Chapter 7— Maybe You Should…

Elizabeth was just leaving Rosemary's house with Jack when she saw Opal rushing by holding a watch. She looked like she had been crying.

"Opal, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked.

"Mrs. Thornton, I have to get home and tell my mom what happened."

"You're scaring me Opal, why are you upset?"

"Allie and I were playing by the creek. She fell and hurt her ankle. I saw Mr. Bouchard and…"

"Wait, Mr. Bouchard?" Elizabeth interrupted.

"He was on his horse. I saw him and asked him to go get Allie. She couldn't walk," Opal said, looking down at the watch again.

"Hang on a moment," Elizabeth said knocking on Rosemary's door. When she opened it, Elizabeth asked if she could keep Jack for a little while. "Of course, I will," Rosemary responded, "come back in little man. Let's go play with your toys."

Elizabeth looked down at Opal. "Come on, let's go see your mom."

They hurriedly walked to Opal's house and Elizabeth got the rest of the story as Opal told her mother what had happened. "I'll go to Dr. Shepherd's office and wait for them to get back," Elizabeth told her.

"Mrs. Thornton, I want to go too. After all, Mr. Bouchard wanted me to take care of his watch for him," Opal said holding it up. Opal's mother nodded her head.

"Okay then. Let's go," Elizabeth said placing her hand on Opal's shoulder as they quickly walked to the infirmary.

Carson looked up as they came in, "Hello Elizabeth, Opal. What can I do for you today?"

"Apparently Allie has fallen and hurt her ankle over by the creek. Lucas went to get her and should be back within 40 minutes, according to what he told Opal," Elizabeth replied.

"Alright. I'll get some things ready for when they get here," Carson said. "You can both take a seat in the waiting room."

Elizabeth and Opal both sat down. Opal kept looking at the watch. "I'm sure everything is fine Opal. Lucas will take care of Allie and they will be back shortly. You don't need to keep checking the time."

"Oh, I know. I believe he will bring her back soon. He said he would. I was just looking at how pretty Mr. Bouchard's watch is. It was a gift from his father," Opal said lifting it up for Elizabeth to see.

Elizabeth took it and examined it closely. The outside was engraved with an elaborate tree that had two birds together on one of its branches. It was truly beautiful to look at. When she opened it, she smiled as she read the engraving on the inside.

Elizabeth handed the watch back to Opal. "It was nice of you to take care of his watch for him," she said, believing that Lucas had meant it as a distraction. When she thought about his concern for both girls, she realized that she needn't worry about Lucas' inexperience with children.

###

Lucas rode quickly out to the big oak tree and dismounted.

"Allie!" he called out, stopping to listen.

"I'm down here!" he heard her reply, following the sound of her voice to the top of a muddy incline. Looking down he saw she was holding her ankle and was dirty from rolling down the slight hill. It was obvious even from this distance that she was crying.

"I'm coming down," Lucas said as he began descending cautiously. The last thing he wanted to do was tumble down himself. His feet slipped a little, but he was sure footed most of the way down.

When he reached the bottom, he knelt down beside Allie on the muddy ground. "Where are you hurt Allie?" he asked. "Anywhere besides your ankle?"

Allie took a few deep breaths, not wanting to cry in front of him. "I…don't…think so. I can't walk."

"Did you hit your head?" Lucas asked, concerned.

"No, I don't hurt anywhere else. Just my ankle," she replied.

"Let me see it," Lucas said. He carefully removed her shoe, trying not to cause her any more discomfort than she was already in. Lucas quickly removed his jacket and put it on the ground, then tore one of his sleeves off of his shirt.

"Mr. Bouchard, your shirt," Allie protested.

"It's just a shirt, Allie. Your ankle is much more important," he replied as he started wrapping it. He tore the end and secured the material.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Allie said with wide eyes.

"I had my share of bumps and bruises when I was young. Someone had to wrap my ankle just like this once," he replied, putting his dirty jacket back on. "Now, I'm going to give you a piggy back ride back up that hill."

He helped her to stand on one foot, then carried her over to a stump and stood her up on it. She climbed up on his back and they began their slow hike up the incline.

