Chapter 28
Thanksgiving day began early with Nana, Charlette, and Elizabeth in the kitchen. Elizabeth knew she wouldn't be of much help in the kitchen since she didn't know how to cook, but like Charlette, she did her best. Nana didn't make her feel bad about not knowing how to cook. She softly explained what to do and Elizabeth did her best. Nana was impressed with her effort and with the outcome of many of the things Elizabeth tried. All three ladies loved the time together. It gave them more time to get to know Elizabeth and she was able to learn more about Charlette and Nana.
Charlette knew something was up between her mother and Elizabeth. They would share quick glances and knowing smiles when Jack was brought up in conversation or he would appear in the doorway offering to help. He was quickly shooed away by Charlette or Nana. Elizabeth would only smile at him and shrug her shoulders when he was ordered away.
Thanksgiving dinner was set for one o'clock. Many family members began showing up earlier than normal.
"It's just ten o'clock. Shirley is never here at this time." Charlette stated when she heard Shirley and her family walk in the door.
Nana didn't say anything. She simply nodded toward Elizabeth.
"Maybe they just want to help." Elizabeth stated.
"No Beth…that's not it." Nana playfully teased.
"It's Elizabeth, mother. She doesn't like Beth." Charlette gently corrected her mother.
"Not to me." Nana sassed back. "To me, she's Beth."
Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement. "But only Nana and the special ed group may call me Beth."
"And Jack?"
"I'm still working on it, but your son doesn't always listen." The three ladies laughed as Elizabeth pointed her finger at Charlette.
"They're here for you dear."
"Me?" Elizabeth stated shocked. "Nana, why would they be here for me? They don't know me or even know of me."
"Beth dear, you are the first young lady that Jack has ever brought around."
"Oh…" Elizabeth voiced softly.
"They just have to meet this young lady that Jack thought so much of to bring to a family dinner all the way from Hamilton."
"How did they all know?"
"Char…it's been the talk of the family for nearly two weeks. Everyone knows of Beth."
The conversation abruptly ended when they noticed the look of fear on Elizabeth's face. Charlette stepped beside Elizabeth and wrapped her right arm around her and pulled her close to her side.
"They will all love you. I know it. We are a good family. They are just shocked that Jack would bring a young lady home. Just be yourself. They will love you simply because Jack loves you."
"But we haven't said that to anyone." Elizabeth quickly glanced at Nana. She noticed her slight grin. Only the corner of her lips was curling up.
"Maybe so, but we all know it. It will be fine. I promise."
"Char, stop teasing Beth and wash my mixing bowl. I need it to make the biscuits."
Elizabeth gave Nana a small smile at her changing the subject. Nana returned the smile and lowered her head. Elizabeth nodded her head. They all looked up when a beautiful, middle aged woman was standing the in entry way holding a casserole dish.
…
"Aunt Shirley. How are you?" Jack asked as she walked through the door ahead of her family.
"I'm good, Jack. Where is she?"
"Aunt Shirley…" Jack warned her. "You will be nice to Elizabeth."
"I promise." She gave Jack a smile.
"If I knew she was going to be mobbed, I wouldn't have asked her to come."
"Nonsense. We will treat her lovingly."
"Without the twenty thousand questions?" Smirked Jack.
"I'll keep it to ten thousand. Now, where is she?"
"She's in the kitchen with Charlette and Nana." Thomas stated.
"I'm heading that way."
"Well, at least say hi to your favorite nephew." Jack sassed.
"Hi Aunt Shirley." Tom grinned as he stepped forward.
"Good morning, Tom." She stated with a teasing smile toward Jack. She kissed Tom on the cheek and stepped toward Jack. "Good morning, Jack. I promise I'll play nice."
"Thank you." He stated as she was already walking toward the kitchen.
…
Steven nervously walked toward the front door of Connie's home. He was going to spend the early part of Thanksgiving with her family and then she was going to join him at his family's dinner later than evening. He was nervous. He hasn't dated a whole lot. He certainly hasn't done a holiday with a girlfriend before. This was all new to him. He looked at his phone when it buzzed. It was a text from Jack.
J – Breath it'll be ok
S – I'm not sure how are you
J – Not breathing yet
S – I hear ya man
J – My aunt Shirley just showed up this isn't going to be good
S – I think PB can handle it
J – One of these days I'm going to tell Elizabeth that you shortened her nickname
S – dude You better not
J – Breath and enjoy your time with Connie
S – you do the same with PB and your family
Steven pushed his phone back into his pocket and exhaled a deep breath. A smile came across his face when the door opened, and his girlfriend was standing in the doorway.
…
"You must be Beth." Shirley stated in the entry way with a huge smile on her face and her hands full.
"Elizabeth." Nana corrected gently.
"I'm sorry. Elizabeth. It's so great to meet you."
