I can't respond to guests but I'm sorry that the grammar isn't written just right. I'm using Grammarly but it doesn't catch everything.

I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful reviews. This has got to be my favorite story that I have written!

I've read every chapter 5 or 6 times, and I've got 46 chapters finished. Maybe it's just my country girl coming out but it sounds good to me when I read it. So I'm sorry that it doesn't sound right to you.

Ok, I've read this chapter again and changed a few words, so I hope it sounds better. I hope you all enjoy it! Please read and review! Again if you don't like the grammar errors, please….I don't want to hear about it.

Chapter 6

The Visitor

Elizabeth had woken up early Sunday morning. She decided to take a bubble bath. She heated the water and poured in some lilac-scented bubble bath. When she put the last bucket of water in, she climbed in and sank in the water, and enjoyed the bath until the water started getting cool. She got out and chose her best Sunday dress. Nothing fancy but fancier than her everyday dresses. She took time with her hair. She chose the pearl hair comb that Jack had given her the year before for her birthday. She looked in the mirror and was happy with how she looked. She added the necklace that her Aunt had given her for her 20th birthday. She picked up her Bible and walked to church. When she arrived she went in and sat next to Lydia Delaney. Reverend Alden's sermon was on forgiveness. She thought this was fitting. She listened very carefully. When the service was over she informed Lydia that she wouldn't be there for Sunday dinner. Lydia gave her a look but she touched her arm, Elizabeth said she had a visitor coming. Lydia said she could bring them if she changed her mind. Elizabeth thanked her and went home.

She walked in and put a couple more logs in the fireplace and one in the stove. She pulled the rabbit from the icebox that Henry Ethridge had brought that morning before church. She was cutting it up when there was a knock on her door. She said just a minute. She put her knife down and washed her hands and dried them on her apron. She opened her door and gasped. She whispered, Jack you did come. She opened the door and invited him in. She took his coat and hung it on the hook by the door. She hugged him quickly and backed off but Jack had smelled her lilac bubble bath in her hair. It was much too quick for him but at least she didn't slap him. She offered him a chair at the table so she could finish their dinner. Would you like something to drink? I have coffee, tea, iced tea, or lemonade. Lemonade will be fine, thanks, he said. She got him a glass of lemonade and handed it to him. He thanked her. Elizabeth are you cooking? Yes, why? Well, I don't want to, she put her hand up to stop him from finishing that sentence. I have you know I'm a very good cook now. She went to finish cutting the rabbit up. He watched her closely but didn't say anything. She put the rabbit in the pot of hot broth. She washed and cut the vegetables up and put them in the pot. She tasted the broth and said, perfect. She put the lid on and pushed it to the back of the stove to slow cook. She washed the table off and started making the dough for her apple pie. Elizabeth? Yes, Jack. Where did you learn all this? Abigail tried for two years to teach you. She proceeded to explain while she was mixing the dough. When I got to Aunt and Uncle's I knew I would be on my own so I asked her to teach me and she did. It didn't take long and I was cooking and baking. After the dough was made she set it aside to rest while she prepared the apples. When she was done she rolled out the dough and cut it in half, laid half in the buttered pie pan. She pressed it down and forked the bottom. She cut the excess off. She put the apple mixture in and went to work on the top crust, laying it ever so gently on top. Pinched the edges together and cut three slits in it and sprinkled the top with cinnamon and sugar. Then slide it into the oven. She set her timer. She washed her hands and cleaned the table. She took her apron off and hung it on a hook by the stove.

