This one is just for fun. There's not a concrete timeline for this, but I imagine it's after the season 8 finale but before we've really seen Elizabeth and Nathan as a seriously established couple. This is in those first days of their relationship, when they're together but also still kind of trying to find their way. Let's assume they've been on a date or two, but not a lot.
Also, petition for us to see some moments of jealousy from Elizabeth in season 9? It's overdue.
Chapter summary: Nathan saves a runaway stagecoach and unwittingly gains an admirer. Who has no idea that Nathan isn't (remotely) available. Oops?
The only thing that didn't seem to change was this: the life of a Mountie was never dull.
Elizabeth and Nathan hadn't been afforded much down time after that first, groundbreaking kiss they'd shared. They'd finally had that dinner, and it had been both everything and nothing like Elizabeth had expected. A little chaotic at first, perhaps, because Allie and Jack had been with them and doing anything with kids was always an experience. Allie had been nervous and uncertain at first, but her natural gregariousness had won out before long. She'd been wonderful with little Jack, though, and all too willing to entertain him so that Elizabeth and Nathan could have a conversation to themselves. It had been both new, and familiar. Though they were on different ground now, the foundation that she and Nathan had built - unintentionally, perhaps - was as strong now as it had ever been despite the recent storms it had weathered. In many ways, a lot of the difficult stuff was already out of the way. The obstacles that they had overcome just to get to that moment in the café, with their children around them and a vision of a shared future before them ...
Well, it was more exciting than terrifying, finally.
But, Nathan's duties as a Mountie hadn't left them alone for long. They'd had that first dinner and then the Mounties had come calling and pulled Nathan in several different directions. None of which left them much time together for several days at a time. Elizabeth would not pretend that it didn't make her anxious; Nathan knew that it did, though she hadn't expressly told him so, and he used every stolen moment or unexpected opportunity to reassure her. A private smile shared from the saddle; a gentle, quiet touch on the back of her elbow whenever he had to excuse himself; a simple but layered, "How are you?" whenever he could.
Elizabeth struggled to express how much those little things meant to her. She tried, but it seemed that they were always being interrupted. It was more difficult to manage the concern in some moments than others, but Elizabeth hoped that it would get easier with practice. She believed that it would.
Nathan had always told her where he was going and how long he planned to be gone, and that hadn't changed. If Nathan knew then he made sure Elizabeth knew. That, too, made it easier. It had always made it easier, though Elizabeth had not realized for some time that Nathan did that for her benefit.
Aside from Nathan's duties as a Mountie, school was officially back in session, so Elizabeth had her own duties to perform. The weather had turned colder, though they had yet to see their first snowfall, and the children had already begun to discuss the holiday season with excitement and anticipation. Elizabeth was already trying to plan the holiday art projects and activities that she would have the children do - and thinking that, this year, she and Nathan and the kids could go find and decorate two trees together.
Elizabeth had not seen Nathan for more than a handful of minutes together in almost a full day when the excitement came to Hope Valley.
It was mid-morning on a Saturday, and quiet the way small towns were when they were caught between the fun of a Friday night and the lull of a Saturday afternoon. Elizabeth bundled herself and little Jack into warm coats and went next door to fetch Rosemary, who opened the door before she'd even had a chance to knock.
"There you are!" Rosemary exclaimed with her trademark smile.
"Oh," Elizabeth said in surprise, and then she smiled in return. "Good morning. Sorry, I meant to get an earlier start, but ..."
"Elizabeth," Rosemary interrupted, "Don't you dare apologize. It's Saturday! And Saturdays are for sleeping in, aren't they, little man? You look so dashing in your little coat and hat."
"He does, doesn't he?" Elizabeth gushed.
"I'm off, Lee!" Rosemary called into her house.
Lee called back a farewell and then Elizabeth, Rosemary, and little Jack made their way into town. Elizabeth needed things from the mercantile, and rather than asking Rosemary if she'd like her to pick anything up for them Elizabeth had simply asked her friend if she wanted to go into town with her. Elizabeth had been making an effort to make more time for Rosemary, and Lee. Elizabeth had already apologized for her behavior toward her friend in the recent past, and Rosemary had accepted with ready grace, but still. Elizabeth wanted to make sure that Rosemary felt as loved and included and appreciated as she was. Part of that was getting back to making sure that she had time to really spend with her friend.
Even if all they were doing was going to the mercantile.
Little Jack was quite the mover these days, but it was still slow going with his little toddler steps. Rosemary and Elizabeth talked amiably as they went, and every few minutes the brisk morning air was punctuated by one or both of their laughs. Elizabeth told Rosemary all about her date with Nathan: about how the way he looked at her across the table, in a room full of people, made her feel like she couldn't breathe; about how wonderful Allie had been at entertaining and diverting little Jack's attention; about how, once she allowed herself to simply accept things as they were, the four of them together like that had felt both exciting and natural.
They talked about Rachel and whether or not her mother was going to let her come back to Hope Valley, and Rosemary's newfound purpose and direction in life, and it was an easy walk full of camaraderie and joy.
As they approached the mercantile, however, their easy happiness gave way to concern and confusion. Raised voices carried down the main street, and here and there people started to break out in a run. In the distance, Elizabeth could hear some kind of commotion that she could not immediately identify.
