Chapter 20

Elizabeth walked onto the small porch of Jack's row house early Sunday morning. She wanted to walk to church with Jack and JJ. When Jack picked up JJ from Auntie Abagail's, he asked Elizabeth if she wouldn't mind if JJ and him walked her to church. She couldn't keep the smile from overtaking her face. After speaking with Charlette, the previous night at dinner, she was determined to be in Jack's presence. She couldn't push him, but she was going to be around him. She knew in her heart that Jack loved her. He has proven that countless times. She also knew he struggled with everything she did. So, she was going to give Jack every reason to know that she loved him. Instead of waiting for her boys to come to her, she wanted to meet them at their home. This would give them a little more time together.

When Elizabeth stepped on the first step, JJ opened the door.

"Good morning, mommy. How are you?"

Elizabeth's eyes watered but a tear didn't fall. She loved her new title. JJ stepped into Elizabeth's hug when she reached the top step. She held the hug until JJ let go. She never released the hug first with JJ. "I'm good. How are you? Did you sleep well?"

"I did. I thought dad and I was going to the café to get you for church?"

"I couldn't sleep. So, I decided to meet you here. Is that ok?"

"Sure." Elizabeth melted at JJ's smile.

Elizabeth followed JJ into the home. Jack rushed out of the bedroom dressed except for his tie. It was hanging loose around his neck.

"Good morning, Elizabeth."

"Good morning, Jack. I hope it's ok that I met you two here?"

"It's fine. We have a couple of Abagail's biscuits left over from breakfast. There is some blackberry jam if you would like to have some."

"I'm ok. I already ate."

"Would you like to go on a picnic after church?" Jack asked her.

Elizabeth smiled. She knew Jack was struggling with the issue of Charles coming to town, but he was interested in spending time with her.

"I would love that." Elizabeth's smile continued to grow at the thought of spending time with her two boys. Jack's smile matched Elizabeth's.

As much as Jack tried to slow things down with Elizabeth, he just couldn't help himself. While lying in bed the previous night, he convinced himself to slow things down even more. He knew they needed to go slow. However, whenever he saw Elizabeth, he would lose all his resolve. He was very worried about Charles coming to town. The last time that man came to town Jack's life was turned upside down. Over the last few days, Elizabeth has shown him that she loves him. The small kiss on the cheek was intimate for him. He wanted to press the kiss further, but he was holding back. He just didn't want to make the mistake of moving this too fast with Elizabeth all for her to pick Charles when he is in town.

"Are you ok?" Elizabeth asked. She saw the look of Jack's deep thoughts on his face. She was gaining the ability to read Jack's facial features again. She knew he was lost in thought. She took a few steps standing in front of Jack. She waited until he was looking in her eyes. She wanted to make sure he understood and saw every word. "Jack, I love you. I want my life intertwined with your life. I want JJ in our lives and any future children we are blessed to have. I choose you."

Jack's smile grew at her proclamation. As much as he fought it, he couldn't deny the truth. She held his heart in the center of her hand.

…

"Charles…it's great to see you this morning."

"Mr. Thatcher. I hope you are well?"

"I am good. The gentleman should be pushing things a little further today or tomorrow at the latest."

"That's good to hear, sir." Charles smiled. "Do you think it will be finished soon?"

"It should be. Now, let's have a small breakfast before you leave for the train station. Remember, you have the lunch meeting before you get on the stagecoach.

"Thank you sir."

"Charles, my future son-in-law should call me William."

"Yes, William."

…

The walk to church was nice. For the most part, JJ was ahead of Elizabeth and Jack. JJ would often run ahead with some of the boys that lived close to him in the row houses. Jack and Elizabeth would walk beside each other. Often, they would touch shoulders, but they didn't hold hands and Jack did not extend his arm for her to take like he used to do, but they were walking much closer than before.

There were a few times when JJ would come back to them. When JJ would do that, he would walk between them holding their hands. Most boys his age didn't want to hold the adults' hands. For JJ however, he knew what it meant to feel alone. While he only felt that for a few days, he promised himself he would never take it for granted. Now he has a new mommy and a new dad. He wasn't going to miss out on having them in his life. Jack was a great addition and Elizabeth was the exact same way. He loved them both.

JJ was ahead of them by several yards. Jack turned his head to Elizabeth.

"Thank you for watching him so late last night."

"It's fine Jack. You could have left him at the café last night."

