THURSDAY EVENING BEFORE THE EVENT
Abigail and Bill were enjoying private time together in the café a few days after shocking everyone but two people and eloping to Benson Hills. They didn't want any fuss made over them and didn't want to wait any longer to share their lives. Since they never officially began courting, it was a complete shock; frankly, Abigail enjoyed it. They had taken Cody and Elizabeth as attendants with them, and she brought Cody back so they could have their wedding night away from town. They were in the process of moving her things over to Bill's. It would be nice to have their home away from the café. It also provided a place for overnight guests to stay as needed. As she sat there next to Bill, a thought came to her.
"Bill, what do you think about Nathan and Elizabeth?" Abigail asked. "Do you think they are close to finally moving into officially courting?"
"I don't know, Abigail. I think the only ones who don't consider them courting are the two of them. In everyone else's mind, they are already there. I think part of it, though, is because there hasn't been much time since the war ended, the boys coming home from the war and dealing with the mining business."
Abigail nodded and then asked. "Do you think enough time has passed for her to prove herself to him?"
"I think the final hurdle is his being a Mountie and her fear. He hasn't had to go anywhere on Mountie business, and I still see a reserve there on his part." Bill said. "I think once that is faced, or they at least talk about it, things will move quickly from there."
She chuckled. "I think your right because I have seen the two of them look at each other and I'm surprised the buildings are still standing. A few times, I have wanted to fan myself because of the heat I saw there."
Bill chuckled. "Have you seen her watching him chop wood, Abigail? Since I look at her like a daughter, it is quite awkward."
Abigail laughed. "Have you noticed how often she tries to walk by the Jail?"
Bill shook his head. "She's hoping to see him leaning up against the post outside," Abigail said. "Using her words to describe it looking tall, dark, and handsome."
Bill rolled his eyes. "Well, he seems to be doing a lot of that lately." At Abigail's amused look, he rolled his eyes and said gruffly, "I'm referring to leaning up against the post. He always comes out just before it's time and takes a few minutes to primp before taking his post. Hoping for a view of the pretty schoolteacher coming around the corner since Allie has decided she is too old for him to walk her to and from school anymore."
They chuckled, and Abigail said, "I'm so glad we are past that stage, aren't you?" Bill stood up and went over and gathered her in his arms. I'm very glad that we are passed that stage. Now, if we can get passed the awkward newlywed stage…." He had been leaning down to kiss her when a knock on their private door interrupted them. They both gave a disappointed sigh as once again they had been interrupted because it was rare that Cody wasn't home, and they had alone time.
As she opened it, she was surprised to see that Nathan was on the other side. She turned to look at Bill before turning back to let him in. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but Rosemary said that you had a few more things for the wall that needed to be picked up?" Nathan explained.
"Lee already picked them up," Abigail said.
"I noticed that you got back late from your rounds," Bill said. "Did you run into any problems?"
"No, just a farmer that needed help repairing a part of his fence," Nathan said with a smile.
"Have you eaten yet, Nathan?" Abigail asked. "I have leftover Chicken pot pie and Chocolate cake."
"I should really get over to the Saloon and help Lee," Nathan replied.
"He and Rosemary are at home eating, so you may as well join us, Nathan," Bill said. Then seeing Nathan's indecision, he stood and went over to get a cup of coffee for him. "We have plenty, and you need to eat something." Seeing that Bill wouldn't let him decline, he sat at the table.
They had been eating for a bit, and Abigail decided to take the bull by the horns and see where things stood. "How are you and Elizabeth doing, Nathan?"
He was startled at first. "What do you mean?"
"That won't work on Abigail, Nathan," Bill said with a chuckle. "She is better at getting information out of someone than any Mountie I know, including me."
Nathan laughed and said, "Wow, that is saying something, Abigail."
Abigail chuckled and said, "I don't mean to put you on the spot, Nathan, and know that whatever is said here won't go any further. Did you know that I once helped Jack with Elizabeth?"
"Really?" Nathan asked.
"Oh yes, he needed quite a bit of rescuing in their early days," Abigail said, chuckling. "I want you to be happy and see how much you love her." She paused before asking, "so what's holding you back?"
"Looking at the compassion in her eyes and then seeing Bill's encouraging nod, he said," I think it's fear that's holding me back."