"So, what were you and Opal doing out here today?" Lucas asked, trying to make conversation.

"We wanted to have an adventure," Allie replied.

Lucas laughed, "I would have to say you succeeded."

Allie was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Looks like you ruined your clothes rescuing me."

"Don't worry about it, Allie, I like nice clothes. But I like you more," Lucas reassured her.

"Enough to teach me a new card trick?" Allie asked, bringing a laugh from Lucas.

"I'm not allowed to do that. Your uncle wouldn't like it," he replied.

"Uncle Nathan is overprotective."

"He cares about you," Lucas replied.

They reached the top and Lucas lowered her to the ground. Then he picked her up and placed her on his horse and got on behind her.

Allie laughed. "My ankle does feel better. I don't know if my uncle would have remained as calm as you are."

"I'm just glad Opal found me when she did. It will be cold and dark soon," Lucas replied as they headed back to town.

"Mr. Bouchard…could you not tell anyone you saw me crying?" Allie asked.

"Your secret is safe with me," Lucas replied.

###

Elizabeth looked at the clock on the wall. Only ten minutes left in the hour Lucas had said he needed. If they weren't back soon, someone would have to go look for them.

"Opal, stay here. I'm going to walk outside for a moment," Elizabeth said as she stood and walked out the door.

Elizabeth paced back and forth on the walkway for a couple of moments, then she saw what she was waiting for. Her heart skipped a beat and she took a deep breath when she saw the horse coming. As they neared, she could hear Allie laughing.

"I don't believe you," Allie said.

"It's true! I can do a handstand," Lucas responded.

"You're gonna have to prove it to me," she replied.

"I tell you what. You get an A on that book report you told me about, and I will do a handstand for you," Lucas offered.

"It's a deal," Allie replied.

Elizabeth smiled as she stood there patiently waiting. Lucas hadn't noticed her yet, but she could see how dirty both of them were. Allie's foot was wrapped, no telling where Lucas got the material to do that.

Lucas dismounted and made eye contact with Elizabeth as she walked into the street. "How are you doing Allie? I heard you got hurt. Hello…Lucas," Elizabeth said. Lucas smiled, "Hello Elizabeth."

"Mr. Bouchard rescued me. You should have seen him," Allie never stopped talking as Lucas carefully got her off the horse and began carrying her into the infirmary. "He was great. He got all muddy coming down that slippery hill. Then he took off his jacket and used his shirt sleeve to wrap my foot. It feels much better since he wrapped it."

Elizabeth held the door so Lucas could take Allie inside.

"Hi Allie," Opal said. "I'm glad you're alright. I knew Mr. Bouchard would find you," Carson showed Lucas where to place her, and looked at her wrapped foot in surprise.

"I don't think I could have done much better than that," Carson said. "But I do need to remove it and examine your ankle. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"No, just the ankle. It doesn't hurt as much since Mr. Bouchard wrapped it up. He tore his shirt to do it," she said proudly.

Elizabeth smiled and looked at Lucas. She could still see the concern in his eyes as he watched Carson clean and then examine Allie's foot. Elizabeth had never seen him so dirty. She had never seen him so disheveled. And she had never been surer of her feelings for him than she was at that moment. The words Nathan had said to her regarding Lucas loving his fancy clothes seemed laughable as she examined his suit and muddy shoes. His starched shirt was missing a sleeve, and he wasn't bothered by that. It was obvious he cared a lot more about people than he did clothes. And she loved him for it.

Carson finally spoke. "Well, it looks like it's just a sprain. You'll have to stay off of it for at least a week. I'll look at it then and see how it's healing." He carefully rewrapped it with a clean bandage.

"Alright young lady. You are finished here," Carson said.

"Thank you, Dr. Shepherd. Mr. Bouchard, can you take me to Opal's on your horse? Since I can't walk?" Allie asked smiling up at her hero.

