Disclaimer: I am not the owner of the characters in this story. All rights go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."

Note: This story was initially started by my friend, LoveHopeValley. Finding that it takes more time than she has available to write, she asked if I would take over the story. Since I had helped her with the story from the beginning, I felt a vested interest in continuing it. Therefore, I am starting out posting the original chapter 1, and will follow with chapters two and three "(which were already posted under her name) on the chance that those who may follow my stories have not yet read this one. I don't want anyone to feel confused. Once they have been posted, I will pick up with Chapter 4.

Chapter 1- That's Her

Chicago Police Headquarters- Grand Central Precinct

Jack Thornton was a 30 year old Sergeant in the Chicago Police Department. He was head of the Youth Services Division, spending as much time as possible in the various schools, and making himself visible in the local communities.

The women in the precinct teased him incessantly about what a great father he would be based on his rapport with the community children. Many of the women were single and would have considered that they had died and gone to heaven if he had shown an inkling of interest in them.

He wasn't dating, nor had he been serious with anyone in quite some time. His lack of involvement with anyone gave the women he knew a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe…but just as they thought about the possibilities, they realized how unlikely was the prospect.

"Hey, several of the guys are going out to dinner at that restaurant on Pembroke. You'll come with us, won't you?" Lee asked as Jack closed the drawer on his file cabinet.

"No, I can't. I'm busy," Jack replied. "Maybe another time."

"Well you're in luck, because we're actually going out Friday night. So make arrangements to go. I'm not taking 'No' for an answer," Lee remarked as he stood in Jack's open doorway.

"Lee, I just don't…"

"Jack, you don't what? You don't want to go on with your life? You don't want to have any fun?" Lee stated as he closed the door and walked back toward Jack. "Look, you and Abby broke up; if it was meant to be, you'd still be together. She's moved on, why can't you?"

"It's not what you think."

"Enlighten me then."

"Lee, Abby and I dated for two years. To be together that long you would think that it was serious, and I kept acting like it was, but I didn't feel it and neither did she."

"Well, Abby is a wonderful woman, but apparently not the one for you. The woman for you is out there Jack, but you won't find her sitting here behind a desk or hanging out in schools."

"No Lee, you don't get it. I thought that Abby had to be the one because we were together forever, but she wasn't. What does that say about my judgment in women? Do I want a relationship so badly that I just fall too quickly? How will I even know if someone is the right one?"

"Jack you give everything you have to a relationship; there's nothing wrong with that. You knew enough to realize that you and Abby weren't right for each other. That says something."

"I just don't think I'm interested in going out. I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll pass."

"Jack, do you want to find someone?" Lee asked.

"Lee, most of the time I'm thrown together with someone and dating was initially enjoyable and seemed logical," Jack reminded him. "But I think I just want to see what happens if I let things fall into place; you know, maybe meet someone on my own and see where it goes."

"Jack, we aren't going out looking for a woman for you. It's just a few guys going out to dinner to blow off some steam from the work week," Lee assured him.

Seeing that Jack wasn't convinced, Lee continued, "It is not a hook up. You're the only one not dating and the wives and girlfriends have plans so it's a perfect night for all of us to get together and hang out."

"If I go this time, will you leave me alone?"

"Jack, we're friends and I hate to see you sitting around alone all the time. You need to be out with your friends."

"Okay, I'll go, but that's it."

Friday night arrived and Jack pulled his jeans, button down green striped shirt and boots from his closet. Ten minutes later he grabbed his keys and headed for the front door of his condo.

As he opened the door, he startled Lee who was reaching for the doorbell.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked.

"I just came to pick you up."

"Lee, we aren't dating, I can drive myself there, or are you concerned that I won't show up?"

"No, just thought I'd come by like old times and we'd ride to dinner together," Lee assure him.

"Okay, let's go and get this over with."

Lee and Jack met Mike Hickam, Carson Shepherd, Bill Avery and Henry Gowen at the bar at River Roast, located on the Chicago waterfront.

"Excuse me," the beautiful auburn haired waitress stated as she broke into the conversation while everyone, but Jack, was drinking and beginning to enjoy the start of their weekend.

She called out several times before Jack even heard her.

"I'm sorry," Jack apologized although he wasn't exactly certain what for.