"I'm struggling as a single father…" Jack's voice trailed off. Elizabeth could hear the frustration and pain in his voice.

"Jack…how in the world are you struggling? You are doing a wonderful job raising that little boy. You love him and he knows it."

"I never had to keep up with my time on the job before. I would just finish when I was finished. I work too long into the evening. I should be making him dinner and getting him ready for bed, not you or Auntie Abagail." Jack sighed.

Elizabeth stopped walking and turned to face Jack. "Jack…you need to listen to me." Elizabeth placed her hands on his biceps to capture his attention. She couldn't help but feel the muscles under his button up dress shirt. "You are not failing that little boy! Abagail doesn't mind helping with him. If you haven't realized it yet, she loves that boy. Why do you think she always has a plate full of chocolate chip cookies on the counter?"

"He does love those cookies."

"And why do you think Abagail is giving me lessons to make those cookies? Jack…I love that little boy. I do not mind watching him. To me…" She paused for a moment trying to compose herself. Tears were filling her eyes. "…it's not watching him. I'm his mommy…I'm not watching him…I'm taking care of him. I will do that for the rest of my life."

Jack nodded his head slightly. For Jack, he felt like he was failing JJ because of his long hours at work. Many times, it was late when he would pick up JJ from Abagail's. He knew Abagail didn't mind watching JJ, but, as his father, he felt like it was his job to take care of his boy.

Jack took a small step closer to Elizabeth. "Thank you for stepping up to help me and thank you for loving that boy of mine."

"Our boy…Jack…our boy. We are a family and one day we will make it official."

Elizabeth studied Jack's eyes with her statement. She was trying to be honest in her promise to allow Jack time, but it was getting more difficult each day. Each intimate moment was trying to pull her closer to Jack and it was. She was just trying to keep her promise to him. Jack slowly reached for Elizabeth's hand. His smile grew slowly. "Come on, Bella…we need to get our boy to church."

…

When the three of them were about one hundred yards from the church, Mr. Johnston waved for Jack to come over to his wagon. He wanted to give Jack something for his help with his gate yesterday.

"I'll be right back, Elizabeth."

"I'll save you a seat."

"Thank you."

Elizabeth began to walk toward the church when JJ saw Robert. She could see the excitement in her little boys' facial features when he noticed his friend.

"Go on…I'll save you a seat too."

"Thanks, mommy." JJ yelled as he let go of Elizabeth's hand and ran toward his friend.

Without realizing it, Elizabeth reached up and wiped away a small tear from her left eye. The new title was still a little emotional for her.

Without noticing where she was going, Elizabeth bumped into someone after taking a couple of steps. She took a step back and gathered herself. "I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I'm sorry." She said as she looked up embarrassed because she was lost in thoughts.

Rosemary looked into Elizabeth's face. "Where were you? You looked like you were a million miles away."

"I was just lost in thought. Again, I'm sorry for bumping into you."

"Elizabeth, wait. What is wrong with you? And don't say you're ok. You always avoid answering a question when it is troubling you and you don't want to discuss it."

"What do you mean?" Asked a visibly frustrated Elizabeth.

"Really, you're frustrated with me when you bumped into me, and you are not dealing with whatever issue you are overthinking?" Asked an equably frustrated Rosemary.

"I'm sorry, Rosemary. I was just lost in thought about a couple of things."

"That's ok, Elizabeth. You have been through a lot over the last few weeks."

Rosemary wasn't a person who would hold anything back. So, why would she begin now? She looked into her friend's eyes for a moment before asking the question that was on her mind.

"Elizabeth, what is going on with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Jack…Charles…I heard you left with Charles after he proposed to you, and you were gone for weeks with no word from you. Now, you're back and I see you walking around with Jack. What is going on with you and Jack?"

"Rosemary…"

"Elizabeth…you must know how much Jack loves you. He never looked at me like he looks at you."

Elizabeth's face turned a little red.

"How could you accept that other man's proposal and leave with him like that?"

Elizabeth sighed at the thought of having to tell the story again. The two ladies stood while Elizabeth shared with Rosemary the highlights of the story. She didn't share every detail, just the important ones for Rosemary to understand.

"Well…that is quiet a story." Rosemay stated as Elizabeth finished telling her the story. "Elizabeth, do you love Charles?" If nothing else, Rosemary is very direct.

"Not in a romantic way. I love him as a friend."

"You understand Charles doesn't think that way?"

