you get along with them?"

"I do with Julie. Viola and I are just so different. She's the oldest and likes to prove that's she's the oldest. We just think completely different."

JJ reached for Elizabeth's right hand. He held it as they made their way from the mercantile to the café. Elizabeth smiled at the loving gesture. This little boy already had her heart. She wanted to yell from the rooftops that she wanted him to call her mommy, but she had to take this slow. She is realizing waiting for Jack is the hardest thing she has ever done. She wanted this life with Jack and JJ now.

Elizabeth and JJ looked up when Mrs. Ramsey and Ms. Blakely walked out of the front door of the café.

"Good afternoon, ladies." Elizabeth gave them a smile. The two ladies returned Elizabeth's smile.

"Are you planning on still teaching this coming fall?"

"Yes, Ms. Blakely. I am the schoolteacher in Hope Valley." Elizabeth stated confused. She knew Ms. Blakely always had a hidden motive behind her statements. She just didn't know what she was trying to say.

"We weren't sure." Dottie said. "The last few weeks have been uncertain."

"They have been complicated." Elizabeth looked at both ladies. She was beginning to worry that they may cause a little trouble for her. "My father isn't happy that I'm still in Hope Valley. However, this is my life, and this is the life that I have chosen."

"I thought you moved."

Elizabeth knew what they were hinting at. "No. I did not accept Charles' proposal, nor did I move to Hamilton. This is my home."

Both ladies gave Elizabeth a smile and a slight nod of their head before walking off the sidewalk.

Elizabeth watched them step off the sidewalk and then turned her attention to JJ. She saw the same odd face he gave her the last time they talked about Charles. She turned to face JJ and kneeled on her knees. She was eye to eye with JJ. She reached her left hand to take JJ's other hand.

"I did not accept Mr. K's proposal. I left to go and talk with my father. He is unhappy that I live here. He wants me to live my life in a certain way and I do not want to live that life. Mr. K has been my friend since I was younger than you. I never thought of him that way."

JJ nodded his head. Elizabeth's heart broke at the look on JJ's face. She wasn't sure if it was hurt or confusion.

"JJ…it is my greatest desire to court Jack. We are working on our relationship. If it was up to me, Jack and I would be getting married today. I want a life with Jack as my husband and with you as…as my son." Elizabeth never broke eye contact with this little boy. "JJ…I love you. I also love Jack. I know he loves you and I also know he loves me. The last few weeks I created doubt in Jack's mind. It was a mistake. Now, I have learned from my mistake. I will never allow Jack to think I don't love him. You should never think I don't love you. You have taken my heart."

"But Mr. K sent you a telegram earlier?"

"He did. I don't know why." Elizabeth shook her head. "He is a nightmare that won't end. He knows I came back here to continue my courtship with Jack. I haven't read the telegram yet. I want to talk to Jack about it."

JJ nodded his head.

"I don't want to keep it from Jack. That was part of my mistake weeks ago. I don't want any misunderstandings to develop between Jack and I."

JJ lowered his head. He knew he was supposed to wait to talk with his dad and Ms. Elizabeth later at dinner, but he wanted to call Elizabeth mommy. He just couldn't wait to talk to her. The desire in his little heart was just too much for him to hold back.

"You have my heart too." JJ whispered. "Ms. Elizabeth…I…huh…I asked dad if I can call you my mommy. You would share that title with my mommy in heaven." Elizabeth placed her finger under JJ's chin and raised his head so he would look her in the eye. She wanted him to see her when she spoke to him.

"JJ, I would be very blessed if you would call me mommy. I can never replace your mommy. I love you like you are my son. However, we really need to talk to Jack about this before you call me mommy. In my heart, you are my son. I love you." Elizabeth smiled at the little boy. "We will talk tonight with Jack. Ok?"

"Ok." JJ smiled. "I know we need to talk to dad about this, but in my heart you are my mommy on earth."

"Nothing makes me happier." Elizabeth leaned in and kissed JJ on the forehead.

