Sticking one last pin in her hair, Elizabeth looked at her reflection in the mirror. It was the fifth hairstyle she had tried and still a part of her wanted to take it down once again and start over. She glanced at the clock. Nathan would be here to pick her up in ten minutes. She had planned on being in the lobby waiting for him, and if she still wanted to do that, then she needed to stop fussing with her hair so she could leave the room.
"It looks fine," Elizabeth said out loud in an effort to convince herself.
Stepping from the mirror, Elizabeth finished getting ready and left her room. Though she was not late, Nathan was already standing at the foot of the steps when she came down. He was dressed in a dark grey suit, with a white shirt underneath the jacket and vest, black shoes and a black bow tie. In his right hand, he held a single long stem rose red rose with a white ribbon tied around it.
"You look beautiful, Elizabeth," Nathan told her, holding the rose out to her as she stepped from the last step. The shade of her full-skirted silk matched perfectly with the rose. "I wasn't sure that a full bouquet was practical with you being in the hotel and riding the train tomorrow," he told her apologetically as she took the single rose.
"The rose is perfect," Elizabeth assured him. It was romantic and simple. She realized that fit well with Nathan. Rising on tip toes, she placed a kiss on his cheek. "You look handsome. I especially like the tie."
"The tie is borrowed and just so you know now, if it comes untied, even if one arm wasn't in the sling, I still would have no clue how to fix it," Nathan told her.
"How did it get tied in the first place?" Elizabeth asked with a giggle.
"Patrick tied it when he stopped by with it," Nathan told her. "You remember Patrick O'Reilly, right? He mentioned he met you when he escorted Julie to Hope Valley."
Elizabeth nodded, remembering the Mountie who had supposed to replace Jack at Hope Valley at one point. When Jack had changed his mind, Patrick had happily taken the Cape Fullerton position but only after helping Jack save her and Julie from the Tolliver gang.
"I do remember him. As for the tie, should you untie it nervously playing with it, I will fix it for you," she assured him.
It was Nathan's turn to chuckle as he held his right arm out for her to take. Slipping her left arm through his right, Elizabeth let Nathan lead her from the hotel to the waiting carriage. At the theater, she could sense Nathan's uneasiness. She knew this was out of his comfort zone, and she appreciated his presence all the more for that reason. She clung to his arm a little tighter, and patted his forearm reassuringly. Nathan gave her an appreciative smile even as an usher led them to their boxed seats in the balcony. In true Lucas fashion, her brother-in-law had gotten her the best tickets available.
The show was delightful and Elizabeth was happy that Nathan seemed to be able to relax enough to watch it. They discussed the first part of the play during the intermission. Elizabeth enjoyed the stimulating conversation as much as the play. When the show was over, Nathan escorted Elizabeth to the waiting carriage. As soon as the carriage pulled away from the theaters, Elizabeth was amused to see that Nathan removed the bow tie and undid the top button of his shirt. She made no comment on it though, as the driver took them to pick Ally up at the O'Reilley's for dinner at a restaurant a few blocks from where the Grant's lived. The Hidden Treasure was a lovely little restaurant that offered a wide range of options, from comfort dishes to a glazed duck dish. Frequented mostly by locals, it had become a favorite of the Grants since their move to Union City.
The conversation in the carriage did focus on the play. Once Ally joined them, the conversation became less about the content and acting in the play and more about the experience as a whole. The girl was full of questions which Nathan and Elizabeth answered happily until they reached the restaurant. The conversation ceased momentarily as the trio was shown to a table. The waitress that came to their table clearly knew both Nathan and Ally. Elizabeth felt a pang of jealousy at the familiar conversation she had with Nathan until she noticed a gold band on the woman's hand. She knew that Nathan would not encourage any inappropriate behavior.