"I do now, yes."

"Do you love Jack?"

"Yes. With everything I am. I love him completely. He makes me feel special. I can't imagine him not in my life."

"Well, what is taking so long with you two?"

The question took Elizabeth by surprise. That was the first time someone asked her that question. She really didn't know how to answer that question. Her mouth opened a couple of times, but no words formed.

While Elizabeth was searching for an answer, Rosemary continued. "If you love him with everything that you are and you love him completely and can't imagine your life without him…" Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement. "…what in the world is taking you two so long? You both have been here three years now. Don't you think that is way too long for someone who claims to be in love so much and not be married?"

Elizabeth's hands fell to her sides. Her mouth opened in disbelief. She couldn't speak.

After a couple of moments, Rosemary turned to walk toward the church. After taking a few steps, she turned around and looked at Elizabeth. "When Jack doesn't tell you something about his work, give him the benefit of the doubt. He isn't trying to hide something from you. He can't discuss open cases."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded her head. She slowly followed Rosemary into the church. She sat on the fourth row of pews and saved two spots beside her for Jack and JJ. After a couple of minutes of thinking about Rosemary's question, she noticed when JJ sat down beside her. It wasn't long until Jack sat beside JJ. To Elizabeth, this felt very much like a family moment.

Jack leaned over JJ to whisper to Elizabeth. "Abagail stopped me and invited us to the café for lunch. She is inviting us three, along with Tom and Julie, Frank, and my Ma."

Elizabeth nodded her head. "That sounds nice."

"Afterward, may we take a walk?"

"Absolutely." She smiled.

…

During the sermon, Elizabeth thought Frank was preaching only to her. Frank preached from Exodus chapter 14, God tells Moses and the Israelites to go forth and cross the Red Sea. Frank concentrated on the portion of Scripture when God asked Moses why the Israelites were crying out to him. God told them to move forward. He instructed Moses to place his staff in the Red Sea and the waters would part. Elizabeth was stuck on the 'why cry out to me…go forward' statement. Frank stated, "There comes a time when we have already prayed, and God has spoken. It is time to take that step of faith. There comes a time when we stop crying out to God and take that step of faith that God has instructed us to take. It may be scary and most certainly uncomfortable at times, but we must take that leap of faith just like the Israelites. We must do what we know in our heart. If we have to accomplish it afraid, then so be it."

While the sermon lasted another fifteen minutes, Elizabeth didn't hear anything else, other than Rosemary's question replaying in her head.

"This is ridiculous! I have wasted so much time. I'm not doing this any longer when I have what I want sitting right beside me." Elizabeth whispered to herself. Elizabeth raised her head and looked into Jack's eyes. He had been watching her. He could see that her mind was working. She took her eyes off Jack when she reached for JJ's leg. When the little boy looked up at her she mouthed the words, "I love you." JJ smiled and turned his attention back to Pastor Frank.

Elizabeth smile grew at Jack, and she reached over and slid her hand into his hand. His eyes narrowed at her actions, but he instantly closed his hand around her small hand. Elizabeth's face turned a light pink. Jack slowly ran his thumb across the back of her hand. The touch was gentle. It also warmed her heart at Jack's gentleness.

…

Charles stepped off the train and onto the platform of the depot. He looked around and noticed Mr. Johnson standing by the bench at the ticket booth. He didn't know Mr. Johnson too well but remembered seeing him in William's reception area in his office.

"Mr. Kensington." Mr. Johnson stated as he walked up with an extended hand.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. I wasn't expecting you. Are you well?"

"I am. Would you like to have lunch? There are a couple of things we need to discuss before you leave."

"Perfect. Are things going as planned?"

"Let's talk over lunch." Mr. Johnson stated as he extended his hand for Charles to walk to his right.

The two men sat down at a small table in a nice sandwich shop a couple of blocks from the train station. "The plan is working perfectly. Everything seems like accidents so far. The second engine is damaged. While it is being repaired, it has caused down time. The men are working to get the orders out on time, but they are beginning to fall behind. When that happens, rumors will begin to surface of the mill's problems and how poorly the sawmill operates. It won't take long for Lee's customers to bail on him. He will have to shut down the mill."

"Good…good. No one else has gotten hurt?"

"No, sir. Our man is doing a fine job with that."

"Good. Mr. Thatcher demands no one else be injured."

"We are on top of it, sir."

