CHAPTER TWO
Elizabeth was pensively washing the morning dishes, and taking her time as it was Saturday and no school.
Out of the blur of yesterday, there was only one word that Elizabeth could remember. Had he really said it? Yes, Nathan had clearly said it.
It was the one word that linked them together, and finally broke her somewhat out of the trance she had been entrenched in. "Darling," he had whispered in her ear, as he started to lead her from the middle of the street, into his office.
She still hadn't let go of her hold on him. Instead, she just slid her arms down to his waist as they walked. But somehow, he had led her to privacy.
She hadn't even noticed all the intent pairs of eyes on them, but she knew they would be there, somewhere in the very back of her mind.
Anytime anything of importance happened in Hope Valley, especially something this serious, the entire town came out in full force to see what was happening and show their support. By now, she knew they had all accepted Nathan and even loved him for being their strong, quiet friend and protector.
But that word and the tender, sure way he had said it, warmed her, sustained her, and even now, brought a constant smile to her face. He had even repeated it, whispering it to her again while holding her hand, as she prepared to leave his office with Allie.
He said the word differently than she had ever heard before…assuredly, lovingly, and protectively all at once.
The word gave her hope for a new future, centered around her with Nathan, and what she secretly had prayed would be her and Little Jack's new family. A big sister for Little Jack was a bonus she had never expected, but she had loved Allie from the start, and somehow they just all fit together.
God in His infinite wisdom was bringing four broken lives together to make each of them whole again. He was forming a family. Elizabeth marveled at what was happening before their very eyes and she would always be so very grateful to God for all of it, thanking Him every single day of her life.
She didn't know what the next few months would look like, or what exactly they would involve.
As a new couple, they had so much to discuss and work through. Elizabeth barely knew where to start. And right now, all she could do was long for him, for his physical presence, his touch, his voice. All the conversations they had had together, where words had been left unsaid, were bubbling up from her soul. So much needed to be spoken aloud between them.
All that would have to wait. Nathan was now entirely occupied with the aftermath of the shooting, as well as everything that entailed. She also knew he was struggling through it all.
But Elizabeth could see far enough ahead for both of them, past that struggle to their not so distant future together, both clearly and magnificently.
She prayed that God would somehow help Nathan realize he had done his best, and that was all anyone could do in any circumstance.
"Elizabeth, Elizabeth!" Rosemary came charging through her front door and swooped up Little Jack.
Elizabeth ran to hug her friend. They hadn't even had a chance to talk yet, except briefly yesterday, when Rosemary had helped with the children at school. There was so much Elizabeth needed to discuss with her.
"Elizabeth, you're positively glowing! Am I interrupting something?
"No, of course not Rosemary! But you don't know how happy I am to see you. There's so much I need to tell you!"
"And me you!" answered Rosemary with a piercing glance.
"Okay, you first!" Elizabeth said brightly, but her best friend's face fell somewhat somber, at least for Rosemary.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Elizabeth. But people are talking. And you're my very best friend. Apparently, everyone except me, saw that 'embrace' yesterday. And people are still talking about it! Mostly, they're worried that the two of you are alright. However, a few are still gossiping about the 'triangle' and wondering if it's now official that you and Nathan are finally a couple…But," Rosemary offered with a slight grimace. "… there's more. Florence told me Lucas also saw the embrace."
"Oh, Rosemary. I didn't know. I'll have to talk with him. And I will…but right now, all I can do is share my wonderful news with my very best friend! And it all is really so wonderful, Rosemary! Let's have some tea and have a real heart to heart. I have so much to tell you!"
"Finally!" grinned Rosemary excitedly, as she set Little Jack down to play with his blocks and toys.
"Although your face sort of tells me everything I need to know, Elizabeth, I do want all the juicy details. I knew you would know when it was right. I just knew it, and Lee and I had prayed for that too. There was no doubt in my mind. And I've known it was Nathan ever since the dance when you were so upset you didn't get to dance with him. Actually, we've all known that, but I couldn't come out and just tell you. You had to figure it all out for yourself, with God's help, of course! And maybe mine a tiny bit too!" she laughed, holding her fingers apart, just a smidge.
"I'm ready, Rosemary. I never thought I would be, but I am so ready for my future, and it is clearly with Nathan. He is the one in my heart. In every single part of it! How could I not see it?"
"I think you just needed time. And Nathan was the one who gave you that time. He never once pushed you, God knows there were times I thought he should have! But Nathan obviously knew what he was doing, just waiting patiently and being there for you when you needed him, letting you go at your own pace, without any pressure. Looking back on it, I realize he was just thinking of you, trying to make it as easy as possible. You know, I can see it now, Nathan really is an extraordinary man. Not many men could have done that! Honestly, Elizabeth, now, I can't see your future and Little Jack's future with anyone but him. He clearly adores both you and Little Jack! I do wish he weren't so terribly shy, but," scrunching her face up a bit and laughing, "I'll make it my mission to work on that and loosen him up a bit!"