"What's happening?" Rosemary asked loudly.
"Bill!" Elizabeth called as she caught sight of her friend. He sat astride Hero and spared just a momentary glance in her direction to show that he'd heard her, but it was clear that he was about to take off. "What is it?"
"Runaway stagecoach," Bill called back. "Get everyone out of the street! I have to help Nathan."
Elizabeth's heart leapt into her throat. She glanced sidelong at Rosemary, who shared her look of concern, and then they both fell into take-charge mode. Elizabeth swept little Jack off his feet and into her arms as she and Rosemary split up to call out for everyone to clear the street. Jesse, Clara, and Lucas - who had appeared from the saloon at the sound of raised voices - took her lead and began to direct people onto the boardwalk and building steps.
Reassured that the road was clear, Elizabeth positioned herself on the boardwalk and craned her head to look as far as she could manage down the lane that led out of town. She could still hear whatever the commotion was, but there was nothing to see. No stagecoach, no flash of red serge, no Bill.
"I don't see anything," Rosemary said from beside her.
"What's happening?" another voice called from somewhere down the street.
Then, in a burst of color and activity, several horses burst out of the trees near the road at a pell-mell gallop. Two were hitched to a stagecoach that had clearly seen better days: the door was swinging wildly from its hinges, and there was no driver in the seat as the frantic beasts ran full out with no direction. They were running perpendicular to the road and looked set to cross it and head for the row houses; worse, Elizabeth thought she could hear feminine screaming from the general direction of the stagecoach.
"Someone is in the stagecoach!" Elizabeth announced in horror.
But the stagecoach and its horses had not appeared alone. Elizabeth caught her breath as the scarlet of Nathan's jacket raced along one side of the stagecoach; on the other side, Bill had Hero stretched into an all out gallop as he did the same. It was clear in a moment what they were trying to do: redirect the stagecoach away from the houses, and get close enough to stop the runaways. They were quickly running out of room to do either before the driverless stagecoach ran into something.
Bill pressed Hero forward and angled him toward the other horses. From where she stood, Elizabeth thought that Hero might have actually bumped one of them in the side, but it had the desired effect; with a wild whinny the horse that had been bumped leapt to the side, where it hit its counterpart, and for a sickening second the whole stagecoach wobbled dangerously as it rocked to one side and turned away from the row houses. The stagecoach was now headed directly for the heart of town.
"Out of the way!" Bill yelled as loudly as he could.
But the unexpected change of direction had interrupted the runaway steeds just enough to slow them down as they fought not to lose their footing. Newton's pace had not let up, however, and he was thundering down the road as though he had wings. Nathan had pulled him closer to the stagecoach, close enough that from where Elizabeth stood it looked like there was no space between them at all, and then Nathan was stretching as far as he could out of the saddle to reach for the long reins.
Elizabeth audibly gasped. She knew it, could both hear and feel it, but she wasn't the only one.
"My God," someone said.
Nathan had managed to get a hold on a single rein. He latched onto it as tightly as he could and hauled himself back into the saddle as he fought to slow Newton and put steady pressure on that rein.
"Bill!"
Bill understood what Nathan hadn't said. Even as Nathan felt the slightest release on both sets of reins - a sign that they were slowing - Bill asked Hero for what speed he had left and shot out in front of the stagecoach to cut it off. The struggle to keep pressure and direction on that one rein, keep his seat firm in his own saddle whilst also asking Newton to slow down, and gauge how many more seconds they had before they hit something or someone was all that Nathan could focus on. In front of the stagecoach, Nathan could hear Bill hollering, "Whoa!" as loudly as he could.
The screaming from the stagecoach had stopped, and Nathan hoped that it was only because the occupant had run out of breath and nothing else.
Bill had angled Hero so that he was directly blocking the stagecoach's path. Nathan put more pressure on that one rein and braced himself, because they had not slowed enough and they were inevitably going to either smash into Bill, or they were all about to take a collective tumble. Either way, though, he had a second to be grateful that all of that would happen in the middle of the street just before that old fueling station, and that they had averted disaster before they'd reached town.
Then, it all gave at once. The single rein in Nathan's hand went slack as the runaway horses came to a sudden, sliding stop just a stone's throw before they hit Hero; the stagecoach, badly battered already, groaned and croaked as it shuddered on its axles and pinions, and the whole thing shifted unnaturally forward as the force sheared the bolts that kept it in place; and it was all Nathan could do to keep his seat as Newton - and everything else - came to a grinding halt. Then, the coach portion of the stagecoach simply ... fell over.
It took several seconds for Nathan's brain to process what had happened. As soon as it had, he called to Bill as he vaulted out of the saddle and ran toward the stagecoach.
"You alright?"
"Fine."
Nathan couldn't quite reach the opening that had been the stagecoach door. He braced a foot on the nearest piece of wood - a portion of the axle - and hauled himself up to peer into the coach.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked commandingly.
To his surprise, a rather even voice answered him. "Are we dead?"
Nathan couldn't swallow the chuckle that escaped him. "Thankfully, no."
Somewhere in the mess of what Nathan was realizing were colorful skirts, two faces appeared. Both were feminine, and Nathan couldn't see any signs of injuries or blood. The two women were the only occupants of the coach.
"Was anyone else in here with you?"