"There is a table available, or you can stay here and a server will help you. Do you have a preference?" she asked.

Jack looked around the table and observed no one else paying attention to the server but him. Assuming that either way she would be their served he stated, "They already seem to be enjoying themselves, so I guess we'll just stay here," Jack stated as he glanced at her name tag. "Thank you Becky."

The woman glanced at the name tag and then back at Jack, "Oh, this isn't my…"

"Hey," a voice called out to which she turned around to find the manager behind her.

"Yes sir," she politely replied.

"Table 6 needs drinks; table 2 ordered shrimp scampi, not fried oysters; table 4 is waiting on their check; table 3 is waiting on catsup, and table 1 is waiting to order. Please see if you can get things right and quiet them," the manager asked.

She turned back to Jack, "I guess it's a good thing that no one is sitting at table 5 or I'd be in real trouble," she laughed softly, which brought a smile to Jack's otherwise glum expression.

She turned to walk away and returned to the table, "I'm sorry, as bad as I am I guess you're lucky that you have Sarah as your waitress. She'll be here in a few minutes. Have a nice evening," she stated before heading back toward the main dining area.

He couldn't help but to be disappointed that their place at the bar didn't come with Becky as the server, mistakes and all.

For the first time all evening, Jack was glad that he'd accompanied his friends. His mother had always told him that when the right woman came along, he would know it. He wasn't certain that Becky was the right woman for him, but he couldn't deny that she was the first woman he'd ever seen that caused his heart to truly skip a beat.

Jack couldn't help but follow her throughout the restaurant with his eyes. She was obviously challenged as a waitress; the only order she seemed to get right was the initial glasses of water brought to each table.

He watched her greet patrons at each table with a smile so beautiful that everything she did wrong seemed to be quickly overlooked by those who ordered.

"Jack, what are you looking at?" Lee asked.

"The waitress over there."

"Over where?"

"Over on the other side of the bar. Oh wait, I don't see her now. Didn't you see the waitress that came over here?"

"No, what was her name?"

"Becky…"

"Are you in love, Jack?"

"Be serious, Lee."

"I am. Where has that smile been? I haven't seen it in a long time."

"I guess it's time for me to realize that not all relationships are going to be 'the one,' but all of them will get us to where we're supposed to be."

"WOW, that's profound…"

"No, you only think so because you've had a few drinks."

Everyone ate and continued to socialize as Jack monitored the restaurant, perusing each section looking for Becky.

The guys stood out in the parking lot following dinner and continued to talk in the chilly April air.

"Let's make this a weekly ritual," Mike announced.

"Sounds good to me," Jack replied as Lee glanced in his direction knowing that he had an ulterior motive.

"Who are we kidding? The only reason we are out here without our wives or girlfriends is because they had something else to do this evening," Bill replied.

"Well, it's still good to get the guys together occasionally," Mike stated as he glanced at his watch. The other guys laughed when he commented, "My kids have a babysitter that I need to get home, so I guess I'll call it a night."

Everyone seemed to go their own way, except for Lee and Jack who rode to the restaurant together.

"You're kinda quiet," Lee stated as he observed Jack staring out the window.

"It's been a long day, but thanks for pushing me to go. I had a good time. It was nice seeing everyone."

"And it was even nicer seeing Becky, right?"

"Lee, I only know that her name is Becky and she works at River Roast."

"Call up there and talk to her," Lee suggested.

"I can't do that. Maybe we'll meet up again sometime."

"You know Jack, sometimes you have to go after what you want. I'm not saying that you want her, but you want the chance to find out."

After dropping Jack at his condo, he and Rosie pulled into their driveway almost simultaneously. Rosie fixed them both cups of coffee, and brought it into the den. While Lee attempted to read the evening paper, Rosie continued to question him about the evening.

"Who came to dinner? Oh and where did you go?"

"Me, Jack, Henry, Mike, Bill, and Carson, and we went to River Roast out on Pembroke."

"No wives or girlfriends?"

"No, I was going to bring my girlfriend, but she had plans."

"Ha Ha, that is so not funny. Hey, how's Jack doing?"

"He's doing okay. Actually, I saw more life out of him tonight than I have in a while."

"Why, what happened?"

"I don't know. He saw some waitress tonight and it's like his…"

"Heart started beating again?" Rosie finished his sentence.

