Author's note:

I am only a Jack and Elizabeth fan. Be patient…

Chapter 2

"Elizabeth, where are you going?" Asked Abagail for the second time.

Elizabeth took a moment staring at Abagail trying to find the words to explain everything that happened from Charles' proposal and her desire to talk to her father concerning her life in Hope Valley. She wasn't certain, but she thought her father and/or her older sister, Viola, may have encouraged Charles to come to Hope Valley to propose and bring her back home to Hamilton.

"Elizabeth, where are you going?" Abagail asked for the third time.

"Oh, Abagail. You wouldn't believe me even if I told you." Nothing was making sense to Elizabeth. She was having a difficult time processing everything that has happened this evening.

"Try me." Stated Abagail.

Elizabeth started telling her best friend the whole story from the unexpected knock on the schoolhouse door until she walked through the front door of the café. She left nothing out except the conflicted emotions she was feeling about everything. She didn't love Charles that way, but the uneasiness with her family was something she couldn't ignore.

"So…" Abagail sighed. "You are leaving town tomorrow with Charles? And after he proposed to you?" Abagail was having a difficult time wrapping her mind around the whole story Elizabeth shared with her. Abagail knew if she was having trouble understanding everything, Jack certainly wouldn't understand.

"Well, not with Charles. We are riding the same stagecoach and the same train but…"

Abagail cut her off. "Elizabeth, are you sure about that? I don't think Charles thinks that way."

"Abagail, you know how I feel about Jack. I would never leave with Charles in a romantic way." Replied Elizabeth.

"Does Jack know Charles is here?"

"No. I haven't seen Jack this afternoon."

"I don't think Charles thinks that way, Elizabeth." Abagail shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't understand how naive Elizabeth could be at times. "Jack wouldn't think that way either." The more Abagail tried to comprehend this whole evening and Elizabeth's response to it, the more she was confused. Along with the confusion, Abagail was getting frustrated with Elizabeth over her handling with Charles. "You should really think about this and your relationship with Jack and with Charles."

…

Abagail did know how Elizabeth thought about Jack. She knew it from the early days of their meeting. When Jack arrived for dinner on the second night he was in town, she knew there was something between the two young people. There was just something between Jack and Elizabeth. She found it amusing to watch the two of them during dinner. The stolen glances and the tension between the two caused Abagail to think that something was happening between the two, even if they did not know it yet.

Jack and Elizabeth's interactions over time proved Abagail to be correct. Both Jack and Elizabeth were so unsure of themselves. Jack was certain he was not to be married. After all, "if mounties were to be married, they would have issued him a wife" was something he said all the time. She just shook her head each time she heard him say those silly words. She could see the look in Jack's eyes when he looked at Elizabeth.

Abagail noticed Charles' and Elizabeth's interaction with each other when she visited Hamilton. She saw more than friendship from Charles. Each time she mentioned it to Elizabeth, she would dismiss it because of their lifelong friendship. She couldn't understand Elizabeth at all. There were many times Elizabeth enjoyed Charles' attention. Then there were other times she seemed to miss Jack.

Abagail remembered the picnic on the floor of the dining room between Charles and Elziabeth. That did not seem like a dinner between friends. There was certainly a romantic feel in the atmosphere that evening. With the fancy clothes, the romantic setting, and music, she thought there was more than friendship. She also remembered the huge bouquet of flowers the following day sent from Charles. Elizabeth mentioned at lunch that day after the flowers were delivered that she was having so much fun with family and friends. The only person Elizabeth was spending time with was Charles. Abagail mention to Elizabeth, "You should be missing a certain mountie."

If she was having a hard time understanding the relationship between Elizabeth and Charles, she could only imagine how much Jack was struggling with knowing what to think. Jack tried to put Charles out of mind, but he was always around. He witnessed many interactions between Charles and Elizabeth. She kept saying they were just friends, but her actions didn't match her words. Friendship was not the entire story between the two of them. Everyone knew this except for Elizabeth.

"No, I haven't seen Jack all day. He was supposed to come by for a ride after school today, but I haven't seen him." Again, Elizabeth wondered if Jack came by the school only to see Charles on bended knee. She thought if that would have happened then Jack would have entered the school building with fire in his eyes. She was grateful he didn't witness the scene in the school room.