"No." The same woman who had answered his first question answered him now. "It's just my sister and I."
"Are you injured?" Nathan continued as he held out a hand for the woman to grab.
"I don't think so. Thank you."
Nathan helped the first woman clamber out of the stagecoach, and then the next. When they were both safely on their feet and standing in the road, Nathan took quick stock of them, but his original assessment of no injuries held. The woman who had done all of the speaking looked fairly in control of herself, but the other woman - younger, Nathan guessed, and blonde - still hadn't said a word and stood stock still next to her sister. Nathan was willing to bet that if shock hadn't already set in, it was doing so now.
By now, enough people had made their way over from main street to help that there was getting to be something of a crowd.
"I don't know how you did that, Constable," the woman said, "But you have my deepest thanks."
"Nathan Grant," Nathan said politely and extended his hand for a shake. "And I'm just glad it ended how it did." Nathan spotted several faces in the crowd that he wanted to speak to, but he still had a few things to take care of. "Lucas!"
Things between them were still awkward, if slightly less strained, but Nathan didn't doubt for a second that Lucas would hear him and lend his aid. Sure enough, Lucas appeared next to him a few moments later with a look of concern.
"How can I help?"
Nathan motioned to the two women. "I believe these ladies are going to be in need of a room."
"Of course," Lucas said graciously. "If you'll come with me I'll get you set up immediately."
"Lucas." When Lucas had stopped and turned his attention back to Nathan, he continued with a tactful glance at the silent sister, "If you'd be so kind as to take them by the infirmary first?"
Lucas followed Nathan's gaze to the other woman and then nodded minutely. "Absolutely."
The older sister put an arm around her sister's shoulder and started to guide her toward Lucas when she stopped suddenly. She turned back to Nathan and offered a tired smile. "I'm sorry, Constable Grant. You saved our lives and I forgot to even introduce myself. I'm Ava Howard, and this is my sister, Amy."
Nathan smiled and nodded. "Circumstances aside, it's nice to meet you, Miss Howard. If you don't mind, I'd like to speak to you after you get settled about what happened here."
"Certainly. Thank you, Constable."
When Lucas and the two women had moved away, Nathan cast his gaze over the crowd again. It didn't take him long to find Elizabeth, because she was making her way surely through the crowd. She had Jack in her arms, and Rosemary wasn't far behind her; Nathan stepped away from the carriage and met her just on the edge of the people who had assembled to help unhitch and remove the still blowing and flighty stage horses.
Elizabeth reached out with the arm that wasn't supporting Jack and wrapped a hand around Nathan's forearm. Nathan understood what she wasn't saying - what the expression on her face meant - and ducked his chin slightly to catch her gaze with his own.
"Elizabeth," he said gently. "I'm fine."
She blew out a heavy breath. "I know. I do, I know."
Nathan had turned the arm that Elizabeth held and pressed his open palm up against her elbow, and they maintained that contact as Rosemary appeared next to Elizabeth.
"Goodness! That was ... well, is everyone alright?"
"Everyone is fine," Nathan replied, smiling.
"Horsey!" Jack exclaimed suddenly.
Elizabeth, Rosemary, and Nathan all chuckled at the obvious joy he'd managed to squeeze into that word. The stagecoach horses had been led away, so it was only a tired Newton and Hero standing quietly near the wreck of the stagecoach. They would both need good rub downs, because despite the cold air both horses had worked up a lather in their race to avert disaster. In fact, they would need to be cared for sooner rather than later.
Rosemary was as perceptive as ever. She grinned and clapped her hands together and then held them out for Jack. "Would you like to go say hi to the horsey, Jack?"
Elizabeth handed Jack to Rosemary with a grateful look. As Rosemary and Jack moved away from Elizabeth and Nathan and toward the horses, Elizabeth turned her attention back to Nathan. She searched his face - his cheeks and nose were red from the wind and the cold, and his normally coifed hair was falling against his forehead - but he did not seem any worse for the wear.
Nathan squeezed her elbow reassuringly. Elizabeth stepped closer, uncertain whether she wanted to hug him or kiss him or she knew not what, and Nathan gave her a moment to decide. So much patience, Elizabeth thought.
"Nathan!" Bill called then. "We need to get the horses to the livery, and get this stagecoach moved."
"Coming." But Nathan didn't move. He tilted his head slightly and waited for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth smiled. Nathan was okay, and now there was work to be done. She would find him again later, and she told him so. "I'll come find you later. We'll go see if there's anything we can help with." She put enough pressure on his forearm to pull herself up and forward, so that she could press a kiss against his cold cheek. When she was done, the tender way that Nathan was looking at her made her catch her breath. Then, teasing, she said, "Try not to find any more excitement today, alright?"
Nathan grinned. "It found me, I'll have you know."
Elizabeth didn't want to leave Nathan there, but he had work to do. Besides, she and Rosemary were going to see if they could offer any help to the women who had been in the stagecoach, and they both still needed to make that trip to the mercantile.
But the new ladies had caused quite a stir in Hope Valley, and Elizabeth and Rosemary could do little more than introduce themselves and offer to help if needed before other people had stepped in. With their help not needed, the friends finally made it to the mercantile. Jack had no idea what had happened, but the air of excitement and activity had translated itself into a more talkative attitude for the child. He only knew a few intelligible words, but he kept up a steady stream of toddler babble as Elizabeth and Rosemary went about their afternoon.
