Chapter 59 The Next Day
The next morning Nathan and Elizabeth woke early. He needed to get back to town and help and Elizabeth needed to check on Jack before she checked back with Julie and the children in the school. Both knew they would be busy. With a quick hug and kiss Elizabeth left and Nathan made breakfast. Gently he woke Allie and they shared breakfast together. They agreed she would either be with Elizabeth or her grandmother during the day.
Allie was never much of a morning person, but Nathan could see she was troubled. He asked her if she wanted to talk and she just shrugged. Nathan spoke and said "Allie, we saw terrible things with the train accident yesterday and I am so proud of how you helped out. I know it can seem like a lot to take in right now as we saw so much sadness. The good part of all that is how the town rallied around to help as best the people who were impacted by the accident. Our Lord always asks us to help our neighbor and we did that. Why it happened and why it happened to those people I don't know. We just do our best to help where we can. I heard you were a big help at the school with the children who were separated from their parents. I am really proud of you for that." With that she began to cry and alarmed Nathan said "Allie honey what is the matter".
She chokingly said "I feel terrible for all those people, but I was so happy we were all right. I don't think I should feel like that" Pulling her in for a hug, he says "Oh Honey that is just a natural way to think. Our everyday lives go by and sometimes we don't realize how lucky we are until something bad happens to someone and we realize that could have been us and of course you are glad that we are OK, so am I. It's fine honey cause that just made you work extra hard to help those who needed it. No one can ask for more." With that he hugged her tight and she quieted and said "Thanks Dad, I love you "Nathan responds "Oh Allie I love you too." She then shoos him off to town knowing he is needed and emphasizes she will be fine. With that Maura knocks and comes in and says "Nathan go into town, I will take care of Allie." Checking to make sure everyone is fine Nathan left with love and kisses for all.
Back in town Nathan found the Railroad officials had arrived and were setting up a temporary office. They brought a fleet of cars with them so they could move yesterday's passengers. They asked to meet with Nathan and Bill which Nathan was happy to do. They admitted it was a terrible accident and they were still trying to figure out how to handle it. They would meet with all the passengers and help them make plans to move on. The line formed early outside the makeshift office and quickly the healthy ones began to be processed and driven to either the next stop on the rail line or to various stagecoaches to transport them to their destination. One of the Railroad representatives met with Elizabeth to get the names of the children that were sheltering in the church. Many families were able to reunite as thy had minimal injuries and could be transported home.
Meanwhile the townspeople continued to help shelter the remaining passengers and keep them as comfortable as possible. Bill sent breakfast and lunch over to the school and Allie helped pass out food, talk and play with the children. Steadily during the day a parent came to pick up a child, all authorized by the Railroad representative. By the afternoon there were only two children left and it was determined to move them to the saloon as there were more amenities there and it would free up the school. Elizabeth Julie and Allie cleaned up and wearily headed home. Little Jack was thrilled to see them and Allie played with him for a little bit. After a little rest, Allie and Elizabeth went into town to see how things were going.
They found Nathan in the Mountie office and he gave his two best girls a big hug and kiss. He noticed Allie seemed to be in better spirits and she asked if she could go with Opal on a delivery. Nathan agreed of course as he thought it would do her good.
He noted Elizabeth looked drained, but agitated. He asks "Elizabeth are you OK?" She responds "Oh Nathan I am just tired, but I am more heartsick for all these people and what they had to go through. I was just glad I could help" Seeing she needed some comfort he got up and locked the door and pulled her into her arms. This was not the first time Nathan had seen such tragedy and while it never got easier to see he got better at trying maintain a professional distance. He realized Elizabeth had spent so much time with the children it was weighing on her. After sometime embracing and strengthening each other, Nathan spoke, "Honey go home and be with Little Jack, I will bring dinner later from the Café and we will just have a family night together". Elizabeth agrees with the plan.
Nathan has been on the phone constantly with Mountie headquarters and finally is able to start in on his reports. He makes a check in with the Railroad office and they are handling many of the details. He then checks with Bill at the Café and to get dinner. Bill tells him it is quieting down and he should go home. There will be more to be done tomorrow, but the crisis is lessening. He checks with his mother and picks up Allie and heads home for dinner.
After changing and warming up dinner the 4 of them share a meal and are so grateful in their grace for dinner. Little Jack keeps the conversation light and after dinner the children play and Nathan can see Elizabeth lighten a little. He gets out his guitar and they do a family sing-a-long which is fun and entertaining for the family. Once Little Jack droops, Nathan walks them home carrying Little Jack. He helps Elizabeth put him to bed and then Nathan and Elizabeth have some quality time together. For the most part they just cuddle together and enjoy the love they have for one another. Giving her a last kiss he shoos up to bed and he goes home to Allie to help her settle for the night. All in all it was a long day for Mountie Nathan, but he now had a family and a woman he loves to help him through.