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Chapter one hundred and five

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Forgive, Rejoice and Give Thanks

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As Elizabeth walked into town to meet with Pastor Joseph and Doctor Ben, she wondered if other announcements of her plans would be as difficult as it had been with Rosemary. When she entered the town, Elizabeth was surprised to see Dr. Ben Marshall walking towards her in the direction of the row houses.

"Good morning, Dr. Ben. Are you coming to greet me?"

"Excuse me, Miss?" The man looked around to determine if the question was directed at him or another. "I think you are mistaking me for my twin brother. I am not Dr. Ben Marshall, but rather Dr. Bradley Marshall. My brother and I drove here from Hamilton and arrived last evening. I am visiting for a couple weeks over the holidays to meet people and see the town where Ben is planning to settle. May I ask your name, Miss?"

Laughing, Elizabeth responded. "You most certainly are twins! Excuse my mistaking you for Dr. Ben! I am Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton and I welcome you to Hope Valley." She surveyed the bustling town and commented. "You have chosen an exciting time to visit. This town enjoys celebrating Christmas although not on the same scale of Hamilton!"

His eyes lighting up, he questioned about his hometown. "Oh? You are familiar with Hamilton?"

"Most certainly. I was born and grew up in the City!" Elizabeth glanced at her watch. "I came to Hope Valley to teach some years ago, but I can tell you it has its charms."

"Oh, you are the teacher whose father arranged for my brother to come to Hope Valley!"

An odd look crossed Elizabeth's face, but she excused herself quickly. "It was nice to meet you, Dr. Marshall, but if you'll pardon me I have an appointment."

"Of course." Bradley Marshall commented. "Nice to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Thornton. Enjoy your day!" Admiringly, he watched her climb the steps and enter the Judge's office, oblivious to the concern on her face.

Inside Bill's parlor, Elizabeth decided not to let Dr. Bradley Marshall's comment affect her final meeting so she accepted a mug of coffee from Joseph with a smile. "Good morning, Joseph! Thank you for the coffee!" Taking the chair beside the fire, she set her journal on her lap and balanced the mug between her hands. "This fire feels wonderful today."

"Good morning and welcome back, Elizabeth." Joseph observed his friend. "Welcome home."

"Thank you, Joseph. It is odd to call Hope Valley home now. So much has happened." She smiled. "Oh, Good morning, Dr. Ben."

"Well. Don't you look happy!" As he hung his overcoat and scarf, Ben continued. "It looks as though you had a good trip!"

"Let's open in prayer and then hear about your visit with Nathan and Allie." Turning to Ben, Joseph handed him a mug of hot coffee and asked, "Shall we?" When everyone was seated and nodded, Joseph led in a prayer of thanksgiving for all that brought them to this moment and a prayer of guidance for what lay ahead.

Deciding she knew what she had to share, Elizabeth began. "I had a wonderful time in Regina. You both know how much I had to confess in-person so you can imagine how difficult it was for Nathan to listen to all of that, plus read the letters I brought for him to read, but by God's grace we got through those difficult conversations."

"Because you both know about the journal pages that were inadvertently sent to Allie's school, let me tell you the miracle of what happened. Allie's sweet teacher discovered them and kept them safe from anyone else seeing them. She happens to be the Commissioner's niece and when she learned that Allie's former teacher was in town, she came and returned the pages to me. She had read them trying to figure out why they were included with Allie's school records and guessed they belonged to her teacher. She brought them to me while I was cooking with Allie and I set them behind the coatrack, forgetting about them when Nathan walked Mother and me back to the main house that evening."

"Nathan saw the envelope and, thinking I had left it for him, he read long into the night. He read all my confessions from the first day we met, but the reminders of those days pained him and he couldn't understand why I wanted to dredge up all that pain. Having lost sleep, he was not communicative until we were forced to face the issue that night. He explained how disturbing it was to read and that he couldn't go through that again…" With tears threatening, Elizabeth's voice softened. "I was horrified and explained he was never supposed to read all that…"

