CHAPTER 25-THE MORNING AFTER
Nathan woke up early, knowing and dreading what awaited him in his office. He had to go to the jail where the woman he loved occupied one of those cells. He wondered whether he had to get her breakfast or not since Abigail was watching over her last night. Then had to escort her over to Bill's office for the scheduled hearing. 'How did I always find myself in these weird situations? 'Well, I guess there's no time like the present,' he thought. As he walked in, he could see Elizabeth was still sleeping and took a moment to study her. He couldn't help thinking about how lovely the sight was but usually reserved for a husband. Shaking himself out of his reverie and back into the present, he called her name.
"Mrs. Thornton!" She didn't move. "Mrs. Thornton!" He said, finally seeing her rouse from sleep.
"Oh, Nat. I mean Constable Grant." correcting herself quickly.
"Mrs. Thornton, I'm going to go get your breakfast Mrs. Coulter is supposed to come by and bring you items to make yourself presentable for your hearing."
"Constable?"
Nathan turned back around. "Yes, Mrs. Thornton?"
"I just want to say how sor..."
"Mrs. Thornton, I need to get your breakfast; Mrs. Coulter will be here soon." Then he turned and walked out the door. She knew she had hurt him but didn't realize how much. Somehow, she felt that hurt keenly deep within her own heart.
But she had hurt him, making him feel he was at fault for her actions. He was just doing his job recalling the words she spoke yesterday, but she acted like she was the injured party. "Oh Lord, please help me make this right. Please guide me in my actions and my words so that I may heal the wounds that I have inflicted on him. Now that I realize that my feelings run deep, I can't let him bear this burden anymore. Lord, I beg of you, please let me not be too late. Suddenly, she heard the door to the Jail open and heard her best friend.
"Elizabeth, I'm here with all you need to get dressed and clean up for your hearing."
"Thank you, Rosemary. Also, thank you for watching little Jack; I appreciate it."
"Oh, sure, Elizabeth, it was not a problem. He misses you, though, so hopefully, we can get you situated."
"Rosemary, I may need you to help me with something for a few days? There's something vital I need to take care of. I am not at liberty to speak of it now, but I promise you'll be one of the first to know when I can. When I'm done, I can promise you that you will have a story to print."
"Elizabeth?"
"I promise, Rosemary, okay?"
" When are you leaving?"
"I'm leaving on the train this afternoon if I can get everything situated through Bill. I will need to get permission from him to be able to leave. Honestly, this is long overdue, but I'm taking care of things now." Rosemary stood by while Elizabeth got changed to ensure Nathan wouldn't accidentally walk in on her. Once she made sure that Elizabeth was ready for the hearing, she took the clothes and returned home. Soon after, Nathan came in to escort her over to the hearing. Elizabeth was silent as she and Nathan walked over, both in their own thoughts. When they walked in, it was only Bill and Abigail there.
"Good morning, Judge Avery, Good morning, Abigail; oh, I'm sorry, Mayor Stanton. "Good morning, Mrs. Thornton," Bill responded fully in Judge mode. "Constable, please read all the charges."
"Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton is charged with failure to appear, harassment of public officials, and contempt of court."
"Mrs. Thornton, how do you plead?" Bill asked. "I plead guilty, your honor, to all charges and throw myself on the court's mercy."
Elizabeth heard whispers of "thank goodness" and "finally" and a heavy sigh of relief. She had to smile because Elizabeth knew that she had blown the whole thing out of proportion regarding them. That Bill only wanted her to listen, and that's why he locked her in a cell.
"Do you have anything to add before I render a verdict?"
"Yes, your honor. I blindly believed another's accusations and then purposefully proceeded to the Constable's office to inflict distress on three people I trust the most and love. I realize that I was arrested because I disrespected you inflicting hurt. I have a bad tendency to jump to conclusions which on occasion cloud my judgment. While it does not excuse it, I believe it was the source of my horrible conduct."
"Are there any that will speak on this woman's behalf?"
"Yes, I will," Abigail said, "I have known Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton for over eight years, and this behavior is unprecedented in the whole time I've known her, and I would suggest to the court that all charges are dropped." "
"Constable, what do you think?"
"I agree, your honor," Nathan replied though not about to state his agreement with which woman.
"In the case of Hope Valley versus Elizabeth Thornton, I agree with both Mayor Stanton and Constable Grant. I hereby dismiss all charges. Mrs. Thornton, you are free to go." Then Bill hit his gavel, ending the hearing.
"Thank you, Bill, Abigail, and Constable Grant!"
"You're welcome, Mrs. Thornton," Nathan replied.
"Bill, I have something I need to do, but I need to talk to all of you about Fort Clay before I go. Can we take a few minutes now to do that?" Elizabeth asked tentatively.
