Chapter 56
"Jack…" Elizabeth gasped as she looked upon their new home when Jack removed the blindfold. She was breathlessly speechless. It was so much better in real life than it was in her sketch. The log home looked massive, even though she knew it wasn't that huge. The outside walls were already finished, and the roof was just completed. She did notice the two piles of those colorful rocks that were still in their same spot. As much as she tried, she just couldn't take in the entirety of the scene in front of her. "…it's…"
Jack could only nod his head in agreement. This was better than he could ever imagine. He was having the same difficulty as Elizabeth was having in looking at the home. JJ smiled at his contentment of the home. They took a few minutes to walk around the outside of the home. Elizabeth loved the view from the back where their bedroom was located. In Elizabeth's opinion, everything was perfect.
They walked inside the home, but Elizabeth was having trouble seeing what wasn't there. Jack tried to tell her where things were going to be, but with very little walls up, she just couldn't visualize the rooms. The one thing she did love was the front porch. It was a little bigger than she thought it was. She was grateful it was. It was just perfect. Everything was perfect. She sighed knowing this was their home. The three turned their heads when they heard a team of horses pulling wagons up the hill.
"Well, it's great to have you three back home." Lee called out from atop the bench seat of the wagon.
"Hey Lee. How did all of this get done so quickly?"
"We had a lot of help." Mr. P stated from riding on top of the lumber. "Evidently, you two are very loved in this town."
The two older Thorntons slightly nodded their heads. They were a little embarrassed at his statement.
"We have the lumber for the inside walls." Lee stated. "The weight bearing walls are already up of course. This lumber is for the other walls. The guys should be here soon to unload everything."
"Aren't you supposed to be off the foot?"
"I am. The cuts are healed. I just can't put weight on my foot for another couple of weeks. Other than that, I don't have any restrictions. I just can't get off the wagon." He continued when he saw the questioning look from his good friend. "There is a stack of lumber at the mill that I can get on and off of the wagon."
"Fair enough."
"Congratulation on the engagement." Elizabeth stated with a huge smile. "I pray for you and Rosemary. You two are perfect for each other."
"Thank you Elizabeth. How are you?"
"I'm good. Grateful to be back home."
"I bet."
Another wagon and several horses climbed the hill. The men jumped down and immediately began to unload the wagon. Elizabeth gave him a smile when he looked at her. He wanted to help unload the wagon. He just had to help with the house. Much to Elizabeth's surprise, JJ jumped right in and began to carry some of the two by fours.
"I'm going home to unpack and get things in order."
"I love you, Bella."
"I love you, Jack."
"Hey…do you approve?" He nodded toward the house.
"Jack…it's perfect." She exhaled a contented breath.
…
"So, how was the trip?"
Jack breathed a long breath and slowly released it. "It was ok. There is a lot to learn. Mr. Watts is a great resource and teacher. He was a godsent. Elizabeth did really well. If you hear her say it, she didn't do too much, but she really did."
"That's great. I know it can be a lot of learning."
"Lee, would you mind if I pick your brain every so often if I have a question? I was taught mountie business, not shipping business."
"No problem, Jack, but I doubt you will have a great deal of struggle picking this up. You are a smart man. You'll get a hold on it sooner than you think."
"You have more belief in me than I do." He nervously chuckled.
"And everything else?"
Jack knew exactly what his friend was referring to. They have spoken about it several times over the course of their friendship.
"Ok I guess. Mr. Kensington approached Elizabeth twice. He didn't do anything toward her. We think he is scheming to take over the company."
"He can't really do that." Lee thought out loud. "When I was working with Charles on the lumber contract, he stated that the company was ninety five percent privately owned by Mr. Thatcher. He used it as a selling point for the company."
"True, it isn't a public company, but he is working out a path to do that. We just don't know exactly how yet."
"He has to be working an inside angle. Maybe him getting his job back or he is planting a mole of some sort."
"We have a couple of lawyers looking into it. We are supposed to call them in a day or two for an update."
"Smart. Now how about the finances? I know that was always an issue for you."
"Lee, it's all mind boggling. I never knew people made that much money in a year." He shook his head. "It's almost embarrassing."
"Well, it's no one's business. So, just don't say anything to anyone. You and Elizabeth are intelligent individuals. People love you two and, most importantly, they know you two."
