After the gardening unveiling, things between Nathan and Elizabeth went back to almost normal. They didn't spend time together or have their deep conversations. But they were pleasant to each other. She was with Lucas and it wouldn't have been appropriate for them to spend time together. Nathan decided to pray every night for Elizabeth to open her heart to him.
A few weeks after the gardening unveiling, Nathan was at his desk filling out reports when he heard a knock at the door.
"Come in" Nathan called out. Nathan looked up from his paperwork and saw that it was Superintendent Campbell.
"Sir" Nathan said standing at attention and saluting.
"At ease" Superintend Campbell said with a salute back.
Nathan saluted back and offered Superintendent Campbell to have a seat.
"I was expecting any superiors to come by today. How can I help you?" Nathan said anxiously. Last time a superior came to visit unannounced he was dragged into an inquiry.
"Relax Constable. This is a good new" Superintendent Campbell said.
Nathan relaxed a little.
"A position for Staff Sargent has opened in Cape Fullerton has opened up. I am recommending you for the position" Superintendent Campbell said.
Nathan smiled. "Thank you sir. I'm honored that you thought of me for the position."
"You'll have your own housing. Your daughter will go to a private school. And you'll be overseeing your own unit. The missions are rare so you'll be able to spend time with your daughter. You can put roots down and start a family. Can I tell them that you are a yes?" Campbell asked.
Nathan thought for a moment. He wasn't sure if he wanted to uproot Allie from Hope Valley. But Nathan liked the idea of not going on many missions and finally have permanent housing. Nathan's mind drifted to Elizabeth. That would mean leaving Elizabeth.
"I can see your hesitation. It would be a big adjustment. Why don't you come to Cape Fullerton in a week and visit. You'll be able to see for yourself if it is a good fit." Campbell said.
"I would very much like that" Nathan said. The two men shook hands and Nathan walked the Superintendent outside. He watched as Campbell walked away and scanned the main street of Hope Valley. In the distance, he saw Elizabeth looking at the Mountie office by the saloon. Nathan had not seen Lucas in almost a week. Mike Hickam was running the saloon.
After Nathan had finished his rounds for the night, he decided to take the long way home and think about his decision about Cape Fullerton. Elizabeth had found love and his promise to Jack was completed. There was nothing left for him in Hope Valley. But there was a part of his heart that longed for Elizabeth. Nathan wasn't sure if time and distance would ease that longing or if his heart could bear it.
Nathan looked up the sky. It looked like it was going to start to rain. Nathan walked by the schoolhouse. There light coming from the schoolhouse. It was late for anyone to be there. Nathan crept over to the side window and looked inside. Elizabeth was sitting there with a couple of lanterns reading papers. Nathan walked to the front of the schoolhouse and entered.
"Elizabeth?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth looked up from her papers and smiled.
"Hello Nathan." Elizabeth said.
"What are you doing here so late?" Nathan asked.
"Grading my student's papers. Jack is with Rosemary. My head hasn't been in the right space lately to grade papers so I thought being her late would be better." Elizabeth said.
"Where is your mind lately?" Nathan said.
"Lucas and I ended our courtship." Elizabeth said.
"What happened?" Nathan asked.
"We just had different ideas of what was important to me. Being a teacher and a mother was important. Lucas thought being a writer and unattached to any responsibility was important to him. I am grateful that he helped me become a writer but we are better off as friends" Elizabeth said as she got up from her chair and wiped down the chalkboard.
That's why the saloon had been closed Nathan thought to himself.
"I saw the Superintendent by your office today. I hope everything is okay and not another inquiry." Elizabeth asked Nathan.
"Um, actually he is recommending me for the position of Staff Sargent" Nathan said.
"That's great. You deserve it Nathan. You are such an impeccable Mountie" Elizabeth said.
"The posting is in Cape Fullerton" Nathan said.
Elizabeth's smiled faded.
"Oh" Elizabeth said. Elizabeth was silent for a moment.
"Have you decided if you are going to take the posting?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm going to go to Cape Fullerton to see if it is the right fit for Allie and me" Nathan said.
"I'm sure it will be" Elizabeth said. She wasn't looking at him but Nathan could tell that tears were welling up in her eyes.
Nathan sat his hat down.
"Elizabeth, why did you really break up with Lucas?" Nathan asked.
"For the reasons I told you" Elizabeth said.
"Come on Elizabeth. Lucas is perfect on paper. He isn't a Mountie. Why did you break up with him?" Nathan asked.
"Nathan, I don't want to discuss this" Elizabeth said.
"But I do" Nathan said with a raised voice.
"Fine. I ended things with Lucas because of you!" Elizabeth raised her voice.
"What?" Nathan said.
"Every time I was with him, all I could think about is you. All I could think about is how you fixed up the school and created this beautiful garden. And there were times that I was with Lucas where I would pray that you would be around and I could see you, if only for a glimpse. And that wasn't fair to Lucas" Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth. Ask me to stay" Nathan said.
"What?" Elizabeth said.
"Ask me to stay and I'll forget all about Cape Fullerton" Nathan said.
"I couldn't ask you to do that" Elizabeth said.
Nathan grabbed Elizabeth's hand.
"I'm asking you to take a chance." Nathan said.
Elizabeth thought for a moment and took her hands away from Nathan.
"I have to go" Elizabeth said running out of the schoolhouse. Nathan followed her. When Nathan opened the door he saw that it was pouring rain. He ran after Elizabeth and gently grabbed her arm to turn her around.
"Elizabeth, are you in love with me?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth looked at Nathan and nodded.
Nathan grabbed Elizabeth's face and the two kissed passionately. This time was different from the first time. This was an explosion of love between two people. Neither of them held back in this kiss. Elizabeth broke the kiss and looked at Nathan. She was crying.
"I'm sorry Nathan. I can't be with you. I'm not brave enough. My heart is not strong enough. I'm sorry Nathan, I can't…" Elizabeth trailed off. Nathan nodded and took her back into the schoolhouse. Nathan finally understood that Elizabeth was afraid to love him with her full heart. Nathan would have to accept that they would love each other but wouldn't be able to be together. After the rain had stopped, Nathan walked Elizabeth home. He watched her open the door and go inside. She shut the door not only to her house put to Nathan's heart.