Chapter 25

Neither Jack nor Elizabeth knew how long they were standing facing each other. Her back was still against the wall and Jack was still immediately in front of her. When Charles had her pushed against the wall, she felt uncomfortable, scared. However, this feeling with Jack standing in front of her was entirely opposite. She felt comfortable, protected. Jack's body was barely touching her. The pressure was light like a butterfly, and it was driving her crazy. They have had one really good kiss since they moved forward. She could see the passion and desire in his eyes.

Jack knew he had to handcuff Charles before he woke up. He knew he needed to perform his job, but he couldn't pull himself away from Elizabeth. He was grateful she was safe. Nevertheless, his body was reacting to the way her body would briefly touch his. He wanted to push her against the wall and never stop kissing her. He had desired Elizabeth before, but this was on a whole new level.

For Jack, Elizabeth truly chose him. He knew it sounded silly, but he couldn't stop thinking that she had picked him. She pushed Charles away. Now, she is welcoming him into her presence. He knew, and trusted, that she said she chose him, but now he felt it in his deeper being. And for some reason, that was beginning to drive a passion that instantly woke up in him. The desire to kiss her was becoming too much to resist. If he would allow himself, he could easily think of something more. Jack couldn't keep himself from placing his lips on her.

Jack leaned forward very slowly and placed his cheek on her cheek. In a slow husky voice that was driven with pure passion, he whispered in her ear. "I'm grateful you are ok. I would love to kiss you right now, but we are beginning to have an audience."

Elizabeth visibly shuttered at the sound of his voice and his breath in her ear. Her knees gave way and she dropped an inch or two. Something was different…more intense than before. She didn't know why and, to be perfectly honest, she didn't care why. The only thing she knew was that Jack was close and it was different, a much better different. There was nothing else in the world than Jack's breath on her. When she dropped the inch, Jack followed her. Never leaving the contact.

"Then they should mind their own business." She flirted with him while gently blowing in his ear. Her smile grew when she felt Jack tremble against her.

Jack moved back just enough to look into her eyes. They were sharing the same breath. He began to lean in until he heard a moan from Charles. He was beginning to wake up.

"I need to arrest him."

Elizabeth nodded her head slightly but didn't release her hold on the back of Jack's neck. "Not until you…"

Jack stopped her by gently pressing his lips against her lips. The light pressure drove her crazy. He didn't want to be gentle. He wanted passion but knew he had to be a gentleman. He moaned when his lips gently touched her.

The sound and the vibration of Jack's moan made Elizabeth's knees grow weak. She was grateful she was against the wall. She wasn't sure if she would be able to stand if she wasn't. When Jack pulled away, she followed him with a kiss of her own. Jack pulled her closer to intensify the kiss. They were completely lost in each other. They were in a world all by themselves until they heard Charles moan even louder.

"Elizabeth…" He elongated her name. "I need…"

"You need to do your job." Elizabeth nodded her head. She had a mischievous smile that graced her face.

Jack hesitated and then reluctantly stepped away from Elizabeth. He let go of her hand when distance required it. He immediately missed her touch and her presence. He walked to Charles and rolled him over onto his stomach. He took each of Charles' hands and placed them on his back and placed handcuffs on each wrist. When they were secure, he let go of Charles' hands and they fell to the small of his back. A few seconds later, Charles let out another moan and opened his eyes.

"Mr. Kensington, you are under arrest for the assault on Ms. Elizabeth Thatcher."

Jack purposefully didn't say anything about Mr. Franklin or the accidents at the mill. He wanted to use the shock to his advantage when he took Charles to jail. Jack was hoping that would put Charles on edge and he would slip up and confess to everything.

"What!?" Shouted Charles. "Let me go!" He struggled against Jack's knee that was in the center of his back. Jack took a little more pleasure in burying his knee into Charles' back than he should have. It was a technique he learned in the academy to control a handcuffed prisoner on the ground.