Elizabeth smiled as JJ returned the hug. She was certain he squeezed a little harder. "Now, Robert and Sam are at the end of the sidewalk wanting your attention. Go and have fun but stay out of the pond."

"Yes, mo…Ms. Elizabeth." JJ corrected himself. "I love you."

"I love you." Elizabeth exclaimed as JJ turned his back and began to run down the sidewalk. Elizabeth stared and smiled until JJ was out of side walking toward the pond. She was lost in her thoughts of the little boy and Jack.

…

Jack sat at his desk finishing up his report on the explosion. He read over it to make sure he included everything. He also looked over the other two reports concerning the mill. He wanted to see if anything clicked that connected them all. Whoever was behind this was very good at covering their tracks. The only thing that connected them was the mill. They did have two used blasting caps, but they haven't led to anyone yet. Jack did believe they would strengthen the case against whoever was doing this, but it isn't leading anywhere.

"What are you doing?" Frank asked as he stepped into the jail. Jack was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear Frank come in.

"Just working on this case." Jack stated lifting the pieces of paper.

"Any thoughts?"

"Nothing new. The blasting caps are a great piece of evidence, but they aren't leading me anywhere. The only thing I have is a pocket watch. However, the initials that I think it belongs to is not in town. It can't be him."

Frank nodded his head as he sat down in a chair in front of Jack's desk.

"The blasting caps may not lead you to anyone in particular, but I do believe that will be your clinching piece that ties everything together."

"How so, Frank?"

"While blasting caps aren't rare, they take knowledge of how to properly us them. Whoever added that piece to it really knew what they were doing. I have pretty good experience with them, but I don't know what that does. The person who did this, really knows what they are doing."

"I agree with you. I just wish something will break loose."

"What do you think it is going to take?" Asked an intrigued Frank.

"I hate to say this, but it's going to take another instance at the mill. Eventually, the person doing this will make a mistake. That mistake will lead to his or her arrest."

"I agree. I just wish it wouldn't take another explosion."

"If you think something is happening, please don't hesitate to jump in."

Jack and Frank spent the next twenty minutes discussing the issues at the mill. They worked through different scenarios and thoughts. They're just no way of coming to a conclusion with what they had.

…

Elizabeth ran the telegram through her fingers. She couldn't imagine what her little sister sent. She opened the telegram and began reading.

My Dearest Sister –

I left home and decided to take control of my life like you have taken hold of your life. My journey may be a little different from your journey, but I hope you understand. Tom and I moved away, and we will be married later today. I will write later with more details. Don't worry, everything is good and we know what we are doing.
Your Younger Sister,

Julie Thatcher, almost Thorton

Elizabeth read the telegram the second time just to make sure she read it correctly. While she was a little surprised, she wasn't shocked. Julie had a romance novel view of the world. Her head was always in the clouds when it came to men. Elizabeth sighed at the news. She didn't have anything against Tom. She quickly realized that he was as immature as her sister.

Elizabeth looked at the telegram from Charles. She really didn't want to read it. She already knew what it would say. She placed it back into her pocket, and then pulled it back out. She was nervous to read what it stated. Was he mad? Did he intend to pursue her still? So many questions. All she had to do was open the folded telegram to find her answer, but she still didn't want to know. She unfolded the telegram hoping her lifelong friend was not going to cause any more trouble.

My Dearest Elizabeth –

I do not plan to let you go without a fight. I know you think you love that constable but remember all the great times we shared with each other. We have too many precious memories to throw away. I will be in that little town in a few days to speak with you.

Your Dearest Soulmate.

Charles

Upon reading the telegram, Elizabeth experienced an emotion she was not expecting…anger. Charles didn't listen to her. He dismissed her desires and ignored what she told him, that she only wanted to be friends with him. She lowered her head. She did not want Charles to come to Hope Valley. She was concerned Charles' presence would cause issues with her and Jack. She was feeling confident that she and Jack were beginning their relationship. Elizabeth wasn't willing to allow anything to come between her and Jack and JJ.