By the time their orders had been placed, Ally was talking about a play her drama club was putting on the evening before the last day of school. She was excited about it, even though her part only had three lines through the entire play. When Ally said that it was her first semester in drama club and that she would get a better part the next time, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel like those words had been a pep talk from Nathan. A glance at Nathan showed a look of pride in his daughter, and Elizabeth felt that was her confirmation. Though she would not be able to make the production due to her own commitments as Hope Valley's teacher, Elizabeth told Ally that she expected to hear all about it.
After supper, the trio chose to walk the distance from the restaurant to the Yorkton as they were not ready to part ways. As they walked, Ally pointed out houses of friends and one of her teacher's homes. "I like her but she isn't you, Mrs. Thornton," was the remark Ally made. As they walked, it became clear to her that Nathan and Ally had created a life here in Union City. A life that Elizabeth knew she could not ask them to give up for her.
Was she willing to move to Union City to be a part of that life? As she walked up the steps of the Yorkton to her second floor room alone, the question did not fill her with a feeling of fear or dread like she thought it would. Instead, she could see the possibility though she knew she would need to do some prayer about it. Nor could she take action until the end of the school year. She would not leave her students this close to the end of the year. For now she would not speak of the possibility but see where her relationship with Nathan went from here.
Early Sunday morning, Nathan placed a call to Hope Valley. He and Ally were escorting Elizabeth to the train station for her return trip home despite having to miss the church service to do so.
"Hope Valley. How may I direct your call?"
Nathan recognized Florence familiar voice. "Hello, Florence. It is Nathan"
"Oh, Nathan! How are you and Ally?"
"We're fine, thank you. I was calling to talk to Bill. Can you try locating him for me?" Nathan asked. Bill still refused to put a phone in his apartment so reaching him on the weekend could be hard sometimes.
"I will see what I can do?" Florence told him. "One moment, please."
There was a soft click and then silence. Nathan waited patiently for Florence to return to the line to either say she could not get through to Bill or that she had. It was almost five minutes before Florence came back on the line, telling him that she had caught him at the Coulter's.
"Is Elizabeth all right?" Bill asked the moment Florence connected them.
"She is fine. I did not mean to alarm you, Bill."
Bill let out an audible sigh. "It is fine. Guess I have been worrying about her off traipsing around by herself all weekend."
"You sound like a father, Bill," Nathan teased, knowing he probably often sounded that worried about Ally when she was off doing things.
"Yeah, well Elizabeth and Clara are the closest things to daughters I have," Bill told him. "It is bad enough the young man I consider like a son went and moved away. I would rather have Elizabeth and Clara close where I can keep an eye on them."
Nathan felt his cheeks get warm, knowing that Bill was referring to him. "Well, if it makes you feel better, Ally and I are seeing Elizabeth off this morning. I called though to ask you to leave a bouquet of flowers at her house for her to come home to for me."
"Is there something you want to tell me, Nathan?" Bill asked.
"There is nothing much to tell. I met up with Elizabeth while she was here. I went to the show with her yesterday and Ally and I had dinner with her last night. I am not sure anything will develop given the distance but I wanted something nice to greet her when she gets home."
"I will definitely take care of that. I am sure Rosemary will help."
Nathan thought of what Elizabeth had said about Rosemary backing out on the trip. He was sure the woman would happily help himself. He said good-bye to Bill and then he and Ally went to pick Elizabeth up at the Yorkton. Now that he knew Lucas was not in the picture, Nathan found that he wanted to give him and Elizabeth a chance. For now, he just wanted them to exchanged letters that touched on more than surface subjects and maybe talk on the phone. There was a lot to be discovered about the relationship before either of them took drastic life changing moves that would put them in the same town again.
Nathan was still trying to figure out how to bring up that subject as they stood on the platform for Elizabeth's train. It was Elizabeth that broached the subject.
"You will write now, right?"
The simple question was accompanied with a pleading in Elizabeth's eyes.
"I will," Nathan promised. "Perhaps you could even ask Lee and Rosemary to use their phone once a week so we could talk?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I am sure they will be willing."
