Disclaimer: I am not the owner of the characters in this story. All rights go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any names or locations are simply for storyline purposes.

Chapter 3- It's a Date or Is It?

Saturday afternoon arrived. Knowing that it would take her a little while to make the long walk from her parking space to the park, Elizabeth pulled into the lot as usual, thirty minutes before her required time. She made her way to the back part of the parking lot, and found Jack sitting in his car in the parking spot next to hers.

She pulled up next to him and rolled down her window, "What are you doing, Jack?"

"I'm giving you a ride to the gate, or, if you'd rather, I'll walk with you," Jack replied.

She released a soft laugh, "Jack, you don't have to do that."

He caught the deep blue with golden flecks in her eyes and his heart began to pound. He found himself wiping his hands on his shorts as he suddenly realized that his palms were actually sweating.

He stepped from his car and squatted down beside her door, as he talked with her through her open window. "Elizabeth, I accept your reason for not wanting to go out with me; I don't like it, but I understand why you feel as you do. But that being said I don't like you having to walk out here by yourself. So, until something changes, I will meet you here for every home game, and I'll make sure you get to the park and back to your car after the game, okay?"

Elizabeth didn't quite know how to respond. Never before had a man treated her so unselfishly without expecting something in return. Although she couldn't deny that there was something intriguing about him, and her heart pulsed loudly in her chest when he was near, her head continued to say "be careful."

"Jack, that's so thoughtful of you, but you don't need to go out of your way for me."

"Elizabeth, I know what you're thinking, but you don't have to worry; you've made it crystal clear that you don't want to go out with me, and I won't pressure you to. But one thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other. I just worry about you walking in and out by yourself. So you either let me drive you or walk with you, or I'll be right behind you. You won't be out here alone."

She opened her door and walked to the back where she pulled her bag from her trunk.

Observing her overnight bag he asked, "Are you going somewhere?"

"No, I'm changing before I go to dinner with Taylor and Mackenzie," she replied.

He took the bag from her hands, "So, what's it gonna be, ride or drive?" he asked.

"I don't want you to be worn out before the game, so I guess it should be drive," she stated as she walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle.

They simultaneously reached for the door handle with his hand eventually covering hers. Neither one withdrew, but each one again felt the tingle of the other's touch.

Each one did their best to act nonchalantly as Jack removed his hand when she lifted the handle to open the door. He placed her bag in the back seat and waited for her to become settled before closing the door.

They pulled up to his parking space on the front row, right outside the main entrance gate.

She glanced over and observed several of her usherettes arriving for work. Feeling concerned about being seen in his car she remained seated, even as he opened his door and stood outside.

He bent down and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Some of my girls are walking up. I don't want them to see us together."

"Hi…"

"Good luck today…"

"Hi Jack…oh, hello Elizabeth…"

Jack acknowledged the girls before glancing back into his car, "Too late; they've already seen you."

"Very funny. How am I going to explain this?" she asked as she stepped out of his car and grabbed her bag from the back seat.

"Well, you could say that we're living together…" seeing her head tilt and the disapproving look in her eyes, he smiled, "Or you could just tell them that I gave you a ride from your car, you know, the truth."

"Things seem so logical when you say it, but as it swirls around in my head, it's not so clear."

As they started for the gate, the Richmond Braves team bus pulled up and the players quickly disembarked.

"Elizabeth, wait…"

Elizabeth and Jack turned around to find Taylor Bratton jogging up to them.

Taylor reached out and wrapped Elizabeth in a hug.

"Oh man, I'm sorry," he turned to Jack and apologized. "You're Jack Thornton, aren't you?"

Before Jack could answer, Taylor turned to Elizabeth, "I didn't know you and Jack were dating."

As Elizabeth stood dumbfounded, and Jack smiled, Taylor continued, "Hey, Mackenzie will be here before the game starts." He turned back to Jack, "Mackenzie is my wife. Oh anyway, she'll be here and we were taking Elizabeth out to dinner with us to thank her for setting us up. You have got to come with us…"

Jack glanced in Elizabeth's direction and smiled, "I'd love to."

