Chapter 60
Slowly the town turned the corner and started back to normal. School started back up and many of the travelers impacted by the accident had been taken care of by the Railroad office. The Saloon cleared out for the most part. The Railroad office had transferred the patients they could to other hospitals closer to the patients' home so the Infirmary began to calm down. Carson with Julia's help had a couple of rough days, but the worst was behind them. They were left with only two patients to care for which eased their burden tremendously. The Railroad engineers and workers were at the sight of the crash to move out the cars and begin to fix the rails. It would be several weeks until the trains were up and running again. All the businesses had to make arrangements to get their supplies through the stagecoach as in the past or make arrangements to pick it up at a more distant train stop. As a result there were some noticeable holes on the shelf in the mercantile and both Bill and Gustav had to be creative with their menus. Carson was also short on needed supplies. Typical Julia understood the impact and had wagons deliver the most needed supplies and the crisis was averted for now.
Nathan had lots of paperwork and calls with Mountie headquarter to go over due to the accident, but that too started to trail off after several days. Nathan made sure he made time to spend with Allie who seemed to bounce back from this crisis fairly well. However, Nathan was concerned with Elizabeth, she seemed a little withdrawn and anxious. After a day or two Nathan approached her asking how he could help her. "Oh, Nathan I am really fine, I guess the accident bothered me more than I knew. I will be fine". He let it go after letting her know she could talk to him. What he didn't know was she was turning things around in her mind and would soon be ready to share with him.
The next night she orchestrated a dinner just for the two of them at Nathan's. Allie had a sleep over at her grandmother's and Julie agreed to watch Little Jack. Elizabeth told Nathan they were dining alone at his place and of course he was pleased, but questioning. She got two dinners from the Café and had them warming when Nathan came home from work. She told him to change and get comfortable.
Nathan allowed Elizabeth to take charge of the evening as it was clear she had something planned. He stopped for flowers for her when he heard they were dining alone and Elizabeth was touched by his thoughtfulness.
They ate dinner together and had an easy conversation about the town, the children, school and their daily lives. Finally Nathan said "Elizabeth I get the feeling you have something to say. What's up honey?" With that Elizabeth begins to pace around the living room and Nathan begins to get nervous; he knows she is not herself. Finally, he goes to her and captures her in an embrace and says "Elizabeth please tell me whatever this is, you are scaring me. "
Elizabeth pulls back and says "Nathan I have thought a lot about this and I want to get married". Nathan looks at her with a question and says "I thought we agreed we are getting married". "No Nathan I mean I want to get married right now" she says. Nathan taking her at her word says, "Like right now, like get Bill now? " He is a little lost. She pushes his shoulder and says "No not right now, but soon. I don't want to wait until spring. The train accident made me realize just how precious every day is and I want to be your wife and be a family. I don't know how you feel about that. I already had the big wedding and celebration and I don't really need it now, but I don't know how you feel. I know you want to build our house and have it ready for all of us to move in, but I don't want to wait. I think we can make due with one of our houses until you can build a house. I just really want to be married to you and have the children begin to form our family. We can get married in Bill's offices with our families and have a small party somewhere. I just want to be your wife." Eventually she trails off as Nathan is thrilled about her thoughts silences her with a kiss. After coming up for air Elizabeth smiles at him and says "I guess I can take this as a yes" With that she initiates a more passionate kiss and embrace they have allowed themselves. Finally pulling back and breathing heavily Nathan with smoldering eyes says "As soon as you want I am ready to be married". With glee Elizabeth kisses him again.