After service on Sunday, Elizabeth stayed behind with Jack to talk to Joseph.
"Nice to see you again Elizabeth." Joseph said.
"I finally figured out why I was cruel to Nathan and why I said the things I said." Elizabeth said.
"And what did you figure out?" Joseph asked.
"The reason that I said those cruel things was because I was hurt and fearful." Elizabeth said.
"Let's start with the first part. Why were you hurt?" Joseph asked.
"Because Nathan kept the secret about Fort Clay for so long. He says it is because he felt guilty. He said that after he heard about Jack, he asked to be transferred to Hope Valley to look over me and Jack, to protect me. He felt like it was his duty. And when he started to fall in love with me, he felt like he was betraying Jack's memory." Elizabeth said.
"Do you believe him?" Joseph asked.
"Yes. But why didn't he tell me when we first met?" Elizabeth asked.
"Maybe he was trying to protect you from anymore hurt. Maybe he didn't want to open up old wounds. And what if he had told you the first time? Would you have trusted him? Or would you probably blame him for Jack's death at a time when you were still processing his death?" Joseph said.
Elizabeth never thought of that.
"I don't know. Probably not." Elizabeth said.
"But when you did find out, you were in a place where you could forgive Nathan." Joseph said.
"Yes." Elizabeth said.
"Now, let's move onto the fear part." Joseph said.
"After Nathan was almost shot, I realized that I cared for him a great deal. And then those memories of Jack's death kept creeping up. They still do. I knew in the back of my mind thar Jack could get killed but I never thought it would happen. Why would I set myself up for more pain?" Elizabeth said.
"It seems like you have already resigned to the idea that Nathan will be killed." Joseph said.
"Well, no." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, Jack's death was an accident. And we don't know when the good Lord calls us to come home. Jack was called home. You don't know God's plan when it comes to Nathan. You have to put your faith in God. I know that Jack's death shattered your heart but that doesn't mean the same thing will happen to Nathan." Joseph said.
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"It's time to apologize to Nathan." Joseph said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Go home and pray. And then go see Nathan." Joseph said.
Elizabeth and Joseph said one final prayer. Elizabeth and Jack walked home. Elizabeth saw Allie on the way home and asked if her father was home. She said that he was going to be in the office for the rest of the afternoon.
Elizabeth fed Jack lunch and then put him down for a nap. Elizabeth sat down in her chair. Elizabeth closed her eyes. She prayed for strength to give an apology to Nathan. She prayed that this apology would give some healing to Nathan's heart.
Elizabeth heard Rosemary humming next door. Elizabeth opened the window and asked if Rosemary would look over Jack. Rosemary readily agreed.
Elizabeth walked toward the Mountie office. Her heart was beating loudly. She reached the office and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Nathan said.
Elizabeth walked in and shut the door behind her.
"Elizabeth. What are you doing here?" Nathan asked.
Memories of when she told Nathan that she couldn't be with him started flooding back.
"I need to say something." Elizabeth said.
"Okay." Nathan said leaning back in his chair.
"Nathan, I am sorry. I am sorry that I said all those cruel things. I know that you aren't Jack. You are your own special person. You are wonderful person. I only said those things because I was still hurting from the Fort Clay secret. But I'm sorry that I broke your daughter's heart. I am sorry if I was aloof to you. I am sorry if I led you on. It was never my intention. But most of all I'm sorry that I broke your heart. I truly never wanted to break your heart because it is a good heart." Elizabeth said. Tears flowed from her cheeks.
Nathan got up from his chair and walked over to Elizabeth. He handed her a handkerchief. Elizabeth took the handkerchief and dabbed her tears. Nathan was wiping tears away from his eyes.
"Jack's death broke me. It changed me into someone I don't like." Elizabeth started to sob.
"Come here." Nathan said with his arms opened. Elizabeth went over to Nathan and sobbed into his serge.
Nathan put his arms around her and comforted Elizabeth.
Elizabeth continued to cry.
"It's okay Elizabeth. Thank you for the apology. And I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, that I forgive you." Nathan said.
The two of them stood there while Nathan soothed Elizabeth.