disclaimer: I do not own the characters from When Calls the Heart. They belong to Janette Oke & Hallmark Channel.

I've always wanted Nathan to interact and be more involved with Elizabeth's students, so I wrote a one-shot about it. If you are into social media and want more content involving the show, feel free to check out my Instagram account at partylikeaheartie

As always enjoy the story :)

It was no secret that the Wilbert family were one of the poorest families in the valley. With six children, five boys and one girl, they had a full house with many mouths to feed. Their family in the community was known as the hardest workers. Although they lacked much, they never once complained and especially did not take too kindly to charity.

The only Wilbert who went to school was Benny Wilbert. For the older four boys in the family worked on the farm with their father and the youngest girl stayed at home with their mother. For she was too young for school yet. At seven years old, Benny Wilbert came into Elizabeth's class with a love for learning. Whether it was learning about a volcano or his letters for reading, Benny Wilbert's attention remained on his studies.

Benny Wilbert was an angel of a student. He raised his hand if he had a question, respectfully asked to be dismissed to do his business in the outhouse, turned in his homework on time, and included everyone in recess.

The only problem Benny Wilbert had was he didn't have any lunch. He never brought it up, complained about it, or even accepted any food from anyone. For his father ingrained in him at a young age that although they may be less fortunate than others, they can manage just fine by themselves. If you want something you work or pay for it. Wilberts don't accept charity.

Elizabeth Thornton, on the other hand, did not agree with Frank Wilbert's methods regarding lunch and tried everything to get Benny some food. First, she offered him some of her lunch, but Benny respectively declined the offer. Then she tried convincing him she wasn't hungry and for him to eat her lunch. That went over about as good as the first try. Her other attempts consisted of asking students in her class to offer him something, sneaking food in his lunch pal, and even trading the food for homework. Those attempts didn't work much better then the first attempts.

The whole situation kept Elizabeth up at night worrying about the young boy and his well-being. To say she was concerned for the boy's health was a understatement. Which is why she brought the subject to Nathan on Tuesday during their annual daily walks home from school.

"I'm worried about him, Nathan. It isn't healthy for a growing boy at his age to not be getting lunch. It isn't right. He's only seven" Elizabeth explained spreading her arms out exasperated over the whole situation involving her student. The school supplies in her basket swished back and forth in its confinement wrapped around her right hand.

Nathan listened intently beside her with his hands resting behind his back and a frown slowly forming around the corners of his lips. The Wilbert's poverty bothered many of hope valley's citizens but most were too afraid of Frank Wilbert to directly do anything about it. Nathan himself has repeatedly visited the Wilbert's farm to speak with Frank Wilbert discussing the matter. His attempts at persuading Frank Wilbert to accept the much needed help that the community of Hope Valley graciously offered their family, did not end well to say the least.

Elizabeth continued on.

"I've tried everything Nathan. I know he isn't taking anything because of his father" Elizabeth huffed a breath of air out and stopped walking to think. She looked a head at the path they were walking on before switching her view over to Nathan. An idea abruptly sprang to the front of her mind but she hesitated to voice it out loud. Nathan wouldn't like her newest idea one bit. But this was for her student, she had to try every possible solution. Without another thought, Elizabeth mentioned her idea, "Maybe I should make a visit to the Wilbert's farm and talk to Mr. Wilbert about it"

Nathan's mouth instantly formed a bigger frown at the mention of this idea and looked ahead of the path to carefully word his response.

"Frank Wilbert is a hard worker but a prideful man. He won't take charity and he especially won't be liking you coming over there to mention anything about his boy's lunch" Nathan informed her taking his eyes off the path to look over at her.

"But maybe if I tried to convince him…."

Nathan swiftly stopped her train of thought with his palm raised, "I don't want you going over there, Elizabeth" He firmly stated as he looked over at her. Nathan met many men like Frank Wilbert in his line of work and he wanted Elizabeth far away from them all.

"Nathan…"

"I'll take care of it, Elizabeth" Nathan crossed his arms across his chest and stood in front of her. They were both stubborn people but regarding this subject Nathan wasn't budging.

"How?" Elizabeth questioned him sternly as she wondered what exactly he could do to solve this problem. She wouldn't keep letting this sweet innocent young boy go hungry anymore. If she had to go directly to the problem, Frank Wilbert, then so be it.

"I don't know yet but I will settle this. Now promise me you won't go over to the Wilbert's farm" Nathan narrowed his gaze and held his ground on the matter. He lifted his eyebrow in question looking at her for confirmation to his statement.