Nana smiled at the expression of fear in Elizabeth's facial features. Shirley noticed it too. She placed her dish down and walked toward Elizabeth.
"It really is great to finally meet you. I have heard so many good things about you." She stated holding both of Elizabeth's arms at the elbows. "I'm a hugger. May I give you a hug?"
Elizabeth smiled and nodded her head. She felt relieved at this smiling woman's face.
"Nice to meet you. I guess I have you to thank for me meeting Jack."
"Me? How in the world did I do that?"
"You gave Jack a book when he was younger."
"I did. I think he was twelve or so. I gave him a copy of my favorite book, Pride and Prejudice."
"Yes. That's my favorite book too. I met Jack at the beach one day. I thought he was just another guy hitting on me. What I didn't realize was that I was about to drop my book from my towel. I was very short with him. He brought me my book and tossed it on my towel. He told me he wasn't hitting on me and that I dropped my book."
"Wow!"
"Yeah. He left a little inscription on the inside cover."
"What did he write?" Shirley was captured in Elizabeth's story.
"He wrote, 'Princess Beth – You're wrong with your assertion! You should learn from Elizabeth Bennet! – Jack'"
"Oh…and you don't like to be called Beth."
"No Ms. Shirley. I do not even though Nana calls me that and I hate the title princess."
"Nana?" Shirley looked from Elizabeth to Nana.
"We have an understanding." Nana stated with a smile.
"Jack was always impressed with how Ms. Elizabeth Bennet rarely learned from her mistake of judging someone early on and never learning to change her mind when facts showed her that she should."
"Yes, he reminded me of that often." Elizabeth grinned. "However, that's not the best part of the story."
"Oh…do tell." Shirley stated as Nana and Charlette leaned in to hear the story. This would be the first time for Nana and Shirley to hear the whole story. Elizabeth smiled at the women's eagerness to hear what happened. She decided to immediately like Shirley from that moment.
"We didn't see each other for two weeks until school began. I was asked to show a new student around school and guess who I saw when I walked into the school office?"
…
Jack sat beside Elizabeth during the large family dinner. He instantly took her hand and gently squeezed it three times. Elizabeth long ago forgot all the names of the people she met earlier. There was a large number of extended family at the dinner. Every one of them wanted a few minutes of her time. They had to talk to this young lady that captured Jack's heart. While it was overwhelming, everyone in Jack's family was nice to her.
Dinner was great with a lot of laughter and way too much food. Jack was a little surprised that he and Elizabeth were asked to join the grown up table. He knew it was because of his girlfriend. She laughed at his little remark that they liked her more than they liked him. With the women doing all the cooking, the men gently pushed all the women out of the kitchen so they could clean up. They stored the food in containers so they could have leftovers for dinner. The tradition was that you just help yourself to whatever you wanted whenever you wanted. The men cleaned off the tables and washed all the dishes. With all the men working together, it didn't take them too long.
The rest of the day was spent hanging out with the family. Some stayed in the living room watching football while others were in the kitchen or the den just hanging out and talking. Jack and Elizabeth mingled throughout the house visiting different groups of people. Jack knew that everyone wanted to meet and talk with his girlfriend.
Jack went out with the younger guys to play a little football before they left. The ladies took advantage of his absence to speak with Elizabeth. She smiled at the number of girl cousins and aunts who walked into the den to sit with her. Normally she would have felt outnumbered by the group, but she could only smile. She has already spoken with all of them even though she couldn't remember all of their names. They were all so kind to her.
"So…?" Jack's younger cousin began.
"So…" Elizabeth teased back with a playful expression.
"How did you do it?"
"Do what?" Smiled Elizabeth.
"Come on…" The thirteen year old stated in a young teen's sarcastic voice. "…my best friend's older sister is all devastated that Jack's dating someone and it isn't her."
"Well…" Elizabeth teased the smiling girl with a grin. All the older ladies noticed. "I wasn't looking for a boyfriend. I had the same rule as Jack did. However, have you seen Jack's dimples?" Elizabeth playfully fanned herself. The loud, thunderous sound of laughter rushed out of the den. The men in the living room shook their heads while Pops just turned the volume of the TV up.
"So, he made the first move?" The little cousin smiled.
"No…actually I did. I reached for his pinky, and he took it. I asked him if we were really going to do this."
"And what did he say?" She asked as the other little girls leaned forward. They were all completely invested in the story. Several had their hands clasped in front of their chests.
Elizabeth leaned forward to emphasize the next part. "He said that I draw him in without me trying to. That he didn't want to date and didn't want to break his rule, but he had to give us a chance to see where this would take us." Every woman in the den swooned at her words. The younger ones fell back on the floor giggling. Elizabeth couldn't help the childlike giggle escaping her lips.
