Chapter 3

A Second Chance

Nathan Grant couldn't help but enjoy the closeness with Elizabeth as he carried her home in his arms. After she tripped and injured her ankle there was no way he could allow her to walk when he was perfectly able to carry her the short distance they needed to go. She was so small in his arms. So beautiful. She simply felt perfect next to him. With the exception of her injury, the evening had gone perfectly. He had even shared the most amazing kiss with her again. He could hardly believe that this was happening. While he certainly had his many doubts about pursuing Elizabeth, he was relieved that it seemed, at the moment at least, to be something that was meant to be and allowed to happen. He was ever so thankful for that chance.

Seeing Elizabeth smile up at him sent chills down his spine as he felt his heart break for her. Her happiness was everything. She had been through so much pain. And the thought of her in pain made him want to move heaven and earth to see her happy. He was so glad that he could be here for her. So glad that she seemed to be giving love a second chance.

Carrying Elizabeth reminded him of the last time he carried someone…

Nathan caught his breath at the thought.

His mind went to his friend Jack.

Nathan had tried to carry Jack out of harm's way. He had carried over his dear friend on his shoulder for a very long way due to him being injured. In the end they were separated and Jack was never found. He sighed at the memory.

"Hey Jack, you hanging in there?" Nathan said, trying to keep Jack lucid on his shoulder.

"Ok here we go" Nathan set Jack down on the ground by a tree

"How are you doing?"

"Ok." Jack's breath was labored.

"Nathan, if I don't make it out of here…"

"Stop Jack, stop thinking like that!"

"Tell Elizabeth that I love her."

"Tell her I fought as hard as I could."

"Jack you're going to make it. You're going to go home to Elizabeth in Hope Valley."

"But if I don't, will you make sure she gets this message?"

"Tell her that I am thinking about her every moment I can. She keeps me going day and night. I think about our future, our kids."

"We already named our first son. His name is going to be Jack Jr." Jack said as he looked up at Nathan smiling.

"Jack, tell me about her, Elizabeth," Nathan said while securing his horse and sitting down beside Jack.

"The most beautiful woman that's ever walked the earth. She's kind, compassionate, an amazing teacher, and my best friend."

"I never wanted to marry anyone due to being a Mountie you know. I fought my feelings for her for a long time. But I knew the moment we met that I was in trouble. I couldn't NOT be with her. She is everything to me. I had to risk loving her and she risked her heart with me."

I can't leave her Nathan! I can't leave her alone!"

"I know Jack. I know."

"Nathan, if I don't make it out of here. It would mean the world to me if you could go to Hope Valley and take over for me there. Those people are my family. But most importantly, I need you to watch over Elizabeth."

"I want to make sure she is always taken care of. She deserves the world. Especially, and even more, if I don't return. Nathan, I trust you. You have been a very good friend to me. And one more thing... encourage Elizabeth to open her heart to love again."

"Jack if anything happens, I will take care of Elizabeth."

And he was taking care of Elizabeth indeed. He smiled down at her, as his mind snapped back to the present.

Nathan? Are you ok? I hope I'm not too heavy. Really I can walk."

No, um I was just thinking about, um. …It's not important.

"How is your pain?"

"I'm doing ok Nathan, thanks to you." She grinned up at him, obviously not minding the mode of transportation back to her house. She seemed to relish the closeness of their bodies as much as he did.

It wasn't a bad ending to a wonderful night. It certainly could have been worse. Hopefully her ankle was just a little sprain and she would be fine in a couple of days. The evening had been perfect. Being in her presence made him feel confident and alive. Their conversation had flowed effortlessly and naturally. Elizabeth was certainly the most delightful, intelligent, and beautiful person he'd ever met.

"Nathan, I really appreciate your help getting me home." She said as she looked up into his eyes. "I hope I'm not too much trouble."

"Elizabeth, it is no trouble at all." I'm glad I was there to help you.

"Let's get you home and look at that ankle."