"As it turned out, this was a pivotal point in our relationship and brought us closer together than we could ever have imagined. Through all that pain, Nathan had the evidence that I truly had loved him from the start and that reassurance was so important to him." Elizabeth was beaming. "You see? God knew all along that Nathan needed to read those and God protected them from the eyes of others while waiting for the exact right moment. God used what I thought was a disaster, for good. Together we burned those pages so they will never be read again. We re-confessed our love to each other, and are now courting. For us nothing followed the timeline other couples use, but everything is perfect. We spent time together with Allie and my mother and the Commissioner and his wife… I met and had lunch with Nathan's commanding officer… He treated us to a special lunch in the officer's mess. Oh…"

Elizabeth placed her hand over her heart. "Nathan is so respected, admired and appreciated there at the Academy! He suggested some additions to the tracking course in his first week. They are incorporating in the training things that Nathan did while serving as a Constable here, simple acts of service. He now introduces the funeral drills to multiple Troops of Cadets and is presenting an idea to get the young Cadets to volunteer to visit with elderly retirees as a service project to get the generations connected and instill respect and acts of kindness into their training courses."

With her face glowing, Elizabeth briefly looked out the window, missing the looks exchanged between her pastor and doctor. When she returned to face them, Elizabeth confessed. "I didn't know the treasure that is Nathan Grant. But his character is being revealed to me and I am privileged to have his trust." Elizabeth swallowed and look directly at Joseph. "We prayed with each other, and it was beautiful, Joseph. Nathan is a man who will be the Spiritual leader in our home."

Coloring, Elizabeth realized what she had said. "Well, we aren't officially engaged yet, but we are discussing our future. Ah… there is no easy way to say this, but I am moving to Regina. Father and Mother are moving there as well and have procured apartments in a brand new grand hotel downtown, so as soon as we can pack we will be on the train!" Waiting for a response, Elizabeth lifted her coffee and sipped.

"Ahem." Joseph cleared his throat. "I guess, I must tell you that I am not surprised, Elizabeth. It is with a mixture of joy for you and sadness for those of us who are left behind, that I recognize it is your place to move into Nathan's life now. His opportunities, and from what I have heard Allie's opportunities, are tremendous and they are blossoming where God has planted them." Joseph smiled, thoughtfully. "It seems the difficulties they experienced in Hope Valley have tilled the soil in preparation for new growth. I have no doubt that they are thriving in Regina and when you two come together, along with Allie and Jack, you will exemplify love, commitment, healing and forgiveness and be a family to emulate. God had his reasons, didn't he, Elizabeth?"

"He did." Agreed Elizabeth with a joy-filled countenance. "Reasons that allow us to know overwhelming joy when we compare it to our trials of the past."

"What is the timeline, Elizabeth?" Dr. Ben asked.

"We hope to depart Hope Valley right after Christmas so we will be together to begin the New Year. We have not discussed when we will marry though. We thought we needed to wait to learn Nathan's future promotions to determine our housing, but this is another miracle. Not only can Nathan finish his career in the Mounties rising in the ranks right at the Academy, but God has provided a home for us through an inheritance about which Nathan new nothing until right after I left to come back here! The place will be available to us at the end of February!"

"I hope you understand? I am not deserving, but Nathan is. He sacrificed a lot to make Allie his own and raise her himself. He had to step away from the officer tract he was on and be transferred frequently. He took a small town assignment like Hope Valley and declined that promotion a few years ago. He is finally coming into his own, as humbly as ever, but deserving of every happiness. I intend to make him happy too!"

"When I think of how far you have come from when I first met you back in September, Elizabeth, I am amazed." Dr. Ben stated softly. "It has been a privilege to walk beside you as you recovered and discovered and uncovered so much during these weeks. I am thankful that God allowed me to play a small part in what He was doing. Thank you, Elizabeth, for trusting me, us, with your innermost thoughts, wounds, griefs and failures... and now joys!"

Dr. Ben Marshall continued. "Joseph? Thank you for showing me what God can do and how I need to incorporate Him into the counsel I offer my patients. This has been a school of practical applications for me. Less theory and more real life while seeking God's guidance in the process. I am indebted to you both."

"Oh, and it is time for you to call me Ben! Our professional relationship is over!" Ben chuckled as Elizabeth smiled.

"You mean I have graduated?"

"Oh, with high marks, Elizabeth!" Ben's grin was wide.

