Chapter 34 Storm Part II

Typical for Nathan he goes from a deep sleep to instant wakefulness as he hears a noise. He realized it is Elizabeth sighing in sleep—"Nathan" he hears. He extracts himself from Elizabeth as she murmurs and rolls over. All he wants to do is lie with her some more, but he knows he can't, he hasn't earned the right yet. He quickly checks the time and regretfully with one last chaste kiss on Elizabeth's head he stands and writes a quick note. Elizabeth I left when I woke during the night as I want no one speaking ill of you. While I enjoyed holding you I am trying to be a gentleman and leave gracefully. All my instincts are screaming at me to stay and wake with you in my arms in the morning, but I know I can't. For now my memories will have to do. Please stay safe as this storm passes and I will be in touch with you as soon as I can. Thanks you so much for caring for me last night. I could get used to it. All my love, Nathan

.With one last look at her beautiful face he leaves and goes out in the quieting storm to go home. When he gets home he give thanks for his Mother being here to care for Allie during this emergency. He sees a noted Allie has left him that there are cookies for him that she baked with her grandmother. The note is addressed to Dad and his heart clenches as this is the first time he has seen this address. He takes the note with him to save, He takes a quick peek at her, kisses her and falls into bed.

The next morning Nathan is up early and tries to be quiet, but his mother hears him and quietly comes down and says "Nathan sit I will make you a quick breakfast." He begins to protest and she says "Let me do this for you son, it will only take you a few extra minutes and who knows what your day will be." He asks about Allie and Maura replies she is fine, she knows you are busy and as long as we know you are safe we will be fine.

Nathan says "I got the note from Allie that said Dad," "I bet it made you feel special" Maura says. "You have no idea" Nathan replies "I may because I love you as much as you love her." Maura counters. Nathan gets up and hugs his mother and says "Thanks Mom for everything and helping now with Allie is a big relief." She pats his hand and says "That's what family is for Nathan. We are just a little late making all this work." Lightening the mood she packs up a snack for him before he goes. Quickly he writes a note for Allie about the coming day and signs it Love, Dad. It feels good.

When he arrives in the town he finds some are up ahead of him. Julia is already crossing over to the infirmary. She says "I am going to relieve Carson if I can. Let him get some rest." Bill is just opening the Café and sees Julia going to the infirmary. He says "Give me a half hour and I will have coffee and breakfast going. I will bring some to your aunt so she can stay inside." By this time the snow has stopped and Lee and some of his men arrive to start clearing roads. Nathan begins to clear the snow in front of the jail. With that task behind him he goes to check on Newton at the livery who had a hard day yesterday. Kevin says "Constable don't worry about the horses I will care for them. You may need them later in the day" which Nathan agrees with. He stops in at the Infirmary to check on Julia and it is mostly quiet now. Mr. Watkins is resting quietly, but will have to be there for several days. Bill arrives with breakfast for Julia and Nathan begins to wonder maybe there is something there. As he leaves the Infirmary the town is waking up and some are out starting to clean up. Lucas is trying to clear in front of the saloon and Ned is busy making the mercantile accessible.

Back at the jail Nathan contacts Mountie headquarters and they confirm the storm has passed and while it is cold the snow is over. He decides he will check on some of the outlying areas later and tries to complete his paperwork from yesterday. However his mind keeps wandering to Elizabeth and the passion they both shared last night. He continues to turn this around in his mind so much that he doesn't even hear Bill enter. Bill calls "Nathan, Nathan are you OK?" "Sorry Bill I was just thinking" Nathan replies. "Well let's decide what we are going to do today" Bill says. "I think Jesse better go with you again today to the outlying areas in case you find anything" Bill adds Nathan concurs and Jesse arrives to help. Again they take their trusty steads through the snow to the higher roads. It is difficult passage, but so far they don't find much just some of the small items they need to help with. However, at one home they find the husband with a very bad knee injury and one of the children with a high fever. Again Nathan and Jesse come up with a plan to transport the two back to town. The mother will stay with the other children and she insists she will be fine, they have food and fuel for the fire. Jesse and Nathan bring the father and son into the infirmary and Carson who now has roomful of people to see makes room for the new patients. Jesse and Nathan stop at the Café to warm up and get some coffee. Bill finds them there and says "I called for your mother to come in and help Clara here. Allie is coming to run errands here in town. Clara can't keep up with the number of people coming into town who need Carson's help. I am going to see if Lucas can put some seating/beds in the saloon as Carson is running out of room". "Are you OK" says Nathan "If Jesse and I finish checking on people". "Go ahead just be back before dark" Bill orders

Once more Nathan and Jesse head out to help the residents in the outlying areas. There has been one birth overnight, but after checking both Mother and child all appears fine. Nathan sends up a thankful prayer for his Mountie training as they do train their Mounties for all sorts of emergencies. After riding all afternoon they finally get back before dusk. Nathan thanks Jesse profusely for all his help. Jesse says "I learned a lot, thanks for taking me." Nathan reports into Carson about the birth and he acknowledges it and says he will try to check on in tomorrow. The infirmary is busy and Julia is busy helping. Nathan goes back to Mountie headquarters and calls Rosemary to tell Elizabeth he is back in town, but still has work to do. He reports into Mountie headquarters, but decides to check on his mother and Allie before he starts his paperwork. His mother is busy in the Café and she says Allie has been running food over to the Infirmary and the saloon and she will continue to keep an eye on Allie. He does see William helping Maura and he looks surprised at his Mother who says "Everyone is helping Nathan". Bill walks in and says "Nathan I think we are finally getting this turned around".

"Great" he says "I will be at the jail if you need me." As he does his paperwork he finally reaches a decision about Elizabeth. He knows they need to move forward in their relationship and now he knows what he should do. Feeling comfortable with his decision he now concentrates on his work so he can go home. Finally finished with his work he looks for his Mother and Allie and they have finished for the day and gone home. Bill says "Don't worry about Julia I will take care of her." Once again Hope Valley as a community has confronted a challenge and come out the other side.