"Oh, Rosemary, he's quiet, but I'm not sure the shyness will be there anymore, at least not as much. I think I may have caused some of that, unintentionally pairing him against Lucas, at least in Nathan's mind. I can't believe I was so horrible. Why didn't you stop me?"
"Listen to me Elizabeth, you yourself told me with both of them pursuing you, you didn't have to make a choice. You were just protecting yourself. But you've worked through all that now and look at you - you're truly happy again! I can see it! And I can feel it, too! Jack would be so thrilled, Elizabeth."
"Yes, Rosemary, I know he would be, and I know, out of all the men in the world, he would want Nathan to be the one to help raise Little Jack. There's so much Nathan will be able to teach him - the things Jack would have taught him - that I haven't a clue about. And I love it that Little Jack will still be raised in the Mountie tradition, just like Jack and his father before him. I think it's yet another gift from God, and maybe from Jack too, given to Little Jack and me, and I am so very grateful."
"Of course, you are! Now, on to all the sordid details!" Rosemary excitedly took both of Elizabeth's hands in hers. "I want to hear every single detail. Don't dare leave anything out, Elizabeth, not a single thing!"
"Well," started Elizabeth hesitantly, knowing full well just how much detail her friend would require, "I truly don't remember much about yesterday. I do know that whatever happened was probably not becoming of a young lady born and raised in Hamilton! All I know is that I couldn't let go of Nathan. I just had to know he was really, really there. Feel his heart beating, his breathing, his touch. I think I practically crushed him!" she laughed. "Evidently, at some point, Bill suggested we go inside Nathan's office. And I still couldn't move. I was just paralyzed. Until…"
"Until what, Elizabeth?" Rosemary's eyes widened.
"Until Nathan whispered in my ear." Elizabeth smiled softly.
"WHAT? What did he whisper? Elizabeth, you are not going to leave out the best parts!" Rosemary admonished.
"He whispered the one word from yesterday, I remember."
"And..." nudged Rosemary.
"Rosemary, he whispered 'Darling,' and it reached the depths of my soul. I've never heard the word with so much emotion. It was full of love, assurance, and a need to protect me completely, forever. Somehow Nathan managed to put all those feelings in that one single beautiful word. I think he said something about coming with him. Somehow, we finally ended up in his office. And I know we talked at length. But honestly, I'm not sure of everything we said. I know we both admitted we had felt something for each other that day we first met. But all this time, Nathan had been struggling, not wanting me to take on the mantle of being with a Mountie again. And he was concerned that Lucas could give me a better, more carefree life. Rosemary, Nathan even suggested that I be with Lucas, that if I could be happy with that life, he would literally step away." The sadness was visible on Elizabeth's face, "And he meant it too, with all his heart, he meant it."
"Can you imagine Rosemary, he actually thought I wanted to be with Lucas that whole time. I can't even remember exactly what I said, but I let him know it was my choice, and my heart had chosen only him, that it would never be Lucas. That Lucas and I were only friends. It was all I could do to convince Nathan that we could get through all this. But I know we can and will, as long as we are together."
Nodding and looking closely at her friend's face, knowing her as she did, Rosemary agreed. Both Elizabeth and Nathan were strong individually, and she could see that together as a couple, they would be formidable.
"Did you kiss?" Rosemary couldn't resist to excitedly ask, although a bit sheepishly for her.
Elizabeth laughed, "Only you, Rosemary! No, we held each other so tightly, and later Allie came rushing in. She was so upset, yet so grateful her Uncle Nathan was okay."
Elizabeth's face brightened, "But don't worry, there will be plenty of time for that in the future. I'm very content to just know we are both on the same page and…" she added mischievously, "that you might say our hearts are now aligned! I feel like this huge weight has been lifted, and I can't even remember ever feeling this happy!"
Rosemary giggled "Oh Elizabeth. You're blushing! You have it so bad! Nathan better watch out! He's not going to know what hit him!"
"Oh, Rosemary, I miss him so much. We haven't even really gotten to talk. I only saw him for a moment last night. He wanted to let me know he was doing better and would be consumed with work today. He may have to travel to visit the Mountie's Family and…" her voice fell away. "After I think the Mounties are sending a replacement to make sure he's okay and give him a few days off, that is if Nathan will take them. Carson did go by the office to give him the once over. He felt Nathan was doing as well as could be expected, given the circumstances. I think Bill has been a huge help to him too, but you can clearly see Nathan is still somewhat in a daze. He's hurting, Rosemary, and I think he is blaming himself for the Mountie's death. I'm very concerned about him. And Allie too. Even she knows her Uncle's not completely himself. And here I sit, being no help at all, not knowing what to do for either one of them." The pain was evident on Elizabeth's face.
"You are doing everything for Nathan by being there for him when he needs you. Just keep doing that, and maybe we both should do something to cheer up Allie - take her shopping or something!"
