Chapter 2
Tender Reflections
Elizabeth loved her walks around the pond. Just as her rides to their spot on her horse was perfect for "getting the cobwebs out", her morning walks around the pond did just the same. She glanced at the beauty all around the horizon as the sun peeked over the mountains and made its greetings for a new day. A new day was dawning, but the morning mist that rose over the water, seemed to hold the echoes of the past. Many thoughts of the past, the present, and the future were in her mind recently.
Her strolls around the banks of the pond gave her time to think, reflect, and pray before the hustle and bustle of the day. As she made her way around, Elizabeth also noted the changes in the landscape. Less trees, vegetation, and now more Hope Valley houses, and town structures. Life here had changed a great deal in the last seven years. The future of Hope valley looked promising indeed. And with a smile and a joyful sigh, her future in Hope Valley looked as bright and promising as ever.
Nathan's smile flashed into her mind. She was ever so grateful for the blessings in her life. She had lost Jack, but God was giving her so many blessings at the present time. Elizabeth was completely humbled by a second chance at love. A second chance to share her heart. And most importantly, she realized that all things certainly do work together for good for those who love Him."
Elizabeth realized that it was in the hard seasons of life where we grow the most. It's those trying times that He is molding and shaping us for His work and His Glory. Having gone through the most difficult thing in her life so far, she is now thankful for who she is today because of it. Branching out into pioneer life and teaching here, away from her family, falling in love, and losing love, certainly made her a different person than she was when she arrived in Hope Valley.
And in thinking about the future, If there was any day that she needed to ponder that, it was NOW. Her thoughts drifted to her kiss with Nathan. They had kissed! The thought ran chills down her spine. With their kiss, they opened a door, walked through it, and now It was impossible to turn and go back now. As much as the thought of this scared her, it was thrilling just the same! She was very much looking forward to her next encounter with Nathan Grant.
While she certainly had feelings for Nathan, she wondered many things. Could she give away her heart again? Why did God bring another Mountie into her life? Surely He wouldn't allow the same pain. But who was she to question? She could lose Lucas just the same as Rosemary had almost lost Lee.
As Elizabeth rounded the edge of the pond she saw the rowboat. Elizabeth's mind began to drift to the past as it so often did.
…"And for your thoughts?"
Elizabeth smiled as she sat across from jack in the rowboat on the pond.
"I'll give it to you for free."
"Rip desperately needs a bath. I hope Abigail made scones this morning. And YOU...look absolutely beautiful."
Elizabeth smiled a blushing smile.
"You know it really isn't a good idea to make a woman blush why you're rowing"
"Why is that?" he grinned.
"Because she might just kiss you, and you might just drop the oars."
"We'd be stuck in the middle of the pond all day" pretending to be perplexed.
"Oh now we wouldn't want that to happen now would we?"
"Maybe we would."
Elizabeth laughs
"Who would do your morning rounds?" Still grinning a flirtatious grin.
"I'm sure Hope Valley could get along without me for just a day."
"I couldn't." Her smile faded looking serious.
"Sure you could."
"I'm serious Jack. When you had pneumonia and I thought I might lose you…"
"You're never gonna lose me Elizabeth."
"Easy to say that now"
"I knew it, even back then."
"How?"
"I don't know. I just had a feeling it just wasn't my time yet."
"That there was more I was meant to do."
Elizabeth sighed, feeling chills at this memory. In the end, she did lose him. And now it was time to move forward.
It was a new day at school. With so much change starting to happen in her life, she was so relieved to go to school and experience normal.
"Mrs. Thornton, where's Emily today?"
"Oh, Emily is staying home today after the events of yesterday. I'm sure she'll be back soon."
"Mrs. Thornton, yesterday was very very exciting! Scary, but what an adventure!"
The class erupted. "Yes!, Yay! Let's do it again!."
"Elizabeth, laughed. It was quite the adventure wasn't it!" She couldn't help but to think about her own adventure, grinning inside.
"Class, I'm glad that we are all safe. I'm glad you look at it as an adventure, It was very scary indeed. I'm certainly very grateful for God looking over us."