"Can I talk to Mrs. Thornton on the phone too, or do you plan on keeping phone time to yourself?" Ally asked, looking at her Uncle. "Claire says her older sister ignores everyone else when she is around her beau so if that is what this is, I get it. I would still like to at least say hello."
Nathan saw Elizabeth bite her tongue and smile, though she remained silent. She was clearly content to let him try fielding Ally's question.
"Right now, this is two people trying to get reacquainted. If the phone calls happen, you may have a few moments to talk to Mrs. Thornton at the start but then you are to retreat from the den and give me some privacy."
Ally beamed. "I can do that!" clearly happy to be included.
The final moments were filled with idle chat. When the conductor called for final boarding, Elizabeth stepped closer. Nathan lifted his right arm, to envelope her in a one-armed hug.
"I am happy you came, Elizabeth," Nathan told her quietly as she wrapped her arms around him. "This has been one of the best weekends of my life."
"I am glad I came, too. Bless Rosemary for backing out," Elizabeth told him.
Nathan placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"I will try to call tomorrow evening," Elizabeth promised, looking up at him.
"I will be waiting," Nathan told her.
Then Elizabeth was slipping from his grasp. Nathan watched as she said good-bye to Ally and then boarded the train. Reaching out, he pulled Ally close to him. Together, they watched the train until it left the station and out of their sight.
"I love the life we made here in Union City, and I know you love your job, but I miss the people of Hope Valley," Ally said softly.
Nathan kissed the top of the girl's head. "I do too, Ally. I do too." Perhaps no matter what happened with him and Elizabeth over the next week, a visit to Hope Valley should be summer plans for both him and Ally this year.
Without another word, Nathan led Ally from the station. Their plan for the rest of the day was to take a bible and picnic basket to the park and have their own worship service with God.
Gabriel called Nathan on Monday afternoon. The Clearwater Mounties had managed to track down two eye witnesses that recognized the description of the jewelry smuggler Nathan had arrested in Union City, now identified as Ryan Norman. Gabriel told him that he planned on traveling with the witnesses to make an in person identification and that they would leave the following morning. Nathan thanked him and went to have another chat with Ryan before heading home for the day. The suspect was with his lawyer when Nathan informed him that there were two people who could place him in Clearwater with the now deceased, Clearance Smith. The witnesses from Clearwater were willing to testify to seeing him with Clearance Smith in the days leading up to the latters supposed transfer.
"If they make a positive identification in person, I will be charging you with accessory to murder," Nathan informed him. "You have until I officially make that charge to decide whether you want to work with us, or face the charges alone."
Gabriel hadn't been the only phone call on that Monday. As promised, Elizabeth called Monday evening from the Coulter's home. She thanked Nathan for the flowers he had arranged to be waiting for her. Nathan spoke briefly to Jack, who wanted to say hello, and Ally was given a chance to talk to her teacher. Afterwards, Elizabeth and Nathan spent a half hour talking. The conversation could have gone on longer, but Elizabeth did not want to inconvenience Lee and Rosemary too long.
Going into the office, Nathan was informed that Ryan Norman's lawyer wanted to meet with him. As the man was sitting near the entrance, Nathan waved the lawyer into his office. Ryan was suddenly willing to talk in exchange for a plea deal to be ironed out with the judge.
Ryan admitted to befriending Clearance with the intention of impersonating him so that he could work with the railroad to help transfer the smuggled jewelry. He had convinced Clearance that there was more opportunity for him working in a bigger city like Union City. Once the transfer went through, Ryan had help in Clearwater to kidnap Clearance.
"The man was alive when I left Clearwater," Ryan insisted. "They were only suppose to hold him while I worked at the train station here. We knew eventually we would need to move operations. When we did, they were supposed to take him somewhere else and release him, giving us time to vacate the area. I didn't kill no one!"
