Elizabeth awoke to the sun streaming in her window. She felt like she had finally put all the questions and fears behind her even if for a moment. She hadn't slept so well since before Jack left for the Northern Territories. Hearing her son stirring in the next room she quickly got up and went over to attend to jack and begin their day with breakfast. Thankfully it was Saturday, so she didn't have anywhere else that she had to be. As she sipped her tea, she reminisced about the past 2 days and particularly last night. Thinking particularly about the words she had said to Henry she became aware that she had indeed came out of the shadows and fully into the sun. She realized that instead of the deep paralyzing fear she thought she would feel there was only peace with the decision she made last night. She was still afraid and wasn't fully ready to jump into courting Nathan Grant, no matter how strongly she felt about him, but she was open to that possibility. The fact that he was a Mountie was a very real concern for her because there was her son to consider.
She had just finished getting them both dressed for the day when she heard a knock on the door followed by Rosemary opening it with Abigail right behind her. Since this was a common occurrence, she gave Jack to Abigail while Rosemary gathered their cups and she put on the kettle. It was always the same and she had been expecting them to come for details about last evening. Jack giggled from the moment Abigail started playing because he loved her so much. But it wasn't long before the three ladies were sitting at the table and Jack playing happily nearby.
"Alright Elizabeth spill what happened and why were you with Henry last night?" Rosemary asked.
"Well, it's very simple. I went to ask Nathan to the dance as everyone wanted me to although I would have anyway. But when I went over to the Jail to ask, he had already been asked by Faith and said yes. It was so embarrassing too because before he could answer Faith came by excited about being able to be going with Nathan."
At the look of surprise on her friends faces she added "Honestly, did you really think I wouldn't know that your all matchmaking to bring Nathan and I together as a couple?"
"Here we thought we were more subtle than we actually are apparently." Abigail said chuckling.
"Oh no, your very wrong because you ladies are about as subtle as a bull in a china shop and Bill is even worse because I knew what the dance was about. I've seen all the looks exchanged between you and Bill about us. Please don't misunderstand me, I am grateful and in fact I do have feelings for Nathan, but I think it's a bit soon to be thinking about romance. Jack hasn't been gone that long and I don't want to move on too soon."
"I thought for sure that Nathan was wanting you to ask and would have waited. He was looking all over for you before he went on rounds because Bill said so." Rosemary said.
"He was, however when he came back from rounds, Lucas made it seem like he was going with me so when Faith asked Nathan accepted. He felt so bad and was so sweet when he saw how upset I was. With all the distance and reserve between us since our argument he figured I wouldn't want to go with him. I was so embarrassed and after apologizing I left without giving him a chance to respond."
"Then how did you find out about Lucas?" Rosemary asked.
"Well, when I walked away, he came after me and sweetly told me what happened and that he really did want to go with me. He even admitted that he had made some assumptions apparently and wished he would have waited."
"That man may be clueless at times about women, but his heart is pure gold, and any woman would be lucky to get him." Abigail said pointedly. "In fact, the women in town are all smitten with him especially since he is so handsome with the most beautiful blue eyes and endearing crooked smile."
"I know he is, isn't he? His smile just makes me want to melt. I can look at him all day when he's standing outside his office or on his way to church or taking Allie fishing or chopping wood. He always smells like pine and cedar." Elizabeth said softly with a dreamy look in her eyes and a bemused smile on her lips. Abigail and Rosemary looked at each other recognizing that look on their friend's face. Both knew beyond a doubt that whether she would admit or not Elizabeth Thornton was definitely in love with Nathan Grant, and he was in her heart. They knew because the only other time she looked like that was with Jack Thornton.
Finally, she went on to say, "Anyway I almost didn't go last night but then thankfully Henry talked me into it. He told me that he had thought Nathan wanted to go with me too, so I explained everything. Then as we talked about the arrogance of Lucas, I came up with the idea of asking Henry and realizing that both of us needed to stop letting the past define us."
Rosemary laughed and said "Well the town is talking about what you and Henry did last night when you put Lucas in his place. Everyone loved every second of it once they realized that you weren't skipping out on the dance. I knew when you walked in wearing that gorgeous dress, which I'm assuming Julie sent you, that you either wanted to show Nathan what he was missing, or you had an agenda with Lucas."
"I loved it when Lucas was offering to be your partner and Henry swoops over and told him that you were his partner for the evening. It was the perfect moment, and we all had a hard time not laughing." Abigail said.
"Well, I felt a bit bad about it but Abigail it was time, and I was in the mood because he thinks he is the best thing in Hope Valley. He never does anything for the town without an ulterior motive. It's too bad because if he would just humble himself a bit and get involved, I think he would fit in quite well. But we all know how he looks at people in town." Elizabeth said before continuing. "I know he thinks he is what I'm looking for and couldn't possibly want something different but if I had wanted my old life in Hamilton, I would marry Charles and live there. It just proves that he doesn't know me and sees me as just another pretty face."
"As for my dress you are correct Rosemary Julie sent it to me last week and it was the perfect one to make an entrance with. I had almost forgot about her sending it, but as I was going through my closet, I suddenly saw it. I don't know if it made an impression on Nathan or not because I couldn't look at him dancing with Faith."