"That's better than any hallmark movie my mom watches." The little cousin dreamily stated as she sat back up.
"Has he kissed you? Is he a good kisser?"
"Cindy! That's an inappropriate question to ask."
"I'm sorry." Stated the teen. Elizabeth could see the giggle and pure excitement in her eyes. She may have said 'I'm sorry', but her eyes wasn't sorry at all.
Elizabeth placed her index finger over her mouth asking her not to say anything. She nodded her head up and down.
…
The next morning was quieter than the previous day, which Elizabeth was grateful for. While thanksgiving was great and she enjoyed every moment of it with Jack's family, she was exhausted. She slept well. She had to admit it was a little weird sleeping in the same house as Jack. She was in her room alone, but Jack was just a few feet away in the living room sleeping on an air mattress. She quietly smiled at his bedhead and thought he was absolutely adorable when he slept with his mouth opened a little bit. She was grateful he didn't snore.
"What have you got planned today?" Charlette asked.
"I'm catching up with some of my old friends. They would be here around ten to pick me up."
"Great Tom. I know you will like that."
"You?" Charlette asked Thomas and Pops.
"Tom's going with me to the store. I need his help to fixing the ceiling fan and we need to pick up some parts for it."
"And you two?"
"If it's ok with Pops, I'm going to borrow his truck and take Elizabeth around Buxton. If she'll allow me."
"I already told you that you can take the truck." Pops stated. "You know where the keys are."
"I would love that." Elizabeth stated.
"I thought I could show you our old house, the high school, the park I always played at as a kid, and then The Saucer."
"Oh, I think she'll love all of that." Exclaimed Charlette.
"What's The Saucer?"
"It was my favorite place to hang out and grab food."
"Sounds great. When do we leave?"
…
T – Hey Jules…how are you
J – Good you
T – About to leave with old friends to hang out did you have a good thanksgiving
J – Yeah different since Bethie wasn't here but it was good
J – I miss you
T – I miss you
T – May I skype you later
J – You never have to ask me that question
T – They're here I'll send pictures later and skype
…
Jack pulled the old truck to a stop sign and then turned right to a small park. Elizabeth looked around confused at the small park. There just wasn't too much play equipment. There was one large slide, a merry-go-around, an old monkey bar set, and a large swing.
"Is this the park you played in?"
"It is. My old house is just about a five minute walk down that road." He pointed down the street.
"I thought the park was going to be big."
"Oh no. Nothing in Buxton is big. I spent a lot of time here as a kid and as a teen. My mom would bring me here as a kid and then let me come here as a teen."
"This is nice." She stated as she accepted Jack's hand. He led them to the swing set. He offered her one particular swing and stood behind her and slowly pushed her as they continued to talk.
"This was my favorite swing."
"This one?" She asked.
"Yeah. Ma would say that we would be here for hours, and I wouldn't leave this swing. It was my favorite thing to do here."
"Yeah…" Elizabeth felt special being in Jack's favorite swing. This was the first place he took her while in town. They were only at Nana's house until now.
Jack wanted to share his hometown with her. He loved Buxton and everything about it. He hated to leave it. However, he was grateful for moving to Hamilton. After all, he met this precious young lady. When his mother mentioned going back to Buxton for Thanksgiving, he was ecstatic. He grew even more so when he found out Elizabeth was coming with him.
"I would pout if we got here and someone else was already in this swing. Sometimes I would play on the monkey bars until they left this swing. Then I would immediately run over yelling for Ma to hurry up and push me."
"Maybe I should be pushing you." She flirted.
"Maybe later." He flirted back. "When I got older, I would just sit in this swing and think. It was in this swing I determined I would never date. We went to Nana's house afterward before Pa came home. That's when I told her that I was never going to date. Nana, in her wisdom, talked me into not dating during high school but to leave myself open to dating in college. My friends and I would come here to hang out some."
"I'm grateful Nana talked you into being open for dating later."
"Yeah…then this auburn haired young lady copped an attitude and turned my life upside down."
"Do you regret it?" She asked as Jack gently pushed her forward.
He didn't say anything until she came back to him. He caught the chains of her swing and held them for a moment. He leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek. He left his lips on her cheeks much longer than necessary for a kiss on the cheek. He whispered while he was close to her ear.
"I am grateful to God that you came into my life. I wouldn't want to imagine my life without you in it."
"Jack…I have something I should tell you." She stated as he gently pushed her again.
"What's that?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath. "The first night we arrived…when I was speaking with Nana in the kitchen while she was showing me how to make your cookies.…"
"I hope she wasn't too much for you."
"Jack…she's perfect. I fell in love with her rather quickly. I hope you don't mind me calling her Nana."
"I'm fine with it. I knew she would love you."
Jack's statement reminded her of what she needed to tell him.