"Yes, something like that."

"Okay, so did he talk with her?"

"No, she wasn't working our area, but he certainly kept his eyes on her until she disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"I guess her shift was over."

"Well, what's her name?"

"Hmm, I think it was Betty, or Bea…"

"Bea? How old was she, 60?"

"No, I don't remember her name, but it started with a B."

"Is it Becky?"

"Yes, how did you do that?"

"Well, it's because I'm brilliant. Oh, and it's because my sorority sister, Becky Chappell is working at River Roast while she finishes up her doctorate degree."

"You know Becky?" Lee asked.

"I sure do. I saw her last weekend at my aerobics class. She is so sweet and would be perfect for Jack."

"Is she dating anyone?"

"No, and I'm not so sure that she wants to until she finishes school. But, I'll talk with her and let's try to set them up for next weekend."

"No, absolutely not. We aren't getting involved in Jack's love life. If something happens and it doesn't end well, he'll never forgive me."

"Okay, sweetheart. How about if we double date?"

"Rosie, I said that we aren't getting involved. Jack is a big boy and he can handle his own love life."

"How about next Saturday night?"

"That'll be fine," Lee remarked knowing that Rosie was not going to put the issue to rest.

"Let me clear it with Becky before you tell Jack," Rosie suggested.

The following Wednesday Lee returned home from work and Rosie was waiting for him with a glasses of chardonnay in her hands.

"What's this for?" he asked.

"I talked to Becky this afternoon and she is very excited to meet Jack," she began.

Seeing the sour look on his face she quickly continued, "I told her that he is a sweet guy and that he was quite taken by her when he saw her."

"I was hoping that you would have forgotten about that," he disappointedly mentioned.

"Lee, we have been married for 3 years, and when have I ever let something drop when love was possible?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "Never, but how many times has it worked out?"

Rosie thought for a moment, "Well, there was…okay, but there was the time…hmm, so maybe none of the times before worked out, but this one will be different. Becky and Jack will be perfect together, you just wait and see."

Lee put his glass of wine down while he removed his suit coat and then took a seat on the couch beside her. "I know you mean well, but this is going to backfire; it always does."

"How can it backfire? Jack has already seen her and is interested. There is no way that once she sees him that she won't be interested in him, so it's a win-win."

"Trust me, nothing good ever comes from setting people up."

"Lee, we were set up, or did you forget?"

"Uh-no, I certainly didn't forget, but that was the only time that it worked. I just don't like playing with people's lives. And, and it's a big and, Jack and I are best friends. I don't want him to hate me."

"It will be perfect. We're meeting at Riva Crab House at 7 on Saturday, so whatever you do, make sure Jack is there."

Friday morning Lee took a short break from his job as curator at the Art Institute of Chicago to venture over to the 25th police precinct to talk with Jack.

"Hey, to what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?" Jack asked, but as he noticed Lee's concerned expression he continued, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, according to Rosie, everything is perfect. Well, I'm just going to blurt this out, but I'm telling you that you have to do it, because Rosie will be a bear to live with if you don't," Lee began to ramble.

"Lee, what is it?" Jack asked as he opened a drawer to finish his filing.

"Rosie found Becky…"

Jack stopped what he was doing and immediately shut the file cabinet drawer. "How did she find her?"

"Well, actually found isn't the right word. She knows Becky from college, so she called her and we are all going out to dinner tomorrow night."

Jack was stunned as he took a seat at his desk to ponder the information.

"I know, it's a bad idea, and I told Rosie that you wouldn't like it, but you know how she can be…"

"Tell her thank you for me. I haven't been able to get her face out of my mind, but I didn't want to just call the restaurant, or keep showing up there. That's too stalkerish like."

"You mean you're okay with this?"

"I sure am. I definitely want to meet her again. What time?"

"Rosie said 7 at the Riva Crab House, but Becky will meet us there. I think she had something she had to do in the afternoon."

"Okay, I'll be there at 7," Jack stated as the smile seemed to return to his face.

Saturday arrived and Jack, much like a woman, stood in front of his closet looking for just the right clothes to wear. He settled on a pair of dark blue jeans, which fit perfectly from the thigh down to the ankle. The inseam was longer as it stacked up slightly around the ankles, lying perfectly against his boots. He paired it with his stonewashed light blue button down shirt and his black leather jacket.