Allie made an appearance just as Elizabeth, Rosemary, and Jack were sitting down to lunch in the café. She had been off gallivanting with Florence's son, Paul, and a few of the other kids when the stagecoach fiasco had happened. It was clear from her expression and energy when she popped into the space near their table that she had heard about it.
"Was there really a runaway stagecoach?"
"There was," Elizabeth answered. "But everyone is fine now."
"Robert said Uncle Nathan chased it down, just like in the stories!"
Elizabeth grinned, but Rosemary outright chuckled at that. Without the fear and stress of actually watching the events unfold, there was nothing for Allie to feel except pride and curiosity. Both very different from what Elizabeth had felt in the moment, of course, but it helped that she was still young and idealistic enough that chasing a runaway stagecoach sounded adventurous and romantic rather than terrifying.
"He was very brave," Rosemary agreed.
With a fond shake of her head, Elizabeth redirected the conversation. "Are you hungry, Allie? We were just about to have lunch."
"No thanks, Mrs. Thornton. I'm going to go find my uncle!"
"Allie," Elizabeth said before Allie could bounce off again. "Your Uncle Nathan has a lot of work to do right now. How about you sit down and have lunch with us, and then we'll go find your uncle together when we're done?"
After thinking it over, Allie shrugged and smiled crookedly. "Okay. Lunch does sound good."
Jack was perched on Elizabeth's knee, so Allie pulled out the chair next to Elizabeth and plopped into it with as much exhaustion as a teenager was capable of feigning. Across from her, Rosemary hid a silent laugh. Elizabeth pressed her lips together to contain her smile.
The four of them enjoyed their lunch. They had chosen a table farther from the door to cut back on the draft that came through any time someone entered or left, so they sat for awhile in the warmth of the café and each other's company as other people came and went about their day. When it was clear that Jack was ready for a nap, and that his mood was going to keep deteriorating until he finally passed out, Elizabeth and Rosemary gathered everyone up, made sure everyone was bundled, and led the way out to the street.
Elizabeth had only just made it out the door when a thought occurred to her. She asked Rosemary to wait with the kids for a moment and then slipped back inside to retrieve a simple lunch. In all of the comings and goings of the café she hadn't seen Nathan. Elizabeth knew that it wasn't uncommon for Nathan and Allie to have lunch at the café, and if Allie hadn't had lunch by the time she'd arrived then it was a fair bet that Nathan probably hadn't eaten yet either.
When Elizabeth made it back to Rosemary's side, little Jack had his head down on Rosemary's shoulder and his eyes half closed.
"Someone is rather tuckered out, I see," Elizabeth said softly.
Rosemary beamed. "It's that Auntie Rosemary magic. I know you told Allie you'd find Nathan after lunch. How about I take this little man back to the house, and you can stop by when you're finished?"
"Really? You wouldn't mind?"
"Of course not," Rosemary practically hissed in her vehemence. "You know how much Lee and I love spending time with little Jack. Now go, and we'll see you whenever you're done. No rush."
"Thank you, Rosemary." Elizabeth squeezed her friend's shoulder in thanks and then pressed a kiss to her son's head. "Allie?"
"Ready!"
Elizabeth watched Rosemary and Jack head off in the other direction for a minute before turning her attention to Allie. The easiest place to check was the Mountie office, of course, so the two of them crossed the street and headed for the door. Elizabeth knew before they'd even tried the door that Nathan wasn't there, but they went in anyway. Elizabeth wasn't sure if they'd actually be able to catch Nathan or not, so she let Allie set up the lunch items on his desk as she scribbled a note. It was a simple fare, so it would keep for awhile as long as it stayed covered. Elizabeth placed the checkered cloth napkin from her basket over the food and tucked it under so that it wouldn't be dislodged.
"We should leave him a note," Allie decided.
She retrieved a pencil and some paper and scribbled a quick note, then handed it over to Elizabeth. She wasn't entirely sure what to write, so she went with something simple: You're going to need this if you plan to stop any more runaway stagecoaches. Elizabeth.
As luck would have it, when Elizabeth and Allie stepped out of the Mountie office they caught sight of Nathan down the street. He was standing outside the saloon and speaking with the two women from the stagecoach. Elizabeth smiled a little at seeing him there: he was the brightest spot of color in the street, and he was standing with his feet slightly apart and his arms tucked behind his back in that semi-formal way he had of standing when he was working.
"There he is!" Allie exclaimed, but Elizabeth stopped her before she could take off toward him.
"We should wait here," Elizabeth told her kindly. "Your uncle is talking to someone right now, and we don't want to interrupt."
"Who are those ladies?"
"They were the ones in the stagecoach."
"Where were they going?" Allie continued.
Elizabeth chuckled. "I don't know."
They stood quietly on the boardwalk for a time. Elizabeth wasn't sure if they should simply move on or continue to wait and see if Nathan would be done soon, and as she was trying to decide Nathan suddenly turned his head and saw them. He didn't smile outright - he was still listening to what the women were saying - but Elizabeth saw one side of his mouth pull up into what she knew would have been a smile if the situation were different. Elizabeth smiled at him, perhaps a bit shyly.
Out of nowhere and somewhat quietly, Allie said: "She's very pretty, isn't she?"