"Jack did say that something came up this afternoon, but he didn't say what it was." Mentioned Abagail in a low voice. It was more of a thought that escaped her mind instead of an intended statement.

Elizabeth released a sigh of relief in knowing that Jack didn't see the whole spectacle. "I don't think he knows Charles is here. I didn't know he was coming until he stepped into the schoolhouse."

"And now you are going back to Hamiton with him tomorrow?" Abagail said with a little bit of disbelief in her voice. "Elizabeth, do you know how this looks?"

As always concerning Charles, Elizabeth dismissed Abagail's question. To be honest, her refusal to answer was beginning to worry Abagail and frustrate her too. In her eyes, she was beginning to think Elizabeth was playing both Jack and Charles. She seemed to enjoy the attention from both men.

"Where is Jack? I need to speak to him before I leave tomorrow."

"He is on his way to Bantif. He left a little bit ago. There was a fight and one of the minors was badly injured. He is going to get the doctor." While speaking, Abagail was trying to read Elizabeth's expression.

Elizabeth dropped her head slightly at her friend's words. She knew she would be leaving without speaking to Jack. Hopefully she asked. "When do you expect him back?"

"If everything goes well, he should be back to Hope Valley sometime tomorrow evening." With that statement she saw the conflict in Elizabeth's eyes. She just could not understand Elizabeth's line of thinking. She loved Jack. Abagail has known this for a long time, but her actions were confusing when you added Charles into the equation. Elizabeth is a strong willed young lady. When her mind was set, she was a force of nature. But her willingness to leave at a moment's notice, let alone with a childhood friend who just proposed to her, was troubling to Abagail. She also knew Jack would have trouble understanding her decision to leave with Charles. Jack disliked Charles so much, he would never refer to him as Charles. He always called him Mr. Kensington. In private however, Jack would refer to Charles as Mr. Jaw because of his perfect jawline.

Elizabeth sighed at the news of Jack's expected return. The stagecoach leaves for the train station at nine sharp in the morning. With Jack's arrival hours later, she would miss talking with him. She didn't like that fact, but her father was expecting her to be on that train. How could she say no when he already purchased the tickets?

While thinking through what she was going to do, Charles walked into the café to have dinner with Elizabeth. Abagail pursed her lips together when she saw Charles walking through the door. Each time she spoke with Charles and saw him with Elizabeth, she was assured her assumptions of him were accurate. She knew Charles looked at Elizabeth with eyes of infatuation, not eyes of friendship.

Frustrated with Elizabeth's attitude, Abagail stated. "Before you leave tomorrow, please come to see me. I need to speak to you concerning something."

"Sure. I will see you before I leave."

…

Elizabeth was sitting with Charles at a small table in the café's dining room. "Elizabeth, what are you going to do with school? There is what…two weeks left before summer break?" Abagail asked as she was taking their order.

Charles sat beside Elizabeth. Actually, he scooted the chair a little closer to her after sitting down. "Not quite two weeks. I will ask Ms. Blakely to fill in for me. We have already covered everything I wanted to do for the year. I was just reviewing past lessons and looking at what we will begin next year."

Abagail left to the kitchen after taking their order. The café was starting to become busy with the dinner crowd. She busied herself with her normal work but kept an eye on Charles' and Elziabeth's table. Abagail also noticed that she wasn't the only person who noticed the two diners. Ms. Montgomery and Ms. Blakely, the town's gossip, also noticed them sitting together.

After Abagail left, Charles remained in his seat close to Elizabeth. When he spoke to Elizabeth, he would lean in just enough to touch shoulders with her. He was greatly enjoying the flirting. Elizabeth simply did not notice. First, he was her friend. This wasn't unusual between them. Secondly, she was worried about Jack. All she knew was that he was riding all night to find and then bring back the doctor. Finally, how was she going to explain all of this to him and make him understand why she was leaving if she wouldn't have the opportunity to speak to him before she left town?

