Chapter 14

On Wednesday following the incident at the saloon Nathan was in his office working on several reports as well as a prisoner transfer for the shooter who had wounded him. Nathan was thankful that Bill had stepped in and taken care of a lot of the procedures following the shooting. He was also thankful that his injury was not to his dominate arm and he could still write without pain. His injury seemed to be healing well. He'd had no symptoms of infection and the pain was not so prevalent anymore. Allie was being a real help around the house and their friends and neighbors had been making sure they were well fed and had plenty of wood.

Nathan knew he needed to go over to the Queen of Hearts and have a conversation with Lucas about Saturday night and what could be done to avoid a repeat of that evening. He wasn't looking forward to it and therefore he was stalling as long as he could. He'd run out of excuses. Making his way there he entered the saloon and found Lucas behind the bar. "Lucas, do you have a few minutes to talk about Saturday?"

"What is there to talk about? Don't you have the guy who shot you behind bars?" Lucas was sounding very dismissive to Nathan which served to put him on edge.

"Listen, I'm trying to work with you here. You giving me attitude is not going to help."

Lucas knew Nathan was right. His immediate response was to be defensive. The evening prior he and Elizabeth had quite a row about what had happened Saturday. Elizabeth was challenging Lucas about how he was running the saloon. Lucas wasn't sure if her issue was out of concern for his safety or if it was because something had happened to Nathan. Lucas told her it wasn't her business and she needed to leave him to do as he saw fit. He'd left in a hurry. He wasn't proud of his behavior but confrontation wasn't something he responded to well and coming from Elizabeth it was troubling. It was the first time they'd really argued and he didn't know how to respond nor how to fix it. He knew she cared deeply about him but his insecurities made him wonder if she wished she'd chosen Nathan.

Lucas was feeling defeated. He needed the income from the saloon to continue supporting the oil business. That meant that even though the rowdy crowds weren't what he would prefer they were spending money that he desperately needed.

"What do you want me to say? Between you and me I need the income from the saloon to help keep the oil business in the black. Turning away paying customers isn't going to accomplish that."

Nathan was surprised at Lucas's honesty. He hadn't realized the situation with Gowen Petroleum. Lucas always presented himself as the confident, successful business man who was ruffled by nothing. Obviously he was putting on a good front.

"Is it possible to hire some extra security for the busier nights? Someone at the entrance and someone walking the floor to keep an eye out for troublemakers? I know it's an added expense but it's better than having to shut you down for violations."

Lucas considered what Nathan was suggesting. He made a good point. He knew that too many issues with patrons could shut him down. He felt like he didn't have any other options right now. "Let me work on that. I'll try to hire a couple of men in time for the weekend."

They parted on a handshake which, considering how they felt toward each other just a couple of months ago, was progress. "Thank you Lucas, keep me updated and let me know if I can be of any more assistance."

Leaving the Queen of Hearts Nathan looked down the street and focused his gaze on Dottie's. He hadn't seen Sarah since Sunday when she'd brought Allie to the infirmary. He found he missed her. Taking a gamble on her being available he made his way down the boardwalk. Once inside the store he saw Clara behind the counter. "Clara, congratulations on the baby. How are you feeling? I've heard that you've not been well lately."

"Thank you Nathan for asking. Yes, I've been feeling quite sick these first few months but I'm starting to feel a bit better. It's a relief for both Jesse and me. Poor thing, he never knows what to do when I'm sick so this had been hard on him as well. How can I help you Nathan? Looking for something for Allie?"

Nathan shifted his weight. He held his hat in the hand of his injured arm and played with the edge of it using his other hand. "No, no, I was just wondering if Sarah was here."

Clara smiled knowing Nathan wasn't always comfortable talking with women. She couldn't understand why. The women of Hope Valley, whether they had a significant other or not, all thought of Nathan as the most eligible bachelor in Hope Valley. He was tall, muscular, handsome, kind, an amazing father and he looked great in his red serge. She'd heard from Fiona that had Sarah shown up at the infirmary following Nathan's shooting. Fiona wasn't sure how that came about and said as much to Clara. Clara asked Sarah about it earlier in the week. She'd shared that she'd been at the Grants for dinner that evening and hadn't been home long before she heard the commotion on the street. Clara would have inquired further but she'd not known Sarah for that long and she didn't want to pry.

"I'm sorry Nathan, Sarah is off this afternoon. She's been working non-stop since she arrived and now that I'm feeling better I told her to take some time for herself. Would you like me to tell her you stopped by?"

