Introduction:

Dear readers, this is my second story with Jack and Elizabeth. You don't need to have read the first story (Jack and Elizabeth Vignette) to enjoy this one, but there is a little carry-over. Enjoy!

Vignette 2 – The Cold Winter

Chapter 1

I need a new wardrobe! Elizabeth thought as she looked through her clothes. Who would have thought that courting could damage so many clothes? The algae and mud stained skirt was the rabid dog's fault, and the coal marks on the one skirt could be blamed on Rip, but all the rest. . . . they were most definitely Jack's fault. The scorched skirt, the strawberry stains on the white dress, the grass stains on the gray blouse, the small tear in the pink blouse. . . . all Jack's fault. If he wasn't so attractive, I wouldn't have been rolling too close to the fire, or in the strawberry patch, or in the field of tall grass. .. oooh that was a nice time, she thought as she held up the gray blouse, remembering their picnic in the field. And the tear in the blouse, how was I supposed to know his cufflink was stuck on my blouse?

Elizabeth sat on her bed exasperated. How could she explain to her mother that she'd like her to send her new clothes? She certainly couldn't tell her the truth; that courting Jack was much more physical than she ever imaged. It wasn't Elizabeth's fault that the weather had been beautiful in the summer and fall . . . and Jack was so handsome . . . . and the only privacy they almost ever had was when they were outside away from town. Now that winter was here, she didn't know where they were going to find a private place to kiss!

I'll just not explain anything. Mother will assume that being a school teacher is a hard and dirty job!

Elizabeth finished writing to her mother, politely explaining that there weren't a lot of clothing options in Hope Valley, and she would appreciate a few new skirts when they sent the next parcel of books.

As she was walking back from posting her letter and receiving one from Julie, she shivered at the chilly weather.

Jack was leaving the livery when he saw Elizabeth. He was about to call out to her, when he heard someone else call her name.

"Elizabeth, Elizabeth, over here!", Rosemary waved to Elizabeth. As Elizabeth crossed the street, Rosemary brought her over to two people whom Elizabeth had never seen.

"This is Mr. Fenderson. He and his daughter are staying in one of the mining houses. He's here on business with the railroad company. And this is his daughter, Anne. I was just telling them all about you", Rosemary said with her usual exuberance.

"She's going to teacher's college!" Rosemary exclaimed.

"Well, not yet, but I hope to soon. I'm studying for the college entrance examinations now", the girl, who looked to be about 17 years old, explained.

Jack looked over at the group of four talking. Even from across the street, he could tell that the man's overcoat was tailored and of expensive quality. The young lady shaking hands with Elizabeth was dressed impeccably. Without realizing it, Jack's face turned into a scowl, as he walked into the jail. Ever since the trips to Hamilton, men with money rubbed him the wrong way.

After agreeing with Anne to meet for a cup of coffee later to talk about teaching, Elizabeth hurried home out of the cold.

Back in the parlor, Elizabeth signed with an air of annoyance as she read Julie's letter.

What's wrong, Elizabeth?" Abigail inquired as she saw Elizabeth

"Oh, just another letter from Julie, wondering why Jack still hasn't spoken to father about asking for my hand, or asked me", she said with exasperation as she put down piece of paper.

"Well, why hasn't he?"

"I have no idea."

"Haven't you talked about? You certainly spend enough time together", Abigail noted with a smile.

"Of course, we've talked about. That's what is so strange. Jack talks about when we have kids, and where we'll live, . . . . having a ranch with a front porch with rocking chairs, and he always makes it sound like it will happen, but . . . . . he still hasn't actually asked me yet."

"Why don't you ask him why?"

"I haven't figured out what to say yet. I have to be subtle about it." Elizabeth said, determined to find out what Jack was thinking.

That evening, Abigail went upstairs and left Jack and Elizabeth alone in the parlor. As they snuggled on the couch, Jack kept one foot firmly planted on the ground, his head resting on the side arm to the couch. Elizabeth was resting against him, her head on his chest. He closed his eyes, and gently ran his fingers through her hair.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think about our future?"

"You know I do"

"And?, she prodded.

