It was quiet. Little Jack was sound asleep. Rosemary had left Elizabeth's quaint row house a while ago. Frankly, Elizabeth felt glad for the peace and quiet. She needed it as she collected her thoughts.

She sat down at her writing desk, her eyes catching a glimpse of Jack's picture. Their wedding picture. All of it brought a rush of memories and a feeling of peace. As she reached for a piece of paper, Elizabeth's eyes fell upon Jack's letter. The letter he had hoped she would never have to read. But she had needed to read it.

It was in that letter that Jack encouraged Elizabeth to open her heart up to love again. It had taken two years. And while she wouldn't say what she was feeling was love, she knew her heart was open to the possibility.

The possibility with Constable Nathan Grant.

The thought of Nathan made her smile. Granted, she hadn't exactly made it appear as if her heart was with him. She had gone to Union City with Lucas after all. It hadn't been a date—at least to her—but when she saw the hurt in Nathan's eyes, she knew he had interpreted it that way. Apparently he had taken his frustration out on a wood pile big enough for two winters.

But before she could do anything about Nathan, she needed to address things with Lucas. It was too late right now to speak face to face with him. So a note would have to suffice.

Moving aside Jack's note, Elizabeth closed her eyes before letting her pen take over.

Dear Lucas,

I wanted to acknowledge my actions yesterday. I have been told that you saw my hugging Constable Grant upon his safe return. I am sure that my actions wounded your deeply. For that, I apologize.

Lucas, the last thing I have ever wanted to do was hurt you. You have been loving and caring towards me for quite some time. You have shown an interest in my literary passions and pursuits. I have enjoyed having stimulating conversations with you. They have brought a smile to my face and a joy to my heart. A joy that I hadn't felt in a long time.

You have been gracious and patient with me as I have sought to determine my heart. I will always be grateful to you for that. In truth, I have resisted fully giving in to your advances because I was torn. It took yesterday for me to realize why. My heart seems to be opening towards another.

Lucas, I do not intend to hurt you by my words. I don't know where my feelings with Nathan will go but I owe it to myself to explore them to their fullest potential. This means, respectfully, that you and I focus on being friends and nothing more. Any preferential treatment or romantic gestures would not be fair to you or me. For me to explore my heart and for you to explore romance with someone else.

You deserve someone who will make you blissfully happy, Lucas. Someone who will give themselves unabashedly to you. Someone who doesn't call your dinners "sweet" but rather "perfection." That someone is not me.

Honestly,

Elizabeth

Elizabeth put down her pen. That wasn't an easy letter to write. Some would say it was a copout, writing a letter instead of talking to Lucas face to face. That would happen. In such a small place as Hope Valley, she couldn't ignore Lucas even if she tried. But for now, this letter would have to suffice.