Jack stood looking in the mirror, never before remembering taking this much time to pick out just the right outfit, hoping to make an impression on a woman he didn't even know. Yet, for this occasion, he would have done the same thing over and over again.

Jack was sitting in his Dodge Durango when Lee and Rosie arrived. Standing out in the parking lot, Lee could tell that Jack was nervous as he continued to fidget with his hands.

Rosie's phone beeped signifying a text. "Hit traffic. Running L8. Meet u inside."

"She's not coming…"

"Of course she is. She just said that she ran into traffic. She'll meet us inside," Rosie assured him.

They stepped inside and secured a table. Suddenly Jack's throat felt extremely dry and the entire glass of water before him did nothing to alleviate the parched feeling.

Rosie excused herself to visit the restroom, leaving the men alone to talk.

"Are you okay, Jack?" Lee asked.

"Just nervous; it's been so long since I've been on a date. To be honest with you, and don't tell Rosie I said this, but I don't believe I have ever met a woman who has so utterly captivated me so quickly."

"Here comes Rosie, Oh she must have met up with Becky…"

Jack stood along with Lee and turned around. He saw Rosie and the woman she was walking with, but he didn't see Becky. As they approached, Rosie appeared to be so proud of herself, having set up the couple of a lifetime, or so she had previously mentioned to Lee.

"Becky this is my husband, Lee and his best friend, Jack Thornton. Jack, I know that I don't have to do this, but I'd like you to officially meet Becky Chappell," Rosie stated as she completed the introductions.

Jack did his best not to appear disappointed. Although this was not "his Becky," she was still beautiful, with blond hair, and beautiful brown eyes, and he couldn't help but notice the legs that seemed to go on forever. Not that he was relieved, but he soon realized that he could simply be himself, which is all he wanted to be anyway.

"I apologize, but I don't remember you. Where did we meet?" she asked.

Rosie jumped in, "Don't you remember the table of rowdy men at the Roast last Friday night?"

"Hmm, I don't remember, but things are usually hopping on the weekends," she replied, not realizing at the time that she didn't work last Friday night.

The conversation continued during their meal with Jack finding out that Becky is a PhD student in psychology and is finishing up her dissertation. With Jack working in the Youth Services Division, they had something in common. Becky advised that once she received her PhD, expected in August that she would do her residency in psychiatry at Garfield Park Hospital on the adolescent unit.

Rosie and Becky excused themselves retreating to the restroom to do their own talking.

"Rosie, he is everything you said he was. Thank you so much for setting this up," Becky stated as she touched up her makeup.

"I'm glad that you like him, because between you and me, oh and Lee, he has been smitten with you since he saw you last Friday."

Becky smiled, but something seemed wrong, and then it hit her; she was at a wedding last Friday night and obviously not at work. Maybe they were wrong about the date. She hoped they were wrong about the date, because she certainly liked him.

Back at the table the men did a little talking of their own.

"So, I bet you never thought you'd see her again." Lee stated as he took a sip from his rum and coke.

"You're right about that," Jack replied.

"Is something wrong; you seem a little off," Lee commented.

"Lee, she is interesting, and God knows she's beautiful, but she isn't the woman I met at the restaurant."

"What are you talking about? Her name is Becky and she works at River Roast. Of course it's her. Maybe you drank a little more than you thought?"

"Lee, I drank tea, not Long Island Iced Tea, just plain tea. I know the woman I saw, and although Becky seems like a wonderful woman, she isn't her. So, now what do I do?"

"You'll enjoy your evening with a beautiful woman, and see where it leads," Lee stated.

Jack smiled as Rosie and Becky returned to the table. Both men stood and waited for the women to take their seats before they sat again.

Following dinner Rosie told Jack and Becky to continue their evening, but that she and Lee needed to return home. Lee attempted to cut her off, but quickly found that his attempts were unsuccessful. Both couples walked outside with Lee and Rosie returning to their car, and Jack and Becky heading for a stroll along the waterfront.

Becky draped her arm through Jack's as they walked. Boat traffic, and water taxis were moving along the Chicago River as they stopped, leaning against the railing to watch.

"Jack, may I ask you something?"