Elizabeth glanced at Allie and then back up at the two women in front of Nathan. Allie was right, they were both beautiful. The older one had nearly black hair and was taller than Elizabeth; the younger woman had flaxen hair and was perhaps Elizabeth's height or a little shorter. It was almost comical how opposite they looked. From here, there was little to give them away as sisters.
Nathan had returned his attention to the women in front of him. With a disappointed sigh, Elizabeth decided that they'd better get a move on. It was clear that Nathan still had work to do, and she had schoolwork to grade and a dinner to start. Elizabeth let Allie know that they weren't going to have any luck today with catching Nathan with a spare moment and asked if she'd like to walk home together. When Allie accepted they made their way up the street and toward home.
Elizabeth had the urge to reach out and brush a hand against Nathan's arm as they passed - just a whisper of a touch, a momentary connection to let him know that she was there - but refrained. As if she had, however, Nathan raised his eyes to her face in that moment before she and Allie passed by and smiled at them both.
Elizabeth sighed. There was always tomorrow.
In hindsight, maybe she should have seen this coming.
Elizabeth was standing outside the church after Sunday morning service when the two women from the day before appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Elizabeth hadn't really managed to introduce herself in the chaos yesterday, but that was quickly remedied when Rosemary called them over. Elizabeth and Lee both smiled and took turns introducing themselves, and then Elizabeth introduced Jack and some gushing over his cuteness ensued. Miss Ava Howard was the older of the two, and Amy Howard the younger. Though Amy had not spoken much yesterday, by her own admission, she seemed well recovered today. Elizabeth quickly came to understand that Ava was the more proper, reserved of the two women; Amy's smile was quick to show and she was a dynamic, animated woman. The two of them reminded Elizabeth of her and her sister, Julie. They looked about the same distance apart in age as well. It made Elizabeth smile; she wondered if people who had met the Thatcher sisters had entertained the same impressions of her and Julie when they met them, or even between Viola and Julie. Or Viola and Elizabeth, for that matter, because next to Viola's air of cool refinement and aloofness even Elizabeth had probably seemed animated.
Ava was mid-conversation with Lee and Rosemary when Elizabeth heard a soft, "Oh," from next to her. There was something about it that caught her attention: it was ... whimsical? Or wishful, maybe, and then another word came to mind: romantic.
Elizabeth glanced at Amy, who had made the sound, and saw that her gaze was directed elsewhere. When Elizabeth followed Amy's line of sight, a strange combination of feeling swept over her. That familiar swoop of emotion that she always felt around Nathan fluttered through her breast, but it was followed immediately by a sensation that Elizabeth hadn't felt in some time: jealousy.
Because Nathan was headed toward them in his uniform - he had missed the service, but Allie had come with Elizabeth - and Amy was watching him approach with a look on her face that Elizabeth knew well.
"Isn't he handsome?" Amy whispered. Elizabeth doubted that she was actually expecting an answer, which was perfect, because Elizabeth didn't think she could manage one.
Nathan was handsome. Elizabeth had never been under illusions on that front: with his bright blue eyes, strong jaw, and dark hair Nathan made a striking image at any time. He looked wonderful in his uniform, but Elizabeth was partial to the way he looked in his casual clothes with the top few buttons of his shirt undone and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Now, however, Elizabeth saw Nathan again as if for the first time. He was so tall, and even now as he strode confidently toward them, there was a quiet grace in the way he moved that belied the occasional awkwardness that she knew was also a part of him.
Nathan was handsome - strikingly so, really - but he was so much more than that. Kind, and patient, and earnest ... noble, and selfless ...
"You missed it," Allie informed him brightly as she skipped by Elizabeth and over to meet him.
Nathan chuckled fondly. "So I see." He made straight for Elizabeth and smiled warmly at her before tipping his head in Amy's direction. "Hello."
"Hi," Elizabeth responded brightly. She was happy to see him, but the unexpected jealousy she felt had her tongue tied.
"Hello," Amy answered.
Though Elizabeth had seen Amy talking animatedly just minutes ago there was a shyness to her answer that Elizabeth hadn't expected. For just a moment - and Elizabeth wasn't proud of it - it reminded her of the coquettish way that Elizabeth had often seen young women in Hamilton greet the men they were trying to encourage as suitors. It made Elizabeth do a double take that she hoped no one else picked up on. Amy didn't look at all coy, however. Elizabeth mentally chastised herself.
Nathan had caught her double take, though, and when Elizabeth refocused on him his brows furrowed in a silent question. Elizabeth gave him a look that she hoped said it was nothing.
Allie had missed the silent exchange. She beamed at Amy and motioned to Nathan. "This is my Uncle Nathan," she introduced proudly. "Uncle Nathan, this is Amy."
Nathan, Elizabeth, and Amy laughed in unison. "Miss Howard," Nathan corrected. "And we've already met."
"But she told me to call her Amy!" Allie protested. When Nathan gave her an expectant look, Allie sighed and gave in. "Yes, sir."
"My sister and I were in the stagecoach your uncle saved yesterday," Amy said conversationally. She'd been speaking to Allie, but at the word 'saved' she shot a smile in Nathan's direction.
"That was you?" Allie asked delightedly. "My friend Robert said it was just like you read about in stories! Were you scared? What was it like?"