"Late that night, I was in the kitchen because I couldn't sleep. Nana came in. We sat and drunk tea and nibbled on the chocolate chip cookies." She paused for a moment. "Jack…I told Nana that I love you." She whispered as he continued to gently push her.
She became a little concerned when she swung back to him and he didn't push her. That happened twice. She turned her head enough to see him. The third time swinging back to him, he gently pushed her again.
"I have to be honest. I told Pops that I love you on the same night. I'm sorry Elizabeth. Pops and I were talking in the shop. He could always read me so easily. He already knew. Before I knew what I was doing, I just blurted it out."
She smiled. "I understand. I wasn't intending to tell anyone, but I just couldn't keep from doing it."
"Me too." He swallowed. "You know, it wasn't that I didn't want to tell anyone or to hide us, it's just…"
"It is between just us." She stated understanding what he meant.
"Yeah…I'm sorry I did that."
"Jack, I'm not mad. I understand. I'm sorry I told Nana."
"It's ok. To be honest, I think they already knew. We didn't surprise them or anything."
She laughed. "I get the feeling that Nana can already read me clearly."
"She has that way. So, are we telling everyone else?"
"That's up to you, I guess. For me, I like that it's just between us. Others know. Mother and father already know."
"Ma and Pa know."
"So, it's not like we are keeping it a secret."
"True. Plus, I love that I can squeeze your hand, and no one knows what it means except for you."
"Me too."
"I love you, Jarrick."
"I love you, Bella."
…
"What happen to you man?"
"What do you mean?"
"We're out and a beautiful girl is flirting with you, and you just ignored her. You move to that big city, and you come back completely different." James challenged him.
Tom shrugged his shoulders. "What can I tell you man…I have a girlfriend."
"How is that any different? You've always had a girlfriend."
"This is different, man. Julie is just special."
"Julie?"
"Yeah." Tom stated. He pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture of his girlfriend.
"Wow, she is gorgeous!"
"She is that, but I have learned she is much more than that."
"Come on man…she's back at that big city. She won't know what you do here."
Tom smiled and shook his head. The girl just left their table a few minutes ago. The old Tom of just a few months ago would have flirted mercilessly with her. However, this Tom is completely different than the old Tom. All of this is because of Julie.
"She'll know…she is just different. I'm not breaking her trust for anything."
"What do you want to do now?"
"Pops needs my help. I think I'll go back. I'll see you guys around."
Tom opened his Uber app and requested an Uber. Then he called his girlfriend.
…
Jack pulled the old truck slowly down his old road. He held onto Elizabeth's hand. She was looking for the house that Jack had told her about. He pulled up to an old mailbox and stopped just short of the driveway.
"This is it." He nodded toward his old house.
"I like it." She stated as she examined the home.
"This was the only home I knew until I moved. I grew up here."
"Which room was yours?"
"The window on the right on the corner." He nodded toward the second floor. "That was mine. My desk was facing that window. I spent a lot of time just staring out the window."
"That's cool." She stated as she tightened the hold on his hand. "I'm sorry you had to move."
"I didn't like it in the beginning, but now I wouldn't change a thing about it."
"That's sweet of you to say, but Jack, I know it has to be hard on you."
"It was but not now. This is my hometown, but I live in Hamilton now."
Elziabeth nodded her head.
"Now, are you hungry?"
"I am."
"Are you ok with going to The Saucer?"
She hesitated for only a moment.
"What?"
"You said that you used to go there with all your friends?"
"I did. We were probably there three days out of the week."
"May we go back to Nana's house and change?"
"Why?" He asked genuinely confused.
"I'm not dress to meet your friends."
"Old friends…and why would you say something like that. You look perfectly fine."
"Jack…"
He reached for her other hand. He waited until he had her full attention. "Elizabeth…you are absolutely, stinking gorgeous. The best thing is that you don't even know it. I love that about you. I don't like feet, but you even have gorgeous feet."
"My feet…?"
"When we were at the beach. You were laying on the towel when I brought your book back to you. I was fighting to keep my mind focused on what I needed to focus on. Your feet were dangling off the edge of the towel. I don't like feet, but you have gorgeous feet."
"You're being silly now."
"Elizabeth, I find you to be a seductively beautiful woman." She melted at his sincere tone. He was being completely honest with her, and he wasn't just saying it to get something. She knew that.
She leaned over and gave him a gentle, yet semi passionate kiss. When she pulled away, she noticed his ridiculously large smile.
"We haven't done that in a few days." He whispered with his eyes still closed. He could feel her lips still on his.
"Maybe we need to find time for just us."
She let out a chuckle when he vigorously nodded his head. "Come on handsome, I'm hungry."
…
"Hey handsome. How are you?"
"I'm good Jules. How are you?"
