Chapter 19
"Well…!" Demanded Viola. "I said let her go!" She yelled out one more time. "Are you hard of hearing or are you just stupid?!" Somehow, Viola's voice was still rising in volume and intensity.
Jack brought his eyes from the woman standing on the pool deck holding a chair to Elizabeth. There were two towels still floating on the water. Jack still had her in his embrace and her hand was still holding his backside. He was absolutely confused.
"Jack, I would like to introduce you to my older sister, Viola." Jack looked back at the woman. He didn't say anything. She was trying to stare a hole through him.
"Now!" She demanded one more time.
Elizabeth slowly let go of Jack's backside. She raised her hand to the middle of his back. She turned her face to look at her sister.
"Viola, this is my boyfriend, Jack."
"Boyfriend?" Viola stuttered the word in complete disbelief. She knew her sister's rule even though she never believed it. Like everyone else, she thought her little sister was dating Charles. "He's not Charles!" She looked at the two people in the pool. That was the first time she noticed Elizabeth's hand on his chest and his back. "I swear…if you are not out of the pool in three seconds…I'm coming in after you!" Viola's voice was unrelenting and left no doubt that she was very serious.
"That guy is like a bad penny." Jack stated under his breath shaking his head. He was looking down at the water with his eyes closed.
Elizabeth heard what he said. She looked at the top of his head for a moment. "I guess we should get out to clear this up."
"Give me a minute." Jack stated as he looked up with a very red face. He did not meet her eyes.
Elizabeth watched Jack's face quickly change color. "Why?" Elizabeth asked confused. "It's just Viola. She just acts all mean and all. She's the oldest and likes to remind everyone of that fact."
"Give me just a moment…" Jack's voice trailed off. "Elizabeth…I just need a moment, please." He let out a deep breath.
"But Jack…" She stopped talking when Jack placed his finger over her lips.
"You know I love the sound of your voice…that's not helping. A moment please…"
…
Cory picked up his phone. He enjoyed the time with Steph the night before at Jack's house. He was nervous. He wanted to spend more time with her. He felt they had a connection with their time together, but he wasn't very experienced in relationships. Sure, he has dated a couple of girls, but not too many. He took a deep breath and touched the screen on his phone.
C – Hey you busy
For Cory, it took forever for Steph to text back. In reality, it was only a minute or two. He paced back and forth in his bedroom.
S – Hey you! Not now what are you doing
C – Just thinking about you
He swallowed hard as he barely touched the send button. Once he sent it, he began to panic.
S – that's great to know I was thinking about you too I enjoyed our conversation last night
C – Me too may I call you
S – Sure…everything ok
Steph's phone vibrated almost as soon as she sent the text.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah." Cory stated. "I just wanted to ask you something and I didn't want to do it over text."
"Ok…?"
"Steph…I really enjoyed last night with you."
"Me too."
"Would you go out with me?"
"Yes!" She tried to keep her voice calm and steady, but she was just excited.
"Great."
"When?"
"Oh…I didn't think that far ahead." Cory chuckled nervously.
"Did you think I would say no."
"No…maybe…I don't know."
Steph thought his nervousness was cute. Now she understood why Elizabeth thought that way with Jack.
"Cory, I enjoyed our time last night. I would welcome the opportunity to get to know you better. A date sounds good to me."
"I have a couple of errands to run today. If you're not too busy, would you like to hang out with me. Maybe we can grab food or something?"
"Is this our date?"
"Absolutely not!" He emphasized. "I just have some things I need to do and would like to spend some time with you, but this is most certainly not our date."
"Sure. I can be ready in thirty minutes."
"Perfect. Text me your address and I'll pick you up. I need to run to the electronics store and then to the mall. Nothing major."
"I'll text you my address."
"See you soon Steph."
…
The two people standing in the pool were taking entirely too long for Viola. She was growing angrier by the second. While still holding the chair, she kicked off her flipflops and began to head to the pool stairs. She reached the stairs and took the first step on the stairs. Her left foot was in the water on the first step when she noticed her sister and this Jack fellow began walking to the shallow end where the steps were located.
"Finally." She hissed as she glared at this guy. What Elizabeth told her wasn't registering. Her glare didn't leave this stranger until they reached the steps. She turned her attention to her younger sister. "Where's Charles?"
Elizabeth heard Jack sigh. She turned her attention toward her sister. "I don't know where he is." Elizabeth was beginning to match her sister's tone. "Didn't you hear me? This is my boyfriend, Jack."
Viola looked from her sister to this guy and then back to her sister. The steps had a metal handrail in the middle. Jack extended his hand to help Elizabeth take the first step. Once she took hold of the handrail, Jack's hand rested on the middle of Elizabth's back to steady her as she climbed the stairs. Viola's eyes narrowed at Jack's actions.
"Why are you still touching her?" Viola hissed.
Elizabeth stopped on the stairs when she was on the same one as her older sister. "Viola…first, you need to back off and calm down. You also need to put the chair down. You need to listen to me. This is Jack Thornton, my boyfriend. Stop acting like the relationship police and chill out!" The sisters' eyes met for the first time. "Quit acting like the older sister."
"I am your older sister!" Viola stated in a true older sister tone.
"And you have always reminded me of that. Now, calm down and we will talk. You're scaring Jack." She teased as she turned her head and looked at Jack who was still several steps away.
