Chapter 9 Follow up
The next day Nathan is busy painting the railing and Gabe stops by for a talk. Gabe updates on the O'Rourke's. They have been transferred to a different jail and will await trial. At this point the trial will be moved elsewhere. Due to Nathan's restrictions he could not travel for the funeral of Constable Keller which has already happened. All is quiet in Hope Valley for now. Nathan asks Gabe to take Allie out riding as he can't and the horses need some exercise. He agrees to do this after school. Nathan finishes up in time to pick Allie up at school and walk Elizabeth home. Allie is thrilled to go riding with Gabe and run to meet him.
Elizabeth inspects the safe stoop for Jack and lets him play while she and Nathan talk. She says "Nathan I don't think I ever really answered you about having dinner with you at the Café." Nathan looks surprised, but hopeful. She says "I would love to have dinner with you". Nathan is of course thrilled and they agree on Saturday night.
Nathan asks if Laura could stay with little Jack Saturday a little longer and Elizabeth agrees but is puzzled. Allie has a sleep over that night. He has the beginnings of a plan for their date, but doesn't want to share it yet. They make some small talk but mostly stare longingly in each other's eyes. Rosemary again intrudes to see the project. Nathan goes home and waits for Allie.
Nathan spends the rest of his week off making plans for his Saturday night date—he wants something special for the date other than just the Café dinner. This will involve another wood working project which he busies himself with and is pleased how it comes together. He doesn't even share with Allie, but he does ask Gabe for some help.
Nathan realizes he is woefully unprepared for romance and how to woo Elizabeth. Asking Gabe for help quickly becomes useless as Gabe is poor in this department as well. He has yet to even let Lillian know he is interested. Nathan decides to ask for help reluctantly and he and Gabe go to visit Rosemary at the dress shop.
She is stunned, but thrilled to be included and suggests they meet later at her house for a "private lesson". Rosemary is sworn to secrecy about this. Reluctantly Nathan and Gabe stop by at the Rosemary school for Romance as she calls it. Rosemary pontificates and while Nathan and Gabe listen they get more confused.
After tea and cookies and an hour they make their escape and are more confused than ever. Neither of them can see themselves implementing any of her Rosemary rules. . Nathan decides to continue with his own plans.