Taylor shook Jack's hand, "It is a real honor to meet you."

"Thank you but the pleasure is all mine. It's always great to meet friends of Elizabeth's," Jack replied.

Taylor then turned to Elizabeth, "I can't believe you didn't tell me that you two were dating. Where do you want to meet after the game?"

"How about right outside the office?" Jack suggested.

"That sounds like a plan," Taylor stated as he stuck his arm out again to shake Jack's hand. "It really was an honor to meet you sir."

It was now Jack's turn to look dumbfounded while he watched Taylor rejoin his teammates as they entered the gate.

"Sir…really? How old does he think I am?" Jack said gruffly as Elizabeth broke out in bold laughter.

"Oh, you think it's funny, do you?"

"Well, actually yes, I do."

"Well, that's okay; you go ahead and laugh. I have a date with you, and I didn't even have to ask."

"No, it's not a date. We're just going to dinner at the same place."

"You call it what you want; I'm calling it a date," he stated as he watched her walk down the tunnel to her seat.

Elizabeth was working on the roster for her girls when Rosa arrived and took her seat.

"Where's Preston?" Elizabeth asked.

"He has a sleepover with his friend that lives next door," Rosa advised. "Mookie and I get to go out for a romantic dinner. It has been so long since we've had a date night."

"That's great. You guys deserve a night out alone," Elizabeth replied.

"You do too…well, not alone, but alone with a great guy. And I know just the guy," Rosa responded.

"Well, as it happens, I too am going out to dinner…"

"With Who?"

"Well, that would actually be with whom, but I'm having dinner with Taylor Bratton and his wife. They're both college friends of mine."

"But Elizabeth isn't that like being a third wheel?"

"Oh did I not mention that Jack is going too?"

Rosa smiled almost to the point that tears filled her eyes, "You're going out with Jack?"

"Well, it's not really a date. We're going to the same restaurant, but that's all."

"Girl, you call it what you want but Taylor will be with his wife, and you and Jack will be sitting together on the other side of the table…that's a date, girlfriend!"

"It is not."

"HA! Think what you want, but WOW, I'm happier for you than I am for my own date. I'm so glad to see you opening up to someone."

"Rosa, it's just dinner, nothing more, and who knows, probably nothing will come of it anyway. I mean it's not like we're picking out china patterns together."

"No, you're right but it's a first step, and I'll be surprised if you aren't hoping for a second date by the end of the evening."

"Dream on, Rosa. Not all of us are as lucky as you to find the man of our dreams right under our nose," Elizabeth joked as she left her seat to go check on the usherettes.

As the players started out of the locker room to warm up, Jack reached into his wallet. "Matt," he called out to the oldest bat boy "Would you do me a favor?"

"Sure, Mr. Thornton; what do you need?" Matt answered as he walked back into the locker room.

Jack handed him some money and a note and asked him to take it to Randall on the third base line.

"OK, I'll take care of it," Matt stated, assuring Jack that he knew exactly what he was expected to do.

"Just put it in my locker, but be careful not to break it, okay?"

"Sure, it's safe with me…"

As Elizabeth walked up into the second tunnel on the first base side, she overheard Cami and Rebecca talking.

"I don't know why she made it such a big deal that we not date them; she's doing it," Cami stated.

"I guess it's do as I say, not as I do…" Rebecca replied.

Hearing the last statement, Elizabeth realized the mixed message she was unintentionally sending out to the girls, and the need to clear it up.

"You know if you have anything to say to me, I'd appreciate it being said to my face. At least then I could respond," Elizabeth commented before handing both girls their fresh, clean towels.

Elizabeth continued, "Right after the game, can you please hang around for a few minutes. I need to have a meeting with all of you."