"Hey!" He defended himself. Truth be told, he was a little scared of this red faced older sister.
The staring contest between the sisters went on for a few seconds. "Fine!" Viola huffed. "I'll put the chair down and you are going to explain to me who this guy is and where Charles is."
"Put the chair down." Elizabeth commanded with a softer tone than before. "I will explain exactly who Jack is to me. I have no idea where Charles is and that's all that will be stated about him."
"But Ebeth…you were always with Charles. Did something happen between you two?"
Elizabeth looked back at Jack. His head was down slowly swinging from side to side. He was just really tired of hearing about Elizabeth and Charles.
"Wait…did you call her Ebeth?" Jack asked, only glancing up meeting no one's gaze.
"When Viola was little, she couldn't say Elizabeth. She would call me Ebeth. She has called me that for most of my life."
"Oh…"
Viola stepped up on the pool deck and walked to where she picked up the chair. She replaced it and walked to where Elizabeth was standing beside Jack.
"Aren't you going to dry off?" Viola asked.
"We would, but our towels are in the pool." Elizabeth sassed, nodding her head toward the pool.
"Oh…" Viola nodded slightly.
"Yeah…since we are dripping water and you threw our towels in the water, would you please go and get us two more?"
Viola thought about it for a moment. She looked at her sister. She was dripping water. Then she looked at the pool. Both towels were laying on the bottom of the pool. She nodded her head. "Fine. I'll be right back, and you will explain yourself." She pointed her finger at her sister.
After Viola turned to walk to her flipflops and then inside, Elizabeth turned her attention to her boyfriend who was standing a couple of feet away. She walked into his space. She placed her hands on his waist and gently pulled him closer to her.
"I'm sorry, Jack. She always plays the big sister role." She gently kissed his cheek. "She's a little overprotective too."
Jack nodded his head. "I guess she was shocked that I was the one with you." He emphasized the second 'I'.
"Jack…he was a friend. A good friend but only a friend. You're right, sometimes our past is messy, but Jack, I promise you we never dated. Not one time and he knew it." She kept eye contact with Jack. He was going to hear, understand, and see her words.
"I know…I know…I'm sorry. I just get tired of hearing about you two and how everyone is shocked to hear that you're not dating him. Even your family is shocked I'm the one you're with." Jack released his hand from her waist and began to rub the back of his neck.
"Jack, I'm sorry everyone says things like that. They also know I never dated him."
"Yeah…" He paused for several mometns. "I'm sorry too."
They turned their faces toward the French doors when they heard it open. Viola stopped for a moment when she noticed that her sister was in this guy's embrace again. She took a deep breath and continued to the deck. The look on her face was unmistakable.
"For heaven's sakes! Why are you touching her again?!"
…
"Do you think we need to bring someone else in with us?"
"No James. The more we bring into this, the greater opportunity for someone to squeal on us."
"That's true, Billy."
"Plus, no one is closer than blood. They would rat us out at the first sign of trouble." Billy stated.
"You're right." James relented. "So…what's the plan?"
"The records I stole from corporate office last week says that William has three daughters."
"That was cool to watch. They don't even know you broke in."
"It was sweet." Billy stated with great pride. "It says three kids, but there are only two at home. One must be gone to college or something."
"Ok…so which one should we take?" James asked looking at the pictures.
"There is a red head and an auburn haired girl. The red head is younger, but she is always around someone. It's like she is never alone."
"Yeah, the two days we followed her she was always with a group of other people. That would make it harder to take her without getting caught. One of the other kids would call the cops before we could get too far away."
"Very true, James. We need time to get away before we make the call for the money. That's the key." Billy emphasized.
"So, the auburn chick?"
"I think that's our best bet. She isn't always around other people like the red head."
"True…she is beginning to hang around that brown headed guy."
"Yeah…" Billy thought for a moment. "She isn't always with him. He rides that stupid bike to school. She usually arrives and leaves that school by herself."
"So…?"
"The auburn girl is our best option. We can catch her on her way to school. That should give us a couple of hours before anyone knows she is missing. That will give us plenty of time to be ready and make the call. I would say this coming week at some point."
"Good, because I need that money."
"Me too. We still have a little left over from what I stole from the corporate office."
…
Connie and Steven looked up when they heard very familiar voices. Connie's smile grew when she noticed her friend walking with the tall guy.
"Hey."
"Hey." Steph stated as she walked up to the couple. "What are you two doing?"
"Just hanging out. You two?"
"The same." Cory stated as he fist bumped Steven. "We're looking for something to eat."
"We were just talking about that." Steven stated. "Would you two like to get something together."
"Sure." Steven heard three voices.
The four teens found something to eat and sat at a table for four. The couples sat on the same side. The conversation was good. It was free flowing. The conversation truly allowed the couples to get to know each other better without the pressure of being a couple. Connie and Steven were already a couple and were growing closer.
…
As Jack, Elizabeth, and Viola sat at the table closest to the shallow end of the pool, Elizabeth held Jack's hand on top of the table. When they sat down, Jack placed his hands on his lap after taking a drink of water. She immediately reached for his hand and placed them on the top of the table. He instantly wrapped his fingers around hers. While he may have been extremely tired of hearing about Elizabeth and Charles, he knew Elizabeth and trusted their relationship.
