As Nathan walked over to the café, he looked at all the land Hope Valley had to offer. Angela and he had dreamed of finding land, building a ranch and building a family. When Angela passed, all those dreams were shattered.
Nathan made it to the café right on time. When he entered the café, he saw Elizabeth at a table. He smiled at Elizabeth. She smiled back but also had a quizzical look on her face.
"Where is everyone else?" Elizabeth asked.
"Colleen wanted to stay home with Allie since they both have a big day tomorrow. If you want, we can do this at a different time." Nathan suggested.
"No. You're already here." Elizabeth said with a smile.
Nathan smiled back.
"Shall we get some pie?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth and Nathan went over to the counter. Elizabeth introduced Nathan to Clara. They both ordered their slices of pie. Clara told them that these were on the house for the new Constable in town. They went back to their seats to eat their slices.
"This is the best apple pie I have ever tasted." Nathan said between bites.
"I know. I love this cherry pie" Elizabeth said.
After taking a few bites, Elizabeth asked Nathan a question.
"What made you take the posting in Hope Valley?' Elizabeth asked.
Nathan wasn't sure if he should tell her everything. But Nathan noticed that she had kind and trusting eyes.
"Because I am trying to get my sister and niece away from her ex-husband and father. He is not a good man." Nathan said. Nathan told the whole history with Dylan Parks to Elizabeth.
"And we are hoping to never see him again" Nathan finished.
"Poor Colleen and Allie. But I find it admirable that you are willing to go such lengths to protect them." Elizabeth said.
"I would do anything for them" Nathan said.
Elizabeth finished her pie.
"May I ask, how long has it been since your wife passed?" Elizabeth asked.
"Two years. Yellow fever took her." Nathan said.
"I'm sorry." Elizabeth said.
"Me too." Nathan said with a sad smile.
"Does it get any easier?" Elizabeth asked.
Nathan knew that Elizabeth lost Jack in an instant too.
"Some days are easier than others. It's is difficult around their birthdays and the day they passed. I used to feel like I was cheated out of a life with her but then I realized that I wasn't cheated and that having her love if only for a short while was better than not having it at all." Nathan said.
Elizabeth wiped a tear away from her eye.
"That was beautiful." Elizabeth said.
"What was Jack like?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth began to tell the story of how she decided to leave the comfort of Hamilton and moved West to teach the children of Hope Valley. She and Jack didn't get along at first but that soon changed. Nathan noticed that Elizabeth lit up when she talked about Jack. Nathan learned a long time ago that just by talking about Angela, it kept her memory alive. As Elizabeth was sharing her memories, Nathan looked at Elizabeth. She was quite lovely. She had an infectious smile.
Nathan ate the last piece of his pie. After he put it in his mouth, Elizabeth started laughing.
"What?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth took a napkin and wiped Nathan's nose gently.
"Whip cream" Elizabeth said.
They both gazed in each other's eyes until Elizabeth blushed and turned away.
"It's getting late. I should get home and put my son to bed" Elizabeth said.
"Right. I would love to meet your son sometime." Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"Maybe we can make a trip by the Mountie office." Elizabeth said.
"I would enjoy that." Nathan said.
Nathan bought two pieces of pie for Colleen and Allie. Elizabeth agreed to let Nathan walk her home. As they were walking, they discussed the origins of Hope Valley and which spots he should visit. Once they reached Elizabeth's house, she walked up to the door and turned around.
"I had a nice time with you tonight. Probably the best in a long time. I'm glad you chose Hope Valley to be your home." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you." Nathan said with a smile.
Elizabeth smiled and went into her house. Nathan couldn't stop smiling and when he went into the house, Colleen was sitting at the dining room table and noticed his smile.
"Good time?" Colleen asked.
"It was nice." Nathan said giving Colleen the pie slices. Colleen opened up one of the pie boxes. She grabbed a fork and sat back at the table.
"What did you think of Elizabeth" Colleen asked.
"She's sweet." Nathan said.
Colleen smiled.
"That's nice." Colleen said with a small smile.
"How was your night?" Nathan asked.
"It was nice. We got a lot of unpacking done." Colleen said.
"Did you tell Allie that you will be working in a saloon." Nathan asked.
"I told her I would be working in a hotel in town. I did not tell her which hotel. I do not need her snooping." Colleen said.
Nathan nodded.
"Well, I'm going to go to bed." Nathan said. They said their goodnights and Nathan went to bed. As he was laying in bed, he started to dream about building a ranch in Hope Valley.