Finale

Chapter 1— Panic

"Robert, I need you to take this letter to Mr. Bouchard. And please, make sure it is given to him personally," Elizabeth said as she held out the letter in her hand, Robert reaching out to take it.

"I won't let you down, Mrs. Thornton. Neither rain, nor snow, or is it sleet? I can't really remember all the words…"

"Robert, I need you to go now," Elizabeth said, her teacher voice coming to the surface.

"Yes ma'am," Robert said seriously, tipping his chin and giving her a slight smile then turning towards the town.

Elizabeth watched him for a moment, then walked inside and closed the door, looking down at Little Jack playing on the floor. It had been an eventful couple of weeks, but she had managed to muddle through. Her talk with Nathan at Florence and Ned's wedding had helped to clear her thinking. The moment he took her hands she knew the truth, even though she had taken some time to confirm her feelings.

Rosemary getting lost last week had kept Elizabeth from taking any steps towards her destiny, but it certainly opened her eyes to her own actions recently- she hadn't been fair at all for some time. To Nathan, Lucas or Rosemary.

Thank God Rosemary was alright.

Her friend had been doing some investigating to try to figure out why so many properties were being bought by outsiders, and others had offers made on them. While riding, she had been thrown from her horse and ended up lost in the woods for two days. Lee had been beside himself and Elizabeth ashamedly realized she had been quite disagreeable and bad-tempered with her best friend. And for nothing other than her own imagination, as she certainly hadn't let Rosemary explain herself that day after she had spoken to Nathan.

Just about the whole town had turned out to try and find Rosemary. Thankfully, Lucas happened to be the one that brought her home. Elizabeth had spent many hours ringing her hands and decided she couldn't wait at home one more minute. She had just gotten to town when she heard someone call out and point down the road. She couldn't believe her eyes as she looked and saw a very disheveled Lucas leading his horse. On its back was a very dirty and tired looking Rosemary.

Everyone came running and Rosemary was quickly taken to the infirmary to be checked out. She had some bumps and bruises and was dehydrated, but overall, she was in good health. As Elizabeth sat there waiting for Carson and Faith to come tell her how her friend was, she realized she hadn't spoken to Lucas when they arrived in town. Elizabeth had been so worried her whole focus was on making sure her best friend was alright. She did make eye contact with him before he began leading the horse back to the livery. She saw something she couldn't quite recognize at the time in her distracted state.

Sadness.

After things had calmed a bit, she realized Lucas looked sad that day. When the craziness settled and she knew her friend would be okay, Elizabeth knew that it was time to move forward and make things right.

With all three of them.

Elizabeth had quickly apologized with tears when she was able to see her friend and had gone home to process everything going through her mind. Rosemary had graciously accepted her apology.

That was a few days ago.

Nathan had been out of town so she wouldn't be able to speak with him just yet. But she didn't want to wait until then before she spoke to Lucas.

She had written a letter, asking him to meet her at the library in an hour and used the Coulter's phone to call the mercantile. Ned had sent Robert right over.

The waiting now began, and Elizabeth was nervous. She repeatedly looked at the clock, then decided to clean her house instead of pacing until it was time to leave. Rosemary had offered to watch Jack while she met with Lucas- she had recovered quickly after her ordeal- so Elizabeth would be taking him over shortly. Just as she was straightening up the living room, there was a knock on the door. Jack quickly stood and Elizabeth went to pick him up.

Had Lucas come here instead of the library?

"Who's at the door, Jack?" she said as she opened it and was surprised to see Robert standing there breathing hard and winded. He was also holding the letter she had given him earlier. "Catch your breath, Robert," she responded, trying to keep fear from rising up. Rosemary's rescue had been a few days ago, and Elizabeth hadn't seen Lucas since then.

Robert finally calmed a little and Elizabeth asked him what was wrong.

"Mrs. Thornton, I went to the saloon and asked for Mr. Bouchard, just like you said to. Judge Avery was there. He told me Lucas had sold the saloon to him and left town."

Elizabeth's eyes went wide, "Left!? What…when…did he leave?" Her voice was panicked as it immediately told her she was too late.

"Less than an hour ago, according to Mr. Avery. Headed west out of Hope Valley."

Elizabeth quickly made a plan and handed Jack to Robert. "Listen carefully. Take him next door to Mrs. Coulter. Tell her I have an errand to run." Elizabeth pulled her door shut and took off at a sprint towards town her mind going a million miles a minute as the tears ran down her face.

She couldn't lose him.

Elizabeth knew she hadn't acted quickly enough and berated herself as she ran. For months now she and Lucas had grown closer. That day in his office she wanted to kiss him. Yes, there was a physical attraction, but much more.

So much more.

They had been connecting on an intellectual level for a long time. They had many things in common and yet enough differences to keep things interesting. Elizabeth had grown to love everything about Lucas in the years she had known him. He had waited. And waited. For her.

The man had the patience of a saint.

She shook her head as she ran on towards the livery. How had she been so blind? As she thought of it now, she knew that Lucas had been pulling back recently. So much was happening that she was distracted and didn't see it.

Until now. After he had finally had enough of her indecisiveness and left town.

Elizabeth knew he loved her. She knew it even though he had never said the words. Or had she just hoped it? Perhaps it wasn't love he felt, but something else? Would he have left if he truly loved her?

Elizabeth wouldn't let the errant thoughts deter her from finding him. She had to talk to him. If he decided to leave after he heard what she had to say, then she couldn't stop him.

But if things ended up the way she planned Lucas Bouchard wasn't going anywhere but back to Hope Valley.

And into her arms.