Amy pulled a face. "It was terrifying! I don't even know how to describe it, except that I never want to do it again."
"Allie," Nathan interrupted when it looked like Allie was going to keep going. "I'm sure that Miss Howard would rather not tell that story again."
Gracefully, and with that shy smile again, Amy said, "Please. If Allie can't call me Amy, then you must. I insist."
Elizabeth could not make heads or tails of what she was feeling in that moment. Allie's questions had reminded Elizabeth of her own misadventure on her way to Hope Valley - then Coal Valley - all those years ago. The fear of being overtaken by those bandits, followed by the real challenge of getting herself the rest of the way to the town that would become her home ... well, that was certainly an experience that she didn't want to revisit, no matter how Julie had gushed over it later.
But Elizabeth wasn't thinking about those experiences now. She was watching Amy, who was clearly very taken with Nathan, and struggling with an unexpected feeling of vulnerability. That hint of jealousy was still there, too. Amy wasn't much younger than she and Nathan were, and certainly of an age to think of marriage. Though both sisters were beautiful, there was something that set Amy apart. Her big hazel eyes and blonde hair were accented by full lips that appeared to always be pulled back in some sort of smile, and she had a dimple in one cheek.
What if Amy and her sister had come to Hope Valley sooner? What if, instead of yesterday, that stagecoach mishap had brought them here a few months ago when Elizabeth had been determined to push Nathan away? Amy was all pale golds and greens to complement Nathan's earthy browns and baby blues, and even looking at them now Elizabeth could see that they would make a handsome couple. A porcelain doll and her protector.
"Elizabeth?"
Nathan's concern pulled her out of her thoughts as much as the sound of his voice did. "Sorry," she apologized quickly. Now that she'd come back to herself she realized that Amy was gone, and that the groups of people had begun to break up as people went about their day.
"Everything okay?"
"Just ... lost in thought," Elizabeth answered. Jack decided that he'd had enough of being held and began to squirm until Elizabeth bent over to set him on his feet.
"Come on, Jack," Allie said as she held out her hand to him. When Jack had wrapped his little hand around Allie's first two fingers she began to lead him away from the church.
Nathan and Elizabeth smiled at each other. "Can we walk you home?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth laughed. "I think that's already been decided."
Then, in a move that surprised Nathan, Elizabeth stepped into the space next to him and slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. The look on his face made Elizabeth grin, though that softened into a bit of a self-conscious smile when he glanced at her with an emotion that was equal parts happiness and tenderness.
Elizabeth held her breath. "Is this okay?" She felt a little childish asking, honestly.
Nathan tilted his head toward her and locked that steady gaze on hers. "It's perfect."
They stood there, staring intently at one another, until Allie called to them. "Can we have dinner with Mrs. Thornton tonight?"
If Elizabeth forgot about Amy Howard for the rest of the day, however, she was reminded of her at almost every turn in the next few days. The stagecoach mishap was still a hot topic for the children on Monday, and everyone was more than ready to share what (mostly exaggerated) detail they had heard from their parents, or on the street, and when that had been done they all turned to Allie for details. Several of the older boys in Elizabeth's classroom were now convinced that being a Mountie was the most exciting job they could think of; some of the younger girls had decided that Mounties were either the epitome of romance or a hero, or both.
Outside of the schoolhouse, Amy and Ava Howard had made themselves rather popular in such a short time. Ava Howard was considered a sensible, amiable woman who was considerably skilled as an artist and had entertained several of the saloon patrons with caricatures of themselves; Amy Howard was, as Ned had so readily informed Elizabeth, "a bright spot in an already sunny day." Florence had immediately agreed that Amy was "absolutely the sweetest little thing", and Elizabeth had left the mercantile feeling slightly annoyed.
The real annoyance, however, was that Amy's interest in Nathan had not waned at all in the four days that they'd been in Hope Valley.
In fact, Rosemary dropped by that very afternoon to inform Elizabeth that she'd had a conversation about Nathan with Amy in passing.
"I was on my way to Lee's office this morning when I stopped to say hello to Amy Howard." Rosemary had caught Elizabeth on her way out of the schoolhouse and linked arms with her friend as they walked. "She mentioned that Nathan and Bill were almost done with their investigation into the stagecoach mishap, and that they'd be free to leave soon, though between the two of us she didn't seem very excited about that prospect."
"Did they ever find out what happened to the driver?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, they think they found him a few miles from Hope Valley. Bill said he's still unconscious, so they won't know more until they can question him, but Ava offered to identify him from a sketch if one could be provided."
"That was helpful."
"Oh, yes. I like that Ava Howard, she's a smart cookie. Amy, too, of course, though I have my suspicions about a few matters on that front."
Elizabeth stopped walking and turned to her friend. "Suspicions? You don't trust Amy?"
Rosemary frowned. "Not exactly." After a moment of indecision in which Rosemary studied her friend closely, she linked their arms again and they resumed their trek. "I suspect that miss Amy Howard has set her romantic sights on a certain Mountie," Rosemary explained gently.
Elizabeth couldn't help the dry chuckle that escaped her. "I already knew that, Rosemary."
"Did you also know that she asked Clara about Allie's mother, and why she's always with Nathan if she's just his niece?"