They placed their order when the waitress stepped to the table. When she left, Mr. Johnson took the opportunity to ask the question that has be ever present in his mind.

"Sir, what is so important about a sawmill that is in a small town somewhere out West? That town has very little significance. I didn't even know where Hope Valley was."

"It's not the sawmill that has Mr. Thatcher's attention." Charles stated as he reached for his glass of water. "It's a young woman with her head in the clouds who needs to come to reality and stop playing games."

Mr. Johnson nodded his head.

"She has been on this adventure long enough. It's time she takes her place in proper society and begin the life she is supposed to be living, not some little adventure."

"And how is closing the sawmill going to accomplish that? It sounds like this young lady has her mind made up if she has been there for a while." Mr. Johnson couldn't miss the irritated look on Charles' face.

"No sawmill…no jobs…no children to teach…" Charles stated in an angry and frustrated tone. "That sawmill is basically the only job in the area. If it is no longer employing people, then the people will have to leave that hick town."

Mr. Johnson didn't push the issue. He knew that look. He looked up when the waitress walked back to the table.

"Sir, this telegram just came for you."

"Thank you." Mr. Johnson stated as he noticed the folded piece of paper was sealed closed.

After reading the telegram, Mr. Johnson leaned back in his seat to think for a moment. "Mr. Kensington, why don't you stay here for the next two days. You can head to Hope Valley on Tuesday."

"Why?"

"Our inside man will perform his next task tomorrow. There are too many people around today with it being Sunday. Too many families are around town. He will do it tomorrow. If you arrive on the same day, it could cause some issues. I don't think it can lead to you, but let's not give anyone any cause to look in your direction. If you arrive on Tuesday, it will be after the explosion."

Charles thought about it for a moment. "Fine." He stated.

"We do have one issue you need to be made aware of. It will not lead back to you, but you may be asked about it."

"What is it?"

"During the last explosion, our man had to run away in a rush so he wouldn't be noticed. In the process of getting away, he lost something on a scrub branch."

"How does that concern me?"

"It was a pocket watch. It has the initials CKIII on the back."

Charles' face instantly turned red in anger. "That's where that watch went. I thought I lost it." He fumed for a few more moments. "How did he get it?"

"I'm not sure."

"He must have stolen it from me."

"Knowing him, he probably did. Now, don't get too worked up about it. It's just a pocket watch."

"It's much more than just a pocket watch…" Charles seethed through clenched teeth. "…plus it has my initials on it!"

"True…but you are not the only person with those initials. Plus, you could easily prove you weren't in Hope Valley for the past few weeks. That simple mountie can't prove you were there. It may look somewhat bad, but it is easily explained away. It will never hold up in a court of law or in public opinion."

Charles sat back in his chair. He was thinking through everything. It made sense. He could easily prove he wasn't there, but the thought that someone had stolen his pocket watch, the one his Elizabeth gave him, was reprehensible.

"I want that watch back!" Charles demanded.

"I'm not sure if that is possible. That mountie has it. I don't know if we can get it back. He's holding it as evidence in the safe in the jail."

Charles brought his hand down on the table a little too hard. Everyone in the restaurant turned in their direction to see what happened.

"That's exactly what I'm warning you about, Mr. Kensington." Mr. Johnson leaned in and whispered. "The worst thing you can do is to draw attention to yourself."

Charles looked around the dining room and realized what Mr. Johnson meant. He still hated the thought of not having Elizabeth's gift to him, but quickly realized that he needed to be patient.

…

The lunch was perfect with everyone. Abagail only opened the café for family and friends. Everyone enjoyed the conversation and the laughter. Jack sat beside Elizabeth with JJ to her left. Occasionally, Elizabeth would reach for Jack's hand, and he would always smile. The interaction did not go unnoticed by anyone at the table.

On the way back to Jack's home, he extended his arm for her to take on their walk. This was the first time he had done this. Elizabeth's heart skipped several beats. She always loved walking with him like this. It was so intimate in her opinion.

JJ ran inside the home to change clothes so he could play in the field across from the row houses. There were already kids out playing. Jack joined Elizabeth on the top step of the porch to watch the kids.

"Jack today has been perfect."

"It has. Frank did a great job this morning and Cat did a wonderful job with Sunday school."

"Yes. That only added to the day."

Jack reached for Elizabeth's hand. She sighed at his gesture.

"Jack…"

"I know, but before you mention him, there is something I am working on, and I would like your help."

