Chapter Five

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The Day of Departure Arrives

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In the morning Gabe departed laden with toys for the Brookfield Orphanage, his regal Mountie horse looking very much like a pack animal. "Thanks for the donations, Allie. You'll make some young ones very happy! You both take care and keep in touch!"

"Bye, Uncle Gabe. We love you!" Shouted Allie as she waved ferociously.

"Be safe, my friend, and thank you for coming." Nathan added. "Godspeed…"
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While Allie read in the library, Nathan was scheduled to meet with Joseph for one final time on Saturday afternoon. He approached the church office and knocked, opening the door when he heard Joseph's voice welcome him inside. Joseph stood and, after shaking hands, offered Nathan a seat.

"I can't believe this is our final day in Hope Valley. It is bittersweet, you know? I've said almost all of my goodbyes and Allie has as well."

"I'm guessing people have been surprised and sad to see you go, Nathan?"

"Well, I have been as surprised as they have. I never knew I was so appreciated here. This assignment has had its joys and sorrows for both Allie and for me, but I was unaware that I had made such a difference to the townspeople. It appears we will be missed!"

"Of course you will be missed, Nathan! You thought otherwise?"

"I can't say I consciously thought about it, but law enforcement is often a behind-the-scenes, rather thankless job. We are recognized if we are injured or when there is a dangerous event, but that awareness soon fades and the day-to-day is routine. In many ways, I guess that peaceful routine means we are doing our job well though!" Nathan chuckled.

"I am sorry to hear you say this, Nathan. That means we citizens have not done our job well. All those who serve and protect should be acknowledged and appreciated, at the very least verbally."

Joseph realized he had some work to do as soon as Nathan left his office, but for now he just wanted to talk with his friend. "So your household goods have been packed and shipped already?"

"Yes. Allie and I only kept what we would need for a couple days and that will accompany us on the train later today. Newton is already at the station and I delivered our luggage with all our clothing earlier this morning. Lee knows the row house is available as of tomorrow." Nathan paused. "I will miss you, Joseph. I am grateful you and Minnie came to Hope Valley and I have appreciated your messages, your prayers and our conversations. If you would like to stay in touch I would welcome that. Bill has the forwarding address to the Mountie Academy. Allie and I will settle in the Commissioner's guest house but I am uncertain where to receive our personal mail."

"Is that where you'll stay?"

"For the first year, yes. The Commissioner has a two-bedroom guest house on his property that is available right away. I've known Commissioner and Mrs. Collins for a long time and they know Allie as well. Mrs. Collins wants to welcome us into their family and has offered to care for Allie after school and for any times I must be away from home. One of the reasons this position is so appealing is that I will be stationed at the Academy and keep their regular course schedules. That will assure me that our lives will be stable and I will only have to be away for the occasional training exercise."

"That does sound ideal. How is Allie taking this relocation and absence from her friends? I know Angela is already sad about Allie's departure."

"Allie has had a great group of friends, but they all have a better relationship with their teacher than Allie does now. Allie just doesn't want to be anywhere near Elizabeth Thornton and her last weeks of school showed her change of attitude. Allie has had excellent grades in every subject, but her report card noted a new lack of initiative and disinterest in new projects. Evidently as the school year wound down Allie did what she had to do and no more." Nathan knew why, but Mrs. Thornton was clueless and he was uncertain how to say that to the Pastor.

Joseph could guess, but didn't want to assume. "Is there a reason for Allie's disinterest?"

"You know that Elizabeth and I once had a wonderful friendship and she gave Allie a lot of extra attention. Allie had hopes that her teacher would someday become her mother. When Elizabeth ran from our relationship and chose Lucas, Allie's dreams were shattered. She hasn't wanted anything to do with Mrs. Thornton since she got engaged to Lucas." Nathan shook his head sadly. "Allie initiated the idea of accepting a promotion if one was offered again and when this opportunity presented itself, I felt it was Providential. The timing was perfect and the Commissioner's support and approval has been encouraging."

"You had a promotion offered previously, Nathan?"

"I did. I was offered the promotion to Inspector in Union City a couple Christmases ago. It was a prestigious offer, but I realized Hope Valley was home to Allie and we had both made friends here so I declined. Evidently my Superintendent and the Commissioner kept me in mind though and thought the stability of being an instructor at the Academy would be ideal as a single parent. They have stated that they want me to share my expertise with the new recruits and maybe even lead refresher courses for established Mounties. The position has exciting potential for me, and since Allie was immediately accepted into a fine Academy for Girls, everything is falling into place."

