Chapter 4

The first few days when Elizabeth left were busy for both Elizabeth in Hamilton and for Jack back in Hope Valley.

Elizabeth was dragged away shopping every day during that week by Viola and or Julie. This kept Elizabeth's mind busy, but in the down times she thought of Jack. She missed him. She hated how she left Hope Valley without being able to speak to him but was grateful he wasn't there when Charles came into the schoolhouse. The guilt of the letter continued to play on her mind as well. As much as she tried to figure out why she wasn't fully honest with Jack, she could not find an answer. Along with not finding the answer, the weird feeling in her stomach continued to persist. It grew as she thought about that letter.

Then Charles would come to mind. Did he really think they have courted? His statement that they have courted unofficially for a long time still confused her. She never thought of him that way, but should she? They were compatible. She did enjoy his friendship and loved spending time with him. He was a good friend, but she just never thought of him as a suitor. He never made her tremble when he touched her. His smile never stopped her brain from working. When he kissed her on the cheek, she never wished he would continue. He just wasn't Dimples.

Then her mind would circle back to Jack. She smiled each time she thought of him. Dimples just had a way of lifting her entire day. And oh…the kiss on the hilltop was the most intimate kiss she ever had, until the kiss in the mine. Oh my… she thought. Thinking of that kiss still made her blush and wish she could do it again. It also made her skin tingle, and a little light sweat would form on her top lip. She just didn't understand how that one kiss still moves her in ways she just can't explain.

And oh, those dimples. He could be doing the silliest little thing, but those dimples made her lose concentration. "How is that even possible?" she would ask out loud in a quiet voice. "Those dimples…" her statement was interrupted when her father called her name.

"Elizabeth!"

…

For his part, Jack upheld his duties well. He continued his rounds and performed his job to the best of his ability. He smiled and nodded to people when appropriate but basically, he kept to himself. He still couldn't get that short one worded answer out of his mind…"yes." That word haunted him each time he laid down at night. It followed him while he rode Sergeant on his daily rounds. Even sitting down to draw, which was always comforting and relaxing to him, no longer brought the comfort he sought after or desired. Things in his life that once brought joy just didn't carry the meaning it once did. Things were different without Elizabeth.

Days were just running together, no real beginning or end. One was just the same as the other. He even quit going to the café. Abagail started to bring him a meal to the jail. Jack was always grateful for her friendship but would barely eat what Abagail brought to him.

"Jack, I know you are hurting, but you must eat. You need energy or you are going to get hurt or sick."

"Abagail, I'm just not hungry. I appreciate what you are doing for me, but I just don't want to eat" This was always Jacks reply.

"Jack!" She stated with a sister's authority one evening. "Sit and you will eat some of the food I brought you." She watched as Jack slowly sat down at his desk and picked up his fork. She watched him eat about half the food on the plate. "Do you think you need to write her and tell her how you truly feel."

"Why? She left me and hasn't even reached out to me. The letter she left behind wasn't even the full truth. I believe I have her response."

What Jack didn't know was that Abagail has sent a letter to Elizabeth. She knew in her heart that Jack and Elizabeth belonged together, but she also knew that both didn't always know what the other was thinking. Elizabeth proved that with Billy Hamilton and how she was handling this situation with Charles. Jack also proved his inability to express himself clearly. While he may have tried to tell Elizabeth what was on his heart, he just failed miserably. Jack was a great guy for Elizabeth, but he just couldn't express himself very well.

Abagail also knew that they needed to be together. Jack made Elizabeth a better person. He challenged her with his intellect and humor. His strength gave her strength to do things she didn't think she could do. He encouraged her to stretch her horizons and cheered the loudest when she achieved her goals. He completed her in a way only a soul mate could.

Elizabeth was just the same with Jack. Her stubbornness could be frustrating to Jack, but he loved her determination to finish something when she set her mind to accomplish it. Her love for her pupils was one of the reasons Jack fell in love with her. When he was upset with her because her father assigned him to Coal Valley instead of the bustling city he wanted, he noticed and admired her love for her students. She struggled at first, but with her determination she won over the students and their parents. Without realizing it, she pushed him to be a better man – not just a better mountie. He would do anything to capture her attention. She completed him in a way only a soul mate could.