Nathan was inclined to believe the young man on that account. Ryan Norman did not strike him as a murderer. Ryan willing gave up the name of the man who had helped him in Clearwater as well as the names he knew of the others involved in the operation.
From the information gathered, Nathan realized the operation was bigger than first thought. Nathan contacted Mounties in or near the other cities involved, to arrest the people named by Ryan Norman. One by one, participants in the smuggling ring were arrested in the days and weeks that followed. Those arrests led to more information and the ring leader's name, which ended up being an Employee in the Hamilton division of the Thatcher Shipping division. The Mounties in Hamilton informed William Thatcher of what was going on. The business man called his employee into his office for a meeting and two Mounties made the arrest at the office so that things could be kept as quiet as possible.
The Monday calls became a weekly routine with Nathan and Elizabeth. In between the calls, long letters were exchanged. The communication allowed the two of them to get to know one another better despite the distance. Just like Elizabeth felt an obligation to finish out the school year for her students, Nathan felt an obligation to follow through with his promise to Robert. The Hope Valley lad was scheduled to arrive two days after Ally's school let out for summer recess. Robert would spend a month with Nathan and Ally. While, he planned on letting the lad have his evenings and weekends free, Nathan had a regimented plan in mind for his workdays. He planned on having Robert up early like he would be at training, had devised a morning workout routine, and would keep him busy during the day. A few other Mounties had even offered to occupy some of Robert's time and give him their perspectives on what it was to wear the Red Serge. Once Robert returned to Hope Valley, Nathan knew he would be having a serious talk with Ally about the possibility of him resigning and them moving back to Hope Valley. He knew he had to give his niece a voice in a decision like that.
By the time Robert's arrival approached, Nathan was out of the sling. His own early morning workout sessions had resumed and Nathan was surprised at how much ground he had lost with the dislocated shoulder. However, he had been able to resume driving, and Nathan and Ally met Robert's afternoon train. However, Robert was not the only person from Hope Valley on the train. As Ally called a greeting to her friend, Nathan's eyes had caught sight of the pretty brunette helping a dark-browned hair little boy down the steps.
Nathan had not been expecting Elizabeth and Little Jack to be on the train. Even as Ally rushed forward to greet Robert, calling a hello to Mrs. Thornton as well, Nathan found himself rotted in place. It was not until a little boy voice called out his name that Nathan got over his shock. Seeing Jack hurrying toward him, Nathan knelt down so that he could gather the lad into his arms.
"Hello, Jack," Nathan told the boy as he got to his feet with the boy in his arms.
"Mama said surprise you," Jack managed.
Nathan smiled. "That you did. It is a very pleasant surprise as well," Nathan told the boy. His gaze found Ally, Robert and Elizabeth. Ally was happily hugging her former teacher, and Nathan headed in their way.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to the city?" Nathan asked Elizabeth as Robert and Ally said they would go get the luggage. Nathan acknowledged the information before looking at Elizabeth.
"I wanted to surprise you," Elizabeth told him, stepping close.
"You did that," Nathan told her, holding out the arm not holding Jack for a hug.
"Nathan happy," Jack observed.
"That I am," Nathan agreed as Elizabeth stepped into his embrace. He breathed in a scent of vanilla from her, and briefly closed his eyes to commit the smell and the feel of her in his arms to memory. "Did you just come to help get Robert settled?"
"Not exactly," Elizabeth said. "The Wolfs were happy to hear I would travel with Robert, but they did trust him with you once he got here," she assured him, looking up at Nathan but making no move to move from his side. "However, I was missing you. Jack wanted to see you and school is over for the summer. I decided to come visit. Bill has arranged for me and Jack to stay with the O'Reilley's while I am here. I hope you won't mind taking us there. They offered to pick us up, but I wanted this moment with you alone."
"Me here," Jack reminded her, causing the adults to laugh.
"Well you and the children," Elizabeth amended.
