Author's note: This chapter is a bit of a rollercoaster. The cliffhanger will be resolved in the next chapter, I promise! Don't throw things at me! :)
The months passed by, and soon it was summer break. Elizabeth was excited to spend more time with Allie and Jack over the break. She loved being with the children. Nathan had promised to take some time off work so that the four of them could go on a camping trip. Allie was beyond excited, and little Jack had picked up on her excitement. The two of them would talk about the trip, with Allie explaining to Jack what camping entailed and Jack looking up at her with his big blue eyes, not understanding what she meant but loving the attention from his cousin.
Watching the relationship between Jack and Allie grow had made Elizabeth very happy over the past several months. The two of them were so close, and Allie loved to help Elizabeth with Jack. They couldn't have loved each other more if they were flesh-and-blood siblings.
Then there was the relationship between Nathan and Jack. There was no doubt in Elizabeth's mind that Nathan loved her son as much as she did, and the feelings were clearly mutual. Jack loved Nathan and had taken to watching at the window in the evenings for Nathan to come home. When he spotted him, he would laugh and clap his hands. "A'tan home!" he would announce, grinning at Elizabeth and crawling off the couch to stand by the door. As soon as it opened, Jack would lunge forward, latching onto Nathan's legs until he picked him up. Nathan would scoop Jack into his arms and give him a bear hug, which produced hysterical squeals from the little boy. It warmed Elizabeth's heart to see how much they loved each other. Little Jack had a wonderful man for a father.
Her heart was gradually drawing closer to Nathan's as well. She still couldn't tell him that she loved him, but she noticed everything he did that showed how much he loved her. The newest thing was calling her "sweetheart." The first time he had done so, his eyes had widened and his mouth dropped, indicating that he hadn't planned on saying it. It had just slipped out.
"I'm sorry," he'd said, starting to apologize, but Elizabeth cut him off.
"I like it, Nathan," she told him with a smile. "You can call me that if you want to."
He'd smiled back, running his knuckles gently down her cheek. "Then you can be sure I will." It had been a daily occurance ever since.
The feeling of being cherished had only grown since the day of their picnic. Nathan continued to love her in his words and actions without putting any pressure on her to return his feelings. She wondered how long it would take for her heart to follow her mind. Nathan was the perfect man for her. She knew that. She just wasn't sure if she could say she had moved on and could freely love him back.
The front door opened, bringing Elizabeth's mind back to the present. Jack and Allie were out exploring with Laura, and she wasn't expecting them back for another hour. But it wasn't them coming through the door. It was Rosemary.
"Hello, Elizabeth!" Rosemary said, a grin covering her face. "Isn't it a beautiful day?" She enveloped Elizabeth in a hug.
Elizabeth chuckled. "It certainly is, but you seem too happy for this to be simply weather related." She eyed her friend. "What's going on?"
Rosemary's face was glowing. "You know how I haven't been feeling particularly well lately?"
"Yes. Did you find out what's going on?"
"I did indeed!" Now Rosemary's grin was so big, Elizabeth was sure her face would split if it got any bigger. "I just got back from the infirmary. Elizabeth, I'm pregnant!" She squealed, her excitement contagious.
Elizabeth felt happiness for Rosemary well up inside, and she squealed right along with her friend. "Rosemary, that's wonderful news!" she cried. "The best news ever!"
"I know!" Rosemary said, laughing with joy. "Oh Elizabeth, I've been longing for a child, and now we're finally going to have one! I can't wait to meet the baby!"
"How long will that be?" Elizabeth asked.
Rosemary pursed her lips. "Not for another six months. The baby should come in early December. I don't know how I'm going to wait that long, but I suppose I don't have a choice." She put her hands on her stomach, looking down in wonder. "I had almost given up hope, Elizabeth. Lee and I thought we couldn't have a baby. Yet here we are." Her eyes held wonder. "Isn't it amazing?"
Elizabeth took Rosemary's hands in hers. "Absolutely amazing, Rosemary. I'm so happy for you and Lee!"
Rosemary's eyes sparkled. "Obviously you and Nathan will be the godparents. Speaking of which…" She pulled Elizabeth to the settee and sat. "What's going on with you and Nathan?"
"What do you mean, what's going on between me and Nathan?" Elizabeth asked, confused by the question and the sudden change in subject.
Rosemary harrumphed. "I've seen the way you've been looking at him lately, Elizabeth. Like you're falling for him. I've also seen the way he looks at you, like a man hopelessly in love."
Elizabeth hadn't told Rosemary about Nathan's declaration of love at their picnic. It had seemed much too personal to share at the time. Maybe now she could tell her. Maybe Rosemary could help her understand the emotions ricocheting around in her heart.
"Rosemary, do you remember the picnic Nathan and I went on?"
"Of course!" Rosemary said with a dramatic sigh. "It sounded so romantic! I still can't believe he didn't kiss you then!"
Elizabeth blushed. "There was more to it," she said. "I didn't tell you everything that happened that day."