"Let's go, Mr. Kensington." Jack took a firm hold on the handcuffs and placed his left hand in Charles' armpit to help him up. He wasn't as gentle with the action as he normally was with other prisoners.

"Jack…" Elizabeth stated as she watched Jack and her former friend walk down the steps. "Thank you."

Jack nodded his head and gave her a small smile.

After he turned his attention back to Charles, she stopped him again.

"Jack…come back to me as soon as you can."

Jack turned his head back to Elizabeth. With the smile that she loved so much, he answered. "As soon as I can."

Elizabeth didn't realize she placed her hand over her heart as she watched Jack walk away. She remained leaning against the wall for a few more moments. Especially when Jack winked at her.

…

Elizabeth walked into the café to a smiling little boy with chocolate all over his face. JJ looked up with the biggest smile on his face and his thumbs up in the air. He was stuffing another bite of chocolate chip cookie in his mouth. Abagail walked up to JJ's table and placed a glass of milk beside his plate of cookies. Then she walked over to Elizabeth.

"He loves the cookies." Abagail smiled as they both admired the little boy. "I think you may have put too many chocolate chips in the mix."

Elizabeth's smile grew at Abagail's proclamation. "Abagail, is there such a thing as too many chocolate chips?" The look of love on Elizabeth's face was unmistakable. The whole few minutes with Charles, while unnerving for her, was completely washed away by this little boy. She sighed watching the boy devour her cookies. Her mother's heart was completely full.

"That looks like a woman completely in love." Teased Abagail as she nudged Elizabeth's shoulder.

"Completely…and helplessly..."

The two ladies admired the little boy. Elizabeth loved the idea that JJ loved her cookies. It made her feel very motherly. The more she felt like a mother, the more she wanted to be JJ's mother. She didn't just want to be his mother in title only, she wanted to be his true mother.

"Have you been busy this morning?" Abagail broke through Elizabeth's staring.

"Oh Abagail…I don't think you will believe me..." Elizabeth took a few minutes to explain everything to her honorary sister. They walked into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Elizabeth took a bite of a chocolate chip cookie and wiped away a chuck of chocolate that was on the corner of her mouth. "Maybe that is too much chocolate." She laughed. She went into detail about the moment Charles surprised her by arriving early and everything he did.

"Wow…" Abagail stated. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

Abagail looked at her a little confused. She would have thought Elizabeth would have been shaken up with her friend being handcuffed and led away to jail. She also thought Elizabeth would have been upset with the encounter with Charles, but Elizabeth was calm. This actually alarmed Abagail a little.

"Elizabeth, how can you be so calm? Your friend assaulted you and he is arrested for his role in the sawmill accidents."

Elizabeth thought about it for a few moments. "Abagail…it's hard to explain. I was upset with Charles. He should never have done what he did with the sawmill or with me. I'm a little shocked he did. I would have never thought he was capable of doing anything like that." Elizabeth shook her head. "From all the things Louis shared and showed us, there is no doubt he did. I still can't believe he thought so little of me. I honestly don't think he knows me very well."

"What do you mean?"

"He thought I would be happy not teaching at all and living a life of luxury. He thought I would welcome the opportunity to work with privileged children."

"Oh, you would hate that."

"You know that, but my friend since I was four years old doesn't. I don't think he knows me at all. I'm beginning to think I was just his trophy wife. A means to an end."

Abagail nodded her head in agreement. "I'm sorry."

"Me too. I was scared with the way he was approaching me. I tried to push him away, but he was much stronger than I am. I was grateful when Jack showed up."

"I bet." Abagail stated.

"Mommy, the cookies were great." JJ announced as he walked up to Elizabeth and Abagail.

"I can see that…it's all over your face." Elizabeth laughed.

JJ reached for his sleeve to wipe his face.

"Don't you dare!" Smiled Elizabeth with a stern voice. "Please use a napkin."

"Yes, ma'am. May I go over and see dad?"

"No. You need to stay away from the jail for a few days. He has a couple of prisoners."