"Thanks. Hey, we'll need to talk about more lumber for the shipping business. Instead of using several different sawmills scattered all over the place, Elizabeth had a great idea about centralizing the process. She cut up Canada in zones instead of just one large area. Each zone will use one sawmill if possible. It cuts down on contractors and streamlines everything. You interested?"
"Absolutely."
"It will mean you will need another blade turning."
"We'll talk." Lee smiled.
"I better get to work." Jack smiled as he turned to the pile of lumber in the back of the wagon.
…
Elizabeth just sat down a glass of water on the table for her and JJ. They were about to tackle the trunks from their trip. They needed to sort out the stuff from their clean and dirty clothes. They both looked up when there was a knock on the door frame. The door was open because it was a warm day outside.
"Hey you two."
"Mrs. P." JJ stated with a smile. He noticed she was holding a few snacks in her hands. He stood and walked to give her a hug.
"Here my sweet boy." She handed him a plate of chocolate chip cookies. She turned her attention toward Elizabeth. "How are you?"
"I'm good. I have a lot of work to do here."
Mrs. P nodded her head. They both understood the question and answer.
"That's wonderful dear. Now, I have a bit of news for you and then I'll help with the trunks. First, we are moving."
Elizabeth and JJ quickly stopped what they were doing and turned their full attention toward Mrs. P. They were afraid they may be moving away.
"We bought a piece of land and home just a little ways from your home."
"The one between us and town?"
"Yes. Mayor Stanton sold it to us on behalf of the town. We paid the back taxes on it. It's ours. No one has wanted it for a long time. Plus, it's close to you without being too close."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Exclaimed Elizabeth.
"Thank goodness. I thought you were moving away."
"No. We would not leave you two." Mrs. P gave her grandmotherly smile to the little boy.
"Now, we can do the trunks ourselves. Thank you for the offer but…"
"Nonsense. That's a lot of stuff to unpack after a long trip and a busy few days. I can help."
"Fine, you can help JJ with his stuff as long as he does the lion's share of the work." She gave JJ her mother's look.
"Perfect." JJ stated.
…
The next few days felt normal again. Life went back to normal. The trunks were put away in storage. Everything was cleaned and put away. Elizabeth was putting the finishing touches on her lesson plans for school. It was to begin soon. She was so looking forward to it. Jack was back at the jail working on his mountie work that had been piling up over the last couple of weeks. He also needed to tie up loose ends before his end date that was quickly approaching.
Jack spent most evenings at the new home working on it the best he could. He knew the work well enough to do it, but he just didn't have the time to invest in it like he wanted. He was grateful for the men's help from the community. They really stepped up and assisted in a big way.
Mr. and Mrs. P had already moved into the new place they bought. The small home was perfect for them, and it didn't take too much effort to clean it and have it ready to move into. They all loved the fact that they would be close to Jack and Elizabeth.
The calls to Hamilton were every day in the beginning. Jack and Elizabeth made an effort to be present during the phone calls. They wanted to know what they needed to know, even if they didn't like that aspect of the job. The new phone line was loved by everyone in town. Often times throughout the day someone would come into town to just make a phone call to a loved one they haven't seen in years.
Jack, Elizabeth, and Jerry had a good working relationship. They thought along the same lines and enjoyed each other's friendship. The two lawyers checking into the Charles situation was gaining insight and ground in their pursuit of his true intentions. His court date was to be in two days.
D. A. Scott was searching the paperwork for a connection. He wasn't sure what it could be, but knew they had to be one somewhere he was overlooking. If Mr. Thatcher's case was the easiest slam dunk, he has ever seen, the Kensington case had to be the second easiest. He just didn't know how Mr. Wilson felt so comfortable defending Mr. Kensington.
"Ms. Fields, would you please call Ms. Herron at Thatcher Shipping and ask her to come to my office?"
"Yes sir."
Scott leaned back in his chair still holding onto the papers in front of him. His frustration growing at the lack of finding the connection.
…
"Hi you." Elizabeth stated as Jack stepped out of the jail. "What are you up too?"
"Hey Bella. How is your day?"
"Good. You?"
"I'm going over to the café to chop some firewood for Abagail. I haven't chopped any since we got back home."
"You're not going over to the house?" She asked hopefully.
'Not tonight." He sighed. "As much as I want to work on the home, I have been neglecting the home I have now too much."
