"I saw them in the saloon last night, and I heard they were at the café the night before. Seemed pretty cozy to me."
"Do you think…" the voice lowered, "do you think the boy is his?"
Elizabeth paused, quietly moving to hide behind the shelf. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop, but she wanted to know if the ladies were talking about Jack.
"I don't know," the first voice replied. "But something is going on. I haven't noticed him with Elizabeth lately."
"Such a shame. They seemed so sweet together."
"Ladies." A familiar voice this time. "Perhaps we shouldn't be spreading rumors when we don't know the whole story," Abigail suggested. "That little boy is Allie's brother, and the only reason he and his mother are here is so Allie can get to know more of her family."
"That may be, but there could still be more going on."
"Unless you hear something directly from Jack or Elizabeth, there's no reason to assume anything has happened," Abigail insisted. "Please, stop with this gossip. You have the potential to hurt some good people here."
Elizabeth couldn't make out what they said in reply, but she heard their footsteps quickly retreating. She stood, gripping the handle of her basket in both hands while she took a few deep breaths.
"Elizabeth!" Abigail exclaimed when she rounded the shelves and saw the young woman there. "How much of that did you hear?"
"All of it. Abigail, is it true? About Jack and that woman seeming like they're courting?"
"Elizabeth," Abigail put a comforting hand on her arm, "don't believe what those women say. They blow everything out of proportion."
"But I think she likes him. When Jack told her we were courting, it was almost like she was jealous. And they have been spending a lot of time together. I've seen them on Main Street while Allie is in school."
"Talk to Jack. Given how that man looks at you, you have absolutely nothing to worry about."
"Maybe." She sighed, still not convinced. "I'll see you later, Abigail."
...
Jack smiled when he heard Allie's laugh float in through the open door. He chuckled. "I think Allie is glad to be spending time with William and Emma again. She thought her brother was pretty boring."
"Mm." Elizabeth glanced out the window into the yard, where her children were happily playing with Allie. Rachel and August had left earlier in the day, but she couldn't stop thinking about the conversation she had overheard in the mercantile that morning.
"Elizabeth? Is something wrong?" He moved to stand near her, setting down the towel he had been using to dry the dishes. "You've been awfully quiet all evening."
"She was very beautiful."
"Who?" Jack furrowed his brow. "Rachel?"
"Yes. And she liked you."
"No, she didn't." He shook his head. "She was just glad to have met someone who understands a bit of what she's been through."
"You didn't see her face, Jack. When you told her that we were courting, she looked disappointed. And people in town have been talking about how much they saw the two of you together. I saw you together. Without Allie."
"Elizabeth, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I'm just trying to give Allie a chance to know more of her family. I would never even think about another woman. I'm not James."
She flinched hearing Jack say his name. "I know that."
"Do you?" he challenged. "I don't know what else I can do to show you that you can trust me."
"I just need time," she countered. "You promised that we could move as slowly as I needed."
"I did, and I still mean that. I really don't mind taking things slow; I don't mind that you aren't ready to kiss me. But sometimes, it feels like you're never going to trust me. Not fully."
"Jack, I can't help it. James hurt me. He broke my trust."
"I know that." He let out a harsh breath. "I'm just tired, Elizabeth," he admitted. "Tired of you doubting me, tired of feeling like I'll never be enough for you."
"Jack…" Tears filled her eyes. "If anything, I'm not enough for you."
"Elizabeth, sweetheart…" He reached toward her, but dropped his hand when she shrank away from him. The fight was quickly going out of him. "What do you want to do here?"
She was quiet for a few moments, her eyes focused on her hands as she wrung them in her lap. "I don't know," she finally answered. "Maybe I'm not ready for this like I thought I was."
"You want to end things?" He looked at her, dejected. "Is that what you really want?"
"I don't know what I want, Jack, except that I want to trust you. I want to live without fear anymore. I want to be able to kiss you without seeing his face in my mind. I want to be the woman you deserve."
"But you are the woman I deserve, just as you are. I love you, Elizabeth," he admitted. "I wish that was enough for you."
"Jack…" The tears started rolling down her cheeks. "That isn't fair."
"Look, maybe we do need to take some time. I want to be with you, but I want you to be able to be all in." He took a step toward the back door. "I'm going to get Allie and take her home. You know where to find me when you're ready."
"Jack, wait." She reached over and grabbed his arm.
"Elizabeth, look. Maybe we got into this too quickly. I should've given you more time, so that's what I'm giving you now."