"I will happily drive you to the O'Reilley's," Nathan assured her. "How long are you staying?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "I have not decided," she informed him.
Nathan nodded in acknowledgment. With Jack in one arm, and his other arm around Elizabeth, Nathan led them in the direction of luggage claim.
A new routine developed for the summer. While Robert's time was largely dictated by Nathan's imposed rules, he did enjoy his evenings with Ally and her friends. The lad even quickly made a couple of friends his own age at the first church service they all attended. Ally had joined a summer drama club that met in the mornings. She enjoyed it, and was full of chatter about it afterwards. She had even gotten Elizabeth's promise that she would be at the performance the club did at the end of the summer, especially as Ally had a bigger part in this play.
Elizabeth kept herself and Jack occupied while Nathan was working. Anne was a lovely hostess and enjoyed talks with Elizabeth. However, she also had her own life including a group of young girls who showed up for embroidery lessons. However, there was a great deal for Elizabeth to stay occupied with. She had her writing, spent time with Jack exploring the city. A little petting zoo at the park was a big draw for her son. The O'Reilley's even had a piano that Elizabeth was giving permission to use. It had been Patrick O'Reilley's mother and though he did play occasionally, Patrick admitted he had a hard time finding time to play it these days. His own children had shown no interest in music though his eldest daughter was a wonderful painter.
The more time she spent with Nathan and Ally, the more Elizabeth realized that she did not want to say good-bye to them. Yes, she missed her friends and students in Hope Valley but they all had their own lives. Elizabeth was acknowledging the fact that she wanted Nathan and Ally to be a part of her life.
With permission from Patrick to use the piano, and some help from Anne finding interested students, Elizabeth was soon able to set up piano lessons. The O'Reilley's were perfectly happy to keep her and Jack on as boarders for as long as they needed a place to stay. Both of them doted on Jack. Patrick was even able to tell the boy stories of Jack Sr. The Super Intendant also took Jack to headquarters one day as the lad had been asking to go to work with Nathan. With his focus on work and Robert, Elizabeth could tell the idea overwhelmed Nathan and was happy to let Patrick take her son to headquarters on occasion. The piano lessons would give her income to help the O'Reilley's with household expenses while she stayed there and be able to provide what she and Jack needed.
Once everything was arranged, Elizabeth knew she had to share her plans with Nathan. He needed to know that she was willing to stay here in Union City and share the life he had created here. The opportunity arrived on the fourth Sunday of their stay. All except Robert had enjoyed dinner with the O'Reilley's after church. Robert was with a friend's family from the church. After eating the midday meal, Patrick had engaged Ally and Jack into helping with a jigsaw puzzle. Elizabeth offered to help with the dishes but Anne insisted she was fine. She told Elizabeth to take some lemonade out to the back porch for her and Nathan so the two of them could talk alone some, the children often around when they were together.
The two followed Anne's instructions, and Elizabeth were soon settled in two chairs, looking out over the O'Reilley's small, but well maintained back yard. Talk at first revolved around Ally, Jack and Robert. Nathan shared with her that Robert had sent in his application for the fall session at the Mountie Academy despite still shadowing Nathan for the coming week.
"Do you think he is ready?" Elizabeth asked.
"Robert will make a fine Mountie. I think he would have made Jack proud. I know he is going to make me proud."
Elizabeth smiled. Robert had looked up to Jack. A lot of the Hope Valley boys had. She knew her late husband would be proud of Robert. She was herself, even though she worried about him as well. Then again, she worried about all her students who had graduated and left Hope Valley. Yes, that was what their mother's had charged her with when she first came to Hope Valley - to give their children opportunities outside of the mine and their little town.
As it seemed like a good opening to bring up her own choices, Elizabeth changed the topic.
"I sent in my resignation as Hope Valley's school teacher this week," Elizabeth said, looking over at Nathan. She could see the surprise in his expression, though he remained quiet. "I won't be going back to teaching in the fall."