"Sure, what would you like to know?"

"I'm not the person you expected tonight, am I?"

Jack looked down, angry with himself that his attitude must have shown her that he was disappointed. He swallowed hard, "Becky you are a beautiful, intelligent and fascinating woman. I really have enjoyed this evening, but no, I was expecting someone else."

She looked out onto the water, disappointed but thankful that he was man enough to be honest with her.

"I'm sorry if my surprise came across as disappointment. How did you know?"

"Well, it wasn't too hard to realize that you couldn't have met me on Friday night because I was at The Langham attending a wedding at the same time. I may be a talented woman, but not talented enough to be in two places at one time."

Thankful that it wasn't his attitude that tipped her off, he continued, "I've really had a very nice time with you tonight and maybe…"

"Jack, you are a very nice guy, and although I'd love to see you again, your heart just isn't in it. But I know who you want to go out with," she stated.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Well, I don't know specifically who she is, but she must be the woman that filled in for me that night."

If there ever was a more uncomfortable moment, he wasn't certain what it would be. Somehow asking the woman who he was out with how he could find the woman he wanted to meet seemed wrong on so many levels. Yet here he was as the words just spilled out, "Is there a way of finding out who she is?"

"Well, now I'm intrigued. I could ask my boss who he found to cover for me," she offered.

She wrapped her arm through Jack's and they headed back toward the parking lot. He walked her to her car, opened the door and stood there as she turned to face him.

"Thank you for an interesting night." She handed him her phone, "Put your information in and I'll call you when I find out anything." She leaned in and kissed his cheek, "If things don't work out with her, let me know."

Jack stood in the parking lot and watched as Becky drove away, confused at his behavior. Never before had he been on a date with one woman while thinking of another. His mother had taught him the proper way to treat a lady, but she also told him to go after what he wanted.

Did he want to meet the mystery girl? Was he able to stop thinking about her? Could he live without her? Yes, no, and he assumed, yes, but she had certainly made an impression on him that he couldn't deny.

Several days later Jack received a call from Becky. Having her help him find the mystery woman still seemed wrong, but he was willing to accept the help wherever he could find it. Unfortunately the information was not what he'd hoped for.

"Hi Jack; this is Becky. How are you?"

"I'm fine, and you?" he asked, anxious for the information she held, but feeling the need to deal with the pleasantries first.

"I've just been busy, but I talked with my boss, and he doesn't know the woman either. Apparently, Emily was also off that night and she had the woman fill in for her."

"Is it possible to check with Emily?"

"Unfortunately Emily was fired or she quit, I'm not sure which, but I don't have her number. I'm sorry Jack."

Disappointed, he responded, "Thanks for trying. I do appreciate it; and Becky…?

"Yes Jack…"

"I'm really sorry about the other night. You deserve to be out with someone who can give you all of their attention."

"You'll find her Jack; I know you will. When you least expect it, she'll show up."

"Thanks again, and take care," he stated just prior to hanging up the phone.

"Hey, you're still here?" Robert Coleman, Jack's immediate superior asked.

"Yes, am I supposed to be somewhere else?" Jack replied as his mind, previously occupied by finding the mystery woman, was now wondering what he was forgetting.

"Uh yes, you're supposed to be at Hanson Park Elementary for the assembly."

Jack jumped up and gathered his folder which contained handouts for the various programs that are run through the police department and headed for the door.

He had just enough time to run into Hanson's Bakery and pick up the chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies he'd ordered for the kids. He made it to the school with fifteen minutes to spare. Checking in at the main office he was provided with a visitor's pass and escorted down to the auditorium where he placed the cookies on the back table and set up his slide projector for his presentation.

He took his seat on the stage among several other organizational representatives as the children began filing in. The auditorium filled up quickly with the kindergartners up front and the ascending grades filing in behind them.

It was noisy as the children were excited to be out of class, and although several of the presenters would be deemed by the kids to have boring information, Jack was always a crowd favorite.

Jack was talking softly with the man and woman on either side of him, paying little attention to the excited youngsters who had difficulty settling down so the presentations could begin.

The principal, Molly Sullivan, called the assembly to order as the children began to quiet down and focus on the stage. The children began to cheer as their favorites were introduced. There were representatives from the Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, Dr. Wayne Harrison, a local dentist, Faith Carter, a local pediatric nurse, and last but certainly not least, Sgt. Jack Thornton.