This time, she was quiet as he walked away. She watched out the window as he said something to the children, hugging William and Emma before leading Allie toward their house. She quickly wiped her eyes when she noticed her children heading her way, not wanting them to know anything had happened.
"Hi, mama," Emma said brightly, hugging her legs.
"Hi, baby. Did you and William have fun with Allie?"
"We played trains," William explained. "Allie was the conductor."
"Oh, that sounds fun." She ruffled his hair. "But now it's time for the two of you to put on your pajamas and get ready for bed."
"Can we read two books tonight?"
"We'll see, Willie. Pajamas first."
She managed to hold it together as she tucked the children in and read them a bedtime story. She managed to hold it together as she got herself ready for bed. It wasn't until she slipped under her blankets that she broke down.
She had ruined one of the best things that had ever happened in her life. Jack had protected her, he had cared for her. He had loved her.
And she broke his heart. How could she ever make things right?
...
Jack walked into Lee Coulter's office and sank down in the chair near his desk.
"What's going on, Jack?"
He heaved a sigh. "I messed things up, Lee. Bad."
"Elizabeth?"
"We ended things last night. Or, I did, I guess." He ran a hand through his hair. "I told her I was tired of her not trusting me and said we needed to take some time apart. But now I'm afraid that she'll really never trust me if she thinks I'm going to run when things get difficult."
"Well, that explains why she came over to talk to Rosie first thing this morning."
"Great." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs. "I need to fix this, Lee. I can't lose her."
"I'm not the best with relationship advice, but maybe you should just give her the time, Jack," Lee suggested. "Rosemary isn't going to let her just move on from this, believe me. Let her figure out that this is what she wants."
"I love her, Lee. I keep having these dreams of us as a family." A smile played on his lips as he thought about it. "I just can't let that go."
"I'm not saying you should. Just let her work through things in her time."
He sighed again. "Maybe you're right."
"Can you say that again when Rosemary is around?" he teased.
Jack chuckled. "I'll try to remember. Thanks for the advice, Lee."
...
William crouched down, drawing in the dirt with a stick. "Allie, why don't you and Mr. Mountie come over anymore?"
"Well, he went out of town for work before. But I don't know." She shrugged. "Dad just said they aren't seeing each other right now."
"But why? Mr. Mountie is nice to my mom."
"Dad said it's complicated."
He sighed, glancing up at his friend. "My mom is sad now. She pretends she's happy, but I heard her crying."
"Maybe they had a fight," Allie speculated. "But my dad says that when you have a fight, you should talk it out."
"How will they talk if Mr. Mountie doesn't come over now?"
"Maybe we can make them talk." She moved closer, lowering her voice. "Let's make a plan. We have church on Sunday, and they'll both be there. Maybe we can ask to have lunch together after."
"What if they say no?"
Her face fell. "I don't know."
"We could ask Miss Rosemary for help," William suggested, abandoning his drawing. "My mama talks to her a lot, and they work together."
"Good idea. We can tell her that your mom and my dad are sad because they don't see each other now. I bet she'll help us get them back together."
The bell rang behind them, interrupting their planning.
Allie glanced at the teacher, then back at William. "We'll talk more after class."
William nodded, dropping his stick in the dirt and following Allie back into the schoolhouse.
...
"Two weeks." Elizabeth set a cup of tea on the table in front of Rosemary. "It's been two weeks since I spoke to Jack."
"Have you tried to talk to him?"
She nodded. "Yes, but I think he's avoiding me. Allie's been walking to school by herself, so I don't see him there. He's never at the jail when I stop by, and he pretends he isn't home when I go to his house. I haven't even seen him around town."
"He's probably trying to give you space."
"Maybe." She took a sip of her tea. "Or maybe he's changed his mind, and he doesn't want anything to do with me anymore."
"Elizabeth." Rosemary set down her teacup. "You said he told you he loves you. A man in love isn't just going to give that up."
"He might. I accused him of being unfaithful, Rosemary. How can he forgive me for that?"
"He knows what you went through with James. Between that and the rumors that were floating around town, it makes sense that you would have those worries."
"But I know that isn't Jack. I know he isn't James. And I do trust him. I don't know why I keep saying and doing things that make him think differently." She shook her head. "It doesn't matter now. He doesn't want to see me anymore."
"Elizabeth, please stop saying that. He's just giving you time to figure out what you want."
"And I've had plenty of time now. He told me to find him when I was ready. Well, I'm ready, and he won't let me find him!" Tears sprang into her eyes. "What can I do?"