"So…" Viola looked between her younger sister and this new guy. "…what's going on with you two?"
"It started a few weeks ago when Julie and I went to the beach. Jack came up to me and…" Elizabeth took several minutes to share with her oldest sister the story of her and Jack. She shared about the beach encounter and the first two days of school. She shared most of what happened at Abagail's when she reached for Jack's finger, and he took her hand. The surprise cookout at their home to the date. She didn't share the story about the kiss. Elizabeth didn't think it was any of her sister's business. After all, Viola did see them kissing in the pool. So, she knew they have kissed.
"What does Charles think about all of this?" Viola asked.
Elizabeth took a deep breath to keep from getting too emotional. She knew Jack was frustrated hearing about Charles. She felt him tense at her sister's question. "Viola, you know we didn't date. That's no secret."
"Ebeth…you two were dating. All the time you were with just him. The lunches and dinners with just the two of you. The football game last year. The school dances you went to with him. The groups at the beach. How can you say you didn't date him?"
Elizabeth did feel that her sister was just trying to figure things out. She wasn't being mean spirited with her questions. Viola was trying to wrap her mind around everything she heard and saw. She just wished her older sister would quit talking. She felt Jack tense with every statement concerning Charles.
"First…I always told him we weren't dating. He asked a few times and each time I said no. He knew we weren't dating, and I never agreed to go out with him on a date. We were friends. We hung out as friends."
"He said you were."
"He lied! He knew we weren't together. We were friends…plain and simple. He knew that. I told you several times we weren't dating. I told everyone we weren't together."
"Huhhh…" Viola's voice trailed off. "You really didn't date him?" The disbelief was very evident in her voice.
"No!" Elizabeth stated with conviction. She also noticed Jack was looking down at the table. She still felt him flinch with each statement concerning her and Charles dating. She could feel him slipping away a little bit. "He was a friend who wasn't complicated. He stayed as friends even when he asked me out and I told him no. He remained a friend." She squeezed Jack's hand to pull him back in. "Now, Jack isn't just a friend. We are dating. He is my boyfriend." She stated with conviction. She squeezed his hand three times.
"And the display in the pool?" Viola asked. Jack's face turned red. Elizabeth heard a little bit of sister teasing in her tone.
"I remember you kissing one of your many boyfriends in the pool." Elizabeth sassed right back.
"No need to bring up bad memories." Viola smirked at her sister. "And if I remember correctly, I noticed where your hand was, young lady."
"You saw nothing!" Warned Elizabeth, pointing a finger at her sister.
Viola leaned back in her chair. She did remember all the times Elizabeth spent with Charles. She also remembered all the talks about him and her younger sister. Elizabeth always corrected her when she called Charles her boyfriend. Now, she caught her younger sister in an intimate embrace, kissing some guy, in their pool. She was trying to think everything through so it would make sense.
"Where's mother and father?"
"They went into the living room when we came out to the pool. I don't know where they are."
"And they're ok with this?" Viola motioned with her hand between Jack and Elizabeth.
"They are. Father even had Jack out back at that old barn."
"The old barn?" Questioned Viola. "He hasn't been there in years. Does he still have that old truck out there?"
"He does."
Viola looked between her sister this this new guy. She had to admit they did look good together.
"So, Jack…what's your story?"
…
Lee looked at his phone for a few minutes. He was trying to work up the courage to text Rosemary. The first part of them hanging out at Jack's house was a little awkward. He thought maybe she was just coming off a bad breakup or she was terribly shy. After talking with her, he didn't thank she was shy. It must have been a bad breakup or maybe she broke it off with a guy se really liked because she moved. So, he decided to try to be her friend. Then he could show her that he was a good guy and worth taking a chance with. With all the courage he had, he found her name and sent her a text.
L – Hey I just wanted to see how you're doing
Rosemary picked up her phone when it buzzed. She noticed the name and a smile came to her face. She really liked that guy. The first part was a little weird, but it got much better as the night went on. She knew it was weird because of her, not Lee. He seemed like a nice guy, but so did that other guy. She closed her eyes and reminded herself that not every guy was like that guy.
R – I'm good You
L – Just listening to my brother arguing because I took his shorts without him asking
R – Oh you should be in trouble because of something like that
She was reminded that he was younger than her. That wasn't necessarily a deal breaker, but it was an issue.
L – He thinks I should be in jail or something over one pair of shorts
R – Well maybe you should be
L – That just sounds excessive
Rosey let out a laugh. She did love his sense of humor, but he was a guy. She wouldn't let herself get too close to him…not now.
R – Not if you are getting your clothes stolen If I had a younger sibling who did that I would probably thrown them in jail or worse
L – You don't have siblings
R – No I'm the only child that's why Jack says I'm so spoiled
L – You're lucky you don't have an older brother or sister they like to hoard it over you that they're older
R – I guess that's their right
L – To be mean
R – LOL Yeah
Lee took a moment and gathered himself. He was enjoying the back and forth with Rosemary but knew he couldn't push her too much. He wanted to ask her out, but knew he had to take this slow.
L – Hey I'll let you go I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing
R – Thanks
She was surprised that she was a little saddened that he was going so quickly.
