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Chapter Fifty-two

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Nathan's Words

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Bill tethered Hero and Sergeant to the porch railing and was ready to knock on Elizabeth's door when it opened. "Oh!" He exclaimed. "You're ready then?"

Elizabeth stepped out, dressed in a split riding skirt, wool coat, beret and scarf. She donned her leather gloves as she stepped down the stairs, laughing. "I've been ready for an hour!"

Bill relished the return of Elizabeth's laughter. He had missed that. "Here, let me assist you." As he began to reach for her waist, Elizabeth swung into the saddle with little effort. "Well!" Was all Bill could say. He mounted Hero and turned him around to face the direction Elizabeth faced. "Let's take it easy since it's been a few months since you've ridden, please?"

Elizabeth laughed again. "If you hadn't said 'Please' I probably would have just taken off at a gallop, but since you asked so politely I will acquiesce!"


Arriving at Jack's land, Bill and Elizabeth pulled the horses to a halt and dismounted.

"Shall we walk a bit?" Bill suggested.

Elizabeth took his arm and pointed to a log. "Let's sit down there so I can read Nathan's letter."

Bill prayed as they walked to the spot, took a deep breath as they sat down and reached inside his jacket pocket. "For you."

Elizabeth accepted the letter and ran her fingers over her name reverently. She glanced up at Bill. "Stay here with me, please?" Seeing Bill's nod, she slipped her finger under the flap and removed the letter. She glanced back at Bill and took a deep breath.

Having read the letter at Nathan's request, Bill watched Elizabeth carefully.

'Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for your letter…"

Elizabeth read silently to the post scripts, then spoke the verses from the Psalms softly. 'I will be glad and rejoice in your love for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.' (*15) 'I sought the LORD and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears.' (*16)

"Listen, Bill. He writes, 'I am thankful that you are working on facing your fears with Joseph and the doctor coming alongside. I trust Joseph and am grateful for his patient listening, wise counsel and faithful prayers as I worked through some issues while in Hope Valley over the last couple of years. He is a good man and he will not steer you wrong.'

Elizabeth stopped reading, pondered the words and looked up at Bill. "Do you think he was talking to Joseph about me? About our issues?"

"You will have to ask Nathan about that, Elizabeth, but I can say, your words and choices affected Nathan deeply."

She sighed. "I think I already know that."

Whispering, Elizabeth scanned the next paragraph about Lucas. "Thank you for telling him that I am not with Lucas." She pointed her finger to one particular sentence. "Do you know why Nathan is thankful that Lucas is not in town anymore? He says there are reasons he can't say. Was it just because of me or is there something else? Can you tell me?"

Bill cleared his throat. "You know we cannot share Mountie issues, Elizabeth. My guess is that part of it is because of the influence Lucas has had on you. You, we all, are better off with him gone."

Staring at her friend, Elizabeth tried to ascertain what he was not saying, then decided it was no longer important to her. She returned to reading the part that Nathan wrote about Allie.

'…Allie and I are finding our place in Regina. Allie has quickly formed friendships with some wonderful young ladies and they will be surprising her at a birthday dinner this week. Allie is thriving at St. Anne's Academy and enjoying the new opportunities available in a larger, city school as well as a church with a youth group. I am amazed at Allie's maturity over these past weeks and very grateful.'

"I am so glad to read that Allie is thriving. She is an extremely bright student and such a sweet young lady. She will fit in quickly I'm sure. He's right too. Schools in larger cities offer more course opportunities than one-room schools do. Allie needed the small, intimate learning setting for a time, but she has outgrown what Hope Valley could offer." Elizabeth paused thoughtfully. "Nathan was right to take her there, though I really miss her." She lifted her hand to wipe the corner of her eyes before continuing.

Returning to the letter, Elizabeth commented. "He asks me to give Jack a salute from him!" She smiled a sad smile. "Bill? When we were in Union City, Jack kept looking closely at each Mountie he saw. He told us he was looking for Daddy…" Elizabeth gulped. "When my father tried to explain that his Daddy was in heaven, Jack explained that he knew that but he was looking for Daddy-Nathan…" Eyes filled with tears, she leaned against Bill. "Jack misses him too." She sniffled. "I have made such a huge mistake. Nathan would have been such a wonderful father to Jack…"

Bill adjusted himself so she could still lean on him, but his arm encircled her shoulders. He remained quiet yet was silently praying for these dear ones he loved so much. 'Lord? Nothing is impossible with you. You know my request…'

Holding up the letter again, Elizabeth read Nathan's final words. 'God has provided for our needs in unexpected, yet welcome ways. It sounds as though God is providing for you as well.

Trusting Him, Nathan'

"Bill? He didn't tell me anything about himself. He only wrote about Allie…" She straightened and half-turned to Bill. "Is he alright? Is he still hurting? Does he ever talk about me? Does he miss me?"

"Dear girl, those are things to talk to Nathan about. I can tell you he is alright though. He and Allie have found their place. He is enjoying his new position at Depot immensely and he is being recognized for his many skills and gifts. I am proud of him. He and Allie have both made wonderful new friends, some of whom I met. They are in a good church and Allie loves Youth Group. Nathan even has some opportunities to sing for upcoming Christmas events, so that is another way he is blessing others." Bill looked at Elizabeth intently. "I am not sure how to say this though. I don't think he thinks you have any interest nor any right to know anything about him anymore. You made your choice and he has accepted that."