"I'm good. About to head to the mall. I thought you were going out with your friends?"
"I did, but I'm getting an Uber back to Pops' and Nana's house."
"Why so soon?"
"Well…" Tom went into the whole story about the girl at their table and their friends' teasing. He emphasized the fact that he didn't flirt with the girls and especially the one girl that flirted with him. He knew his history and so did Julie. He didn't want her to think he did anything improper.
"So, a pretty girl was flirting with you, and you walked away?"
"Yes, my old friends thought I was crazy, but I just couldn't."
"Tom, that means a lot to me."
"You believe me?" He asked a little surprised.
"I most certainly do. I don't think you would lie to me."
"Julie, that means a lot to me. Thank you."
"Thank you for sharing this with me. You could have kept it to yourself. Yet, you told me everything."
Tom stepped into the Uber and gave the address he wanted to go to. "I did. I was very nervous."
"Thank you."
"Julie, I love you." He whispered softly. That was the first time he had said those three words to anyone.
"Tom, I love you." It was also her first time saying those three words.
"I believe we took a step to further our relationship."
"I agree."
…
Elizabeth looked at the building that was in front of them. It was an old building. She has certainly seen better restaurants. This wasn't a building you would write home about nor a place you would willingly pick to eat at if you just saw the outside of the building.
"This is it?"
He smiled at the tone of her voice. "It's much better inside than it is on the outside. The food is phenomenal."
"Better than Abagail's?"
"Close, but I'm not sure if anything is better than Abagail's. Come on, you're going to love this."
Jack hurriedly got out of the truck and walked around the front of the truck. He opened Elizabeth's door with a huge smile. "You look really nice." He stated as he kissed her hand.
"How did you become such a sweet talker?" She patted her eyes at him.
He sighed. She stole his tongue at that moment. He took her hand and squeezed it three times. With a huge smile, he began to lead her to the front door. Since he knew the layout of the building, he stepped in first still holding her hand and keeping her close.
"Is that…" A voice called out but stopped midway through the sentence.
"Hey Molly. How are you?"
"Well, I'll be...Jack Thornton. How are you?" The middle aged waitress stepped forward and gave Jack a hug. She looked at him for a moment and then stepped back. "Jack, you look great. How are you?"
"I'm good Molly. How are you?"
"I'm good."
"Molly, this is my girlfriend from Hamilton, Elizabeth Thatcher."
"Girlfriend?" She spoke a little louder than her normal voice in great surprise.
"Yes, my girlfriend."
"Well Elizabeth Thatcher from Hamilton, it is great to meet you. You two, please come and sit. Jack, would you like your normal to drink?"
"Do you think you can remember it?"
"With how many times you ordered it, who can forget it." She sassed. "Would you like the same?"
"Well, what is it?" Elizabeth asked as she sat down.
"He always orders half and half tea. He says I make it too sweet. As if that is even possible." Molly laughed.
"I'll take the same." Elizabeth smiled.
"Now, I'll bring you a menu. Jack, the menu hasn't changed in years. I'll be right back."
Molly gave Elizabeth a huge smile before she turned to walk away. Jack caught her expression.
"I told you I came here with me friends about three times a week."
"She's very nice."
"She is. Her oldest daughter was a grade behind me in school."
"She's shocked you have a girlfriend."
"If you meet any of my old friends, they will all be shocked." Jack grinned. "You know I never dated. I had no plans to date, and they all knew that."
"I have a feeling several girls will be upset with me." She teased.
"Not as many as the boys in Hamilton that are upset with me." Jack sassed as well.
"You know, my Frances will be a little upset you have a girlfriend. She thought you wasn't dating anyone." Molly stated as she placed two glasses on the table along with one menu.
"Molly." Jack warned her. "Don't put any ideas in Elizabeth's head."
"I don't think Elizabeth needs that thought put in her head. I bet she is smart enough to know the truth. Now dear, you must be a perfect gem to capture this young man."
"Well…" Elizabeth's face turned a little red.
"I'm sorry dear. I have this way of just saying what's on my mind. I don't want to embarrass you. Now, I have another table to check on. Jack knows everything on the menu. He can help you out but everything on it is very good. Just go with what you like."
"Thank you."
Elizabeth watched the woman walk away. She took a few seconds to look around the dining area. Jack was right. The building was much better on the inside. It held a lot of character, and it was nicely decorated. She could easily see Jack spending several days here per week. She liked it too.
"Jack! Jack Thornton!" A loud voice bellowed.
"Oh boy…" Jack shook his head with a laugh. "Take a deep breath and hold on Princess Beth."
…
"Are you going to tell me what all those little looks between you and Elizabeth was about?"
"What are you talking about, Char?"
"Don't act innocent with me mother!"
"What your tone young lady. I'm not too old, nor are you, for me to take you across my knee." Sassed Nana.