"Fear?" Bill asked but then said as realization dawned. "Fear that you're a Mountie and Elizabeth will revert to who she was until recently." Nathan just nodded and began playing nervously with his napkin.
Abigail reached over and placed a hand over one of his. "Nathan, I've known Elizabeth much longer and deeper than anyone in this town. Let me assure you that the person you have come to know these past four months is the same woman that came to Hope Valley, except maybe a bit wiser. She has faced things that I would never have wanted her to. I blamed myself for not being here." Seeing they were about to protest, she held up a hand, saying, "Elizabeth wouldn't let me take on that burden and immediately set me straight. While she appreciated the comfort, she said it was squarely on her shoulders. That she was determined to face things head-on and truthfully. She was facing up to her actions and letting others set the pace for whatever boundaries and hard truths they had for her." Nathan looked over at Abigail and Bill in amazement.
"Sounds like she has probably already thought about the fact that she has feelings for you and that she realizes you're a Mountie, doesn't it?" Bill asked slyly. "Though I'm sure you will need visible proof after what happened." Nathan nodded sadly and looked down at the table.
"Nathan, look at me," Abigail commanded. "Without betraying any confidences, I want to assure you that you can trust what you see. But I also understand that you and Allie were very hurt in the past. A good Father always wants to protect their child, which means protecting their heart. No one would blame you for that. Just ensure you are not being so overprotective that it imprisons you and ultimately costs you."
Sensing something else may be on the younger man's mind, she caught her husband's eyes, asking to be alone. He immediately understood and turned to Nathan. "I need to finish a brief before my court case tomorrow morning. But if you need to talk, you know I am always here for you, Nathan." Bill said. Then at Nathan's nod and a quick kiss for his wife, he left. Nathan stood to go as well, but Abigail stopped him.
"Nathan, before you go, may I share something with you?" Abigail asked.
"Sure, Abigail," Nathan said, sitting back down.
Has Bill ever shared what happened between us?" Abigail asked.
"No, he didn't, he didn't," Nathan said.
"Well, I normally wouldn't share this, but I think it may help you," Abigail said and then began to explain what happened between her and Bill and what Henry later told her. "I don't want you to think badly of Bill because he was hurting and didn't really think of himself as married. Like Jack didn't mean to fall in love with Elizabeth, I don't think Bill meant to fall in love with me. I know I sure wasn't wanting to fall in love either." For a few moments, neither one said anything. They both were transported to that place where their trust was broken. Seeing that Nathan understood what she was saying, she continued.
"It has taken me a while to regain my trust in Bill. For a while, I closed myself off. It didn't take long, though, for my feelings to resume and become even stronger. I think you have some idea of what I'm talking about." Abigail said knowingly.
"I do, Abigail," Nathan said. "I don't think I can come back from her walking away from me again. It was bad enough before when she rejected me. But getting to know her and knowing exactly how things would be as a family would destroy me."
"I can't tell you what to do, but I urge you to evaluate how things were before and what's different now. I think your answer is there, Nathan." Abigail said, standing up. "For what it's worth, I think she is just as invested as you are in this family that is forming."
"I appreciate your guidance, and it's worth a lot to me, Abigail," Nathan said as he stood up as well. Looking at the clock, he said, "I better go before Rosemary launches a search party." Nathan started to leave but gave her an impulsive hug before walking out the door.
Smiling as she secured the door, she looked up and said, "You're welcome, Jack," and then cleaned her kitchen before locking up and joining her husband. Little did any of them know, but Nathan and Elizabeth were about to face the fire that would either make or break them.
Lee and Nathan had just finished the final touches on the memory wall and hung the drape to hide it until the reveal tomorrow night. As they headed to the café, Bill came up and told Nathan that Gabe had called and needed his assistance to track an escaped prisoner that was believed to be somewhere on the road between Hope Valley and Brookfield. Hopping on Newton, he began to search from Hope Valley with the plan to meet up with Gabe in the middle. The search ended up taking them into the evening, and it wasn't until the next day that they found him. But Nathan ended up with a flesh wound when the prisoner attempted to shoot, and the bullet deeply grazed Nathan's left arm in the process. By the time they had the prisoner restrained and secured, Nathan's arm was throbbing. Because of where they found him, they turned him over to the Mounties there. Gabe insisted on escorting Nathan back to Hope Valley.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE THE EVENT
"Gabe, you don't have to babysit me, you know. It's just a flesh wound." Nathan said.