"Ben? Joseph? I don't know where I would be if you hadn't guided me through those very dark days, but I am grateful... so grateful. Thank you for speaking truth, even when it wasn't easy or I didn't want to hear it or couldn't grasp it. You persevered and prayed and I thank you both. You are both very dear to me." Elizabeth paused then shared. "I would have never thought I could admit this, but I believe I can share now how God worked for good in my life. I am not ashamed of all I went through because the road I am on now and with Nathan is far beyond what I could dream."

"You are right, Elizabeth." Joseph responded. "When I think back to conversations I had with Nathan and how distraught and confused he was, and I see how God is bringing you and Nathan together now along with your dear children, I can also say it is beyond what we could dream, or even imagine!"

"Joseph, are there any words of benediction you have as we close today?" Ben deferred to the man from whom he had learned so much. "Any words of wisdom? Any prayers of blessing?"

"Yes. A couple thoughts come to mind. Always live out the Fruits of the Spirit found in the book of Galatians, chapter five. (*63) Frame them on a wall in your home. Read them, memorize them and pray for God to imprint them on your heart."

"Secondly, respect Nathan, Elizabeth. I know you are aware now of how you disrespected him in the past and I hear how you recognize how admired he is now, but make sure you find ways to respect him, in private and in public. Build him up, support and encourage him. Defer to him, especially when you know he has the best interests of you and your family at heart. You might do something differently, but respect his choices. Remember his experience as a well-trained Mountie, as an experienced single father and as a man after God's own heart. Talk things through together of course, but once the decision is made, support him wholeheartedly. When he makes mistakes, forgive readily. Remember how patient and forgiving he has been too. Make every effort to think the best, and leave the rest to the Lord."

Joseph paused as Elizabeth busily wrote in her journal. When her pen slowed he continued.

"Thirdly," Joseph chuckled, "But probably not finally, I am reminded of the verse from Ecclesiastes that I often mention in weddings. '…A threefold chord is not quickly broken.' (*64) As you grow together with Nathan, if you both individually and together, hold fast to the Lord being the third person in your marriage you will be blessed and your marriage strong."

"Oh, another thing… Actually let these words be the final thoughts for us to close with. 'Forgive…seventy times seven.' (*65) 'Rejoice in the Lord… and give thanks….' (*66) Make it your daily practice. Every day. All day long. Your attitude of gratefulness will color your day, your home, your family and ultimately who you are." Joseph's eyes glistened. "I happen to know that forgiving and giving thanks are what got Nathan through those challenging times before he moved to Regina. What he is today, is partly because of his obedience to daily thanksgiving."

The three remained quiet as Elizabeth took notes again.

"Shall I close in prayer now?" Joseph offered when she finished. As Elizabeth and Ben both bowed their heads, Joseph prayed.

"Dear Heavenly Father, We do give you thanks. Thanks for all you have done in each of our lives over these past months, as well as in Nathan's and Allie's lives.

Thank you for lifting Elizabeth 'out of darkness into [your] marvelous light.' (*67)

Thank you for your provision in Nathan's new job, in the inheritance and the house, for the timing, for bringing these two people and their children together. You have worked wonders!

Now today, as we draw our meetings to a close, I pray your blessing on Ben and the new possibilities in his life.

I also pray your blessing on Elizabeth as she says her farewells here in Hope Valley. Bless her as she steps out in faith, packing up her life here, making this move and joining her life with Nathan's.

We rejoice and we give you the thanks and praise. In Your Name we pray, Amen."

Immediately, Elizabeth added, "Dear Lord, I ask for you to bless Pastor Joseph. He has been your man, in this place, and in this time. Thank you for his wisdom and for his ministry here in Hope Valley and for guiding me through these past months. I will be forever grateful. Amen."

Dr. Ben Marshall had never ended a counseling season with a patient in this manner, but today he added a hearty, "Amen!"

As they prepared to depart, Elizabeth felt she needed to ask Ben a question. "Ben, could I ask you something in private please?"

"Ah, sure." He called his goodbye to Joseph who was already heading down the stairs. "What is it?"

"I met your twin brother as I was coming into town this morning. How does he know you came to Hope Valley because of me?" Queried Elizabeth. "And what else does he know?"

