A/N I know it has been a while since this was updated. I will be going back over the next few weeks and correcting some things in previous chapters like gramatical errors etc.
Nathan and Bill looked at Elizabeth as they heard Wynn call Elizabeth General Thornton. Then they saw the smug expression the other three wore in response.
"Elizabeth?" Bill asked as he raised a brow for emphasis.
"I asked Uncle Wynn and Henry to look at Jack's records. As his widow, I can authorize him to do so," Elizabeth explained. Bill nodded in agreement.
"Since you are still active, Nathan, I didn't require it, but we had a look at yours as well," Wynn explained. "But there are enough inconsistencies in them that would cause doubt about their truthfulness."
"Not to mention that I showed the newspaper article to Uncle Wynn, which will also be turned into evidence when the trial turns to Hargraves. I can't think of anything more fitting than his own weapon used against him. It still infuriates me that he gave it to me in the first place, but what's even worse is where he chose to spread his propaganda," Elizabeth said, her eyes beginning to glisten again as she recalled that day by Jack's grave.
Nathan took Elizabeth's hand in his in comfort, giving it a gentle squeeze. Elizabeth gave him a grateful smile and said, "Anyway, Hargraves will have some unexpected people arriving to observe the Inquiry on Monday!"
"Oh?" Bill said.
"I called Charlotte and told her that I needed her to come. When I told her why she said she would be here on Sunday. Uncle Wynn called my father, who will be here just as the Inquiry begins! I figure he will have a hard time looking all of us in the eye and spreading his lies." Elizabeth said with a smirk.
"He will also find out that I am representing my niece as Jack Thornton's widow," Wynn said. "Once the Inquiry against you and Jack is concluded, I will bring charges against him."
"I'll be testifying about what happened at the graveside as part of his character. If you agree, then Uncle Wynn is prepared to represent you too, Nathan." Elizabeth said.
"So, you are saying that when Hargraves begins the Inquiry on Monday, he will be doing so in front of Charlotte Thornton and William Thatcher?" Bill asked, trying to wrap his head around the problem. "Along with going up against Wynn Delaney?"
"In essence, yes!" Elizabeth said, smiling. "So, what do you think?"
"I think I'm looking forward to seeing the man's face come Monday when General Thornton arrives with her troops," Bill said, chuckling. Bill looked over at the woman he had known since the Coal Valley days and was amazed. Her ability to gather that kind of support and strategize the way she did amazed him. He knew that Jack would have been proud and that they had grossly underestimated that steel in her backbone.
"Me too," Nathan said, chuckling at the thought of the other man's face. "I don't know what to say other than thank you." Suddenly overcome with emotion, he added, "I've never experienced this kind of support before."
"Oh, Nathan," Elizabeth said, reaching for his hands. "We will get through this, and in the end, we will be victorious."
"She's right, Nathan," Henry said. "By the end of this, both you and Jack will be vindicated, and Hargraves will be the one losing his badge, disgraced and most likely in jail."
Abigail and Beth D. came downstairs and said, "Bill, did you tell them what you, me, and Collins overheard last night?"
"What?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Nathan in alarm, and he could see anger there too. "What did they say now? Was Lucas involved too?"
Nathan smiled and shook his head. "It was all Hargraves, and he just had some things to say, so he dropped by the jail where I was working on paperwork."
Bill smirked, "But he was unaware that there were three witnesses to what he said. One of them being the Chief Board member." Then he told them what had been said.
For the remainder of the afternoon, Nathan got to know the Delaneys, and they got to know him. But he couldn't help feeling apprehensive at the thought of meeting Charlotte Thornton and William Thatcher, especially now that he and Elizabeth were in a relationship, although still in secret. That got him thinking about how happy Allie would be when she found out the two were courting, making him smile.
A couple of hours later, after Jack woke from his nap, Abigail suggested that they leave the couple for their private evening. Rosemary had returned earlier with Amber and Danny from giving them a tour. They began to figure out how to get everyone situated for the next few days. Elizabeth and Rosemary had 3-bedroom rowhouses, so it was decided that Wynn and his wife would stay with them along with Henry and Amber. Abigail offered to put Danny with her saying Cody would enjoy having him around. Bill offered his spare room to William so Charlotte could stay with Elizabeth. There would also be room there for Julie if she came. With that decided, Rosemary took Jack and the others to her house, leaving Nathan and Elizabeth alone.
ooking at Nathan with a smile, Elizabeth turned to see what she could prepare for dinner. Finally deciding, she turned and said, "I hope you like Shepherd's Pie, Nathan."
Nathan smiled warmly and said, "It's one of my favorites. What can I do to help?"
