SECOND CHANCES for Nathan Chapter 3 Part 5, PAGE 12

Nathan walked over to the school with Rosemary and Lee and waited with some of the other parents. The three of them began handing out fliers to the parents who were there. As Elizabeth opened the door of the school the children were all flying out with big grins on their faces and their novels that she had given them to read over the summer. Lee and Rosemary watched who didn't have their parents there and handed them the fliers and told them to be sure to give their parents the flier right away.

Elizabeth watched from the school as her happy students were set free and laughing and talking up a storm. This made Elizabeth feel so grateful for such a wonderful group of students she enjoyed so much. Then she saw Rosemary coming up the stairs and approaching her. Rosemary took Elizabeth's elbow and gently guided her back inside the schoolhouse, "Come with me please".

Lee looked for Robert to ask him to take fliers to the rest of the homes that didn't have school children or weren't at the schoolhouse. Then he turned around and called to Nathan, "See you tonight"!

Allie ran over to Nathan and asked, "What's happening tonight?" "Oh yeah, I got a book to read from Mrs. Thornton, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm"! It was then that Nathan and Allie heard a cry coming from inside the schoolhouse.

"What was that, it sounded like Mrs. Thorton," Allie exclaimed to Nathan anxiously as she ran back.

"Allie, wait!" Nathan ran after her. Allie burst into the classroom and saw Elizabeth sobbing in Rosemary's arms.

"Mrs. Thornton, what's wrong?"

Nathan ran in just behind her. Elizabeth looked up. Her face was all flushed and wet from tears.

Elizabeth's voice cracked, "Allie, please don't worry about me, I'll be alright. I've got my best friend right here," as she gratefully looked at Rosemary.

"C'mon Allie, let's leave Mrs. Thornton and Mrs. Coulter alone." With that Nathan caught Elizabeth's eyes and his heart melted. If only she had seen past Lucas's flashy lifestyle and instead realized how much Nathan genuinely loved her.

As they walked away, Elizabeth watched closely. Rosemary helped her dry her eyes and they talked a little longer.

"How could Lucas do this?" Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief. "I never got a chance to tell him I love him!" she cried out. "I thought he loved me too. I was certain we were meant to be together."

Rosemary held Elizabeth's hand and tried hard to reassure Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, he probably does love you, but he's scared of being committed."

"Why didn't he say something? He seemed to enjoy our time together and never once gave me any inkling that he was afraid of advancing with our relationship."

Rosemary wisely suggested, "Maybe he was meant to be your season."

"Oh, I totally thought he was my lifetime" she anguished out loud. "I thought when he came over to tell me that he was giving me time to decide who I wanted, he meant that he was going to wait for me. How could I have been so wrong?" and started to sob.

"Well he not only hurt you, but he also put Hope Valley in a pickle by selling the Queen of Hearts to Mr. Walden! Rosemary informed her, "He is intending to turn the saloon into a sleazy nightclub! Lee and Bill want to buy it instead so we're having an emergency town hall meeting tonight at 7 pm at Abigails' Cafe to stop that scoundrel.

"Well, I won't be going." Elizabeth said. "I just can't face the town. They pretty well know how I feel about Lucas. I'm too ashamed. I just want to go home to little Jack and hold him and love him!"

As they walked home, Rosemary reassured her, "Then that's what you will do. I'll be sure to keep you informed as to what happens and don't you worry. Your little sweetheart will have you smiling in no time!

"Oh, Rosemary, what would I do without you!" They hugged and Elizabeth stepped inside to sweep up her precious little boy.