Elizabeth understood Jack's hesitancy, but she just wanted to get the conversation concerning Charles over with. She just didn't want to keep pushing the topic off for another time. It felt like a cloud over them.

"Sure. What are you working on? Something with one of the kids?"

"No, nothing with the kids. It's the explosions at the mill."

"You want my help with that?" She asked shocked. He never asked for her help with any of his cases unless it involved one of the kids. He wouldn't talk to her about most cases. Now he wants her help. You could have pushed her over with a feather.

"Yes, Elizabeth. I want you to look at a piece of evidence for me and I want your opinion on a couple of things. Elizabeth, if I show you something, would you let me know if you recognize it?"

"Absolutely. Is this the evidence you wanted me to see?"

"Yes, it is. But you can't say anything to anyone. An investigation is to be kept quite so the suspect does not know we are closing in to capture him or her. Do you understand?"

"Yes." She stated and nodded with a smile. "What do you have?"

"I'll be right back." Jack stood and walked into the home.

Elizabeth couldn't believe it. Jack wanted her to look at evidence and wanted her opinion on something. She felt tears form in the corner of her eyes and quickly blinked them away. This is what she always wanted. Both of them working as a team without any separation. A couple instead of a constable and a schoolteacher. She knew she wasn't a constable and didn't want to be one. She just didn't want to be excluded from his life.

Jack pulled the handkerchief off the top shelf and walked back to Elizabeth. Once he sat down beside Elizabeth, he slowly opened the piece of cloth and pulled out the pocket watch and the chain that was attached to it.

When she saw the chain and pocket watch, her face went white. "Where did you get that?" she asked with complete shock in her voice and disbelief written on her face.

…

"What do you think?"

"I'm not sure Charlette." Abagail stated. "They seemed different this morning at church and here during lunch."

"They did. They held hands during the service."

"They did and here too. I notice Elizabeth was the aggressor most of the time, but Jack was very receptive to it."

"She seems to be pushing him a little." Charlette stated.

"Yes, but he seems to be going willingly. Maybe they're moving a little faster than we think they are?"

"Maybe…"

…

Elizabeth knew the pocket watch instantly. She bought that watch for Charles when he graduated from college. Her father supplied the chain. The chain was an old one he never wore anymore. He gave it to Elizabeth to add a personal touch to the gift. Then she remembered the inscription on the back. She lowered her head remembering what was written there.

"Yes. I know that watch. I bought that pocket watch. That is my father's chain. I gave it to Charles when he graduated from college.

Jack gave a fake smile and nodded. That man will always be in my life. He thought to himself.

Elizabeth noticed Jack's expression. Before she could say anything, Jack spoke first.

"Are you sure?" Asked Jack.

"Yes. I bought that watch. There is an inscription on the…" That was when she remembered what the inscription stated. While it was only meant as friendship, the last few weeks made it sound worse than it was. Elizabeth winced at the thought of what it said.

Jack didn't notice the inscription due to the damage on the back of the pocket watch. He could probably guess what it said.

Elizabeth reached for the watch. She tried to clean the back of the watch to show Jack the inscription. She couldn't clean it very well due to the damage. She reached for Jack's hand and was grateful he didn't pull away. She made sure they were looking in each other's eyes before she continued. There will be no more misunderstandings between them. Once she had his full attention, she continued.

"I bought that watch for Charles when he graduated from college. We were close friends. The inscription stated, 'Congratulations. With love, your friend E'. Father gave me the chain so it would be more personal." She showed Jack just a couple of words that were readable. The other part of the phrase was too damaged to see what it said. "Where did you find it?"

Jack didn't say anything. After a few moments of looking into Elizabeth's eyes, he turned his head to look into the field where the children were playing. Elizabeth placed her index finger under Jack's chin and gently moved his head to where he was looking in her eyes again. She was not losing him over some silly inscription on a pocket watch.

"Jack, talk to me."

"It's ok, Elizabeth."

"Are you upset about a gift I gave years ago as a friend, a couple of years before I even knew you? I know the inscription sounds bad, but we were friends."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Where did you find the pocket watch?"

"At the last explosion at the mill. It is the only evidence left except the blasting caps."

"At the sawmill's explosion?" She asked while she was processing the information.

"Yeah. No other evidence has been found expect for this watch. How could it have gotten there since he isn't here yet?"

She noticed that he was still holding her hand. She smiled at the gesture.