"You haven't done that in decades. Plus, with your arthritis, it would probably bring your end." Charlette sassed.
"Enough from you." Nana sassed as well. It was easy to tell they were mother and daughter.
"So…"
"I like her. We talked Wednesday when she helped me and then yesterday throughout the day. I like her a lot."
"She calls you Nana. That happened quickly."
"You know me. I can get a tell about a person quickly. She's a good match for my JayJay."
…
For the first time she could remember, Julie was content. She was still the free spirit everyone thought she was, but things were a little different. She had been thinking more about the College of Charleston and the design course. She was in a stable relationship with a guy she actually loved. She has never felt that experience before. Now she understood what Elizabeth meant when she said it was just different. She wasn't sure if this meant she was maturing like so many told her she needed to do. She was just happy with her life.
"Where are you going?" Viola asked when Julie was coming down the stairs.
Viola came home for Thanksgiving. She was shocked when she arrived home and learned that Elizabeth was with Jack's family in Buxton. She figured they would spend time together during the holidays, but not ten hours away from home.
"I'm going to hang out at the mall. Want to come?"
Viola scrunched up her nose at the thought of hanging out with a bunch of fifteen year olds staring at boys. "Want to go grab lunch? Maybe we can do some shopping afterwards?"
"You want to hang out with me?"
"Sure…why not?"
Julie looked at her skeptically.
"Fine…I don't want to hang out with my old friends and Bethie is gone."
"Your life must be boring." Sassed Julie.
"Just when I come home. My friends in high school just isn't the same."
"You're not that old, Vi."
Viola shrugged her shoulders. "What do you say?"
"You're paying." Stated Julie.
"Fine."
"Let's go. I'll text the girls and let them know I'm not going with them."
…
"That can't be Jackie Boy!"
"Oh brother. Elizabeth, brace yourself." Jack laughed as he stood. "Cowboy…Rabbit…what are you two doing?"
"Well, it is Jackie Boy!" Both guys exclaimed in a loud voice.
Elizabeth's eyes traveled from the two guys back to Jack. He was standing by their shared bench seat. Jack took a step and gave both guys a guy hug.
"Cowboy, Rabbit, this is my girlfriend, Elizabeth Thatcher. Elizabeth, this is my two best friends Cowboy, who is Scott, and Rabbit, who is Billy."
"Girlfriend?" Both guys stated with a profound amount of disbelief in their voices.
"Yes, girlfriend."
"Really?" Rabbit stated.
"You move away and come home with a girlfriend?" Cowboy asked.
Cowboy and Rabbit shared a glance at each other just before turning their attention back to Jack.
"Hey Jack, could you come with us for a moment? We would like to talk to you about something important."
Jack smiled. He knew exactly what the phrase 'talk to you about something important' meant. It was their code of getting each other away from a group of people. Jack looked at Elizabeth for a moment. She read his eyes easily and nodded her approval.
"Come on. Join us for lunch and we'll tell you the story of how we began dating."
Cowboy and Rabbit stared at their best friend for a moment and then back at each other. They noticed each other's slight head nod. Without saying a word, they sat down on the bench seat across from this young lady. Jack sat down beside Elizabeth after his friends sat down. He instantly reached for her hand.
…
Viola and Julie settled into the small booth at a local sandwich shop. They placed their orders and sat staring at each other.
"Ok…what is it?"
Viola shuffled in her seat for a second. "I feel like life is passing me by."
"What do you mean? You're in your third year of college. You're making good grades."
"Sure, but…"
"But…" Julie stated. "What's going on?"
"Well, you, the free spirited girl who hasn't meet a guy she didn't like but never wanted to date, is dating someone. Let's not even discuss the, I'm not dating anyone in high school, sister. You know I caught her and Jack in the pool in a very intimate kiss."
"Wasn't you dating some guy?"
"Yeah…some guy. I don't want to date some guy."
"Oh…"
"You seem happy with this Tom guy."
"I am. He's a good guy and I really like him a lot."
"Jack is good for Elizabeth."
"He really is."
"I guess I just want what my two little sisters have." Viola shook her head. She couldn't believe she was jealous of her two little sisters. She didn't want them not to have what they have. She just wanted the same type of relationship.
"Well, I'm in no place to give anyone relationship advice. I wasn't looking when Tom came into my life, and neither was Elizabeth when Jack came into her life. Maybe not try so hard."
"Does Jack and Tom have another brother?"