"In fact," Rosemary's eyes glistened, "Why don't we do a Ladies Day Trip to Buxton and take Allie? Personally, I think some new school clothes might just be what she needs to get her mind off of all this, and a good Ladies Lunch with a decadent dessert never hurt! Laura could watch Little Jack. Let's do it today, Elizabeth. If we hurry, we can make it there before lunch! I think it would be good for you too!"
"Rosemary, I don't know...it just seems so frivolous," but Elizabeth was clearly analyzing the possibility.
"No, wait! You're an absolute genius and the best friend ever! I know Nathan would feel a lot less pressure if he knew Allie was occupied with something cheerful. Let's do it! I'll go find Nathan and see what he thinks of our plans." exclaimed Elizabeth excitedly with her face lighting up!
"Oh, Elizabeth, I think you need to find Nathan immediately, so you can continue to breathe! As I said, you are head over heels! I'll go back home and get dressed, even pack some snacks for our little excursion. Oh, and I'll have to pry the car away from Lee! You get Nathan to approve, and then we'll tell Allie our plans!"
Elizabeth called after her as Rosemary flew out the door on a mission, "Love you, Rosemary! This is perfect. It's just what we all need!"
Then she picked up Little Jack. "Jack, do you want to go visit Nathan?"
A big smile wrapped around Little Jack's face, "Horsey!" he screamed with delight.
"Yes, Horsey!" laughed Elizabeth as she bent to kiss him and bundle him into his coat.
Elizabeth peeked in the window of Nathan's office, while Little Jack played with Newton, and her heart did a little flip, just gazing at the man before her. He was all business, talking with Bill and another Mountie, who she didn't recognize. Bill noticed her and motioned to Nathan.
In seconds, Nathan had excused himself from his conversation with the Mountie. Suddenly his tall frame was filling the doorway, and he moved through it till he was directly in front of her, reaching for Little Jack, who was more than happy to go to this wonderful man in the red serge.
"You, young man, are getting heavy! You're going to be big enough to ride Newton soon!"
"Tell me about it! It's all I can do to carry him anymore."
Nathan reached for her hand with his free one. That crooked smile, which she was growing to love more and more, was in full effect as he looked at her inquiringly.
"Nathan, I'm so sorry to bother you, but Rosemary had this idea that it would be good for us to take Allie to Buxton today for lunch and a little shopping. Just to distract her from all that's going on. Also, to put your mind at ease, knowing she would be having some fun while you're working." Elizabeth's eyes waited for his reaction.
The crooked smile grew wider, and his blue eyes brightened, "You would do that for Allie and me?"
Little Jack was playing with Nathan's hair, something she wouldn't have minded doing herself. 'Focus, Elizabeth,' she thought to herself.
"Nathan, I would do anything for you and Allie. I'm just not sure how to help you right now, other than this. But always know I'm here for you whenever you need me, and whatever you need."
He squeezed her hand a bit tighter now, in thanks. His eyes were sparkling with love for her. And though, neither had ever said the words, she could feel his love.
Just to see her was everything to him, and to see him was everything to her.
He was so glad that both she and Allie would have something fun to do to occupy their day.
"It's perfect! Leave it to you and Rosemary to think of it. I think it's a great idea for you as well. Just be careful and come back home to me safely. I'll see you when you get back?"
"We'll come by here as soon as we arrive back in Hope Valley," she said expectantly, not sure she could wait till then.
"Here's some cash," removing his hand just long enough to get it. "Tell Rosemary there's enough to cover gas too. And tell her thank-you for me. I'm grateful for the distraction, both for Allie and you. Elizabeth, you may not know it, but you're the one getting me through all this," motioning into the office. "Thank you for just being you! Hate to say goodbye, Big Guy. Are the ladies leaving all the men at home?"
"Afraid so. Laura's keeping Little Jack. This is Ladies Day only. Rosemary's adamant!"
"Nothing like we men being left out!"
He made a face at Little Jack, who giggled and cried "More!"
Nathan quickly obliged with multiple faces!
"Here you go, Big Guy. Back to Mama! Unless you want to come work with me. And that's not going to be too much fun!"
Both Elizabeth and Little Jack laughed.
As Nathan turned to start back in, he paused and came back toward her. With a huge grin and a raised eyebrow, he brought his face down close to hers and whispered, "Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton, do you know how very much I've missed you all day? It won't be long till I get to hold you and tell you all the things my heart has had locked up since the day I met you. You hold onto that thought, and don't you dare let some suave gentleman from Buxton sweep you off your feet - just tell him you have to come back to me, or he'll have the Constable to deal with!"
And with a smile and wave to Little Jack, Nathan lifted his index finger to his lips, then brought it to her lips, as a slight kiss blown to her. Then he was gone.
It was as though the wind had been knocked out of her. Her cheeks were red from Nathan's flirting, and her heart longed for him even more.
She stood there frozen in her thoughts until she realized he had seen her through the window, still standing there, watching him. But it got her one last crooked smile from over his desk, so it was totally worth it that she had been caught.
What had she ever done to deserve this man?
With even redder cheeks and a massive smile on her face, she turned to go find Allie and tell her of their coming adventure!