She picked up their drinks and asked him to join her in the living room. He followed. Jack, I need you to hear me out before you say anything, ok? Yes, Bella. She just smiled at his term of endearment. Jack when Charles showed up, unannounced I might add, it was a huge shock. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think he would have done that? If you had stuck around long enough you would have heard me turn him down. I didn't want to marry him because I wasn't in love with him. I told him that I was in love with you and you were my future if you were to ask. He told me that I was a fool for falling for a man who would die on me and make me a widow and possibly a mother. I told him that I would take all the time that God gave me with you no matter how long or short it was. He called me a fool and walked away. Jack, I didn't know you were there. Then when you caught me in the middle of the street and humiliated and embarrassed me like you did, it broke my heart. I left you a letter along with the picture telling you everything. Did you get it? I did Bella. Jack why? Why did you turn your back on me, on us? Bella, I truly thought and believed that I wasn't good enough for you and your father would never accept me as a suitor for you. I truly believed that you deserved more than I could ever give you. Charles was always coming around and I knew that your father had sent him and would continue to send him. I didn't see a way to get away from him. So that day I had planned to propose to you. She gasped. I changed my suit twice and settled on your favorite, she cut him off with…the blue one, and she finished his sentence. Yes. If I hadn't changed my suit then I would've been the one proposing instead of Charles but I wasn't. So I was hurt when I stepped up and saw him down on one knee. I just left, went and changed back into my uniform, and went on my rounds. I thought that I could clear my head before I saw you but the more I thought…the more you got in your head, she finished. Yes Bella I did. So I decided that I would just bow out and let you have everything you deserved and more. So that's why I told you that in the street. I hadn't planned on telling you in the street but that's where I saw you and just ripped the band aide off and just get it over with. I couldn't give you a chance to say anything because I would regret it, Bella.

I'm here to tell you that when I got back and found out you were gone it kinda shocked me. I never expected that. So I thought afterward that it would make it easier with you gone. I went back to doing my job but then a couple of weeks after I got back I started missing you. I saw you everywhere and in everything I did. I missed you so bad. I was having nightmares at first then they turned to what I was missing. So after almost three months, I started looking for you. I contacted headquarters but that came up empty. I was going crazy without you. Oh by the way it was your uncle that kept corresponding with me. But anyway, Bella I can't live without you. I need and love you so very much! I need you as much as I need to breathe. Bella, I've come to beg for your forgiveness, forgive me for being an idiot. I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you. Bella, I will never break your heart again unless God calls me home. Jack, the sermon this morning was on forgiveness but I've forgiven you a while ago. I couldn't take the crying anymore. I put it in God's hands and walked away from it. She got up but he gently grabbed her hand and asked, Bella, will you give me, another chance, please? Oh, Jack… I've never stopped loving you…yes, I will. You see my heart needs you too because you have it already. He stood and asked, can I kiss you, please? She didn't wait for him, she reached up and put her hand on the back of his head and pulled him in for a very passionate kiss. She left him standing there after she stepped back into the kitchen to check the pie. He just stood there dumbfounded, not believing she could be so forward. He came up behind her and kissed her on her cheek after wrapping his arms around her waist. I love you so very much, Bella! You have always had my heart. You carry it everywhere you go.

The pie was almost ready so she went to make the biscuits. When they were made she set them to the side. She stirred the stew. It was almost done also. She took the pie out and set it on the counter to cool. She put the biscuits in the oven and set the timer. Jack smelled the air, Bella I've got to admit it smells wonderful. Thank you, Jack. My biscuits aren't as flaky as Abigail's but they are still delicious. She pulls out the plates and silverware and hands them to him. He sets the table. He goes and gets their drinks and she refills them.

After dinner, he pushes his plate back pats his stomach, and says, Bella, that was delicious. I had no idea you had learned to cook like that! She smiled and said, wait until you try my pie. He helps her clear but she tells him that she could do the dishes later. He said, Bella, it is the least I can do. You cooked so I'll help clean it up. She tossed him the towel. Bella? Yes, Jack. How did you know that rabbit stew was my favorite? I overheard you telling Abigail one evening. You had asked her if you brought her a rabbit would she make a rabbit stew? She told you that she would be happy to make it for you. Oh, he said. When they were finished she put a pot of coffee on. He went and put another log on the fire and sat on the sofa. She brought a tray with their coffee and a slice of pie for each. He took the pie and said, oh, thank you. He took a small bite to taste it. He closed his eyes to savor it. When he opened his eyes he said, Bella, what did you do differently than Abigail? This is the best apple pie I have ever tasted! She said, brown sugar. Abigail uses white sugar instead of brown sugar. My Aunt always uses brown sugar. He said well you will make a fine wife someday! She said with a smirk, why thank you kind sir and bowed her head a little. They both laughed. They finished their pie and coffee. He pulled her over to him to just hold her. They both had missed this.