…
Elizabeth didn't have time to look over the menu before Molly came back for the group's order. She just went with Jack's recommendation for her. She wasn't disappointed. Over lunch, Jack shared the story with his two best friends. She would jump in occasionally to share her point of view or something she thought was important that Jack forgot or didn't deem important. She was surprised that the two guys were intently listening. She could tell they were really good friends with Jack. They were genuinely concerned about their best friend. She smiled, and slightly blushed, at the tone of love in Jack's voice. He didn't share every little detail but did cover a good portion of the story. She found herself scooting closer to Jack as he spoke. The care and love in his voice was just moving to her. He paused her brain again.
"So…this is really happening?" Rabbit looked between Jack and Elizabeth.
"It is, trust me." Jack stated as he placed his and Elizabeth's hands on top of the table. "She's my girlfriend and I couldn't be happier."
Cowboy and Rabbit looked at Jack and Elizabeth for a few long seconds. Then they glanced at each other. They knew each other and Jack well enough to know the facial expressions. Cowboy gave Jack and then Rabbit a slight nod.
"Perfect. We are happy for you!" Exclaimed both guys at the same time.
"Thanks guys."
"Sorry Elizabeth…we were just shocked he's dating someone. I can't tell you how many times we've rescued him from a girl that was pushing a little too much. Please forgive us." Cowboy stated.
"Thal's alright guys. My best friends would be the same way if I brought home a guy. Thanks for having Jack's back."
"He's been there for us like we have for him. That's just how we are. So, what's brought you back home?"
"Ma came for Thanksgiving."
"How is Mr. and Mrs. Milligan?"
"They're really good. You should stop by and say hi. They would love to see you."
"Wait, you don't call her Nana?"
"Oh no…no one calls her that except for her family. I did that once and I almost lost my nickname." Rabbit stated with a laugh. "She doesn't allow anyone to call her that."
"Huh…" Elziabeth smiled knowing it was within minutes that she asked Elizabeth to call her Nana. It made her feel very special.
"We may do that." Rabbit stated.
"So guys," Elizabeth stated slowly. "What's up with the nicknames."
"Well, I run really fast, so I have always been called Rabbit. I've been called that since we all joined the sport's league when we were five."
"Makes sense. You?"
"He plays football. He tackles like a cowboy wrestling a cow in a rodeo." Jack stated.
"Oh…"
"Yeah, it looks really ridiculous." Jack laughed.
"Maybe, but it always works." Laughed Cowboy.
"Hey, if you two don't have plans later, we have a basketball game tonight."
"Over holiday break? Why do you have that?"
"We had a game that was canceled because the other team had a bad case of the flu with several of their players. It's a makeup game."
"Oh, we should go." Elizabeth stated.
"You want to go?" Asked a surprise Jack.
He looked at his friends. "She's a walking brain. She isn't into sports."
"I like you playing sports." Elizabeth flirted. "But no, I'm not a sport's girl. However, I haven't watched a game with you."
"You really want to go?"
"Sure. Why not? Maybe I can meet some more of your friends."
"You know the whole group will be there." Cowboy stated while Rabbit nodded his head in agreement.
"Are you sure?" Jack asked again. He wanted to give her an out in case she really didn't want to go.
"Sure, I can meet some more of your friends and see your old high school."
"I guess we're going if it's ok with Ma and Pa."
"Tell them your other two brothers wants you to see them play."
"You two play?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah. We've played organized sports with Jack since we were about five years old."
"Yeah." Rabbit stated. "It's not the same without you here."
Elizabeth leaned into Jack shoulder and whispered. "Jack…where are the restrooms?"
"Down the hall behind us. Follow the hallway and the ladies' room is on the left." He smiled at her hesitation. "Don't worry, The Saucer has the cleanest, best restrooms in town. They are known for it."
"Probably better than your bathroom at home."
"I doubt it." Chuckled Jack.
Elizabeth playfully smacked his bicep and watched him scoot to the end of the booth. He stood and held out his hand to help her stand. He nodded toward the hallway that was directly behind the booth. "Thank you."
Jack sat down and noticed the intense stare of his two best friends. "What?" He stated.
"Two things…first, we heard about what happened with the kidnapping. Are you ok? Is Elizabeth ok?"
"I am fine and so is she. It was pretty intense for a while but we both spoke to a pastor friend on several occasions and then with us. We are good."
"Is she really wealthy like the website stated?"
"She isn't but her parents are. Listen…if this is going to be a problem…"
"Jarrick Thornton!" Cowboy stated with a best friend's authority. "How dare you say that to us?"
"Well…"
"We are trying to figure everything out. We've heard about the kidnapping, but the article didn't say anything about a relationship. Just two teens driving to school. We don't care if she has money or not. You know us better than that."
"I do. I'm sorry."
"If we cared about money, we would have pushed you toward Mary. Remember, we helped you get out of a couple of situations with her."
"Listen, I'm sorry. I know better. I'm sorry."
"You're forgiven." Sassed Cowboy. "Now, are you really ok and she is really ok?"
"We are fine. It took a little bit of time but we're good."