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"I'm not sure how it got there. There are no other employees with the same initials."

"That's odd," she stated. "Those are not normal initials." She thought for a moment. "He could have sold the watch or lost it."

"I don't think he would have sold the watch." Jack stated.

"You're right. How in the world did it get there? He isn't in town according to his telegram." She thought for a few minutes. "Did you read the telegram?"

"I showed it to Tom, and he read it to me. I didn't want to know what it said,"

"Oh. What are we going to do about it?" Elizabeth emphasized the word 'we' while she waved her free hand between the two of them.

"Let's talk about that later. I still have a couple of things I want to discuss about the explosions."

She smiled. She loved the fact that he was talking about his job in more detail with her.

"Ok. What do you have?"

"As far as evidence, I only have the modified blasting caps and the watch."

"The watch is surprising. It makes no sense for the watch to be there. Charles may have lost the watch and someone found it, but I know he wouldn't have sold it."

"I agree."

"What is a modified blasting cap?"

"A blasting cap is used to set off a charge of explosives. These blasting caps are different. They are all identical but have been modified a certain way."

She thought for a few minutes. "Well, that would suggest someone knew what they were doing. They had to have a certain expertise to do that correctly."

"Yes. You are correct. I know a little about blasting caps, but no way would I be able to modify it like these were changed. Someone had to have a lot of experience with them to do it safely."

"Would that narrow down the suspect list?"

"It does some. Several occupations use blasting caps, so they are not that rare. I don't understand why?"

"Do you think Charles is involved since you found the pocket watch?"

"That points to him since his initials are on the watch and they are uncommon. No one at the mill has those initials. Since he isn't in town and hasn't been in town for the other explosions, it can't be him directly. Plus, I don't think he has experience in blasting caps."

"No. He wouldn't have any experience in blasting caps. How would the watch get there? The last thing I knew, he always had the watch on him. Unless he lost the watch, or someone stole it from him."

"When it comes to Mr. Kensington, my judgement is tainted. I'm afraid I would falsely accuse him or overlook him so I wouldn't wrongly accuse him."

Elizabeth lowered her head. "Is that why you wanted my help?" She sounded dejected.

"No, Elizabeth. You have an inquisitive mind, and you are very smart. I didn't really want to talk about Mr. Kensington with you, but the watch forced me too. I wanted to talk to you before I found the pocket watch. I wanted to talk to you about the mill."

"The mill? What would I know about the mill that you don't? I don't know how to run a sawmill or the business of it. How can I be helpful?"

"E-liz-a-beth, you are great with people. You notice things most people don't notice."

How can I concentrate when he says my name that way? She thought. And then without thinking, she laid her head on his shoulder. "Constable, I love you. How can I help?"

Jack gasped at her actions, but he rebounded quickly. He lightly kissed Elizabeth on the top of her head before speaking. "Have you noticed anything different in town?"

"Different? Not really. A new family moved in about a week or so ago, but they seem normal."

"Anything else?"

"No." She thought for a moment. "JJ and I were walking down main street and he looked at a man as he walked into the saloon. He didn't seem scared or anything, but he did notice a man."

"Do you know what he looked like?"

"No. I never saw him."

Both sat quietly looking out at JJ playing with a couple of the boys who lived close by. They still held hands and Elizabeth noticed that Jack was slowly rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand.

"Jack, do you think this was intentional toward Lee?"

"I don't think so. The men that have left did not do so under bad circumstances. His competitors are too far away to be an issue. He has helped them, and they have helped him. It doesn't seem like there would be an issue with any current employees. They are all happy with the work."

"So, it has to be toward the mill itself."

"Yes," Jack replied. "It seems like it. That's the only thing that makes sense. But, why?"

"If it's not personal, then why shut down the mill? It still hurts Lee, but if you only wanted to hurt Lee why go after the mill?"

"You think like a Mountie." Jack said with a little smirk.

"So, why shut the mill down? If it wasn't intended to hurt Lee, it would only hurt the town people. The competitors are too far away to capitalize with no mill here."

"That's exactly what I am thinking. Should I be worried that you are starting to think like me?" He said with sass and a smile.

"Maybe…" She sassed with a grin. "So, why would you want to shut down the town? That doesn't make sense. It's just Hope Valley."

"Yeah" Jack said slowly. "Frank thinks Mr. Gowen is part of it somehow."

"Gowen? That would make some sense. Why don't you think he is involved?"

