It was the Monday before the Christmas Festival and Sarah was still basking in the glow of her time with Allie and Nathan the day before when they picked out their trees and Nathan surprised them both with the news of his land. Sarah spent the evening imagining what it would be like to be a family with Nathan and Allie. It was something she thought about more every time she was with them. With a hopeful sigh Sarah tried to focus on everything that needed to happen this week.
Sarah's check list today included touching base with Lucas about the Christmas Eve dinner and Elizabeth about the children's program at the church school. Fortunately Clara was working extra hours during the holidays so Sarah could attend to last minute festival details. They had also been able to hire an additional woman, Anna Bode, who had recently moved to Hope Valley with her family. Her husband was a supervisor at the new factory that was scheduled to open in February. Anna had never worked in a store before but she was an excellent seamstress and had a sweet personality that customers responded to well.
Sarah made her way to the Queen of Hearts late morning. Lucas had asked if she wanted to meet over lunch but Sarah declined that invitation quickly. There was something about Lucas that didn't sit right with Sarah. He was always polite and cordial but also difficult to read. Something about him made her uncomfortable though she couldn't put a name to what it was. She found Lucas behind the bar. He asked her if she preferred to meet in his office. Looking around at the mostly empty saloon Sarah told him they were fine where they were. Lucas invited her to join him in a cup of tea which Sarah also declined.
Sarah thanked Lucas again for the use of the saloon. Lucas nodded and Sarah went on to review what the plan was for the dinner. Minnie Canfield had taken on the task of decorating and making sure the food tables were set up. Minnie and Sarah had gotten to know each other during Sarah's almost daily stops at the café for breakfast. She appreciated Minnie's quick smile and the encouraging words she shared with her. Sarah proceeded to review her list with Lucas and confirmed that he would be ready with the lanterns after dinner. Looking up from her list she saw Lucas staring at her which was unnerving. "Lucas do you need me to give you a copy of this list?"
Shaking his head Lucas refocused on the conversation. He had to respect how organized and efficient Sarah was. He told her his team would have the dining area set up just after the lunch service in plenty of time for Minnie and her group to decorate. Sarah thought that should work fine. Sarah thanked Lucas for his time and told him to let her know if he had any more questions. Sarah made her way to feeling the sensation of being watched. She turned around and saw that Lucas had been following her with his eyes as she left. The look on his face made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
Leaving the saloon Sarah decided to make a stop at the jail to see if she could sneak a quick hello to Nathan. When she entered the office he was on the phone so she stood quietly by the door not wanting to interrupt him. Seeing Sarah standing there a smile spread across his face though he was still trying to remain professional on the phone. Sarah listened to his side of the conversation waiting for him to finish. She had never seen this side of Nathan the Mountie and she had to admit it was a very attractive side of him. Completing his call Nathan hung up and made his way across the room to Sarah. "Good morning Miss Crawford. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Nathan took her in his arms and kissed her with an intensity that left her lightheaded.
Pulling back from his lips Sarah grabbed his forearms to steady herself. "Constable, I'm not sure that's appropriate in your place of employment."
Nathan gave her one of his endearing crooked grins that she adored. "Well if you don't tell anyone, I won't tell anyone. Besides, I've missed you. "
"Since yesterday?" Sarah admitted with everything going on her time with Nathan had been sporadic over the last couple of weeks making yesterday's tree adventure all the more special. "I was across the street and I wanted to say hello to the most handsome Mountie in all of Hope Valley."
"You do realize I'm the only Mountie in Hope Valley?" Nathan teased. "How was your meeting with Lucas?" Nathan still didn't trust Lucas. Just when he thought Lucas was trying to be a good guy he would do something that made Nathan question him and his motives.
Sarah decided not to tell Nathan about Lucas's stares. She could have imagined it though she didn't think so. "It was fine. I don't quite know what to think about him. He's very hard to read. He's the type of man who uses mystery to keep the upper hand." Sarah wasn't sure if it was just her or if others thought the same thing.
"He certainly holds his emotions close to the vest. I hope he didn't say or do anything compromising." Nathan furrowed his brow at the thought of Lucas.
"He was fine. I've dealt with men like that who like to feel superior to others, women especially." Sarah gave Nathan a reassuring look. "Don't worry, I can handle Lucas Bouchard."
Sarah gave Nathan a quick kiss telling him she had to get back to the dress shop so Clara could go to lunch. "Have you had lunch? We can't have you getting sick before the festival." Nathan knew Sarah was burning the candle at both ends. Between the dress shop and organizing the festival she was working non-stop. Sarah waved off his concern telling him she had a few things to finish before meeting Elizabeth at school to review the Christmas Eve program.
Sarah's afternoon at Dottie's was busy handling special orders and inventory for the final week before Christmas. She knew the weekend before Christmas was their busiest and without her in the store she wanted to make sure Clara and Anna were prepared. She'd been working steadily when she heard the bell on the door. She looked up and saw Nathan entering. Her new employee, Anna, got a bit anxious wondering why the tall, distinguished Mountie was in the store. Sarah could hear the nervousness in her voice. "Is there something we can help you with Constable?"