Elizabeth reacted by putting her hand on her hip and standing firm with her side of the argument. Yes, she was being stubborn. And yes, she really wanted to give Frank Wilbert a piece of her mind. A child shouldn't be going without a lunch no matter what their last name was.

Nathan lifted Elizabeth's head up with his right index finger to capture her eyes with his. Nathan knew Frank Wilbert and he knew how he would treat Elizabeth for trespassing on his land. Which is why he especially didn't want Elizabeth anywhere near Frank Wilbert alone. No, he was not ending this conversation until she agreed to not go over there.

"Promise me, Elizabeth"

Elizabeth searched his eyes for a brief moment more before her shoulders lowered with defeat and her resolve slowly faded away. This was Nathan. She could trust him with this. Even if the stubborn and protective side of her wanted to handle this her way.

"I promise"

With her agreement, Nathan blew out a breath of air and relaxed his shoulders.

Nathan knew it wasn't easy for her to let him take care of this. Her protectiveness for her students was something she had in full force of. It was one of the things he admired most about her, but her stubbornness often blinded her to the correct way to solve a problem involving her students. Nathan knew how important this was for her and he wasn't going to let her down.

He repositioned his right hand that recently held its place on her chin and fixed it on Elizabeth's shoulder. Gently giving her shoulder a light squeeze, he spoke with a small smile gracing his face. "Thank you"

And with that, the conversation ended over Benny Wilbert with Nathan.

After investigating and talking to a few of Benny's classmates, Nathan felt prepared to put his well thought out plan in motion. Two days later, Nathan strategically woke up at dawn and readied himself to accomplish step one of his plan.

[Step one: Offer Benny Wilbert a deal]

Nathan Grant scanned the surrounding woods and the predicted path that seven year old Benny Wilbert would be taking on his way to school. If all went according to plan, Nathan would have just enough time to put step two into motion this morning.

A small figure came into Nathan's view as a voice carried through the morning air along with it. Nathan put his thoughts on hold as he focused on the words spoken by none other than Benny Wilbert himself.

"Hi Constable Grant"

"Good morning Benny"

"I normally don't see you around these parts this early in the morning?" Benny said giving the mountie a confused expression while continuing his trekking forward carrying his books with a strap along his shoulder.

"Well I wanted to have a chat with you before school. I was wondering if you might help me with something" Nathan walked along side the boy as he folded his hands inside the confines of his pant pockets. Nathan often found that taking a calm and relaxed demeanor in the presence of a child helps them feel more at ease when in law enforcement company.

"Help from me? Well I don't know w'right what I'd could be doing to help but I'll try if I can" Benny instantly stopped walking before facing Constable Nathan Grant. His seven year old face crunched together in puzzlement over the idea of a Mountie needing help from just a boy like himself.

Nathan lowered down on one knee and looked the boy straight in the eyes. "Well I was wondering if you could watch over Mrs. Thornton for me during school. Like make sure she looks happy and eats. Makes sure no strangers come by. Things like that"

The boy touched a finger to his chin in thought before asking a question to the mountie's request, "Like be Mrs. Thornton's protector at school?"

"Exactly. Do you think you can do that for me?" Nathan remained serious as he put one hand on the boy's shoulder. Slowly Nathan watched the excitement grow in the boy's eyes before a mischievous look flashed into the young boy's smile. Only for a moment did Nathan wonder what was going through Benny Wilbert's mind before the boy broke the silence.

"You have a special liking to Mrs. Thornton don't ya?" Benny asked with a toothy grin spreading across his freckled face. He wrapped both his hands around his suspenders straps while waiting for the mountie's response.

The question from the boy completely took Nathan off guard. Nathan's cheeks reflected a bright pink before he coughed in his elbow strategically to cover up his surprise at the question. "You could say that"

"Well I sure wouldn't want you worrying about Mrs. Thornton during learning hours. So I reckon I can help ya out sir" Benny's face turned from teasing to seriousness in less than a few seconds. His excitement started growing deep inside him at the idea of this new assignment. He couldn't believe he was given an assignment by the Mountie himself.

"Thank you, Benny. Now there is one more thing" Nathan stood up and proceeded to walk forward on the dirt path once more. He motioned with a tilt of his head for the boy to follow beside him.

"What's that Sir?"

"I know this would be asking a lot from you so I believe you should gain something in return for this assignment of yours"

"Like a deal?" The boy questioned tilting his head to the side with a curious facial expression covering over his freckled cheeks.