…

It wasn't too long since they got back from Hamilton and that visit did not exactly go well. The issue with Tom and Julie was just the beginning of the problems. Her father still believed Tom was a bad influence on Juile. Even with Julie finally telling the truth about the car accident, Mr. Thatcher still believed Tom was trouble. Then there was Tom's nurse, Faith. While Jack said nothing was happening between them, she thought Faith had enjoyed Jack's company a little too much. Then there was the issue with Charles. She told him they were just friends, but evidently, he didn't listen to her. And then the way her family treated Jack. Viola, her father, and her mother all treated Jack with contempt. They would ignore him. When they would talk to him, they would talk down to him. Elizabeth was excited that her father offered Jack a position with his company. Jack thought it was a way of Mr. Thatcher telling Jack that he was beneath them and unworthy of his daughter's attention. Jack's statement at the restaurant came to mind, "Elizabeth, if I wasn't around, Mr. Kensington would not hesitate to ask for your hand in marriage. He is just waiting for the right time to step in as a suitor."

Elizabeth had a small uneasy feeling in her stomach at the way she didn't defend Jack. Whenever one of her family members disparaged Jack, she wouldn't correct them. She felt guilty about that. She knew she should have said something, but she didn't, and that still bothers her to this day.

At that moment, Elizabeth felt a hand on top of her hand. "Elizabeth, did you hear what I said?"

She didn't realize she was lost in her thoughts. She looked at Charles with a questioning look. "I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you said. What did you say?"

"I asked how long it will take you to pack your things for the trip. We need to be on the stagecoach at nine in the morning."

"Oh, that won't be a problem. I will be ready." With that statement, she went back to thinking how she was going to tell Jack. He'll understand. She thought. He always understands.

…

Jack was making some progress on his way to Bantif. While it was dark, there was enough light from the moon that made travel a little easier. His thoughts kept jumping from the schoolhouse and the afternoon in the mine when Elizabeth and he were looking for Rip. He believed Elizabeth when she told him that she loved him. The kiss they shared immediately following their declaration of love to each other set him on fire. It was a feeling he never felt before in his previous relationship with Rosemary. He didn't understand the feeling fully with Elizabeth, but he knew he wanted to experience it again and again and again for the rest of his life.

Then the nightmare of the schoolhouse would flood back into his mind. How could Mr. Jaw propose? Why would he pursue Elizabeth when he knew she was courting me? How could he do it in the very schoolhouse that I paid for and built for the town…for Elizabeth? While he did tell everyone he donated the money and built the church for the town, honestly, he built it for Elizabeth. He wanted to give her every reason to stay in Hope Valley. He did not want her to take the teaching job her family arranged for her back in Hamilton at that prestigious academy. Plus, he hated the fact that she was teaching in the saloon. So, when he was awarded the money for arresting the Toliver gang, he used most of the money to buy the building supplies for the schoolhouse. Lee stepped up and donated some of the lumber and provided a few of his men to help Jack build the church.

He would only admit to himself that the building was primarily for Elizabeth. He knew people had their own opinions, but he wasn't saying anything to anyone. Secretly, he felt he needed to offer everything he had for Elizabeth's affection. Mr. Thatcher's words stung when he stated that Jack was not worthy of his daughter. "I just don't want her to wake up one day and realize that her life would have been so much more than you could offer her." Jack growled in frustration at the memory.

Jack never felt beneath anyone before and couldn't understand the power that Mr. Thatcher had over him. Jack reasoned the schoolhouse was for the town of Hope Valley, but he knew in his heart it was for Elizabeth. And, maybe, for Mr. Thatcher as well as proof that he could support Elizabeth.

"Is that why Elizabeth accepted Mr. Jaw's proposal? Did she finally realize that her father was right? No! No! She loves me and will never turn her back on me. But then…why did she say yes to his proposal?" He looked at his horse, Sergeant. "Well, are you going to answer me?" He shook his head in frustration. The horse was just as confused as he was. The more Jack thought while he rode, the more he was confused. This was normal when it came to Elizabeth. Especially early in their relationship. He thought the talk in the mine settled everything between them. He thought they worked through all of their past issues, Mr. Jaw, her family, his job, and the missed communications that plagued their early relationship. He felt they were finally in a good place, but maybe not as much as he thought. He let out a long, deep growl in frustration.

…

After their meal, Elizabeth and Charles were standing on the front porch of the café. Charles told her good night and then kissed her on the cheek. Elizabeth did not really think anything of it. He always did that. However, Ms. Blakely saw the kiss and immediately began to wonder about Jack. "How could she do that to the constable?" Stated Ms. Blakely in a whisper. "And in front of everyone on the porch of Abagail's."

Ms. Blakely saw Ms. Montgomery walking through the door of the café. She shared with Ms. Montgomery everything she saw and heard.

