Elizabeth Thornton walked up the steps of her best friend's house decidedly, feeling nervous yet hopeful as she raised her hand to knock on the door. She suddenly hesitated, wondering what she was doing. She had no right to expect Rosemary to forgive her for how she had acted. Her simple offering of muffins suddenly seemed so insignificant and she knew there was nothing she could ever do to truly make up for the way she had hurt her friend.

Was it wrong of her to try to make up now? How could she possibly repair the damage that had been done? Rosemary had told her that 'friends remained friends', but how could Elizabeth expect her to forgive her?

The simple answer: she couldn't. Elizabeth turned around and began walking back towards her own home when she heard the door open behind her. She turned around swiftly to see Rosemary coming out, and immediately, the words began tumbling out of her mouth.

"I'm so sorry," she began. "I've behaved horribly. I don't know how I ever doubted your intentions or your friendship. Do you forgive me?" Elizabeth held out the muffins, which still seemed inadequate, but she didn't know what else to do in the moment.

Rosemary let out a relieved sigh. "Of course I do!" she said, rushing down the steps and pulling Elizabeth into a tight hug. It was a hug that Elizabeth hadn't realized she'd been craving, and she hugged her friend back just as tightly.

"I'm so sorry for how I've treated you," Elizabeth continued when they pulled away. "How I've treated our friendship. I've just felt so-"

"I know," Rosemary reassured her, her voice gentle and full of understanding. She hugged her again. "I know. But one thing that will never change is how much you mean to me. I know you've been feeling lost and hurt. I'm just glad we can be friends again."

"I'm so sorry that in my confusion and hurt, I lashed out at you. You didn't deserve that in the slightest, and I'm so sorry for how I've treated you."

Rosemary put a hand on her arm. "Elizabeth, that's all behind us now. Really." She looked down at the basket Elizabeth was holding. "Those muffins look and smell delicious. What do you say we go inside and enjoy one?"

Elizabeth smiled. "That sounds wonderful to me."

A few minutes later, the two women were sitting comfortably in Elizabeth's rowhouse, neither of them able to stop smiling and laughing as Elizabeth made some tea. However, as soon as Elizabeth explained what had happened between her and Lucas, the mood became more somber.

"I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised that Lucas let me go. After all, he's seen how-" Elizabeth hesitated, looking for the right words. "He could sense something was happening with Nathan."

"That man truly does love you so much, you know. Nathan." Elizabeth's heart seized at the sound of his name. "I tried to tell him that perhaps it would be better if he well, backed off a little. I told him about me coming to town and stirring things up for you and Jack when you were first courting, causing you both a bit of trouble."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, offering her friend an amused smile. "A bit?"

"Okay, so it was a lot," Rosemary admitted.

"Wait a moment- when Nathan came to see you, it was in the library, wasn't it?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes. Apparently, he's quite an avid reader. He's read many books it would seem, a lot of them by women. Louisa May Alcott and Mary Shelley were just a few of the authors he named."

Elizabeth's mouth opened slightly and she drew in a breath, trying to find the right words to say. "Women authors?" she asked, partly to herself, partly to Rosemary.

Rosemary nodded. "It would seem so."

Why had he never mentioned this? It's not that Elizabeth was completely surprised, but on the other hand, there had been no indication whatsoever that he was such an avid reader- or perhaps there was.

Suddenly, she thought back to the gift he had given her almost two years ago at Little Jack's christening. The plaque with a saying by one of her favorite poets and writers, Ralph Waldo Emmerson. "Always do what you're afraid to do." It was hanging in the library this very moment.

As far as Elizabeth remembered, she had only mentioned Emmerson's poetry to Allie once in front of Nathan, but she had never talked about his essays, from which that quote came. How else would he have known that if he hadn't read it for himself?

"What did he say?" Elizabeth asked, breaking herself away from her thoughts. "When you told him about you and me and Jack?"

"He told me that he couldn't let you go that easily," Rosemary said. "Not that I let go easily, as you very well know. Why-" She seemed to notice then how quiet Elizabeth was. "Elizabeth? What is it?"

She was having a hard time catching her breath. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and unexplained tears pricked her eyes. "I- I'm not sure," she finally said, still finding it difficult to voice her thoughts.

Rosemary took a deep breath, her expression serious. "Elizabeth, people come into our lives, some for a reason, others for a season, and some for a lifetime."

Elizabeth looked at her friend, her eyes wide as she took in every word, and her tears truly threatened to spill over as Rosemary continued to speak.

"Jack was a season, and it was glorious."