"And what?

"I love you, Jack."

"I love you too, Elizabeth" Jack said as he kissed her head.

"So, why haven't you asked me to marry you yet?" she demanded. So much for being subtle, she thought.

It took Jack a moment before he responded. "I thought about it. Months ago, I had it planned. But I realized it's too soon. If I ask you now, our engagement would probably be about four months long, and then we'd get married and I think . . . . I think that's too soon for us."

"Why do you assume our engagement would be four months, and why is that too soon?" Elizabeth asked, somewhat annoyed, but trying to keep her tone pleasant. It's a marriage, not a prison sentence, for goodness sakes!, she thought.

"I asked around and the average engagement is four months." Jack said.

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Well, then we'd get married."

Jack paused before continuing somewhat nervously.

"When we're married, we'll do things. Things I really want to do now. The only reason we don't do those things now is because we're not married, and those are married things. But once we're married, we'll do things . . . a lot . . . and then things will happen. And once things happen, you can't go back. Not that I'd want to, but still, I think it's too soon for those second things."

"Jack, if you use grown-up words instead of "things", I might understand better", Elizabeth said exasperated. I know Jack can be shy with his emotions, but this is ridiculous, she thought.

"Elizabeth, I'll want to be with you as a husband . . . a lot. And then, since we'll be together as a husband and wife . . .a lot, you'll soon be expecting an addition to our family."

Elizabeth lifted her head from Jack's chest and looked him in the eye. "So, you don't want us to get married soon because you're not ready to start a family?"

"I haven't been a Mountie for long. I don't know where my next assignments will be. You just started teaching last year. If we start a family soon, things will change. You'll have to stop teaching. I'll have to reconsider some assignments. I thought it might be better to wait awhile. Just enjoy the two of us."

Elizabeth put her head back on Jack's chest. "I'm so glad you feel that way, Jack, because I feel the same way," Elizabeth said. Well, not exactly, but he is making sense, she thought ruefully.

Elizabeth rose early the next morning. She wanted to spend the whole day with Jack before he left on his trip tomorrow. After breakfast, she bundled up and walked over to the jail.

"Good morning, Jack!" she said cheerfully, but then jumped when a gust of wind blew the door closed behind her with a bang.

"Elizabeth, I thought we were meeting later for lunch", Jack said when he looked up from his desk.

"I know, but I was hoping we good spend time together this morning."

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth, but I've got a lot to do before I leave."

Elizabeth tried not to show her disappointment, but her pouty face would have betrayed her if Jack had taken notice.

"How about I meet you around noon? We'll have a nice lunch and then spend the rest of the day together." Jack barely looked up as her as he shuffled papers around, and packed his saddlebag.

Feeling slightly ignored, Elizabeth left, and walked home. I guess I can do some school work before lunch.

Elizabeth looked at the clock for the third time. 12:40. Jack was late.

"Can I do anything to help you?" Elizabeth asked Abigail, as she entered into the kitchen.

"I'm okay with the cooking, but could you get me some potatoes from the root cellar?"

Elizabeth hated going down into the root cellar. She tried to imagine it was like the cave entrance that she and Jack liked to visit, but it wasn't. It was dark and creepy, and she was always afraid she would come across a mouse. At least in the summertime, it was a momentary escape from the heat. But in the winter, it was just dark and creepy.

Sensing her hesitation, Abigail added, "Don't worry, we haven't had a mouse down there in ages".

Elizabeth grabbed a basket and a lantern and headed down the steps. As she started putting potatoes in the basket, she dropped one on the floor, and watched it roll under a shelf. Sighing with exasperation, she bent down and reached her hand under the shelf, feeling around in the dimness for it.

What was that weird noise?

The first bite took her by surprise. Ouch! She yanked her arm out and stared at her hand. Momentarily confused, she was trying to reconcile the rattling noise with the tiny spots of blood appearing on her hand, when the snake attacked again.

Stumbling backwards, she knocked over the lantern which shattered on the ground. Her scream echoed around the cellar and rose up through the cellar doorway. It jolted the customers from their meals, and Jack from his thoughts as he walked in the Café door.