By now the sun had fully set and the clear sky was shining bright with moonlight and stars. It had been a wonderful night with Elizabeth. Their first date. Dinner turned out to be a success. He was glad that Bill offered to make something for the two of them.

Nathan carried Elizabeth up her porch and opened the door and went inside.

"Here you go," as he sat her down on her couch and moved to get her footstool to prop up her leg.

"Thanks, Nathan."

"May I take a look?"

"Yes."

Nathan carefully pulled the bottom of her dress up and untied her boot.

"Are you ok? Any pain," he said as he gently slipped off her boot. He was thankful for the medical training that he'd received as a mountie. While he wasn't a doctor, he knew a great deal about first aid.

Nathan carefully put his hands around the ankle and examined it.

"It's a little swollen. Probably just a sprain. I can take you to Carson in the morning if you'd like. You should get it checked out by a doctor just to be safe."

"Of Course"

"I'll be by in the morning then." He said as he took her hand.

"Elizabeth can I get you anything? Are you comfortable?"

"I'm ok Nathan thanks. If you wouldn't mind going over to Rosemary and Lee's house to get baby Jack."

"Sure thing."

"Maybe let Rosemary know I'm injured."

Nathan kissed Elizabeth's hand. "Good night Elizabeth. I had a wonderful time with you tonight."

"It was such a wonderful evening, thank you for dinner Nathan."


Later that night Nathan headed home as many thoughts drifted through his mind. One thing was for certain, he was falling head over hills for Elizabeth. She was as pleasant to be with as he imagined she would be. It was true, everything Jack had ever said about her.

He also felt the weight of the responsibility in risking a relationship with Elizabeth. Hurting her was not an option. He could not be the cause of any more pain for Elizabeth Thornton. While she seemed very open to the idea of a relationship at the moment, he was determined to take things at her pace. It's very likely that she was going to experience pain in 'moving on.' Just as she did at her house earlier in the evening before they left for their date. Elizabeth didn't bring it up, but he saw her pick up the photo on her table of her and Jack. He heard her say I will always love you Jack as she blinked away her tears. There would be pain in moving forward to a new relationship, but Nathan would be there for her above all as an understanding and compassionate friend.

The most important question in Nathan's mind was how to do what he loves and serve as a Mountie, and always be there for Elizabeth. There was just no way to guarantee nothing would happen to him. Could he risk it, should he? Well it was kind of too late now he relinquished in his thoughts. Being a Mountie certainly put the two of them at great risk, on the other hand he could get in an accident just the same as Lee Coulter did on the Mountain. He did know that love is rare and what he felt for Elizabeth was very powerful. Resisting a relationship with her, pushing aside his feelings, and depriving her of what he knew was between them would also hurt her just as much. He also believed that everything happened for a reason. He was there in Hope Valley for a reason.


"Nathan!" Bill Hi.

"Do you have a moment? We need to talk alone"

"Of course Bill,"

Bill led Nathan into his office

"The father of our prisoner has hired a lawyer. The case is going to trial. You will have to go as his arresting officer."

"I see. I'll make preparations for Ally for a few days."

"Sounds good."

How did your dinner with Elizabeth go last night?"

"Bill I can't thank you enough for the dinner. It was delicious. Elizabeth loved it."

"So happy to see the two of you spend time together. Do you think this will be a regular thing?"

"I think so Bill." He smiled. "I think so."

"Be smart Nathan. Her heart has been shattered once before. But I know that you and Jack were close. I know you will take good care of her."

"Thanks Bill, that means a lot."


"Hold it right there!" Nathan shouted as a gun was being pointed in his direction"

"Let my brother go, or I'll shoot!"

"Jenny, put the gun down," We can work this out.

Blood was pumping fast through Nathan's veins. Adrenaline was at an all-time high. He had had a gun pointed at him before. He could do this. He needed to stay calm and do his job.

"Put the gun down, you don't have to do this Jenny. You'll face twenty years if you break him out. Your brother is only facing two years, three at the most."