Elizabeth offered him a beautiful smile and stepped closer to him. Just before kissing him on the lips with a gentle kiss, she spoke. "You were not neglecting your home. I know you are busy with work and wanting to work on our new home. You have worked on it."
"I still miss you and JJ. I'm resigning my post to spend time with my family, and I haven't done that lately."
She interrupted him with another kiss. "It's for a short season. And you haven't neglected us. Yes, we miss you, but you are working hard for us. We understand. It won't last much longer."
"I'll be home after chopping some wood. Maybe we can go for a walk when JJ goes down to bed."
"Is there a reason for this walk?" Elizabeth asked swaying side to side.
"I miss my person." He stated as he gently kissed her cheek. He gave her a dimpled smile as he repositioned the axe on his shoulder and turned to walk away.
Elizabeth stared as he walked away. She loved him in those works jeans with a thin Henley shirt with the sleeves pulled up to his elbows. "My…my…" She whispered as she began to fan herself.
…
Frank stepped around the building carrying an axe just a few minutes after Jack began to chop and stack the wood.
"What are you up too?"
"Just chopping some wood for Abagail. What are you doing with an axe?"
"Chopping wood for my wife." Frank sassed.
"Oh…sorry." Jack smiled back.
"You know Jack, you don't have to chop wood for Abagail anymore. I'll do it."
"I'm sorry. I didn't think about it. I've done it since she opened the café. It was my way of saying thank you. She's always been there for me. She rarely lets me pay for my meals."
Frank nodded his head in understanding. His precious wife was a godsent for many people.
"You married over your head, Frank."
"Don't I know it." He stated as he placed the first piece of wood on a stump. He raised the axe and it came thundering down splitting the piece of wood completely on the first swing.
"You look like you have done that before." Sassed Jack. "I didn't think pastors worked very hard or sweated."
"Very funny." Frank laughed.
The two friends reconnected over the last couple of weeks of Jack's absence from town. They caught up on Jack's situation with the mounties and Jack shared a good portion of the happenings from Hamilton. He didn't go into detail about the job and Frank didn't ask any questions. Ten minutes later, JJ came around the corner of the building when he heard an axe coming down on a piece of log.
"Hey daddy…Uncle Frank. What are you doing?"
"What do you think, little man?" Frank sassed tossing JJ's hair.
"Doing something nice for Auntie Abagail."
"You are correct." Frank stated. He noticed a huge smirk on JJ's face. He glanced over to Jack. He was shaking his head with a small laugh coming from his lips. JJ quickly took off his shirt and threw it on the back porch. He turned and faced his daddy and Uncle Frank. The smirk turned into a large smile. His eyes brightened with mischievousness. He flexed his little arms to show Frank his muscles. Then he turned around and climbed the wood pile and began to flex again. This time he was growling and grunting. Frank laughed then turned to Jack with a questioning look.
"He does that every time he helps me chop wood." Jack laughed.
JJ turned his back to the two men and then flexed his biceps again. He growled even louder. Frank looked at Jack and then at the little boy. Jack was shocked when Frank quickly pulled off his shirt and threw it on the back porch. He climbed the wood pile beside JJ and began to flex and growl and grunt with him. Jack just shook his head in disbelief. However, he wasn't going to miss out on the fun. He pulled his Henley over his head and threw it on the back porch. He climbed the wood pile beside JJ and began to flex and grunt along with them.
Elizabeth walked into the café by the kitchen door. She noticed things were usually silent. Then she noticed Abagail standing by the back door. She was intently looking at something.
"Hey Abagail." Elizabeth stated as she reached to touch her shoulder.
Abagail jumped and spun around gasping for breath. The tried not to scream but a little noise did escape her lips.
"What are you doing?" A concerned Elizabeth asked.
Once Abagail controlled her breathing. She stepped aside from the door's window. Elizabeth glanced outside and noticed her husband, her son, and Frank flexing on top of the wood pile.
"Can you honestly believe we married those two men?" Abagail stated with a small laugh.
Her and Elizabeth was standing by the door watching their two playful men flex and listening to them grunt along with JJ.
While Elizabeth did laugh at the sight in front of her, she did bite her bottom lip at the sight of Jack without a shirt on and flexing his muscles.
"Yeah…" She whispered. After a few seconds of silence, she noticed Abagail was biting her bottom lip too.
They laughed at JJ's antics and admired their husbands' muscles along with their joy of playing with JJ.