Elizabeth's brows drew together. "No, I didn't." There was nothing concerning about that, really, except that it reinforced Elizabeth's belief that Amy was interested in Nathan. She might have chalked it up to simple curiosity if she hadn't seen the way Amy reacted to Nathan's presence on Sunday.
"Clara explained things, briefly, but I didn't think anything of it until Amy asked if it was just Nathan and Allie. I don't think Clara picked up on it, and I didn't want to say anything because I know how new things are with you and Nathan, but ... perhaps you should have a talk with her, Elizabeth. I don't want to overstep my bounds, but you and Nathan have been through enough obstacles, and I would hate to see you face another one so soon."
Elizabeth stopped to hug her friend. "Thank you, Rosemary. That means a lot."
"Well," Rosemary said when they had parted again. "I must be on my way again, but Lee and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at dinner!"
Elizabeth thought about what Rosemary had told her as she walked. Yes, she and Nathan had certainly run the gauntlet to get to where they were now. Months of tension and strain and hurt littered the pathway that had led them here, and Elizabeth did not want to relive any of it. Amy Howard was a wonderful woman - as much as it annoyed Elizabeth to hear everyone say it, she did not disagree - but Elizabeth was not about to let another misunderstanding cause any kind of disruption in her relationship with Nathan. It was an honest one, Elizabeth knew, because Amy didn't know that Elizabeth and Nathan were courting, and no one had had cause yet to tell her.
On a whim, Elizabeth changed direction mid-step. She'd been headed home, but now that she was really thinking about it she'd decided to head into town and see if she could find Nathan. She wanted to talk to him about this - to let him know that any hesitation or aloofness that she might have displayed in the recent days had nothing to do with him, or them. And also to let him know that she planned to talk to Amy.
In hindsight, Elizabeth probably should have seen this coming. Two women saved from a runaway stagecoach by a handsome Mountie? Julie would have known immediately what would happen, because Allie was right: it was just like something from the storybooks, and Julie had always loved the romances.
It made Elizabeth smile to herself. She would certainly have to write Julie and tell her about all of this at the next chance she got. Her sister would find the story wildly diverting.
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"
Elizabeth's head shot up to find Nathan standing just off to the side of her. He had Newton's reins gathered in one hand, but his attention was focused only on her. Elizabeth had no idea how she'd managed to get this close to him without realizing he was there; then, her thoughts caught up to his words, and the heat of a blush spread over her nose and cheeks.
"Thank you," she managed to reply. Nathan had complimented her countless times, but there was still something so ... new about it. Especially when he told her she was beautiful.
"You were smiling to yourself just then," he said.
It wasn't a question as much as an observation. Nathan was watching her with those piercing eyes that always made Elizabeth feel breathless, and she let herself be drawn in as she moved closer. "I was thinking about my sister, Julie, but I'll tell you about it later. I was coming to find you, actually."
"Everything okay?" he asked quickly.
Elizabeth smiled. He was always so concerned, so ready to slide back into his role as protector. Unexpectedly, it reminded her of what he'd told her about coming to Hope Valley after Jack's death to look after and protect her and little Jack. Nathan had been protecting and caring for her for longer than Elizabeth had known, until recently.
"Nathan," she began, and when she saw that wary look in his eyes she took another step closer. There wasn't much distance between them now, but she bridged what was left to hold out her hand to him, which he took without hesitation. "I just want you to know that if I've been ... quiet or withdrawn at all these last few days, it has nothing to do with you, or us."
"Thank you for telling me. I'll admit, I was worried at first."
"At first?" Elizabeth questioned.
The smile Nathan gave her in answer was mischievous and playful by turns. "Bill may have shared an observation with me that made it click."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. Bill had made an observation? What did that mean? "Observation about what?" she couldn't resist asking.
Until that moment, Nathan had given Elizabeth all of the time and space to decide how to pursue their relationship. Whether they were alone, or in the middle of the café, or standing on the steps of the schoolhouse: wherever they were, Nathan let her decide when and how to initiate any physical contact they shared. Until now. Now, with one of her hands still folded into his, Nathan leaned forward until Elizabeth could feel just the barest brush of his skin on her cheek.
Then, his warm breath ghosting over her ear, Nathan murmured, "You're the only woman I see, Elizabeth."
Her breath caught. They were so close that she could smell that scent that she could only define as distinctly Nathan: the freshness of the wind, and pine, and horse. She was still holding her breath when the soft warmth of his lips pressed a kiss to the area just in front of her ear, and then he drew away from her. When their eyes met again his seemed impossibly bright, and blue, and they watched her with that steady regard that made her feel as though he could see straight through to her heart.
"Oh," Elizabeth whispered on a breath. "That's ... that was ... I ..."
Nathan smiled. Not a grin, not the secret, lopsided smile they sometimes shared, but an all out smile that flashed every pearly white tooth he had and lit him up from the inside out. "Tongue tied, Mrs. Thornton?"
Elizabeth huffed and made a face, then furrowed her brow at him in mock disapproval. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"I enjoy every moment with you," Nathan answered honestly. "But I would never enjoy a moment of your discomfort. You know that, right?"
Elizabeth tipped her head and squeezed his hand. "Of course I know that, Nathan. I just ... this all still feels so new, and I guess I just ... feel protective. And vulnerable, if I'm being honest."
