Chapter 53: Mountie Business
It was late afternoon on Monday, the Monday after the wedding, Nathan was working in the Mountie office before he went on his last rounds of the day when Robert came through the door.
"Hey, Mountie Nathan. I have a package for you today along with your other mail. It looks like it's from Rock Creek.", Robert said as he handed the pieces of mail to Nathan from his side of the desk.
"It's probably for Allie,", Nathan responded as he took the mail from Robert and placed the letters down onto the desk to take a better look at the package. Sure enough, the package was from Rock Creek, but it wasn't addressed to Allie, it was addressed to him. He looked up at Robert, thanked him, and went on examining the package without opening it. Robert lingered in the office for a few moments as if to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth.
Nathan glanced over at Robert, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Is there something else that you need, Robert?" Robert stayed frozen for another moment, then made an odd face, shook his head, and then dismissed himself from the office.
Nathan looked at the closed door for a moment and shook his head. "Well, that was a little odd.", he thought to himself. Finally, he turned his attention back to the package in his hands and decided to open it once and for all.
Just as he was about to open the package from his mother, the shrill ring of the Mountie office telephone broke the silence. Nathan answered it and spent the next few minutes listening to the voice on the other end. Finally, he spoke, " Yes sir, I understand. I will need some time to make plans for Allie, and I can get back to you once that is done. ' He listened once more and then hung up.
He sat deep in thought for a moment. Then, he took the package, placed it in the drawer, and locked it. Then, he stood to his feet, placed his hat on his head, and walked out the door. Immediately, he headed over to the Office of the Judge and walked in. Judge Bleakney was sitting at his desk looking over some files, while Allie was at the filing cabinet putting miscellaneous files away. She looked up with a smile, surprised to see her father, but then the smile left as soon as she realized why her father might be there in the judge's office at this time of day.
"When do you need to leave?", she asked as she focused her attention back on the files going into the cabinet.
"Um, Allie, do you think that I could talk to you outside for a few minutes?", Nathan asked as he gestured towards the door.
Allie asked as she walked over to the older man's desk. "Judge Bleakney, would it be OK to take a break since my dad is here and wants to talk?"
Judge Bleakney took off his reading glasses and looked up at Allie and then at Nathan. He nodded, gesturing towards the door as he said, "Sure thing, Allie. Take all the time that you need with your father. You can file the things I'm working on now once you return. "
Allie smiled at the judge and made her way to the door and motioned for her father to follow. They went down the steps and made their way to the bench to the left of the stairs that had recently been put in just that summer. They sat in silence for a moment until Allie finally turned towards her father and asked again, "So, when do you need to leave? I am right, aren't I? You have an out-of-town assignment? "
Nathan looked intently at his daughter for a moment, took a deep breath as if to speak, and then closed his mouth, looked down, and nodded. Allie wore both a look of frustration and disappointment. She stood to her feet and began pacing in front of Nathan. "Dad, it's close to Christmas! I hate that you must go! I mean, I get it. It's your job, but it doesn't mean that I must like it. Do you know how long you'll be gone this time? " She stopped and stood in front of Nathan as she waited for his response.
"From what the superintendent mentioned to me over the phone, I should be gone no more than two weeks.", Nathan responded as he stared into his daughter's hazel eyes. Allie rolled her eyes and turned her back to her father to not let him see the tears that had started to develop in her eyes. However, he knew his daughter well enough to know that this news was hard for her to hear. He stood to his feet and gently turned her back around to face him. He grabbed her chin and lifted it, waiting for her sad eyes to meet his own, starting to form tears of his own.
"Allie, I don't like this any more than you do. From what I've been told, there shouldn't be any danger. They just need my assistance in tracking a case and then my testimony if the criminal is apprehended. You will always be my priority to come home to and now I have even more motivation with Elizabeth and Little Jack in our lives.", he spoke tenderly to her in almost a whisper. He moved his hands to her shoulders and gave them a little squeeze. Allie listened, looking into his sincere blue eyes, and nodded.
"Who will I stay with, Dad?" she asked plainly and matter-of-factly. Nathan looked off for a moment in thought and then answered, "Let me see about that, ok. I have an idea, but I need to ask about that first. If she says yes, would you want to possibly stay with the Thorntons? " Allie smiled slightly and responded, "I would love it, but two weeks is a long time. Would she really want to have me with them for that long? "
Nathan smiled back at his daughter and said, "I'm thinking that she'd love to have you, but I do need to talk to her about this and ask her. Give me some time and I'll get back to you on that question. "
Allie nodded at her father again and brushed back the tears that had formed in her eyes during their conversation. "Is it OK if I go back to work now?", she asked. Nathan looked intently at his daughter and then asked, "Are you OK?" Allie shook her head and said, "I'll be alright, Dad. Like I said, I don't like it, but I get it. I'll see you later tonight, after your rounds. " Nathan smiled, stroked his daughter's long hair for a moment, and gave her a quick side hug and kiss on the top of her head. She smiled and headed back up the stairs of the judge's office. Nathan watched his daughter as she walked up the steps and then disappeared behind the door of the office. Then, he turned himself and headed towards the livery to get Newton for his final rounds of the day.
