Chapter 4

Embracing Change

Elizabeth couldn't believe that her heart was again breaking for a Mountie. It seemed that she was destined to be with one indeed. With Jack, she had come to terms with the fact that she could die just as easily as he could. She realized that we don't know what the future holds and we certainly can't try to control it. But what she did relinquish is that she could, would, and should risk her heart again. She also considered that she knew this intellectually, but what if she lost Nathan? Could she go through that pain again? Was she ready to embrace and prepare her heart again for that possibility?

This whole injury was very familiar indeed. And at that thought she laughed to herself. Like so much lately, her mind drifted to Jack

"This is all my fault." Elizabeth looked into Jack's eyes

"How's so?"

"No, it's not, it was an accident. You didn't know." Jack smiled at her

"It's crazy," Elizabeth said as she laughed. I spent so much time wondering what happened to you. ...Look what happened to me."

"Well you just proved that being a school teacher is just as dangerous as being a mountie."

"Apparently I did." She smiled at him through the warmth of the flames.

"I just wished you would have picked a less dramatic way to make your point."

Elizabeth smiled as she scoffed.

Jack sighed, "You know, I hear the best thing about arguing, is making up."

"I've heard that too." Jack moved forward, took her face into his hand, his lips so close.

"ELIZABETH!" Rosemary called. Elizabeth was snapped back into the present.

"Oh Elizabeth! Are you ok? What happened?" She was very excited and obviously very concerned as she handed little Jack over to Elizabeth."

"Oh hey sweet boy! Did you have fun with Auntie Rosemary?" Elizabeth smiled at seeing Jack's happy face.

"Rosemary, thanks for watching him tonight."

"Well it looks like you've had quite the evening." "What happened?"

"Nathan didn't mention it?."

"Just that you injured your ankle down by the pond."

"Elizabeth, why don't I go put Jack to bed for you for the night. You rest here and take it easy. I'll be back down soon. And you can tell me everything."

"Thanks, Rosemary."

Elizabeth sat back in her chair and relaxed. She was so grateful for Rosemary and Lee. She could have never managed these two years without them. Being a single mother had so many challenges. And now, you just realized that just perhaps she had Nathan as well.

The thought of Nathan made her stomach do that thing it did when he was around. Her mind went quickly to the kiss they shared earlier in the evening, oh the chills! She acknowledged that what was happening between them was undeniable. This new development in their relationship was exciting, and filled her with much joy and hope. As she sat back comfortably in her chair and sighed, she could still fill his lips on hers, his closeness as he carried her home, his scent, and his lips on her hand as he kissed her goodnight.

"Elizabeth? Are you ok? You seem a hundred miles away."

"Elizabeth was again brought into the present."

"Oh Rosemary, sorry."

"You must have had some evening."

"Yes indeed I did."

"Well?"

"Oh Rosemary, I shouldn't kiss and tell."

"Kiss!?"

"You and Nathan kissed?"

"Yes."

"That's kind of how I got injured."

"Oh no! What happened?"

"Well we took a walk down by the pond at sunset after our picnic and... then we kissed."

"Oh how nice! Rosemary smiled curiously."

My knees did that thing where they wanted to give me away; I tripped clumsily and almost fell into the pond."

"Oh no!"

"But Nathan was so quick to react and caught me. Thank goodness."

"Oh that gentleman! What a good man."

"And then I discovered that my ankle was injured."

"Elizabeth how EVER did you ever manage to get back home?"

"Umm:..blushing. "He carried me."

"HOW ROMANTIC!" Rosemary exclaimed in excitement.

"Oh Elizabeth I couldn't be happier for you!" She said as she embraced Elizabeth.

"Nathan said he would come by in the morning to take me to see Carson."

"Do you think you will be able to walk?"

"I think so. It's starting to feel better already."

"Elizabeth, I'm so glad to see you happy. You...you are positively radiant!"

"Thanks, Rosemary."

"How was little Jack this evening? I hope he wasn't too much trouble."

"Elizabeth. You know I love that little boy more than anything. I'm always here for you. He was an angel as always."


Elizabeth woke the next morning with a smile on her face. As she dressed herself and Jack for the day, she couldn't help but to feel a little anxious about Nathan knocking on her door. Elizabeth gave herself another look in the mirror, checked her dress, her hair, and lipstick.

Her ankle was feeling much better. She probably didn't need to see Carson but she'd already told Nathan that she would go. And having Nathan fuss over her wasn't the worst thing she decided.

And at that thought there was a knock on the door. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Good morning." Nathan smiled at her and stepped inside.

"Good morning Nathan." He was dressed in his red surge ready for duty. And of course he looked breathtaking.

"Elizabeth. Good to see you on your feet. Feeling better?"

"I am. Still a little sore but I'm able to walk today."

"Good." Are you ready to go?"

"Yes. We better get going before school."

Nathan wrapped an arm around Elizabeth to help her down the porch steps.

It was still early, not many people were out and about yet. Elizabeth was thankful for that. They found an easy stride and pace as they stepped out to the beautiful morning.

"Elizabeth, I wanted to tell you that I have to leave town for a few days. The prisoner that I arrested is standing trial. I have to go as his arresting officer. I should be back in a couple of days.

"I see."

"I've already taken care of arrangements for Ally. I didn't want to burden you with your injury and all."