"Of course, I will. Let's go." Lucas picked her up and carried her outside, Elizabeth once again holding the door and Opal trailing behind. He placed her on the horse, then grabbed the reins. He and Elizabeth walked side by side, not speaking but listening to the girls talking behind them. Suddenly Opal ran up to him. "Mr. Bouchard, I took care of your watch for you. Here it is," she said as she held it out to him.

"Thank you, Opal. I appreciate you taking such good care of it," Lucas responded.

"It's such a pretty watch. I didn't understand what was written inside though," Opal said.

"It was a message to me from my father," Lucas replied.

"What does it say?" Allie asked from behind them on the horse.

"It says, 'Patience my son, she will be worth waiting for,'" Elizabeth responded, causing Lucas to look over at her. Their eyes met and held.

"I don't get it," Allie said.

"That's alright, Allie. You will one day," Elizabeth replied.

###

John came back to the saloon hoping to say hello to Ona. He saw Albert behind the bar and went to speak to him.

"Good evening Albert. I'll take a beer please."

Albert came back and placed the stein on the bar. "I hope your trip was productive. I haven't seen Lucas yet."

"Yes, it certainly was. Lucas had an important errand to run. Has Ona, uh Fiona, already turned in for the night?" John asked.

"She went up just a little while ago. Looked a little tired," Albert responded.

"Okay thanks, Albert. I'm going to go sit down at a table and take a load off. I will need one more of these in a few minutes," John said, lifting up his stein.

John walked over and sat down, glad to be sitting in a chair after riding all day. He wondered if Lucas was with Elizabeth right now. He was hoping everything went well. He had always looked up to his cousin and wanted him to be happy.

He thought about Ona. When he was talking to Lucas on the road, he told him he had always thought of her as a little sister. And that was true. But she was a beautiful woman now. Could he possibly have feelings for her in the future? It wouldn't be the worst thing to marry a good friend, sometimes love came out of that. And they did have a lot of history. They got along well.

Albert came and brought John another beer. "Thank you," John said as Albert took the empty stein.

He sat there for a while contemplating his future. He had been a bachelor for a long time, but if he was honest with himself, he did want a family. His life had been exciting, but at times the last few years he had grown lonely.

He would have to give it some more thought.

###

It was dusk by the time Elizabeth and Lucas had gotten the girls home and settled. They walked out the door of Opal's house and began walking towards Elizabeth's.

"Lucas, I was hoping to speak to you today, but I have to go feed Jack and put him to bed. Do you think we could talk tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked hopefully.

"I look forward to it," Lucas said as they reached the Coulter's door. "Goodnight Elizabeth."

"Goodnight Lucas," Elizabeth responded as they held their gaze a moment longer. Then she tapped on the door and went inside.

Lucas watched as Elizabeth closed the door, then mounted his horse and headed for the livery. His hopes of telling her his feelings may have been dashed for the moment, but hopefully tomorrow he would be able to finally tell Elizabeth how much he cared about her.

He just hoped his cousin was right about her returning those feelings.

###

"Did I see Lucas walking you home? Did you talk to him?" Rosemary bombarded Elizabeth with questions as soon as she came in. Elizabeth gave her a quick rundown of the events of the last hour.

"Unfortunately, I didn't have time to talk to him tonight. I have to get this little guy home. Thank you so much for watching him for me. You are always there for me when I need you," Elizabeth said.

"And you know it is always my pleasure," Rosemary stated.

Elizabeth said goodnight, then picked up Jack and walked out the door to her own house.

Lee walked up and put his arms around his wife. "I will be so happy when those two get their feelings out in the open. Then they can be happy together just like we are."

Rosemary kissed her husband. "Me too my darling. Me too."

###

Thursday morning dawned a cool cloudy day. Elizabeth was hoping to run into Lucas on his way to the petroleum company; perhaps he would have a few minutes to spare. Their talk was long overdue and she was getting anxious about what he might have to say.

She had gotten a lot of writing done this week, but of course next week was back to school. She looked forward to seeing all the kids again.

Elizabeth walked slowly towards the library, looking around as she went. Not seeing him, she decided to go straight to the office to see if he was there. She saw the open door and stepped inside. Lucas and Mike were going over some papers. "Good morning, Lucas, Mike," she said. Both men looked up and smiled. "Morning," Mike said. "Good morning, Elizabeth," Lucas said.