As she turned around and headed down the tunnel, Cami spoke up, "Elizabeth, I'm sorry. It's just that you made such a big deal about not dating them, and then you do it. If it's okay for you, why isn't it okay for us?"

Elizabeth walked back up to the girls, thankful that the gates had not yet opened, and the area was still empty, "I understand what you're saying, and you're right, it's confusing. But I don't know why you think I've gone behind your backs. I'm going out to dinner with my college friend, Taylor, who plays for the Braves and his wife. Taylor invited Jack to go. That's all it is."

"So you aren't dating Jack Thornton?" Rebecca asked.

"No, we aren't dating," Elizabeth confirmed. "We're just going out to dinner to…gether. You know what I mean; it's not a date."

Cami quickly added, "So that makes him fair game, right? He is so hot!"

"He's free to date whomever he wants," Elizabeth remarked, seemingly a little more than casually interested.

"She wishes he'd ask her out," Rebecca blurted out. "Give it up, Cami."

"I'm sorry; I was just joking," Cami replied. "I've got a boyfriend, anyway."

"Well, if you're involved in a relationship, you shouldn't be joking about wanting another man to ask you out. It's disrespectful to your boyfriend," Elizabeth commented. Although she knew that it was none of her business, somehow, she couldn't help herself.

"Okay, well the gates are getting ready to open and it looks like a pretty big crowd, so be careful and call if you need help," Elizabeth stated as she turned and headed down the tunnel.

As Elizabeth walked around the corner, Rebecca turned to Cami and announced, "She can say whatever she wants, but she has a date with our very own "McHottie Hawk."

Both girls broke out laughing at the term of endearment for their favorite centerfielder.

"What's the matter with you?" Rosa asked as Elizabeth released a harsh breath once she plopped down in her chair.

"Sometimes these girls..." Elizabeth stopped for a moment before starting her rant again. "I'm just trying to help keep them from falling prey to these guys."

"Are you serious?" Rosa laughed.

"Yes, why?"

"Elizabeth, you're my friend, but girl, you make it sound like these guys are predators. They aren't; they are regular guys who happen to be talented in baseball and are living out their dream of making it big."

"I have no problem with them living out their dream, but what bothers me is the collateral damage that they leave behind."

"You seriously believe that?"

"Rosa, why are you coming at me like this? You know how I feel…"

"Elizabeth, tell me, does this have to do with Scott?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you stood fast in your rule to not date the players, and then you decided to let Scott in. You guys were together for a year, but be honest, if he was the man you wanted; when he left you would have gone with him."

Elizabeth turned away and became quiet.

"What's wrong?"

"Rosa, I've never told anyone this before…"

Seeing tears in her eyes, Rosa asked, "What is it?"

"I'm so embarrassed and ashamed."

Thankful that the wives who normally sat near them were currently away from their seats, Rosa asked, "Elizabeth, what happened? Did he do something to you?"

"Did you know that Scott had a long term girlfriend in Arizona?" Elizabeth asked as she wiped her eyes.

"What? But he regularly travelled to see you, how? Why?"

"Well, the 'how' is that he simply told her that he was travelling for a business venture. I had no clue; he completely fooled me. For a year I dated no one but Scott, because I thought that we were exclusive. Ha…what a joke."

"But why, Elizabeth? I mean, no one knew about her?"

"I'm assuming the 'why' is that he did have a business investment here, and I guess I was someone for him to occupy his time while he was in town."

"How did you find out?"

"He had just been transferred to the Colorado Rockies organization and we were out to dinner to celebrate a new beginning for him, and I thought possibly for us as well. He'd gone to use the restroom, but left his phone on the table," Elizabeth took a short break as her elbows rocked along her thighs and her chin rested in her hands.

She continued, "A text came through, and well, I'm not one to snoop, but some of the language was sexually explicit and I couldn't help myself. It was obvious from what she said that she missed him, and she wanted him to miss her back. It was vulgar and made me sick," Elizabeth stated as her respiration began to increase.

