Chapter 34: Keep in Touch

The following week, on that mid-July Monday morning, the old wagon rode through Hope Valley towards the train station. Allie, Little Jack, and the luggage were in the back. The two children were enjoying themselves as they took in the scenery and discussed amongst themselves what they saw. Nathan and Elizabeth sat quietly next to one another in the front, with Newton and Sergeant leading the wagon.

Once, they arrived at the train station, Nathan set the brakes, got down from his place, and went around the wagon to help Elizabeth out. They locked eyes for a moment, smiled at one another, and then she placed her hand in his to make her way down. Allie had climbed out of the back and was helping Little Jack out when the two adults came to get the luggage. Allie held tightly onto the little boy's hand as she grabbed his bag with her other hand and walked towards the train depot. Nathan grabbed the other Thornton baggage as he followed Elizabeth and the children.

Elizabeth went to the counter and picked up the tickets that her parents had arranged for her and Little Jack, and then took a seat next to the others. They chatted amongst themselves as they waited. Then, Elizabeth remembered something and fished around in her carry bag and pulled a stack of envelopes out. "These are for you two, during our time apart." she said as she handed three white envelopes each, that were numbered, to both Allie and Nathan.

Allie smiled and went into her own crossover carry bag, pulled out some envelopes and handed them to Elizabeth. "Here's mine for you and Jack, Mrs. Thornton. I gave Jack some pages with drawings and a little story." She said this as she leaned in and ruffled the young boy's blonde hair.Then, Allie and Elizabeth glanced over towards Nathan, both wearing an inquiring look on their faces but not saying a word. Nathan looked up to see them staring and waiting and commented, "What?! What did I do?"

The two girls looked at one another, shook their heads, and then stared back at Nathan. Rolling her eyes, Allie finally spoke up, saying, "Dad! The letters! The ones Pastor Joseph asked us to write. Didn't you do your assignment?!"

Nathan gave a startled look and covered his face for a moment. Allie looked at Elizabeth and then back at Nathan with a frustrated expression. "Dad! This was important. How could you forget!", Allie said with an annoyed tone. Nathan started laughing, and Allie looked over, exasperated and said, "Why on earth are you laughing?!"

Nathan glanced over to Elizabeth and winked, and then went into his own bag, pulled out some envelopes, and handed them to Elizabeth. "You mean those letters?" Nathan asked, winking and nudging Allie. Allie simply scowled at her father and turned her attention back to Little Jack.

Elizabeth simply chuckled at the scenario that she had just witnessed and shook her head. "You, Nathan Grant, are an awful tease!" she stated, laughing with her blue eyes twinkling. In response, Nathan smiled his crooked smile and his own blue eyes twinkled as he commented, "Ha! This is nothing! Just you wait and see, Elizabeth! You might regret pursuing this thing." Nathan winked at Elizabeth and the two once again locked eyes, smiling at one another. After a moment, Elizabeth commented, "Oh, I'll never regret it! I'm intrigued!". She winked back at Nathan, and just then, the announcement came that it was time for their train to board.

Allie hugged Little Jack and then handed him over to Nathan. He picked the little boy up in one big swoop and gave him a bear hug. As he pulled away from the hug, Nathan made a silly face, and Little Jack let out a belly laugh. They stood there chatting while Allie gave Elizabeth a hug goodbye, and then Allie took Little Jack back. Elizabeth and Nathan hugged one another, their first hug since they had begun courting, and lingered there for a few minutes. The second call for boarding came, and the two pulled apart.

Nathan looked at Elizabeth and smiled, "Keep in touch, ok?" He winked at her again, and she smiled. "Of course I will." She responded, "We have some work to do." Nathan gave Elizabeth a puzzled look, and she smiled, leaned forward, and kissed his cheek. "On us. We have some work to do on us," she said in his ear. For a moment, Nathan blushed, but he smiled in response.

They walked Elizabeth to where they were boarding the train and handed the luggage to the porter. Allie handed Little Jack over to Elizabeth, and the two boarded the train. They turned and waved to the Grants and then found their way to their spots on the train. Once they were situated, they spotted Allie and Nathan and waved once again.

Shortly after, the train pulled away and the Grants made their way back to the wagon. Nathan helped Allie up into the front and then made his way around to hoist himself up. They looked at one another and smiled. Then, on their way, they went to Rock Creek to see Nellie and Archie for the next few weeks.