"May I go…"

"Yes, you may go to the pond but please don't go into the pond or put any living thing in your pockets."

"Awe man…" JJ kicked his foot while lowering his head. "What's the use of going to the pond if I can't catch anything?"

"You can catch them, but that doesn't mean you have to put them in your pockets and scare me half to death."

"Yes ma'am."

"That boy…" Elizabeth shook her head. "I think he plans to scare me to death with something in his pockets."

"Maybe." Smiled Abgail.

Before JJ left to go outside, he turned to give Elizabeth a hug and kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you for making me chocolate chip cookies."

"You're welcome, sweetie."

"Mommy…when are you going to marry dad?"

The question surprised Elizabeth a little but it also made her smile. "Hopefully soon."

"Not soon enough." JJ softly stated as he walked toward the door. Elizabeth and Abagail weren't sure if they were supposed to hear him.

"Not soon enough." Elizabeth stated just above a whisper.

After a few moments of silence, Elizabeth continued the story when JJ ran outside. "When Jack showed up, everything was fine. I felt a sense of peace and comfort. I don't think I can articulate it clearly."

"I understand. That's a great feeling, isn't it?"

"One I am looking forward to feeling for the rest of my life."

…

Louis looked up when the front door of the jail opened. He was shocked when the Constable was standing there with Charles Kensington handcuffed. Louis watched intently when they walked across the room and Jack led Charles into the cell beside him. He never took his eyes off Charles when Jack locked the cell door and walked into the back room.

"What in the world are you doing?"

"Mr. Franklin, what are you doing here?"

"Thank goodness you're here! This idiot of a mountie locked me up yesterday!" Stated Louis in a loud voice.

"Lower your voice!" Demanded Charles. "We don't want everyone to know we're talking."

Louis waited until he heard the back door close. Then he nodded to Charles. "I would ask if you were here to get me out of the cell, but…"

"I came at the request of Mr. Thatcher to get his daughter." Charles whispered.

"No need to whisper. The Constable left through the back door. He does that all the time."

"Have you talked to him?"

"Absolutely not!" Stated a defiant Louis. "I was paid to do a job and part of that job was to keep my mouth shut." Louis stared at Charles for a moment to make his point. "I haven't said anything to anyone. That mountie arrested me on suspicion because I was running through the woods after the explosion. He's feeling the pressure from the town's people. He doesn't have any evidence at all. He is just gasping at anything hoping to hit something."

"Calm down." Whispered Jack. He didn't want Louis to push too much. Jack was sitting in the back room where he used to stay. It was located next to the cell that Charles was in. Jack had the phonautograph machine to record the entire conversation. His only concern was that the conversation was loud enough for it to pick up everything.

Elizabeth's mother donated the phonautograph the last time Elizabeth and Jack were in Hamilton. Elizabeth mentioned that she would like to have one at some point for the plays she puts on for the Founder's Day Festival. The children could pre-record certain songs. The songs could be played while they still act out other roles. This was a genius addition Elizabeth added to the plan. If it picked up the conversation, they would have the recordings along with all the evidence. Everything would be overwhelming against William, Charles, and Louis.

"Are you sure?" Charles asked with hopes that he was telling the truth.

"Absolutely. I was running from the direction of the mill and that's why he arrested me. He has no proof at all. All he has is the almost destroyed blasting caps. He can't trace that to anyone. "We've talked about that before. There is no other evidence."

Charles nodded his head.

"He's an idiot…a back hill mountie who is only hoping to impress some young lady. He has no clue."

This was beginning to help Charles relax. He always thought Jack received favor within the mounties due to his father being a mountie and dying in the line of duty. He never thought Jack earned anything by his own merit. Louis was feeding into Charles' ego and hatred for Jack.

"If he doesn't have anything, why is he still holding you?"

"He said he could hold me for forty eight hours before charging me with anything. I have been here for almost a day. He hasn't found out anything in weeks, he won't find anything in a day."

"What's next?" Charles asked.

"I wait for his forty eight hours to run out. Then I will be free. You?"

