CHAPTER FIVE
It was Sunday morning. Nathan and Elizabeth had decided last night they would walk to Church together.
As Elizabeth was getting dressed, she remembered Nathan holding her close last night. It had hit her, that when she was in his arms, she was home.
It was a feeling she had never expected to feel again. But she was feeling it, and it was with an intensity she didn't know quite how to explain. As though she had never experienced anything exactly like it before. She really didn't understand it or have the words to begin to describe it.
She gazed into the mirror, with the brand new, purple dress reflecting back at her. She realized just how much God was blessing her and how overwhelming it all was. In the best of ways, her heart was indeed full and running over with love and joy.
God was blessing her with a second great love. She understood now, that her first great love would always be with her. But God in His Wisdom was continuously expanding her heart enough to include loving this new person He had sent to her, completely.
As she picked up Little Jack and started down the stairs, her heart quickened. She could hear Nathan and Allie stepping up to her door.
'Why am I getting these butterflies? I'm an adult. Haven't I grown beyond all that? Apparently not,' she thought, as she sat Jack down, dressed in his navy shorts and jacket with a white shirt trimmed in navy. She then straightened her dress and walked toward the front door.
Nathan's eyes went from her face, down the full length of her and back to her face. His jaw dropped.
"Elizabeth, you look positively stunning!" Nathan had no problem at all getting that out. "The dress is beautiful and suits you perfectly!"
Elizabeth blushed a bit. "Thank you, Nathan! I'm so happy you like it."
And there stood Allie next to her Uncle Nathan in her matching purple print dress and coat, which Elizabeth secretly had hoped she would wear. She also was wearing her charm bracelet and had tied her hair back at the nape of her neck with a huge purple ribbon.
"Allie, you look beautiful!" Elizabeth took her hands and softly kissed her cheek.
"Uncle Nathan said I look as beautiful as my Mother in this dress," she proudly pronounced, looking up at her Uncle.
Nathan smiled down at Allie, and he looked more handsome than ever in his dark navy suit, which matched Little Jack's outfit and formed the perfect backdrop for Elizabeth's and Allie's vibrant purple.
They couldn't have planned to coordinate better if they had tried.
Nathan gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and reached to scoop up Little Jack, who was reaching his arms up toward him. Nathan lifted him high, making him laugh with a giggly laugh that could be heard throughout the house.
Elizabeth smiled, watching them.
Allie brought them back to reality, "We'd better hurry, or we're going to be late. And you know how the Pastor feels about that!" she said, rolling her eyes for added emphasis.
Nathan noticed the matching purple coat on the hook by the door and reached with one free hand to retrieve it and help Elizabeth into it. Somehow, he accomplished his task, all while holding Little Jack.
"Jack looks like we're headed to Church with the two most beautiful ladies in Hope Valley! How lucky are we?"
Jack just giggled.
With smiles on all their faces, they left Elizabeth's house and started down the path to the Church. Nathan took her hand as they walked. She felt as though she were in Heaven.
"Oh, is it okay if we sit on the back seat, in case Little Jack gets fussy?" suggested Elizabeth.
"Of course, how should we do this?" asked Nathan.
"It's probably best if you go in first, then Allie and I can sit close to the door if we need to take him out. I hate to disturb everybody when he gets fussy."
"Mrs. Thornton, I can take him out, so you can stay in the service."
"That would be lovely, Allie. Thank you!"
As they had discussed, when they arrived at the Church, Nathan entered the pew first, followed by Elizabeth, then Little Jack and Allie. Allie wanted to sit on the end so she could be the one to take Jack outside if it was needed.
But Jack was having none of that. He kept reaching for Nathan, and Elizabeth finally gave up and lifted Little Jack to Nathan for him to hold.
"Sorry," whispered Elizabeth.
"Not at all, we men have to stick together!" smiled Nathan.
Nathan didn't hesitate to put his arms around Little Jack and position him on his lap, and surprisingly Little Jack stayed there contentedly during the whole service.
Allie seemed a little disappointed, and Elizabeth bent over to whisper to her, "Don't worry, there will be other times when you can take care of him and best to still be on standby in case he does get fussy." Allie nodded and smiled back at Elizabeth, grateful that she might still be needed.
Elizabeth knew Allie already loved Little Jack, and she couldn't help but think someday that she was going to make the best big sister.
Nathan had also noticed her encouragement to Allie, and he gave Elizabeth a knowing smile of thanks, along with a quick wink.
The Pastor introduced their hymn selection.
"The Hymn today is an old familiar one: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling by Charles Wesley which was written as a prayer. Charles Wesley, himself had experienced a deep love with his own wife, Sally and he believed their love together helped to better shape his understanding of the Love of God. Many of the well over seven thousand hymns he wrote were based on God's very special love. But this is his most beloved and famous hymn. Please join us in singing:"
1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav'n to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy Salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.
2. Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
4. Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise. (2*)
When they stood to sing from their hymnals, Elizabeth was stunned to hear Nathan's robust, rich tenor voice, which was beautiful and clear. Every note was pitch-perfect. She couldn't help but look at him with pride. Little Jack appeared to be mesmerized as well. He was being on his very best behavior, listening to every word from Nathan's mouth.
The Congregation sang all four verses, but Nathan's voice stood out from the others in its beauty.
"How many surprises does this man have?" she wondered.
During the Sermon, Elizabeth realized this was the first Sunday morning service that she had not had to deal with a fussy little boy in a long time. She glanced over, amazed at Little Jack's contentment, but not daring to move and cause a change.
She needn't have worried. In the middle of the Sermon, Little Jack snuggled into Nathan's chest and went soundly to sleep. Nathan just grinned at her and kept focused on the Sermon.
Something she knew she should also be doing, but her heart was overflowing, and she just needed to take it all in. She noticed several smiles sent in their direction throughout the service and could feel the approval that accompanied them. A couple even came from the Pastor, himself, directly from the Pulpit.
For all of them, she was grateful.
But even if no one else had seen they were meant to be, it wouldn't have mattered. Elizabeth was certain that this was her destiny, the three people surrounding her. And she closed her eyes in thanks to God for bringing these three, precious people into her life, first her son, and now Nathan and Allie.
Finally, it was time to rise for the Benediction, in which the Pastor prayed a prayer of "Blessing on New Beginnings." She and Nathan looked at each other knowingly. He reached for her hand and held it tightly.
As soon as the service ended, everyone came up to congratulate them, and they chatted with each and everyone, thanking them for thinking of them.
Elizabeth and Allie also got a ton of compliments on their new outfits, and Allie was beaming, loving that she and Mrs. Thornton were in matching outfits.
Amazingly, Little Jack slept through all the commotion and was still sleeping as Nathan shook hands with the Pastor, "The Sermon was excellent, and thank you so much for the special Prayer of Benediction. It means a lot to us!"
Elizabeth also smiled and thanked the Pastor. Then she and Nathan moved down the Church's steps together, with Allie and Little Jack.
Bill was talking with Lee and Rosemary, who looked resplendent in one of her new lacy outfits, and they headed in their direction.
"I don't believe I have seen three more beautiful ladies ever in my life, and I am personally inviting all of you to be my guests for lunch at the Cafe… Okay, the men can come too!" Bill laughed.
Lee and Nathan breathed an exaggerated sigh of relief in unison.
"Thought we were going to be left out, there for a while, Nathan," Lee muttered.
Nathan laughed and used his free hand to grab Elizabeth's hand. Rosemary took Lee's arm, and Bill took Allie's, and off they went to the Cafe.
Finally, Little Jack started to wake up, and Elizabeth held her breath a little because sometimes he could be a bit cranky. But not this morning, and not with Nathan.
Jack just put his arms around Nathan's neck and gave him a big hug. Nathan lifted him to his shoulders, and he was King of the World. Allie glanced back and said, "Little Jack, you are a Giant!" Little Jack smiled and did his best to say 'Giant,' but it just wouldn't come out, so they all laughed together, as he kept trying over and over!
"Welcome to the Cafe, everyone. Saved our best table. Just find a chair and make yourself at home. I'll check on dinner."
"Any particular order, Bill?" asked Lee.
"Nah, just get comfortable, and get ready for a feast! Does anybody want any coffee while you wait? I'll send Clara out with some, just in case."
"Perfect, I'll pour," offered Rosemary.
It wasn't until Nathan and Elizabeth were seated at the Cafe, that both of them realized at the same time, they had never even had a date, that this was their first time to sit together in public, first at Church and now, here in the Cafe.
Nathan bent and whispered, "Absolutely not, Mrs. Thornton, this is not our first date. This is just our first family dinner together."
She looked up at his grin and beamed. 'How could he have known what she was thinking? I think this man just might be a true romantic at heart,' she thought.
Little did she know, she hadn't even begun to scratch the surface of Nathan Grant and his many facets, especially the romantic one.
Bill had already seen to ordering lunch, and they sat comfortably with each other, talking with multiple conversations going on at the same time, punctuated by lots of laughter. Bill could tell the best stories!
Allie was content holding Little Jack and keeping him occupied. And Rosemary was cheerfully helping Allie with Jack whenever she needed it.
Elizabeth was so grateful for Allie's sake that Little Jack had run to her and scrambled up onto her lap. Allie had a huge grin of pride across her face.
"Allie is really good with him, isn't she?" asked Nathan quietly, just to Elizabeth.
"Very good with him. He clearly adores Allie!" answered Elizabeth in a low voice.
"I think she pretty much adores Little Jack too!" smiled Nathan.
It warmed both their hearts to see this bond between their two children, which was already so strong!
