Days turned to weeks as Nathan and Elizabeth became ghosts in each other's lives, and whenever she did notice him it was always pain, loss, and...sometimes hatred would taint those beautiful brown eyes. It didn't help that every Sunday little Jack would wander over and hang onto his leg. It was a sweet gesture that calmed his emotions, until Elizabeth would wordlessly pick up her son and take him with her. Nobody knew that when Constable Nathan Grant was alone he would cry. Bit by bit his heart was breaking.
It was especially hard on Allie, she had become withdrawn and rarely talked to anyone as the cavernous distance grew between Nathan and Elizabeth. Finally, one day in class, she broke. It wasn't anything anyone had said or done. It was one day at recess; Nathan had ridden by. He frowned and Elizabeth...well, Allie couldn't describe what it was, but Elizabeth looked at Nathan as if he had broken her. It stewed inside Allie and in class she finally cracked. In a fit of sudden anger Allie slammed her book down, stood up, and with tears in her eyes, shouted at Elizabeth.
"Why Can't You Two Get Along"!
"Allie".
"You say your friends but you look at him like you hate him. Uncle Nathan is hurting and it's all your fault".
Elizabeth stood uncomfortably as the rest of the students looked on and whispered to each other.
"Allie, let's talk about this later".
"No. You need to fix this. Uncle Nathan doesn't need someone who plays with his emotions, he's gone through so much and he doesn't need this from you".
Elizabeth was thoroughly stunned by the outburst.
"Allie, please follow me outside. Anna, please watch the class".
Allie stormed outside, her anxiety clearly showing on her young face. Elizabeth followed close behind.
"Allie, what is going on between your uncle and me is none of your business".
"It became my business when I became his daughter".
"Allie, you're too young to understand right now, but this is very complicated".
"No it's not. So what if he made a mistake at Fort Clay? Constable Thornton didn't pay for it".
"Allie...how did you know about that".
"Because I care about my father, enough to know what's hurting him. I thought you cared too, but I guess I was wrong".
It was raining when Nathan arrived at the schoolhouse to pick up Allie. He had taken Elizabeth's advice and kept the carriage, and given the downpour he was glad he did. He could see Elizabeth on the front porch, her hands were wrung together. He didn't like what that could mean.
"Where's Allie"? he called over the loud patter of rain on the carriage cover.
"I thought she was with you".
Nathan looked around, then motioned for Elizabeth to join him.
"Get in, I think I know where she might be".
Elizabeth ran through the rain, getting herself soaked over the short distance.
"Here", Nathan offered her a blanket.
"Thank you", she said in a small voice.
"So what happened", he asked as he snapped the reins. The carriage lurched as Newton began moving.
"Allie got upset with me".
"Why"? He sounded genuinely curious.
"She said your hurting, Nathan, and that it was my fault".
"Look Elizabeth it's not your fault".
"Yes it is, Nathan. I've been blaming you ever since I read your suspension notice. It's not your fault Jack died and I've been blaming you for it. It was wrong of me".
Nathan didn't look at her. "Thank you", he finally said, "we may not have been close, but it still hurt. I blamed myself too. Until Allie told me something".
"What was it".
"She said, 'God knew that you're supposed to be my daddy'. I can't lose her Elizabeth".
"Where do you think she is"?
"Church".
Earlier that Day
Allie Grant ran from Elizabeth Thronton, from School, from Hope Valley itself. She had never felt so alone in the world. It was as if there were walls constricting her, choking her, depriving her of life. So she ran from it all. She ran to a place in the woods that Emily Montgomery had told her about. A place where she hoped she would feel God's presence. She hadn't felt Him in a very long time.
Nathan snapped the reins on Newton. His anxiety was growing.
"Nathan", Elizabeth asked, "what did you mean we were going to church"?
"Allie has always loved going to church, she's always found comfort in it, which was why she wasn't to keen on staying here at first, because we don't have a church in Hope Valley".
"Yes we do, the school doubles as the church".
Nathan looked sheepish.
"Sorry, I didn't know. Anyways, Emily told Allie about this spot in the woods, I just don't know how to get there".
Elizabeth only nodded. Frankly, she hadn't thought about it lately, but she hadn't even entertained the idea of church in a long time. Looking back, she hadn't touched her Bible in who knows how long.
"Nathan...I know where it is. Take this path here".
Obediently Nathan turned away from town and took a path that had been grown-over and hadn't been used in years. It was dark, and hard to see, but the memory of all those Sundays in her early days in Coal Valley came flooding back.
Jack and Elizabeth (flashback)
"You know, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here".
"And here I was thinking Coal Valley was growing on you, Constable Thornton".
Jack gave her an exasperated look, which Elizabeth returned with a smile and a giggle.
"What I mean is, I'm sorry for how I acted when we first met. You were just following God's directions, and here I was complaining about not getting my way".
Elizabeth nodded and closed her eyes as she listened to the birds singing and the people chatting. She would never know how a little clearing could feel more like a church than an actual church.
Suddenly Newton whined and charged forward. Nathan pulled back on the reins, trying to wrangle Newton back.
"What is it boy", Nathan called over the rain and thunder.
"It's Allie!". Elizabeth charged from the carriage and ran into the clearing, her beloved church, and found Allie slumped over on the stump where Cat Montgomery would sit and share her thoughts on the scripture she would read.
"Allie? Allie"! Allie was still, unresponsive, and soaked through. Wordlessly, Nathan picked her up and ran her back to the carriage, laying her in the back seat. Elizabeth got in beside him and they raced away to the infirmary.
Elizabeth had never seen a mountie cry before, not even Jack. To see a man like nathan weep was heartbreaking, especially as she wanted to cry for, and with him. She waited with Nathan inside while Carson and Faith examined Allie. Nathan was clearly in anguish.
"How did this even happen", he pleaded through a choked sob, "she's smarter than this".
"Nathan"...
"I'm sorry Elizabeth, but i just need a moment to myself".
Elizabeth only nodded. Silently she stood, nearly crying for...everything. As she walked out she heard a whispered 'thank you'. She looked back to see the watery eyes of Nathan Grant locked on her. She smiled and whispered 'you're welcome'. As the cool evening air hit her she finally let her tears flow. Her body shook as wave after wave of emotions took over her. As she cried she felt two familiar, strong arms envelope her.
"That new constable didn't make you cry did he"?
That...that voice. She would know that voice even if she feorgot it, which was impossible. He was entirely unforgettable.
"Jack"?
Alrighty everyone, sorry for this but i decided to go ahead and finish out this chapter. I apologize for the inconvenience of having to re-read bit i feel like this rounds out the chapter nicely. again, I apologize and promise to try and do better next time.