It was a warm and sunny day in Autumn and the sky was clear blue. Elizabeth watched the children play happily outside at the end of the school day. Some parents were finding it hard to tear their children away from their games and eventually told them a time to be home and left them to it. Others were stood talking, waiting a little for their children to have time to play in the sunshine. Allie and Opal sat on the stairs to the school, making daisy chains and singing rhymes together. Elizabeth smiled, they had become fast friends and could always be seen together these days.
It was hard to miss the red serge as Nathan came out from the treeline, riding on Newton's back. It occured to Elizabeth that Nathan looked most comfortable with his horse, and confident as he rode towards them. He climbed down from the horse's back, patted his neck a couple of times and tied his reigns loosely to the side of the decking attached to the school. Both Elizabeth and Allie noticed that he was wearing a look of concern on his face and Allie stood to approach him. As he reached the stairs she reached up to hug him briefly and looked at him to hear what he had to say. This wasn't the first time she had seen that look on his face.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I have to go out of town for a few days, I'm a witness in yesterday's incident." He looked between the two girls he cared so much about. A look of realisation washed over Elizabeth's face and she looked apologetically at Nathan, knowing that he'd have to rehash the events of yesterday again.
"Ah." Allie looked a little disappointed, but shook her head quickly. "Okay, should I ask Opal's mum if I can stay again?" Elizabeth realised that Nathan and his niece were quite similar. He had clearly taught her how to persevere and get on with things.
Before she could think too much, Elizabeth descended the remaining few stairs and placed a hand on Allie's shoulder. "Allie can stay with me, if that's alright with you both." Elizabeth looked between the pair. Allie was nodded excitedly at her uncle who let out a small chuckle.
"You don't mind?" He asked.
"Not at all, besides Allie has stayed with me before, remember?" Elizabeth smiled at Allie who just shrugged her shoulders.
"Well I should be back by Sunday afternoon, are you sure Elizabeth?" He asked again.
"Yes, it will be fun. And Jack loves having someone to play with." Elizabeth nodded encouragingly at Nathan who was smiling kindly back at her. "Allie, can you help me by erasing the board and gathering the books on my desk? We can walk home together and pick up your things." Allie smiled, nodded and ran inside.
"Thank you." Nathan told the teacher. "I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem." They took a moment to look at each other, each one trying to read the others' eyes.
"I can walk you into town, and then I'll need to wait for the transport wagon." He told her. He went to untie Newton's reighs and Elizabeth stroked the horse's nose gently. "Hi boy." She whispered.
"All done Mrs Thornton!" Allie came through the doors, struggling to juggle the two lunch pales with the basket of heavy books. Nathan quickly grabbed the basket and Allie sighed in relief. "Let's go!" She cheered, running down the steps. As Allie ran to catch up with Opal, Elizabeth and Nathan walked side by side with Newton trailing behind.
"Will Bill be going with you?" Elizabeth asked.
"Mm yes." Nathan nodded and Elizabeth nodded back. It was awkward again.
"Look Eli..."
"Look Nath..." They both started at the same time.
"Please, go ahead." Nathan told her, happy not to have to get his words all jumbled up, again.
Elizabeth smiled up at him, guessing exactly what he was thinking. "When you get back, I'd love to go for a walk and talk with you...about everything." She told him, a small smile was on her face.
Nathan thought for a moment before answering. "I'd like that Elizabeth." His answer was simple, but that was all he needed to say. Elizabeth was realising that although he might be economical with his words, he knew how to say the right thing. They reached the Mountie office in about ten minutes, and Allie briefly hugged her uncle. She was used to him leaving town. "See you soon." She told him.
"See you soon." He replied. Elizabeth thought that maybe that was their way of telling each other they loved one another without actually saying the words.
"I'm going to see if the Mercantile has any flour, we can make cookies again right?" Allie smiled up at Elizabeth who smiled happily.
"Go right ahead, I'll meet you there." She grinned at Allie, who waved to Nathan and then ran into Ned Yost's store.
Bill appeared behind Nathan and clapped him on the back. "The wagon will be arriving in five minutes." He told the younger man. "I'll see you in a few days Elizabeth." Bill smiled at Elizabeth and squeezed her elbow before heading into the office.
"Thank you for taking her, she loves spending time with you." Nathan said. His hands were tucked into the thick brown belt around his waist and his hat was tucked under one arm. He looked handsome, thought Elizabeth.
"The feeling is mutual." Elizabeth said. Nathan was also noticing Elizabeth's beauty in this moment. She wore her hair in her usual style, one side pinned up and the other flowing freely in loose curls. Her skirt was an emerald green colour and she had paired it with a white simple shirt with a brown belt.
Upon hearing the wagon pull up with four new Mounties, Elizabeth turned to take a look before looking back over at Nathan. It was probably best to leave him to his job. "Be safe, okay?" She told him softly, placing a hand on his forearm for a moment.
Nathan nodded and said, "You too. See you soon." He stepped around Elizabeth and shook the hands of the Mounties as they jumped down from their horses. Elizabeth stood for a second, slightly shocked but with a warm feeling growing in her chest. She glanced quickly at Nathan before making her way to the Mercantile. There she found Allie with a basket full of everything needed to make more than 100 cookies. Elizabeth laughed and Allie shrugged happily.
