Chapter 26: The Bonfire
Saturday had finally come and the town was all a buzz with final preparations for the bonfire later that evening. A large fire pit had been built in the center of town, and large logs had been placed on the farthest exteriors of the pit to create an outer barrier of seating for the Hope Valley folks. Families were encouraged to bring their blankets and have a picnic style dinner as the festivities started. The cafe even offered pre-made basket dinners that the Hope Valley families could pick up that afternoon before it closed. Joseph would give a sermonette, and Bill and Nathan would share music by playing their guitars later, as the bonfire itself had started.
Since Nathan had to work until right before the event itself and then immediately after, Allie had planned to go with the Weise family and spend the night afterwards.
Nathan went over to the Avery's house to practice with Bill that morning before going to do his rounds since Allie was still asleep. When the two went through the playlist once, Nathan put his guitar away. They had agreed that Bill would bring it to the bonfire later because of Nathan's work schedule that day. For now, though, Nathan was off to the morning rounds.
As Nathan walked into town from Avery's house, he went into the cafe to set up for a basket that Allie would pick up on her way to the bonfire. After that, the day seemed to go by quickly and uneventfully.
Late that afternoon, the first to arrive at the bonfire was the Coulter family. As they were getting the twins out of the car, the Weise family and Allie came over. Ellen Weise and Allie assisted Rosemary with the babies as she and Lee unloaded the car. Opal took the blankets from Lee and laid them both out for the Coulter family. Once things were all unpacked from the car and set upon the blankets, Ellen and Allie laid the siblings down onto the blanket. Allie went to the cafe to get the Grant picnic basket, and Opal sat next to the twins, chattering away as Allie went to get the Grant picnic basket.
While there, Allie got in line behind Judge Bleakney. The two chatted about Allie's summer and her time over at the mercantile on the switchboard and her helping at the pharmacy from time to time. He mentioned to Allie that he may need help at the beginning of the school year in the afternoons with filing and other things in the office and asked if the young girl would possibly be interested. Allie smiled brightly and told Judge Bleakney that she would talk to her dad the next day since they had the event that night. He smiled and nodded to her in response, and once he got his order, the two said goodbye.
When Allie returned to the spot where she left the Coulter and Weise families, she saw that there was a wide gap in between the Grant blanket laid out and the Coulters' blanket. She wore a puzzled look on her face as she walked up and was about to ask when Opal chimed in.
"Mrs. Coulter set that blanket up for you and Mountie Nathan. She figured that you'd want to sit with him since you hadn't seen him all day.", Opal answered as she pointed. "The big open spot is for Mrs. Thornton and Little Jack. Mrs. Coulter wanted them to sit with their family.", Opal continued.
Allie nodded and saw that since she had been gone, the Montgomerys had set up their blanket on the other side of the Weise family. So, Allie placed the picnic basket on the blanket designated for the Grants. As soon as she did, Emily invited her and Opal to go play with her and her nephews, Marshall and Donny, at the school playground.
Shortly after the children had gone off to play, Elizabeth and Little Jack walked up with Laura. She offered to help with Little Jack that day so that Elizabeth could stay and enjoy the bonfire a little longer if she chose to. Laura helped Elizabeth set up her blanket and then offered to take Little Jack to the playground and Elizabeth agreed. Elizabeth took her spot next to Rosemary on her own blanket, close to where the two friends smiled at one another.
As the afternoon transitioned to early evening, the bonfire area filled in quickly. The Avery family had placed their blanket behind the Thorntons, and the Yosts were next to them. The Lawsons and the Wolfs found their spots between the Yosts and the Montgomerys. Others found their places on the logs behind the blankets. The singles, Fiona, Mike, Mei, Katie, and Kevin, all found their spots on a log as they were laughing and chatting with one another. Henry and Judge Bleakney had sat next to each other and were discussing town business. Faith and James walked up to the area hand in hand and took one of the logs as well. The Canfields also took a log as they came over from the cafe. Anna joined Harper, Hattie, and Ruby on the last log.
Just as the sun was going down and Mike and Kevin were getting the fire started, the kids all returned from the playground and took their spots with their families. Laura went to sit with the youth on the log. As soon as Allie sat down on her blanket, Little Jack immediately went over to her and plopped himself on her lap. "I sit with Allie, Mama." Little Jack told his mother, rather than asking. Elizabeth simply chuckled and handed Little Jack the sandwich that she had packed for him. She went into the Grant's basket and handed Allie a sandwich as well. As Elizabeth sat back after getting the two kids settled, Nathan walked up and joined Allie and Little Jack on the blanket.