L – If you're bored later you can text
R – You too
…
Jack took a few minutes to answer Viola's question about himself. She asked a few follow up questions, but nothing too major. Jack shared that he moved to Hamilton because of his father's job and injury. That's when he began working for Mr. Thatcher."
"Your father works for father?"
"Yes, Pa was hired as supervisor over Mr. Thatcher's security."
"Pa?"
Elizabeth told Viola about why Jack calls his father Pa.
"I think I remember father watching that show."
"He did." Elizabeth laughed. She also took a few minutes to share parts of the story that Jack left out that she thought was important.
With the tense first few minutes, Viola was beginning to chill out a little. She continued to watch her sister and this Jack guy. They continued to hold each other's hand and she also noticed that their seats were a little closer than before. She didn't notice who moved their chairs. After a few more minutes of talking, Elizabeth finally looked into her sister's eyes. Their sister's communication was flowing easily.
"Now, are we good?"
"I don't know, Ebeth." Viola sassed. "Am I going to catch you making out in the pool again?" She was still shocked to find her younger sister, who always said she wasn't going to date, in the arms of some new guy in the pool. They were in a deep embrace sharing a very intimate, and by the looks of it, passionate kiss.
Jack and Elizabeth continued to hold hands during the whole conversation. She thought she noticed them squeezing each other's hand three times but wasn't sure if she did or what it meant.
"V!" Elizabeth gasped. She swatted at her older sister's teasing. She leaned toward her sister. "I sure hope so." She whispered.
"Ebeth!" Viola exclaimed. "We'll talk later."
"Why are you here? You never come home during school until the holidays."
…
"Maybe we should rethink this." James stated after a few moments of silence.
"Maybe…maybe we should rethink the old guy. We can steak out his house and catch him when he's doing something around it."
James nodded his head. "Can you imagine how much trouble a teenage girl would be?"
"Maybe so…" Billy thought out loud.
"The question would be how do we grab the old man?"
"It would have to be on the weekend when his security team isn't around. Surely, he does something around that huge house of his without his family around."
"What…like cut the grass or something?"
"No. He wouldn't do anything like that. He would do something like swimming in that pool of his or maybe a small little project or hobby that he does."
"That's true, Billy."
"We need to look further into his property. Maybe he has a project in that garage of his that he works on alone."
"I didn't look beyond the house." James stated.
"Let's rethink this, James. There has to be an easy fix on this."
…
"Classes are off on Monday. So, I thought I would come home for a long weekend. I'll head back on Monday."
"Ok…" Elizabeth stated. Viola knew her sister didn't buy the reason.
"Fine…I do have Monday off but that isn't the only reason I came home."
"You don't just come home, V. What is it that you aren't telling me?"
"I received a text from Charles."
"Charles…! He texted you?" While technically a question, she already knew the answer. She felt Jack flinch again.
"Elizabeth, may I use the restroom."
"Sure Jack." She thought he just wanted to get away from the conversation. "Go through the kitchen and past the stairs. Go past father's study and it's the second door on the right."
"Thanks."
Before he stood, she held on to his hand. She looked him directly in his eyes. Their nonverbal communication was strong. She was reassuring him that he was the one she had chosen. She squeezed his hand three times. She wanted to tell him, but she wasn't saying it in front of her sister. Jack gave her a half smile and squeezed her hand three times.
"Jack…" She continued to hold his hand.
"I know Elizabeth… I know."
"Do you?" She questioned. His voice wasn't strong like normal.
"Yeah." His voice was soft.
She watched Jack put his tank top on and walk into the house.
"What was that about?"
"You and everyone else saying that I was dating Charles. I can't tell you how many times he has heard that and from countless people."
"I'm sorry but did you really not date Charles?"
"I have never dated Charles."
"Ebeth…you two seemed more like a couple then I did with most of those boys I brought home. You two were always together and you went out all the time with just each other and with friends."
"We were friends, V. Nothing more and nothing less. You know I always said I wasn't dating in school."
"You did, but I always thought you just said that."
"No! Now, why did Charles text you concerning me?"
"He said that he thought you were getting yourself in trouble." Viola pulled out her phone and let her little sister read the text.
"He really sent this to you about my reputation?"
"He did."
"He said that because Jack kissed me on the beach on our date. We didn't think there was anyone around. There was a group of people off in the distance, but we didn't think they were paying any attention to us."
"I guess they were."
"V…you know me. I don't have a bad reputation. I am dating someone now. Yes, we have kissed and that's it."
"I saw where your hand was." She playfully teased.
"And that was as far as it was going to go."
"And where was his hand?" Viola wiggled her eyes.
"On my lower back."
"Is that a tint of disappointment I hear in your voice, little sister?"
Elizabeth gasped for a moment but didn't answer.
"I knew it!" Exclaimed a loud Viola. "You wanted his hand exactly where your hand was on his backside."
"V!"
"Ebeth…am I wrong?" Challenged Viola raising her eyebrows.
"No…you're not wrong." Elizabeth whispered. "But it wouldn't have gone any further than that."
Viola nodded her head. She studied her little sister for a few moments. They have shared many conversations over the years. She quickly noticed the look on her face.
"So, this new guy is really your boyfriend?"
"Yeah."
"While he's gone, you are going to tell me all about him." Viola settled into her chair. "Out with it! And not the stuff you tell mother or father." She pointed her sister on the arm.