"Nathan!" Another voice called then.
They both glanced up to see Bill standing outside the Mountie office with that look of annoyance that he often wore when he was feeling particularly put upon.
"Be right there, Bill." Nathan turned his attention back to Elizabeth. "I feel the same. Can we talk more about this tonight? Over dinner?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I'll cook. Six?"
"Nathan!" Bill called again. He was just like an impatient parent spying on his kids from the porch.
"Can't wait," Nathan answered, totally ignoring Bill.
Elizabeth chuckled and released Nathan's hand so that he could go. He hadn't made it more than two or three steps when Elizabeth called his name again. "Nathan?"
He stopped and half turned back to face her; in the distance, Bill threw up one hand in exasperation and went back into the Mountie office.
Softly, but with steadfast bravery and emotion, Elizabeth took a deep breath and said, "I love you."
Technically, it was the first time she'd said it. At least, said it so simply, with no explanation or additions attached. Just those three words. No life or death situations, no high stakes or emotional upheaval in sight: just a quiet moment in the street that Elizabeth had been unable to let pass without that simple statement.
Nathan crossed the distance back to her in a heartbeat, and then there was nothing but his large, rough hands cupping her face as he kissed right there for all the world to see. Gentle, earnest, intense; exciting and reassuring all at once.
"I love you, too."
Elizabeth didn't manage to draw another breath until Nathan had disappeared into the livery. She hadn't intended to say it until it had risen up in her like a tidal wave, and not saying it had seemed ... impossible. Such a big moment for any relationship, really, yet somehow, with Nathan, it felt natural. She had loved him for longer than she'd been willing to admit; longer than she'd realized, even. All the times that Nathan had told her he loved her, both with and without the words, that she had simply let slip by without an answer as she struggled with what it meant that he had so quickly been ensconced in her heart.
She wasn't ready to make it a commonplace thing. Not yet; she still had things to work through, and so did he. But it was true, and she wanted him to know. Elizabeth knew that one day soon they would be in a place where "I love you" was as normal as "good morning". They were already on their way. Until then, Elizabeth would say the words when she could, and show him when she couldn't.
When Elizabeth ran into Amy Howard later that day the other woman's presence did nothing to upset the peace that had settled over her.
Surprisingly, Amy sought her out immediately with a look of sincere chagrin. "I hope you'll allow me to tell you how truly sorry I am, Mrs. Thornton."
"Amy. I thought we agreed that you'd call me Elizabeth."
Amy fidgeted with her hands. "Elizabeth," she started again. "I apologize wholeheartedly for anything I've said or done in the last few days that may have been inappropriate. I truly had no idea that you and the Constable were courting!"
Realization dawned on Elizabeth. "Oh. Of course you didn't, Amy. I should have said something, but things are still new with us and I didn't know how. I apologize for the misunderstanding."
"Oh, you have nothing to apologize for! Only, I'm so embarrassed. Ava is always after me to get out of my own head and pay attention to the world around me, but, well, I guess I'm not very good at it."
Elizabeth laughed. "You sound just like my younger sister, Julie. And I can understand where you're coming from: saved from a runaway stagecoach by a handsome Mountie? It does sound romantic."
Amy blushed and dropped her gaze to the floor for a moment. "Still, I am mortified. Will you forgive me, Elizabeth?"
"Of course I will, Amy. Now, what do you say we forget all about this and you can tell me where you and your sister are headed after this?"
Rosemary had volunteered to watch both Jack and Allie for the evening, so that Elizabeth and Nathan could have dinner on their own. Elizabeth had relayed the events of the day to Rosemary when she'd come to drop off Jack, and now she was making ready to leave and finish dinner.
"The only thing I haven't been able to figure out is who told her," Elizabeth mused.
Rosemary's expression was comical. It was that look she often wore when Elizabeth was missing something that should have been as plain as day. "Nathan did."
Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. "He did? How do you know that?"
"Well, not outright. You know how subtle Nathan can be. But I overheard him just this morning telling Allie that he planned to ask you to dinner this evening. That's why I volunteered to watch the children."
Elizabeth frowned. "But how did that get back to Amy?"
Rosemary smiled. "Well, she was standing right there with Allie when he said it. From there, I imagine that Allie was all too happy to tell Amy about her uncle and her schoolteacher."
Elizabeth shook her head in wonder. Of course. The minute Nathan had understood what had been bothering Elizabeth he'd taken steps to alleviate the situation with all of the tact and subtlety she'd come to expect from him. He had let Amy know that her attention would go unmet and unanswered without costing her an ounce of pride or humiliation. He had given Amy a way out of the situation, and addressed Elizabeth's discomfort without anyone the wiser. In fact, if Rosemary hadn't been standing there when it happened, Elizabeth would never have known what happened.
Understated and humble, just like Nathan.
"Yes," Rosemary agreed, though Elizabeth hadn't said anything. "I thought so, too."
Elizabeth smiled. Rosemary really did know her so well. With a kiss to the top of Jack's head and a promise to see them soon, Elizabeth slipped back to her house to finish making dinner. Nathan would be there soon, and she wanted this evening to be extra special.
First Jack, and now Nathan: Elizabeth was truly the luckiest woman in the world to have been loved by two of the best men she had ever known.
To have been given the chance to love them both in return.