They were staring into the fire when she asked, Jack where are you staying? Are you staying at the hotel in Lacomb? No, I'm camping out behind your house. I brought my tent and all. Is that ok? Yes, but we're going to have to make different arrangements shortly because they say it gets really cold up here early. Bella, I'm never leaving you again. She sat up fast and said, Jack when do you need to return to go back to Coal Valley? Bella, I took an indefinite leave of absence to find you. Jack, Uncle gave you that much time off? He did, he said. So when are you planning on going back? Bella, I just told you I was never leaving you again. Jack, I can't leave here. I have a year to finish. Bella, I'm not asking you to change anything. I will just transfer up here. Oh, Jack, you would do that for me? I would follow you anywhere Bella. Oh, Jack I just love you so very much! I honestly believed that when I left Coal Valley, I would never see you again. I knew I would never love another. I love you too, Bella! He looks at his watch and sees it's after midnight. Bella I've got to go. It's after midnight. I don't want anyone to see me here this late. Jack my closest neighbor is over a mile away. I don't think we will have that problem but I understand. I hate to see you go too. Come knock on my door in the morning and I'll fix us breakfast. She walks him to the door and he puts his coat back on. She goes to the kitchen pours the rest of the coffee into a thermos and hands it to him, just in case you get cold, it will warm you up. They kiss one last time before he leaves. He waits for her to lock the door but she doesn't. He knocks on her door and opens it, Bella you didn't lock your door. She laughs and says, just wanted to see if you would still say anything. He kisses her and says, very funny Bella. He shuts the door and she locks it. She picks up the tray and goes to the kitchen. She puts the dishes in the sink, banks the stove, and puts a couple of logs on the fire. She turns down the lamps and goes to bed. She falls asleep very quickly. Dreaming sweet dreams of Jack, this time.

She wakes up early gets dressed, and goes out to the outhouse. She looks across her backyard and sees his tent back on the tree line. She doesn't think he has stirred yet so she goes back in and puts on a pot of coffee. She pulls the items out to make omelets. She cuts the onions and peppers up while the bacon and sausage are frying. She shreds the cheese and puts it in a bowl. When the meat is done she crumbles it up together and puts it in a bowl. She pulls the biscuits out slices them open and spreads butter on them and puts them on the pan. She sets the table while she waits for him to come to the house. She goes and looks out her window in her bedroom but sees nothing so she goes back and pours a cup of coffee and goes to the living room. Just as she sat down there was a knock on her door. She opened it and invites him in. She pours him some coffee and hands it to him after he takes off his coat. He says we have a visitor, Bella. Can he have an apple? She looks at him funny and opens the door to Sargent standing there. She shrieks and runs back to the kitchen, gets an apple, cuts it into quarters, and goes back outside, she gives him a quarter at a time. She nuzzles his face and whispers, I've missed you, boy. She finished feeding him his apple and pats his neck. She goes back inside and says, you never planned on going back, did you? He says, Bella, I've told you, where you go I go. I couldn't go off and leave him. He's part of me. I know Jack. She tells him to sit. She asks, but Jack what would you have done if….I had said no. She goes about in the kitchen making 2 omelets. He says, your Uncle asked me the same thing and I will tell you the same thing I told him. As hard as it would be, I would never push myself on you and if you thought that there wasn't any way for us to find a way back from all of this then I would ride off and never bother you again. But Bella, I had faith in God that He would bring us back together. She put everything in the eggs and cooked them. They turn out fluffy. She pulls the biscuits out of the warmer and sets them on the table. She dishes up the omelets and sets them on the table. She asks him if he wants a refill on his coffee, and he shakes his head yes.

After breakfast he says, Bella, I could get used to this you know. You are spoiling me. Well isn't that what a wife is supposed to do? He spit his coffee out before he could grab his napkin. Bella, we aren't married…. yet. She smiles and says, no but I can practice, can't I? It's his turn to smile. He reached for her hand kissed it and said, yes Bella practice makes perfect. Bella, just so we are on the same page and there are no more miss understandings. I will be asking for your hand in marriage but just don't know how soon. She smiles and says, Jack, I understand and I concur about the misunderstanding and just so we are on the same page, Jack, my answer will always be yes! With that, she went back to eating. He just sat there with the biggest smile on his face but said nothing.