"Nathan…"

Before she could speak... "Elizabeth, do not worry about me."

Elizabeth knew the life that she was about to start living. Yet her instinct was to hold on to him and never let go. But If she was going to do this... again, she was determined to not live in fear. There would be times when he would be in danger, times when he would be away. But love was worth the risk she had decided. All good things come from above; and there was certainly something good and wonderful between the two of them. To deny her feelings and run from the relationship would be even worse. Elizabeth decided to trust God to bring her through no matter what. Her pain of losing Jack had taught her many things about Love and life.

"Nathan. I hope all goes well."

"Will you be leaving today?"

"Yes that's the plan."

They reached Carson's office. Nathan helped her up the stairs and opened the door for her.

Elizabeth, why don't I come back with my horse and give you a ride to school.

"Thanks Nathan, that's a great idea." She smiled at him.

"So, you still have your foot. I see he didn't have to amputate." Nathan said as he jumped down from his horse to meet Elizabeth.

"Very funny." Yes thankfully my ankle is going to be just fine. Thanks for your help.

"Hey this is all my fault. I'm the one who kissed you and made you trip and fall."

"Yes. But I'm the one who kissed you back."

Nathan took her hand and smiled.

"Ready to go?" Nathan said as he gave her a leg up.

"Careful."

"Here we go." She was able to mount the horse smoothly, thanks to Nathan.

Elizabeth sat in front of Nathan. She could already feel his warmth and smell his scent.

"Elizabeth did I mention you look beautiful today. Radiant actually."

"You know that's funny, Rosemary said the same thing about me last night." She said as her stomach and heart reacted to his warm breath so close to her neck. She took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself."

"Oh." Did something special happen last night...to make you glow with radiance?"

"I think so." She blushed.

" And I think I'm going to miss all the fuss over me when you're gone."

"I'll be back soon. And I will fuss over you again, no problem."

"Here we are." as they arrived at the steps into the schoolhouse.

Nathan jumped down to help her down.

"Down you go." as he lifted her down very gently to the ground. Elizabeth landed in a hug with him... again.

"Elizabeth, I hope you have a good day. He smiled at her as their faces were ever so close."

Elizabeth looked into his eyes. "You too Nathan. Please be safe. Thanks for the ride." She said as she stepped back to an acceptable distance.

"My pleasure." Nathan nodded and tipped his hat to her.

And with that she made her way up into the schoolhouse. Probably still blushing.


Later on that day Elizabeth made her way to the mercantile. It was a beautiful afternoon and she had had a great day of school. She stepped in to pick up the things on her list. She had planned to make dinner for Nathan when he returned to town.

"Good day Ned!"

Elizabeth saw Fiona run in, frantically.

"Ned, I need all the bandages and Gauze that you have. Someone's been shot!"

"What's going on?" Elizabeth froze. Her heart picked up its pace.

"Who?"

Elizabeth put down her basket and ran outside. And then she remembered. The prisoner, Nathan. Oh no. No, no it couldn't be.

Suddenly everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Elizabeth just stood, frozen to the spot. She saw Carson in the wagon examining what looked to be a man wearing red. She saw him say the words "He's gone."

Her whole world seemed to stop, she was spinning in slow motion. Her Nathan was gone. She had let her heart be open and now it was shattered again. She felt her body grow cold and her stomach felt as if it was launched into her throat.

Why God? No, taking her thoughts captive, I trust you God. Not my will but yours be done Lord. You've sent me into the fire yet again and I will overcome. Lord please be with Nathan. She paused in prayerful, stunned, but humbled silence. Lord I submit myself and my heart to you, for you are my way. You never said my path here would be easy. And with complete submission, she sobbed. Allow acceptance to settle in her heart.

Upon hearing footsteps, Elizabeth turned to look behind her. In slow motion still, it took her eyes a long time to understand who she was seeing. She had to blink several times through here teary eyes to make sure.

Red surge. Nathan.

Breaking out of slow motion, she dashed to embrace him. He wasn't the Mountie in the wagon. He hadn't been shot. Her brain was slowly coming to terms.

"Nathan, I saw… I thought...you're ok!. "Thank God you're ok!" Were the words she managed to speak as she held him tightly.

"Elizabeth. I'm sorry you had to experience that. I know what you must have thought, what you must be thinking...what happened before..." Nathan wrapped his arms around her and leaned his chin down on her head that was resting on his chest.

They embraced for a good long while. In the slow-motion moment of their embrace her past, present, and future seemed to merge as one. With the familiarity of past seeming to be so present, Elizabeth also knew in that moment that she had wholeheartedly and literally embraced change and stepped into her future, ran actually. She was overwhelmed with the love she had for him. And even if something happened to him one day, and she had to be alone again, she knew that she would be ok. Love was worth the risk. And Elizabeth also knew that she would never really be alone.

"Nathan, are you ok? What happened"

"Elizabeth, I'm not quite ready to talk about it yet."

Nathan took her hand. "I have to go talk to Bill. Come with me?"

Nathan took her by the hand and led her down the street to Bill's office.

As she walked hand in hand with Nathan, with all eyes seemingly on the two of them, Elizabeth realized that no matter her past, or what was happening now in the present, she had embraced the future with Nathan. And whatever they faced from now on, they could face it together.

Chapter 5 coming soon!


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