"On the drive from Hamilton I may have mentioned it. He doesn't know any of your story though." Ben reassured Elizabeth.

"I would hope not!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "I have been under the impression that what I have shared was confidential, else I would not have opened up to you."

"Rest assured, Elizabeth, I have kept your confidences."

"And yet he knows I am the reason you came to Hope Valley at the bequest of my father?"

"Have I offended you, Elizabeth? Because most, if not all of Hope Valley, know why I came." Dr. Ben explained. "I didn't think it was private information in this case."

"Do you share who your patients are in Hamilton?" Elizabeth looked at him quizzically.

"Of course not…" Suddenly Dr. Ben saw the problem. "I am so sorry, Elizabeth. I held a different standard in Hamilton than in Hope Valley and that was wrong. If Brad was to find out, it shouldn't have been from me. Please forgive me?"

"I forgive you, Ben, but please find a way to keep the identity of your patients confidential as well as the content of their sessions? Since I am leaving Hope Valley I leave that information in my past, unless I choose to share with someone. Also, since your brother is a visitor I won't likely meet him again so maybe I don't need to be concerned with him knowing, but would you please ask him not to discuss this with anyone? Especially when he returns to Hamilton. There are many there who would jump at a chance to gossip about one of the Thatcher girls, but no one there needs to know any of my business."

"Of course. I will make certain to talk to him about this. I am truly sorry, but thank you for bringing this to my attention. Any patients I see in Hope Valley will be connected to the Infirmary, so their privacy may be not be as much of an issue, but I will give it more thought."

"Good. That's all I ask, Ben. Thank you."

Nathan left a message for his commanding officer, Tim Stewart, to call him when he had a chance then, setting down the receiver, Nathan moved the typewriter to the center of his desk and opened the manual he was updating. He would read and write this morning.

"Hello, Sergeant Grant here. How may I help you?"

"Hello, Nathan. I have a message here to call you?" Tim responded.

"Yes! Good morning, Tim! Thank you for returning my call. Would you have any time for an extended conversation with me in the coming weeks? It would need to be private, so maybe we could share lunch in your office or mine, if Wes is not around. I had a long discussion with Peter and he recommended that I talk with you."

"Yes, Peter called me this morning and shared that he had answered your questions and sent you to me. I would welcome a discussion, Nathan. Let me look at my schedule a moment. Please hold?"

Nathan could hear Tim open the door to ask his secretary, then shut it and return.

"Thank you, I am back. How about lunch here in my office at twelve hundred hours on Tuesday? I can order lunch to be delivered to us if you could just tell my secretary what you would like to eat?" Tim requested.

"That soon? That is wonderful, although there is no hurry. Yet, there are a couple other things I would like to discuss though, so yes, Tuesday it is! Thank you, Tim!"

"You always have my ear, Nathan!" Tim chuckled. "Might one of the things you wish to discuss involve a lovely woman I met last week?"

"Ah, yes in fact, it does!" Nathan grinned. "My life has never been so full, or so full of wonderful possibilities. I won't take your time now, but look forward to conversing on Tuesday."

"Oh, rest assured, I am looking forward to it as well, Nathan!" Tim chuckled as he said goodbye.

A knock and his office door opening brought Nathan back to the present. He had been poring over old manuals and noting how procedures had changed, tracing the improvements in recent years, but also noting how they could be updated further. "Oh, Jon! Hello!" Nathan rose quickly and saluted his friend.

"Hello, brother. I am fine. We haven't had much time to speak privately and, I confess, I am curious about how you are after Elizabeth departed. Would you have time to accompany me to lunch now?"

Nathan noted the time, realizing in the same moment that he was hungry. "Yes! I can get so involved in these manuals that I lose all sense of time. You have rescued me!"

Jon Samuels grinned. "Good! Let's go."

As they walked, Jon began. "Elizabeth is a lovely woman, Nathan, and she adores you and Allie. It is written all over her face and visible in her tender looks and actions. How did it go after you left on Sunday afternoon?"

Blushing, Nathan chuckled. "Thank you for that. I think so too! We had wonderful times together, Jon. We found a Christmas tree in the woods behind our home and decorated it as a family. We shared our supper then had private time to talk after I came back from getting our girls to church." Nathan looked out over the snow dusted square on their way to the Mess. "We are discussing our future, Jon, though I haven't proposed yet."

