The next day, Ally knocked at the Coulter's door.
"Why good morning Ally," Rosemary answered, a little surprised to see Ally and no one else on the doorstep.
"Good morning Miss Rosemary," Ally responded. "I have an idea but I need your help."
Rosemary looked intently at Ally. "You know I like to help."
"I think everyone knows that Miss Rosemary," Ally remarked.
Rosemary scoffed. "And everyone is usually happy about it."
"Anyway," Ally continued. "I would like Miss Elizabeth to have a new dress for the Mountie Ball. I don't know what she is planning to wear. But I think she deserves something extra special."
Rosemary smiled. Ally's love for Elizabeth was something special. Should things continue between Elizabeth and Nathan, Elizabeth would become Ally's "step-mother" of sorts.
"And you think I should make her one?" Rosemary asked.
"Could you?" Ally looked questioningly at Rosemary. "I don't have much allowance money, but…"
"Ally!" Rosemary would not hear of being paid. "You will not pay me for anything! I think this is an excellent idea for Miss Elizabeth."
Ally beamed a huge smile. She shared a few of her ideas with Rosemary. Rosemary realized that Ally had put a lot of thought into her plan. "Consider it done."
Ally gave Rosemary a quick hug. "Thank you!"
Saturday morning quickly came. Lee and Nathan were busy packing the car. Rosemary was flitting about, talking nonstop about the items she wanted to pick up in Union City. Elizabeth, meanwhile, was snuggling Little Jack, hesitant to let him go.
It did not matter that she had left her son once before. Being gone from him overnight was difficult. But if Elizabeth were being honest with herself, she admitted, she was using her son as an excuse to not walk out the door. She was nervous on so many fronts.
Her feelings for Nathan were growing stronger each and every day. In fact, she was in love with him. Elizabeth hadn't told Nathan that; the closest she had come was admitting to falling in love on their cabin date. Feeling such emotions terrified her. The possibility of saying "I Love You" to someone again for the first time in years, to a person other than Jack, made Elizabeth feel so many different emotions. It felt right; there was not a doubt of that in Elizabeth's mind. But this trip to Union City added another level of real to her relationship with Nathan Grant.
"Elizabeth," Rosemary poked her head in the door. "We should be going if we want to get to Union City by lunch." Rosemary paused when she realized Elizabeth remained quiet. "Are you having second thoughts?"
"No," Elizabeth shook her head, "not second thoughts. Just a lot of thoughts." Elizabeth kissed Little Jack on the head. "I'm sorry if everyone is waiting on me."
"Lee and Nathan are just talking," Rosemary reassured Elizabeth. "If you need to take a little bit more time before we go, that is alright. We can adjust our plans."
"I love him Rosemary," Elizabeth said.
Rosemary squealed. "Elizabeth!" Rosemary hugged Elizabeth, careful not to squeeze Little Jack in the process. "You have no idea how thrilled that statement makes me."
Elizabeth looked down at her son then to her friend. "Saying it out loud…I haven't said "I love you" about another man since Jack. And to be going to the Mountie ball with someone other than Jack and not feel bad about it." Elizabeth beamed. "Feeling this way feels so right."
"And you wonder, a small part of you, if you are being disloyal to Jack?" Rosemary looked understandingly at Elizabeth.
"Not disloyal," Elizabeth countered. "More like…nervous about if I am alone in these feelings. Nervous about indeed falling so fast."
"Honestly, Elizabeth," Rosemary held her friend's hand. "Something tells me that that man out there is in love with you. And as to falling fast, Lee and I were courting and married before Jack had even proposed. So don't worry about fast."
Elizabeth smiled. "Well, I think it is time we go join the men. As much as I don't want to let this little man go…."
"You've got another one who is pretty excited out there," Rosemary interrupted.
Nathan's face let up as Elizabeth and Rosemary came outside. He was as giddy as a schoolboy. Nathan walked over to Elizabeth.
"Are you sure you don't want Little Jack to come with us?" Nathan wanted to reiterate to Elizabeth that the little boy coming was more than okay with him.
Elizabeth genuinely appreciated his concern. "I am absolutely sure. But thank you for not rushing our departure."
"We get there when we get there, Elizabeth," Lee acknowledged.
Ally approached Elizabeth. "I promise I'll look out for him while we are at Opal's house." Ally extended her arms. "Do you want to come with me, Little Jack?"
Little Jack reached out to Ally "A'ee"
Nathan watched as Ally carefully carried Little Jack over to her friends. Ally loved that little boy. It made thoughts about the future even more exciting and happy.
"Bye Sweetheart! Mommy loves you!" Elizabeth waved goodbye blowing kisses.
Nathan quickly walked over to Ally. "Be good for Opal's mom."
"I will Dad," Ally refrained from rolling her eyes. "I only do things I shouldn't around you."
"Great," Nathan deadpanned.
Ally gave Nathan a hug. "Have a wonderful time! I love you Dad."
"I love you too, Sweetheart."
The drive to Union City had been absolutely pleasant. Lee and Rosemary sat up front; Elizabeth and Nathan were in the back seat together. The couples had moments of pleasant conversation and moments of silence. The entire time, Nathan held Elizabeth's hands and she was more than okay with that arrangement.
Lee parked the car in front of the hotel where they were staying. It was beautifully decorated in pine boughs, Christmas trees, and red ribbon. "Here we are!"
"Oh Lee!" Rosemary looked around. "It's been far too long since being in the city. Look how alive everything looks. And with everything decorated for Christmas, Union City looks even more enchanting."
A porter came out to get the luggage and move the car. Nathan approached the front desk.
"Yes sir, how may I help you," the attendant on the other side asked.
"I reserved two rooms. One was a suite for Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton. The other was for myself, Nathan Grant." Nathan spoke confidently. Elizabeth had to admit, she was happy to not to have the misunderstanding like when she came with Lucas. But being mistaken for Nathan's wife would not have been the worst thing in the world.
"Yes, I have keys for your rooms right here," the hotel manager handed two sets of keys to Nathan. "The rooms are across from each other, is that alright?"
"That will be wonderful," Elizabeth spoke up. "Thank you."
Lee and Rosemary checked in, discovering that they had a suite next to Elizabeth. Nathan extended his arm to Elizabeth and they headed up the stairs together. Lee and Rosemary intentionally hung back, allowing the courting couple to have a few moments by themselves.
Nathan paused in front of Elizabeth's suite door. "So I was thinking that after lunch, the two of us could go Christmas shopping."
Elizabeth bounced on her toes. "I would love that!"
"Normally I dread shopping," Nathan admitted. "But I like the thought of walking arm in arm with you."
Elizabeth blushed. "Nathan Grant, you are always surprising me with your words these days."
Nathan looked deeply into her eyes. "I wasted a long time not telling you what was in my heart. Not anymore." He kissed Elizabeth's hand. "I'll let you freshen up."
Nathan turned around and unlocked the door to his room. Elizabeth and Nathan couldn't see each other's reaction but they were the same. Sparks were flying. They were breathless. They were happy.