Second Chances for Nathan

Chapter 2

Elizabeth stepped out of the library as she heard the rumble of a car passing by just in time to see Lucas driving down the street. She was surprised he didn't even wave and wondered why, but she kept on going with her bag of books. She was so excited to know that she had enough young fiction novels to give out to the class the next day. It was the end of the school year and just a cleaning day. She had shared with her students her love of literature and most of them followed her lead. Summer break would be filled with so much play, but she wanted to keep them reading.

As she glanced around, she spotted Nathan and decided now might be a good time to clear the air from earlier in the morning. The sun was in her eyes as she strolled across to the jail and almost stumbled into Bill who was intently staring at Lucas's car quickly vanishing out of sight. He was approaching Nathan from the other way when they all met in front of the jail.

Without hesitation Elizabeth looked directly at Nathan, "I have some things I've been meaning to further discuss with you so I was hoping...".

Nathan interrupted, "Does this concern Allie?" he asked.

"Well in a way it does, but it's not about her schoolwork, she's doing wonderfully, especially in arithmetic, and helping Opal. But actually, it concerns you and me" she replied looking away and seeing Bill was still there.

"Haven't you said enough, Nathan astonishingly questioned. "I'm still trying to process what you said to me this morning. So no, I am not ready to talk about it, and right now I am not telling Allie yet, making sure she understood, "nor do I want you to understand me, Elizabeth?"

"All right Nathan, although when you're ready, I do need to talk with you," with that Elizabeth nodded at Bill, said goodbye, and quickly swept off leaving the two men alone.

"What's that about?" Bill asked Nathan.

Nathan quipped, "I don't know where to begin, but Elizabeth came to the jail this morning and barely came in the door. She told me that she loves me."

"Well, that's great" Bill smiled as he slapped his friend on his arm.

"But, Nathan continued, "she's not IN love with me" as he looked down with pain etched all over his face. "She's all delighted in Lucas and his fancy dates, but apparently claims she's been looking for Jack in me!"

"I think Elizabeth is confused," Bill tried to console Nathan. "I've known her for several years, and Elizabeth was quite devoted to Jack; he was her soulmate. I can sense that having two men in her life both vying for her attention had her wavering with moving on and with who".

"Bill, she broke my heart! I haven't told Allie about this yet. She was so hopeful we'd become a family. I know she really enjoys Elizabeth and LJ, and I think she figured out that I was going to buy that piece of land from you to build us all a family home. She really needs a mother figure, especially becoming a teenager. Allie went straight to the Mercantile after school to help out, so I have yet to speak with her."

Bill shook his head in disbelief and felt the devastating struggle his good friend was going through, "Anything I can do?" Bill asked.

"Well yes Bill, I'd like to take Allie to see her grandmother after a cleanup day at school tomorrow, then she'll be free to go up north for a few days. It's been a long time, too long, and I know these two need some time to reunite, as much as I do too... besides Allie can use some mothering and I have to clear my head and this will help, I hope. Would you be willing to keep an eye on the town for me while I'm gone?"

Bill cleared his throat, "Listen", Nathan you are my good friend and fellow Mountie, so of course, I will do anything, anything at all I can. So just check in with headquarters and I'm here for you."

"Thank you, Bill, it's great to know I can count on you".

Taking a deep breath, Bill decided not to mention why he was coming to see Nathan. It could wait for now he told himself as he walked back to his office.

Nathan continued on to the Mercantile to check on Allie who was helping out with the telephone switchboard. He was proud of how she took on this responsibility for helping Flo, the new Mrs. Yost. This gave Flo an opportunity to take a break from time to time. Flo loved working there with her new husband, Ned, so it wasn't very often, but she was glad she could ask Allie to step in. As Nathan came through the door, the bell tinkled signaling that someone was coming into the shop.

Ned looked up and greeted Nathan, "Well, what do I owe the honor of your visit, Constable" he asked.

Nathan laughed, "Just checking on how Allie is doing. I'm hoping she's been behaving herself."

"Oh, nothing to worry about, I'm keeping an eye on visitors," Ned winked at Nathan.

Allie and her school mate Robert, had started to notice each other this last year and Nathan realized that she was growing up into a lovely young lady.

He whispered to Ned, "Thank you," as he walked to the back of the Mercantile where Allie was.

"Hello there Allie, he cheerfully called out, "are you keeping busy"?

"Yes sir" Allie replied.

"Hey, none of that sir business, you can call me Uncle, or Dad, if you feel comfortable, Nathan hesitantly answered as Allie smiled

"I have some fun news to share. It seems to me that with school closing, we can take a trip up north to visit your grandmother and" he was interrupted by Allie, "What! Really, oh wow! she continued, "Ok Dad!" was all she said as she clapped her hands.