"Ms. Blakely, you should not be sharing gossip around town."

"Ms. Montgomery, it is not gossip when I saw it with my own eyes. You were with me in the café. You saw how close they sat beside each other. Now, I saw them kissing. I was ten feet away and saw Charles hold her arm and hiss her on the cheek. He also told her they would be leaving on the stagecoach at nine in the morning." Ms. Blakely continued. "What does this mean? Where is Jack and why is she leaving town with another man?"

"I'm not sure…I thought they were getting closer over the last few days. I mean, I heard they worked everything out and I saw their relationship developing. Do you think something happened between them?"

"Didn't the Constable leave town to find the doctor?" Ms. Blakely asked.

"Are you saying Elizabeth is doing all of this behind Jack's back?" Ms. Montgomery was flabbergasted. She loved Elizabeth and knew that her and Jack were a perfect match. She would never have thought Elizabeth would go behind Jack's back in such a callous manner to court someone else at the same time.

"I'm not too sure, but it does look that way. He left to find the doctor and all of a sudden, she is kissing a guy and leaving with him the next morning. Plus, Jack isn't around."

…

Jack always struggled with saying what was in his heart. He knew what he felt and knew what he wanted to say but he found it difficult to put those feelings into words. He certainly confused Elizabeth in the past. The whole incident with Billy Hamilton quickly came to his mind. If he could have just told Elizabeth what was in his heart, maybe the whole horrible episode with Billy would not have happened.

Then immediately following Billy Hamilton, he tried to tell Elizabeth how he felt. Instead of telling her he cared for her and was even beginning to love her, he called her desperate and old. While he didn't use those words, that was the impression he gave her. The harder Jack tried to express his feelings to her, the worse he made the situation. He just couldn't get it right with Elizabeth.

Jack let out a frustrated sigh when a small limb slapped him in the face. He was so lost in his thoughts that he wasn't paying attention. He gritted his teeth realizing his frustrations were only growing.

Abagail was the one who counseled him through that whole mess. He smiled at the memory of his 'older sister' talking with him. "Jack, there will be an honorable man who will approach Elizabeth with honorable intentions. Billy Hamilton was not that man. He is a skunk, but there will be someone who will come into her life with proper intentions." Abagail continued. "You need to approach her as an honorable man. Not as a mountie but as a man who is interested in getting to know her." Jack would give anything for Abagail to be with him on this ride.

Another small limb slapped him across his face which brought him out of his thoughts once again. He realized he still had a long ride in front of him to reach Bantif and the doctor. This is going to be a long night. Jack exhaled a long, drawn out breath as Sergeant continued to climb the steep hill.

…

As Elizabeth made her way through the café, she noticed Abagail sitting at her kitchen table drinking a cup of hot tea. Abagail offered her a cup and asked her to sit with her for a few minutes. Elizabeth knew she had packing to do, but she also remembered Abagail wanted to talk to her.

Elizabeth began the conversation. "So, Abagail, what is on your mind?"

Abagail wasn't sure how to begin the conversation. There was just too many thoughts running through her mind, and she hasn't figured everything out. After taking a deep breath, she settled on how to ask her question. "Why are you going to Hamilton with Charles?" Abagail decided to go with the direct approach.

Elizabeth was taken back by Abagail's boldness and direct question. "Abagail, I told you I need to go and speak to my father concerning my teaching assignment here and my life in Hope Valley."

"Elizabeth, this has nothing to do with Charles?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Really?" Abagail's frustration was beginning to show through with her questions and in her tone. "He has intentions for you that does not include just friendship."

"Abagail, I already told you he is just a friend. He has been my friend since I was about four years old. This has nothing to do with him."

"Elizabeth, do you really think that?" She sighed. "He didn't come all the way from Hamilton as a friend. A friend does not travel that far and then proposes if friendship is all he is after. He loves you. He has loved you for years. He knows you are courting Jack, but he still traveled here and proposed to you."

"Please Abagail. You must understand…"

Abagail interrupted Elizabeth. "Elizabeth…you do not understand. How can an intelligent woman be so blind to what is in front of her? That man loves you and not as a friend. He has chased after you and looks at you like a lovesick little puppy. He came to ask you to go back to Hamilton as his fiancée, not as a friend. I'm assuming he came with a ring?"