That night, on their way home, Allie and Nathan stopped by the Thornton house. They climbed the steps, and Nathan rapped on the door. Elizabeth opened the door with Jack right by her side. "Mountie Nathan! Allie! Are you having dinner with us?", Jack enthusiastically asked. Nathan chuckled at the boy and looked over at Elizabeth. "Hi! This is an unexpected, but pleasant surprise. We are just having some potato soup and yeast rolls. Would you like to join us?", she asked as she stroked Little Jack's blond hair.
Allie looked over at Nathan with puppy dog eyes, and Nathan chuckled, shook his head, and replied, "Ok, ok, you win. We will stay for dinner. " Allie let out a squeal and pushed past the adults and grabbed Jack's hand and led him into the living room. "Well, was there any doubt that you wouldn't stay?" Elizabeth commented and laughed as she watched the two children playing on the living room floor. Nathan smirked and shook his head in response. "Come, help me finish up the rest of dinner.", she said as she held out her hand to Nathan. He placed his hand in hers and they walked into the kitchen.
As Elizabeth ladled some of the creamy soup into a bowl for each one of them, Nathan placed the bowls onto the table. As they finished up preparing, they called the children into the room. When they got there, Nathan helped to get Jack situated, as Elizabeth took her seat and watched. She smiled to herself and thought how much she loved the bond between Nathan and Jack.
The family ate and chatted over dinner. Allie got up when they were done and cleared hers and Little Jack's dishes and got a cloth to clean up the young boy. Once finished, she took him back into the living room and over to the bookcase, where she helped him choose a book. Then, the two found their places on the sofa and Jack snuggled into Allie's side and rested his head on her shoulder. Nathan and Elizabeth both sat smiling at their children as they watched the scenario. Nathan reached over and took Elizabeth's hand in his own and said, "Hey, can we talk? I have some news and possibly a question for you. "
Elizabeth looked at Nathan and knew by the serious expression on his face that something was up. She nodded and waited for him to continue. Nathan took a deep breath and released it slowly. Then, he looked over his shoulder and watched the children reading on the sofa. At that very moment, Allie looked up from the book, over at the adults, and made eye contact with Nathan. She nodded her head, and Nathan responded the same. As Nathan turned his head back to Elizabeth, she had a sad, knowing look on her face. "You're going away. When? How long? What is the assignment?", she asked, but looked down, trying to mentally prepare herself for his response.
Nathan grabbed both of her hands and squeezed them gently while he waited for her gaze to meet his own. When she finally mustered enough courage to look at him without crying, Elizabeth looked up into his concerned face. "I have to leave as soon as I can get Allie settled. The superintendent told me that they needed me to help track and apprehend a criminal and be around for the beginning of the trial when that happens. I was assured that it should not be a dangerous assignment, but I was told that it could take up to two weeks.", he spoke to her in a soft voice, gazing at her intently to read her reaction.
Elizabeth swallowed hard, took her hands away slowly and nodded. Then, she got up from her spot and headed over to the sink. She started doing the dishes, thinking that she could hide the tears that were beginning to trickle down her cheeks. Nathan waited a moment, thinking over what to do next, and then, just like with Allie earlier, he turned Elizabeth slowly to face him and then wrapped her up in his arms. They stayed like that, and Elizabeth allowed herself to cry the tears that had threatened to spill out. Nathan held her tightly, stroking her hair and whispering softly into her ear, "Elizabeth, you, Allie, and Jack are my priority, and I'll do my best to get back as quickly and safely as possible. You have my word. "
She snuggled into his neck and whispered in response, "It just isn't fair. It's like it's happening again. I'm allowing myself to be happy and feel secure that all is well in the world, and then this happens. Selfishly, I don't want you to go. "
Nathan moved his hands to Elizabeth's back, held her a little tighter, and rubbed her back as he whispered to her in return, "I know you don't, my love. I wouldn't have taken this assignment if I felt like there was any obvious danger. It's just more about the time that I'll have to spend away from all of you. I promise you that I will come back as soon as I can. We have our first Christmas to celebrate together, and I wouldn't miss that for the world. " He pulled away enough and cradled her tear-stained face in his hands, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. Then, he leaned in and kissed each salty cheek and pulled her back into a hug.