"We are glad Constable Grant was there too!" "He saved us!"
"Yes I am certainly glad he found us and was able to help keep us safe through the night."
"Mrs. Thornton, are you and Constable Grant going to get married?"
Elizabeth was quite taken aback by the question. She remembered when her students asked her the same question about Jack.
"Umm. Constable Grant and I are... friends." Deciding to keep things simple and to herself for now.
The children and Elizabeth looked toward the back door of the schoolhouse as they heard a knock.
"Constable."
Elizabeth's stomach dropped about a mile as she greeted Nathan...Speaking of Nathan Grant.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I found this in the cabin from last night."
Nathan held up someone's lunch box.
"I thought that this certainly might be needed."
"Oh, it's mine." Robert looked Grateful.
"Thank you very much constable Grant."
"Your welcome, Robert."
"Mrs. Thornton." He nodded at her, tipped his hat with a smile.
"Constable." She blushed.
Before the students could say anything more.
"Ok class, it's time for recess."
Elizabeth found Rosemary hard at work as usual in her house.
"Elizabeth!"
"Rosemary, hi!"
"If you are busy I can come back another time."
"Nonsense. I'm just getting everything ready. Lee's sister is coming to visit!"
"Oh Rosemary that's great news!"
"Elizabeth, I'm so glad you and the children are ok. You've had quite an interesting couple of days!"
"Yes the children and I had quite the adventure indeed. I'm so glad that Emily and all the other children are ok. They were quite shaken up about the whole thing, but now that it's over they seem to think of it all as one big adventure!" I'm sure they'll have stories to tell for quite some time!"
Rosemary took note of Elizabeth's expression. She noticed that Elizabeth seemed particularly happy, and she decided it couldn't be all about Lee's sister coming to visit.
"Ok Elizabeth. Out with it! Something is going on with you. Do you have any news?"
"Yes. I do.."
"This must be about Lucas and Nathan. You know Elizabeth sooner or later you will have to choose. And I believe when the moment is right, you will know."
"Thanks, Rosemary. I think I may have already had that moment."
"Really!"
"Well, at the cabin…"
Elizabeth paused at the memory. She was still trying to come to terms with the new revelation about Nathan. What an answered prayer. In her wildest dreams would never have guessed this could happen.
"Elizabeth?…"
"It's just that he..., and I…we were..." She was completely lost for words. Quite an embarrassing thing being a writer.
"Well, it turns out that Nathan knew Jack."
"What!?" Elizabeth...how can.."
"He knew him really well Rosemary!"
"And he just now told you after all this time?"
"Yes well, he was trying to give me time. He was waiting for the right time to tell me."
" Well...you and Nathan must have had quite a time up on the mountain!"
"Yes we did."
"...Stranded in a cabin, taking care of the children."
"It all sounds... SO romantic!"
"Rosemary, seriously!"
"Sorry Elizabeth." Please do go on.
Well he told me he knew Jack, and that he was with Jack when he died. He was the one that tried to save his life. Jack sent Nathan to Hope Valley to look after me.
"ELIZABETH." Rosemary was absolutely stunned.
"This is incredible news! What a story!"
"Ok what else Elizabeth, there's more. I can see it in your face."
"Nathan and I were sitting in front of the fire, the children all asleep in the other room."
"Oh Elizabeth...this is like a book!"
"And…?"
"Well, I know this sounds crazy, and perhaps too forward,"
"...OH!"
"Rosemary, we kissed!"
"He asked if he could kiss me. And I said yes, please."
"Elizabeth! How magnificent!" moving to embrace Elizabeth in a warm hug.
"Well, obviously you have made your choice."
Elizabeth, sighed as she was put into reality a bit.
Lucas. She still had to face Lucas.
"Yes, I think I did."
"...Ok, do go on."
"Ok well there's even more to the story..."
"Oh Elizabeth, I can tell by your face. Then what happened?"
"And then, Lucas walked in!"
"OH no! OH my!"
"He had come all the way through the mountains in the middle of the night to rescue me."
"We were in the middle of the kiss!"
"Oh no! Rosemary gasped in a shocked realization. On no that poor thing!"
