Nathan and Allie made it down about 5 steps out of the school when Nathan turned to Allie and said, "Allie, why don't you run home. I need to speak with Mrs. Thornton." Allie only nodded and ran off crying leaving Nathan on the steps of the school. He needed to speak with Elizabeth but he wasn't quite sure exactly what to say. Nathan turned around and slowly walked up the steps of the school. He opened the door to see Elizabeth at her desk grading papers. Elizabeth looked up and Nathan saw a hint of confusion and guilt on her face. Elizabeth got up and walked to the front of her desk facing Nathan.
Nathan said rather sternly, "Elizabeth, I don't know entirely what you said to Allie but I know one thing. I want you to back away from us. You hurt us more than I can say and for Allie's sake I want you to stop interfering with our lives. You made it clear you don't want to be in it so I suggest you don't. You are making this more painful on Allie by trying to restore your friendship."
Elizabeth was tearing up and she spoke up. "Nathan-"
"Nathan! Why call me Nathan? Why not Jack or Constable?! That is what I am to you though right?! Just another Mountie coming to take Jacks place?!" Tears were now running down Nathan's face.
Elizabeth was balling now and she yelled, "Nathan you have no right-"
"I have every right to tell you how I am feeling. I have been nothing but patient with you for the past 3 years but all you have done is hurt us. Now good day Mrs. Thornton."
"Nathan wait! I'm sorry-"
"It's too late Elizabeth."
They were both crying now and Nathan stormed out feeling guilty. He knew he shouldn't have lashed out the way he did but he had to say what he felt.
Elizabeth ran home crying and immediately ran into Rosemarys house. They sat down and Elizabeth explained to Rosemary what had happened.
Rosemary wasn't quite sure what to say. "Elizabeth, you have gone through a lot but that doesn't excuse what you have done. You hurt Nathan and Allie more than you think. And I think Nathan is right to tell you to back off. Although I might not agree with him about how he handled it, I think what he was saying was truth. To him, it feels like you think he is just another mountie. Now, he probably shouldn't have lashed onto you that way, that is how he is feeling."
"But Rosemary, I never intended to hurt him or Allie!"
"But you did and you can't change that. You need to give them the space and time that they need."
"I guess your right but I care for them."
"Elizabeth, you made it clear to Nathan that you don't want to be with him but yet when you see him you can't take your eyes off of him. You need to take a step back and let them live their life without you in it. How are things going with Lucas?"
Elizabeth's head shot right up with a sad look on her face. "Well I thought well but all we ever talk about it my book and his work. Conversation just doesn't flow. We have fancy dinners and I get dressed up but it reminds me of my Hamilton life, and I don't like that. I don't know what to do." Elizabeth covers her head in her hands and starts to cry again.
"Elizabeth, tell him that. Be honest with him. And most importantly be honest with yourself."
Nathan felt bad for yelling at Elizabeth like he did but after all the hurt she caused him, he didn't really care. The next couple of weeks Nathan tried to avoid going into town because he knew he would see Elizabeth and he couldn't face her. In the meantime, Allie and Nathan went fishing a lot. One day, as they were fishing they turned and saw a women walking down the path carrying a suitcase. She looked absolutely exhausted but she kept going. She was about a head shorter than Nathan and had long blonde hair in curls that were messed up due to her long trip.
Nathan immediately jumped up to help her. "Can I help you miss?"
Right off the bat she noticed his deep blue eyes and how handsome he was. "I'm fine. If you could just point me in the direction of Hope Valley?"
What is she doing in Hope Valley?
"Ya, just keep following that path for a couple miles and you should hit the town. If you don't have a place to stay, there are rooms in the saloon..."
"Thank you." She started walking in that direction when Nathan stopped her. "Please let me help you. We were about to head that way anyway." Right then Allie walked up. "This is my niece Allie."
"Hi, nice to me you Allie. And who might you be?"
"Constable Nathan Grant ma'am. What can I call you?"
A constable? What a fine looking constable too."
"I'm Kara Thomas. Now I really should be going. It was nice to meat you."
"Well, here you must be tired. Why don't you just ride home with us. Newton," gesturing to his horse, "is big enough for both of us."
Reluctantly Kara agreed and Nathan helped her up and jumped on behind her. Allie was on her new horse Samantha and they all rode off back toward town. Together.