Just a note on this chapter. I loved Elizabeth for the first seven seasons. My dislike of her in season eight was so strong that I forgot what I loved about her in the first seven seasons. I really want to like Elizabeth again so this is my attempt to make her likeable for me again.
Chapter 20
Sarah made her usual stop at the café on Saturday morning for her coffee and blueberry muffin. She was happy to see Allie there pouring coffee and cleaning tables.
"Good morning Allie, how are you doing with your dad gone?" Sarah knew Allie was probably used to Nathan leaving town at a moment's notice but she'd found herself a bit unsettled.
Allie came over to fill Sarah's coffee. "I'm fine. I've gotten used to it over the years. My dad's one of the best Mounties they have and he's always careful so I don't worry like I used to. It helps that I'm at Opal's and they keep me busy."
Sarah smiled at Allie's matter-of-fact attitude. "I'm glad to hear that Allie. If you need anything while your dad is gone just let me know."
"Thanks Miss Crawford, I appreciate that."
The café door opened and in walked Elizabeth with Little Jack. She took a seat at a table not too far from Sarah's table. It was the first time Sarah had seen Elizabeth since Nathan had shared with her the relationship he and Elizabeth had over the last few years. Thinking about how pained Nathan had been as he told her everything he'd gone through thinking Elizabeth cared for him got Sarah's ire up all over again. She'd been angry at Elizabeth when Nathan first told her and she found she still felt that same anger. It was all she could do to not say something to her.
Allie glanced over at her teacher and then turned her attention back to Sarah. "Can I get you a muffin?"
"Thanks Allie that would be great." Bill appeared at their table to let them know Nathan was on the phone back in the kitchen and that he wanted to talk to the two of them.
Allie ran to the kitchen and grabbed the phone. "Hi dad! How's everything going? How's Uncle Gabe? When will you be home?" Typical Allie was asking questions faster than Nathan could answer them. She stayed on the phone a few more minutes as Nathan updated her. Soon she handed the phone to Sarah. "Dad wants to say hi."
Sarah took the phone anxious to hear Nathan's voice. "I promise not to ask as many questions as Allie but how are you?"
Sitting in the Benson Hills Mountie station, Nathan laughed. "She does ask a lot of questions doesn't she? I'm fine. How are you Sarah?"
I'm fine Nathan, just having a little breakfast and getting ready to go to work. Is everything going as you expected?"
"It's taking a bit longer than we'd hoped but we're making some progress. I'm hoping we'll be home by the middle of next week."
"Oh, that's good. I'm sure Allie will be very happy to see you. I will too."
Hearing that from Sarah made Nathan wish he could be home today but he had a job to do and he wouldn't leave until it was finished.
There were other Mounties also wanting to call home so they said their good byes. Sarah returned to her table. She finished her coffee and muffin and made her way to the dress shop.
Shortly after she'd opened the store she heard the bell on the front door. Coming from the back room Sarah was surprised to see Elizabeth standing at the counter along with Little Jack.
"Good morning Elizabeth, what can I help you with?"
"Good morning Sarah, I was just wondering if I heard correctly that Nathan was out of town?"
"Yes, he's on a tracking mission." Sarah knew she could expand on her answer but given her feelings toward Elizabeth she chose to keep it brief.
Elizabeth felt the agitation from Sarah. "I hope he's staying safe and he gets back soon."
"Why do you care?" Sarah shocked herself with the words that came out of her mouth. She was not usually so confrontational.
Elizabeth was taken aback at Sarah's response. "I care because Nathan is my friend and I worry about him."
"Really, have you been caring about him for the last two years as you've played with both his and Allie's hearts, leading them to believe you cared for them more than you obviously did?"
The two women stood sizing each other up neither of them knowing what to say.
Finally Sarah spoke. "Is there anything else I can help you with Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth's voice was a whisper. "No, thank you. Good day. "With that Elizabeth took Little Jack's hand and walked out of the store.
Once the door closed Sarah took a deep breath to calm herself. She wasn't sure what had pushed her to talk to Elizabeth in that manner. She knew that whatever had happened between Elizabeth and Nathan was none of her business but she couldn't help it. Was she being protective of Nathan and Allie or was she jealous of the relationship that he and Elizabeth had shared. Sarah thought the former but also knew that she worried Nathan wasn't over his feelings for Elizabeth and she worried that if Elizabeth were to tell him she was in love with him, it wouldn't take much for him to choose her. Sarah had to blink to hold back the tears that threatened.
The pit in Sarah's stomach stayed with her the rest of the day. Clara could tell that something was bothering her and finally asked her about it. "Sarah, you seem as though something is troubling you this afternoon."