"Well from what I gathered I think you are correct Elizabeth, and it was high time someone did point out some things to the man. Of course, it had to be because of the perceptions he has about everyone. The town loved it and have been talking about it since last night. Now whether he learned his lesson like our good Constable is another story. But I couldn't have done any better myself Elizabeth and I know good performances when I see them." Rosemary added. "As for Nathan let me just say that there wasn't anyone who didn't notice how beautiful you were, and he seemed to be having a bit of trouble catching his breath for a bit. So, I'd say you definitely made a big impression on our dear Constable."
"But while that dress was beautiful it was you and the glow about you along with that wonderful smile on your face that made the most impression. We have all missed that and worried it would never come back." Abigail said. "There was something else I noticed last night Elizabeth." pausing a moment to get her attention before going on. "You decided to move on and with Nathan, didn't you? You and Henry decided to stop standing on the fringes and move fully into living again. I know how hard that was for both of you, but it was so beautiful to see."
"Yes, we did Abigail. I thought he wasn't going to be ready, but then he relaxed. Then when he began feeling comfortable talking with the other men and laughing with them, I knew he was ready. That Henry finally believed he was forgiven both by the town and God and just accepted it."
"It feels like all that old sadness that was still hanging over the town is gone now, and everything is brighter. It feels like the last bit of Coal Valley is gone finally and we are fully Hope Valley." Abigail said as she smiled. As the ladies pondered all about the sadness of Coal Valley and how things changed for the better last night, they all couldn't help but think on all the things that happened to get them to this point. Some good and some bad but all of it was a part of the history of their beloved town and its very resilient people.
"So, Abigail, what about Bill?" Elizabeth said breaking the silence and putting her dear friend on the spot. Rosemary who had been about to swallow some tea choked as she heard the question.
"Uh What do you mean Elizabeth. What about Bill?"
"Oh, you know what I mean and since I answered your question about Nathan, you owe me one about why you were with Mike instead of Bill?" she asked Abigail with a brow raised in question. "We are waiting."
Abigail looked over at Rosemary when she heard the woman laugh. "Don't look at Rosemary because I'm sure she doesn't have the answer. So come on spill it." Elizabeth said.
"Alright but I think you already know why Elizabeth. He and I work together as part owners of the café and city officials in charge of running it. If I decided to give him that chance and we don't work out, then it would create a mess. I'm still not sure I trust him on a personal level. Surely both of you remember how I found his ring on the table just before the Mining trial? Then the formerly deceased, or as I was led to believe anyway, Nora Avery came to town with her horrible accusations?"
Elizabeth and Rosie just nodded their heads sadly because they remembered it all and the hurt that Abigail felt because she had fallen in love with Bill.
"So, I just don't think I can trust him and until I know I can he is stating just where he is, and I will remain unattached." Abigail said firmly looking at them both squarely in the eye.
"Now Elizabeth how are you feeling about the possibility of opening your heart to Nathan?"
"To be honest Rosemary, and this stays here ladies, he is already in my heart along with sweet Allie. But I'm not sure yet what that means for the immediate future. I don't want to disrespectful to Jack and it feels a bit fast for my comfort. Besides I'm not sure how he really feels for me. I mean I know he finds me attractive but after what happened with Alice, I don't think I can open myself up to rejection or ridicule."
"Elizabeth Thornton, are you telling me you can't see what is clear to the rest of the town?" Abigail asked. "That man is probably just as infatuated with you as you are him and probably struggling with those feelings as you are."
"Anyone can see how you two gravitate to each other or stop talking all together when either of you just catch a glimpse of the other." Rosemary said chuckling before continuing "But when you and he were on the outs the other single women wasted no time in seeking him out only to be ignored at least not gaining his attention they way they hoped. In their mind he was still on the market since you weren't speaking. But since last night I think everyone knows neither of you are anymore because It's very clear how you feel."
"But that's just it I'm not sure and I refuse to move on until I know for sure it's not disrespectful to my love for Jack."
"Elizabeth" Abigail said softly reaching out to grab her hand in comfort "Jack wanted you to move on and find love again remember?"
"I know Abigail and I'm pretty sure Nathan is my new love. But I'm scared and so unsure it would be something Jack would be okay with. I also need to be sure of the feelings I have and whether they are because he is a Mountie and reminds me of Jack or for Nathan and despite his being a Mountie. Let's face it my heart broke each time Jack went off on assignments and began to die piece by piece. I don't know how to move past that or if I can." As Elizabeth finished tears that had welled up in her eyes began to fall down her cheeks. The other women quickly moved to gather their friend in a hug knowing that she struggled to move on.
Finally, Rosemary pulled back and said, "Why don't I stay with Jack, and you go for a ride and maybe even visit Jack Sr.'s grave and gain some perspective."
"I think that would be a good idea, Elizabeth. I will stay here too, and we can talk a bit more when you return."
"You wouldn't mind?" Elizabeth asked. "I think it might help me to talk to Jack."
"I think so too. Now why don't you get going and we will be waiting for you when you get back."
Abigail said knowing that she wanting to talk with Rosemary privately before breaking the news she needed to share. She knew that there was no way she could handle comforting them both.
Shortly afterwards the door closed as Elizabeth headed to the livery to get Sargent and head to the one place, she knew she could sort through her jumbled thoughts and emotions.
A/N Please don't kill me for this next chapter because I promise good days are coming and fun stuff too. But a little rain has to fall first.
