Chapter 18: A New Season

School remained in session until right before the new season of summer began. The children had definitely thrived being back in the normal atmosphere of the schoolhouse, as well as Elizabeth. Even the town was back to full function at this point.

The town decided to start an internship program for Hope Valley youth. Each young person would have a supervisor of sorts that would oversee their work. So, the newspaper office, the infirmary, the inn, the barber shop, and the library were offering opportunities. Harper and Hattie had returned from college and accepted intern positions at the newspaper office with Rosemary. Ruby, who had also returned from college, was interning at the infirmary with Faith. Maggie was interning over at the inn with Gustave. Timmy was interning at the barber shop with Fiona, and Emily was interning at the library with Elizabeth.

Robert continued to work at both the soda fountain and mail delivery. Allie worked the switchboard and Anna worked the cafe. Due to the influx of children in Hope Valley, Rosemary and Lee invested in a building in town that they made into a daycare. They hired people they already knew were looking after children. So, eventually, Laura, Cat, and Ellen Weiss were hired to work at the daycare. Laura worked with Little Jack, Sarah Wolf, and Donny Montgomery in her group on basic school skills. Cat had Marshall Montgomery and Rena Bickley Avery and Ellen Weise had Ian and Evie Coulter. Opal, Cooper and Angela helped out with the little ones in their spare time.

On the last Sunday in June, Joseph gave a sermon on trusting God's timing. At the end of the service, the Coulter twins were dedicated by Joseph. Rosemary and Lee had asked Elizabeth and Nathan to be the godparents for each of the twins, and the Averys to be their guardians. Rosemary and Lee stood proudly in front of the congregation with Ian and Evie as Joseph prayed over the babies and then the whole family. Afterwards, there was an all town picnic again to celebrate the babies and summertime.

When the service ended, everyone gathered in the town square for the festivities. After filling their plates with food, Nathan and Allie sat at a table and chatted about the day. Allie motioned for the Thorntons to join them as Elizabeth passed by with their plates full.

Jack willingly ran over to Allie and gave her a big hug, shouting, "Hi Ah - wee! We sit wit you!"

Allie hugged the little boy and smiled really big in response to his enthusiastic greeting. "You are?! I'm so glad, Jack! Allie asked Jack, "Would you like to sit next to me?", Allie asked Jack as she pointed to the seat where she had been and the chair next to it. Jack looked at the chair and then at Allie and nodded eagerly, with a pleased grin on his face. So, Allie took Jack's plate from Elizabeth in one hand and Jack's hand in the other and sat down with the little boy.

Elizabeth and Nathan had watched the entire scene and simply smiled at the two children and then at one another. Nathan stood up and held the chair next to him for Elizabeth to sit in. The four sat and visited over their meal. Once they were done eating, Allie offered to take Little Jack over to the school yard to play for a little bit, and Elizabeth agreed.

"So, how are things going around town since life has returned to normal?" Elizabeth asked Nathan.

Nathan shared some of his experiences around town since the epidemic had dwindled down in Hope Valley. His face lit up as he shared it with Elizabeth. There was a joy there as he spoke with pride about Hope Valley and his role there in it.

As Elizabeth listened to Nathan, she looked into his blue eyes. She noticed that Nathan definitely seemed way more at ease with her nowadays than he used to be a couple years prior. She wondered to herself what had changed that. Reflecting back, she realized that Nathan had gotten a boldness about him regarding her after the hug that she had given him after the prisoner transfer. "Why was that?" she thought to herself.

"So, what are your plans for the summer, Elizabeth?" Nathan asked her, taking her out of her thoughts and back into the conversation.

Elizabeth smiled at Nathan before answering, "Actually, I'm thinking of taking a trip to Hamilton to visit my family." This epidemic truly showed me how precious life is. It's been awhile since I've seen my family. So, I thought that I'd take Little Jack for a visit to his grandparents."

Nathan nodded and smiled back at Elizabeth. "I get what you mean," he said in response. "It's things like what happened this winter that make you want to make the most of every moment. For the very same reason, I think we are going to go see my parents for a little bit this summer as well. I already put in for vacation in the middle of July and Allie put in her request for time off at the switchboard," "Nathan shared.

For a moment, Elizabeth felt a feeling within her heart that could best be described as an emotional catch. It caught her off guard and she couldn't explain why she felt that way. She must have had an odd expression on her face because Nathan looked at her, tilted his head, and let out a chuckle.

"Did something I said puzzle you?" Nathan inquired, his crooked smile on his face. Elizabeth looked through Nathan for a moment as she tried to come to terms with the conversation and simply shook her head slowly. "What is going on with me?" Elizabeth thought to herself.

Elizabeth adjusted herself in her seat, cleared her throat, and spoke, "No, I'm sorry. I was just thinking of the last time your father was here, and I wondered how he and your mother were doing."

"They are both doing well considering that they both had the flu earlier in the year, after Allie left them, but before we had it here in Hope Valley." "A little weaker, but good," Nathan answered as he sighed.

They continued chatting about their trips and the children until Allie and Little Jack returned. Jack went immediately over to Elizabeth and excitedly shared all that he and Allie had done and seen on their venture over to the school yard. Allie touched Nathan's shoulder and quietly asked her dad if she could go spend some time with Emily, Opal, Maggie, and Angela. Nathan nodded yes once, and Allie smiled as she hugged her father and thanked him before running off to meet the girls.

Fiona came over to the table just then with two plates of gooey butter cake. She sat down next to Nathan and passed a plate over to him. She looked at Nathan with a wide grin and a twinkle in her eyes and said, "So, Constable, I do believe that I owe you a piece of this cake."

Nathan chuckled in response, gladly accepted the plate, and quickly consumed its delicious contents. He looked at her with a serious expression at first and responded, "Well, Ms. Miller, I think your debt has been cleared and that you can resume your regular duties." Then, he winked and gave Fiona his best crooked smile. Fiona started laughing, got up from her chair, patted Nathan's shoulder, and walked away. As she did, Nathan watched while continuing to wear that same grin.

Elizabeth had watched the whole short exchange between these two and once again felt the same emotional catch she had felt earlier. She shook her head because she honestly didn't understand what this feeling was that she was experiencing. All she knew was that she needed and wanted to get home as soon as she could.

"I should probably get this one home. It may be summer, but I need to keep him on somewhat of a schedule even now, "Elizabeth said aloud. With her comment, Nathan turned his face back to look at Elizabeth. For a moment, there was something he caught in her eyes, but then, she got up, adjusting Jack on her hip, and they said their goodbyes. Nathan stood, said goodbye to the two of them, and watched as they left with a quizzical look. He thought he saw something of a hurt expression in Elizabeth's eyes, along with behavior as if she was in flight mode, but he didn't understand what it could be about. She had seemed fine when they were talking before Allie had left.

"Lord, only you know what is going on with Elizabeth." She's in your hands. Nathan whispered a prayer under his breath."Help her with whatever she may be struggling with," he said.