Sarah liked Clara very much and trusted her to keep her confidence. "Oh Clara, I think I really put my foot in my mouth this morning." Sarah went on to explain what she'd said to Elizabeth when she came into the store.
Clara reassured Sarah. "Sarah, I don't know everything that happened between Nathan and Elizabeth but, between us, I've thought for some time that Elizabeth may have been leading on both Nathan and Lucas. Elizabeth is a good friend of mine, she was even in my wedding, but I know she's been struggling over these last couple of years trying to figure out how to move on with her life after losing her husband. I think she's experienced a lot of confusion as to what she felt for both Nathan and Lucas. I haven't always agreed with her decisions but as her friend I've tried to support her as best I can."
"Do you think she's in love with Nathan?" Sarah could barely whisper the words not wanting to even speak the possibility.
"I honestly don't know Sarah. I think she's unsure of a lot of things right now. What I can tell you is that the few times I've seen Nathan around you I see a look on his face that none of us have seen in a very long time." Clara's words were encouraging to Sarah.
"Thank you for saying that Clara. I find myself caring for him more as I get to know him better. I feel terrible about how I spoke to Elizabeth and I think I need to apologize to her. Do you think she would be open to that?"
"Sarah, I think she would be. I know you two may have gotten off to a rocky start but Elizabeth is a good person and a dear friend to many of us just as you are becoming too. It would be wonderful if we could all be friends together." Sarah wasn't convinced that she and Elizabeth could ever be friends but even if that didn't happen she still knew for her own peace of mind she needed to apologize.
Sarah appreciated Clara's honestly and before she lost her courage she asked Clara if she would close up at the end of the day while Sarah went to find Elizabeth.
Sarah hesitantly climbed the stairs to Elizabeth's front porch. She still wasn't sure what to say to her. She prayed for the right words.
Elizabeth answered the door and Sarah noticed the surprised look on her face.
"Elizabeth, I came to apologize. I don't know what came over me this morning. I don't know you and I don't know your story. I made assumptions about you and I know that isn't right. I hope you can accept my apology and forgive me for the way I spoke to you."
Elizabeth didn't know what to think of this woman standing and asking her for forgiveness. Lately Elizabeth had been thinking she was the one needing to ask people for forgiveness. "Sarah, please come in."
Sarah entered Elizabeth's house and noticed what a lovely home she had. Looking around she saw the table with several pictures of Elizabeth and what obviously was her late husband. Sarah felt a pang of sadness for this woman not much older than her who had experienced such a tragic loss. On the floor in the sitting area she saw the sweet little boy she'd seen earlier today. "What is your son's name?"
"His name is Jack. He'll be three on Christmas Eve. Can I make you some tea?"
"Tea would be lovely, thank you." Sarah wasn't sure if she should say something or wait for Elizabeth to make the next move. Elizabeth brought over the tea pot and some cookies and sat across the table from Sarah.
"Sarah, thank you for your apology but I'm not sure you owe me one. I've been thinking about what you said and in some ways you are right." Elizabeth had been thinking about her behavior over the last two years. She'd been so confused for so long and she knew she hadn't been fair to Nathan or Allie to let them think she might have deeper feelings than she would admit. "I care very much for both Nathan and Allie. I've not been sure of my feelings for what feels like a very long time. The only thing that makes sense to me right now is the love I have for my son." Sarah saw Little Jack get up and toddle over to Elizabeth to get a cookie.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth. I know you lost your husband several years ago and I can't imagine how difficult it has been for you especially raising a son on your own. I let my feelings for Nathan affect my behavior and that wasn't fair to you."
Elizabeth felt an ache in her heart when she heard Sarah say she had feelings for Nathan. On the other hand, why wouldn't she have feelings for Nathan? He was an honorable, kind, considerate, honest man who had so much to offer. "Sarah, what you said is true. I haven't always treated Nathan with the respect and care he deserves. He and Allie deserve someone who puts them first. I've come to realize that I need to focus on my son and decide if the relationship I have with Lucas is what I want."
Sarah nodded seeing the uncertainty on Elizabeth's face.
"Sarah, I know you haven't been seeing Nathan for very long but I hope wherever it leads that the two of you can always be honest with each other and take care of each other."
"Thank you Elizabeth and I pray that you will find the peace you are looking for. Might I ask you to keep our visit today between the two of us?"
Elizabeth agreed.
"I will certainly tell Nathan what I said to you and I won't blame him if he's angry at how I treated you."
Elizabeth reassured Sarah that she wouldn't say anything but she also reminded Sarah what an understanding heart Nathan Grant had and that Sarah shouldn't worry about how he'll react. "Nathan is an excellent man Sarah and I will pray for both of you."
As anxious as Sarah had been on her way to Elizabeth's earlier, she left feeling as though she and Elizabeth had just laid the groundwork for an eventual friendship.