Soon, Nathan and Elizabeth were talking animatedly with Lee and Rosemary, but their hands still managed to find each other with Nathan's long fingers entwined into hers.
"Anybody hungry?" asked Bill, bringing out what appeared to be enough food for twenty!
"We'll just serve this family-style. Here's a huge Pot Roast with Potatoes, Carrots, and Corn Pudding, my personal favorite. Clara has Fried Greens and Pickled Egg Salad. I'll go back to the kitchen to get my special Beet Casserole! You all fix your plates."
Clara had already returned, "Tada! Here are Bill's Famous Yeast Rolls, each of which has risen to the size of a small melon! How he does that, I'll never know. Mine never get as big," she laughed. "Enjoy!"
Nathan and Elizabeth had to release their hands as Bill and Clara brought out the food, but they just scooted a bit closer without realizing it.
Rosemary noticed, of course, and she grinned slyly and shot a knowing look to Lee, who just smiled back at her and grabbed her hand.
The food was indeed a feast, which looked absolutely delicious. The large table held more than enough food to feed the hearty appetites gathered around it. Everyone was excited to start their meal!
"Shall we pray?" Bill took the hands closest to him, and everyone else followed suit. "Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You for the food we are about to receive and the Friends around this table who are truly Family. We also are so thankful for Your almighty Hand guiding Nathan and me through our encounter with Jenny and Elias. We thank You from the depths of our heart for keeping us safe. We pray that You will bless the soul of Constable James Crawford. May he rest in Your Eternal Peace. We ask that You stay close with the Crawford Family, as they navigate through the waters of their grief. May we all be pleasing to You in every way. Amen!"
It was a heartfelt, beautiful prayer that bound them all together, and each was thankful. Then Bill said a strong "Amen!" and everyone else echoed "Amen."
Elizabeth looked up at Nathan, and she saw him nodding to Bill in thanks. She reached for his hand with her left hand, resting it on his leg, and his left hand was instantly there, freeing their right hands for eating. But they weren't fooling anyone at the table, and they didn't even care, they weren't trying to.
They just needed each other's touch. And with that, it seemed all was right in the world. At least in the young couple's world.
"Nathan, what time are you and Aaron planning to leave tomorrow?" asked Bill.
"As soon after Midnight as we can."
"I'm glad I don't have any Court cases tomorrow. Trying to get a few changed from Tuesday to Wednesday. Looking forward to playing Mountie again. You know I'll be working out of your office."
It was a statement, not a question asking for permission.
Nathan laughed, "I wouldn't expect anything else, Bill! Aaron and I do have some paperwork we have to complete Tuesday morning, but we should be able to make it back to Hope Valley late Tuesday evening, depending on how long it takes. I know I don't want to spend a minute longer than we have to on this trip."
Nathan was looking lovingly at Elizabeth, not sure how he was going to be able to leave her, even if it was for only two days.
Elizabeth smiled back at him, also unsure how she would muster the courage to say good-bye to him. But she knew from experience the strength would come when she needed it most. And she was thankful that this time she would have Little Jack to help occupy her time.
Bill and the Coulters watched the couple as they smiled so lovingly at each other, and were very thankful they had finally found each other.
"Nathan, does it ever get tiresome, being in the saddle for such long periods at a time?" Lee asked curiously.
"I love to ride, Lee. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that sometimes it does get a bit tiresome, both for Newton and me. But we both know we have a job to do, so that helps us stay focused!"
After much conversation, peppered with stories, jokes, and laughter, Bill stood up at the head of the table and excused himself to get Dessert.
"Elizabeth, I have this precious outfit I've been saving at the Shoppe, that's just perfect for Little Jack! I think his little jacket is getting snug on him," frowned Rosemary.
"Oh, Rosemary, don't tell me that! It makes me want to cry. He just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Little Jack's going to be two before I turn around!"
"I can totally sympathize. When Allie turned five and was ready to go to school, I was devastated! All I wanted to do was lock the door, wrap her in her favorite blanket, and hold her forever!" Nathan winked at his precious niece, and Allie smiled from ear to ear.
"Mrs. Thornton, don't be upset. That's how we know our parents love us, when you don't want us to grow up. Think of it this way. As we grow, our hearts just get bigger and bigger, so we can love you more and more!" consoled Allie.
"As they say, from the Mouths of Babes! Allie, how did you get to be so wise? You just promise to keep telling me that, okay?"
"I promise, Mrs. Thornton!"
"Here, we are! Blueberry Cobbler with Cinnamon Vanilla Ice Cream for Dessert!" announced Bill proudly.
"I ceem! I ceem!" yelled Little Jack as he clapped both of his little hands together.
Everyone laughed with smiles on their faces, though none were brighter than Elizabeth's and Nathan's, who were full of pride for both Allie and Little Jack.
(2*) Hymn, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Lyrics by Charles Wesley, Public Domain