…
"Oh Charlette, you should have seen them. Jack cut his finger when she walked in the kitchen with her bikini on and her cover up. He actually cut his finger looking at her."
"Is he ok?"
"Oh, he's fine. I put a band aid on it. He'll be fine. It wasn't too deep."
"And what did Elizabeth do?"
"Oh, she almost dropped the towels when she saw him standing there. It was so cute. Is it ok if he stays for dinner?"
"Of course Grace."
"I'm so grateful we didn't have to enact our plan."
"What plan?" Asked Elizabeth as she and Jack stood at the transition between the kitchen and living room.
Grace jumped and threw her phone down on the couch. She let out a loud sound, but they couldn't understand what she yelled.
"What?!" Grace gasped for air.
"What plan?" Elizabeth asked again.
"Huh…Oh…let me say goodbye to Charlette."
"Wait…you're talking to my Ma?"
Grace didn't realize she let out that bit of information.
"I…I…" Grace stuttered as she reached down for her phone.
"Charlette, I need to let you go. Jack and Elizabeth stepped into the living room. Thank you for allowing him to stay for dinner. I'll make sure he is home in enough time for curfew."
"He heard you about the plan, didn't he?"
"That's right. We'll have dinner here. I'm not sure what we are having, but he'll eat here with us."
"Is he upset?"
"I don't know yet." She answered as she looked toward Jack and Elizabeth.
"Text me when you can."
"I'll do that when I can."
When Grace pulled the phone away from her ear, she looked up to Elizabeth. She had a determined look on her face.
"So, mother…what plan?"
Grace gave her daughter a motherly smile. "Dear, what would you and Jack like to have for dinner. We were planning for something simple."
"Mother…what plan?" She asked again as she adjusted her coverup.
"Oh Jack…Charlette said you could stay to eat with us. Why don't you use the same bedroom you used to change into your trunks. You may want to get out of those wet clothes."
"Mother…" Elizabeth warned again. "What plan are you talking about with Jack's mother?"
"Oh…there you are." William stated as he walked into the living room. "Would you all like to have pizza for dinner? We can order from the place we always order from. They deliver."
"Oh William…that's a great idea." Grace perked up. She was never so grateful for William's presence as this moment.
"What would everyone like?" William asked as Viola walked into the living room.
"I'll take my normal." Viola and Elizabeth said at the same time.
"Jack?"
"I'll take whatever your normal order is, sir."
"Jack, what do you normally have on your pizza?"
"Sir…"
"Jack…" William cut him off. "…what do you normally have?"
"Usually a supreme with no black olives or a meat lovers, sir."
"I'll order a large pineapple, a large supreme with no black olives, and large meat lovers."
"Perfect dear."
Jack leaned in to bump Elizabeth's shoulder. "So, you really do eat pineapple pizza all the time?" He made a sour looking face.
"I dared her when she was little. That's the only pizza she eats now." Viola laughed.
"The girls split the pineapple and Grace and I share the supreme."
"Sir, you didn't have to order a specialty pizza for me. I could share the supreme."
"Jack…it's already settled. Now, where's my phone so I can call it in."
"That's where you get your stubborn side?" Jack asked.
"You haven't seen anything yet." Elizabeth laughed.
"Your phone is in the kitchen on the island. I'll help you find it."
"Mother." Elizabeth called out. Grace turned around to face her daughter.
"Yes dear?"
"Our earlier conversation isn't finished."
"Yes dear."
"You owe me…big time dear." William chuckled as he and Grace walked in the kitchen.
"Name it." Grace sighed.
…
Jack stepped into the bedroom to change out of his trunks. Viola followed Elizabeth up the stairs to have a sister chat about Jack. Grace followed her husband to the kitchen to avoid Elizabeth.
Jack stepped out of the bedroom and walked into the living room. He didn't see anyone. So, he walked into the kitchen. William looked up from his seat at the island and disconnected the call a few moments later.
"Pizza will be here in forty five minutes."
"Thank you sir."
"Jack please call me William."
"Not happening, Mr. Thatcher." Jack smirked. "My Pa's voice is too loud in my ear."
"Fair enough, but I believe it's more than just your father's voice in your ear. I think it's more of who you are as a person."
Jack nodded his head in appreciation. William perfectly understood the gesture. The two guys made their way into the living room. William found the remote to the TV and found the movie channel. He laughed when a Bonanza episode was on.
"Didn't you say you watched this with your father?"
"I did when I was much younger. I haven't watched it in a long time."
William adjusted the volume and sat the remote down. They got comfortable on the couch.
"So, Jack, what did you think about that old truck."
"It was a very nice truck sir. With a little love and attention, it could look very nice. It just needs a good cleaning. What was wrong with it?"
"I don't really remember. It's been a long time since I messed with it. If I remember correctly, it just wouldn't run for very long." He tapped his chin trying to think back on the last time he worked on it.
"What was you wanting to do with it?"
"I was wanted to give it to my son, but I was only blessed with girls. I wouldn't trade them for anything in this world."
"I understand. Why did you keep it?"
"I don't really know. I had it in the garage for a while, but it was just in the way. Grace complained about it. I remembered that old barn and decided to put it there. I guess I could have sold it, but I just kind of forgot about it."
"You should get it back out and fix it up. What year is it?"
"I don't know…I don't really have a reason to fix it up."