"Rosa, I didn't really love him, well not like I should have to tie myself to him for a year, so when I found out, I was so much more angry than sad. It just made me realize that people aren't always what they appear to be, not to mention the fact that I'm a poor judge of character."

"What did you do?"

"I grabbed my purse and left. I got a cab and on my way home I sent him my own text. I'm too much of a lady now to tell you what it said, but I never heard from him again."

Rosa reached over and squeezed her hand, "Calm down. None of that was your fault."

"I know," she stated as her glance dropped downward. "But…"

"But what?"

"I can't help but wonder how many of these guys are in the same situation. They have a girl at home, but use the ones here for their out of town fun."

"Now I understand why you feel the way you do. I wish you'd told me before."

"Rosa, I was so humiliated, and I told myself that it would never happen again."

"So, you shut yourself off so it doesn't happen, right?"

"It's worked so far."

"Has it, really? I don't know what you mean by working, because all its doing is keeping you alone."

Elizabeth turned to face Rosa, somehow surprised that she was putting everything out on the table.

"Elizabeth, I see the way you and Jack look at each other. Whether you know it or not, you're interested in him," Rosa boldly remarked. "Not all men are like Scott, or some of the others. The fact is, if you don't want to date a baseball player because they are only here for a short while, that's fine, I get it. But what you're doing with these girls is forcing your feelings of what happened to you onto them. You need to let them make their own choices; their own decisions, and their own mistakes."

Rosa observed Elizabeth's expression and knew she was thinking. "These girls are adults. They are going to make mistakes, just like we have. Elizabeth, you are so afraid for them that you won't let yourself relax."

"I just don't want anything to happen to them."

"Are you responsible if it does? I mean, think about it; if one of the girls goes to a bar and meets a guy and chooses to go home with him; are you responsible for what happens?"

"No, of course not."

"Okay, so why do you feel the need to hold yourself accountable here?"

"I know you're right."

"You've done everything you can here to keep them safe. You've given them parking spaces up front and you stand at the gate and watch them walk out every night," Rosa's tone was nurturing but firm. "You have to live your life, and let them do the same."

Ed Cipera stepped up to bat, and although he was a handsome man, the wiggle he did in the batter's box did not seem to get Elizabeth's attention.

"If the girls want to date someone like him, let them. At some point they'll learn what's important and what they want in a partner. You can't decide that for them," Rosa stated as the fans erupted in applause when Ed hit a single down the first base line.

Jack walked to home plate initially swinging two bats, before tossing one back toward the dugout.

"Oh, that was sweet…"

"What?"

"Jack smiled at you," Rosa teased. "That was so precious."

"He did not…did he, really?" she innocently smiled.

"I'm telling you girl, don't let him get away. He's a good one, just like my Mookie."

Rosa watched Elizabeth as she watched Jack. The smile on Elizabeth's face was natural, not forced, and Rosa knew that if Elizabeth could just let her guard down that she would experience happiness that she'd never before dreamed of.

With every swing of the bat Elizabeth observed each muscle in his arms tighten. The strength in his upper body was captivating as he swung the bat on a 3-2 count, making contact, and sending the ball over the second baseman's head and deep into centerfield.

Ed took off running and was crossing second base by the time the centerfielder got his glove on the ball. The third base coach signaled Ed to come in to third standing, but Jack was not so fortunate. The centerfielder threw to the shortstop who then moved to block second base, causing Jack to slide, sadly reminiscent of the final World Series game.

With Jack's hand on the bag and the ball rolling toward the pitcher's mound, Jack was called "Safe" by the umpire.

The crowd rose to their feet excited by the athleticism on the field and the opportunity for the Hawks to take an early lead. Jack called "Time," as he cautiously rose to his feet. He squatted down only to jump back up as a smile covered his face, and pain was nonexistent in his leg.

At that moment he knew that his knee was 100%, and he'd be back with the Mets before the end of the season.