"You didn't?" Rosemary looked surprised. "What didn't you tell me?"
"That Nathan admitted he loves me," Elizabeth said softly.
Rosemary's mouth hung open for a moment, and then she started to smile. "That's wonderful, Elizabeth!" She searched Elizabeth's eyes, trying to read them. "How did it make you feel?"
"Wonderful," Elizabeth admitted. "Cherished is the word that most often comes to mind when I think about Nathan. He shows his love in so many ways. He's only said the words once, but I know he loves me because of his actions. It feels good to know how much he cares."
"And how do you feel about him?"
Elizabeth sighed. "That's the big question, isn't it?" She looked down at Jack's ring on her right hand. "Most days I think I'm ready to love Nathan. Other days I wonder if I'll ever be ready."
Rosemary was uncharacteristically quiet for a minute. Then she took Elizabeth's hand and looked directly into her eyes. "Elizabeth, if you wait until you feel ready, you might never be ready. Love requires a leap of faith." She leaned forward a little, emphasizing her words. "I think you're ready to take that leap." She settled back against the settee, measuring her next words. "You know I was against this marriage initially. I thought it was too soon. But even then it was obvious that Nathan cared for you. Now I think this marriage was the best thing to happen to both of you."
Tears had filled Elizabeth's eyes, though whether they were happy or sad or somewhere inbetween she couldn't quite tell. "Why's that?"
"Because you are a wife to a man who loves you more than words can say. You have a father for little Jack, and you have a niece who has become more like a daughter to you than anything else. The four of you work together better than I could have dreamed, and you're happy again, Elizabeth. I haven't seen you this happy in a very, very long time." She paused. "I think you're more in love with Nathan than you're admitting to yourself. I think you're scared to admit how much he means to you because you're afraid you could lose him like you lost Jack. But I don't think you'll lose Nathan. Jack always had to fight the good fight. That was his calling. Nathan's calling is his family. He will always put his family first. He will always put you first."
Now the tears were rolling down Elizabeth's cheeks. Rosemary was right. Why hadn't she seen this sooner? Nathan was committed to those he loved, and his love was true and noble and pure. She glanced down at Jack's ring again. Maybe she had left it on because unconsciously she knew that taking it off would signify the end of one chapter of her life and the embracing of a new one that was still unknown. She twisted the ring slowly around her finger, debating within herself. Rosemary watched and waited, sensing the importance of the moment. Slowly, oh so slowly, Elizabeth pulled the ring from her finger. She waited for the sadness to hit, but it didn't. She could almost feel Jack smiling down on her from heaven, cheering her on in her journey to love again, just as he had wanted her to.
Rosemary hugged her, a smile in her voice. "I'm proud of you, Elizabeth. That was a big step you just took.'
Elizabeth smiled, a feeling of peace washing over her like rain. She ran a finger over the ring, then got up and found a small box on the little table by the stairs. Placing the ring inside, she put it in a drawer and closed it, exhaling a breath. "I'll save it for little Jack," she said, coming back to sit next to Rosemary again.
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Rosemary said.
A sudden crack of thunder made them both jump. "What in the world?" Rosemary exclaimed.
Elizabeth looked out the window. Only thirty minutes ago, it had been sunny with nary a cloud in sight. Now the sky was dark and foreboding, with lightning flashing across the clouds. Another loud roar of thunder hit, so loud the house shook. "Oh my goodness!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "When did that happen?"
Rosemary clicked her tongue. "Summer storms are so unpredictable," she said. "I should be going. Good thing I'm just next door!"
A jolt of fear suddenly shot through Elizabeth's heart. "The kids are out there!" she cried. "Laura took them on an outing. They were supposed to be back soon!"
"Calm down, Elizabeth," Rosemary said, sounding soothing. Elizabeth could see the fear in her eyes too, though she tried to mask it. "I'm sure they found shelter. The children are very resourceful, especially Allie."
"I hope you're right," Elizabeth said, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. She didn't know how she would survive if anything happened to her children.
Her children. The thought burned its way into her heart. Allie was just as much hers as little Jack was. If anything happened to either of them, it would crush her.
She grabbed a jacket from the hook. "I'm going to find Nathan. Maybe they stopped by the office before coming home." Taking off out the door at a run, Elizabeth prayed hard. Please let them be okay.
Rain pattered hard on the roof of the Mountie office. Nathan gave a low whistle as another peal of thunder echoed through the town. It had been raining for a little while, and the thunder and lightning had recently joined in. He was thankful that Elizabeth and the children were safe at home in this weather.
The door to his office burst open, and a drenched, breathless Elizabeth came in. The look on her face brought him right to his feet. "Elizabeth? What is it? What's wrong?"
She looked around, a wild look in her eyes. "Are the children here?"
Bewildered, he said, "No, of course not. Why would they be here? I thought they were at home."
She shook her head. "Laura took them out exploring. They were going to go by the river." Her hands flew to her mouth. "The river! Oh no!" She turned to fly out the door again, but Nathan grabbed her arm.
"Elizabeth, wait! You can't just rush out like this!"