Nathan sensed her apprehension so he smiled and introduced himself. The softness of his voice appeared to put her at ease. Anna shared that her husband was a supervisor at the new factory. Nathan welcomed her to Hope Valley and told her he hoped she was settling into the community. "Thank you Constable, I appreciate that."
"Please, call me Nathan." Nathan turned to Sarah who was still working on a display. "You said you were going to meet with Elizabeth at school so I thought I might walk you since I'm on my way to pick up Allie."
"I would like that very much. Anna, I won't be too long." Sarah accepted Nathan's arm as they made their way to school.
They got to there just as they heard the cow bell ring. Allie came out the door surrounded by her girlfriends. She ran down the steps and greeted both Nathan and Sarah. "Dad, we have to stay for choir practice. I promise I'll go home right after."
"Okay, sounds good. Miss Crawford is here to meet with Mrs. Thornton."
Sarah loved seeing Allie surrounded by her friends. She could see that Allie was well liked and, after hearing some of the stories from when she first came to Hope Valley, Sarah knew Elizabeth had helped her adjust to her new school. She was happy Allie had a group of really sweet girlfriends. Sarah looked forward to see them this weekend as she knew several of them were volunteering at the festival.
Sarah made her way up the stairs of the school. Elizabeth was cleaning off her desk and packing her school basket. "Hello Elizabeth, is this still a good time to talk about the Christmas Eve program?"
Elizabeth turned to see Sarah in the doorway. Elizabeth had never really paid attention to how lovely Sarah was. Her blonde hair was pulled back and up today. She was wearing a coat in a deep green that set off the color of her eyes. Sarah was a little taller than Elizabeth and had a slim build. As Sarah reached for her notepad Elizabeth noticed how long and slender her fingers were. But beyond that it was Sarah's warm smile that Elizabeth noticed most. It was easy to see why Nathan was attracted to her.
"Hello Sarah, yes, now is fine. I told the kids to stay outside for a few minutes while we meet." The two sat down opposite each other and Elizabeth laid out her plans for the program. Elizabeth and Sarah had discussed adding a few new things to the evening and Elizabeth had done a fabulous job including them. They spent a few minutes discussing the order of the program and Sarah was happy to see Elizabeth had it all under control.
The two finished their planning and Sarah made her way toward the door. "Elizabeth, I want you to know how much I appreciate the work you're putting into the program. I know it's going to be a special part of Christmas for everyone."
The kindness in Sarah's voice was so sincere that Elizabeth let her guard drop. She walked toward Sarah and put her hand on Sarah's arm. "Sarah, I want to apologize if I've made you feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in Hope Valley. I've not been myself lately and I want you to know that I'm really pleased for you and Nathan and Allie. I've never seen Allie and Nathan so happy and I think you are responsible for that." Then Elizabeth added "I know it may be awkward but I hope you and I can be friends."
Sarah thanked Elizabeth telling her that she, too, would like it if they could be friends. She started leaving school as the children were coming back in. Allie stopped and gave Sarah a quick hug. "Thank you Allie. I hope you have a great rehearsal. I'll see this weekend."
Nathan was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. "Well this is a pleasant surprise. Thank you for waiting for me. Nathan held his arm out to Sarah and told her he wanted to take advantage of every moment he could have with her. Sarah tucked her arm through Nathan's feeling content just to be walking with him. Nathan asked how the meeting went. "Elizabeth has everything under control. She did say something as I was leaving that took me by surprise."
Nathan gave her a quizzical look. Sarah told him Elizabeth had apologized for making her feel uncomfortable or unwelcome and that she hadn't been herself lately. "She told me she was happy for us and that she hoped we could be friends."
"It doesn't sound like the Elizabeth of late but it does sound like she was when Allie and I first came to Hope Valley. It's nice that she wants to be friends but that's your decision to make."
"Would that be awkward for you?" Sarah's first concern was Nathan and Allie and if it would be hard for them. "If it's uncomfortable for either of you I can just be cordial with Elizabeth but I certainly don't need to go out of my way to be friends."
Nathan and Sarah were standing at the front door of Dottie's. Nathan turned Sarah toward him holding her hands. "Thank you Sarah. It would be awkward if I still had feelings for Elizabeth but I don't. I don't know what I feel for her but the only person I have romantic feelings for is you. Nathan bent down and reinforced his sentiment with a kiss that made Sarah breathless. I would ask you to talk to Allie though. I know she has had some very strong feelings about Elizabeth following everything that happened so she may have a different opinion."
Sarah agreed that would be a good idea. Nathan pulled her into a bear hug and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for considering our feelings. It means a lot. I need to go but hopefully I'll see you soon. With that Nathan made his way back to the jail house.
Anna saw Sarah come into the store smiling. She didn't want to ask questions that might be out of line with her new boss but she was curious about Nathan. Sarah could tell by the way she looked at her that Anna suspected something. "Anna, I'm sure you're wondering, Nathan and I are courting so you will see him in here from time to time."
"Thank you for letting me know Sarah. I'm really happy for you. He seems very nice."
"That he is." Sarah's smile confirmed what Anna was thinking.