Two batters later, Bobby Houseman hit a double and Ed and Jack both crossed home plate, giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead over the Braves.

During the fourth inning, Elizabeth made her way through each tunnel, advising the girls that she needed them to stay back for a few minutes after the game.

As Elizabeth chatted with her girls on the third base side, Jack sat in the dugout watching her make her way through the stands. He was mesmerized as she seemed to glide when she moved, so graceful, and more beautiful than he could even express.

One thing he noticed…whenever he looked in her direction or a thought of her entered his mind, his heart pounded, he became nervous and his palms began to sweat. What is it with this woman?

Suddenly, he thought back to the comment he'd made to Ed regarding having not yet found that special woman. Could she be the one he had been looking for? And if she was, how would that impact his dream of returning to the majors?

The Hawks maintained their lead throughout the game with the Braves final at bat in the top of the 9th bringing about no additional runs. With the game over, each player took the field and stood in line to shake the hand of their opponents.

"Great game, Jack. I'll see you and Elizabeth in a little while," Taylor stated as he shook Jack's hand before trotting off with his teammates into the locker room.

Ed turned to Jack, "Don't tell me that you got a date with Elizabeth."

Not that it was any of Ed's business, but Jack felt a twang of satisfaction by saying, "I'm just having dinner with Elizabeth and a couple of her friends."

As the Hawks players broke out and headed for the locker room, Ed whispered, "You lucky guy…it's a date."

Elizabeth grabbed her bag and headed for the office. She had approximately fifteen minutes before all of the usherettes had cleaned out their areas and made their way to the meeting.

As Jack walked toward the tunnel to the locker room, he caught Rosa's eye and approached the backstop.

"Do you know where Elizabeth went?" he asked.

"She's meeting with the girls in the office. Is something wrong?" Rosa replied.

"No, but if you see her will you tell her that I'll be out as soon as I shower and get presentable?"

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, you are already presentable in that uniform!

"Rosa, did you hear me?" he asked as she seemed to be looking right through him.

"Oh yes, of course, I'll tell her," she stated as she watched him start down the tunnel.

"Hey Jack," she called out.

Jack stepped around the sea of Hawks players trying to get into the locker room and walked back to the fence.

"Look, she's my friend, so I'm just gonna say be careful with her," she stated.

"What's that supposed to mean? We're going to dinner, not skydiving," he stated with a nervous laugh.

"Jack, you know she doesn't trust baseball players…"

"I'm aware of that. I just don't know why."

"Think about it Jack; You guys blow into town like a tornado, and I'm not saying you're like this, but many of them meet a woman, they're just looking for company."

"I'm not like that."

"I didn't think you were, but that's why she's hesitant to give in; she has dealt with it too many times before. Every year she deals with a broken heart or two with the usherettes."

Before Jack could respond, Rosa continued, "Jack, she doesn't blame the guys, as long as they put their feelings out on the table. If all you want is to have some fun while you're biding your time here, that's fine. Just don't pursue her as if it's something different."

"Rosa, I know that this date was thrown at her, and I probably shouldn't have agreed to go. I should have told Taylor that we aren't dating, but when he asked and I looked over at her I thought 'who wouldn't want to go to dinner with this beautiful woman.' Maybe she wishes that I wasn't going, but…"

Rosa interrupted; she leaned into the fence and whispered, "Jack, I've known Elizabeth for a long time. She says this isn't a date, but she's just afraid that she's going to get hurt."

"Rosa, I won't hurt her."

"I know you won't intend to, and I've encouraged her to let go and have some fun. But don't forget, I've been where she is. She figures it's easier to close down than to risk getting too close. So don't string her along. If all you want is your career back please don't make her think otherwise."

"She's lucky to have you…"

"I feel like I'm the lucky one. We only see each other during baseball season, but we always take up where we left off from the year before."

Rosa watched as Jack made his way into the tunnel toward the locker room. She sat back down and waited on her husband so they could begin their very own date night.