"No, that's okay. I'm sure I'll see her around some time." Nathan replaced his hat and tipping it to Clara he made his way back out the door. Back on the boardwalk Nathan had to admit he was a bit disappointed. He'd been looking forward to seeing Sarah.

Nathan checked his watch and realized it was time to walk Allie home from school. He made his way over just as he heard the cowbell ringing. Standing on the edge of the school yard he saw the kids make their way out of the building. Many of them ran over to him to ask how he was doing. He appreciated their interest and let them know he was healing well and feeling fine. Allie ran out and gently hugged her dad. She knew he still had some pain but she also knew he would never let anyone know that.

Elizabeth stood at the doors to the school and watched the interaction between Nathan and the children. She'd been so worried about him and several times had to fight the urge to stop at his house to see how he was going. Only the memory of Rosemary's words stopped her from doing so. As she watched she saw Nathan tip his hat to her before turning to walk Allie home.

Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. That was the most interaction that had occurred between the two since the day she'd met with he and Allie in the school. That was the day they'd set their boundaries for her. Elizabeth turned back into the building feeling a slight sense of optimism that their friendship might someday be repaired. Elizabeth then thought back to the argument she'd had with Lucas the evening prior. She wasn't sure how it had escalated as it had. Lucas was angry that she questioned him about his business. He thought it had more to do with Nathan than what was happening at the saloon. He'd left in a hurry with enough noise to wake Jack. After he'd left Elizabeth had shed a few tears feeling very uncertain of her choice of Lucas and her future with him.

Nathan and Allie made their way home and, while still a distance away, could see Sarah sitting on their porch waiting for them. Nathan had to admit he was more than a little surprised to see her there. Allie went running ahead and gave Sarah a hug. She hadn't seen Sarah since Sunday either and had hardly stopped talking about her and their dinner and how Sarah had helped her Saturday when Nathan was in the infirmary. Nathan was glad Allie had a woman to bond with but at the same time he worried about her getting too close too fast especially in light of the pain caused by Elizabeth when she'd chosen Lucas. Nathan greeted Sarah with his charmingly crooked smile. Sarah felt her cheeks flush. She wasn't sure how readily he shared it with people but she didn't think she would ever tire of seeing it.

"I hope I'm not intruding. I just wanted to drop off something for your dinner." Sarah pulled aside the napkin on her basket revealing a beautiful chicken pot pie. Allie could hardly contain her excitement. She loved chicken pot pie.

"Thank you Miss Crawford. That's one of my favorites. Did you make this yourself?"

"Yes, I had the afternoon off and thought it would be a way to say thank you for the delicious dinner you served me on Saturday."

Nathan couldn't help but smile at Allie's enthusiasm. "Considering how you helped us out following the events of Saturday evening I think we probably owe you a few more dinners."

"Miss Crawford can you stay for dinner?" Allie was hopeful.

"I'm sorry Allie, I can't tonight. I've got some ledgers to review for the store before I have a phone call with Dottie in the morning. Thank you for the invitation though. I better get headed back I've got a lot to review."

"I'm heading back to my office. May I walk you back to town?" Nathan had been disappointed earlier when he'd not found Sarah at the store and now he had an opportunity for a walk with her. He sent up a quick prayer of thanks.

"Thank you Nathan that would be lovely." Neither of them saw the smile on Allie's face as they headed back to town.

As they walked up the row of houses they saw Elizabeth walking toward them on her way back from school. Sarah, without hesitation, extended a greeting. "Good afternoon Elizabeth. It's so nice to see you again. How was school today?"

Elizabeth wasn't sure what to make of what she saw ahead of her. Not wishing to be rude she returned Sarah's greeting. "It was a good day, thank you for asking." Turning her eyes toward Nathan she simply said "Constable."

Nathan tipped his hat and returned the greeting. "Mrs. Thornton."

Sarah noticed the apparent tension and suddenly felt as though she was caught in the middle of something uncomfortable. Why was there such formality between Nathan and Elizabeth? Everyone in Hope Valley seemed to be on a first name basis with each other. The exchange between these two was anything but. She wasn't sure what to think but didn't' feel it was her place to bring it up.

As they approached Dottie's Nathan stopped prior to reaching the door. Sarah stopped with him. "Sarah, I was wondering if you would like to get dinner with me at the café this Saturday. Hopefully by then I'll be out of this sling so I won't require you to cut my food for me" he said with a small laugh.

Sarah contained her excitement but just barely. "I would like that very much Nathan and, if you need help, I'm happy to cut your food for you." She said jokingly.

"Well I would appreciate that very much. I'll pick you up at 7."

Sarah practically whistled her way into the dress shop thinking Saturday night couldn't come soon enough.