A/N: Please don't leave me reviews, reprimanding me from writing a non-J&E fanfiction. Don't even tell me how unrealistic it could be that two men like a widow with a child (that is just unkind to Elizabeth's character. Her sweetness and spirited personality could win over any man). Instead, leave me constructive criticism or kind words. Anything else discourages a writer.

This will be a short story. A few more chapters will come, but this will not be a full-length fanfic.


Elizabeth Thornton was experiencing a phenomenon called sensory overload. Standing in the middle of Main Street, all of the noise and commotion was overwhelming. Cars sped by and horses trotted as people avoided a possible collision. Gowen's newfound oil business was bringing many new people into Hope Valley.

Elizabeth attempted to cross the busy street. Cars were going to and fro. So many cars. She recalled the time in Hope Valley when there was only one car in all of the town. That car had belonged to Henry Gowen before he wrecked it one stormy night.

"Elizabeth!" a familiar voice called.

Elizabeth stopped in her tracks and looked around, trying to match a face to the voice. Her eyes met with the sight of Constable Nathan Grant. He was standing beside her. She shook with surprise. "I didn't see you there," Elizabeth said, surprised. In all of the commotion on the streets, she had not heard Nathan approach.

"I'm sorry for startling you," Nathan took his hat off politely.

"It's fine," Elizabeth smiled.

"I need to speak with you about. . . something," Nathan had a grim look on his face.

Elizabeth's smile faded. "That sounds serious."

Nathan tilted his head slightly, looking at the cloudless blue sky. His eyes returned to her and he gave her the tiniest nod. "It's about Lucas."

Elizabeth resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Haven't we been over this?"

"Bill and I both have suspicions about him. You have to admit, he clams up when you ask about his past. He's hiding a secret, a potentially a very dangerous one. For you and your son's safety, perhaps it would be best to stay away from him," Nathan muddled through his words, as he always did. But his words were spoken with passion.

Elizabeth heaved a sigh. Why does this situation seem so familiar? she wondered.

She watched as Nathan struggled to get the words out of his mouth. "I. . . I just don't want you to get hurt," he stumbled.

"That's very. . . considerate," Elizabeth swallowed a lump in her throat. In that instant, she realized what Nathan had been trying to hide behind his quiet demeanor. Behind his emotionless face, he, too, had been hiding something.

He cared about her.

Nathan's gaze wandered to his boots as she gave him an odd stare.

"Is that. . . all?" she dared to ask.

Nathan's eyes met hers. Again. There was a long pause before any words escaped either of their lips.

"We found no record of him in the towns he said he had resided in. Either he is lying or he is using an alias."

Elizabeth blinked, confused. She had almost forgotten they had been talking about Lucas Bouchard. "Are you quite sure that there isn't a mistake?"

"I know you want to believe the best in people but it's my job to see the worst in them. I. . . don't have a choice," Nathan said.

Elizabeth was no fool. "You always have a choice." She felt the awkward silence make its way into the conversation. "If you don't mind, I have to go to the library." She picked up her skirts and proceeded to cross the street. Unfortunately, in the haste of her decision, she did not look before she walked.

"Wait!" Nathan grabbed her arm, gently pulling her backward, into his arms.

A car sped past them, a mere few inches away from them.

Nathan's maintained his clasp on her arm until the car zoomed around a bend, out of sight. He released her arm. "Are you okay?"

Elizabeth brushed dirt and dust off her skirts. "I'm fine," she said simply. She paused before opening her mouth again. "Thank you." She looked around and began crossing the street. Nathan slowly followed.

"Allow me to accompany you," he said.

Elizabeth continued walking, avoiding eye contact. She couldn't refuse him. His intentions were honorable. Nonetheless, she didn't know how to feel about her suspicions that he cared about her more deeply than she had initially thought.

They crossed the street with no peril. "Thank you again, Constable," she said.

"It's 'Nathan', remember?" he asked gently.

Elizabeth nodded. She glanced around the town and spotted a frustrated Clara Stanton approaching them.

"Clara! Is everything alright?" she asked her friend.

"Mr. Bouchard fired me," she said, anger flickering in her eyes.

"Why would he do that?" Elizabeth asked.

"I have no idea whatsoever. He had an. . . an angry glint in his eyes that I had never seen in him before," Clara sighed. "At least I have another job."

"I'll talk with Lucas about this later. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding," Elizabeth volunteered.

"I'm not sure how much good that'll do, but you can try. Thank you, Elizabeth," Clara said. "I'm going to the dress shop to see if Rosemary could hire me for a few extra hours a day."

Elizabeth waved.

As soon as Clara was out of earshot, Nathan turned to Elizabeth. "I can't stop you from talking to Bouchard. I'm not going to even try. But please, be safe."

Elizabeth looked at him for a long moment. "I will."