"I know! I hated for him to find out that way! I certainly did not plan on anything happening with Nathan."
"Elizabeth. Have you talked to Lucas yet?"
"No! Rosemary, what am I going to say to him? He is such an amazing man! He went all that way for me and the students. And he has done so very much for me."
"It breaks my heart to have to break his."
"Elizabeth you have to tell him. You have to be honest about your feelings for Nathan. The longer your wait, the worse it's going to be. The truth shall set you free"
"I know Rosemary, I know."
Elizabeth headed back into town to find Lucas. She had to get this over with.
"Elizabeth!"
Nathan shouted and waved at her on his horse from across the street.
Her stomach once again did that thing. Not the guy she was looking for but she was very glad to see Nathan indeed. She smiled at him coming toward her. He was simply dashing in his red surge. Flashes of their kiss popped into her mind, making her blush all over again.
"Elizabeth. I wanted to ask you something."
"Yes?..."
"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"
"Nathan, I would love to."
"6:30?"
"I'll be waiting."
A rush of excitement went through her whole body. A date with Mountie Nathan.
But first...Lucas.
Elizabeth went off to the Saloon. She knew this conversation had to happen. She opened the door, stepping inside. No Lucas. Only Henry Gowan sat at the bar.
"Henry, Hi!"
"Elizabeth."
"Have you seen Lucas?"
I'm afraid he's not in today. I haven't seen him all day today.
"Hmm."
"If you see him, can you tell him I'm looking for him?"
"Sure thing."
So much for getting that over with. She thought to herself.
Elizabeth opened the door to a very handsome Nathan with a bouquet of beautiful flowers.
Out of the red surge and into his casual clothes, he still looked as dashing as ever. While she had butterflies in her stomach most of the day, she felt more excited than anything else about spending time with Nathan. She found that Nathan made her feel comfortable and confident.
"Elizabeth you look beautiful."
"Thank you." She smiled up at him.
"Ready to go?"
"Oh Nathan, these are gorgeous!" Let me put them in some water."
"Of course."
Elizabeth went to get a vase and water. As she reached for the vase, there it was, the picture of her and Jack on the table. She smiled and slowly picked it up.
"I will always love you Jack." She said smiling at his picture.
While Jack would always be in her heart, she realized that this was the beginning of a new stage in her life. And with that thought, her eyes began to swell with tears.
Elizabeth dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief and walked back to Nathan.
"Elizabeth, are you ok?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Are you sure Elizabeth, we can go to dinner another day if you're not...ready."
"No it's ok Nathan. I'm ready." She smiled up at him.
"I love the flowers."
"Almost as beautiful as you."
"Shall we?" He held out his arm for her to take.
Nathan stepped to open her front door.
They stepped down from Elizabeth's porch and headed out to the street arm and arm.
"So where are we going?" Elizabeth asks.
"It's kind of a surprise." He glanced at her with a smile.
Elizabeth noticed there were a few eyes on them as they were walking down the road in the direction which seemed to be the pond. They would certainly be the talk of the town tomorrow. She didn't mind. She was so glad to be with Nathan. It felt natural to be in his company.
"So, Elizabeth, how was your day? Did the children seem to be ok?"
"Oh I think so. They seemed to think about our time in the mountains as a great adventure! They want to go again!"
"Well I must say, I agree with them!" Nathan looked over at her smiling
"Quite the experience indeed." Grinning at her flirtatiously as they continued down the road.
"I'm just glad that everyone made it home safe and sound. Please don't take any more trips up the mountain without me."
"Constable Grant, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself!"
"I know you are. But just in case. "You really gave me a scare Elizabeth."
Nathan led Elizabeth on a walk around the pond; the place where her day began, and the place where the day would end. She held on to Nathan's arm as the sun was beginning to settle at the crest of the mountain tops.
Nathan had prepared the most amazing picnic by the pond. They sat on the blanket as the sun was about to dip down over the church steeple. The conversation seemed to flow freely and naturally with lots of laughs as they shared a wonderful dinner.
"Elizabeth. I should apologize."
"Oh?"
