Chapter Three- Farewells
Allie hugged her friends goodbye and followed her dad down the road to the Coulter's rowhouse. Both were laden down with more going away gifts from their friends and neighbors, Mrs. Montgomery's requests being more than fulfilled. A quick glance had shown that in addition to the promised cookies and jam, there was some fresh coffee and cocoa mix from the Yoests, cards and notes from Allie's classmates, a hamper of lunch and snacks from Bill, and book of poems and psalms from the Canfields, with more still to go through.
Lee and Rosemary greeted them warmly when they arrived for their promised visit with young Jack. The little boy was thrilled to see them, immediately latching on to Nathan and not letting go for several minutes. Nathan and Lee settled in the parlor with Jack, while Rosemary rushed Allie upstairs to show her the dress she'd made for her.
"Come on," she urged. "I will make any alterations now before you leave so you can wear it as soon as you get home." She paused, blushing guiltily. "If you want to, of course. I know you usually prefer more casual things, but I thought it might be nice to have something new and a little nicer now that you're a city girl."
Allie hugged her, smiling. "I don't know about being a city girl, but I can't wait to show my friends at school," she said excitedly. "I've never had a dress custom made just for me. Dad and I usually order my clothes from a catalog at the mercantile, or just get something ready-made."
"Well, you let me know if there's a special occasion you need a dress for, and I will make it for you," Rosemary promised. She stood back, studying her handiwork. The green color complimented Allie's complexion and hair, and the single layer of cream lace along the hem and the neckline were feminine without being overly frilly. She knew Allie had her limits when it came to girly, frilly things. "I think it fits just right. What do you think?"
Allie turned to face the mirror in the corner of the Coulter's bedroom and her eyes went wide. "I look pretty good!" she exclaimed.
Rosemary laughed. "You are always beautiful, young lady, and don't you forget it. Do you want to show your dad, or wait until you're back home?"
Allie considered it for a moment, then turned, a shy grin on her face. "Can I show him now?"
"Of course!" Rosemary beamed, leading the way back downstairs. "Gentlemen, may I have you attention please," she announced before stepping aside to reveal Allie.
Lee grinned and Nathan's heart skipped.
"Allie pretty!" Jack cried, climbing down from Nathan's lap to scurry across the room and wrap his arms around her legs. "I love you, Allie!"
"Yes," Nathan agreed, his voice gruff with emotion. His little girl looked so grown up and beautiful. "You look very pretty Allie. And just like your mother. Green was her favorite color."
Allie teared up, both from Jack's enthusiastic response as well as her father's revelation. Trying to hide it, she hurried back upstairs to change into her other clothes and to wrap the dress up, adding it to one of the baskets of gifts.
Nathan crossed the room, pulling Rosemary into an unexpected hug. "Thank you for looking out for my little girl." He stepped back, looking down at the smiling little boy standing between them. "And for taking care of this little guy. It's a little easier to leave knowing he's safe and happy."
Rosemary put her hand on his arm, smiling sadly. "I wish you didn't have to leave," she admitted.
"Rosie," Lee admonished gently as he joined them. "Don't make this harder for all of us." He turned to face Nathan, reaching to shake his hand. "You know we're here for you guys whenever and however you need us. Take care."
Nathan returned the handshake, then pulled Lee into a quick embrace as well. When Allie rejoined them, she hugged both the Coulters, thanking them for their kindness.
"Are you going to see Elizabeth before you go?" Rosemary asked gently. Nathan nodded. He and Allie had discussed it on the walk over, and she had agreed to at least go in to say goodbye. "Well why don't you take this guy with you, and we'll meet you there. It will give you a few minutes to say your farewells or whatever."
Jack, always ready to go anywhere with Nathan and Allie, ran to get his coat. Rosemary and Lee promised to bring the baskets of gifts when they drove over, so Nathan, Allie and Jack set off for a leisurely walk into town. Halfway there, Jack stopped, reaching to be picked up and snuggling in as Nathan carried him the rest of the way to the infirmary.
"I'm going to miss you, little man," Nathan said quietly. "You take good care of your mama for us, alright?" He knew Jack was going to be upset with their leaving, so he figured they would get the tantrum out of the way now, rather than upsetting both him and Elizabeth, but Jack surprised him. Instead of pouting and asking him to stay like he did the day before, he merely clung tighter to Nathan's neck, silent tears running down his cheeks.
"Will you visit me again?" Jack asked sadly.
"Of course, we will!" Allie promised. "And if you're in Union City with your grandpa again, you can come see us, right Dad?"
"Of course," he agreed. "And you can ask Aunt Rosemary or your mom to help you write to us, and Allie and I will send you lots of letters, too!"
Jack smiled, appeased at least momentarily at the promise of future visits and messages.
When they reached the infirmary, Nathan led the way inside. Allie hung back, apprehensive not only about the hospital environment, but about facing her former teacher. Elizabeth offered a humble greeting, not forcing the girl to speak if she didn't want to. She was surprised when Allie gave her a quick hug before hurrying back outside to wait with Molly.
Nathan settled Jack on the bed beside his mother, careful of her bandaged arm. The little boy snuggled into her side, content at least for the moment.
"So, I guess this is it, huh?" Elizabeth said, forcing a smile. "Are you looking forward to getting back home?"
Nathan shrugged. "I am definitely looking forward to a bed that fits me and pillows that aren't made of rocks."
Elizabeth laughed, then inhaled sharply, hissing with pain.
"Mama's arm still hurt?" Jack asked as he sat up, his wide eyes filled with concern.
"A bit, yes," Elizabeth admitted, trying to hide the pain in her eyes so as not to scare her son.
Jack's eyes gleamed, sure he had found the perfect solution. "When you kiss my ouchies, they feel better," he explained. "Mountie Na-tan can kiss you and make you feel better."