"Exactly like a deal. You watch over Mrs. Thornton for me at school…" Nathan carefully looked over at the boy before offering the part of the deal he had planned to, "and I'll provide lunch for you every day"

The boy halted his steps forward on the path and stood still pondering over the Mountie's offer. A lunch? The thought alone made the boy's stomach ache for more food. But would that be taking charity if he took the lunch in exchange for watching over Mrs. Thornton? What would his father think of this deal?

"You would really be helping me out and this deal can remain between just us" Nathan told the boy as he saw a look of hesitation and a slight hint of fear in his eyes. Nathan could imagine all the thoughts swirling through the boy's head. If he had to guess, Nathan would say a main theme of the boy's second guessing the deal included his father finding out about it.

Benny remained silent for only a moment more before carefully and slowly nodding his head in agreement.

"We have ourselves a deal then?" Nathan carefully asked the boy as he offered a hand for him to shake, to officially confirm the deal.

"You got yourself a deal Sir" Benny proudly took the offered hand and shook it with more confidence showing along his posture and stance. The boy turned to leave with a smile spread across his face before Nathan quickly spoke again breaking the silence.

"And Benny?"

"Hm?"

"I think it best if you don't tell Mrs. Thornton about our deal"

"If you think that is for the best sir"

Before another word was spoken between the two, the boy quickly ran off shouting a goodbye as he went. Nathan watched the boy leave with a wide smile on his face.

Step one and the hardest step officially complete.

[Step two: Ask Abigail for help]

Gently knocking on the door with his knuckles, Nathan stood outside of the Cafe waiting for someone to answer the door. He looked down at his pocket watch to indicate the time. Twenty minutes before school started.

Plenty of time to accomplish step two.

"Nathan?" Abigail questioned as she peeked open the door to reveal none other than the man himself.

Nathan took off his Stetson and held it to his stomach. "I know I'm early but I was wondering if you might help me with something"

"I can try. Come on in"

Abigail stepped aside to let the Mountie in.

"I'm sure Elizabeth told you about Benny Wilbert?" Nathan immediately started off as he turned around to face Abigail. He didn't have time to start with idle conversation today.

"Yes, Frank Wilbert's middle boy" Abigail mentioned as she made her way back into the kitchen to continue her preparations for the day. Though Nathan didn't come to the cafe often for visits, Abigail knew when he did it was regarding something important.

"Well I wanted to see if you could make Benny lunch every morning from now on. I would of course pay you for it"

"Of course I can. Though I thought the boy refused taking any lunch from any one. What made the boy change his mind?" Abigail handed Nathan a cup of coffee as she gave him a curious look and turned back towards the stove.

Receiving the offered cup, Nathan took a sip than lowered it with a solemn expression.

"You know I remember my father saying once that there is one thing a boy can't resist and that's a deal. About the only good advice my father gave me"

"So you offered him a deal?" Abigail scooped up two cookies with a spatula and wrapped them in a clothe. Nathan didn't talk about his parents much but when he did it always left Abigail feeling sorry for the man. For the childhood he had to endure because of the father he had. The things she heard him tell about his childhood regarding his father being a criminal would break anyone's heart.

Nathan answered her question only by a nod of his head before taking another sip of coffee.

"I see. Any luck of me finding out what that deal was exactly?"

"A smart boy like Benny would only ever receive something as big as lunch if he helped other people. So I gave him an assignment that implied would help me out greatly" Nathan took a sip of his coffee once again and gave a small smile. He still couldn't believe the boy actually accepted the offer. Elizabeth will be over the moon about it.

"An assignment huh?" Abigail curiously questioned out loud with a smile as she cut a sandwich in half and wrapped it in a clothe. With the current smile gracing the mountie's face, Abigail had a suspicious feeling that the deal had included something to do with Elizabeth. For that smile only came out when the Mountie was either in Elizabeth's presence or anything concerning her.

Abigail quickly realized that Nathan wouldn't be elaborating on the assignment given to Benny Wilbert so she played along and talked through the obvious facts so far.

"It has to be something that he could do during school hours. For after school he has chores on the farm. And I know Elizabeth says he already behaves kindly in school…." Abigail kept thinking out loud as she picked up an apple and put it with the rest of the items in a bag.

Nathan's mouth curved up into a small smile as he took another sip and observed Abigail piece the puzzle together. Reaching into his serge and taking out the money required for payment regarding the lunch, Nathan offered her the coins.

