CHOOSE LOVE

CHAPTER 11

After a short break Weasel once again stepped up to the front of the stage and cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. A hush came over the crowd as they turned their gazes to him and waited for him to speak.

"Ladies and Gentleman I'd like to thank you all for coming out this evening. It's been a real good time and great way to visit with one another before those big fluffy flakes are flying and we're all hunkered down and shut in for the winter. On behalf of myself and the band we'd like to thank you for your hospitality. It's been a lot of fun! Now without further ado I'd like to bring up your School teacher. Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton."

Weasel nodded in Elizabeth's direction and she stepped forward and took her place where Weasel had stood in front of the crowd. Elizabeth gazed down at a piece of paper she held in her hand. She wanted to make sure she didn't forget anything she wanted to say or miss anyone she wanted to thank. Elizabeth looked up scanning the crowd, hoping to see that Lucas had returned. Disappointment washed over her as she realized Lucas was not in the crowd. Once again, she referenced the notes in her hand as she tried to compose herself. She closed her eyes for just a moment and heard the heavy shuffling of a man's footsteps as he made his way to stand right in front her.

"Lucas!" Elizabeth thought to herself. But it was not Lucas. Instead, she was met with the steely but laughing eyes of Nathan Grant, as he smiled and nodded at her in encouragement. It was all Elizabeth needed to begin.

Elizabeth thanked everyone for coming and commented on what a great time the dance had been. She explained everything about the camping trip and the dance for those who didn't know. She wanted everyone to know how proud she was of her students, and how all of this had been their idea. She sang their praises as she explained how hard they had worked to make everything happen. She then brought all of her students up to stand with her, and the crowd gave them a round of applause.

Elizabeth then turned to thanking all of the people who had volunteered their goods and time to help make both the camping trip and the Dance a success. As she called each person forward a student presented them with a gift. A small token of their gratitude. There were lots of people to thank. The Olsen's, the Yost's, The Coulter's, many of the parents and local farmers too.

Elizabeth soon called both Laura and Robert to the front. She explained to everyone how integral they had been to making the camping trip a success. Emily, designated with the task, along with a few of the other girls took a step closer to Laura and handed her a rectangular package. The package was beautifully wrapped and Laura stared downed at the generous gift. She never expected anything in return for helping out. She had had fun too.

"Open it!" Opal exclaimed, and everyone laughed.

Laura obeyed and loosened the ribbon holding the flowered wrapping paper in place. As the paper fell away, Laura could tell it was a book. She flipped the volume over and saw that the Title read O' Pioneers by Willa Cather. A story set against the backdrop of the American Prairie. The 1913 novel had become a favorite of Elizabeth's and she had picked it out especially for Laura. Likewise, the boys presented their gift to Robert. His first set of binoculars. At $7.00 the binoculars were too pricey a gift, but knowing Robert wanted to be a tracker just like his hero and mentor, Elizabeth knew they were the perfect gift. She just wasn't sure how to acquire a set in her price range. She supposed she could have gone to Lucas, but she didn't want to do that. This gift was to be from the students, not Lucas. Then one day, to Elizabeth's surprise the solution came knocking on her door.

"Nathan?" Elizabeth questioned, wondering what had brought him to her doorstep this afternoon. "Hi," she continued. "How can I help you?" she asked awkwardly. Elizabeth blinked her eyes slowly, and shook her head slightly trying to shake the confusion and embarrassment she felt just now.

"I think the question is, how can I help you!" Nathan said excitedly as he pointed in her direction.

Now Elizabeth really was confused. She wasn't quite sure why Nathan seemed to think she needed his help. Nathan's smile was as wide as the St. Lawrence River as he held out a small leather case to her.

Elizabeth's brow furrowed as she questioned what he held out to her. "What's this?" She asked.

"Go ahead, take it." Nathan offered, as he shook the item in front of her.

Finally, Elizabeth remembered her manners and invited Nathan in.

"That's okay." Nathan offered, knowing it might not be appropriate or worse yet stir up the ire of Lucas. But Elizabeth insisted so Nathan reluctantly crossed her threshold once again and entered the little row house he once loved to frequent.

Nathan held out the small leather item to her again and this time Elizabeth had a feeling she knew what she was looking at. Without looking up she took them from Nathan's grip. She gently opened the leather case and inside sat a small set of field binoculars. She looked up at Nathan. Different emotions washing over her as she asked, "How did you know?"

"Allie told me." Nathan answered quietly.

"These are yours, Nathan?" Elizabeth inquired, although she knew they were. "Nathan, these are Mountie issued."

"Yeah, they were my first set. I wasn't even a Mountie yet. Just in training. That's why they are just a small set. Nothing too fancy for a beginner." Nathan chuckled.

"You don't actually mean to give these to Robert, do you? How could you give away something so meaningful to you?"

"They are special to me, but that's why I can give them to Robert. I know how much they will mean to him as well."

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth implored.

