Chapter 27: A Talk with Friends

The next day, Sunday, was a quiet one in Hope Valley. Joseph and the community decided that the sermonette from the bonfire would be the church service for that week. So, most families were in and resting from the festivities the night before.

Nathan awoke early and couldn't sleep again, and Allie was still out with the Weise family, so he decided to return to the Avery house, but this time give them more time to visit. He truly missed his friend working so closely with him like in the days of old, and he figured that he'd take this opportunity. As Nathan got to the Avery house, Molly and Rena were about to go out on a little walk. Nathan stroked Rena's hair and made a funny face at her that sent her into a fit of giggles. Molly smiled at Nathan and gestured towards the door and encouraged him to go on into the house.

Nathan walked in while Bill was at the stovetop making some eggs. He offered Nathan some, and Nathan willingly agreed. So, the two men sat down with their plates of eggs and coffee. They caught up by discussing reflections from the bonfire, goings-on in Hope Valley, and married life for Bill.

"So Nathan, how are things going with you and the women of Hope Valley? We haven't talked about things in awhile.", Bill looked over at his friend as he took a sip of his coffee.

Nathan chuckled and took a swig from his own cup before answering, "There's nothing going on, Bill. As you saw last night, Faith and James made their relationship official this week. And I'm very happy for both of them. They have been through a lot, and now they can walk through the next chapter of life together.", He glanced over at Bill, who held his mug once more to his lips, peering over at Nathan with a curious glance as he asked, "And Mei? What about her? She isn't with anyone yet that I saw. "

Nathan took a bite of his eggs and chewed carefully. Finally, he spoke, "Mei is a friend. One who listens and sees things that sometimes others don't. But, that's all she is, a friend. "

Bill nodded as he munched on his eggs. He took a drink of his coffee to wash it down. Then he looked back over at Nathan and asked, "How about Fiona? Anything there?"

Nathan finished off his eggs and shook his head as he answered, "No, Fiona is a lot of fun and I enjoy her company, but I've never seen her as anything more than a friend."

Bill sat back with his coffee cup and continued to examine his friend carefully over his mug. He cleared his throat and then asked, "What about Elizabeth?" Where do things stand with her? I saw you sitting near her last night and even chatting. "

Nathan leaned back in his chair as well and let out a hearty laugh as he asked, "What's with the matchmaking third degree today, Bill? Are you going to ask me about every single woman in Hope Valley?" Bill smirked at Nathan, nodded, and responded, "Nope, just this last one. Elizabeth is like a daughter to me." He looked at him very seriously and asked, "So tell me, what is going on with you and her nowadays? Any chance of that happening? "

Nathan chuckled again, nodded, and simply shrugged. He took a swig of his coffee and answered, "Bill, nothing is going on with Elizabeth. She's my friend, remember? That was her choice too, about two years ago. I'm content with that too. "

Bill gave Nathan a look. Nathan sighed and continued, "Actually, in general, I'm OK with being single. I simply want to focus on raising Allie and keeping this town safe. Granted, like I told you last year, it would be nice to find someone. But to be honest, I'm just really not up for putting myself out there after Elizabeth. When and if the time is ever right with someone, I may reach out and take the chance, but for now, I'm content. "

Bill put his coffee cup down, stood up, and walked over to Nathan. He patted the younger man on his shoulder as he commented, "That's not a bad place to be, Nathan, but just don't stay there too long, if you know what I mean." Bill looked seriously at Nathan with a stern but concerned gaze, and Nathan nodded his head in agreement. The two friends then cleared the table and did their dishes. They visited for a while longer, and then Nathan left.

He decided to go into town and get some coffee and danish from the cafe. On his way there, he saw Mei, Faith, and James outside of the pharmacy talking with one another. He greeted the three of them as he walked past them. They smiled and greeted him back, and then went back to their discussion.

Just as he was coming up to the cafe, Fiona was about to go in as well. They smiled at one another, and Nathan opened the door, and they walked in. The two friends decided to sit together since they were both there. Among other things, they talked about the bonfire and the barber shop. As they were sitting there chatting and laughing, Elizabeth and Little Jack walked in. Unbeknownst to Nathan, Elizabeth cued in immediately to the fact that Nathan and Fiona were sitting together and definitely enjoying one another's company. Anna sat the little family near the window and went to get their drinks.

During a break in their conversation, Nathan looked around the cafe and noticed Elizabeth and Little Jack sitting there. Fiona followed where he was looking and asked, "Have you told her yet?".

Nathan turned his gaze back to Fiona, puzzled by her question. He asked, "Have I told who, what yet?" Fiona chuckled softly and motioned over in Elizabeth's direction subtly, "Have you told Elizabeth yet that you are still in love with her?"

Nathan was taking a drink of coffee and nearly spat it out at her comment. He looked around to see if anyone else had heard Fiona's comment, but it seemed no one had. After wiping off his mouth and putting his cup down onto the table, he looked at her seriously and responded, "Fiona, why would you even ask that? Elizabeth and I, we are just friends. "

This time, Fiona took a sip of her tea and smirked over the brim of the cup, saying, "Sure you are."

Nathan was about to speak in protest, but Fiona put down her teacup and continued, "Nathan, you cannot tell me it's not true. I think we know one another well enough, and I've seen it in you. You never get over her really. " Fiona took a quick glance at Elizabeth, who was subtly watching the pair's interactions but instantly went back to interacting with Little Jack when she saw Fiona looking over. "And, if I'm not mistaken, I think she's developed feelings for you too."

The statement blew Nathan away. He looked at Fiona and then in Elizabeth's direction. "Could that really be it? Was it even possible to hope for that again? ", he wondered to himself. Next thing he knew, Fiona's hand was on his as she asked, "Nathan, are you OK?" Where did you go? " He looked at Fiona and sheepishly smiled as he said, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thinking back to a time long ago. Sorry about that. "

Fiona smiled graciously back at Nathan and patted his hand again before withdrawing it. "It's OK Nathan, I get it." she commented, and then changed the topic to lighter things. And the two friends continued chatting and laughing as they drank their tea and coffee.

But what the two didn't know was that Elizabeth had seen the exchange that happened when Fiona's and Nathan's hands were touching. She sadly looked away and thought to herself, "It's too late. Nathan and Fiona are developing something now. I'd be a fool to tell Nathan how I feel. I'd only hurt him and Allie again, and he deserves happiness too. " She and Little Jack finished up and left the cafe quietly before Nathan and Fiona did. Trying to hide her hurt, Elizabeth took Little Jack to the livery for a ride on Sergeant. She thought to herself, "It'd be a good day to visit Jack's land."

Meanwhile, back at the cafe, the two friends finished up and got up to leave. Nathan looked over to where the Thorntons had been sitting. He was surprised to see that they had already come and gone and hadn't even said hello. Once more, Fiona followed his gaze and saw the saddened look on his face. "Nathan, talk to her. I honestly think I'm right on this one.", she said as she touched his arm. Nathan nodded and looked around the town.

"Anyway, I'm off. Thanks for the meal and visit! It was good to catch up!", Fiona exclaimed as she bounded down the street and over to the barbershop.

Nathan just shook his head and said a silent prayer for guidance. He couldn't get stuck here again. His heart couldn't handle it if Fiona was wrong. He had to proceed cautiously for both his and Allie's sake with this possible new information.