Elizabeth walked at a brisk pace out of the saloon and through the street after leaving Lucas. A few people cast her concerned or confused looks, as she was sure her anguish showed. She tried to compose herself, to breathe, to hide her tears, but the tears were determined to win.

When she reached her house, she paused on the doorstep, taking a deep breath. When she felt she was calm, she entered.

"Mama!" Little Jack greeted. He stood from playing with the dog toy Lucas had given him upon his return in the spring. The boy ran to Elizabeth, arms open wide.

Elizabeth swept her little bundle of joy up in her arms and hugged him close. Had Laura not been in the background, Elizabeth would have buried her face in her son and wept. Wept with relief and love for this little guy. Wept with confusion and heartbreak for how she had left Lucas. Wept with lingering grief for Jack.

Laura approached. "Jack missed you, but as always, he was a good boy."

Elizabeth smiled at the younger woman. "Thank you, Laura. You're a godsend."

Laura nodded with a grin, her eyes on Elizabeth. "Are you okay, Mrs. Thornton?"

Elizabeth gave a slight nod. "I'm fine. It's just been a long day. Thank you again."

Laura gathered her things and said goodbye.

Once Elizabeth was alone with her son, she sat on the sofa with him on her lap. "How's my little man today? Mommy missed you."

"Doggy." Jack pushed off her lap and toddled over to the dog toy. He pulled it along on its string to Elizabeth.

She took the string and smiled sadly.

"Every boy should have a dog," Lucas had said when he bestowed the precious gift on Little Jack. He had bent down and playfully tousled Jack's hair.

Elizabeth's chest clenched. Oh, Lucas, she thought.

Although his brief outburst had startled and undone her, she knew she hadn't been herself around him lately. I haven't been myself around a lot of people lately, she thought with a frown.

"Rosemary," she murmured. Elizabeth stood and sat next to Jack on the floor. "What do you think about paying Auntie Rosemary and Uncle Lee a visit?" she asked.

"Yeah!" Jack smiled, so innocent, so sweet. He clapped.

Elizabeth wished she could claim some of her son's simple approach to life. With a little chuckle, she picked him up and walked next door. She hesitated before knocking, knowing she still had to apologize to her best friend. With a deep breath, Elizabeth rapped on the door. She expected Rosemary to answer with her usual smile and gleaming eyes, but nearly a minute passed before Lee stood in front of her.

"Elizabeth, hello," he said. He glanced into the house, then back at Elizabeth.

"Hi, Lee. Is Rosemary home?"

"She is." He sighed. "I'm guessing you haven't heard."

Elizabeth furrowed her brow. "Haven't heard what?"

"Well, you know my Rosie, she just can't let something go if she has a hunch. Let's just say she got a little too wrapped up in what was going on with some men surveying the land next Joseph and Minnie's cabin."

"Is she okay?" Elizabeth tightened her grip on Little Jack and adjusted him to her other hip.

"I'm fine," Rosemary intervened, a bit of exasperation in her voice. She flashed a huge smile at her husband, then pecked him on the cheek. Looking at Elizabeth, she continued, "Honestly, he worries so much, but that's just one of the things I so love about you, Lee." Rosemary kissed his other cheek.

Elizabeth couldn't help but grin at the display in front of her. Her dear friends were like a couple who had been married for years and years. "I'm glad you're okay, Rosemary, and I'm sorry I didn't know anything about what happened. I guess… I guess I've been too wrapped up in my own problems lately." Casting a sorrowful gaze at her closest friend, she added, "I was hoping we could talk."

Rosemary took Elizabeth's hands in hers and gently squeezed them. "I would like that very much." Turning to Lee, she said, "You don't mind watching Little Jack for a little while, do you?"

"Of course not." Lee smiled and held out his hands to the boy.

Jack jumped into Lee's arms and hugged him.

The woman laughed.

"I guess that answers that question," Rosemary said. "Okay, let's have our long overdue chat, Elizabeth." She stepped outside.

They walked the short distance to Elizabeth's house. All the while and as they entered, Elizabeth asked for details about Rosemary's day. As Rosemary told Elizabeth her encounter with the surveyors and mentioned a gun going off, which spooked her horse, flinging her off, Elizabeth pulled her best friend into a hug.