"A gut feeling, I guess. He has the mind set to do something like that, but he is the mayor, and I am sure he abuses his position for his personal gain. If there is no town, how would that benefit him?"

"Good point. Have you ruled him out completely?"

"No, but I do not believe he is involved."

As they sat on the porch together, they were each lost in thought. The mill was the topic at the moment, but both of them felt like this was the life they wanted. Spending time with each other. Watching JJ play in the field. Working with each other on the other's problem at work. This is what Elizabeth wanted. She knew it, without a doubt.

Jack broke the silence, "So, why would anyone want to shut down Hope Valley? The mine is closed forever. There is not a gold rush within three hundred miles. We do not have any valuable resources except for maybe trees. No other mills are interested in coming here since we don't have a railroad close by. Who would it benefit to shut down the town?"

"That's a great question. People here are hard workers and very friendly, but none are rich or very influential. Why would this town be so important for anyone to worry about?"

"The only influential, rich person in town is you."

"Me? Jack, I am a schoolteacher. I am not rich."

"Your family is rich and influential."

"You think this is because of me or my family?"

"I'm not sure." Jack hesitated. He knew if his thoughts were true, it was going to hurt Elizabeth. "I don't think it's concerning you…directly."

This turn of events made Elizabeth stop in her tracks. Could she or her family be the cause of all the explosions and Lee's injury?

"I don't see how I can be the cause. I have lived here for three years, and nothing has happened before. I am not rich. I come from a rich family, but I am a schoolteacher." Elizabeth defended herself.

"What if Charles or your father is involved with all of this, what do you think the end game would be?"

"Do you think they are involved?" She asked a little shocked.

"Maybe…we are taught that everyone is a suspect until proven otherwise. I don' know if he is or not, but the pocket watch throws that possibility into the equation."

"It does." Elizabeth stated slowly.

"If he is, why?"

"I don't know." She answered.

"Let's not focus entirely on him or we may miss something important." Jack encouraged.

"Great point. Your job is difficult to work through all the possibilities and keep an open mind."

"It can be. If I concentrate on one person too much, I may miss something that will incriminate them or prove them innocent."

"Like that time with Cat when you brought her in for questions?"

"Yeah…You have to keep an open mind and follow the evidence. You can't force the evidence to work the way you want it to." Jack gave her a reassuring smile. "If the town no longer exists because no one can make a living here, what happens?"

"I guess we all would have to move to find jobs elsewhere." Elizabeth stated. Elizabeth raised her head from Jack's shoulders. "You think somehow Charles and or my family is involved in this…don't you?"

"I do but I'm not sure yet. The watch makes that a possibility. At the very least, the person doing this was around Mr. Kensington at some point making him or her able to steal the watch. Elizabeth, I just don't know for certain."

"Why?"

"My guess is that they are hoping to shut down the town. They think your first move would be to move back to Hamilton." Jack stated softly.

Elizabeth looked at Jack for a few moments. He could see the storm of emotions in her eyes. While he wasn't certain that was the case, he had a strong feeling it was. Jack and Elizabeth remained holding hands and watching JJ play. He was having a great time playing with the other children. Neither Jack nor Elizabeth realized how late it was. Jack called JJ in the house to get himself ready for bed.

"Mommy, would you mind tucking me in tonight?"

"If Jack doesn't mind?"

"I don't mind, but only two stories." He looked at Elizabeth, "Don't let him trick you into more than two stories or you may be up there all evening."

Elizabeth smiled at Jack. Loving the banter back and forth and enjoyed spending time with them both.

Once in his room, JJ had four books he wanted Elizabeth to read to him. She stood strong and agreed to three books. She just couldn't tell JJ no. He was growing on her with each passing moment.

"Mommy…" he stated when she finished the third book.

"JJ, I cannot read another book or Jack will be mad at you and me."

…

Elizbeth made her way down the stairs and Jack was sitting on the couch with a cup of tea for each of them. He had a small fire just for the atmosphere and the windows open to let in the refreshing, cool night air. She sat next to him and accepted the cup of tea with a smile.

"He tricked you into reading more than two books, didn't he?" Jack laughed under his breath knowing JJ worked his magic on her.

"I read three." She said quietly knowing he was enjoying being right.

She quietly stated what she and JJ talked about. "He asked if we were courting." Elizabeth stated after a couple of minutes watching the small fire.