And then it happened. Just as Nathan saw her lowering the gun, something caught Jenny's eye. Nathan saw Jenny's finger on the trigger move.

And just like that his life seemed to flash before his eyes. Elizabeth would be alone, again. Her beautiful face flashed before his eyes. Who would protect her now? Who would protect Allie?

Just as he was moving toward the gun to try and change its trajectory, the gunshot rang out. It had been pointed directly at him but he was still standing. Is mind seemed to function in slow motion and he registered that the other Mountie jumped in harm's way. The bullet had hit him instead. That bullet was meant for him. It should have hit him.

Nathan was in shock. He didn't really understand what had just happened, all he knew he was spared. A Mountie was killed, but it wasn't him. He was given a second chance. His time here in Hope Valley was not done. His time of protecting Elizabeth was not done.

"Nathan, you ok?" Bill looked at him concerned.

"I think so." That bullet was meant for me Bill. What just happened?"

"Let's get our man into town to see Carson. He looks really bad. I'll fill you in later"

Nathan, still in shock, set off toward town with the wagon.


After securing Jenny in the Jail. Nathan walked down to where the crowd was gathering. Carson had already made it to the wagon to check out his fellow Mountie. The Mountie that had taken a bullet for him. He saw a distraught Fiona run out of the mercantile with bandages and gauze.

Nathan just stood at a distance, not sure what else he could do to help. He was still trying to process the idea of him not being the Mountie inside that wagon fighting for his life. The sound of the gunshot still rang in his ear. How was he standing here completely fine? This time, he was given a second chance. How many chances would he be given?

Nathan was jolted out of his state of shock when he saw Elizabeth run out of the mercantile.

Elizabeth was obviously terrified as he saw her running toward the wagon. Nathan saw Elizabeth stop as he read Carson's lips saying "He's gone."

Being that Elizabeth was facing away from him, he could not see any expression on her face. But he didn't need to. There was a small amount of red visible from outside of the wagon. Elizabeth must have thought it was him. Not being able to watch her in pain another second, Nathan stepped toward Elizabeth.

Nathan saw Elizabeth turn around at the sound of his footsteps. Upon seeing him she moved full force into his chest wrapping her arms around him.

Still processing it all, he was not sure how to react. Was Elizabeth reliving another memory of Jack? Just a few days ago when he was traveling back home with the Mounties she was completely lost in a memory. Did she think that he was jack? He decided that It didn't matter the state of her mind, he was just glad to be there for her. Nathan wrapped his arms and pulled her tightly to him in a loving, protective embrace.

"Oh Nathan, Thank God you're ok." she said as she cried tears of both pain and joy" When I saw red inside the wagon I…"

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry you had to experience that. I know what you must have thought…what you might be thinking, what happened before. I'm so sorry."

Nathan, still caught up in the embrace with Elizabeth, looked up and noticed a very concerned looking Lucas Buchard.

"Nathan, are you ok, what happened?" Elizabeth looked up at him, still embracing them.

Their relationship was certainly not public yet, but after today he knew that everyone would be talking. The embrace was certainly more than friendly.

"Elizabeth, I'm not ready to talk about it quite yet. Just know that I'm ok." As he put his hand through her hair and cupped her face in his hand."

"I need to go talk to Bill. Come with me."

Nathan took her by the hand and led her down the street into Bill's office. He again noticed quite a few curious eyes on them from the crowd that had gathered outside by the wagon.

"Elizabeth, your ankle, are you feeling better?"

"It's still a little sore, but I'll manage."

"Here let me help," as he put his arm around her, supporting her as they walked.

"Thanks." She smiled up at him.

He was quite taken aback at the change he felt so quickly, just being with her, holding her, knowing that she was safe. Being with Elizabeth put him at tremendous ease. He'd never had someone by his side before. Never before did he feel like this. And no doubt about it, this was a second chance for life and a second chance for love.


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