Nathan and Elizabeth eyes met as they both flushed with embarrassment. Rosemary and Faith, who were standing in the doorway, both nearly choked trying to hold back their laughter.
"Out of the mouths of babes," Rosemary whispered.
"I knew that kid was going to be smart, but this… perfect!" Faith murmured back gleefully.
"Well?" Jack huffed, clearly getting impatient for the grown-ups to follow his obvious directions.
Nathan finally looked at Elizabeth and couldn't help but see the longing in her eyes. He could only hope his own emotions weren't as obvious. Moving closer to the bed and leaning down, he carefully raised Elizabeth injured arm just high enough for him to kiss her fingers.
To say there were sparks would be an understatement. Elizabeth felt as though the whole room was suddenly ablaze. Her head was spinning, and she could feel the burn of Nathan's soft lips on the back of her hand even after he had gently placed it back in her lap. Her gaze shot to his, and she saw the same passion fighting to break free in his eyes.
"All better, Mama?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before she looked back at her son. "Yes, sweetheart. Mama feels much better now."
"Inspector Grant! A word, if you please!"
Nathan turned from helping Allie into the passenger seat of his car to see Elizabeth's father hurrying towards them. Allie followed his gaze as she rose and stood beside him. Nathan pushed the car door closed and took a step towards the other man.
"Mr. Thatcher," he greeted cautiously. "I would obviously prefer it were under better circumstances, but it is good to see you again. I'm glad you were able to make it here so quickly. Is your wife with you?"
William shook Nathan's proffered hand stiffly and then stood back, his gaze narrowed.
"Allie, why don't you go to the café and wait for me there," Nathan suggested.
Allie looked between her dad and Mr. Thatcher. Sensing the intensity of the situation, she stepped closer to Nathan, glaring up at the other man.
"I'm staying here with you," she insisted. "I won't let him blame you for what happened to Mrs. Thornton. It wasn't your fault."
William studied the girl, startled to realize she had read his intentions so easily. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before he spoke again.
"I appreciate your concern for your father, young lady," he said, looking her in the eye. "And you are correct, I did come over here planning to blame him for what happened. But you're right. It was not his fault, though I would appreciate an explanation."
Nathan put his arm around Allie, hugging her to his side for a moment before releasing her. "Thank you for your support, sweetheart, but I need to talk to Mr. Thatcher alone. He deserves to know what happened here. I'll meet you in the café soon, alright?"
Allie gave him a pleading look, clearly reluctant to leave.
"It's alright, Allie. I promise," he assured her.
Heaving a deep sigh and giving him a tight hug, she turned and trudged across the street to the café. She glanced back as she opened the door, and Nathan waved and smiled until she disappeared inside.
Turning back to Mr. Thatcher, Nathan gestured towards the Mountie office. It had been empty a few minutes ago when he and Allie had gathered the last of their things. Grateful to find it still unoccupied, he took the seat behind the desk and directed William to the chair across from him. "How can I help you, sir?"
"I'd like to know how my daughter ended up in the middle of a shootout," William replied tartly.
Nathan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. When he opened them, William could see the pain and anger in their steely depths.
"To put it simply, because she didn't do as she was told," Nathan replied. Before her father could argue, he explained. "I was notified of increased and suspicious activity around the town and particularly the saloon. There were also reports of strangers in town watching the schoolhouse. I was at the prison at the time, a couple of hours drive from here. I instructed Judge Avery to go out and stay at Elizabeth's with her and Jack. I stopped home long enough to see my daughter taken care of and then I drove here. When I arrived and joined the team watching the saloon, we saw Bill Avery rushing into town. Apparently, while he was upstairs putting his godson to bed, Elizabeth left a note on the table and slipped out. She decided to take matters into her own hands and try to find evidence against Mr. Bouchard herself. Bill and I snuck into the saloon using the hotel stairs and found her in the upstairs hallway. I tried to get her outside or at least hidden in one of the rooms, but we were discovered. The best we can determine, she was hit with a ricocheting bullet while I was pulling her to the floor and out of the line of fire."
"Were you or Mr. Avery hurt?" William asked, studying the younger man. He couldn't see any physical injuries, but it was clear from the look in his eyes that Nathan was still haunted by what had happened.
Nathan shook his head. "No, thankfully. A few of the suspects were killed, and there were a few minor injuries on both sides, but Elizabeth's was the worst. Both Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Carter believe she will make a full recovery, though she won't be able to care for Jack for a while."
"That's why we're here," William declared. "I understand that the hotel is off limits for the time being, so Grace, Julie, and I will stay at Elizabeth's house. Once she is well enough to travel, we are going to take Elizabeth and Jack back with us. I am beyond grateful to you, the doctors, and everyone in this town, but I believe we will be more comfortable at the Union City Grand Hotel. I have already reserved the penthouse again, so there will be plenty of room. I can do my work from the hotel, keep abreast of the investigation, and we will take care of her and Jack until Elizabeth is ready to return home."
"And by 'home' do you mean Hope Valley or Hamilton?" Nathan asked, curious. He knew her family had been against her coming out West in the first place, and an incident like this would only reinforce their desire to have her move back East.
William smiled for the first time since their conversation started. "Do you really think we could talk her into leaving now?" he asked, chuckling. "If outlaws, in-laws, mine disasters, heartbreak, and a lack of indoor plumbing haven't convinced her to go, I don't think anything, or anyone, will."
"I have to agree with you on that one, sir," Nathan laughed softly. "How long do you intend to stay in Union City?"
William studied the Inspector. He knew the man's relationship with Elizabeth was still tenuous at best, and now was not the time to force anything. But his daughter had several weeks of recovery ahead of her, and he was confident he could arrange for her and Nathan to spend time together.
"As long as it takes."