Elizabeth took a seat at the desk, reached into her bag and pulled out her journal. Thoughts, emotions and responsibilities were running through her head and she felt the need to clear them before meeting with the girls.

She opened her journal, flipped to the next blank page, clicked her pen and began to release her feelings and emotions…

"As a child I had no responsibilities. Oh, well I was tasked with feeding my turtle, Henry, and preparing tea for myself and my stuffed animals, but others took care of all of my needs and many of my wants.

As I moved along, age and maturity required that I assume many of the responsibilities in caring for myself. Although physical needs were left to me, those individuals who were held in high regard still maintained some control over my emotional and moral development.

I was nurtured, loved and provided with the guidance necessary to build my own personal moral structure. I have learned that my life is my responsibility. I make no apologies, excuses or cast blame on others, for each decision I have made has led me down this path of self reflection and awareness.

Behavior is an individual thing with each person having the freedom to feel, act, and respond as they choose. Just as we have no control over the wind, the darkening skies, or the changing of the leaves, we can hold no one but ourselves responsible for our own behavior."

As the girls started filing into the office, Elizabeth closed her journal and slipped it back into her bag.

"Did we do something wrong?" Sharice asked.

"No, no one has done anything wrong. I just need to clarify something…"

Elizabeth glanced around the room before continuing, "I owe you all an apology."

"For what?" was the question asked by most of the girls.

"Look, I know each of you are adults, and you have a right to make your own decisions. I want to apologize for trying to impose upon you my beliefs, my values, and my concerns over dating the players," Elizabeth stated as she walked around from the back of the desk and joined the girls.

"I do hope that you will be careful, but I've realized that what you do is your choice, and I just hope that you will use good judgment."

"Well, I have my eyes set on McHottie," Cassie commented.

"Who's that?" Elizabeth asked.

"You don't want to know," Cami blurted out.

"Are we done?" several of the girls asked.

"Yes, we're done; I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. Please be careful driving home," Elizabeth responded as the girls rushed out of the office, many of them could be heard giggling as they walked toward the gate.

"Cami," Elizabeth called out. "Who is McHottie?"

"Elizabeth, you have a date with him tonight."

"Jack Thornton is McHottie?"

"Don't you think so?"

"I never thought about it…"

"Yea, right. Enjoy your date."

"It isn't a date…"

Elizabeth followed them out and as with every home game, she stood at the gate and watched them walk to their cars and drive away.

She walked back into the office and found Jack sitting in a chair, nervously flipping through a magazine. She walked over, took the magazine and flipped it right side up. "It's easier to read this way…"

"I'll be ready in a few minutes," she stated as she grabbed her bag.

"I'll be right here," he promised as she left the office and headed for the ladies room.

Standing in the ladies room her thoughts drifted back to Jack. With his hair still damp from the shower, and wearing a pair of jeans and a button down black/white plaid shirt, she wondered how it was even possible for him to look better than he did in his baseball uniform…but he did.

Fifteen minutes later, Taylor walked into the office, "Are you ready?" he asked Jack.

"I'm just waiting for Elizabeth."

"She's outside with Mackenzie, you know women…they haven't seen each other in years. They have a lot to catch up on."

Both men walked out of the office, immediately catching a glimpse of the women. Jack watched as Mackenzie and Elizabeth talked, hearing the slight lilt in Elizabeth's voice as both women laughed.

Jack's glance carried him from her eyes down her svelte, tanned body, and back again, as the black dress she was wearing hugged her in all the right places. Although he'd lived in New York City and travelled in some of the same circles as models, and actresses; he had never before seen such a vision; so strong, yet so feminine, so quietly beautiful.

"WOW Taylor," Mackenzie called out. "They are perfect for each other. Look, they match!"

Elizabeth and Jack smiled at the fact that without trying, their clothes complimented each other.

Again he felt his heart pound as he approached her. He reached out and handed her a red rose, "Elizabeth, you've just taken my breath away."

To be continued…