Elizabeth smiled at the woman who held out a copy of A Single Mother on the Frontier for her to sign. Opening the book to the first page, she signed her name with a flourish before handing it back. "Thank you for coming," she said sincerely. The woman smiled and held the book close before heading to a group of other women to chat.
Looking around the crowded saloon, Elizabeth shook her head in amazement. Lucas had gone all out for her first book signing, advertising in towns far and wide that Canada's newest author would be reading and signing books in the small town of Hope Valley. The turnout was much more than she had anticipated. Helen Bouchard had used her connections to make the event successful as well. It was all so much more than Elizabeth had ever hoped for.
"Enjoying yourself?" Lucas asked, coming to a stop next to her.
Elizabeth stood, stretching. "My back is a little sore from sitting so much, but yes. I am enjoying myself." She smiled at him. "Thank you so much for all of this, Lucas. You're a true friend."
Lucas chuckled. "Only a few weeks ago, that phrase would have stung, you know."
Elizabeth raised a brow. "If memory serves correctly, you broke up with me, claiming you had to let me go so that I could find true love. Remember?"
Giving her a light grin, Lucas nodded. "That I did. And it was the best thing I've done for both of us. Your heart was never with me, and I can see now that we never would have worked long term. But your friendship…" He smiled. "That is something I treasure."
"As do I," Elizabeth said, giving him a smile in return. Her eyes automatically scanned the saloon, a pit forming in her stomach at the absence of one man in particular.
Where was Nathan? He had promised to stop by after his rounds, but he still hadn't showed up.
Lucas raised a brow. "Looking for Nathan?" he asked gently.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Elizabeth nodded. Lucas put a hand on her shoulder. "Haven't you two had a chance to talk yet?"
She shook her head, the lump growing bigger. "We keep missing each other…" she said, her voice breaking slightly. Clearing her throat, she took a deep breath. "The timing always seems to be off."
"I see," Lucas said, folding his arms across his chest. "Elizabeth, at some point you two are going to have to stop this dance you've been in for the last couple of years. Have you figured out your feelings for him yet?"
Elizabeth blushed. "Not...exactly," she admitted. "If I'm being honest, I know I have very strong feelings for Nathan. But I also have some strong fears as well. I don't know if I can give him what he wants, Lucas. What if...what if I lose him?" Her voice broke on the last words.
Lucas studied her with gentle eyes, eyes that understood her confusion and pain. "Elizabeth," he said, facing her squarely. "That break in your voice tells me all I need to know about your feelings. The fact that you're so afraid to take a chance on Nathan speaks volumes as well. You want to know what I think?"
Peering up at him, Elizabeth bit her lip nervously. Lucas smiled, continuing. "I think your heart has always been with Nathan. I think you're in love with him. But you're too afraid to admit it to yourself, because that would mean opening that heart of yours that has been broken before. It would mean being open to the risk of losing another man you love. It's a gamble." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "But aren't you the one who told me that love is always worth fighting for?"
Elizabeth looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. Lucas nodded, a serious look on his face. "Fight, Elizabeth. Fight for Nathan. Don't let fear win."
Always do what you are afraid to do. The words Nathan had carved in wood made their way to her mind. Could she let go of the fear and open herself to Nathan's love? Was she brave enough to take that chance?
A new fear filled her, a fear that she had missed her chance. Nathan wasn't here, after all. Maybe he had decided it was no longer worth fighting for her. She gasped audibly, looking up at Lucas with panic-filled eyes. "I have to find him," she said. "I have to find Nathan."
"Go," Lucas said, nodding. "I'll make sure things wrap up here."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said gratefully. She hurried to the door, but before she could open it, Rosemary stepped into her path.
"Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth looked over her shoulder as she headed out the door. "I can't talk right now, Rosie. I have to find Nathan."
"But that's just it!" Rosemary said, following her outside. "I know where he is."
Elizabeth stopped. "You do?" she asked, turning to face her friend. "Where?"
"He's at your house," Rosemary said, pulling her wrap a little tighter around her shoulders.
Elizabeth blinked. "My house?" she repeated, bewildered. "Why is he at my house? I thought he was coming to the book signing."
"He wanted to," Rosemary said. "But Laura started feeling sick soon after you left. I was going to stay with Jack, but Nathan happened to ride by as I was sending Laura home. When I told him what had happened, he volunteered to stay with Jack so I could come here. I meant to tell you, but you've been so busy with the signings that I didn't have a chance to let you know."