The three guys were just having fun and being silly. They would take turns showing each other their muscles all the while they would growl and grunt with great effort. The smiles and laughter was almost too much to comprehend.
"What are you two doing?" A little voice stated. It scared the women. They jumped and quickly turned around. They were caught.
"Nothing." Elizabeth and Abagail stated at the same time gasping for air.
Emily walked to the door before either Abagail or Elizabeth could stop her.
"Oh…" She stated softly when she noticed JJ with his shirt off.
"Emily…" Elizabeth stated when she turned around. That's when she noticed that Jack had turned facing her and flexing his arms and chest muscles. Elizabeth forgot all about Abagail and Emily at the sight of Jack's chest. She reached up and touched the glass admiring her view.
The three ladies stood at the back door staring out the window. They were admiring their individual fellas. Even when they finished playing around and flexing for each other, the ladies continued to watch them all chop wood. Jack and Frank chopped the wood and JJ stacked the wood on the back porch. They never noticed they were being watched.
"I think we will need to take that walk." Elizabeth softly stated when Jack bent down to pick up a piece of wood."
"Yeah…" Abagail stated. "Maybe we need too as well."
"I think we need to go fishing." Emily whispered.
All three ladies made eye contact and then busted out giggling with each other.
"Their about done. Let's get them a glass of lemonade for their efforts." Abagail stated.
"And chocolate chip cookies." Emily stated as she turned from the window.
"Perfect."
…
"What are we missing Mr. Scott?" Samantha Herron asked as she walked into the D. A.'s office.
"Well, good afternoon. Please call me James."
"Fine James. Please call me Samantha. So, what are we missing?"
"I'm not too sure. There is an angle Mr. Kensington is playing that we don't know about yet. Mr. Wilson is a good attorney. He must be playing an angle. But what is it that he wants?"
"Well, if you read the papers, it's Elizabeth." Samantha stated, but I don't think that's the whole story."
"What makes you say that?"
"I have gotten to know Jack and Elizabeth. I have no problem understanding why Charles is after Elizabeth. In my discussion with her, she seems to think Charles wants the company."
"Thatcher Shipping?"
"Yes. He has worked there for several years. Mr. Thatcher was grooming him to take over in a few years when he finally retired. Elizabeth was first in the line of succession for that reason. However, according to Elizabeth, she was never going to marry Charles. It was a huge misunderstanding between good friends."
"So…" James spoke softly as if he was thinking out loud. "…this is love and business?" He asked himself.
"Elizabeth would say business and then love. He wanted to marry a Thatcher Princess."
"According to the papers, they were courting and even engaged. Charles has several character witnesses that state he and Elizabeth were courting. That she left that town out west because she accepted his proposal in some schoolhouse there."
"Elizabeth would vehemently argue against that."
"Interesting…" James rubbed his chin. They sat in silence for a few minutes, each running through different scenarios in their head. James leaned forward in his chair and searched through some papers. He finally reached the paper he was searching for. "Samantha, when did Charles get promoted to his position before he was fired?"
"Fourteen months ago next week."
"Interesting…" After several long moments of thoughtful silence, James called out for his assistant. "Ms. Field…"
"Yes, Mr. Scott. What may I do for you."
"Would you please call the mountie headquarters. I would like them to have Sergeant Jack Thornton in Medicine Hat for the beginning of the trial for Mr. Charles Kensington in two days."
"Yes sir. I will get on that immediately. Here is your travel information for your trip there. You will be leaving tomorrow."
"Thank you, Ms. Fields."
After she left the room, Samantha spoke. "You want Jack at the trial?" She asked in disbelief.
"I do."
"Do you think that's wise?"
"If I'm correct with Mr. Wilson's end play, there will not be a trial."
…
JJ pulled his shirt down over his stomach as he walked into the kitchen of the café. Frank followed him and then Jack. All three guys stopped just inside the doorway. They knew something was up. All three ladies were busy doing nothing. They were all walking around the kitchen like it was on fire but weren't really doing anything. Elizabeth's and Abagail's face was red, and Emily was just smiling.
"Oh…you boys done?" Abagail asked in a high pitched voice. Much higher than her normal speaking voice.
"Yeah…" Frank stated slowly. He was still trying to figure out what was going on.
"You want some lemonade?" Elizabeth asked shyly. She never made eye contact with Jack.
"That would be nice." He answered. He slowly looked over to Frank. They were trying to figure out what happened.
