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Chapter 13

Fiona wore her deep-blue dress with flair, fully aware that it brought out the color of her eyes and the dark curls of her hair.

We'd make a pretty pair, she thought, taking in Nathan's similar dark hair and blue eyes. Betsy seems very sweet. What a beautiful family we would be.

She took dainty bites of her dinner, making sure to smile at everyone around the table — Rosemary and Lee, and especially Nathan and his niece.

One problem, though — Rosemary kept talking about the latest fashions, making it impossible to follow Nathan and Lee's conversation about a proposed construction project of some kind.

"Do you like flowers?" Betsy interrupted.

"Oh, yes," Fiona assured. "Roses are my favorite." She sneaked a peek at Nathan, who was intently listening to Lee discussing breaking ground soon.

"How about wildflowers?" The child persisted.

"They're all right. They seem to be everywhere these days, don't they? Do you like them?" she asked, making a point to express curiosity about Betsy's interests.

"I love them. Especially the purple ones."

"Purple really isn't flattering to me, but I'll bet it looks lovely on you."

"Fiona, be honest — what do you think are the most fashionable colors these days?" Rosemary interjected. "The dress shop is getting requests for mauve and magenta, and even a spring green. But you wear blue so well. I think it's a color that will never go out of style."

"Blue? Yes, blue seems to be universally desired," Fiona said, her eyes darting to Lee. "Did your husband just say something about building a house?" she asked.

"Yes, he did. It's one way he can use his sawmill for a good cause. Hope Valley simply doesn't have enough homes at the moment, as you well know. How do you enjoy boarding with Florence, by the way?"

"Oh, she's lovely," Fiona exuded delight. "And she's coming right along in learning the switchboard. Tell me more about this house. Is it for you and Lee?"

"Oh, we'll build our dream home eventually," Rosemary said with a faraway look in her eyes. "Right now, he's working on a house for Nathan and Betsy, to get them out of his office's attic and into something more comfortable."

"Oh, my. That must mean they're planning to put down roots here." She smiled charmingly in Nathan's direction. When he didn't notice, she transferred her attention to Betsy. "Isn't that exciting?"

"Yes! I also liked staying at Mrs. Thornton's, but my grandmother raised a stink about it."

"Betsy!" Rosemary admonished.

"But that's what you said she did," she defended.

"I may have — but I didn't think you were listening," Rosemary finished in a whisper.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Coulter," Betsy said. "Anyway, our house will be near Mrs. Thornton's, and we'll get to see her and little Jack all the time, same as we do now."

Fiona's smile suddenly felt forced. Again, she looked at Nathan and Lee, whose conversation hadn't gotten any less intense, and realized she might as well be invisible. She sighed.

"Rosemary, the lamb chops are truly divine," she said, salvaging what she could of the evening. A good meal was something, she decided.

An urgent knock suddenly halted all talk around the table.

"Lee, dear, are you expecting someone?"

"Not me, darling. But let me get it."

Nathan eased to his feet and faced the door. Fiona got the impression his service experience had schooled him to always be at the ready.

"Elizabeth? Come in. What brings you by?" Lee asked, opening the door wide.

"I'm so sorry. There's a bit of an emergency, and I need to go to the home of one of my students right away." She looked behind her at a pre-teen lad who was waiting in the roadway. "I hate to interrupt, but Jack should already be in his crib for the night. Would you mind watching him until I return? It may be an hour or longer."

"Of course, Elizabeth," Lee said, taking the sleepy-eyed little one from her arms, along with his bag. "Are you sure you'll be all right on the road this late?"

"Yes. Reggie, her brother, is here to accompany me." Again, she glanced at the young man.

"I'll go along," Nathan volunteered. "Lee's right. It may not safe this time of night."

"I couldn't interrupt your dinner."

"I couldn't enjoy it knowing you're on the road after dark," he said. "Besides, your young friend may not be able to return you to your door if your visit takes longer than you expect."

"Please, go with Elizabeth," Rosemary agreed. "We can watch little Jack until she returns, and we're happy to put Betsy to bed in our guest room. Don't even give her a thought until morning."

"Thank you — and thank you for dinner. Goodnight, Betsy. Be good for Mr. and Mrs. Coulter."

"I will, Uncle Nathan." She ran to him for a goodbye hug.