Therefore, Abaigail knew what she needed to do. She had to do everything in her power to push these two stubborn people back together. She didn't know what that would require now. She couldn't talk with Elizabeth, but she did know her friend well. She knew Elizabeth loved Jack. She just wasn't sure how Elizabeth truly felt about Charles. Like Jack, she was confused with that.

…

"When is Ms. Thatcher coming back?" Emily asked as Ms. Blakely was handing out the slates and chalk.

"I heard she isn't coming back. She is marrying that guy from Hamilton. She left with him a few days ago."

"I know that Robert, but she has to be coming back." Emily proclaimed. "She wouldn't leave us like that."

"She kissed him at the café. Then she left with him the next day. I hear they are getting married."

"So…she really isn't coming back?"

"Alright class." Ms. Blakely interrupted the kid's conversation. "We need to get back to our spelling."

…

"Elizabeth, you have a letter from Ms. Stanton. Also, Charles will be here in a couple of hours to help you take some supplies to the homeless shelter your mother gathered."

Elizabeth was excited about the letter. She didn't expect a letter from Abagail but was thrilled to see what her friend and honorary sister had to say. When she heard that Charles was accompanying her to the shelter, she just gave her father a slight smile.

"My dear," Mr. Thacher started when he noticed the look on her face. "It will take you some time to get back into your routine. I know you must be missing that town, but you will get back into your everyday schedule here very soon."

"Father, Hope Vally is not some town that I visited. I lived there for three years and hopefully will go back soon."

"My dear, that town is so far below who you truly are. You are destined for more than that town could ever offer you. That town is no one's destiny, especially your future."

"Father! That town has a name. It's Hope Vally now." Elizabeth said with a little more volume than normal. She couldn't fully understand why he refused to call the town by its name.

"Elizabeth, my sweet dear. That town was a temporary stop on your journey. You went out there for an adventure and you had one. Now it's time to rejoin society and begin your true life here." He stated as he sat the envelope from Abagail on the desk where Elizabeth was sitting.

"Father, I'm not an eighteen-year-old who left home for an adventure. I went because it's my calling. It's my destiny. I wanted to help children who didn't have many resources. I wanted to make a difference and I have done that. I do not want this life. I want to be respected for what I bring to people, not because of my last name." Each time her father would bring up this topic, she would become more frustrated. He didn't listen to or understood her point of view.

"Nonsense. That town is no one's destiny. You and Charles will begin your journey together to the life you both deserve here in Hamilton."

"Father, I am not sure that is going to happen. I love Charles, but I think I only love him as a best friend."

"Your love for him will grow with time. You two belong together. Don't forget, Charles will be here soon." He gave her a small smile and then turned toward the door.

When her father refused to listen to her, he would drive her crazy. She told him she wasn't seeking this type of life, but he kept pushing her to it. Then this issue with Charles. While she may be a little confused with what to do with Charles and Jack, she knew that her future wouldn't be in Hamilton. Her time in Hope Valley have established this fact.

Mrs. P walked into the room after her father left. When she saw Elizabeth's facial expression, she asked, "Ms. Elizabeth, is there anything I can do for you?"

Elizabeth smiled at her friend. Somehow, she always showed up at the right time. "First, please just call me Bethie like you did when I was a child." Mrs. P just smiled at her. Her smile was filled with complete love. She loved Viola and Julie, but there was something special about Elizabeth. Elizabeth has always been her favorite Thatcher daughter.

"Very well Bethie. I heard you are going out with Charles again tonight. Do you need any help in getting ready?"

Elizabeth just sat down in her chair and let out a small groan. "I'm not sure I want what he and my father want."

"Well," Mrs. P said in her best grandmother voice, "what is it that they want for you?"

With her head down, "They want me to marry Charles, move back here, and join proper society." She barely said it loud enough for anyone to hear.

"You would absolutely hate that!" Mrs. P said little too loud. "What about that Mountie Jack? I thought he was someone important to you. When you were here last, there were sparks between the two of you I have only seen once or twice before between people. Not to mention how handsome that gentleman is."

"Jack…" at the sound of his name on her lips, she smiled for the first time today. "Jack is important to me. I told you about the mine and the kiss. He just…" Elizabeth's voice trailed off.

Mrs. P smiled. She knew that look. She has it each time she goes home to her husband. "Elizabeth, may I ask you a question. It may be a difficult question to answer."