Elizabeth tucked her head down, leaning back on Bill's shoulder, and let the tears fall. Once she recovered enough to speak, Elizabeth whispered. "I have written a long letter of apology to him, Bill. One to Allie as well. My father is going to bring them to Nathan when he visits Regina."

Bill stiffened. "Your father? He is going to Regina? When?"

"He's been waiting for you to return. Maybe this coming week?"

"Why is he going there?"

"He wants to deliver my letter and he wants to meet Nathan for himself. He has heard a lot about him from me and now he wants to meet him. My father also knows a lot of people, so he knows Nathan's reputation within the Mounties. He's also listened to all the wonderful reports and comments people in Hope Valley have expressed. Father is very impressed already."

"Oh my goodness. Poor Nathan! Maybe I should warn him…"

"Oh, no, please don't, Bill." Elizabeth sat up and leaned away from Bill, imploring him. "My father wants to surprise Nathan. It will be a good surprise, I promise."

"Elizabeth, I don't think you understand how Nathan will feel when one of the wealthiest men in Canada shows up at his door unannounced. It's hardly fair."

"There is another reason, Bill. Father wants to talk to Nathan about his books. They have meant a lot to him and he has questions to ask of Nathan. He is not going to represent Thatcher Shipping and Transport as a wealthy businessman, nor to represent me. He is just safely delivering my letter and requesting that Nathan please read it. Please don't say anything? He doesn't need the nervous anticipation of Father's arrival. Better to have my father explain his presence immediately."

Realizing Elizabeth had made a good point, Bill only responded. "I'll think about it."


Nathan stopped for flowers on his way home. He chose a bouquet for Carol, one for his mother and a small one for Allie.

Arriving at the back door, Nathan knocked and entered as he heard the welcome coming from inside. Allie bounded out of the kitchen to hug her father.

"Hi Dad. Ohhh, these are pretty!"

"Aren't they? Where is Gramma Carol?"

"In here, Nathan. Putting the finishing touches on dinner although Irma cooked today. Will you join us since you may not want to on Friday?"

Nathan rounded the corner and held out a bouquet. "Well, it was going to be a quick meal of breakfast for supper tonight, so I guess we could do that. Then I can concentrate on preparing for tomorrow. Thank you. These are for you!"

"They are beautiful, Nathan. Thank you so much!" Carol held the roses to her face to inhale the fragrance. "Yellow is always so cheerful! Allie will you find a nice vase for these in the pantry?"

"Make it two vases please, Allie? I bought these for Grandmom." Turning to Carol, he asked. "Is it okay if I put these in her room?"

"Of course, Allie will show you the room. We finished making the beds a short time ago and the room is all set."

"These are really pretty, Dad. Grandmom likes pink, just like me, so she'll like these a lot." Allie walked down the hall to point out the guest room. "Right here." She placed the vase on the bureau and adjusted the doily underneath the vase. "Perfect!"

Nathan took her arm as they returned to the living room. "Hello again, Peter."

"Hello, Nathan."

The men exchanged a meaningful glance along with their smiles. As they heard Carol's invitation to the dining room, Peter and Nathan quickly followed Allie to the table.

Laughing, Nathan pointed to the table set for four. "You planned this all along, didn't you, Carol?"

"I am not ashamed to admit that I did. You are always welcome at our table, so I am just glad you said yes! Take your seats and I'll be right back." Carol called as she returned to the kitchen. "Allie do you have your milk?"

"I do, Gramma. Thank you."

After Peter blessed the food, Allie spoke up. "We have a surprise, Dad! Gramma and I made a dessert for tomorrow when Grandpa and Grandmom come! Annnnd… I made a recipe for our dinner too! Well, I made it with Gramma's help!" Allie grinned. "Thank you, Gramma."

Turning to her father again, Allie named the dish. "Irish Lamb Stew! Gramma says it's best to make in advance and keep it in the icebox. Then we can reheat and serve tomorrow. So dinner is all made, Dad! Isn't that great?"

"Here I am eating a delicious meal, yet you are already making me hungry for tomorrow!" Pronounced Peter. "Will there be any for you and me, Carol?"

"You will not starve, dear Husband!" Carol laughed. "And yes, we'll have the same meal, just here at the house since the Grants will need some together-time themselves."

"Thank you, Carol. The meal is such a thoughtful idea…" Nathan winked at Carol. "Sounds delicious too. Anything I need to make to go with it?"

Carol responded. "Not really. Irish Stew has meat, vegetables and potatoes, but if you want you can have hot biscuits at the table."

"Okay. Allie, we can make them before we go to the station." Nathan then asked, "And what can we look forward to for dessert?" He winked at Allie, since she knew that to Nathan dessert was often more enticing than the main meal!

"Pie, Dad! Do you want to be surprised or shall I tell you?"

"Oh, do tell me!" Nathan chuckled. "That way I can look forward to it all day! Well look forward to it along with the arrival of Grandpa and Grandmom that is!"

"Dark Chocolate Pie! Doesn't that sound yummy?" Allie explained proudly. We'll taste it tonight too!"

"Oh my! Heavenly! Is that a Gramma Carol recipe or from your Home Economics class?"

"Mrs. Evans gave me the idea, but Gramma Carol had a recipe!"

"You haven't made that in a long time!" Peter grinned at his wife. "Having Allie in the kitchen is a good thing if she has these kind of ideas!"

"Allie's presence is always a very good idea." Gramma Carol looked across the table lovingly. "Right, Sweetheart?"

Allie blushed at the praise, but Nathan added. "Amen to that. Allie is always my greatest blessing."