Tears poured freely as Elizabeth held onto Rosemary. "Oh, Rosemary! I'm so sorry I wasn't there. Are you truly okay?" She pulled back enough to gaze into her friend's eyes.

Rosemary nodded, her own eyes shining with tears. "I went to the infirmary just to be sure after Nathan found me. Lee was beside himself with worry, but as you can see, this old girl is tough. Just a few bumps and bruises, although more bumps and bruises to my ego than anything."

"Thank God." Elizabeth hugged her again. "Can I get you anything?"

They moved to the sofa and sat. Rosemary waved her off. "No, I'm fine. It's been quite the day."

"You said Nathan found you?" Elizabeth asked.

Rosemary nodded. "Speaking of Nathan, did you want to hear what I told him in the library that day? Elizabeth, you've been through so much. I've only ever wanted what was best for you, but I realize now that that's up to you. You lost your husband, but you will find your way." She spoke the words from the depth of her heart, each one a balm, each one an open wound.

Elizabeth's tears started anew. She nodded. "I-I hope so. Rosemary, I'm so sorry. I never should've doubted your loyalty or friendship."

Rosemary placed a hand on Elizabeth's. "Elizabeth, we've been through so much together. When I first came to Hope Valley, it wasn't even Hope Valley. And we both know why I came. I caused a lot of pain for you and Jack, and I'm sure neither one of us could've imagined being best friends, but here we are. I told Nathan… I told him about my role in causing you and Jack a lot of unnecessary pain. I told him I had been in his position before. I hoped he would understand and step back and allow you and Lucas your time together without… Well, maybe I shouldn't have presumed I knew what was best, but I care about you, Elizabeth. Deeply. What I've seen between you and Lucas all summer, it's the first time I've seen your heart open to love again."

Elizabeth choked on a sob. Her crying intensified.

"Oh, dear. Did I say something?" Rosemary fretted, handing Elizabeth a handkerchief.

"Thank you." Elizabeth took it and blew her nose. "No, no, you did nothing wrong. It's just… Lucas and I… I've been so cold toward him lately, and it would likely take a miracle at this point for things to return to how they were between us." She proceeded to tell Rosemary about the night of the wedding, about forgiving Nathan, about Lucas seeing them holding hands, and her encounters with Lucas throughout the day.

"And I just left," Elizabeth said. "Rosemary, I'd never seen him so angry, so hurt, but I fled his office, leaving him alone again. He's been beyond patient with me all summer, and I may have just pushed him too far."

"But you don't know that."

"He thinks I love Nathan."

"Do you?"

Elizabeth sighed, her eyes falling on the bouquet Nathan had brought by early afternoon. "Not like that. Not like I loved Jack. When he took my hands last night, I didn't immediately pull away because… well, we shared a connection. I care deeply about Nathan, and it tore me up to see the guilt he carried for something that wasn't his fault."

"But you forgave him. That must have lifted the burden."

Elizabeth nodded. "I think so. Since then, he's been...happier. He hasn't pressed me."

"Maybe that was what he needed from you: forgiveness. Now, Elizabeth, you need to forgive yourself. I've seen the way Lucas looks at you. That man is in love with you. I have no doubts if you seek him out, he will welcome you with open arms."

Elizabeth considered her friend's words. "I hope so. You've given me much to think about, Rosemary. Thank you."

They hugged.

"Anytime."

Standing, Elizabeth escorted her friend back to her house. She picked up Little Jack and returned home. She passed the rest of the day with Little Jack, having a simple dinner and playing with him. After cuddles, a lullaby, and a prayer, Elizabeth tucked her darling boy into bed with a kiss.

She went downstairs into the quiet, dark living room and sat at her desk. To her right, Jack and she smiled out of a small oval frame, a moment captured in time from another lifetime. Her eyes drifted to the typewriter Jack had gotten her. A sad smile tugged at her lips as she recalled the words she'd typed, the stories she'd created with that instrument and how two men had encouraged her writing. Tucked in her journal, Elizabeth withdrew Jack's last letter. His words spoke afresh: to open her heart to love again.