"I was hoping we could talk, but I can see you are quite busy. Perhaps later?" Elizabeth said disappointedly.

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," Lucas replied. "A problem came up while I was gone that I need to take care of. Can we talk later today?" He looked genuinely sorry that they couldn't speak right now.

"Of course. I will see you soon," Elizabeth said. She nodded at Mike and then left. Mike looked at Lucas, "That looks like a serious conversation about to happen."

"The most serious," Lucas said. "And put off for way too long. Now, let's figure this out."

Elizabeth suddenly had an idea. Instead of heading to the library, she walked towards the dress shop hoping Rosemary was already there. She went in and found her at a table drawing out new designs. Looking up, she smiled. "You are here bright and early Elizabeth. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you finished the alterations on that blue dress. I'm going to need it tonight," Elizabeth said.

"Yes, it's finished. It didn't need much. What do you have planned?" Rosemary asked.

Elizabeth broke into a big smile, "A special dinner date in the library. I'm going to need your help…"

###

The saloon was busy in the early afternoon. Fiona was glad as it kept her mind occupied and off of her troubles. She returned from the kitchen to find a piece of paper laying on the bar. As she looked around, she had no way of knowing who had put it there, but her gut told her it was Savage. No one was sitting at the bar. She perused the room and didn't see him, but that didn't mean he didn't have an acquaintance doing his bidding. There were several people there that she didn't recognize that day.

She turned around and opened the folded note, and turned white as she read.

Fiona,

I told you a long time ago there was no place you could go that I wouldn't find you. If you want to protect your friends, you will meet me outside in the back of the saloon tonight at 11. You know what I am capable of, so don't try to warn anyone.

~AS

Tears filled her eyes as she finished reading. She knew there was no other choice but to see him. She had waited too long to tell someone and now she couldn't take the chance of Savage hurting anyone in Hope Valley. She only hoped she would live through the meeting.

She crumbled the paper and tossed it in the trashcan.

###

Lucas had a very long and busy day at the office and was finally headed back to the saloon. It seemed he had barely had time to take a breath. He would be glad when the consultant showed up, hopefully he could give Lucas some advice on how to proceed. Lucas felt bad that he hadn't had a chance to see Elizabeth today. Most likely she was feeding Jack about now so there was no reason to try to go talk to her until tomorrow.

He saw Albert behind the bar and John sat there talking to him. Lucas walked up and slapped him on the back. "How was your day John?" Lucas asked.

"Not bad. I took Outlaw out for a ride. Just learning the area. I was gone most of the day. I've been waiting to find out how your talk with Elizabeth went last night. We didn't get to talk after you got back," John responded.

Lucas sighed, "We had a slight emergency and I never got to talk to her. I was hoping to do that today, but I've just been too busy. I guess it will have to wait a little longer."

Rosemary came rushing into the saloon. "Lucas! I am so glad I found you. I need you over at the library. There is a situation."

Lucas raised his eyebrows, "A situation? What exactly does that mean?"

She took his elbow and started leading him to the door. "Just come with me. I will explain everything when we get there."

John watched them leave and then looked at Albert. "I wonder what kind of situation could happen at a library that would warrant coming to get Lucas."

Albert shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but it must be pretty serious."

"I guess Fiona already went upstairs? This is two days in a row I have missed her."

"She said she had a headache and went up early again," Albert responded.

John nodded. He hoped Ona was alright. It wasn't like her to go to bed so early. He would find her tomorrow and make sure everything was okay.

###

Rosemary didn't say a word as she and Lucas walked to the library. At least she had released his arm. He had felt like a naughty student being led to the corner when they walked out of the saloon.

As they neared the library, Lucas could see light shining through the window. Rosemary got to the door first and opened it, allowing Lucas to step inside. What he saw made him catch his breath.