"Yes, Abagail. He proposed with a ring." Elizabeth lowered her head so she wouldn't have to look Abagail in her eyes. For some reason, looking at Abagail's eyes made this seem even more real.

Abagail let out a slow, frustrated breath. "Elizabeth, you must realize that Charles loves you?"

Elizabeth just sat there. She was not able to say anything.

"Elizabeth, can you even admit the fact that he loves you more than a friend?"

Finally, Elizabeth raised her eyes just enough to look at Abagail. She didn't say anything. She simply nodded her head up and down.

"He wants you to go back to Hamilton with him to marry him, to live with him, and to raise a family. He wants you to give up your life here to join him in proper society." Abagail's emotions were starting to come out with her words more than she wanted, but she couldn't stop it. Not only because she did not like Charles, but she knew her friend. She knew Elizabeth loved her life in Hope Valley. She knew Elizabeth loved her students. But most importantly, she knew Elizabeth loved Jack. Even if Elizabeth wasn't able or willing to fully admit it to herself. "You need to make up your mind concerning both Jack and Charles. You are leading them both on. I'm not sure about Charles, but I do know that Jack is confused with your relationship with Charles."

With a small wave of her hand in a dismissive manner. "Abagail, I am not leading on either Charles or Jack. Jack knows how I feel about him, and Charles and I have already spoken about our relationship. "

"And clearly Charles isn't following your wishes. That's why he came from Hamilton to propose to you, and you are leaving with him tomorrow. I don't think Jack is as clear with your relationship with Charles as you think he is. And I don't think Charles is either."

"Abagail, they both understand completely. My going to Hamilton tomorrow has nothing to do with Charles. I am going to speak with my father concerning my staying in Hope Valley, my job, and my life here."

"Are you going to talk to him about your courtship with Jack?"

Elizabeth was starting to get a little annoyed with the conversation. "Yes, Abagail." She answered with an exasperated tone to her voice. "There are numerous topics I will discuss with my father."

Abagail matched Elizabeth's tone. "All while traveling with a man who just proposed to you in the schoolhouse Jack built for you while you are courting Jack. How is that proper?"

Before Elizabeth could continue, Mr. Ned Yost came into the café with a telegram for Elizabeth. It was a telegram from her father.

Dearest Elizabeth –

We are excited concerning your arrival with Charles in a few days. We must celebrate your good news!

Congratulations, Mother and Father.

Elizabeth could not think of any words. What exactly did the telegram mean? Celebrate? Celebrate what? Congratulations? Congratulations for what? What were they thinking? Was…was Abagail right about Charles?

Abagail asked, "Elizabeth, do you fully understand what you want and what you are doing?"

Abagail sat back in her chair looking at her friend. She could not understand the decision her friend was making. She thought to herself. Why would she entertain a proposal from another man? Why would she leave with that same man the following day? How could she think this was a good idea? With these thoughts running through her mind, there were no answers that followed them. She knew Elizabeth was placing her relationship with Jack at risk.

Elizabeth sat with her best friend with a whirlwind of emotions running through her mind. Charles knows I am courting Jack. He really didn't mean the proposal. How do I tell Jack I'm leaving tomorrow? And with Charles? Well, not exactly with Charles, but…

Abagail stood and picked up her tea cup. After pushing her chair under the table, she straightened her back and looked into her best friend's eyes. "Elizabeth, you need to think this through. I believe you are making a huge mistake in traveling with Charles tomorrow after everything that has happened today. I also believe you are placing your relationship with Jack in danger."

With that last statement, she turned and walked to the sink to place her cup down. She walked up the stairs without looking in Elizabeth's direction.

…

Jack tied Sergeant to the hitching post outside of the jail in Bantif. He stretched his very tired muscles. It was late at night, and he was exhausted. Sergeant did well with the long ride, and he was grateful for his horse.

Jack opened the jail house door and noticed the constable was asleep on the cot. After waking him up, he asked if he would take him to the doctor's room. Within ten minutes, Jack and the constable was standing at the door to the doctor's room. A middle aged man opened the door with sleep heavy on his face.

Jack explained to the doctor what had happened and asked if he would follow him to Hope Valley. After a couple of hours, they were heading back to Hope Valley with the medicine that would be needed.

"Thanks doc. I'm sorry for the late hour and the long ride."

"It's ok Constable. This is the life of a traveling doctor."