Elizabeth was pouring the lemonade and Abagail and Emily looked busy not doing anything. JJ leaned toward the men.
"You know…that's what mommy would always act like when I caught her staring out the window at you." He nodded toward Jack as he spoke in a soft voice so only the guys could hear him.
"Oh…" Jack and Frank smiled a knowing smile. They finally figured out why the women were acting so weird. They had front row seats for the silliness outside.
Jack walked up to Elizabeth as she poured the last of the glasses of lemonade. He barely touched her with his body, and he placed his hand on her lower back. He leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Thank you." He breathed in her ear and stayed closer than was necessary.
Elizabeth jumped a little spilling some lemonade at his touch and his closeness.
"You're…you're welcome." She gasped.
"I'm hoping we can go on that walk a little later." He continued his closeness.
Elizabeth tried to speak but only nodded her head in agreement.
"Let me clean up a little bit." He leaned a little closer and gently kissed her cheek. His lips barely touched her cheek. The gentleness of his kiss drove Elizabeth closer to the edge. She shivered at his lips' touch.
Abagail was squirming with Frank's closeness across the room. Each couple was keeping it clean since there were others in the room, but his closeness was driving Abagail crazy too.
"Sweetheart…" Frank stated huskily. "…are you busy later?"
Abagail shook her head no.
"Would you like to talk a walk with me when it is getting close to dusk?"
She nodded her head.
He smiled at her lack of speaking. He knew he was affecting her the way he wanted to. He stepped a little closer purposefully keeping himself from touching her except for light, glancing touches.
"I can't wait. Let's say…six o'clock?"
He leaned and kissed her on the cheek. He didn't wait around for her response. He left to clean his hands of the dirt.
JJ and Emilly noticed the older couples talking privately, but didn't pay them any attention since they couldn't hear what they was saying.
"JJ, would you like to go fishing tomorrow?"
"I can go in the morning, but I have to be back before lunch time."
"Why?"
"I'm supposed to be helping with those two piles of rock at the home site. We are starting to use them. They asked me to help since it was my idea."
"We can go for a little while in the morning."
"Hey, would you like to help me tomorrow after fishing?"
Emily smiled. I would like that."
…
After their glass of lemonade and a few cookies, Jack excused himself to take the axe back to the jail. He also wanted to wrap up one report that should take him less than ten minutes. Then he was going to wash up in the jail and change clothes. He was looking forward to spending time with his family tonight.
As he walked out of the front door of the café, he heard his named called.
"Sergeant! Sergeant!" Ned Yost stepped out of the mercantile looking for Jack. He smiled when he saw him exit the café and called out to him.
"Ned. What may I do for you today?"
"I have a telegram for you from mountie headquarters."
"Thank you Ned." Jack accepted the telegram and waited until Ned began to walk away. He opened the telegram and began to read it.
Sergeant Thornton –
Your presence is requested for duty at the trial of Mr. Charles Kensington beginning in two days in Medicine Hat. You will have a room waiting for you at the hotel beside the courthouse beginning tomorrow night. Your presence is requested by D. A. James Scott. Follow any instructions from him. Jack, I know this isn't what we discussed in my office, but D. A. Scott implied your presence is necessary. Once he dismisses you, you are released to go back to Hope Valley. With this change, you leave will begin the day you arrive back in Hope Valley and will continue until the agreed upon departure date. It will buy you some extra time off. This is the best I can do.
– Deputy Commissioner Andrew Pearson
"Why in the world…Elizabeth isn't going to like this." He shook his head. "At least I will begin my leave a few days early." He spoke to himself as he turned to walk toward the jail.
Jack walked to the jail to store the axe and get cleaned up. He quickly finished the one report and made his way to their row house.
…
"Sir, you are scheduled to leave tomorrow at nine. The train leaves at nine thirty. Your compartment is set, and your bags are already packed."
"Thank you."
"Father, did you have a nice day?"
"I did Charles. You?"
"Not too bad. Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"I am. The train is set. We leave at nine."
Charles nodded his head. He was hopeful due to Mr. Wilson and all that he said. It sounded good to him, and he was hoping it would work out like he stated. If it did, this whole incident would be behind him in a matter of a couple of days and he would be back in the office at Thatcher Shipping. Then, he can begin the process of running the company like he and Mr. Thatcher had discussed several times in his office and the café across the street. Then, he can begin the process of winning Elizabeth's heart.
