A/N Thank you for all those who have been patient waiting for this story to continue. I have been writing a lot of this in the last few days because I just couldn't stop. This story has practically taken on a life of it's own. I want to thank Cinda K Justice for being patient and just willing to talk with me about my characters. I also have Nebula 2 to thank for giving me some support and being a sounding board a few times. I'm still on the look out for that rich husband by the way so you can write. But I also want to say thank you to all of you that still love this story enough to stick around as I had to go through a bit of a journey of my own. Your sweet words of encouragement have kept me going when I really struggled. Please let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy these chapters as much I had fun writing them.
Nathan pondered Bill's last words as he left and for the life of him couldn't understand why Bill was warning him or at least trying to as if impending doom was about to come his way. "Why is he warning about the women anyway because as far as he knew they were very nice and went out of their way to make him feel comfortable. In fact, Abigail even tried giving him some advice and though he thought it was nice he didn't necessarily agree with her and didn't feel obligated to follow it. He did feel bad that he and Elizabeth had the falling out but as he continued to think on it maybe it was for the best. He certainly wasn't going to jeopardize his niece's happiness and well being for a woman who may or may not have romantic intentions toward him.
As he recalled their conference, he began to get mad all over again. How dare she accuse him of neglecting his niece for romantic endeavors. In fact, as he thought further on it she was actually putting her nose where it didn't belong. His personal life and what romantic history he had was not her concern and he needed to put distance between them. Elizabeth Thornton was a very beautiful woman and sometimes as she walked by, he could smell the lavenders scent when the wind blew just right. He could get lost in those blue eyes that were like a bright sky on a wonderful summer 's day. She often had an impish look in them when she was teasing him, or Allie and her smile just lit up the world around him. With a sigh he continued thinking about her until the phone rang and suddenly, he realized he had been daydreaming of her. "This definitely will not do." He said aloud. He was so shaken up that he rudely answered before thinking about it.
Little did he know it but he was about see first hand what Bill was warning him of. It started out subtle with the ladies addressing him as Constable even though they had been calling him Nathan practically since they got there. At church things seemed okay though Cat Montgomery, and Ellen Wiese and some of the other women seemed to always be in a hurry to get somewhere saying they were busy. Of course, more often than not they stood with Elizabeth and walked home with her. They always told him to have a nice day though, so he just went on his way. Once in a while Elizabeth would even go so far as to smile and tell him to have a nice day when he dropped Allie off at school. Of course, she would abruptly turn around before he had the chance to say anything and the other women quickly followed and left just as abruptly.
When he tried greeting them most responding back with "Hello Constable." But others didn't even acknowledge he spoke. 'So, he thought Elizabeth has been talking to the ladies and probably embellishing what I said. Well, that's fine by me because I'm not going to stoop to that level. I have better things to do anyway." However, Elizabeth hadn't really talked about what had happened except to Clara, Rosemary and Abigail and of course Lee and Bill. More than once when he would go to the café to get a dessert or a late lunch, he was told they were out of whatever he asked for or "I'm sorry Constable but we are just closing for lunch. Perhaps try keeping track of time so you can be served. Aren't Mounties supposed to be observant? Surely you learned to tell time in the academy?" before having the door shut in his face.
Once he cut his hand on a piece of glass when he broke one at his office. He went to the infirmary and Faith politely told him Carson would be with him shortly, but it was time for her lunch break." This went on for a while and then he noticed that the children began to avoid greeting him at least the girls. The boys were fine and continued stopping by if he was standing on the boardwalk wanting to hear stories of adventure he experienced as a Mountie.
As another week passed things only got worse and he couldn't understand just what he said that was so bad that the ladies were offended. He only said he wanted to keep things formal and that they should address each other as Constable Grant and Mrs. Thornton. What was so bad about that?' He began to remember what his other Mountie buddies had said about women being a lot of trouble. Too bad he forgot the married ones always said it was worth every frustrating moment. He forgot that Jack Thornton was known as one of the staunchest believers that Mountie life and marriage never worked. Even though the proof that Jack had changed that view occupied his thoughts most of the time when he wasn't working on Mountie business.
Of course, it wasn't all the ladies, as some of them actually began coming by the office more and more walking into town deliberately passing by the jail. Bill, Carson and Lee couldn't believe that Nathan hadn't yet figured out what he had done or why there was more female traffic interested in the Mountie office.
"Apparently he hasn't figured out that there is a certain group of women that aren't talking to him." Lee said. "I've not seen Rosie this worked up since Lucas brought in that self-playing piano."
"Faith actually walked out and had him wait for me instead of treating a cut the last time he was in because she couldn't believe the things he said to Elizabeth." Carson added.
"Well I actually heard parts of it myself and he really put his foot in his mouth. It's a wonder that it's not still there." Lee added. "I don't even have a clue how he will get himself out of this one although Elizabeth gave as good as she got and stood toe to toe. Don't tell Rosie I said this, but I also think she made some pretty bad assumptions and accusations herself."