She kissed the letter, then returned it to her journal. Her right hand hovered over her left. Mouth open in anticipation, eyes on her fingers, she slowly removed her rings and set them on top of her journal. Then cried.

"I'm not forgetting you, Jack. I'll always love you. You'll always be my first love, but I'm opening my heart to love again. It's time."

Elizabeth picked up a pen and wrote a note to Lucas, asking him to come see her. She kept it simple and short, knowing what she needed to tell him couldn't be contained in a letter.

In the morning, Elizabeth rushed through getting ready and eating breakfast in a daze, her heart aflutter with anticipation. She hadn't slept well. Elizabeth headed for the school with Jack in tow. Laura wasn't available, but Elizabeth had made arrangements with Robert to come by the schoolhouse to play with Jack.

When the older boy arrived, Elizabeth thanked him. Robert took Jack in his arms.

"I was wondering, if it's not too much trouble, if you could please take this to the saloon." Elizabeth showed him the folded note with Lucas' name on the outside.

Robert smiled and nodded. "Sure, Mrs. Thornton." He took the note. "And don't worry about us. Jack and I will play ball, go down to the pond…"

Elizabeth kissed her son and waved. "Thank you, Robert. Have a wonderful day, sweetheart!" She watched them go, her heart beating out of her chest, her face flushed.

She busied herself with her work, preparing for the fast-approaching school year. Grateful for the distraction, she kept glancing toward the open door, expecting Lucas to arrive any moment.

An hour later, Robert returned with Jack.

"Well, hello," Elizabeth said, smiling at her son. "Are you two thick as thieves?"

Robert frowned. "Jack's been great. We played ball for a bit, then I stopped by the saloon. I went to drop off your note, but the doors were locked. Mrs. Blakely, um, Mrs. Yost was passing by and seemed surprised I hadn't heard."

Elizabeth's stomach dropped. She felt like someone had poured ice water over her. "Heard what?"

Robert sighed, reluctant to continue. "Apparently, Mr. Bouchard has left town."

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth strode toward the door, gazing at the town.

"Mrs. Yost seemed so. I'm sorry, Mrs. Thornton." Robert went to hand the note to her.

Clutching the note to her chest, Elizabeth stood on the steps outside. She glanced behind her at Robert and Jack. "Robert, do you mind staying with Jack? I need… I need to do something."

"Of course."

Elizabeth tried not to run, but as she crossed the grass, then made her way down the gravel road, her head couldn't believe what she'd heard. When she arrived in town, she wasted not a moment approaching the saloon doors. She knocked, harder and harder until she hammered on the wood.

A few passersby glanced at her like she had gone mad. The clomping of horse hooves stopped her. She turned to face Nathan.

"Is it true?" Elizabeth asked. "Did he leave?"

Nathan opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head. "That's what I heard at the mercantile. Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth didn't care anymore about composure. She darted past Nathan and into the middle of the road until she was on the edge of town, staring toward the woods, until the road disappeared. Mouth open, eyes wide, she gazed at the empty road, her heart shattering. She imagined the pieces in the dirt and dust at her feet.

Nearly collapsing, she gasped when two strong arms held her up. It was Nathan. She allowed him to hold her up, too weak to respond.

He stared into her eyes, studying her for several long seconds, then said, "You really love him."

Elizabeth thought she was dreaming. Tears flowed in rivers down her cheeks. She nodded. "But it's too late."

Nathan sighed and pursed his lips. "He left not long ago in his car, headed that way, according to Ned." He pointed in the direction Elizabeth stared. "Elizabeth, I… I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you… and Lucas."

At any other moment, Elizabeth would've thanked him, would've found peace in his words, but all she could think about was Lucas. His liquid-brown eyes, his dimpled smile, his thick hair, his handsome face… his kindness, his thoughtfulness, his patience… "I have to find him, Nathan."

Nathan didn't argue. "Good luck." He rode away.

Elizabeth went to the livery and saddled Sergeant, then took off at full speed. As she rode, Lucas' and her laughter from the sweet summer echoed in her mind. If she tried hard enough, she could hear that laughter in the landscape.

She rode on, the wind whipping at the tears on her face, determined to find Lucas.