Elizabeth stood in stunned silence, staring at Rosemary. "Nathan...is taking care of my son?" she asked slowly. "Voluntarily?"
Rosemary nodded, a small smile on her face. "Yes."
Strong feelings rose inside of Elizabeth, feelings she recognized but hadn't yet been able to label. "Rosemary, I need to see him."
"I'll have Lee drive us home," Rosemary said simply.
The next ten minutes were a blur for Elizabeth. She thanked Lee and Rosemary for the ride, then hurried up the steps to her house. She opened the door quietly, expecting to see Jack and Nathan, but there was no one in sight. It was now dark out, just about Jack's bedtime. Elizabeth wondered if her son and Nathan were upstairs. As she placed her wrap on the coat hook, she paused. Nathan's serge and hat were hanging there, looking like they belonged. Her heart began pounding in her chest, a picture forming in her mind of seeing that serge there every day, a reminder that Nathan had come home to her and Jack and Allie. Her hand floated to her heart, her breathing coming faster.
She could see a life with him. With him and with their children. In the blink of an eye, she knew her heart was Nathan's. She had been denying it for so long, but here and now, she could no longer deny anything. She was in love with Nathan Grant.
Unable to stand, Elizabeth collapsed on her settee. When had she fallen for him? Thinking back, she realized she couldn't pinpoint any specific moment. Rather, it had been a long line of thoughtful gestures, everyday moments, and the sharing of their hearts that had made her fall. It hadn't been a passionate romance leading to love; love had come softly and slowly.
She had to find him. She needed to tell him. They had already lost so much precious time because of her stubbornness and fear. She couldn't let another moment go by before she told him how she felt about him.
Getting up, Elizabeth climbed the stairs purposefully. She paused at the top, listening for any sound. Her ears heard a soft murmuring, almost a melody. She followed the sound to Jack's room, where the door was slightly ajar. Pushing it open, she caught her breath.
Nathan was rocking slowly back and forth in the rocker, singing softly to a nearly sleeping Jack. The richness of his voice was lulling her son to sleep, his large hands holding the boy tenderly. Elizabeth watched as Jack's eyes closed and his head relaxed fully against Nathan's shoulder. With a smile, Nathan stood, pressing a kiss to Jack's soft little cheek. The breath hitched in Elizabeth's throat at the sight. A long-forgotten quote suddenly sprang to mind, a quote she had come across when studying the writings of St. Francis de Sales in school.
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.
As she watched Nathan place Jack in his bed and pull the covers over the boy, Elizabeth knew the quote described Nathan perfectly. Strength and gentleness lived in perfect harmony in him. Another rush of love filled her. Elizabeth couldn't help her reaction. As Nathan turned, she walked purposefully toward him. She saw the surprise on his face as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
The sudden motion had an effect she wasn't expecting. Nathan took an involuntary step back to steady himself from her embrace, and his foot landed on one of Jack's building blocks. Losing his balance, Nathan tumbled backward. His arms tightened around Elizabeth, reflexively trying to shield her from harm. He landed with a thud in the rocker once more, grunting as the full force of Elizabeth's weight landed on top of him.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Even in the dim light, Elizabeth could see the concern in his eyes.
She tried to answer, but her eyes focused on the lock of hair that was perpetually falling over his forehead. Without thinking, she reached up to brush it back, her fingers sinking into Nathan's soft, thick hair. The feel was mesmerizing. Her other hand reached up as well, combing through the wavy locks.
Nathan inhaled sharply, his eyes fixed on hers. "Liz'beth...what are you doing?" he asked, the words barely audible.
"What I should have done a long time ago," she murmured, completely spellbound. Leaning forward, she closed her eyes as her lips found his for the first time. Her kiss was soft and tentative as she waited for Nathan's response. After all her rejection, she half expected him to push her away. Instead, his arms encircled her fully and he pulled her closer, his lips moving against hers in a gentle exploration. Elizabeth didn't know how long they sat there, exchanging tender kisses that spoke of their love. All she knew was that for the first time in a long time, she was perfectly happy.
After some time, they pulled apart slightly, their foreheads resting against each other. Nathan cupped Elizabeth's cheek in his hand. "I love you," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "I love you so much."