"Now." Rabbit started. "I just can't believe you left town and come back a few months later with a girlfriend. Don't get me wrong, she seems like a nice girl, but Jack…how many times have we heard you say, 'I'm not dating in high school?'"
"More than you can count."
"Absolutely." Both guys stated at the same time.
"So?" Rabbit stated.
"You know most of the story. She just has this way of drawing me to her. I can't help it. I fought against it for the first three days of school. I thought she was dating a guy named Charles Kensington. They have been friends since they were four years old."
"How is that working out?"
"Not too good. He hasn't backed off. He approached me not too long ago at a football game. I end up punching him outside of the bathrooms."
"Wait…you got into a fight?"
"I did."
"Wow! A girlfriend and a fight. Man, Hamilton has changed you." The two guys laughed sitting across from Jack.
"And how is Elizabeth handling that?"
"Better now. She drew lines in the sand for him, but he still pushes those lines at times. I trust her completely. I don't trust him. I also don't like him at all."
At the phrase 'I trust her completely,' Elizabeth stopped at the end of the hallway. She listened into the rest of the conversation. She knew she shouldn't, but she just couldn't help herself.
"And what do you mean she pulls you in?" Cowboy asked with Rabbit nodding his head.
"I don't know if I can explain it. She has fifteen different facial expressions. Each expression is just stinking adorable. She captures my heart each time. She just draws me to her and I'm not sure she even knows it. She sasses me and has the best sense of humor. She is funny. Her personality…" He paused trying to figure out how to say it. "…it's just…perfect for me. She may come across as petite and all nice, but there is a fire inside of her. She is an incredibly strong woman when her mind is made up. She has the most beautiful blue eyes. I'm pretty sure those eyes have never heard the word no."
As Jack spoke freely with his best friends, Elizabeth couldn't help but fall for him even more. He was being honest with them. She loved every word. He didn't love her because he was attracted to her. He loved her because she was Elizabeth. She placed her head against the wall and smiled as big as she could. She loved that guy that was speaking from his heart.
"Cowboy, our boy has it bad."
"I really do. She holds me in the palm of her hand, and I am perfectly fine with it. I trust her completely."
"You know Mary may be at the game tonight. She's not going to be happy."
"I don't really care. I'm with Elizabeth."
"It just won't be just Mary." Rabbit stated. "There were a lot of girls after you."
"I've found my girlfriend."
"You love her." The statement wasn't a question, but a simple fact stated by Rabbit. These two guys know Jack very well. They already knew the answer.
"Come on guys…"
"Jack, that wasn't a question. That was a factual statement." Rabbit stated. "Now have you told her?"
"Rabbit." Jack warned. "That is between Elizabeth and I."
"You really do have it bad." Cowboy laughed.
"I do and I don't care. I am not doing anything to change it."
"Well…I know this means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but we approve. She seems like a great girl, and we are happy for you." Cowboy nodded his head in agreement with Rabbit.
"Thanks guys. That means a lot to me."
Elizabeth touched her right eye to capture the tear before it fell. She took a deep breath and rounded the corner. "Hey guys."
"Hey." Jack stated as she stood for her to take her seat."
"Did I miss anything."
"Absolutely not. Just catching up with Jackie Boy here."
The four teens sat and talked for almost an hour after lunch was finished. The laughter was loud and joyful. Elizabeth settled right in the middle of the group. Jack was grateful, she seemed ok with his two friends. She was as active in the conversation as he was. He smiled inwardly knowing she had just adjusted to any situation very well.
Elizabeth was greatly enjoying Jack's two friends. The conversation was lively and fun. They immediately included her just because she was Jack's girlfriend. However, after just a couple of minutes she felt included because she was Elizabeth. She could easily see that if Cowboy and Rabbit lived in Hamilton that they would fit in with their friend group easily.
"Elizabeth, it was our pleasure to meet you." Cowboy nodded his head in agreement with what Rabbit just stated.
"I enjoyed myself. Thank you."
"So, we'll see you two later."
"We'll be there."
"Perfect. The girls' game begins at six. You know Janice will expect you to be there."
"I wouldn't miss cheering on your girlfriend. She was always a great friend to me."
"She thinks of you as a big brother."
"I think of her as a little sister. We'll see you soon."
Jack opened the truck door for Elizabeth. She gave him a kiss that lingered a little longer than normal for public affection. Jack soaked in every second of her lips on his. It wasn't overly passionate, but he could feel the love on her lips.
"Wow!" He gasped for air.
"I love you, Jarrick."
"I guess I should say those things more often."
"What do you mean?"
Jack gave her his knowing, sassy, dimpled grin. She huffed knowing she was caught listening in to his conversation.
"How did you know I was listening?"
Jack leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss on her cheek. "I love your perfume."