Elizabeth's heart was racing as much as it was breaking. Nathan's tender lips on her cheeks stirred an ache within her. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. As she finally collected herself enough, she pulled away, grabbed his hands, and gave them a squeeze. "If she wants, we would love to have Allie stay with us.", Elizabeth said quietly.
Before Nathan had a chance to respond, Allie called from the other room, "I would love to stay with you and Jack, Mrs. Thornton. Is that OK, Dad? " Nathan nodded, and Allie squealed and gave Little Jack a hug. "I get to stay with you and your mom, Jack, while Mountie Nathan is gone. Isn't that exciting?", she asked the young boy. He grinned from ear to ear, nodded, and let out a big yawn.
They all chuckled, and Elizabeth responded, "My little man, I think it's time for you to go to bed. Say goodnight to Mountie Nathan and Allie." Little Jack got up from his spot on the sofa and went over to Nathan. He tugged at Nathan's jodhpurs as he sleepily rubbed at his eyes. Nathan bent down and scooped the little boy into his arms. Jack nuzzled into his neck and said, "Goodnight, Mountie Nathan. I love you. Be safe and come back soon. " Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears, and she put her hand to her heart. Allie came up to her dad to give him a side hug, placed her head on his chest, and reached over to Jack to rub his back. The two looked at one another for a moment, and then Jack said, "Night Allie, I love you. Thank you for playing with me tonight. " Allie smiled, leaned over and kissed Jack on the cheek as she said, "I love you too, Jack. We get to do this every night until my dad comes back. I'll see you tomorrow."
After Allie's kiss, Jack closed his eyes and fell asleep in the nook of Nathan's neck. Nathan gestured that he'd take Jack to bed and Elizabeth nodded in agreement. She walked over and kissed the small boy's head and then gently squeezed Nathan's arm and mouthed "thank you". Nathan smiled, nodded and headed up the stairs. Once there, he changed the sleeping boy's clothes and laid him down in this bed. He leaned over and kissed the boy's head and whispered, "I love you too, Jack, very much. I'll be back before you know it. That's a promise. " As he stood up to leave, he covered Jack up with the warm quilt and headed back downstairs.
He came down to find Allie with her head on Elizabeth's shoulder, Elizabeth's head on top of hers, and her arm wrapped around Allie's shoulders. She was stroking Allie's hair and chatting quietly with her as Nathan came into the room and sat in the chair. "Elizabeth, I hate to ask this, but since time is of the essence, would it be alright for Allie to stay with you tonight? That would allow her to sleep as long as possible before she'd need to get ready for school and allow me to leave first thing in the morning. "
Elizabeth looked over at Allie and squeezed her shoulder. "Of course, why don't you and your dad get yourselves packed for the next couple of days. I'll do the dishes while the two of you are gone.", Elizabeth said as she stood up from her spot on the sofa. Allie nodded and gestured for her dad to follow.
Later, when they returned, Elizabeth informed Allie that she could sleep with her in her room. Allie nodded and hugged Nathan tightly. As she pulled away, she pointed a finger and sternly said, "You'd better hurry up and come back! We have Christmas stuff to do when you do! " Nathan smiled and answered, "I promise Allie, I'll be back as soon as I can. You know, we have a date to pick the tallest and best tree as soon as I do. I love you, Allie girl! Be good for Mrs. Thornton and make sure to help with Little Jack. " Allie rolled her eyes in response and said, "Dad, you know I always help with him. I love you too. " She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and ran up the stairs.
Elizabeth walked Nathan to the door and gave me a hug. As she drew back, she kissed his cheek. She whispered, "Please come back soon." He took her hands, gave them a gentle squeeze, and pulled them up to his lips, kissing each one before he answered, "You have my promise, my love." With that, he opened the door, descended the steps, and made his way home. Elizabeth watched from the top of her stairs. As she closed her door, she released the breath that she'd been holding and looked up. "Lord, please watch over him and keep him safe. Bring him back to us quickly and safely. Even though this is hard, I trust You and I trust Nathan. Amen", she whispered.
Then, Elizabeth turned out the lights downstairs and climbed the stairs to her room. Allie lay there on her bed, fast asleep. Elizabeth prayed once more, "Lord, give this child peace and assurance as her father is away. Help me be what I need to be for her however that I can during this time in her life. Amen "
After she changed into her bed clothes, Elizabeth slipped into the bed next to Allie. Allie instantly rolled over and snuggled into Elizabeth. She smiled, patted Allie's arm, and closed her eyes.
