Hope Leads the Heart
Chapter 10 Letter from a Friend
Elizabeth sighed as she finished reading the letter from her friend, Rosemary. She and Lee were the only people in Hope Valley who kept in contact with Elizabeth and kept her aware of community happenings. They had provided loving support to her at a time when her dreams of a life with Bouchard were completely shattered. She was grateful for the strength and comfort that friendship gave her.
This particular letter was not terribly comforting, however. Rosemary wrote about the renovations that had been completed on the old saloon and about the success of the open house. She also shared the unhappiness that had been expressed about the teacher and Bouchard's encounters on the bridge that led to changes made by the City Council. Elizabeth's face burned at the thought of being the topic of all the seedy gossip in Hope Valley. She knew that her reputation was in tatters and that her credibility as a teacher was completely ruined. Rosemary had not minced words and shared everything in great detail. Elizabeth was actually grateful to hear the worst of it, because it strengthened her resolve to do better and prove that she was a good, strong, intelligent woman worthy of respect.
Apparently, the new teacher was already well established in Hope Valley and had won over the hearts of the schoolchildren as well as their parents. Elizabeth was glad to hear that her students were again thriving but couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic thinking about them and all the learning they had shared together. During her intense romance with Lucas, she had lost sight of the things that truly gave her life meaning and watching her students learn every day was certainly one of them. Enjoying quiet times with family and friends was another.
"How did I veer far off track with my life? I hurt so many people. My students, my son, my friends, myself, Allie,…and Nathan," Elizabeth thought in bewilderment.
Nathan. The noble, strong Mountie who came to Hope Valley with the intention of looking after Jack Thornton's widow and child. The selfless, devoted father and daughter that she had shared such lovely (and scary) family moments with. She fondly remembered chopping down a Christmas tree and decorating it with Nathan and Allie; smearing cupcake icing on his nose at Allie's sleepover; sharing the joy (and surprise) of Allie's adoption ceremony in Bill's office.
There were a few scary moments the three of them had shared, too, like Nathan rescuing her class in a windstorm on the mountain and the day they awaited results from Nathan's hearing. It was on that day, that Elizabeth realized how close the bond was between Nathan and Allie and just how strong she was, for Allie bravely stood up to face the Mountie panel and speak her mind. Nathan was strong, tender, and loving with the people he cared about, and most of those people gave the same strength, love, and tenderness back to him.
Except for Elizabeth. As she thought about these moments, Elizabeth drowned in reflective awareness of the hurt she had dished out to Nathan and Allie. Nathan was the thoughtful man who had given her time and space to get over her fears. She had rewarded his generosity by hurtfully rejecting both him and his sweet daughter. For the thousandth time, Elizabeth dissolved into tears yet again.
Shaking her head and refocusing on the letter, it was a shocking realization for Elizabeth to admit that the most disturbing part of Rosemary's letter was the last paragraph:
""Elizabeth,we finally have our new doctor in place and are so grateful that she seems to be as competent as she is beautiful. Her name is Joanna Bryant. We don't know much about her, but I can tell you she has caught the eye of many of the young bachelors in town, including Nathan. Lee thinks I am seeing something that isn't there, but I know attraction when I see it. Joanna has lovely dark hair and green eyes that I have caught Nathan staring at during Sunday services. She sings beautifully in the choir. I will have to introduce you when you come to Hope Valley for a visit. Until then, give Little Jack a hug from Auntie Rosemary and Uncle Lee."
Elizabeth realized that she was feeling more than a little pang of jealousy at this news.
"Collect yourself, Elizabeth Thornton," she said to herself. "You are just feeling nostalgic and sorry for yourself. Nathan has moved on and spends no more time thinking of you. What makes you think you are worthy of the attention of any man? Most of your morning is now wasted and it is time to focus on the research for your book."
Standing, she collected her shawl, pencils, paper, and headed to the Hamilton NWMP office.