"Clara is refusing to serve him and says they are out of everything. Abigail actually shut the door in his face after making disparaging remarks about the inability he had to correctly tell time and even went further saying "aren't Mounties supposed to be observant?" Bill added.
"Well, someone needs to help him understand what is going on because it is only going to get worse. He not only insulted Elizabeth, but all the other widows and it seems some of the others who are standing with them. Bill, you need to go over there because you are the judge and were a Mountie. He seems to talk to you and listen." Lee remarked.
"Lee, I tried but he just refused to talk about what happened and said it was between him and Elizabeth. I wished him luck and told him he would need it."
"You're the married man Lee and you actually heard the conversation so why aren't you running over there to set him straight?" Bill said turning it back on his friend causing the others to all look at Lee in agreement.
"Simple Bill it's because I'm a married man and our sofa is not that comfortable. Also, I don't know that Elizabeth would appreciate me meddling and let me say her and Rosie are a formidable pair. I am not getting on the wrong side of the two of them not to mention Abigail. I'm actually surprised you even mentioned it to him because of Abigail and Clara."
"Abigail asked me too or I wouldn't have even attempted it."
"What about you Carson. You're not married or involved so why don't you help him out."
"Oh no, I work with Faith, and she's a great Nurse so I'm not about to get on her bad side again. Besides I am hoping that a certain young lady will finally forgive my own stupidity and agree to give me a chance."
They began laughing as they thought of all that had been going on with the widows and Nathan. It was so obvious to everyone else but him but with Nathan never being married it was no wonder he was clueless. Not to mention he managed to insult one of the two most stubborn women in town. But they also couldn't help chuckling at their own lack of wanting to insult those same women. None of them wanted to be on the outs because each had already learned that particular lesson the hard way.
"What's so funny?" Henry asked as he walked up to the three men.
"Just watching Nathan and talking about how clueless he is about what is happening." Lee responded.
"What happened? I have been out of town until a little while ago" he asked.
"Well Elizabeth invited Nathan and Allie to dinner to discuss her records since they hadn't had a chance to do it after school. Allie ended up going to Opal's home for dinner, so it ended up being just them. Long story short he basically made some comments that insinuated Elizabeth may have been trying to catch a man. To which she said that she was not some poor lonely widow trying to get a man no matter how handsome he was."
"Wow!" Henry said with a whistle. "So now I'm guessing the widows are dealing out some consequences until he apologizes? I certainly would not want to be him right about now."
"That's about it Henry." Carson said with a chuckle.
"Has anyone warned him?" he asked.
"Bill tried but he said that whatever happened was between him and Elizabeth. That he just wanted to keep things professional and felt she understood and probably felt the same." Lee added with a shake of his head.
"Well, he is up against a tough group of stubborn women, and I hope he realizes his mistake sooner than later. I still remember how all the women worked together to help the widows keep their home and Elizabeth was the catalyst that guaranteed the success. He is fighting a losing battle I'm afraid" Henry said before heading to the saloon.
The men just shook their heads again and laughed at Henry's remarks drawing Nathan's attention on them. They knew that Henry more than most of the men in town new these particular women very well having tangled more than once with them and wound on the wrong end.
'Hmmm what are they are laughing about I wonder." He mused. His curiosity getting the better of him he wandered over to them. "Hey, what's so funny?" he asked Bill.
"Oh, we were laughing about something Henry said about the Coal Mine, Row Houses and stubborn women."
"Then we were discussing the difference between married men and single ones." Lee added.
"Oh, I see. I'm not much of an expert but I can't say I understand them at all." Nathan said. This caused the other men to start laughing all over again. As their laughter became infectious Nathan found himself laughing with them.
"Carson was the first to compose himself and slapped a friendly hand on Nathans back and said, "That much is obvious my friend." This comment started them all laughing again before they began going their separate ways to their offices.
Later that evening Nathan observed that his niece had a look in her eyes as if she wanted to say something and decided against it. After she started to ask him something twice but stopped herself, he finally asked her about it.
"Allie? is there something wrong? Is there something you want to discuss? You know you can talk to me about anything right?"
"Yes, Uncle Nathan. I'm fine but do you mind if I go up and read a bit for bed?"
"Sure, Allie but if you change your mind just let me know. I'll be up shortly to tuck you in."
He thought about the behavior of his niece, and he knew enough about females that the way she said 'I'm fine' meant whatever it was on her mind it was far from it.' He wondered if all females were born instinctively with the ability to say one thing but meaning something different. As always, his thoughts once again turned to Elizabeth and as much as he didn't want to, he couldn't stop it. Sometimes it left him with such a longing that he even tried going through some Mountie procedures regarding caring for Mountie equipment properly. It never worked and he couldn't even recall what he had been reading anyway. He had never had a woman capture his attention so fully to where he couldn't get her out of his mind. Regardless of those thoughts for Allie's sake he would continue to keep a professional difference though it was getting harder and his missed their banter.