"Sure you do. It could be fun if that's something you like to do."
William nodded his head while he was thinking. "It's a 1970 Chevrolet C10 Stepside."
"The front of it looks really cool."
Their conversation slowed as they watched Bonanza.
…
Elizabeth and Viola came down the stairs, both wearing smiles. Viola felt much better after her sister talk with Elizabeth. She was truly happy for her sister. Grace came out of the kitchen when she heard them talking.
"Where's Jack?"
"I don't know. You have been upstairs for a while now."
"Mother." Elizabeth stated in a teenager's voice.
"She had to get pretty for her boyfriend." Viola teased. "That felt so weird to say."
"V! Why would you say that?"
"Well dear, you look like you just put make up on?"
"Mother!" Grace and Viola laughed.
"They must be watching TV. It wasn't on earlier."
The ladies walked toward the sitting area in the large living room.
"Huh…they look comfortable." Grace stated.
Jack and William were reclined back in their seats with their head laid back on the back of the couch. They had their hands clinched in their laps with their mouths wide open. They were asleep. William was letting out a soft snore. Elizabeth was grateful Jack wasn't snoring.
"When did that happen?" Elizabeth asked as she pulled out her phone to take a picture.
"I'm not sure. I guess they felt comfortable with each other."
"I guess. What do we do?"
"Let's let them sleep until the pizza gets here. Then we'll wake them up."
"Why is father trying to steal my boyfriend?"
"That's so weird hearing you say that phrase. Just be lucky he likes him." Viola stated. "Remember Sam?"
"Was he the one with the mohawk or the nose ring that was attached with a chain to the earring?" Laughed Elizabeth.
"True."
…
Elizabeth pulled up to Jack's home early Monday morning. The weather forecast called for rain that was to begin around nine. She happily volunteered to pick Jack up so he wouldn't have to ride his bike in the rain. She was hoping they could steal a few kisses before arriving at school.
"Hey, I'm here." She texted him.
J – Pa always told me that I had to meet my date at the door that I couldn't just pull up and blow my horn
E – Father always said I wasn't allowed to leave the house if the guy didn't walk to the door
J – And you come to my house and just send me a text
E – This isn't a date we're going to school
J – True
E – Someone is feeling good today
J – I get to spend extra time with my girlfriend why wouldn't I be excited
E – Are you coming
J – Are you seriously not coming to my front door
E – Seriously
J – On my way I have breakfast from Ma for you
E – She didn't have to do that
J – She insisted I think she likes you more than me
E – Well…
J – Don't say it
Elizabeth laughed and pulled up Charlette's number.
E – Thank you Mrs C!
C – You're welcome, dear. Have a great day!
E – you too
Elizabeth looked up when she saw the front door open. She smiled when Jack kissed his mother's cheek. She waved back when Charlette waved at her with a huge smile.
"Good morning, beautiful."
"Good morning, handsome."
Jack leaned in and gave her a small kiss on her cheek.
…
"Good morning Mr. Thatcher. How are you doing today?"
"I'm good Mr. Thornton."
"You wanted to see me?"
"Sure. Have a seat." Tom sat down in his normal seat in William's office. "Thanks for allowing Jack to hang out with us on Saturday."
"Sure thing William. He said he had a lot of fun."
"I was warned by Grace that I was trying to take too much of Jack's time away from my daughter."
"He is fun to be around."
"May I ask, are you looking for a vehicle for Jack?"
"It's funny you asked me that. Charlette and I have begun talking about it. He never wanted a car before, but I'm assuming with Elizabeth in the picture, he will want one now."
"I can imagine he would. I know she picked him up this morning for school."
" Yeah. He was happy to spend a little bit more time with her."
"I would imagine but I bet he was hoping to pick her up."
"Yeah…Charlette and I talked about that."
"Charlette can't understand that, Tom. It's a guy thing."
"That's what I told her. She wasn't happy with me." He laughed.
"We have a program through our company that will allow you to purchase a vehicle through us for zero interest. The monthly payment will be taken out of your check."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's a program we have done for some time now. It's a perk that most other companies don't do. You can only have one loan out at a time with us. It helps our employees a little."
"Thanks for letting me know."
"That's not really what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Ok."
"I took Jack to an old barn that's on the back side of my property. I have an old truck in that barn. It's a 1970 Chevrolet C10 Stepside."
"That's a cool looking truck."
"It needs some work and a lot of TLC."
"Ok…"
"What do you think if Jack takes it?"
"I'm sorry."
"I would like for Jack to have it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He really liked it and it's just sitting in my old barn doing nothing."
"William, how much are you asking?"
"I would say he could have it, but I don't think you would approve of that."
"You would be correct."
"Why don't you speak to him about it. If he would like to have it, we can figure out something that we both would be happy with."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. I've had it for years, but the girls didn't want to work on it. It just sits there. It's a shame really. It needs to be repaired and driven."
"I'll talk to him about it."
"I just have one request."
Tom nodded his head for Willian to continue.
William hesitated for a moment. "If you and Jack are ok with it, I would like to help fix it up." William's voice was so soft it was hard to hear him.
"You like doing that?"
"A little."
Tom looked at the man in front of him. He perfectly understood where William was coming from.
"Fine…I like you and I like your son. I enjoy spending time with both of you. None of the girls liked working on it, so it just sits there. I would greatly enjoy working on the truck with you two if you don't mind."