As Nathan stared out the window Joseph eyed his friend, happy for him, but not happy to see him go. He quietly asked, "Any regrets?"

Nathan was thoughtful. "My regret is that I allowed myself to develop feelings for Elizabeth Thornton and when I expressed those to her, she ran from me. She was afraid because I am a Mountie and she ran to Lucas as the safer choice." Pausing Nathan sighed. "I guess my biggest regret is that in all of this Allie was hurt and, of all people, she is the one I most need to protect."

"I believe I understand what you are saying, Nathan, but remember you cannot always protect your daughter from pain. Allie needs those difficult experiences to grow and develop empathy and learn to forgive and make good choices. We already know how special she is after losing her mother and being deserted by her birth father. Those losses are part of what makes her such a thoughtful and loving young woman. God allowed her to be raised by you, Nathan, and you are an excellent parent. I have seen you in Allie when she has spent time with Angela at our home. You are to be commended and she is a fine young lady."

Nathan blushed with the praise for himself, but reveled in the high opinion that Joseph had for Allie. "Thank you for telling me this, Joseph. I know what I see in her, but haven't been certain others value her in the same way."

"Oh, I know they do, Nathan. Allie has left a mark in Hope Valley. You both have." Joseph added. "I do want to keep in touch, so expect a letter from me very soon!" He grinned. "What time does your train depart?"

"We'll be on the four o'clock train." Nathan responded.

After talking and praying together, Nathan and Joseph gave each other a pat-on-the-back-hug. Nathan spoke quietly, "Thank you, Joseph. I'm just going to leave this note in Elizabeth's desk drawer. I'll be right back."


Nathan opened the door to the schoolroom and church, turned and stopped in his tracks. "Elizabeth! What are you doing here? It's Saturday!"

"Hello, Nathan. I'm preparing my lesson plans for next week and it is more quiet here than at home these days. Jack likes to converse. A lot!" Elizabeth laughed. "What brings you by?"

Nathan did not want to have this discussion. He had written the necessary request and provided the new school address. He was not prepared to add to the note's information. "I came to leave a note in your desk…" He caught himself before he said, 'before I depart.'

Elizabeth stood and reached out her hand for the envelope, curious. Nathan had no choice but to hand it to her, but before he could mention she could read it later, it was too late.

As Elizabeth opened the envelope she commented. "Can you believe the summer is over already? It seems to have flown by this year and I am struggling to get in the teaching mindset…" Elizabeth's eyes widened as she glanced down at the brief letter in her hand. "Nathan! What is the meaning of this?"

Ignoring her direct question, Nathan offered, "You don't need to do this today, Elizabeth. But if you could post them by Monday or Tuesday I would appreciate that. Allie is already registered."

"Registered? This address is in Regina. You are sending Allie away to boarding school?"

"No. We are moving to Regina."

Elizabeth's voice rose in pitch and volume. "Regina? You're moving? You're leaving Hope Valley?"

Making use of his Mountie training, Nathan kept his voice quiet and calm. "We are."

"But you decided to stay when you declined that promotion before. I thought you wanted to give Allie a home and allow her to develop friends, not to mention you..." Elizabeth was angry. "By moving again you will risk Allie's stability once again... I don't approve of this at all. What has happened?"

"I have been transferred to Depot, the Mountie Academy, to take a position as an instructor." Nathan didn't like the direction this questioning was taking and Elizabeth's judgmental opinions are what he had hoped to avoid. Her anger was increasing, but Nathan quietly stated. "I really can't stay now. I have a few more things to accomplish before we head to the station."

"The station! The station? When are you leaving?" Her voice was shrill.

"This afternoon, Elizabeth."

"Today? This afternoon?" She huffed loudly. "Weren't you even going to say goodbye?"

By now, Nathan was worried that Elizabeth's voice could be heard on Main Street in town. "Yes, today." He quietly added. "And no, I didn't plan to say goodbye... at least not in-person."

"What? Why not? That's rude, Nathan. After all our time together, our friendship means so little to you that you would leave like this? Without so much as a goodbye?" Her face was flushed and there were angry tears in Elizabeth's eyes.

Nathan took a deep breath, sending an arrow prayer heavenward. He needed wisdom. "Elizabeth. There is very little of our 'friendship' left. You made your choice and I wish you all God's best. But I don't owe you an explanation… or even a goodbye." Nathan's voice was calm and quiet in direct contrast to the woman before him.