As Jack was called to the podium he opened his folder and stared out into the audience. He enjoyed public speaking and never had a problem discussing the various youth programs sponsored by the police department.

There was the basketball tournament for the boys and girls, a popular event for the kids. Those who were not sports oriented could participate in the reading challenges and arts and crafts. All programs offered mentors, but the children had to admit that the movie passes, ice cream and other food gift cards, as well as the trophies were big pushes to participate.

On this occasion, however, he glanced out into the auditorium and began his presentation…

"Hello and a happy Monday morning to you. I'm Sgt. Jack Thornton with the Grand Central Police Precinct, and I'd like to discuss with you the programs that we have to offer you. One of the favorites has always been the…"

Jack glanced out into the audience and sitting in the third row he saw her, or at least he thought it was her. He smiled but felt paralyzed, feeling as though he must have been having a stroke. Suddenly, several of his papers slipped from the podium and fell to the floor, pulling him out of his self imposed trance.

He bent down and picked up his papers. Looking back at all of the smiling faces his heart pounded as he felt the sign of embarrassment, rosiness, moving up his chest, peeking out of his police uniform at the neck as it continued to move up.

Is it hot in here…? He silently asked himself. At that moment he would have gladly stood on the sun's surface for an opportunity to meet her, but looking out into the crowd he could no longer find her. Did he want to see her so badly that he thought she was there when in reality she wasn't?

Luckily his presentation time was coming to an end. Feeling flustered, for all he knew, he may have been talking about the NBA, the NRA, or the time that his father took him fishing on his birthday.

Redirecting himself and realizing how important this presentation was, he did his best to articulate the essential material in such a way as to interest the children. At the end of his talk, he mentioned the cookies on the back table and asked that each student pick their own and not give them to others due to allergy possibilities.

As he stepped away from the podium, the children, though asked previously to withhold their applause until the end, began clapping loudly. Their enthusiasm reassured Jack that either he talked about the topics he intended to, or they simply wanted the cookies. Either way, he took his seat and began searching for his pearl in the sea of children and teachers.

As the students began to file out, grabbing their cookie on the way, Jack helped clean up the stage and offered to carry materials out to the parking lot for several of the women. By the time he finished and ventured back into the auditorium for his own materials, the buses were leaving and the teachers were beginning to head home.

Jack put his projector and file materials in his police vehicle and stepped back inside to thank Principal Sullivan for the opportunity to talk to her students.

"I need to bring a wagon to school, or maybe stop taking so much home at night," a woman's soft voice was heard coming from the adjoining room.

Ever so chivalrous, Jack called out, "I'd be glad to help you carry your stuff out."

"If you're talking to me you may want to see how much stuff I have before you make the offer," she began to reply as she walked back into the office. As she walked to the counter, she pointed to the boxes on the other side of the swinging gate, "I appreciate your kindness, but I have these boxes right here to take out. I won't hold you to your offer."

"No ma'am; I'd be happy to take these out for you," he commented as he smiled at the middle aged 4th grade teacher, who reminded him of his mother. Jack loaded three boxes on the office dolly and headed for the front door.

As they walked out into the parking lot she stated, "You're a very nice man, Sgt. Thornton. You're mother raised you well."

"Well, thank you very much ma'am."

"I hope you're wife knows what a lucky lady she is."

"I'm not married; I'm still looking for that special someone," Jack stated, feeling as though she was showing a motherly interest in him.

"Well, if you hold a woman's attention like you do the kids, you won't have any trouble finding that special someone."

"I'm not sure, but I think the kids are more excited about the cookies."

She watched as he loaded the boxes into her minivan, and then pushed the button to close the back. She walked to the driver's side door as a Mustang pulled up and caught the attention of both of them.

"Mrs. Saunders, did you get the paperwork I left for you on your desk?"

"I sure did; thanks Elizabeth."

Jack felt every bit of air leave his body in one fell swoop as she, her, the one he had been searching for, looked in his direction, and smiled before driving off.

"Is there something wrong Sgt. Thornton?" Mrs. Saunders asked.

"That's her," Jack stated as the broad, dimpled smile returned to his face.

To be continued...