"But that was your dream."
Elizabeth nodded. "It was. I enjoyed it. I do not regret coming. Seeing Robert going for a dream of his own, is proof of the difference I have made in the children's lives. But that was my old dream. These past weeks have taught me that you are not the only one who can be willing to give up a dream for the sake of a new dream with someone else."
"Are you saying you plan on staying here in Union City?" Nathan asked, a breathy sound to his voice.
Elizabeth nodded again, a smile on her face. She felt at peace with the choice she had made. "The O'Reilley's are open to me boarding with them for however long I need to. I have been teaching piano lessons this week. It isn't a lot, but it will be enough to provide for me and Jack for now."
It was Nathan's turn to nod, though he remained silent. So did Elizabeth, wanting to give Nathan time to think over the news she had been working through for the past couple of weeks.
Inside, Patrick was working on the puzzle with Jack in his lap. The lad was not much good at actually finding the pieces but he grinned with pleasure when a piece that Patrick handed him and showed him where it went was fitted in. Ally was only half paying attention to the puzzle. Patrick noticed that the girl kept peeking out the back window to where Nathan and Elizabeth were sitting. At first, Patrick let it go. He didn't fault the girl's curiosity. However, about the fourth time she wandered to the window, she lingered longer than the brief glances of the first few times.
"Ally, perhaps you should give your uncle and Mrs. Thornton some privacy. Would you want your uncle watching through the window when you finally start courting?"
"No," Ally admitted, reluctantly. "He probably will though," she muttered softly.
Patrick smiled at the comment. She was right. He was even guilty of spying on his own eldest daughter.
Ally started to turn from the window but stopped. Before Patrick could question her, Ally exclaimed. "Uncle Nathan is on one knee! He's got a little box in his hand!"
Sensing Ally's excitement, Jack slipped from Patrick's lap and went to join her. Anne went to the window as well. Patrick shook his head but remained where he was, knowing that in Nathan's place he would not want an audience.
"It is a ring!" Ally squealed, clasping her hands in front of her. Behind the young girl, Anne wrapped her arms around the teen.
Still picking up on Ally's excitement, Jack clapped his hands.
"Anne, you are as bad as the children," Patrick scolded gently, though he wore a smile. Nathan had been pining over Elizabeth Thornton long enough. It was about time he did something about it. Especially as Patrick knew he had come to Union City with the ring. Patrick had discovered that while Nathan was getting settled into his office. Nathan had told him that he did not want to take the chance of Ally finding the ring if it stayed in their house.
"I don't care," Anne replied. "This is romantic," she told him. "Oh, he is putting the ring on her finger."
Ally reached out to pull Jack toward her. "We are going to be brother and sister, Jack!"
"Yay!" the boy exclaimed.
Patrick lost his battle with his curiosity. Getting to his feet, he moved to stand behind his wife. As Nathan broke from kissing Elizabeth, he glanced in their direction. Nathan's surprised look quickly changed to a smile, and he motioned for them to come out.
Ally was the first out the door. She had thrown her arms around both Nathan and Elizabeth by the time Patrick followed his wife out onto the porch. As Jack went to join the group hug, Patrick looped his hand around Anne's waist. There were congratulations to give, but that could wait a few moments. This development had been a long time coming, and the soon to be family deserved a few moments to enjoy the happy development.
"I think we are going to have a wedding to help plan," Anne told him quietly leaning against his side.
"I just hope it doesn't mean I am losing an Inspector," Patrick replied, knowing that despite Elizabeth's recent plans, only Nathan and Elizabeth could determine where they would go to join their lives together. Selfishly, Patrick hoped for Union City but he would support whatever choice the two made. He made a mental note to let Nathan know the vacation time he had put in for August could be moved up if he needed.
The one thing Patrick was sure of was that if Jack Thornton was looking down on his widow and son, he was smiling right along with everyone else.