"Mrs. P, you have been family to me my whole life. Just ask what you want to ask." Elizabeth said as she looked up for the first time in this conversation with a smile.

"Ok." She paused for a moment and then took a deep breath. "Why did you agree to marry Charles and come back to Hamilton with him? Where's Jack?"

…

Jack was exhausted. Abagail thought he was physically tired, but she also thought he was mentally tired. He wasn't sleeping well, and she didn't think it was due to his job. "Abagail, it will just take some time to get over Elizabeth. I truly love her. I thought I knew what love was when I was engaged to Rosemary, but I was mistaken. That wasn't love. That was friendship that was masquerading as love. Elizabeth means more to me that I can ever express. I just don't know what to do."

"Then, you shouldn't give up on her."

"How can you say that?" He huffed with frustration. "You know she left with him and accepted his proposal. What else can I do?"

"First, she did not accept his proposal."

"Abagail. I heard her say…yes." Jack hesitated because he still had trouble saying that silly word.

"Did she say yes to that question or was it to something else?"

"She certainly didn't say no!" Jack's voice was a little terser than he meant for it to be. "Even if she didn't, she still left with him. And Ms. Blakely told me about the kiss on the front steps of the café. All of that points to her acceptance of his proposal."

"Jack" Abagail said with the big sister voice she directed at him when she wanted him to pay close attention to what she is about to say. "I think you may be reading more into the whole situation then what is true. Was it a friend's kiss on the check or a kiss on the lips?"

"Abagail." He stated in a defeated tone. "She said yes. She left without telling me goodbye. She left out so much information in the letter. She left with him, and I haven't heard a word from her since she left." He took a deep breath. "Honestly, what am I supposed to think?"

Abagail gave her little brother a sister look. Elizabeth has caused a lot of trouble…I don't know if she can get herself out of it. "Jack Thorton…you need to trust in Elizabeth." She warned him.

"How?" He shot back. "Of all people Abagail, you know our entire story. You know more about her and Charles than I do. How can I believe in Elizabeth?"

Abagail stood silent. She knew the hurt Elizabeth caused with Jack and she was afraid she may not be able to overcome it.

…

"Mrs. P, I didn't accept his proposal." As Elizabeth said that she recognized she didn't say no either.

"Really?" Mrs. P stated with a tone of frustration. "If that is true, why are they planning an engagement party for you and Charles?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The party is scheduled in one to two weeks. Why would they do that if you didn't accept his proposal? Plus, why did you travel home with him if it wasn't to be with him? You must know he thinks you are together."

"I came home to talk with my father concerning my life in Hope Valley and to talk with him about my work there."

"Then why haven't you spoken to your father about that? You have been here for days now and all you have been doing is spending time with your sisters and with Charles." She continued in a stern, grandmother's voice. "You're avoiding the question of why you traveled with Charles after he proposed. And what about Jack?"

Elizabeth loved Mrs. P dearly. Her wisdom was unmatched by anyone. Plus, she challenged Elizabeth. She wouldn't let Elizabeth slide on anything. While Elizabeth found that very frustrating, she also found it very helpful in learning her mind. She forced Elizabeth to think and defend her thoughts. "Mrs. P, I traveled with Charles because my father sent him as an escort."

"No! Elizabeth Marie Thatcher, Charles traveled to be your fiancée. Stop being naive! And stop ignoring my question about Jack! Why didn't you come home to talk to your father about Jack? Why is he not part of your conversation or your thoughts? If Jack is so important to you, why are you here without him and spending so much time with Charles?"

Elizabeth just stood there. Mrs. P rarely used her whole name and when she did, she was always in trouble. She did not pull any punches with her direct questions and the tone of her voice. Mrs. P had the talent to challenge her into silence. It was in that silence that Elizabeth always learned the most important lessons.

"Elizabeth, you need to know what you want and then you need to voice that desire. No one will listen to you if you don't express yourself. Find your mind, my love, and then express your mind" Mrs. P stood and walked slowly over to Elizabeth. "Bethie." She began in a hushed tone. "Why did you travel home with Charles the day after he proposed to you? And what about Jack? Why is he not part of your thoughts and conversations?" She leaned over and kissed Elizabeth on top of her head. She always did this when she wanted Elizabeth to think.