"About the kiss the other night."
I'm sorry if...it was too fast. I hope you didn't think that I took advantage of the circumstances."
"We were both caught up in the moment….and I…" "Well I just don't want you to think I was taking advantage of the situation."
She turned to face him.
"Nathan, I do not regret kissing you."
"I'm glad to hear that Elizabeth." looking into her eyes.
"Can you tell me more?"
"About the kiss?" Looking curiously interested and amused.
"No,"
"About your time with Jack"
"Oh, of course."
"Jack had big plans. He couldn't wait to get home and start building the house he had been working so hard on." He told me about you, where you are from, your family, your sisters.
He told me how you were when you first arrived in Hope Valley."
"Quite the amusing story of when he saw you trying to mount a horse for the first time!"
"OH no." She looked away in embarrassment.
"And how you kind of set the house on fire!"
"And your adventure being a homesteader on a farm for a few days."
She look up at him with a confidence smile. "I've come a long way."
"He adored you Elizabeth."
Elizabeth chilled at the memory of him. Nathan noticed her looking chilled.
"Here." As he took off his jacket and put his jacket around her.
"I will forever be grateful to Jack and the people here in Hope Valley. I have learned so many lessons about life, and about who I am as a person."
"Elizabeth, you are one of the most amazing people I've ever met."
She blushed.
"Thanks."
"My early years moving here on my own, the loss of Jack... it's through those hard times that I have grown, you know. I wouldn't be the same person I am today."
He nodded.
"Take a walk with me?."
"Ok."
"He again held out his arm for her to take."
The sun was nearly set. The twilight created a beautiful scene as they walked around the pond. The mist began to rise above the water, and the frogs began to sing. The fireflies were just starting to flash about in the late spring.
"What's on your mind?" She looked up at him, noticing him in thought."
"Oh nothing, just enjoying the view." looking at her.
"Oh?"
He turned to face her.
"Elizabeth, I'm curious."
"About?"
"How a kiss might feel with you here compared to the cabin."
"Oh."
Elizabeth was beginning to understand that Nathan was at all shy like she thought! She was seeing the real Nathan. The unreserved, honest and open Nathan.
Elizabeth smiled as she look up into his eyes. "What are you going to do about that?"
His mouth was already inches from hers.
"This."
He took her face into his hand as he brought his lips down gently over hers. She felt the jolt of electricity shoot straight through her once again. Wrapping her arm around him stepping closer, she did not want the kiss to end.
He reluctantly pulled away. "Yep. Exactly as I thought it would."
"You?"
"Absolutely." She spoke a little breathlessly as she smiled.
Nathan took her by the hand this time and continued to walk with her around the pond.
She spotted the rowboat that always sat near the pond. Her memory quickly flashed back to this morning's memory. A memory of a memory… Elizabeth seemed to float just the same as she walked serenely and peacefully with Nathan.
Until suddenly Elizabeth stumbled over a rock. Trying to catch her balance, she nearly fell into the water!
Nathan quickly moved to catch her in true Mountie fashion. Elizabeth landed chest to chest in a hug with Nathan as he steadied her.
"Elizabeth are you ok?"
"I'm sorry, I'm just a bit clumsy sometimes. But I can't seem to move my ankle."
"Elizabeth are you injured?"
"I'm not sure. It does hurt a little."
"We need to get your ankle checked out."
And in one quick motion, he swoops her up into his arms.
"Oh!" She said in surprise.
"Let's get you home."
**Notes**
Ok a couple of things. Yes I couldn't help but continue the tradition of Elizabeth hurting her ankle. Wynn Delaney, Jack Thorton, and now Nathan Grant. I loved the scene so much in the book with Wynn, the sledding adventure on the mountain, and the mine looking for Rip with Jack.
Also, yes I kind of borrowed some of the dialogue from 7X9. The conversation between Elizabeth is more canon style.
I had so much fun writing this. I hope your experience reading it is just the same!
I love writing and pretty much getting to step into the lives of these characters!
Please write a review! This helps me stay motivated (or not) to continue writing. And it will also let me see your perspective on things! Thanks!
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