"You can keep trying. If you two are meant to be, you'll find a way."
...
Elizabeth glanced up, butterflies rising in her stomach at the sight of Jack standing at the end of the pew. Allie eagerly slipped in beside Emma and William, and, hesitantly, Jack took a seat beside his daughter.
She forced herself to keep her eyes forward, trying to focus on the hymns being sung, on the words spoken by the pastor. But she couldn't help sneaking a glance or two at Jack. Each time her gaze wandered to him, he was sitting up straight, almost stiff. She wondered if he was thinking of her as much as she was thinking of him.
"Mama?" Emma whispered when the service was over. "I need to potty."
"Okay, come with me." She told William to stay put before taking her daughter's hand and leading her out of the building.
Meanwhile, William turned toward Allie as soon as his mother was out of earshot. "The plan?"
"Miss Rosemary is inviting my dad to lunch right now." She glanced over toward the two adults, who were conversing just to the side of their pew. "He doesn't know you and your mom and Emma will be there."
"Good." William grinned.
"I think this will work." She returned his smile. "At least I hope it does."
Half an hour later, Jack was surprised when he arrived at the Coulters' house to find Elizabeth and her children seated in the kitchen.
"Oh. Hello," he said awkwardly.
Rosemary cleared her throat. "Lunch isn't quite ready yet. Why don't you children go play outside for a bit? Lee and I found an old kite in our spare room that you can try out. I think he's just about finished untangling the string."
"Okay, Miss Rosemary!"
She winked at the children as they hurried out the door, something that was not lost on Jack.
"Oh, dear. I left something upstairs. I'll just be right back." Without another word, she scurried up the stairs, leaving Jack and Elizabeth alone.
He let out a quiet chuckle. "Is it just me, or does it seem like there was some plotting going on here?"
"Why were you avoiding me?" she blurted.
"I wasn't avoiding you."
She raised an eyebrow. "I haven't seen you since that day. Not once. Not even walking down the street."
"I went out of town on an assignment. I just got back a few days ago, and then…" he paused, "I've been trying to give you space. Look," he took a step toward her, "I still want to be with you, Elizabeth, but I need you to trust me."
"I do trust you, Jack." Her voice cracked.
"You do?"
"Yes. I've had a lot of time to think the past couple of weeks, and I realized that I trust you more than I trust most people. But it's like my brain needs to catch up to my heart. I know that you would never hurt me, I do. Sometimes I just—" She shook her head. "I don't know how to explain it. It's like he's there. And it's crazy, because I know he's not there. I know he's gone."
"You went through a trauma with him, Elizabeth. I'm sure those memories are going to stick with you for a while." Another step closer, and he could nearly reach out and touch her.
"Jack…"
"If you need more time, I can give you that. I just," he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I want you to be happy, Elizabeth. I want you to do whatever is right for you."
"I want this, Jack. I think I was just scared."
"Not scared of me, I hope."
"No." She shook her head. "Scared of how I feel. I've never felt this way about somebody before."
"That's not a bad thing," he assured her. "I've never felt this way about anybody, either."
"I didn't cry when James died. I never missed him when we were apart. But with you…" She took his hand, looking straight into his eyes as she spoke. "I've never felt more lost than I did these past two weeks without you."
"I'm here now."
"I can't promise that I won't get scared again."
"That's okay." He squeezed her fingers. "I love you, Elizabeth."
A smile played on her lips, and she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her cheek against his chest. "Thank you, Jack, for being so understanding. For caring about me."
"You deserve all the happiness in the world, Elizabeth." He returned her embrace, sliding his own arms around her. He kissed the top of her head. "I think we still have some things we need to talk through. Maybe after lunch, we can take the children fishing, and you and I can talk."
"Okay." She sighed contentedly as she soaked in his warmth, wishing she could stay in his arms forever.
"Yes!" A little voice squealed. "The plan worked!"
They jumped apart, spotting Allie in the doorway. She quickly slapped her hand over her mouth.
"Allison."
She slowly stepped into the house, William and Emma following close behind, all of their gazes fixed on the floor.
"We're going to talk about this later, Allie."
She nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Well, I couldn't find it," Rosemary announced as she came down the stairs. "But lunch should be about ready now. Is everybody hungry?"
"Shall we?" Jack nodded toward the table.
"We shall." Elizabeth smiled, slipping her hand into his. As he took a seat beside her, she couldn't help but feel like she was finally back where she was supposed to be.