"I'm more than sure Elizabeth. And hey you know I would have given them to him eventually anyway." Nathan said with a smile.

Elizabeth returned the smile. "Knowing you Nathan Grant, I know you would have."

Nathan then showed himself to the door and Elizabeth followed. Nathan turned back to Elizabeth as he stepped out of the house to say goodbye. Misty eyed and with a heart full of gratitude Elizabeth whispered, "Thank you Nathan." But before she could stop herself, Elizabeth flung her arms around Nathan's neck. Nathan could feel Elizabeth's grip on his neck as she held on longer than he would have thought necessary. Not knowing what else to do, and with a sudden urge to feel her in his arms he let himself envelope her in a full embrace. It felt so good holding her, Nathan thought to himself. The cool breeze caressing his rugged checks, and her warm body against his chest. This felt like his home and he never wanted to leave it.

Elizabeth realized Nathan had wrapped his arms about her and that she continued to cling to him. The bulk of his body leaning hard into her. A sudden frigid breeze blew through the trees blowing what remained of the leaves still clinging onto their branches to the ground. They whirled and twirled in a downward spiral and Elizabeth shuddered violently, bringing her to her senses once again. She prayed for release from Nathan's tight grip, for when he felt her shaking, he only held her tighter. Nathan had been resting the side of face on the top of her head. Slowly he lifted his cheek from the warm pillow of her hair and without thinking placed a small sweet kiss on the crown of her head. Much as he had done Allie while comforting her.

"I should let you get inside." Nathan finally spoke out. "That wind is really picking up." He released her then and let her go back to the warmth just inside her front door.

"Goodbye Nathan." Elizabeth whispered.

The presentations were almost complete and the final set of dances soon to begin, but Elizabeth had one more very important person to thank. Elizabeth took a deep breath, thankful that her speech to the crowd was almost over. As much as she felt relief, she felt her nerves ramping up once again. Knowing that the last person left to thank was Nathan. Elizabeth didn't quite understand why she was so nervous around Nathan lately. It had taken awhile after she had realized her feelings for Lucas and the two of them decided to pursue a relationship together, for she and Nathan to become just friends. But they had. They had become very good friends in fact. Things had been pleasant and calm. Much to her relief, so why now had things changed? Elizabeth steeled herself against the task at hand and began once again.

"We have just one more very important person to thank this evening." Elizabeth continued. "Then I promise to get you back to the dancing. The camping trip, as you all know would not have happened had this person not stepped forward and volunteered to come along. Despite my hesitation. You all wanted him there, and quite frankly I'm glad I finally listened to reason, and to all of you and agreed to have him chaperon with me. Constable Grant, will you please step forward?"

Without a qualm or misgiving Nathan vacillated Elizabeth's request and took a place standing in front of herself and the children.

Rosemary quietly left the crowd and made her way to Elizabeth, handing her a plain brown box. No wrapping, bows or ribbons adorned it's outside.

"Nathan," Elizabeth began. we want you to know how much we appreciate your coming with us. For your guidance, your camaraderie, and your protection, we thank you." She then handed Nathan the gift that represented their gratitude to him. Nathan looked out at the crowd and smiled broadly, teasingly asking them if he should open it now or wait. Getting them, all riled up to see what lie within the nondescript box he held. When he had them firmly in the palm of his hand, he lifted the lid of the box and took a peek inside, and shoved aside the tissue paper protecting whatever lay inside. It was shiny! With his index finger he grabbed the corner of the gilt covered item inside and lifted it free from its confines. Elizabeth knew what it was supposed to be. Rosemary had helped with the gift and discussed what to buy, but this seemed a bit different from what they had agreed upon. Nathan handed the empty box to Elizabeth as he completely looked over the shiny gold picture frame he held in his hands. It was a double-sided picture frame. One that was hinged and opened like a book. An intrigued Nathan gently opened the frame and was met with a precious memory. One he never expected to be able to treasure in this way. On one side of the frame was the picture of himself, Elizabeth, the school children, and Laura and Robert on the steps of the school house just after the camping trip. What lie inside the frame on the other side nearly took his breath away. The surprise he felt at the image on the other side was met with many other emotions. Taken with the gift's beauty, he also felt excitement and admiration. Admiration for the woman standing beside him in the photo. Nathan remembered taking her hand that day. She had clearly been nervous standing so close to him. Then Rosemary had posed them together, like this. Something, Nathan knew Elizabeth hadn't expected her friend to do.

Nathan finally looked up from the precious keepsake and thanked Elizabeth and the students for remembering him. He looked out into the crowd and explained the gift to the onlookers and they all applauded Nathan once more. Nathan was clearly moved and knew no matter what happened between he and Elizabeth from here on out, he would treasure this gift forever.

He knew he shouldn't again look down at the image he held in hand, but he couldn't help himself. He took one more glance down at the photo of he and Elizabeth. It was as if the photo had put a spell on him. It galvanized him in his resolve to not give up on Elizabeth. They were meant to be together.