Tears were flowing down her cheeks. "Nathan, we have to go find them! God only knows what could happen to them in this storm!"
He pulled her into his arms, hoping to calm her. He felt fear curling through his stomach, but he tried to find a silver lining. "I'm sure they found a cave or some shelter when the rain started," he said, pulling back and looking into her eyes. He looked out the window, noting that the weather continued to worsen. "Go back to the house, Elizabeth. I'll get Bill and we'll search for them."
"I'm not going to stand by and just wait!" Elizabeth cried, shaking him a little. "I need to go find them. These are our children, Nathan! I have to look too."
"Elizabeth, I can't risk anything happening to you," Nathan countered, worried about her safety.
She lifted her chin, determination in her eyes. "If you won't let me go, I'll follow you anyways. I'm not going to stand by and do nothing."
Nathan sighed. He knew she meant it. "Fine. Let's go." They hurried to the livery and saddled the horses. Without a word, they set out together toward the river.
The sound of rushing water met them as they arrived. The current looked angry and swirled rapidly, bringing a shudder to Nathan. If they had been near the water when it flooded…
He pushed the thought from his mind. They'll be fine, he told himself. They have to be fine.
They searched along the river for what felt like forever. Just as they were about to give up and head back to town in hopes that the children had made their way back, Nathan heard a faint cry. Elizabeth sat up straight in the saddle next to him, and he knew she had heard it too.
"This way," Nathan said, urging his horse to a trot. After a moment he stopped and listened again. This time the cry was louder and clearer: Help!
"That's Laura!" Elizabeth cried. "They're in trouble!" They rode toward the sound, coming to a rock wall near the mountain. Nathan jumped off his horse and cupped his hands to his mouth. "Laura! Where are you!"
"Mountie Nathan! We're trapped!" her reply came from somewhere behind the rocks. Nathan searched the rocks, trying to figure out where they would be. He came to a pile of small boulders against the wall. It looked like a fresh rock slide. "Laura, are you in there?" he asked.
"Uncle Nathan!" came Allie's voice. She sounded hysterical. "Please, get us out of here! Jack's hurt!"
His heart dropped. Elizabeth's face was an ashen color he'd never seen before. "We need to clear these rocks, Elizabeth." She nodded faintly, moving beside him and frantically clawing at the rocks. They worked together, clearing the boulders one by one until there was room for them to get inside.
Nathan stepped through the opening, wanting to shield Elizabeth from whatever it was he might find. Laura and Allie looked a little scraped up, but no major injuries were apparent. He breathed a little sigh of relief, until his eyes landed on a motionless, bloodied Jack in Allie's arms. Allie's face was tear-streaked and terrified. "He's not moving, Uncle Nathan! One of the boulders hit him. I think he's...he's…" Her words died away, and fresh sobs burst from her as she cradled the little boy in her arms.
Nathan's heart stopped. Jack was so still, so pale, with crimson stains all over his little body. Nathan felt terror and grief welling up inside, but his training took over and he knew what they had to do. Taking Jack gently from Allie, he stood and went through the opening once again. "Follow me, girls."
They did, both of them still crying. Nathan steeled himself to face Elizabeth, knowing she was about to face one of her worst fears. His only comfort was that he could feel Jack's faint breathing. He was still alive. Elizabeth came toward him, her eyes on Jack. "Nathan…" Her voice broke and her hands went to her mouth.
"He's alive. Get on the horse, Elizabeth," Nathan said firmly. She did so, the tears flowing down her face. Nathan carefully handed little Jack to her, then pulled a blanket from his saddlebag. "Wrap him in this. He needs to be protected from the elements." Turning to Allie and Laura, he said, "You can ride the other horse, girls. Go carefully. I need to get Jack to the infirmary right away."
"Will he be okay?" Allie sobbed out, fear written all over her face.
Nathan knew she wouldn't accept anything other than honesty. "I don't know, sweetheart." He bent down and clasped her in a fierce hug. "Pray, Allie. Pray harder than you've ever prayed before."
She nodded, her face still ashen. He helped the girls onto the horse, then swung onto his own horse behind Elizabeth. "Hold him tight," Nathan said to her. "We're going to go as fast as we can."
Elizabeth nodded and hugged Jack to her chest. Nathan put one arm around them both, then commanded his horse to run.
As they rode, Nathan could feel the fear rising inside him once again. He could feel Elizabeth's fear too. Allie and Laura were close behind them, both having ridden horses since their youth and able to stay in a saddle at a full run. He'd told them to go carefully, but a part of him was glad they were keeping up. Then he could make sure nothing happened to them either.
Nothing could happen to Jack. He couldn't even consider the possibility of losing the child who was like a son to him. He couldn't imagine what Elizabeth was going through right now.
Jack had to be okay. Nathan tightened his arm around them and gave his horse another command. Somehow the animal managed to go even faster. Thankful, Nathan looked up to heaven and prayed fervently.
Please, Lord, please bring healing to little Jack. Please bring him back to us.