Chapter 23: Hearts Unspoken

Elizabeth climbed the steps of the Grant home as she held Little Jack's hand. She took a deep breath and was about to knock when she heard a voice behind her.

"Hey there, Elizabeth and Jack! Can I help you with something? ", Nathan asked as he walked up the pathway towards his rowhouse.

"Oh, Nathan, hi." I didn't realize that you might not have been home yet. "Yes, you can, as a matter of fact," Elizabeth answered.

Nathan smiled his crooked smile at her and responded, "Ok, well, why don't you two come in and we can talk about it further."

Elizabeth thought to herself, "Why did he have to go and smile like that?! She was speechless, so she simply nodded yes, and Nathan walked up the steps and brushed against her to open the door. Elizabeth caught her breath and felt her knees get weak. Once again, she asked herself, "What is going on with me?" Nathan called her name, and she came to her senses and walked in as he followed.

Allie was in the kitchen preparing dinner as Elizabeth and Little Jack walked in with Nathan. She looked between her father and the Thorntons as she asked, "Hey Dad! Hey Mrs. Thornton! Hey Jack! "Are you here for dinner again?"

Elizabeth stood ready to speak, but Nathan jumped in before she could. "Oh, I hadn't even thought about that! Allie, would we have enough to have the Thorntons stay? "

Allie nodded and answered, "Sure, we are having chicken, salad, and rolls. Would you like to stay? " Allie looked at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had a momentary hesitation. She did want to stay. The Grant home was always so warm and inviting for both of them. She looked between Nathan and Allie and then answered, "Sure, we would love to stay for dinner. Can I help with anything? "

Allie shook her head and replied, "You can do the salad while I finish up the chicken. Dad, do you mind helping with Little Jack?" Allie and Elizabeth looked over at Nathan. Nathan was in the process of unbuttoning his serge to take it off. Once he did, he hung it up on the hook by the door. "Sure I will!", Nathan answered Allie. He turned and went over to Little Jack and started talking and playing with him. Allie turned back to the chicken on the stovetop. Elizabeth went to the icebox and stood with it open for a moment. She needed to feel the coolness of it for a few extra moments. The scene she just witnessed, Nathan removing his serge and seeing the muscular arms that had been exposed beneath it, had affected her more than she could ever have expected. As she was in the icebox looking for the salad ingredients, she took several deep breaths quietly to herself. Whatever was going on with her, she had to regain her composure. This was ridiculous!

Once she got all the ingredients for the salad, she brought them out to the counter to assemble. She got a bowl out of the cupboard and started her process of chopping and mixing the salad. She and Allie chatted about the summer and her time with friends. They also talked about the Grants' upcoming trip to her grandparents' house.

As Nathan played with Little Jack in the living room, he took a quick look into the kitchen at the two girls. They worked in tandem, prepping dinner, and chatting joyfully about life. He sighed for a moment about what could have been and then shook his head and redirected his attention fully back to Jack and the tower that they were building with Allie's old blocks.

When dinner was ready, Nathan brought Little Jack over and together they both washed their hands in the sink. Elizabeth set the table as Allie brought the food over. They sat together eating, talking, and laughing. Elizabeth looked around the table for a moment. Allie and Nathan were animatedly talking with Little Jack, and he was just giggling away. It was such a precious moment, and she smiled to herself as she looked down at her plate for another bite of chicken. This... this is a nice place to be. Amongst loved ones and enjoying one another's company.", Elizabeth thought to herself.

After dinner, Allie took Little Jack over to the books to read to him. Nathan and Elizabeth cleared the table and started working on dishes with one another. Elizabeth washed as Nathan dried and put the dishes away. As they worked, Nathan looked over at Elizabeth and asked, "So, you said that you needed my help with something earlier."

Elizabeth rinsed the plate that she had just scrubbed and handed it over to Nathan to dry while she smiled at him. She looked back at the dishes left to be done but went ahead and continued the conversation.

Actually, it's Rosemary who needs your help. I'm simply the messenger this evening. I'm assuming that you've heard about the town bonfire on Saturday?", Elizabeth commented as she handed Nathan another plate to dry. He nodded in response, and Elizabeth continued washing the dishes as well as telling Nathan about Rosemary's request.