The room was decorated in a romantic setting. Candles and flowers. Music coming from a Victrola. A table set with a lace tablecloth and two plates of food. A bottle of wine chilling in the center of the table. But Lucas barely noticed the room. When he entered, he saw the woman of his dreams standing on the other side of the table. Elizabeth stood there looking beautiful in a blue dress he had never seen before. And her hair was a little different also. Lucas didn't want to get his hopes up thinking about what this might mean, but it was obvious she had set this up as a date.

Lucas heard the door close behind him and knew that they were alone. He couldn't seem to speak, only stare at the vision in front of him.

Elizabeth smiled. "Hello Lucas. I hope you don't mind the fib Rosemary told to get you here."

Lucas finally relaxed, "Elizabeth, you look…breathtaking. I never mind spending time alone with you, even under false pretenses."

Elizabeth gestured towards the table, "Shall we sit? Bill made us a nice meal."

Lucas didn't have to be asked twice. He helped Elizabeth with her chair, poured them both a glass of wine, and then sat across from her. "Everything looks wonderful," Lucas said, never taking his eyes off of her.

"Lucas, I didn't want another day to go by before we had a chance to talk."

"I wanted to come by, but I just got finished for the day. I'm sorry I was busy this morning. I felt bad about it," Lucas replied.

Elizabeth blushed and looked down momentarily. "It's alright. I planned this so we wouldn't be interrupted."

Lucas looked at her warmly, "I'm glad you did."

They looked in each other eyes and then Elizabeth spoke. "Lucas, I wanted to talk about you leaving town…"

"I should have told you I was going. I went to Benson Hills with John. He had to identify the men that ambushed him."

Elizabeth smiled at his misinterpretation of her statement. "No, that's not what I'm talking about. Rosemary told me…"

There was a knock at the door and she stopped speaking. Lucas stood and walked to the door, opening it. John stood on the other side and looked embarrassed when he saw the room and Elizabeth.

"Hello, Elizabeth. Lucas I hate to interrupt, but Mr. Smith is here from Benson Hills. The consultant. He said he needed to see you right away."

Lucas looked down in frustration, then looked at Elizabeth. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I told him to contact me as soon as he got to town." He turned to walk outside with John, intending to have him tell Mr. Smith he was busy at the moment. Then he heard Elizabeth's chair push back and her strained voice behind him, "Lucas, I need to talk to you about your plans to move to Montana. It has to be tonight. Mr. Smith will just have to wait."

John and Lucas exchanged confused looks, then Lucas said, "John, tell Mr. Smith I am in an emergency meeting and I will have to see him later or in the morning. Make sure he has a room, on the house, and have Gustave fix him anything he wants. Also, on the house." John nodded and smiled at Lucas before turning to leave. Lucas closed and locked the door and turned back to Elizabeth, but he didn't move. She now stood next to the table looking anxious.

"Elizabeth, forgive me. I wasn't leaving. I was just going to go outside for a moment to speak to John and come back. I'm sorry if I upset you. You have my undivided attention."

Elizabeth exhaled and relaxed, before taking a deep breath. "Lucas. I heard about your plans to leave with John."

"Where did you hear…ah, Florence…" Lucas said, understanding where the rumor came from. He remembered Ned and Florence at the table near them when they began their conversation on Sunday night. They must have left before the end.

"It's all over town. I was bound to hear about it. I think I know why you decided to leave. Because of what happened a few days ago in the street. With Nathan. But I think you misunderstood…"

"Misunderstood?" Lucas asked hopefully.

"Lucas, I was thinking of my late husband Jack when I hugged Nathan. I don't have romantic feelings for him." Elizabeth's voice was full of emotion as she spoke.

Lucas maintained eye contact with Elizabeth, but didn't speak. He was afraid he would break the spell.

"Lucas, I know I can't change your mind if you are planning to go. But I couldn't let you leave without you knowing the truth."

"What is the truth?" Lucas asked, his heart rate increasing.

Elizabeth looked down at her hands. Lucas watched as she slowly and carefully removed her wedding rings and placed them on the table. Then she looked up at Lucas with tears in her eyes.