"Well, I guess that's a yes," Nathan laughed as bent over and kissed her on the head. "See you at home in about an hour and we'll talk more about it over dinner" he reassured her as he walked out. He thought again, she called me "Dad" smiling from ear to ear. Nathan wasn't sure if Allie would stick with calling him Uncle or Dad now that she was adopted. This was the first time she referred to him as Dad and he was tickled.

As he was walking back to the jail to lock up, he saw Elizabeth by the Queen of Hearts Saloon. She definitely looked puzzled. He tried not to feel any particular way, but she was peering in the windows after pounding on the door. That made him curious, so he changed his mind and walked over to the saloon.

"What's the problem"? he asked Elizabeth.

"Oh, sorry Nathan, but it seems like the saloon is pretty empty, and the sign says 'closed'. This time of day there should at least be the cook preparing for the dinner guests. I saw Lucas drive by, but he didn't wave or maybe didn't notice me, so it just seems curious."

Nathan consoled her by suggesting maybe Lucas had to go out and run an errand to buy some food for the dinner.

"Yes, you're right, she nodded, I'm just being silly."

"Not to worry, it's nice having someone checking in on you," he answered wistfully.

Nathan walked back to the jail as Elizabeth started for home. She hadn't seen LJ (Little Jack) since this morning and she was anxious to wrap her arms around him again. It was hard being a single mother and having to leave her precious boy to teach, but she had to support them now with her husband, Jack passing. LJ was growing up into a spitting image of his father. Oh, how she longed to go home to both of them, but it was not to be. She had to stay strong and provide all she could for LJ along with his guardians, Lee and Rosemary, and his Godparents, Julie, her sister, and Jack's best friend, Bill.

Yet she also needed someone to care for her. Being young, and a new mother was difficult enough but being a widow made it seem unbearable at times, especially when she had to leave her son to teach, or when she put him down for the night. It was so lonely - until recently. She was very lucky to have 2 men interested in her, Mountie Nathan and Lucas Bouchard. She flirted with both she knew. However, when sharing with Rosemary her innermost thoughts, she knew she shouldn't give both of these very handsome, and kind men any indication that she was romantically interested. Yet Lucas was quite charming and more outgoing than Nathan, and always had something planned for the two of them to do together. He was hard to resist as he could afford all the luxurious outings and gifts that only wealth can buy. Elizabeth left that lifestyle when she arrived here in Hope Valley from the ritzy life she enjoyed in Hamilton.

To say it was quite an eye-opener would be an understatement! Never before had she had to use outside facilities to take care of business, as it were. Nor had she washed and ironed her own clothes. Mother had a helper for that and she never thought about how hard that woman worked until she had to learn to cook, clean, and launder! The ladies in Hope Valley had taken her under their wing, and although they thought she was in way over her head as the new school teacher, they grew to be more than just neighbors, as some became her close friends who she would never want to lose. She remembered when she was pregnant with LJ and how Rosemary, Flo, Molly, and Abigail, all ordered her to rest and wait while they worked. Upstairs they painted, papered, made curtains, and set up the crib, so all she had to do was walk into the breathtakingly sweet room for her little baby! These loving ladies were like family and she felt blessed.

Yes, life was changing for her, but now as she journaled, she knew she had to let these two men know how she felt about their relationships. Nathan was sweet as can be, brave as any Mountie, and quite an impeccable man. Any woman would be so lucky to have him as her suitor. Yet, he was awkwardly shy and she tried several times as she longingly waited for him to ask her out on a date. Every time he came close, they got interrupted and he'd quickly give up. Once she finally quite pointedly told him, "You know Nathan why I went to Union City with Lucas, he asked." When he finally asked her to dinner for the first time, he told her he had to transfer the prisoner in the town jail earlier in the day. He and Bill rode with another Mountie and while on the way, the sister of the criminal came at them with a rifle threatening to shoot if they didn't release her brother. Courageously, Nathan got off his horse and slowly approached her easing her mind and almost had her co-operation to put the rifle down, when the other Mountie panicked and started to aim his gun at her and seeing that, she shot back. That was when Elizabeth was in the Mercantile when she heard the gunshot and shortly thereafter thundering of horse hoofs. She stopped and ran out where all the town was gathering. The prisoner transfer wagon came speeding into town and right after were. Dr. Carson and Nurse Faith tended to the person who was shot, but it was too late to save him. Elizabeth gasped and felt her heart break.

Then as she turned, she saw a weary, drained Nathan slowly walking into town with his horse following behind him. Elizabeth was so happy and relieved to see Nathan, that she couldn't hold back. She felt like she was in slow motion, but she actually flew into Nathan's arms and embraced him with a long, intense hug! He was alive and she realized she cared more for him than she thought. She could hear his heart beating so strong and fast as tears of joy slid down her cheeks!