Elizabeth was incensed. "Of course you do! We have history, Nathan! And now, after all this time, you are leaving me and taking Allie too?" Enraged, she threw the letter onto her desk sending the envelope and the enclosed request from the Headmistress floating to the floor.

Nathan bent to pick up the pages and place them on her desk, but caught the sight of a hand moving his way and ducked away.

"How dare you!" Elizabeth had almost slapped him, but as her hand kept moving through the empty air, she lost her balance.

Nathan instinctively reached out to steady her, catching her arm. At his touch, Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton froze. Her mouth opened but no sound escaped. The tingle of Nathan's hand on her arm stopped time. She remembered their first touch in the library and knew this was the same reaction, only this time Fiona wasn't around to interrupt. Eyes glued on Nathan, Elizabeth couldn't move. All her emotion drained, her face paled, and she gasped.

With a sudden clarity Elizabeth Thornton realized that what she had feared had come true. 'I have lost Nathan Grant.' Tears burst forth in ragged sobs and a keening sound filled the room.

Nathan pulled his hand away and stepped back. Being of Irish heritage he knew the heart-wrenching wail for the dead, but he didn't understand why Elizabeth was in this sorrowful state right now.

As he stood, shocked and listening, he saw Joseph enter hurriedly from the back office. He had heard the entire conversation through the open door and was very concerned. With a hand on Elizabeth's arm, Joseph led her to her desk chair. Once she was settled, he squatted next to her, praying quietly.

Elizabeth began to moan loudly and pound the desk with her fist, slow, rhythmic pounding like beating a drum. After some time, her voice stilled into sobs and, shaking, she bent her head over her folded arms.

Nathan had been praying, but stepped forward and placed a hand on Joseph's shoulder. He whispered, "I'll try to find Minnie or Rosemary."

Joseph nodded and Nathan quietly departed through the back office door.
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As he hurried towards town he saw Rosemary running towards him. "Nathan! What was that? Was that Elizabeth? Is she okay?" She was slightly breathless as she drew close.

"Elizabeth is weeping. Joseph is with her, but he needs you or Minnie to join him. Can you please?" Nathan asked.

"Of course. Is the front door open?"

"I don't know. I entered from Joseph's office." As Rosemary turned to hurry forward, Nathan added. "Thank you, Rosemary. Thank you." He stood and watched her head to the office as he prayed silently. His heart was moved, but he knew he shouldn't stay. This was for Elizabeth's friends to handle.
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Nathan turned back towards town and headed to Bill's office, hoping he was there.

He knocked and heard some shuffling inside. "Just a moment." Bill opened the door slightly, then seeing Nathan he slipped through and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. "What can I do for you, Son?"

Briefly, Nathan wondered why Bill had stepped out rather than opening to let him in, but it was more important to tell Bill what had just happened than to ask about logistics.

Bill's face fell as he listened to Nathan's explanation of Elizabeth's reaction to his departure plans. "Joseph is with her and Rosemary was headed in when I left, but I am worried, Bill. It almost seems as though she was having a nervous breakdown. I don't understand. Why would our leaving result in this?"

Bill looked at Nathan and realized he needed to explain. Bill took a deep breath. "She is probably realizing the finality of her choice, Nathan. As long as you are in Hope Valley, Elizabeth has felt she could run to you for help or support. With you leaving? All her eggs have to be in one basket and I don't know if Lucas is willing to carry that basket, or that burden. Elizabeth is often strong, but she is also dependent and is probably feeling alone." Bill sighed. "Really the person she should be running to is Lucas. It just happens that he is out-of-town. How convenient…" Bill lowered his head and squeezed the bridge of his nose. "I don't want to overwhelm her with people. Maybe you could get Faith to see her? Rosemary may be a comfort, but Faith is a professional. Her assessment or plan of what to do would be helpful."

Nodding, Nathan agreed. "That's a good idea, Bill."

"Where are you headed now?" Inquired Bill. "Do you have time to get Faith?"

"I'll be glad to. That way I can describe exactly what I said and saw." Nathan sighed. This was not the way he had wanted to depart. "Then I'm heading to the Mercantile to leave my forwarding address. I guess it is all public now, so no need for you to be the only one to contact me. I'm meeting Allie at the Library, then picking up my sandwich order at the Café. Henry offered to drive us to the station."

"Good. I need to get back to my meeting at the moment."

"Will I see you at the station? Or is this our farewell?" Nathan extended his hand.

"I plan to be there, Son, but let me give you a hug now?" Bill grabbed Nathan's hand then drew him into a hug. "This is not your fault, Nathan. Remember that."

"Thanks, Bill."