Once Mrs. P left the room, Elizabeth sighed at the two questions that was imprinted on her mind. After a few minutes, she realized that she was still holding the letter from Abagail that her father gave her. She slowly looked at the return address and noticed the words "Hope Valley." At that moment, she realized how much she missed her town.

Elizabeth carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

My Dearest Elizabeth, My Sister,

Oh, how I have missed you! I miss our talks. I hope you come home…soon.

A lot of things have happened since you left, and many things have happened you don't know. First, I need to tell you something. I question if I should because of my friendship with Jack, but you are my sister after all. You need to keep this to yourself. I don't want to upset Jack.

Elizabeth, Jack heard everything that happened in the schoolhouse with Charles. He was on the front steps coming to get you for your ride. He heard Charles propose to you. He also believes he heard you say yes to Charles. Jack thinks you are engaged to Charles. He believes you left Hope Valley to become Charles' wife. He is afraid he has lost you. Since you left, he rarely eats. He just isn't the same person.

He is confused about everything. Jack only sees the fact that you left Hope Valley on the arm of Charles. Before you left, Ms. Blakely saw you kiss Charles on the steps of the café and has told that to Jack when he returned from Bantif. In Jack's mind, you accepted to marry Charles, kissed him in public, and left on his arm.

As bad as that is, there is worse news…

By this time in the letter, Elizabeth already had tears in her eyes. How could Jack witness all of this? Elizabeth's mind could not land on one line of thinking. That whole evening in the schoolhouse with Charles was running through her mind. "Oh no! That was him that made that sound." she exclaimed out loud. The kiss outside of the café was just a kiss on the cheek. Something her and Charles has done countless times. That was about all she was able to think until she read the next paragraph of Abagail's letter.

As bad as that is, there is worse news than that. As Jack left the schoolhouse, I called for his help to break up a fight in the saloon. I didn't even notice he was wearing his best suit. After returning home, we talked. The reason he was wearing his best suit for a ride with you is because he had a special destination for your ride with an important question to ask you…

Now, Elizabeth's mind was frozen. It simply wasn't functioning. Even though Abagail's letter wasn't a long letter, it carried the weight of the world and that weight landed squarely on Elizabeth's shoulders. "A special destination…a question…he was wearing his suit for a ride and wanted to take me to a special destination…it had to be our special place – our hill. OH. MY. GOSH.!"

He wanted to ask you to marry him. He was going to propose to you on your ride, but then he walked in with Charles on his knee. He truly believes you said yes to Charles.

I don't know what you are thinking or doing. I hated to give you this news in a letter, but I'm not sure when, or if, I will see you again. I thought you needed to know this. I'm sorry to write this to you.

I miss you greatly and miss our evening talks with tea. Come home soon!

Your loving older sister,

Abagail

Elizabeth sat at her desk for an eternity. Her mind read the words on the page, but it didn't comprehend the letter at all. Jack witnessed everything…He thinks I'm engaged to Charles… He knows about the kiss on the cheek… He knows I left with Charles…. He wanted to propose to me. Her mind just kept going over the facts. She couldn't engage her brain and it wouldn't slow down.

After about an hour of her sitting at her desk and rereading the letter countless times, Mrs. P. knocked on her door to inform her that Charles was waiting for her in the parlor. Elizabeth didn't even hear her knock or when she Mrs. P entered her room. If anyone asked what she was thinking, she couldn't tell them because she didn't know herself.

Mrs. P reached out and touched her shoulder, "Bethie, are you alright? What's wrong?"

Elizabeth was barely able to recognize her voice. Mrs. P saw something in Elizabeth's eyes. Was it pain? Confusion? Hurt? Whatever it was, it wasn't good. "Elizabeth, you need to answer me. What's wrong? Are you ok?"

Elizabeth just did not have the where with all to speak. So, she handed Mrs. P Abagail's letter. After reading the letter, Mrs. P was as speechless as Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Mrs. P just stared at each other. No words were spoken. They didn't have to understand the storm raging in their minds. They were reading each other's eyes. When Mrs. P was about to say something, there was a knock on her door. "Ms. Elizabeth," the butler said, "Mr. Kensington is in the parlor waiting for you."

"Mr. James," Mrs. P said, "Please tell Mr. Kensington Elizabeth is not feeling well. Therefore, she will not be going to the shelter with him."

"Yes, ma'am." Mr. James left and escorted Mr. Kensington to the front door.

