The next Saturday, Nathan came to pick Eliabeth up to go to Maple Creek, but this time he wasn't alone.
"Hi Mrs. Thornton!" Allie exclaimed
"Hello Allie." Elizabeth said.
"Allie has begged me for the last couple months to let her come visit. I finally gave in last night. I hope this won't be an imposition." Nathan said.
"Not at all." Elizabeth said with a smile.
Elizabeth was happy that Allie was coming with them but had a feeling that Nathan was bringing her to spend time with Cora. Even though Nathan had let his anger go toward her but still couldn't trust her, Elizabeth needed to earn Nathan's trust back. She sincerely wanted Nathan to be happy. If Cora made him happy, she would support that.
Elizabeth put her things in the back of the wagon. She saw fishing poles.
"Are you two going fishing today?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes. With Cora." Allie said.
"Sounds fun." Elizabeth said climbing into the wagon seat next to Allie.
The wagon moved forward.
"It will just be the two of them. I'll be replacing some old wood in the barn. I still need to replace those beams for the roof." Nathan said.
"When will you be building the school with the money that Mr. Bouchard donated?" Allie asked.
Elizabeth smiled. Nathan told Elizabeth that before Lucas had left, he donated some money to build a school in Maple Creek. Lucas was changing and all because of a good woman.
"It will have to be next Spring. Summer is almost over and it is going to take time to build." Nathan said.
Allie nodded her head.
For the rest of the ride to Maple Creek, Allie talked for most of the time. She wanted to know about the children that Elizabeth teaches and if Maple Creek was as big as Hope Valley. Allie asked Elizabeth about Hamilton and the times she was in school. Elizabeth and Nathan couldn't get a word in. But Elizabeth enjoyed Allie's company.
Once they arrived in Maple Creek, Nathan directed the wagon over to the barn.
"That's their school?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes. You know when I came to Hope Valley, the school was in the saloon." Elizaberh said.
Allie laughed.
"I like our school in Hope Valley." Allie said.
"Me too." Elizabeth said. Elizabeth started to remember the day that Jack took her out to see the school. When she opened her eyes, she saw a labor of love. This was a good memory. For the first time in a long time, the memory didn't cause Elizabeth pain in her heart. It made her happy to remember Jack.
Nathan stopped the wagon in front of the barn. Allie jumped out of the wagon.
"Jack did do a wonderful job with the school." Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"He did, just as you are doing a great job with this barn. I am thankful that you are here." Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled and Elizabeth blushed.
Nathan showed Allie the barn and then told her that it was time to go see Cora.
"I'll be back in a little while." Nathan said.
"I'll be here." Elizabeth said.
Nathan nodded.
Elizabeth watched as Nathan untied one of the horses. He went to the back of the wagon and brought out a saddle. He saddled the horse and mounted the horse. Allie got herself up on the horse and held onto Nathan. Allie waved at Elizabeth who waved back. She watched them ride off. Elizabeth sighed and went to teach the class.
xxx
Nathan and Allie rode out to Cora's home. As they were approaching, Cora came out of the house waving to Nathan. As they got closer, Cora noticed Allie was in the back and waved to her too.
"This is a surprise!" Cora explained.
"My Dad finally let me come to Maple Creek." Allie said. Nathan dismounted from the horse and he helped Allie down.
Nathan and Cora hugged.
"I can't stay long. I'm replacing some old wood at the school." Nathan said.
Allie untied the fishing poles from the horse.
"My dad says that there is a great pond for fishing just outside your property." Allie said.
"Yes there is but I don't know if there are any fish." Cora said.
"You never know." Nathan said.
"True. Well, it sounds like fun." Cora said.
Great! I'll catch up with you two later on." Nathan said. Nathan mounted the horse and rode off. Once he was in a distance, he turned around and watched Allie and Cora walk together. Nathan smiled and headed back to the school.
xxx
Once Nathan made it back to school, he saw that all the children were on their desks dropping their shoes to the ground and then writing down on their paper.
"What's going on?" Nathan asked.
"Gravity lessons." Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled.
"Actually, could you help us?" Elizabeth asked.
"Sure." Nathan said. Elizabeth grabbed an orange and a feather and gave them to Nathan. Elizabeth asked Nathan to climb to the top of the ladder. Elizabeth asked the children to gather around.
"Alright children, now that you have practiced gravity, let's see what you have learned. Constable Grant has an orange and feather. Which item will make it to the ground first?" Elizabeth asked the class.
"The orange." The class said in unison.
"Let's see." Elizabeth said.
Nathan dropped the feather and orange and to no one's surprise, the orange hit the ground first. The children laughed when the orange splat on the ground. Nathan watched Elizabeth with the children. Watching Elizabeth teach was one of the highlights of his week.
The children went back to their desks and Elizabeth went back to the front of the class to teach. After the lesson, the children had free time for the rest of the time. They could either read or work on their art projects.
It was getting close to ending the day when Allie walked into the barn.
"Hey Allie." Nathan said.
"Hello." Allie said.
Nathan walked over to Allie.
