Chapter 2
Nathan was out teaching Allie to ride when he heard Elizabeth nearby.
"Oh, Jack!" She yelled.
Thinking she was in danger, Nathan mounted Newton and rode in the direction of her voice with Allie close behind.
Nathan came to a field where Elizabeth was kneeling in front of a log on the ground weeping. Nathan motioned for Allie to stay as he slid off Newton. He slowly walked closer, patting Sergeants neck.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?" Nathan asked slowly. Elizabeth whipped her head up. At the sight of Nathan her cheeks turned bright red. Stop it Elizabeth, you've cried in front of the whole town before and you weren't embarrassed. She scolded herself. Ya, but that was when Jack died. Memories of Jack came flooding back.
When Elizabeth didn't answer Nathan became concerned. She looked very pale and sick. "Elizabeth, are you okay?" Nathan asked again.
Elizabeth could barely nod. "I'll be…I'll be fine. I need to get back to my son." Elizabeth tried to stand, but her legs felt like they would buckle. She stumbled a bit but Nathan caught her in his arms.
"Elizabeth, you're burning up!" Nathan felt her head. Elizabeth pushed herself from Nathan's grip.
"I need to get home." Elizabeth made her way to Sergeant and put one foot in the stirrup. She tried to hoist herself up but her legs wouldn't allow her. She felt dizzy and her head was swimming with thoughts. By the time she was atop of Sergeant, Elizabeth couldn't see a thing. Everything was black.
"Nathan, Nathan! Where are you?!" Elizabeth screamed. She fell from the horse.
"Elizabeth!" Nathan yelled. He rushed to her side. "Elizabeth, wake up, wake up!" He put his head to her heart. He sighed, but he was still worried.
"Allie! Allie, go get Judge Avery and Doctor Shepherd! Now!" He yelled at her.
Allie didn't know what was wrong with Mrs. Thornton, but her uncle seemed terrified, so she clicked her tongue. Allie rode toward the village the best she could with her blurry vision.
"Mr. Avery! Mr. Shepherd! It's Mrs. Thornton!" Allie screamed even before she reached town. Bill came running out of his office.
"Allie, what about Elizabeth?!" He asked hurriedly. Carson came rushing out of the infirmary with Faith right behind him.
"She climbed up onto her horse then she screamed my uncle's name. Then she fell off. Uncle Nathan ran to her side and told me to come get you and Doctor Shepherd." Allie said to Bill as he mounted Hero. Carson also mounted a horse that was brought to him.
"Faith, get the infirmary ready. There's no telling how bad her condition is." Carson said as he followed Bill and Allie. Faith nodded and hurried back inside, all the while praying it was nothing serious.
Nathan tried his best to wake Elizabeth up. She was unconscious. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Nathan?" She asked. Nathan rejoiced on the inside.
"Yes." He said simply smiling. Elizabeth had a throbbing headache.
"I don't feel so good. My head hurts." Her eyes closed again. Nathan couldn't let her go unconscious again. He could only think of one thing. He leaned closer to Elizabeth. Elizabeth's eyes fluttered opened.
Her eyes widened as she realized what Nathan was going to do. "Nathan?!" She was flustered that he tried to kiss her. Nathan's cheeks turned bright red.
"Help is on the way." He said smiling.