The next Saturday, Nathan brought the wagon over to Elizabeth's house. Elizabeth looked in the back of the wagon. The desks for the school were in there.
Elizabeth ran her hand over the wood panels.
"Nathan, these are beautiful." Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled.
As Elizabeth ran her hand over the wood, she felt engraving in them.
Elizabeth looked at the engraving. One of the planks said; "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."
"Emerson?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Nathan said.
"Oh Nathan, these are beautiful." Elizabeth said as she read the rest of the wood planks. There was one that resonated with Elizabeth; "Nobody can you bring peace but yourself." Elizabeth choked up.
"I found a book at the library with Emerson quotes and I just carved them in the wood. Something to inspire the kids." Nathan said.
Elizabeth looked at Nathan with tears in her eyes.
"They are beautiful." Elizabeth said.
"We better get going." Nathan said.
Elizabeth climbed into the wagon and they made their weekly journey
"I'm going to let Allie see Dylan." Nathan said breaking the silence between them.
Elizabeth smiled.
"I was hoping you would."
"I don't want Allie to have any regrets in her life. And if talking to Dylan will bring her closure, then she should talk to him." Nathan said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Do you ever think of what your life would have been if you didn't become Allie's guardian?" Elizabeth asked.
"From time to time. I would have probably been promoted already. I would have led a unit in the Northern Territories. Probably married with a kid. But after Colleen passed, those things were important to me. Allie was the best thing that came into my life. I couldn't imagine my life without her. I'm sure you couldn't imagine your life without Jack." Nathan said.
"I couldn't. He is my sun, moon, stars and sky." Elizabeth said. These past couple of months taking care of Jack had made her appreciate motherhood. Looking back on the past two years, Elizabeth felt that she should have spent more time with Jack than going on dates with Lucas. Elizabeth realized that Jack was the only man she needed in her life right now.
"How is Mrs. Collin's doing as a teacher?" Nathan asked.
"Very well. I'm confident that by the end of the summer, she will be able to handle the class on her own. But I'm going to have her implement a schedule that I'll be implementing in my class next fall. I'm going to split the class up into days in accordance with age and skill level. The little ones will have Monday, Tuesday while the rest of the week will go to the older children. Having them in the same class may not be beneficial for them." Elizabeth said.
"That a great idea." Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled.
When they arrived in Maple Creek, Nathan directed the wagon toward the school. When they arrived at the school, there were a few children waiting outside the barn. Elizabeth opened the door for them. Nathan stayed by the wagon and took the supplies out.
Elizabeth started setting up the class. The children came in one by way. Once all the children were in the class, Elizabeth started the class.
"Good morning boys and girls." Elizabeth said.
"Good morning Mrs. Thornton." The class said in unison.
"Today is a special day because today, Constable Grant will be putting in your desks. So, no more chicken coops." Elizabeth said.
All the kids cheered.
"Constable Grant, why don't you come over and introduce yourself." Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled and walked over.
"Hello." Nathan said.
"Why don't we thank Constable Grant for making these beautiful desks for us." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you, Constable Grant." The class said in unison.
"You are all welcome. You deserve to sit on something more comfortable than chicken cages." Nathan said.
One of the female students raised her hand. Nathan pointed at her.
"Where is your red serge?" she asked.
"When I'm not on duty, I don't wear it. Since I'm not on duty here, I don't wear it." Nathan said.
A male student raised his hand. Nathan pointed to him.
"Have you ever killed anyone before." He asked.
"Eric, that's inappropriate." Elizabeth said.
"I'll answer. Yes, I have killed a man. I took no joy in killing a man. It was to protect innocent people. Taking a life is something you don't want to ever have to do as a Mountie." Nathan said sternly.
The boy gulped.
A female student raised her hand. Nathan pointed to her.
"Are you and Mrs. Thornton courting?" the student asked.
"Okay. I think that's all the questions we have time for. Thank you, Constable Grant." Elizabeth said. The female students giggled. Nathan waved goodbye to the kids and walked away. By the door stood a woman who smiled at Nathan. It was Cora. And Elizabeth's heart sunk.
Elizabeth taught her lesson and then put the students into groups to work on math problems. Elizabeth walked around and checked in with the groups. But Elizabeth's mind was preoccupied. Nathan was clearing out the rest of the hay, with Cora's help. As they were clearing out the hay, Elizabeth could hear them laughing. They were throwing hay at each other. Nathan made a mustache out of hay and put it on his lip which made Cora laugh. Elizabeth thought back to the time at Allie's sleepover where she put frosting on Nathan's nose. He was a good sport about it and made Elizabeth laugh a laugh that she hadn't laughed in a while.