"William, that sounds very nice. If he wants the truck, I think we can make it happen."
"Just let me know. The truck is his if he wants it."
"Thanks William."
…
Jack laughed at something Elizabeth said as she turned on Jackson Ave. Traffic was on the light side this morning. Elizabeth was hoping to stop by the park for a couple of minutes. She wanted a good kiss from Jack. She couldn't help herself. As they approached the first traffic light, they noticed a large, black SUV cut in front of them. The vehicle pulled out from a side street parking spot. Elizabeth was used to Hamilton traffic. She just rolled her eyes at the vehicle cutting them off. She turned her attention back to Jack.
"So, what do you think about stopping by the park for a few moments? I believe I would like a proper kiss." Her face wasn't even red with embarrassment at her forwardness.
"A few minutes at the park this morning sounds great. Do you think we have time?" A hopeful smile came across his face.
"If you can control yourself, Mr. Thornton." She teased.
"Well…I haven't been the one who pushes the limits, Ms. Thatcher." Jack laughed at her huff. "Remember the time in the pool? Whose hand was on whose backside?" He flirted.
"I didn't hear you complain."
"Oh…I wasn't complaining one bit."
"I must ask, why was I the only one doing that? Your hand was close, but you never did."
"Well…I was going to, but your kiss distracted me."
"It did?"
"Oh Elizabeth, I lose the ability to think when you kissed me. I was going to. Remember, I was patting just above your backside. When you grabbed mine, you kissed me. I lost the ability to think."
Elizabeth smiled at his confession. She loved the fact that she had that effect on him.
"I told you from the beginning that I can't keep from being drawn into you. You just have this power over me. You look at me and my brain quits working. I honestly don't like it. It's not fair." He pouted.
She patted his knee. "I think you'll survive."
"I will." His smile was ridiculously large.
Elizabeth pulled up behind the large SUV when the next light turned red. Jack leaned over to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. He squeezed her hand three times. "I love you." He stated as he squeezed her hand. She leaned over to kiss him gently on the lips. It was a quick kiss. When she pulled back, she continued to stare into Jack's eyes. "I love you, Jack."
With that proclamation, Jack leaned in for another tender kiss.
** I wanted to pause the story here for a moment with a little warning.
The next little section, along with the next chapter, is a little intense.
It discusses attempted kidnapping and kidnapping.
Parts of it are physical in description and with some raw emotions.
I just wanted to warn you. If this isn't for you,
you need to skip the rest of this chapter and the next chapter as well. **
They slowly pulled back from the soft kiss. Both had huge smiles on their faces. The gazing into each other's eyes expressed the love between them. Jack and Elizabeth both jumped when their car doors were immediately opened with someone screaming at them. As two masked men reached into the car, Jack and Elizabeth leaned toward each other away from the individuals yelling at them. They immediately began to push against the arms reaching into the car.
The masked man turned Elizabeth's car off. He immediately pulled her out of the car. He grabbed her from behind. He placed his other hand over her mouth and picked her up. She kicked her legs trying to get away, but the man was too strong. He began to carry her to the SUV. With her kicking and fighting against him, he was going slow. The masked man had to sit her down two different times because she was fighting so hard. He was having trouble holding onto her.
The other masked man punched Jack in the face and then finally got ahold of Jack's wrist and pulled him out of the car. Jack was stunned for a few moments. He realized he was out of the car and being drugged to the SUV. He heard Elizabeth's muffled screams. The man had his hand over her mouth. The man that was dragging Jack by his wrist wasn't paying very much attention to him. He was too busy looking at the battle a few feet away on the other side of the car.
When the masked man sat Elizabeth on the ground, the masked man dragging Jack yelled to him.
"Get control of her!"
"I'm trying! This little…" He stopped when he had to set her back down again. "…she won't stop fighting." He stated as he gripped and held her tighter. The more the man tried to control her, the more she fought against him.
"Stop trying! Get her under control! Now!"
Jack tripped the man's leg. He broke free from his grasp when the masked man began to fall. Jack quickly stood and ran between Elizabeth's car and the large SUV. He lowered his shoulder and tackled the man and Elizabeth to the ground. Elizabeth landed on top of the man and Jack was right beside them. When they landed on the road, the masked man's grip slipped enough that Elizabeth was freed. She rolled off the masked man.
"Elizabeth…! Run!" Jack screamed.
Elizabeth stared at him for a second. His words didn't make any sense to her. She was so stunned with everything that was happening.
"Run!" Jack screamed again. "Run Elizabeth…run!"
The masked man was stunned just long enough that Jack was able to place his left hand on his face. He was trying to get Elizabeth completely freed from the man's grasp.
"Run!" He yelled at the top of his voice. He took his right hand and shoved her away from the man. He was trying to grab her but couldn't see her very well because of Jack's hand. Jack wanted distance from Elizabeth and the masked man.
"Get out of here Elizabeth! Run!" He yelled again and shoved her again.
This time, Jack's words and shove brought her out of her shock. She noticed the masked man was beginning to push Jack off him. Jack was holding on with everything he had, but he wasn't as strong as the man.