Elizabeth looked down, remembering. Remembering the way she had been loved so well by him. Jack had changed her for the better in every way. What a gift she had been given to be so loved by him and to get to love him in return. His love had been patient and kind and selfless. His love had fought for her. Much like- she shook the thought away as Rosemary continued, though she still looked down, afraid her eyes would betray her true feelings.

"Now it's up to you to decide who might be here for a reason- or perhaps even a lifetime."

At the mention of that word again, Elizabeth looked back up at her best friend. Things were slowly starting to become clear.

"Once you've settled that in your heart, you'll be able to throw yourself into that person's arms with all of your being."

Elizabeth still didn't know what to say, but her heart knew into which role both of the other two men in her life fit. She had a feeling Rosemary knew as well, but she couldn't find the words to express it. The man who could be her lifetime- who she wanted to become her lifetime, was the same one who had shown her love from the beginning. The one who had made countless sacrifices for her and her son- not to mention his own daughter. The one who had done so not merely out of duty, but out of selflessness and nobleness and a deep love for her and her child.

She glanced over at Jack who was playing on the floor nearby with his Mountie and horse toys. The ones that man had carved for her son, just as he had carved the sign in the library for her.

It was crazy to think that the same man who could stare down the barrel of a rifle aimed right at him, could possess such tenderness and thoughtfulness to make these gifts with his own hands. Those hands that had reached for hers when she told him that she didn't blame him for Jack's death. The hands that had wrapped around her when she thought he was almost shot and had run to him. The hands that had reached for her son and shown him care as well.

Rosemary placed a hand on top of Elizabeth's, once again breaking her away from her thoughts. "I should get going. But please stop by the office if you wish later. I'm here for you. Always."

Elizabeth squeezed her friend's hand in return. "Thank you for always being there for me, Rosemary. I am so grateful for a friend like you, and I treasure our friendship deeply. I love and cherish you so much."

"I love you, dear friend. And I'll always be there for you. No matter what."

Rosemary left a few minutes later, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts. She knew what she had to do. She had to have a conversation with both Lucas and Nathan. And soon.

"Look, Mama!" Jack said, holding up his Mountie for Elizabeth to see.

She smiled as she knelt next to her son. "I see the Mountie, Jack. He's a very brave Mountie, just like your daddy was." Just like Nathan is, she added silently.

"Mountie," Jack repeated. "He has a horsey, Mama."

"Yes he does, sweet boy," she replied, smoothing a hand over his blond hair.

There was a sudden knock on the door, causing her to jump. She took a deep breath, smoothing down her skirt as she stood and went to open it. She smiled when she saw who it was.

"Hi, Laura."

"Hello, Mrs. Thornton," the girl replied. "You told me to come back in half an hour, right? I just noticed Mrs. Coulter in town so I figured you'd need me again."

"Yes, Laura. Thank you for watching him for a few minutes this morning while I went to talk to Mrs. Coulter, and for coming back now. Robert is coming over later to take over after he finishes delivering the mail as I know your father is going to need you on the farm this afternoon."

"Yes ma'am," Laura said, stepping into the house so that Elizabeth could close the door behind her. She looked at Elizabeth, a slight frown on her face. "Are you all right, Mrs. Thornton? You look like you've got something on your mind."

Elizabeth forced a smile. "I'm fine, Laura. Thank you for asking." Little Jack has already eaten his breakfast, and well, you know the routine." She went over to kiss her son goodbye. "You two have a good day," she said before taking her leave.

Elizabeth wasn't sure if she felt more relieved or anxious as she began making her way towards town. One thing was for certain- she had to talk to both Nathan and Lucas. And soon.

Nathan knocked on the back door of the café, then stood back and waited. It took a few moments before Clara opened the door, wearing a robe, her dark hair in a messy braid over her shoulder.

"I'm sorry to disturb you," Nathan began, his cheeks reddening slightly. "I was just-"

"Have you found him?" Clara interrupted, the expression on her face hopeful.

"Not yet," he replied. "I'm about to head back out. I just wanted to see how you're doing before I left."

"Oh, don't worry about me. Just focus on bringing him home. He's my life, Nathan, and I-" her voice broke as her eyes shone over with unshed tears. She took a deep breath. "Just bring him home to me. Please."

"We will," Nathan promised gently, putting a hand on her arm. "We will."

Clara nodded, smiling through her tears. "Thank you."

"Nathan! Any word on Jesse?" Bill asked a few minutes later as Nathan was on his way out of town.

He halted Newton and looked to see both Bill and Lee coming toward him.

"No, but with this good weather, we were able to get an early start. I should hurry up and get these supplies up," he said, referring to the horse he was pulling behind him that was packed with food, water, and a first aid kit.