"He arrested me for assault. My lawyer will get me out soon." Charles paused for a moment. He was trying to control his anger. "That man will regret the day he met me!"

Louis looked around to make sure no one was around. He stated at a slightly lower tone, "I think one more explosion will be perfect. This last one may have done it, but one more will absolutely destroy it forever. I just need one more modified blasting cap. Can you get me another one?"

"Yes, I can. It may take me a day of two to have it sent here from your home in Hamilton, but that won't be a problem." Replied Charles.

Louis and Charles spend a couple of minutes discussing the explosions and everything Louis did. Louis filled Charles in on a few questions he had, and Charles answered some questions from Louis. Louis was doing his job as an informant very well. Charles was telling the whole story by someone who knew every piece of information that only a person involved could have.

Jack smiled at the conversation. He was excited at how well Louis was doing. With the conversation and the evidence from Louis' room, there was no way William and Charles could get out of this.

"When you telegram William, let him know the job will be finished within a couple of days when the blasting cap arrives."

"That may get it here faster. He is ready to get his daughter home."

"Tell him his precious daughter, Elizabeth, will be home by the end of the week."

"He may give you a bonus if that is true."

The front door of the jail opened. Frank walked in and then looked up. He immediately stopped when he noticed Jack had another prisoner. Jack opened the back door and closed it loud enough for everyone to hear it. He paused for a moment after turning off the phonautograph. He placed the record inside his jacket and then walked out.

When Frank looked at Jack, he was able to read Jack's expression. "Frank, would you mind taking our newest prison to the outhouse?"

"Sure Jack." Frank understood this was part of the plan, but that plan wasn't to be executed until tonight. Frank just went with the flow.

After the handcuffs were back on Charles, they left out the door. Jack turned toward Louis. He was smiling. He knew he did well.

"Do you think it was enough to get me out of jail?"

"You will not get out of jail."

"Maybe, but that has to get me out of a long sentence."

"I would assume so. You did well."

"It was easy. His type of people think they are so much smarter than other people. I just had to feed into his ego."

"You did that well."

"You will do what you can to get me out sooner?"

"I will do my best."

…

When Frank and Charles came back into the jail, Jack secured Charles and walked out with Frank.

"What happened?"

"I'm not too sure. I came back into town and Charles was already here."

"Well, it must have worked out since he is in the jail cell."

"Yes." Jack informed Frank all that happened on their way to the café. Frank nodded his head as he listened to the whole story.

"I'm glad it's over."

"Yeah…me too."

"I'm also grateful Elizabeth is well."

"Me too."

They walked into the café. His smile grew when he saw Elizabeth. "I came back as soon as I could." He sassed.

"Finally." She sassed as she walked toward him and wrapped her arms around. With a gentle kiss on her cheek, he leaned back to look into her eyes. He got lost in those seas of blue.

"Did it work?" Abagail asked.

"Did what work?" Asked Jack and he continued to look into Elizabeth's eyes.

"Jack…Jack…" Abagail chuckled. "Did it work?"

"Let's find out."

Jack walked over to the phonograph machine. Abagail had one in the corner of the café for special occasions. Jack placed the record on the phonograph and began the machine. Everyone waited patiently for any sound to be heard. After several agonizing moments of silence, Louis' and Charles' voice began to come through the speaker. It wasn't very loud, but the voices were clear enough to be heard. Everyone let out their breath they were holding and then broke out into a loud cheer.

Abagail looked over at Jack and said, "It worked! It actually worked!"

Elizabeth jumped up and down and then hugged Jack. "You did it! It worked!"

"No, we did it. We did it together. This was your plan just as much as mine."

"Jack, you planned this, I just suggested a couple of things."

Jack cut her off. "Elizabeth, you were just as important part of this plan as I was. Together. We can do anything together. We talked about this in the mine, and I still believe it now. We can handle anything when we work together. We struggle when we do our own thing on our own. Whatever comes our way, we work together, forever."