"Well, hey there Jack, good to see you this evening!" Hey, Allie Girl! Hi Elizabeth! Looks like I made it here right on time.", Nathan said as he sat next to Allie and Little Jack. He went into the picnic basket that Allie had picked up and got out a sandwich for himself. Elizabeth smiled at Nathan and looked over at Rosemary, who was watching the scenario very carefully as she held Evie in her arms. Rosemary simply nodded at her friend, as if silently encouraging her friend to take the opportunity to talk with Nathan. Elizabeth glanced down at her skirt for a moment, trying to think of what to say. She felt so tongue-tied lately around Nathan. Just as she came up with something to say, she lifted her head and looked at Nathan. She was about to speak when Joseph got up to share with the group.
Joseph spoke about how they needed to keep the fire burning in their own lives to sustain their relationships with one another and with God. That this fire enables each person to live a life of blessings. He encouraged them to continue to seek the community relationships that they had had for a long time, as well as keep reading the Word and praying to maintain their own fires in their daily lives.
As Joseph concluded, Nathan and Bill got up from their spots on their blankets and got their guitars. One of the families had brought two milking stools where they took a seat and they played their songs. After a while, the citizens began to sing. Elizabeth was amazed when she heard Nathan's voice. Since Little Jack was still in Allie's lap, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy the songs and the richness of Nathan's voice amongst the others. Before she knew it, with her eyes still closed, Elizabeth was singing along too. When the song had ended and they were transitioning into another one, Elizabeth opened her eyes, and hers and Nathan's eyes met in that moment across the fire. They held that gaze for a moment before Elizabeth looked away.
As the singing came to a close, some of the families were making their way home. Laura took Little Jack from Allie and the Coulters, Montgomerys, and Averys packed up their belongings to head home as well. Emily had gotten permission to stay overnight with Opal and Allie, so the three girls decided to join the other youths on the logs until their families went home.
Minnie and Joseph went to the cafe for a bit and then returned with trays full of mugs for those remaining at the fire pit area. The Canfields provided hot cocoa and coffee. The remainder of the Hope Valley citizens stayed like that well into the night. Just visiting and enjoying the fireside.
Nathan and Elizabeth sat by the fireside quietly. After awhile, Nathan started chatting with Elizabeth about miscellaneous things. She simply nodded in response as she gazed at the fire. After awhile, he chuckled and teased, "Cat got your tongue tonight, Elizabeth?" Elizabeth looked over at Nathan with wide eyes. She was about to speak by saying, "Nathan, I...", but she was interrupted when someone walked over, distracted her, and she shook her head.
"Uh, no, just enjoying the evening and fresh air." But, I should go home and relieve Laura. Take care, Nathan," Elizabeth said as she got up and started packing her things away. Nathan got up to help, and he picked up her basket and handed it to her. Their hands met in the exchange, and in response, they looked at one another. Elizabeth broke her eye contract first and thanked Nathan. She scurried away as Nathan watched her go. He sighed and joined Henry and Judge Bleakney on their log. The remainder of the community sat like that at the fire pit until the fire died down.
From a distance, at her rowhouse, Elizabeth sat on her porch steps with her door open. Laura had gone home, and Little Jack was asleep in his bed. She watched the bonfire from where she sat. She thought to herself, "Why didn't I stay? Why couldn't I talk to Nathan, I mean truly talk to him? What am I going to do with what I know my feelings are toward him now? " She let out a frustrated sigh, covering her face with her hands. Elizabeth stayed that way for awhile until she heard a voice call her name.
"Elizabeth, hey, what's wrong?" Nathan asked as he stood in front of her. He wore a concerned but puzzled look on his face. Elizabeth looked up and gave a halfhearted smile at Nathan. "Where would I even begin?", she thought to herself. She sighed heavily and stood up where she was, about to speak when Emily, Opal, and Allie ran up.
"Hey Dad! Is it OK if I go to the pond with Opal's family tomorrow? Allie asked with pleading eyes. Nathan chuckled and nodded his head, "Yes." The girls squealed and ran past him and down the path to the Montgomery house.
Nathan laughed out loud as he watched the girls disappear into the night. When he looked back over at Elizabeth, he saw that she was about to go inside.
"Elizabeth?", he inquired, and she turned around with a look on her face that seemed to be a combination of frustration and fear.
She sighed and responded, "I'm OK, Nathan. Right now, I'm just tired and thinking about some things. It's just gotten a bit overwhelming. I'm going to go to bed for now. Maybe we can chat another time soon. "
Nathan smiled and nodded at Elizabeth and said good night. He continued down the path, and Elizabeth watched as he did, wishing she knew what to say. Nathan turned at that moment and met Elizabeth's gaze. He smiled again and put up a single hand to wave goodbye once more. Elizabeth sighed again and went inside.
Nathan got to his rowhouse and looked back down the path towards Elizabeth's. "What was that look on her face that I saw?! I thought she seemed to be doing better after the loss, but she's been off lately. ", Nathan wondered to himself. He sat on the steps, looking at the night sky. Closing his eyes, he lifted up a prayer for Elizabeth, but also for himself.