"Lucas. I was scared of admitting what I was feeling. I kept trying to convince myself that I needed to be with Nathan. He's a Mountie, like Jack was. He was more…comfortable. But, every time I was near you, I felt closer to you. I was drawn to you and your goodness. I was drawn to your looks, your generosity, your willingness to put everyone else above yourself. I am drawn to everything about you," Elizabeth took a breath, calming her nerves. "You need to know how I feel about you. I love you Lucas Bouchard. If you can leave Hope Valley knowing that, then I must have misread what I thought you feel for me."

Lucas stood there not believing what he was hearing. Elizabeth loved him, not Nathan. His heart was leaping for joy and he wanted to enjoy this feeling and never forget this moment. Elizabeth had just opened her heart to him. She said she loved him. And she had removed her rings. He knew that everything he ever desired and waited for was about to happen. He didn't dare take this lightly. Thank you, God, for giving me the desire of my heart. I will always put her and her son above myself, he prayed silently before speaking.

"Elizabeth. I once told you I would wait for my soulmate as long as it took. What I didn't tell you was that I had already met her- in the street in front of the saloon. I offered her a job, wanting to get to know her better. I have tried to make her dreams come true. I have tried to treat her like a princess. Because I wanted her to know how much I care for her. But I made one mistake. I showed her in every way I possibly could how I feel. But I never told her."

The room was filled with electricity. Elizabeth still stood by the table, and Lucas had never moved away from the door.

"Maybe you should…" Elizabeth said quietly.

Lucas knew it was time to say the words he had longed to say for so long. "Once I met you, Elizabeth, I wanted to spend every minute with you. I have never wanted to be away from you. I have sought you out at every opportunity I could. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, inside and out. And yes, John asked me to move to Montana, but I told him no and I told him why. It is because you have stolen my heart. I am in love with you Elizabeth Thornton. And I love Little Jack. I have never felt this way about anyone else. Hope Valley is my home. I don't plan on ever leaving here unless you two are by my side."

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears. "Lucas…" she said, not able to say anything else. They both stood there silently, staring into each other's eyes for a long moment, the room heavy with emotion.

Suddenly Lucas moved forward and quickly covered the space between them, placed his hands on her cheeks and lowered his mouth to hers. She responded with a passion that had been too long buried, returning the kiss and wrapping her arms around the man she loved. Lucas moved one hand behind her head and the other one went to her waist as he pulled her close to him, not wanting their first kiss to ever end. When he finally pulled back, they looked at each other with love shining in their eyes, both of them trying to catch their breath. "That was worth waiting for," he said huskily wanting nothing more than to kiss her again. "Looks like my father was right."

Elizabeth smiled shyly, a sharp contrast to her passion just a moment before. She knew he was referring to the words engraved on his watch. "He must be a wise man, like his son," Elizabeth responded. She looked from his eyes to his lips and couldn't contain herself. She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him down for another kiss. Her nerve endings exploding with desire for this man she had fallen in love with.

"Elizabeth," Lucas said to her lips as he pulled back, breathing hard, "I may be many things, but I try to always be a gentleman." He reached up and took her hands from around his neck and kissed them both. Then he smiled timidly.

"I should be ashamed of my boldness, but I'm not. Admitting to myself how much I felt for you…Lucas, I'm sorry I hurt you," Elizabeth said, examining the handsome face of the man she loved. "Please forgive me for being so confused.

"You don't need to apologize for being confused."

"You are a great kisser," she said flirtatiously.

Lucas smiled shyly, then looked at her with longing. "It wasn't easy pulling away from you just now. Not something I wanted to do."

"Then maybe this will be something you want to do," Elizabeth said, wrapping her arms around him and laying her head on his chest. Lucas responded by enveloping her with his arms and resting his cheek on top of her head. Now that he was finally holding her, he never wanted to let her go.

Elizabeth stood there in the shelter of his arms, aware of the difference in this embrace and the one with Nathan.

That one was filled with confusion and fear. But this one was full of nothing but love and hope for the future.

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I felt the first few chapters were centered more around John and us getting to know him and his relationship with Lucas. I was glad to get that done and back to a chapter centered around our favorite couple. I had fun writing this last scene with them. That kiss though!