She just didn't have any words. Tears were falling down her cheek and she had no control over them, nor did she try. She jumped into his arms and squeezed as hard as she could. In that moment, he felt all her love.

After the embrace, Jack asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good with you here. I'm sorry they did this. I hate that they did. Honestly, I feel sorry for them. They have so much distain in their hearts that they grew so cold hearted to hurt people they didn't even know." She sighed. "I wish they trusted me enough to allow me to make my decisions for my life."

Abagail gave her a hug like a sister and whispered into her ear. "You're a good person, Elizabeth. You will not be tarnished by this. No one blames you for this."

"I know, but I still feel bad."

"That's understandable."

"Bella…would you take a walk with me?"

"Absolutely. Is there a reason for this walk?"

"It's been a crazy day." His voice trialed off.

"Let's go sweet man." She reached for Jack's hand as they walked out of the café.

…

JJ, Emily, and Sam sat with their feet dangling in the water. They were on the dock just enjoying the day. They had been playing pretty hard and were just trying to cool off and catch their breath.

"How are you liking it here?"

"I like it, Emily. It's different from home, but I really do like it here."

"I'm sorry about your parents." Sam stated.

"Me too." Emily added.

"Thanks guys." JJ gave them a smile. "I still miss them. Dad said I always will because they live in my heart. They are part of me, and I am part of them."

"Is it strange calling Constable Thornton dad?"

"Not really. He told me that he is sharing that title with my dad in heaven. That made it feel better. He also gave me a picture of my parents. I have it beside my bed."

"And calling Ms. Thatcher mommy?"

"No. She told me the same thing about sharing the title with my mom in heaven. If I can't have my parents here with me, I'm thankful for having them."

"I'm glad you're doing well."

"Thanks Emily."

"Do you think they will get married?" Emily asked with Sam nodding his head.

"I sure hope so. They both have said they are courting. Every time I mention about them getting married, they're faces turn red and they stare and smile at each other."

"Maybe…"

"I hope so and I hope so soon." JJ paused for a moment. "I'm just worried."

"Why?"

"That Mr. K is back."

"Oh…" Emily stated. "I remember him. "He is her friend from back home."

"Yeah. Mommy and dad broke up because of him. He caused a lot of problems with them. He arrived earlier today."

"What is he doing back?" Sam asked.

"I'm not sure. I hope he doesn't cause any more problems. I'm really wanting mommy and dad to get married so we can be a family." JJ stated as he made circles in the water with his foot.

…

The walk was exactly what Jack and Elizabeth needed. They held hands since leaving the café. There were no words spoken. This was just a time for them to be in each other's company. They would often look around their environment. Occasionally, one would point out a deer or a beautiful bird, but their walk was mostly done in silence. They were helping each other just by their presence.

This allowed Jack to slow his mind. He enjoyed those moments when he could shut off his mind. That's why he enjoys chopping wood so much. He didn't have to think. He could just do something. Several times during the walk, he would squeeze Elizabeth's hand. For Elizabeth, this meant everything to her. It reassured her that Jack was there. Even with the mess of Charles' arrival today, she felt the last few weeks were finished and done with. She and Jack walked through that fire and came out on the other side stronger. She was amazed that the simple act of squeezing her hand gave her such comfort.

"Elizabeth, I hate to bring this up, but I must ask. Are you doing, ok?"

"Surprisingly, I am. I'm not happy about what happened. I still feel a little guilty about it since it was my friend and father who orchestrated it. Lee was very helpful with our talk." She offered Jack a small smile. "I'm ashamed of my father. I cannot believe he would do this. This is not the man I grew up with. He was always a kind man who looked out for people. This just doesn't sound like him. I know he did it, but I just can't believe it."

"I'm sorry."

"Jack, this isn't your fault any more than it is mine. They did this because they couldn't control me. They wanted to dictate my future and when I said no, they couldn't handle my decisions. You did not make them do this anymore as I did. They decided to do this. No one forced them to do this. I still can't believe Charles was that aggressive with me. He has never done anything like that before."