The next few days were more of the same. They spent hours talking and clearing the air. Telling their deepest fears and how they could concur with them. By the time her Aunt and Uncle arrived, everything was said that needed to be said. They were ready to move forward. They were back together and nothing would ever change that! Thanksgiving was a delight. Uncle got to get to know Jack better. They spent a lot of time riding and talking. Before they were to leave Uncle had put in and agreed to transfer Jack to Lacomb starting December 1. That gave them another week together just the two of them after school. Jack had agreed to do the rounds there and report to Lacomb daily but just once a day. He could turn in his report for his second at the same time. This would be his permanent posting.

She enjoyed having him around every day, fixing his meals, and doing their laundry. She thought to herself, I'm going to love being married to this man!

Jack had contacted Bill to send the picture from the back room to him. He told him all about finding Elizabeth but didn't tell him who her uncle was. He told him everything that had led up to this point. He closed his letter by telling everyone we said hello and Merry Christmas. He would send it tomorrow when he went to work. Elizabeth had given him a list of things to pick up for her while he was there. He did his Christmas shopping and hid them in his tent. She never went in there so it was safe. She sent her Aunt a letter asking her to pick up a few things for Jack's Christmas. Because Jack couldn't take off work for a while, her Aunt and Uncle had decided to come back for Christmas. Their children weren't able to come home this year so they decided to spend it with Wynn's family. It would be a first in many years. Everyone was looking forward to it. Jack had asked his blessing to marry Elizabeth while they were there at Thanksgiving, and he told him that he planned to propose at Christmas. He knew he couldn't ask her father so he had asked her uncle. Of course, he gave it. Christmas was just 5 days away. Her Aunt and Uncle were to arrive that afternoon. Phillip was picking them up. Elizabeth had sent a letter to her parents letting them know where she was and where she was teaching. They weren't happy that she had gone farther north but they were happy she was happy. She didn't tell them why she left Hope Valley. She just told them she was needed here. She did tell them that Jack was transferred there as well. She had also asked her father or anyone else to not send Charles because she never wanted to see him again. They definitely wouldn't be happy about that but she didn't care. They had meddled one too many times.

3 days before Christmas Jack and Elizabeth had gone out to get a Christmas tree. He brought it in and put it in the corner next to the fireplace. It wasn't a big one but it was perfect for them. They had rode into town the Saturday before Christmas to get some decorations. She brought the ones she had from Coal Valley but needed a few more. She bought one that said "Our First Christmas " even though they weren't married they were still together in her first home. They spent time stringing popcorn and cranberries. She made paper chains out of colored paper. Jack had gone out and cut pine stems to make a garland for the mantle. She had bought several fat candles for the mantle and around the house. When they were finished they stepped back and were amazed at how beautifully decorated it was. She was standing in front of him and he had his arms wrapped around her waist with his head on her shoulder, she leaned against him and said, it is beautiful Jack!

Now it was Christmas Eve. They rode Sargent over to Phillip and Lydia's for a gift exchange and finger foods. Aunt Elizabeth had made eggnog. She had made two scarves for her Aunt and Uncle from her and Jack. Jack got a camera with a tripod from her Aunt and Uncle. Elizabeth got a couple of new dresses. One for every day and one for church. Phillip and Lydia got her a new apron that she had made. Jack and Elizabeth giggled when she gave Lydia her gift. It was a new apron but it was store-bought, not made. Phillip had his mother's piano so Elizabeth agreed to play some Christmas carols while everyone gathered around and sang. It was a wonderful evening. It was time to leave so they bundled up and mounted Sargent and headed home. Elizabeth had asked Jack to spend the night in the house instead of his tent. He agreed to sleep on a sofa or a pallet by the fire. They spent a little while curled up in front of the fire before she yawned. He kissed her forehead and said, you best get to bed, Sweetheart. We have a busy day tomorrow. She agreed and kissed him one last time and went to bed.