"That's great father. I'm looking forward to getting this past me."
"Me too. Needless to say, this has been an embarrassing issue for us."
"Yes it has. It still feels like a bad dream. Within a few days if everything goes well, it will be finished, and we can begin the process of taking over Thatcher Shipping."
The older man couldn't begin to hide his smile. He was really embarrassed by everything. While his reputation wasn't ruined, it did take a small ding. With Charles pleading out the assault and having the case against him concerning the sawmill dismissed and thrown out of court, he would step right back into the circle he belonged without the second glances.
When his son began working at Thatcher Shipping again, he would have an inside track in Thatcher Shipping. He would not take over for his son when he became CEO, but he would be the man in charge of his son. He would be the default CEO.
His plan was simple, While Charles would be the face of the company, he would be the man leading Charles. He would be the de facto CEO. Then his son would finally win over Elizabeth and marry her. In return, his son would be set for life with the job, the company, and Elizabeth's trust fund. His legacy would finally be set.
In his best guess, the earliest this could be accomplished would be two to three months for Charles to take over the company. Then it would be just a matter of time before Elizbeth would come around to her good senses to accept the life with Charles that she should have already done.
…
"There's my boy!" Jack stated when he looked up and say JJ standing on the small porch of the row house.
"Daddy!" He called out as he jumped off the top step and ran toward Jack.
"I hope you had a good afternoon."
"I did. Mommy said it was a big day and I should go to bed early. I'm not tired but mommy said my bedtime tonight will be at seven."
"Well, you know mommy isn't wrong."
"She is when it comes to my bedtime. There isn't a boy in the world who is sleepy at seven." JJ shook his head. "Maybe you can talk to her?" He stated as they climbed the three steps to walk into the home.
Elizabeth looked up when she heard Jack's boots on the porch. He walked into the home. Even though he had a smile on his face, something was off. She could read it in his eyes. His face was also a little red.
"You ok?"
"Yes and no. Do you have a moment to talk?" Jack asked.
"Sure. Let's sit on the porch and JJ can play in the field in front." She accepted Jack's outstretched hand.
After getting comfortable on the top step of the porch, Jack handed her the telegram. She hesitated to open it. She only looked at Jack. She had this fear that they would punish Jack over the whole ordeal. She just knew they were going to make him leave Hope Valley until his end date. She sighed and laid her head on Jack's shoulder.
"It's not what you think…"
"Are you leaving?" She cut him off.
He nodded his head. "Yes."
"It's exactly what I think." She whispered.
"Elizabeth, D. A. Scott is asking me to be present for Mr. Kensington's trial in two days. I am to leave tomorrow for Medicine Hat and will have to remain until D. A. Scott dismisses me."
"Why does he want you there for the trial?"
"I guess since I am the arresting officer. It's not that uncommon, but I'm a little surprised he wants me there. The case is a solid one."
"That doesn't make sense…how long will that be?"
"I'm not too sure. I would guess no more than a few days. Possibly two to three days up to a week." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Then what?"
"Once he dismisses me, I am free to come back to Hope Valley."
"Really?"
"Yes, but that's not the good part."
"Jack Thornton, how is that not the good part? You will be coming home to us."
"Read the telegram." He nodded toward the telegram.
She studied his eyes for a moment and then looked toward the telegram. She slowly read the telegram trying to make sure she was paying attention to the wording. She didn't want to miss anything.
"So, when you come home your leave begins?"
"Yes."
"Even if the days you have left are more than the days of leave you have?"
"Yes. My leave begins when I come home. This trip is my last official duty as a mountie."
"How do you feel about that?"
"I do wish my last duty wouldn't involve Mr. Kensington, but that can't be helped."
"And leaving the mounties?"
"Elizabeth…" He stated as he moved to sit more in front of her. He wanted her to make sure she saw his eyes. "…I want this." He stated as he took her hands. "I want you…I want JJ…I want evenings just like this. This is what I want."
She nodded her head as she understood. She just didn't want him to regret his decision. "Me too." She whispered.
"So, let's finish cooking dinner while JJ plays outside."
"We'll eat and then read JJ a book." Elizabesth finished Jack's statement.
"I understand his bedtime is at seven tonight." Jack flirted.
"Yes, and not one minute later than that. We have a walk to take."
Jack's heart stopped when he saw the flirty look on her face.