Jack squeezed her hand a little tighter.

"Elizabeth, you are the love of my life." Jack began speaking so low that she was having difficulty hearing him. "You are my soulmate. I honestly think that. I knew when I shook your chalk dust covered hand in the saloon for the first time that you would be someone important to me."

Elizabeth's smile grew. While it was frustrating at times when he would stumble trying to share his heart, she also thought it was adorable. How can such a strong, confident mountie struggle? "I love you, Jack. You are the love of my life."

As they continued their walk, Jack pulled her a little closer. Any separation was too much. They walked to the pond in complete silence. They just needed to be in each other's presence.

…

JJ, Emily, and Sam continued to sit on the dock and talk. They were just enjoying their afternoon together.

JJ looked up with his two friends when they heard muffled sound. He immediately jumped to his feet and ran toward the couple he saw walking down the road.

"Mommy! Daddy!" He continued to yell as he ran toward them. Elizabeth kneeled and opened her arms when he was close. He ran into her embrace with all the enthusiasm of a little boy seeing his parents.

"Hello sweetie." Elizabeth stated as she tightened her hold on her little boy.

"Mommy, what are you and daddy doing?"

"We're taking a walk. Would you like to walk with us?"

"Sure."

Jack looked down and noticed his boy didn't have his boots on. He looked up to see Emily and Sam walking toward them carrying JJ's boots. "Go and get your boots on."

JJ let go of Elizabeth and ran back to his friends. After putting his boots on, Emily and Sam said goodbye and headed home. JJ waved bye to his friends.

After watching his friends walk away, JJ took his customary place between his mommy and daddy when they walked together. Without looking, he reached up and took their hands.

"Where are we going?"

Jack smiled as he looked down at his little boy. "Nowhere in particular. We're just walking enjoying the sun, wind, and company."

Elizabeth smiled at her boys. She loved time together with them. It didn't take much effort to imagine a future together. She loved every moment. She was also grateful that Charles' presence didn't turn as bad as she thought it would. She looked up and her eyes connected with Jack.

"This is almost perfect." He mouthed.

Elizabeth's smile quickly faded. JJ was too busy swinging holding on to his parents' hands to notice. Jack looked at her confused.

"Almost perfect?" She whispered. The look on her face showed concern.

Jack turned his head and smiled at her. His smile only grew at her confusion. He raised his left hand and placed his ring finger against his chin. His smile only grew when the look of realization took over her face. The smile never left for the rest of the walk.

…

Elizabeth sat on the edge of her bed. The thought that Jack put in her head about being married played on a loop in her mind. Her smile only grew with the thought. The walk and dinner with her boys were just perfect. The food at the café was always perfect, but it was her two men that made everything perfect. She wrote in her journal after they left. Jack had to check in on the two prisoners before he went home. She did have a few minutes alone with Jack after he came back from the jail to pick up JJ. She was grateful for the kisses. She had wanted to kiss him the entire day. She thought she was going to explode before, during, and after his lips touched her. With each passing day, she just couldn't get enough of Jack Thornton.

Elizabeth slid unknown into the jail. She understood that she wasn't responsible for the accidents at the mill. She had come to terms with it. However, the not knowing why her father and Charles would do such a despicable act weighed on her. She had to know why. She understood the truth Mr. Franklin told her, but she had to hear it from Charles.

She turned around with her back to the door. She noticed her childhood friend lying on his back with his arm behind his head staring out the window.

Charles was laying on the cot in the second jail cell. Louis was already snoring in the first cell. His arm was under his head, and he was looking out the cell window at the stars in the sky. He was frustrated by the fact that he was still in jail. His talk with Louis encouraged him in the fact that Jack didn't have anything on him. He was disheartened that he could be held forty eight hours before being released. He knew if he could get a telegram to Mr. Thatcher he would be released soon. Mr. Thatcher had some of the best lawyers around. He sighed at the thought of Elizabeth remaining in this town.