"Yeah, what did you tell him?"

Elizabeth shifted a little. She was nervous about what she was going to say to Jack. She didn't want to push him. "I told him we were courting before I left for Hamilton. I told him that I love you and will be married to you soon. I also told him that we are beginning to resume courting now." She quickly glanced at Jack to see his facial expression. She was hoping she wasn't moving too quickly, but she couldn't help it. Her heart was pushing her to Jack.

"Did you now?" He asked with that silly little smirk that she loved so much.

"I did" she replied with more confidence than she had. "I hope that was alright."

"It is. He asked me the same question."

Hesitating for a few moments, Elizabeth finally asked, "And what did you say?"

"I told him the same thing you did."

If breathing wasn't natural, Elizabeth would have been in trouble. Her smile grew knowing that Jack told JJ they were beginning to court. She moved closer to him and settled into his side. They have only kissed on the cheek since she came back from Hamilton. She was hoping that would change quickly.

"Jack, I know I have made a lot of mistakes over the last few weeks, but you need to know I never thought of Charles more than a good friend. Growing up, I always was guarded about who I was friends with. I have been taken advantage of more than once because of my last name. I became guarded with new people and why they wanted to be friends with me. Charles was always safe."

Jack nodded. He did not come from that lifestyle and could not understand what she was working through. He also didn't want to talk about Charles, but knew they needed to so they could fully move forward.

"When you had a true friend you could trust, you held onto them. I thought Charles felt more for me than friendship, but he never pushed me for more. He was comfortable and safe. When he proposed to me, I thought he was just trying to see if I changed my mind. If I didn't, he would go back like he always did."

"But he hasn't."

"No, he hasn't."

"Elizabeth, you confused me with him. You spent so much time with him and went to so many places with him too. You did things like a couple. You would say one thing but do another. My father always told me as a child growing up, 'If a person's words and actions do not match, listen to their actions. Actions never lie.'"

Elizabeth snuggled in a little deeper. She was beginning to understand the confusion she was giving him. "I need you to hear me, Jack. If you don't believe me that's something I will fix in time, but you need to listen to what I am about to say to you."

He nodded.

"I never felt for him more than a friend. I have always felt for you more than a friend. I felt a connection with you when I noticed you riding to the mine the first time I saw you. You frustrated me beyond belief by calling me a Thatcher princess, but I knew you were going to be important to me."

Jack had a little smile thinking back on all the little disagreements and frustrations between the two in the first few weeks.

"You are important to me. You are my love. My soulmate. The only person I have ever thought of more than a friend. You are constantly in my thoughts. I want to be with you Jack. I want to marry you. I want a family with you. I want everything, but only if it comes with you attached to it."

Jack sat still looking at the fire while Elizabeth remained with her head on his shoulder. She spoke softly and lovingly.

"My father pushed Charles on me. He has for years. I knew he wanted me with him, but my heart wasn't in it and never could be. I understand the importance of friendship, but I also understand there are times when a friend pushes too far. Charles is pushing too far. He crossed the line when he proposed to me when he knew I was courting you. I am sorry he did that. I did not know he was coming here or what his intentions were."

Jack leaned over and lightly kissed the top of her head. She was hoping everything was working itself out but was cautiously optimistic. "Jack, I love you with all of my heart and mind. I want you in my life as my love, my husband, the father of my children."

She laid her heart open before him. She did not hold anything back from him. She expressed herself the best she could and now she had to wait for him. She couldn't push him like she wanted, but he knew she wasn't going anywhere.

After a few minutes of silence enjoying each other's company staring into the fire, he placed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. "I love you, Elizabeth. I agree with what you said to JJ. I do believe we have begun our courtship again, and I hope it leads to a lifetime of memories and love." Then he heard a small snore coming from Elizabeth. She was exhausted from the day and talk. Jack smiled to himself. "I told you years ago that you snore when you sleep." He mentioned under his breath. He settled in a little closer to her.

Author's Note:

This is the longest chapter I have ever posted. I just couldn't cut it down to the normal length. Things are becoming a little clearer with the sawmill and Jack and Elizabeth are finally back together.

GracieinVA – I don't know how you always figure things out, but you always do. They were the first to guess that Charles and William were behind the explosions. Several have guessed it, but GracieinVA was first. They knew very often with my other story too. I'm beginning to wonder if they have access to my computer…😊

Have a great day. Leave the people you talk to today better than you found them.