"It was good to see you, Fiona." He bobbed his head and didn't wait for a reply.

Little Jack perked up when Nathan neared the door, a grin of expectation on his face.

Nathan obliged. "It's always a pleasure to see you, young man! Sleep well." He ran his broad hand soothingly over the child's back.

He took his hat from the hook and played three repetitions of "peek-a-boo" before following Elizabeth out the door, smiling ear to ear.

"I'm so, so sorry." Elizabeth's voice echoed through the still-open doorway. "I didn't mean to cut short your evening."

Sure, you didn't. Fiona cut another bite of her meat and sat in stony silence.

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"What kind of emergency is it, if you don't mind my asking," Nathan inquired, his casual leather boots crunching on the gravel roadway. "If it's medical, shouldn't we inform Dr. Shepherd?"

"It's not that. But if Frannie's father can't talk some sense into her, the young man she wants to marry may find himself in traction."

"Her family is opposed?"

"Yes. Though they're very much in love, they're also very young." She kept her voice low enough that the girl's brother couldn't hear their conversation.

"It sounds as though her parents hope you hold some influence with her."

"Or they hold me responsible," she said. "And William Shakespeare."

"Don't tell me — you taught 'Romeo and Juliet' when they were in your class?"

"What was I thinking?"

"Well, the star-crossed lovers died in the end. Who could imagine your students would want to imitate that?"

"You'd be surprised how many young women live and die by their romantic notions. As a teacher, I see it quite often."

"If you're trying to alarm me, you're succeeding."

Elizabeth held her lantern aloft and illuminated his face, hoping to understand what he meant.

"I'm raising a little girl who has enough royally romantic dreams to fill an entire Shakespeare-sized volume," he pointed out, taking a turn at holding the lantern.

"Oh, Betsy." Elizabeth laughed. "She's the most precious and precocious little girl I've had the pleasure to know — and I've known quite a few. I love her."

"Thank you," he said softly. "I'm sure you love all your students, but thank you for loving her, too."

"Who wouldn't? She charms everyone who crosses her path." She smiled. "Yes, I said 'charm.' But she has depth of character, too, which I'm sure you're happy to hear."

"That's everything an uncle could hope for."

He smiled in the lantern light, and they continued on in companionable silence.

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"The evening didn't quite go as I'd planned," Rosemary said to her husband after their last guest had left and Betsy was settled upstairs.

"It wasn't bad. It gave Nathan the opportunity to get to know another Hope Valley resident a little better. Sentiment has certainly swung in his favor since the whirlwind week he and Betsy moved into the attic."

"That was quite a week!" Rosemary agreed, rocking her favorite little boy as they waited for his mother to return. "I'm glad things have gone back to normal. Although I've begun to despair of ever finding our Mountie a match."

"He's only been here a few months and is settling in nicely. Leave him be."

"Yes, dear." She gave him a beaming smile.

He laughed. "I know what your quick agreement means — you plan to do the exact opposite."

"No, no, I have given up. And now that Betsy's happily ensconced in your cozy little loft with her uncle, I think she's given up, too, largely because they've been so busy. There's been no shortage of supper invitations. Since their emergency housing has no kitchen, they've become everyone's favorite guests."

"Including ours," he added.

"Especially ours, when they can squeeze us into their schedule." She chuckled softly. "At least I get to see Betsy when she comes to Elizabeth's after school. She's just as dear as ever, and she fits into our lives so well. I'm happy to know we're still among her closest friends."

"She seems as faithful and steadfast as her uncle," he said. "Those qualities will take her far in life."

"Yes, but she also has a few qualities her uncle lacks, for example, the ability to make friends easily and express the joy and love she feels."

"That's why some men seek a partner with those qualities." He winked at his wife. "I hit the jackpot in that department."

"Oh, Lee. Aren't you the most precious husband!"

"However, since Nathan isn't seeking a wife, at least Betsy is breaking down a few walls for him."

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See Chapter 14

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Thank you to all who have offered enthusiastic reviews of my story!

My heart goes out to those who prefer to read stories about Elizabeth and Jack.

I know that his loss will forever be felt.

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If you enjoyed this story, please check out my fan fiction about "Chesapeake Shores."

Search fanfiction . net for writer "Annette Zoaps."

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