Tears sprang to Elizabeth's eyes. "I love you too," she said, the words coming easily from the depth of her heart. "I've loved you for a long time, Nathan. I just didn't have the courage to recognize it. Please forgive me for hurting you so many times."
Nathan pressed another gentle kiss to her lips. "Of course I forgive you, love," he said. "All that matters is that we finally found our way together."
"But I could have spared you so much heartache," Elizabeth said, regret welling up inside. "I could have spared Allie so much heartache…"
Nathan stopped her with a finger to her lips. "We can't change the past, Elizabeth," he said softly. "But we can change the future." He smiled, running a hand through her hair. "Have dinner with me tomorrow? At the café?"
Elizabeth couldn't help a small giggle. "I would love that," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. They sat there for a while, content in each other's arms. Eventually, the intimacy of the moment hit both of them. They were alone in her home, at night, with no one besides a sleeping toddler to chaperone. Nathan got to his feet reluctantly, tucking Elizabeth's hand into his arm. "I should be going," he said, leading her down the stairs into the living room.
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked, hesitant to let him go after finally finding her way to him. "I could make us some tea if you'd like."
Nathan smiled. "As much as I would love that," he said, his eyes twinkling, "I need to go home and ask Allie to pinch me. Just to make sure I'm not dreaming this entire evening."
Elizabeth laughed, swatting his arm. "I can assure you you're not dreaming, Constable," she said teasingly. A playful smile crossed her lips. "But if you need more proof, I can provide some."
Nathan raised a brow, settling his arms around her in a comfortable embrace. "And how is that, Mrs. Thornton?" he asked, his crooked smile making her stomach flutter.
"Like this," she whispered, pulling his head down and kissing him with more fervor than she had shown before. Nathan responded in kind, his passion fully awakened. Elizabeth felt like she was floating, her stomach bursting with butterflies as Nathan kissed her without reserve. By the time they broke apart, she felt unsteady on her feet.
"Now I really need to go," Nathan said, tenderly kissing her forehead. He waited until she felt her equilibrium return, then slowly released her and headed for the door. He shrugged into his serge.
Elizabeth stepped forward, feeling a little shy. "May I?" she asked, motioning to his buttons.
Nathan looked down at the buttons, then at her, before giving a single nod. "Of course."
Elizabeth reached out, fastening the buttons one by one. When she finished, she straightened his serge, smoothing out the wrinkles. "There," she said. "You look very handsome, you know."
Nathan's hands came to rest over hers, bringing them to his heart. "I meant what I said, you know," he said fervently, his eyes locked on hers. "All those months ago, when I said I would leave the Mounties. I meant it. I still mean it. Just say the word, and I will put in my resignation tomorrow."
Looking into his eyes, Elizabeth knew this wasn't something Nathan offered on the spur of the moment. It was something he had thought about and was willing to sacrifice. For her.
She wrapped her arms around him, her cheek resting against his chest. She didn't say anything for several long moments. Nathan held her close, his head resting against hers. Elizabeth didn't have to think long. She knew the answer to Nathan's offer.
"I don't want you to give up the Mounties, Nathan," she said softly, still resting against his chest. "They are part of who you are. I love you...and that means loving all of you. The man as well as the Mountie." She pulled back to look up at him. "I won't ask you to give up the Mounties. I just ask that you be careful and stay as safe as possible."
Nathan nodded, his look tender. "Always, Elizabeth," he said. "I will always put you and the kids first, and I will always do everything in my power to come home to you."
"I know," Elizabeth responded. And she did. Nathan was a family man first, a Mountie second. He wouldn't take unnecessary risks or assignments that took him from home. He would be content to serve and protect in Hope Valley. And that gave her a strong measure of comfort.
With one more kiss, Nathan smiled and opened the door. "I'll see you tomorrow for dinner," he said, placing his hat on his head. "Pick you up at 6:00?"
"Perfect," Elizabeth said, unable to wipe the smile from her face. "I'm looking forward to it."
"So am I," Nathan said. He waved as he headed down the road toward his rowhouse. Elizabeth watched until he was out of sight, then shut the door and leaned against it with a happy sigh. Finally, after months of indecision, fear, and heartache, she had conquered it all. She had admitted her love for Nathan and found herself in his loving arms. He hadn't given up on her.
She had finally found her way home.