Nathan excused himself quickly, saying he had some things to do and had nothing new to add. It was apparent he was hurt by her actions but also didn't want to discuss Fort Clay. As she watched him walk away, she thought back to her decided course of action. She then thought of the plaque he made her and the resolve she had from before returned. "Would you both excuse me for a moment? Because there's something pressing I need to take care of. I'm sorry, but it can't wait any longer. In fact, will you give me 15 minutes or so and meet me at the Jail? The Fort Clay information is essential but there's someone more so. Please excuse me?" Elizabeth turned and left with purpose in her step, heading towards the jail.
"What do you think that's about?" Bill asked as they watched her leave.
"Bill, are you serious right now? Consider where she is heading and her earlier statements." Abigail said with an amused smile.
"You think so?" he said, grinning finally catching on.
"Oh yeah, I know so. I recognize that look in her eyes. I've only seen that look with one other person."
They both looked at each other and said, "Jack Thornton."
She took a deep breath and then approached the open doorway. Ironically Nathan was in the same position the first time they met. That gave her an idea.
"Hello!"
"Yes, may I help you?" he said with a brow raised. She knew she was the last person he wanted to see judging by his tone. 'Lord, please let this work.'
"I'm Elizabeth Thornton." She said nervously. Nathan looked at her in confusion, wondering what was going on. Then it suddenly dawned on him that she was recreating their first meeting. His curiosity was piqued, so he decided to play along.
"Mrs. Thornton. It's an honor to meet you." But then she turned and shut the door.
"Constable, may I call you Nathan?" She could smell pine and cedar, which always sent her senses reeling. It was making it hard for her to continue her train of thought.
"Please do. May I call you Elizabeth?" he replied, trying to guess where she was going with this.
"Yes, I would like that." Her eyes took on a softness while her tone grew husky.
"Nathan, I know that we have dealt with many misunderstandings between us since you've been here." She said as she moved closer to him. "So, I want to make sure that I'm clear with you this time." Then he caught a glimpse of something in her eyes he dared not hope for. Before long, he found himself backed against his desk as she closed the final distance between them.
"About what?" his voice shaky. "
From the first time I was in this office, I was very attracted to you. It was all I could do not to run my fingers through your hair." When she proceeded to do just that, all thought disappeared from his head.
"Since then, my feelings have only increased. I walk by the Mountie office even if I don't have to, just hoping to catch a glimpse of you. I'm always trying to sneak glances at you at church because you look so handsome in a suit. The dark blue one is my favorite, by the way. Lately, I've resorted to hiding the firewood at the schoolhouse, so you'll have to chop more where I can see you. You always smell of pine and cedar, and whenever I'm near you, I can't focus on anything but you. I'm tired of hiding my feelings, and I'm ready for them to be in the open." By this time, she was so close he could count her eyelashes. He could smell the scent of lavender that she wore. It always had a dizzying effect on him.
"What are those feelings exactly?" he said with a catch in his voice.
His voice and the way he looked at her were starting to have the usual effect. It made it hard for her to think, but she gathered her courage and said, "I think I'm falling in love with you, and I'm praying you fee..."
She was unable to finish her sentence because he pressed her lips with his softly for a time before pulling back. "Can I take that as a yes?" she said breathlessly with a twinkle in her eye. "You feel the same?"
"Well, you know I only say something when it needs to be said. I felt that in this instance, actions speak louder than words." Claiming her lips once more and deepening the kiss before they finally broke apart.
"I would have to agree. She said before their lips met once more. "But Nathan?" She said, backing away just a bit. "We need to take it slow, okay? This is all new to me, and I never thought I would feel this way again."
"Elizabeth, I'm happy to let you set the pace. I'm a slow and steady guy, so I prefer it. May I officially call on you?"
"I'd like that, Nathan, very much."
Suddenly they heard, "It's about time you two finally admit what the rest of us already knew." Turning around, she saw Bill and Abigail smirking. They all laughed for a minute, sharing in the joy they felt before Elizabeth's voice took on a serious tone.
"Bill, can you lock the door, and the three of you have a seat?" she said. "Now that the important things are out of the way," she said, looking at Nathan, "I need to tell you something."
"No one knows this outside of the family. Not even Jack knew it. But I have a connection very high up in the Mountie chain that I will be going to see this afternoon in Union City. I hope that he will be able to figure out what is going on. He is just waiting for me to fill him in before he investigates. I learned in Hamilton Society that people like Hargraves often have skeletons in their closets, and I suspect they are illegal ones."
"Elizabeth, he would have to be very high up in the chain. Hargraves has to have some in his pocket." Nathan said gently.
"I'm sure he does, but I doubt as high as mine with as much influence."
"Bill sat up suddenly, interested "how high are we talking, Elizabeth?"
"Well, it has to be pretty high up if Coal Valley got a constable assigned here even though it wasn't big enough to warrant one! Jack said it only took her father a phone call to someone in the Mounties." Abigail reminded him.
"Who is it?" Bill asked.
"My Uncle Wynn Delaney."