"All right, good luck," Lee said.

Nathan urged Newton on, riding off out of town. He felt in so many ways that they were so close to finding Jesse, yet it seemed the closer they got, the more difficult things seemed to become.

He couldn't help but think of how that reminded him of Elizabeth. The closer he got to her, the more difficult things seemed; the more complicated. He had said that he wasn't giving up, that he knew she felt the same way that he did. But he was slowly beginning to see the light. She had been seeing Lucas for a few months now, and despite all that he and Elizabeth had shared in the few years he had been in Hope Valley, he was beginning to think that perhaps her heart truly did lie with the other man.

When he had delivered the bouquet to her house, saying that Florence thought she was the next one to be married, he hadn't been able to shake away the thought that it would be to Lucas.

Yes, perhaps it was time to move on. Things were becoming more and more clear to him all the time. He didn't want to give up hope, not completely, but if he didn't start letting go soon, he was only setting himself up for heartbreak.

But how? How could he let her go? How could he let go of the only woman he had ever loved?

Elizabeth had asked him if he'd ever lost someone so close to his heart that it tore him apart, and he had told her that he hadn't yet, but he had a feeling he was starting to. She was close to his heart. She always had been. But he was losing her. He was going to lose her. And just like she had said, that would tear him apart.

Before she could talk to Nathan or Lucas, Elizabeth had to talk to Minnie. School was starting the next morning, and they needed a plan as far as Angela was concerned. She didn't care that Mr. Landis was threatening to shut the school down; she had come to Hope Valley to be a teacher and there was no role she loved more in this world, apart from being Jack's mother. She would fight for and defend Angela's right to attend school. Every child deserved the chance to have an education that would give them the tools and potential to succeed to the fullest extent in life.

She entered the café, surprised to see Lucas sitting at a table, poring over a book in front of him. This wasn't how she had planned on approaching him, but she walked over to him now before she could lose her courage. He initially seemed surprised to see her as well, but he stood as she approached his table.

"Good morning," she greeted politely.

"Hello," he returned before crossing his arms in front of him and looking down. Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how tired he looked.

She racked her brain, searching for the right words to say. "You're not eating at the saloon," she noted lamely, stating the obvious.

He pointed to the books on the table. "I have some business that I thought would be better conducted here."

Elizabeth drew in a breath, knowing that she needed to be honest with him. She decided to dive right in. "Lucas, what you said the other night, about love? You were right. And I wanted to thank you. I hadn't realized how your letting me go would help me-"

"Lucas." A male voice spoke from beside her where another gentleman had suddenly appeared. He reached out and shook Lucas' hand. "Thank you for getting in touch with me."

"Certainly," Lucas replied.

The man looked at her then. "Wyman Walden," he introduced himself, holding out a hand for her to shake as well.

"H-hello," Elizabeth replied, shaking his hand briefly. She hoped she wasn't being rude, but she looked at Lucas then. "I'm actually here to see Minnie, so I will let you two get to your business." She smiled politely at Mr. Walden as she spoke, though her smile fell slightly as she looked at Lucas. There was still so much she needed to say to him.

She walked towards the kitchen, pausing to glance back at Lucas as the two men sat down, sighing as she thought of what she was going to say to Minnie.

"Oh, I thought you'd be over at the school getting ready for tomorrow," Minnie said from where she stood at the stove, a smile on her face. When she looked up and saw Elizabeth's face, however, her smile faded. "What's happened?" the other woman asked.

"Mr. Landis," came Elizabeth's simple answer.

Minnie's tone was slow and measured. "You promised me he has no say."

"The county is threatening to close down the school if Angela attends," Elizabeth rushed to explain. The other woman's eyes narrowed, and she knew that Minnie was just as frustrated about the situation as she felt. "They're claiming her needs would adversely affect the other student's education. Minnie, I just really need you to trust me."

"I did trust you."

Elizabeth knew that some of Minnie's anger was directed at her, and she didn't necessarily blame her, though she knew that in this situation her hands were tied.

She hurried on, knowing that what she was going to say to Minnie next was probably crazy, but it was all she knew to do. "I want Angela in school tomorrow, even if it means she's the only student there, and everyone else stays away in opposition. She has a right to her education."

"You're absolutely right," her friend agreed, and Elizabeth allowed herself to be momentarily relieved before Minnie continued. "But not at her expense. Right now, Angela is the only one I want to help. I'm sorry, Elizabeth."

Minnie turned to continue working on her cooking, refusing to look at her. Elizabeth wanted to say more, but her words died in her throat, and she turned to leave the café.