"Elizabeth Thatcher! Run!" Jack screamed again as he fought with the masked man. This time, she was beginning to stand when Jack was screaming her name. She didn't know why, but she jumped over the man and began running down the street in the direction they just came from. She didn't look back, but she could hear Jack screaming for her to run. Instantly, she reached for her phone.
Jack noticed the other masked man was on his feet running in their direction. He was afraid he was going to catch Elizabeth. He stuck out his left foot just enough to trip the man. He landed just beside Jack. He reached for his shirt and held on to it with everything he had. He knew he couldn't best the two men, but he was hoping to buy enough time for Elizabeth to get away. He didn't know what was going on, but his Elizabeth needed to be safe. She needed to get away from whatever was happening.
"She's getting away!" One of the masked men yelled.
"Go after her!" The second man yelled.
"I don't see her anymore. I don't know where she went!"
The two masked men turned their attention to Jack. After each man hit him a couple of times, it didn't take too long for them to restrain him. They turned him face down and each one was holding an arm behind his back.
"Where did she go?" The one masked man demanded.
"I don't know!" He yelled back. "I don't see her anywhere!"
"We don't have time to look for her." The man hissed as he looked around. "At least we have this one. William will pay to get him back. He was with her."
"That wasn't the plan!"
"We can't do anything about that now!"
After frantically looking around one last time to see if he could see the auburn headed chick, the masked man turned his attention back to this kid. He took a couple of zip ties out of his back pocket and zip tied Jack's wrists together behind his back.
"Let's get him loaded before anyone shows up."
The two men picked up Jack by his armpits and drug him to the back door on the driver's side of the SUV. They threw him into the back seat of the SUV and slammed the door.
Elizabeth was hiding behind a building almost a block away. She was shaking from the ordeal. She was trying to keep from crying and shaking, but she couldn't. She didn't know why, but she thought it was very quiet, too quiet. She worked up the courage to look around the corner of the building. She was scared to death, but she wanted to see where Jack was. She noticed the two men were picking Jack up by his arms. She noticed that somehow, she had the phone that was in her pocket was now in her hand. She wasn't sure how her phone was in her hand. She quickly took a picture of the two men and the SUV. Without thinking, she pushed Mr. Thornton's name to call him. She didn't know why she called him, but she did. Maybe it was because he used to be a detective. Maybe it was because the bad men took Jack. She was getting close to both of Jack's parents. Her mind just wasn't working due to the shock of the circumstance. She was running on instincts. She slowly sank behind a small garbage can to hide and placed the phone to her ear. She pulled her knees to her chest to make herself smaller. Tears were freely flowing down her cheeks.
…
As Tom walked out of William's office, he reached for his phone that was buzzing in his pocket. On the screen, there was a number he didn't recognize. Just above the number, was the name 'Maybe Elizabeth Thatcher'.
"Elizabeth…" He whispered in complete surprise. "Why is she calling me?" He asked himself. He touched the accept icon on the screen. "Hello?"
"Tom!" She barely stated as she was crying. "Tom!" She kept her voice somewhat low in case the two men were looking for her. She was too afraid to look back to see where they were. She was hiding behind the building again. She was behind a small garbage can.
"Elizabeth…is that you?"
"Tom…they took him!"
"What dear. I can't understand you." He stopped walking just outside of William's door. He instantly heard the fear in her voice.
"Jack…they took him!"
"Jack!"
"Yes Tom." She paused, trying to catch her breath. "Two men took him."
"They kidnapped him?"
"Yes! They tried to kidnap me, but Jack pushed me away." She couldn't think of the word 'kidnap' until Tom stated it.
"Where are you?"
"I don't know…" Another wave of tears flowed over her.
"Elizabeth…sweetheart…I need to know where you are so I can send help. What street are you on?" Tom asked in a fatherly tone that helped calm Elizabeth just enough to speak.
"Jackson…Jackson Ave." She cried. She slowly leaned out to see the intersection where the car was. She noticed the SUV was gone, but her fear remained. She finally saw the street name. "Jackson and Fifth."
"I'm sending you help right now. Here…talk to your father." Tom spoke as he turned to run back into William's office.
"William…come with me…now!"
"What's wrong?" He noticed the look on Tom's face and the urgency in his voice.
"Talk to your daughter! Hand me your phone!"
Tom grabbed William's arm and pulled him from behind the desk. He handed his phone to William and took William's phone that was on the desk. Tom touched the screen and pushed the emergency icon without unlocking the phone.
"I need an officer at Jackson Ave and fifth. There has been a kidnapping!" Tom stated in a cop's voice when 911 answered.
"A what?" William asked, shocked.
"Seventeen year old male, Jack Thornton, kidnapped at intersection of Jackson Ave and fifth. Seventeen year old female, Elizabeth Thatcher, attempted kidnapping is still on scene hiding."
William heard Tom's words, but they didn't make sense. Kidnapping? Jack? Elizabeth? Nothing was adding up. He placed Tom's phone to his ear. "Hello…hello…"
"Daddy…" William heard Elizabeth's soft voice that was filled with sobs and dripping with fear. He knew something was terribly wrong. Elizabeth never calls him daddy. She hadn't since she was very little, and she would only call him that when she was terrified. "Daddy…"
"We're on our way!" He stated as he began to run down the hallway with Tom. "Stay on the phone with me! I'm coming! The cops are on their way! Stay here with me! Daddy's coming!"
"Daddy…I'm scared…"