During recess, Nathan put the desks together. Cora stood next to him holding the nails. Elizabeth decided to introduce herself.
"Hello, I'm Elizabeth Thornton." Elizabeth said to Cora.
"Mrs. Thornton. It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm Cora." Cora said. The two shook hands.
"It is just amazing what you have done in a few weeks." Cora said.
"I can't take all the credit. Mrs. Collins is a wonderful teacher to work with." Elizabeth said.
"I'm glad they are starting a school in town. I have been telling them to start one here since I've been here." Cora said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"And you're the Veterinarian?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes I am." Cora said.
"That must be rewarding." Elizabeth said.
"It is. But if only rewards paid better. I get a stipend from the town." Cora said.
"I know about stipends. I get paid by our town too." Elizabeth said.
There was an awkward silence. Both women sized each other up. Cora was very pretty. She had nice green eyes and dimples when she smiled.
"All done." Nathan said oblivious to the two women.
"Thank you, Nathan." Elizabeth said with a smile.
"You are amazing." Cora said, touching Nathan's back.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"It was nice to meet you." Cora said with a fake smile.
"Nice to meet you too." Elizabeth said. As she watched Nathan and Cora walk away, she realized that Cora saw Elizabeth as competition.
That night, after getting ready for bed and putting Jack to bed, Elizabeth laid in bed and looked at the ceiling. Elizabeth realized that today was the first day she didn't think about Jack. All her thoughts were focused on Nathan.
xxx
For the next month, Nathan and Elizabeth rode to Maple Valley every Saturday. While Elizabeth spent time teaching, Nathan spent his time fixing up the barn or spending time with Cora. Spending time with Cora was a joy for Nathan. Cora was spunky and feisty. She made him laugh and he made her laugh. And although it was nice spending time with her, Nathan's heart was guarded. A part of his heart was opening to Cora while another part of his heart was guarded. He knew what a broken heart felt like and could only give so much to Cora.
And then there was Elizabeth. As much as Nathan tried to distance himself from Eliabeth, he kept finding himself thinking about Elizabeth. There would be times that he would be working on the barn and he would watch her teach. The way she engaged with her students would bring him back to that parent-teacher conference where Elizabeth explained to Nathan that Allie kept people at arm's length so she wouldn't get hurt. Nathan knew she was talking about herself more than Allie. That was the point that Nathan knew that Elizabeth was special.
But as soon as his heart started longing for Elizabeth, his brain snapped back to the time in jail where she told him that she was just looking for Jack in him. When his brain snapped back him into reality, he would go spend time with Cora.
On the last Saturday of the month, Nathan was spending time with Cora in her stables.
"I was wondering if you would like to come to Hope Valley and meet Allie." Nathan said.
"What? Really?" Cora asked.
"Yes. We've been seeing each other for a month." Nathan said.
"I would love to. When?" Cora asked.
"Today. I want you to come back to Hope Valley with me. School is out on Monday and they do a little end of the year ceremony. I would love it if you were there. I'll bring you home on Tuesday" Nathan said.
"I thought you said Allie doesn't know about me." Cora said.
"She doesn't But I want her to know about you. Because I think you're pretty special." Nathan said with a smile.
Cora smiled back.
"Let me go pack a bag." Cora said.
Nathan nodded and Cora ran inside to grab a bag. Nathan put his arms on the stable. Nathan didn't want to tell Allie about Cora in case this courtship wasn't going to go anywhere. Nathan had to protect her heart as much as he needed to protect his own. Nathan wouldn't let her heart break like it did with Elizabeth. After about a half an hour, Cora came outside with two bags. Cora asked Nathan to hold onto her bags while she gave the horses enough food for the two days.
After giving them food, Cora and Nathan walked back to the school where the wagon was parked. Cora grabbed Nathan's hand. Nathan smiled and walked hand in hand. Once they reached the barn, Nathan put Cora's bags in the wagon. Elizabeth came to the wagon with a confusing look.
"What's going on?" Elizabeth asked.
"Cora is coming to Hope Valley with us." Nathan said.
"Oh. Wonderful." Elizabeth said.
"There isn't enough room for all three of us to ride in the front." Cora said.
"I'll sit in the back. I don't mind." Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled.
As they were riding along, Nathan grabbed Cora's hand and smiled. Elizabeth saw them hold hands and thought about how this ride was as rough as her life.