"It's a deep flesh wound that could get infected very easily, Nathan, and I want to ensure you get it looked at," Gabe replied.
Nathan smirked, "This sudden concern of yours wouldn't have anything to do with seeing Dr. Faith Carter, does it?" Nathan teased, adding, "You didn't let me get shot just so you could see Faith, did you?"
Gabe blushed and said, "It would be nice to see everyone in Hope Valley again. But I'm just trying to be a good Mountie brother Nathan."
"Uh, Huh," Nathan said teasingly. "Me thinks you doth protest too much, Gabe."
Gabe blushed a bit at that, but he smiled."
"But I happen to know that she will be happy to see you," Nathan said. "I don't know if I told you, but there is a dance tomorrow night to celebrate the ending of the war and the town itself and what it has survived."
"That sounds nice, Nathan. I'll stick around until we make sure you don't have any complications and leave Sunday for Brookfield." Gabe said.
"I'm sure Faith will be happy about that," Nathan teased, then winced as a pain shot through his arm as he mounted.
"How do you think Elizabeth will take you being shot?" Gabe asked.
"That appears to be the million-dollar question, Gabe," Nathan said. "I guess we will face the fire and see what this friendship, or whatever it is, is made of,"
"How have you progressed since you began to repair the friendship?"
"Honestly, Gabe, I am even more in love with her now than before. Elizabeth has been much more open with me since she returned from Hamilton. Things are like before the prisoner transport, but I think they are even better. We are always teasing each other and supportive; it just feels so natural when we are together. We have been able to talk through all the pain and hurt too. I can't tell you how often I have found myself wanting to kiss her or take her in my arms."
How do you think she feels about you?" Gabe asked.
"I've been afraid to delve into that for fear of messing things up. There are times, though, that I've caught a look in her eyes that give me hope that she's there with me. I've even caught her staring at my lips, and sometimes she blushes if I mention it." Nathan noted. "I just don't know how to approach her and feel her out regarding her receptiveness to moving from friendship to courtship."
"Well, my friend, I think you have reason to be hopeful from what you have said. For the record, Faith thinks so too." Gabe said with a smirk. Not for the first had, Gabe thought about revealing the secret he carried about Elizabeth to his friend. In the past, he felt like he would possibly be betraying friends, but now he thought maybe it would help.
"That's funny because Elizabeth and I think the same about you and Faith." Nathan teased.
"You and Elizabeth have talked about Faith and me?" Gabe asked, brow raised.
"We have," Nathan said matter of factly. "Not a lot, but about the same as you and Faith talk about us." Gabe burst out laughing, and Nathan joined in for a time before they became quiet and immersed in their own thoughts. The rest of the ride was silent as Nathan and Gabe thought about the women who had captured their hearts.
They were almost there when Nathan became a bit lightheaded, and the pain in his arm increased. Gabe heard him groan and said, "Almost there, Nathan."
Faith and Elizabeth had been coming back from lunch at the café when Nathan and Gabe reached the infirmary. They ran over as Gabe was helping Nathan down gently from Newton. Faith and Gabe exchanged a look of concern as they helped Nathan into the Infirmary, with Elizabeth following.
"Nathan, what happened?" Elizabeth asked, voice shaky.
"I got grazed by a bullet Lizbeth," Nathan gasped.
Knowing that Faith had to examine him and that Newton and Allie would need tending to, she said, "Nathan, while Faith and Gabe get you situated, I will take care of Newton and find Allie for you. But I'll be back, okay?" Elizabeth said, reaching for his hand to give him a squeeze of reassurance. He looked over at her gratefully and gave a return squeeze in response and a slight smile.
Nathan groaned as Faith and Gabe pulled his serge off. Examining the wound, she said, "It's deep, Nathan, but barring infection, I think you'll heal quickly. It will also need a few stitches, and you will have to avoid any activity that could reopen this gash until it closes, which means no active Mountie business for a week.
Faith smiled up at Gabe as she said it. Nathan rolled his eyes as he looked at Gabe. "Sheesh, Gabe, leave me out of it next time."
Meanwhile, Elizabeth got Newton settled quickly and then searched for Allie. She found her at the Weiss' row house with Opal and Emily.
Elizabeth briefly explained what happened, and after reassuring the girl, they headed to the Infirmary.