"Well, she remembered this evening, as we were about to say our goodbyes, that they actually needed the wood for the event." She shared that the mill could provide the lumber, but she actually needed someone to chop it for the bonfire. Rosemary doesn't want Lee to do it because of his previous back injuries. She thought of you. That you could either do the work or develop a team of men to do the job for Saturday. Do you think you could do that? ", Elizabeth rinsed the last plate and handed it to Nathan, making eye contact with him this time.

Nathan took the plate from Elizabeth and thought as he dried it and put it away. He looked at Elizabeth and nodded, saying, "Sure, I can do that. I'll speak to Rosemary or Lee tomorrow morning as I go to do my morning rounds and then maybe do some chopping in the cool of the day. Then, during my afternoon rounds, I'll see if I can enlist any other helpers. "

"Great! Thank you so much, Nathan! I'm sure that Rosemary will appreciate that immensely. And, thank you for including me at dinner again. It was an unexpected treat!" she said, smiling as she prepared to wipe off the counter.

Nathan smiled back and folded the dish towel and placed it on the clean countertop. He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms across his chest. He looked at Elizabeth intently and said, "Elizabeth, you and Little Jack, you're like family. You are welcome any time. Please know that. "

Elizabeth glanced down for a moment and nodded. As she started to look back up at Nathan, she couldn't help but take a moment to admire his well defined upper arms, which were pronounced as he stood there with his arms folded across his chest. As her eyes met his blue eyes once again, Nathan smirked a little. Elizabeth realized that she had been caught in her momentary admiration, and she blushed profusely because she didn't know how to get out of that awkward moment. But she didn't have to be concerned for long. Without knowing it, Allie stepped in to save her.

"Mrs. Thornton, I agree with Dad. You're welcome here anytime! You are like family to us.", Allie stated matter-of-factly as she gave Elizabeth a big hug. Elizabeth turned her full attention to that hug and the statement that caused it. These precious souls meant so much to her. As she reciprocated the hug, she closed her eyes and said a prayer of thanksgiving. Firstly, for the gifts that the Grants were to her and Little Jack, but secondly, for saving her from that awkward situation.

Elizabeth lifted Allie's chin to meet her gaze and said, "And you, sweet girl, are like family to me as well!" She gave Allie another hug, and at that point, Little Jack came up and hugged both of their legs and excitedly stated, "Love you mama! Love you Ahhh-wee! " It was a tender moment there at the Grant home. One that caught Nathan a little off guard. Once again, he thought to himself, "If only..." but then he shook his head and cleared his throat as he stood up straight. The threesome broke apart.

Elizabeth thanked Nathan and Allie for dinner and the time of shared fellowship once more. Little Jack took her hand and they made their way out the door, down the steps and onto the pathway to their own home. Nathan and Allie stood on their steps watching the Thorntons walk away.

Allie let out a big sigh and spoke in a wistful tone, "Dad, I wish..." Allie interrupted Nathan before she finished her comment. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close, kissing the top of her head as he sighed, exhaling slowly. He spoke then, saying, "I know Allie, girl, I know." Me too. But it isn't meant to be. " Allie closed her eyes and a few tears fell down her cheeks. As she looked up at her father, she wiped them away with the back of her hand.

"Dad, no disrespect, but why not?! Why not now?! Mr. Bouchard isn't around anymore to be the reason. Why can't it happen?!", Allie spoke out in a frustrated tone, and more tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Nathan held her face and wiped away the tears with his thumbs. "Allie, Mrs. Thornton has to want to be with us that way. The way that you and I desired it in our hearts, we had to set it aside when she chose Lucas to continue to keep her in our lives as a dear friend, like family to us. She cares for us Allie, just maybe not the way we would want her to. ", he looked intently at her as he spoke, hoping to get his message across to her.

"I know what you're saying, Dad, and I get it. But nights like tonight, it makes it so hard. ", Allie said in a sad and hushed tone. She told her dad that she was headed to bed and gave Nathan a big hug and a peck on the cheek as she said good night. She went inside and closed the door behind her. Nathan looked down the road toward the Thorntons, seeing that the two had made it home safely. Then he looked up at the full moon and simply stared for a moment. He closed his eyes and prayed, "God, sometimes it's harder than others for Allie and me. We love the Thorntons and want what's best for them. And sometimes, we feel that's to become a part of us. Please help us navigate through our own feelings and accept your will in this matter. We are thankful for who they are in our lives. Just help us to be at peace with what they are. Thank you ahead of time. Amen. " Nathan opened his eyes and looked at the moon one last time, and then headed inside and closed the door.