"How was fishing?" Nathan asked.
"Well," Allie started.
"What happened?" Nathan asked.
"Cora wasn't really fishing. She just sat on the edge of the pond and we talked." Allie said.
"Talking is good." Nathan said.
"And then she decided that she wanted to fish. I showed her how to cast the line. And when she cast the line, she must have lost her footing because she fell into the water." Allie said.
"Oh no." Nathan said.
"Then she stormed off." Allie said.
"She left you along?" Nathan asked.
"I wanted to keep fishing. I didn't even catch anything." Allie said.
"I get it. Stay here." Nathan said. Nathan walked over to the horse and rode off to Cora's.
Once he reached Cora's house, he dismounted the horse and knocked on her door.
Cora answered the door. She had a towel in her hair and had changed out of clothes.
"Are you okay?" Nathan asked.
"Not really." Cora said. Cora invited Nathan in and Nathan went into her house.
"Allie told me what happened. Sounds like you lost your footing." Nathan chuckled.
Cora rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Nathan said.
"I thought it was going to be you and I today." Cora said.
"I know. But Allie wanted to come along and I thought you two would like to spend some time together." Nathan said.
"Allie and I don't have much in common." Cora said.
"You grew up with brothers and on a farm. I thought you two would have a lot in common." Nathan said.
"When I was young, I was like Allie, but as I got into my early teens, I started to act more proper." Cora said.
Nathan crossed his arms.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Nathan asked.
"Nothing. I just thought for a girl Allie's age, we were going to have a nice tea and lunch. Not fishing." Cora said.
"Fishing is Allie's favorite hobby." Nathan said.
"Maybe she is getting too old to be into fishing." Cora said.
"Allie is perfect just the way she is." Nathan said.
"I know she is. But she's a young woman. Maybe she needs to start acting like it." Cora said.
Nathan could feel his anger rising.
"I better get going." Nathan said.
"Wait, Nathan." Cora said.
Nathan walked angrily to his horse. But before he could mount his horse, Cora grabbed his arm.
"Nathan. I'm sorry. Allie is a wonderful young woman. I'm not very good with children." Cora said.
Nathan sighed.
"I know."
"I'm learning." Cora said.
"I should have asked if you wanted to fish. I'm sorry." Nathan said.
"I just did expect to go for a swim today." Cora said with a smile.
Nathan chuckled.
"Next time, I'll be more prepared for Allie." Cora said.
Nathan nodded. The two hugged and Nathan went back to the school. He didn't understand Cora. Why did it seem like so much work to bond with Allie.
xxx
When Nathan got back to the school, Allie and Elizabeth were waiting for him in the wagon.
"Is everything okay?" Elizabeth asked.
"It will be." Nathan said.
"Mrs. Thornton talked to one of the boys in her class and he told her that there is a pond that has lots of fish. Can we go fish for just a little." Allie asked.
"Is that okay with you?" Nathan asked Elizabeth.
"We can't go home empty handed." Elizabeth said.
"Lead the way." Nathan said as he got in the wagon and off, they went.
Elizabeth gave Nathan the directions that the boy in the class gave to her. It was about a five-minute ride to the pond. The pond was hidden behind some trees. It was serene.
"Why don't you two fish and I'll watch." Nathan suggested.
"Okay. But I'll need someone to set up my hook." Elizabeth said.
Allie took out a box of worms and put one on a hook for Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Allie walked out into the pond. Allie showed Elizabeth how to cast her line. Elizabeth casted her line perfectly. Nathan took his shoes off and went into the pond with them.
"This is nice." Nathan said.
Nathan bent over to look at a rock when he felt a sprinkle of water on him.
"Was that you?" Nathan asked Elizabeth.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Did you splash me?" Nathan asked.
"That doesn't sound like me." Elizabeth said. Nathan kicked water at Elizabeth.
"Hey!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Nathan had a mischievous grin on his face.
"So that's how we playing it?" Elizabeth lifted her foot and splashed Nathan back. The two got into a splashing fight. Allie stood there laughing. Nathan and Elizabeth laughed as they splashed each other.
"Wait. I didn't splash you in the first place." Elizabeth said. Nathan and Elizabeth looked at Allie.
"No!" Allie said. Nathan and Elizabeth splashed at Allie. Everyone was laughing.
"Mrs. Thornton! Your pole!" Alli exclaimed.
Elizabeth saw the pole pulling. A fish had caught on.
"Reel it in!" Nathan said showing her how to reel it in.
Elizabeth reeled in the fish. Elizabeth pulled the fish out of the water.
"That's a good one." Nathan said. Suddenly, Allie's pole started to pull. Allie caught a fish. For the next hour, Allie caught three more fish and then they headed back to Hope Valley.
xxx
As they pulled close to Elizabeth's house, Allie turned to Nathan.
"Dad, can Mrs. Thornton come to our house for fish dinner?" Allie asked.
Nathan didn't say anything. The last time that he invited Elizabeth to dinner, it ended up with heartbreak. He didn't want to have his heart or Allie's heartbroken again.
"Please." Allie said.