"Keep it"

Handing the lunch over, Abigail instead took his cup of coffee from him.

"Abigail"

"See it as my way of helping the boy" Abigail turned back around to the sink and lowered the dirty cup into it. She wiped her hands on her apron before turning in the direction of the sound coming from the stairs.

Cody Stanton came bounding down the stairs before Nathan could respond to her kindness.

"Hi Constable Grant" Cody quickly saluted the Mountie before making his way to his mother with a wide smile.

"Cody" Nathan acknowledged with a hint of a smile before walking towards the back door with a lunch for the one and only Benny Wilbert in hand.

"You ready for school young man?" Abigail asked her ever growing son while grabbing a tin lunch pal on the counter. She put her free hand through his blonde hair and looked over his clothes.

"Yes ma'am I am" Cody cheerfully responded as he took the lunch pal from his mother's hand and kissed her on the cheek.

"Be good for Mrs. Thornton today"

"Always am Mom"

And with that the boy swiftly left through the open door held by Nathan.

"You raised him well" Nathan commented as he watched the boy join Robert Wolfe at the front of the mercantile. The two boys happily clapped each other on the back before tossing a baseball between each other on the way to the schoolhouse. They were the best of friends but he couldn't help notice both of them taking a liking to Allie. Which he personally has not liked. Not because he has anything against the two young boys, but because they were interested in his daughter. Would a girl ever come between the two best friends one day? Time would tell.

Abigail interrupted his ever busy thoughts with her reply to his comment.

"I could say the same about you with Allie"

Nathan switched his attention back to Abigail before lowering his head and fingering the lunch pal in his hand. He never did well with compliments which is why he answered with a brief smile before holding up the lunch pal in his hand, "Thank you. And thank you for making the lunch Abigail"

"My pleasure. And Nathan?" Abigail wiped her hands on her apron and walked over to where Nathan stood.

"Hm?"

"Thank you" Abigail softly spoke as she put one hand on his arm and gave him a small smile. The respect she held for him went a little bit higher today for his willingness to help out someone in need.

"For what?" Nathan asked with his eyebrows wrinkled up together in puzzlement. Why would she be thanking him in this situation?

"For taking care of the people in this town and for watching over Elizabeth" Abigail truthfully told the man in red serge in front of her. If Abigail was honest with herself, Nathan grew on her. His selflessness, courage, and willingness to help others really displayed what a good man he truly is. Abigail never expected to become close friends with another Mountie after Jack died but Nathan changed that. Just like she knows Elizabeth never expected to be falling in love with another Mountie until she met Nathan.

Knowing what Abigail implied with mentioning Elizabeth, Nathan decided there was no reason to explain what the deal to Benny included. Abigail knew it included Elizabeth. Never knowing how to receive a compliment, Nathan gave a nod of his head and a small smile.

"Best be going"

And with that Nathan made his way back onto the Main Street of hope valley and towards the schoolhouse.

Step two successfully completed.

[Step three: hand Benny Wilbert his lunch]

Elizabeth observed the children play with a smile on her face from her place on the top steps of the schoolhouse. This was her favorite part of the day, greeting her students and beginning another school day. Raising her cow bell in the air, Elizabeth announced school to be starting.

Greeting all the children as they made their way into the building, Elizabeth's eye spotted a red serge at the front of the schoolhouse. What she saw made tears form in her eyes. There Nathan Grant stood offering Benny Wilbert what looked like a lunch pal. In return Benny saluted and smiled wide at Nathan with respect before running in her direction towards the schoolhouse.

"Good morning Benny"

"Morning Teacher"

Benny smiled wide with his teeth showing while passing through the school house doors headed towards the rest of his classmates. Elizabeth's eyes left the boy's and flew right back to the red serge in front of the schoolhouse. Searching for Nathan's eyes, she noticed he was already watching her.

A smile slowly grew on both of their faces.

"Thank you" Elizabeth mouthed.

Nathan held the side of his hat with three fingers and dipped it down. His plan was a success and he couldn't be more happy over the outcome. Coming up with a smile, he turned and walked back towards town.

Elizabeth didn't know how Nathan managed to convince Benny Wilbert to accept lunch. And if Elizabeth was honest with herself it didn't really matter how Nathan convinced Benny Wilbert.

But Elizabeth did know two things for certain that day.

Benny Wilbert would have lunch from now on.

And Nathan Grant always kept his word.