"Have you talked to Elizabeth's father yet?"

Nathan laughed aloud. "I've had William's blessing since his first visit, and I didn't need to ask!"

"That's not everyone's experience, Nathan. " Jon joined the laughter. "You are blessed! I remember nearly fainting from fear when I pulled Jane's father from a family gathering to ask him. He happily granted his permission, but I could barely stand upright!"

Arriving at the Mess, Nathan stopped sharing until they were seated and Jon had given thanks.

"We went on our first official, dress-up date on Monday evening. It was very special…"

"Where did you take her, Nathan? I never thought to offer the names of some restaurants should you ever need them."

"We went to The King's Restaurant and even danced. It was momentous and unforgettable. I am so amazed, Jon. I can hardly believe all that transpired." Nathan shook his head. "I am so blessed."

Jon gulped. "Wow, Nathan! That's one of the most exclusive establishments in Regina! How did you learn about that?"

"Is it? I didn't really know, except William Thatcher had taken Allie and me there when he was in town! It was very elegant."

"I would think so! Please let me know if you want names of other places that are less expensive? How did you leave it when Elizabeth returned to Hope Valley?" Jon took another bite.

"She is moving here, Jon, and plans to be here before New Year's! Pray for her if you think of it? She has a lot to do, plus many goodbyes to handle. Fortunately, William and Grace are moving here as well, so he'll be able to arrange for packing and shipping." Chuckling, Nathan continued. "Thatcher Shipping and Transport will come in handy!"

"I guess so. Where will she and her parents live?"

"William has rented or purchased or, I don't know… They'll reside in apartments at Le Qu'Appelle downtown. Evidently he has permission to move in before the official opening, but Elizabeth and Jack will stay with the Collins's along with Bill until home renovations begin."

"Renovations, huh?"

Nathan explained the construction plans, and Elizabeth and Jack moving to the Hotel for some weeks.

"Do you have a wedding date? Or an engagement date? Or…"

"My plan is to propose at New Year's but we haven't set a wedding date! Everything is moving along so quickly that I…" Nathan couldn't finish the sentence.

"Ah ha… You just need to find a house, then you'll be married, eh?"

"Jon?" Nathan looked a bit starry-eyed. "We have a house. We are negotiating the transfer of the Collins's house to me!"

"My stars! How can you afford that huge place, Nathan?" Jon inquired, shocked. He coughed. "I'm sorry. It really isn't any of my business."

"You are my close friend, Jon, so I understand your astonishment. Let's just say, I have savings and investments from selling the family ranch as well as royalties from book sales, but I have just learned that there is an unexpected inheritance that allows us the privilege of acquiring the main house."

"Wow! I would never have guessed, Nathan. "

"And that is exactly how I would want it. Allie and I have lived simply. Honestly, I don't know how to live any other way! I am grateful to have kept this from her so that she has enjoyed a normal childhood, has learned the value of work and how to be generous and take care of others." Nathan stared down at his nearly empty plate. Looking back in the face of his friend he continued. "I worked hard as a teenager, Jon, and then as a young Mountie in the Officer Training Track. When Allie came into my life, everything changed, although I could afford her care. I declined an offer for advancement in order to allow her to thrive in Hope Valley. It was good for her, but not easy for me." Nathan searched his friend's face. "All I can say, is that many years of prayers, hopes and dreams seem to be coming true-all within a few months. I am thankful to God and I feel blessed."

"You are being blessed and, in my opinion, rewarded too." Jon observed. "When will you move?"

"Once the renovations are completed we can move in by the end of February. The Collins's will be vacating as Peter will be spending more time in the Ottawa Headquarters in the New Year, although we will trade houses and the Cottage will be their part-time place to stay when they visit." Nathan paused, adding. "We are going to miss them, but will gladly keep that space to assure, or even tempt their return!"

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(*63) Paraphrase of Galatians 5: 22-23 'The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...'

(*64) Ecclesiastes 4: 12, King James Version, Public Domain

(*65) Matthew 18: 21, & 22, King James Version, Public Domain

(*66) Psalms 97: 12, King James Version, Public Domain

(*67) Paraphrase of First Peter 2: 9