"Only if Mrs. Thornton isn't busy." Nathan said.
"I'm not. And I would love too. And Jack loves to see his favorite Mountie." Elizabeth said.
"I'm excited." Allie said.
They dropped off Elizabeth at her house.
"How about you come in an hour. Allie will prepare the fish and then I'll cook it up for us." Nathan said.
"Sounds good." Elizabeth said.
"See you soon." Allie said.
Elizabeth went inside and relieved Laura. For the next hour, Elizabeth helped Jack get ready and then she got ready as well. Elizabeth put on a nice white blouse and a light blue skirt. After an hour, she took Jack's hand and they walked down to the Grant's house. Elizabeth knocked on the door. Allie opened the door.
"Hi Mrs. Thornton! Hi Jack!" Allie exclaimed
"Hi Allie." Elizabeth said. Jack let go of Elizabeth's hand and went over to hug Allie. Allie invited them in. Elizabeth saw Nathan at the stove. He was wearing his Henley and suspenders. Elizabeth had never seen Nathan in a relaxed look. Elizabeth liked it.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Elizabeth asked.
"Please have a seat. I'm almost finished." Nathan said.
"It smells delicious.' Elizabeth said.
"Dad is making fish, mash potatoes and broccoli. They are the best things he can make." Allie said.
"I heard that." Nathan said.
Elizabeth and Allie giggled.
"Mrs. Thornton, what do you think about dogs?" Allie asked.
"Don't pull her into this." Nathan said.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Allie has been asking for a puppy. She wants more people on her side." Nathan said.
"I think dogs are great. I'm going to get one for Jack one day. His father had a dog named Rip. Rip was a tough customer." Elizabeth said.
"See dad. Constable Thornton had a dog and he was a Mountie." Allie said.
Nathan sighed.
"Maybe." Nathan said to Allie.
"Yes. Maybe. I'm getting closer to yes." Allie said.
Elizabeth chuckled.
The food was done and everyone sat at the table. They said grace and began to eat.
"Mmm. This is good." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
As they ate, Allie asked more questions about her childhood, family and things she did growing up. After they had finished eating, they sat at the table and continued to talk.
"But my favorite thing to do is dance." Elizabeth said.
"Do you know how to waltz?" Allie asked.
"I do." Elizabeth said.
"Can you show me?" Allie asked.
"I'll need a dance partner." Elizabeth said.
"Dad?" Allie said.
Nathan got up and went over to Elizabeth and put his hand out.
"You know how to waltz?" Elizabeth asked.
"My mother made sure that my sister and I had just a little culture in our life. And learning the waltz was one of them. She taught me." Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled and took Nathan's hand. The two went into the middle of the living room. They showed Allie where her hands would go and where her dance partners hand would go. And then they began to dance. They showed Allie the steps and then they danced. Nathan looked deep into Elizabeth's eyes as they danced. But he wasn't looking deep into her eyes but into her soul. Nathan was looking for any indication that her soul was his soul's mate. Her soul had ached so long for another soul to touch hers.
"Can I try?" Allie asked.
Nathan and Elizabeth snapped out of their trance. Elizabeth let go of Nathan's hands.
"Of course." Nathan said. Nathan and Allie danced slowly. Jack pulled on Elizabeth's skirt. He wanted to dance too. Elizabeth picked up Jack and they danced. After a few minutes of dancing, Jack yawned.
"Looks like someone is tired." Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled.
"It is." Nathan said.
"Do you need help cleaning up?" Elizabeth asked.
"We can do it." Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled. She put Jack down. He ran to give Allie a hug. He went over to Nathan who gave him a big hug back.
Jack ran back over to Elizabeth.
"Thank you for the delicious dinner." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you for joining us." Nathan said.
They said their goodbyes.
Once Elizabeth was home, she put Jack to bed. She went downstairs and sat in a chair and thought about what had happened tonight. She enjoyed spending time with Nathan, Allie and Jack. If a stranger had looked through the window, they would have thought they were a family. And the way Nathan looked at her during their dance. The only other person who had looked at her like that was Jack. These past three years, Nathan woke something up in Elizabeth that she thought she had lost with Jack; love. Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was falling in love with Nathan or if she had always been in love with him. But suddenly, a memory passed through Elizabeth's mind. The Mountie walking in the middle of Hope Valley letting Elizabeth know that he was gone. But instead of Jack's name, he said Nathan's name. The pain seared through Elizabeth heart. She may be falling in love with Nathan or already loved him, but the thought of losing him was too much for Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, back at the Grant's, Allie was drying plates as Nathan washed them.
"Can you hurry up and forgive Mrs. Thornton so we can become a family." Allie asked Nathan.
"What?" Nathan said.
"She likes you. And I know you like her. So, you two should be together." Allie said.
"It's a little more complicated than that. And I'm seeing Cora." Nathan said.
"I know. But I like Mrs. Thornton better." Allie said.
"It is because you know her more. Please give Cora a chance." Nathan said.
"I'll try." Allie said.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
Nathan didn't want to have to try with the woman he was courting. It should happen naturally on its own.