Charles felt bad for his actions toward Elizabeth. He has never been that forward with anyone before. The conversation with Elizabeth and then that little boy calling her mommy drove him crazy. Her proclamation that Jack was her soulmate made him sick. It turned his stomach. Not only that, but it also made him frustrated that he took his time over all those years. He didn't push her because polite society dictated that they took their time. Maybe he should have pushed the relationship further and faster than he did. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the front door of the jail open and close.

"Charles…" Elizabeth barely stated. She noticed Charles' head jerk just a little. He thought he was hearing things.

"Charles."

"Elizabeth…" He quickly turned his head. His eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. He sat up on the edge of the bed. "Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth slowly walked toward Charles' cell. She stopped when she was about five feet from the bars of the cell. She wasn't going to get too close. The thoughts of his actions from earlier concerned her.

"Charles, why did you and my father do this?"

"What are you talking about?" Charles challenged her softly.

"Let's not play games, Charles. Why did you and my father try to destroy the mill and this town? Is it as simple as you two forcing me to move back to Hamilton?"

"Elizabeth, I'm not sure what you are talking about."

"Charles…" Her frustrated voice began. He knew that voice when it was directed at others. "…you and father orchestrated this whole thing. A good friend of mine is injured because of you two. You two have damaged his mill. You caused a lot of panic in Hope Valley. Is all of this really because you wanted me to move back to Hamilton?"

Charles stood and walked to the bars of the cell. He placed his arms through the cell and clasped his hands together in front of the bars. "Elizabeth, I don't know…"

"Enough Charles! Everyone knows what you and father did. This isn't a secret any longer. We all know…me…Jack…Mr. Franklin…Mr. Johnson…"

Charles flinched when she mentioned Louis' and Johnson's name.

"Why?" She asked again. She had to hear why they did this.

"You are wasting away here. This is not your destiny…"

Elizabeth shook her head slowly in disbelief. She just couldn't understand how someone who had known her for her whole life just didn't know her very well. He didn't know her desires or wants.

"…Elizabeth, you were raised for so much more than some no name town in the middle of nowhere married to some third rate mountie."

"Charles, you simply don't know me. I love this town. I love these people. I love Jack Thorton."

"Elizabeth, you can't…"

"Enough. I am not having this conversation with you again." Her tone left no doubt. "We have had this conversation too many times. I'm sorry you thought we were more than friends. I did tell you I was courting Jack. I've apologized for my part in that. Now, why did you and father plan this? You could have hurt so many good people."

Charles looked deep into her eyes. He knew that she knew everything. He glanced over at Louis and then back at Elizabeth.

"He only backed up what Jack already knew. He knew it was you and father."

"How did he know?"

"Several things…the watch, the hesitation on coming here. Jack is smarter than you give him credit for."

Charles shook his head.

"Why?"

"You. You deserve more than what this town and that mountie can give you. You should be with me in Hamilton planning our wedding."

Elizabeth let out a soft laugh. "You don't know me as well as you think. I have always said that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children, especially ones who don't have all the advantages of wealthy individuals. I love my job here. I love this town. You and father were willing to hurt the people that I love."

"Who were we going to hurt?"

Elizabeth stared at Charles. She was so frustrated with his question that she couldn't answer it.

"Their sawmill workers and farmers, Elizabeth. They can do that anywhere."

"This is their land. This is their livelihood." Elizabeth stated in disbelief at Charles' statement.

The two stared at each other. There were so many more things she wanted to say, but she felt that it would fall on deaf ears. She was saddened that her friend from childhood wasn't who she thought he was. He just didn't see anything wrong with what he did. Without saying a word, she turned and slowly walked to the door.

"Elizabeth…"

Interrupting him, Elizabeth stopped and turned around. "I was nothing more than a Thatcher princess to you. I was only a way to an end. You didn't want to marry me because I'm Elizabeth, you wanted to marry me because I'm a Thatcher." The disgust was evident in her tone. She turned toward the door without saying another word.