"Elizabeth, we have a major problem. What are you going to do?"

Elizabeth remained silent. She just stared at the letter running her fingers around the edge.

…

Mr. Yost entered the jail with a telegram for Jack. "Constable! Constable! I have an urgent telegram for you." Mr. Yost stated while he was trying to catch his breath.

Jack took the telegram and read it. "This isn't going to be good." He reached for his side arm and his rifle and headed to the café to grab some food before saddling Sergeant.

"Abagail, I need to leave. Can I get a few sandwiches to take with me? I need to go east to see if I can catch up with a bank robber."

After hearing this, Abagail had a weird feeling. She handed Jack the sandwiches but wouldn't let go of his hand. "Jack, please be careful. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Abagail, everything will be fine. I must go and do my job. I should be home in a couple of days or so."

Abagail couldn't smile when Jack winked at her as he left the café from the back door. She stopped what she was doing to pray for Jack's safety.

…

The next day, Charles showed up to escort Elizabeth to another party to celebrate something for someone that she couldn't remember. She did not want to go. Her mind was still reeling from Abagail's letter, but her father pushed her into going.

"Elizabeth, this party is important. Your presence is required and who better to take you than Charles?" Her father had a way of pushing her into what he wanted her to do.

Elizabeth was dressed and ready when Charles arrived at six. The evening was pleasant enough, but not exactly what she wanted to do. The party was for a friend who has earned a job at a prestigious law firm. It was a celebration.

During the evening, Elizabeth was enjoying catching up with some classmates from school. Charles was ever present but that was normal. They enjoyed the finger foods that was present and enjoyed a few dances together. They talked with different groups of friends. They also sat alone together. Catching up with old friends made her grateful she attended the party. It allowed a distraction from her thoughts over the last couple of days. However, her weird feeling in her stomach remained.

Charles' actions the following day made Elizabeth question her decision in attending the party with Charles. The next morning, Charles arrived with a huge bouquet of flowers. Elizabeth was a little surprised at the grandiose gesture.

"These are beautiful Charles, but why bring me the flowers? That was unnecessary."

"Elizabeth, it is proper to bring flowers to the beautiful woman you are courting."

"We are not courting!" She stated with a little frustration in her voice. "Why would you say that?" Then, Abagail's letter came to her mind. Every written word came to her mind with ever increasing sounds of thundering truths.

"Why wouldn't I say that. We are courting. Last night was a great evening. I enjoyed everything about our night out together. Elizabeth, it was perfect."

"Charles, the party last night was a night out with friends."

"Really Elizabeth? Think about it." They looked at each other for a few seconds. "What would you consider a date?"

Elizabeth had no idea what he was doing. After thinking for a few moments, she answered. "Well, first you enjoy the company of the person you are with. You either go to a dinner, a picnic, or some type of gathering. You talk with each other either alone or together in a group. Maybe dancing or a long, quite walk with great conversation. And the man escorts you home at the end of the evening. If you are getting serious, maybe a kiss at the end of the night before your suitor leaves." As she was describing her meaning of a date, she was thinking of a time when Jack took her to a picnic. They enjoyed the beautiful scenery by the pond, danced to his humming, and eating the picnic dinner he prepared. The conversation on the way home was special and the small kiss on the cheek at the end of the date was a perfect ending. She smiled at the precious memory.

"Well…?" Charles challenged.

"Well, what?"

"Elizabeth how does that not describe our date last night. I picked you up at six. We were both dressed nicely. We certainly enjoy each other's company. We enjoyed the food that was available at the party we were at together. We danced together for all the songs that you wanted to dance to. What was it…about eight or nine dances? I was the only person you danced with. We were side by side the entire night talking with each other or talking with a group of friends. I brought you home at a proper hour for a young lady and we ended the evening with a long hug and a gentle kiss on your cheek. Doesn't that describe courting?" Charles emphasized the word 'together'. He finished with a huge smile on his face. It really was a perfect night in his opinion.

Elizabeth replayed the entire evening in her mind. "Oh. No." she whispered. "Abagail and Ms. P may be right. What am I doing?" Elizabeth's mind was in a tailspin. While she was describing an afternoon with Jack by the pond, they loved to walk beside, Charles was thinking about the previous night. For the first time, she began to see him really thinking they were dating. She lowered her head trying to get her mind to engage. This was not at all what she wanted.