"I could use company while I make it," Elizabeth said. "Abigail brought a chocolate cake over that we can have for dessert,"
Nathan nodded and then came to lean on the counter where Elizabeth was preparing the food. "Elizabeth, I know you said you are okay with telling others, but I want you to know I meant it when I said we can go slow. The fact that you still wear your wedding rings tells me you still mourn. So, we will keep things light until you decide you are ready for more, all right?"
She stopped and looked up at him, a bit worried, but what she saw in his eyes calmed her. She went to say something, but he silenced her with a gentle kiss before adding. "I don't want you to feel rushed in any way to do that, and I am not jealous of your memories with him. He is Jack's father and needs to remain present in your son's life, and I will fully support that in any way I can. I know how much not having Colleen present in Allie's has affected her, and Jack will someday experience that too."
"Oh, Nathan, I can't tell you how much that means to me that you understand. I have struggled since the day I met you, Nathan Grant, with the feelings you invoke in me." She put down the knife, turned into his arms, and hugged him close, holding him for a time. When she pulled back, she noticed a twinkle in his eye.
"What?" Elizabeth asked, noticing there was also a hint of mischievousness too. She could tell that he had something he wanted to ask but was hesitant.
"Well… Uh... I was wondering exactly what were those feelings that I caused?" and added a crooked grin when he saw her blush. "Exactly?"
She gave him a sassy smirk and returned to cutting up the vegetables. "I would think, as a Mountie, you would have the instincts to figure out what they might be."
Nathan chuckled, drew close, his face only inches from hers, and said huskily, "Well, when it comes to my instincts with the opposite sex, I am at a distinct disadvantage. Remember the Mounties discourage marriage and courting?"
Elizabeth could feel herself wanting to educate him further by leaning towards him to close the space between their lips as he just held there. He was close enough that Elizabeth could feel their breaths intermingling. Trying to calm her racing heart, she choked out, "Well, you seem to be a fast learner then, Constable. Why don't you make yourself useful and set the table for us?" Elizabeth wished suddenly she had something to fan herself with.
"Sure, Lizabeth," He chuckled, moving towards the shelf where her dishes were kept. They completed their work in silence for a time. Once the Shephard's pie was in the oven, Elizabeth suggested they play a game while they waited. While they played backgammon, Nathan shared more about what had happened with Alice and Fort Clay. Though the topics brought up some bad memories, somehow, it was easier to do as they played. He was also able to share about his father, Colleen, and his mother.
Finally, dinner was ready, and they sat down at the table. After pulling out her chair for her, he took a seat across from her and began asking her about her early days in town and her time with Jack.
"Elizabeth, what do you think your father and Charlotte will say when they find out about us?" Nathan asked, and she could see that it weighed heavily on him.
"They might be a bit surprised, but I don't think once they get to know you and realize your not trying to take Jack's place and we aren't getting married tomorrow, they will be okay," Elizabeth said. "But regardless, though I would like their approval, I don't require it." Then she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"You know this dinner is much better than the last one we had here," Nathan mused, recalling their big fight.
Elizabeth giggled. "I would say so. I can't recall ever being so angry and conflicted in my life. Jack and I had some doozies, too, though."
Nathan laughed, "I don't know what it is about you, but that day I didn't know whether to leave or stay and kiss you. Although I probably would have gotten slapped under the circumstances if I had done the latter."
Elizabeth laughed, "I think you are probably right about that. Though I must confess, I had to hold on to the back of the chair because I wanted to run after you with the same urge."
"Elizabeth, looking back, I can't believe I said those things in the first place, and I am so sorry. I think I panicked because of the feelings I was having for you. Then it was similar to what I had experienced in the past. I wish I had just taken Abigail's advice and told you about my concerns and what happened up front. But opening up to others is not easy for me." Nathan said.
"I remember that you were distracted that day," Elizabeth said. "But you seemed a bit on edge at first but then appeared to relax.
"I had met with Abigail and Bill earlier and discovered that Hargraves had contacted Bill. I admit that I was anticipating judgment from you like the others, and then as you read through her records, your feelings were also fully displayed. Then I suddenly returned to the day I found Alice yelling at Allie and saying hurtful things."
"Oh, Nathan, no wonder you went off as you did. I imagine if our roles were reversed, I would have too. Elizabeth said, reaching for his hand in comfort. Then she giggled. "Although maybe not the accusation I was trying to trap a husband,"
Nathan turned red in embarrassment as he recalled that day, the things he had accused Elizabeth of, and the threats he made. He was brought out of his thoughts by her calling his name. Looking up, he saw nothing but understanding and compassion in her eyes.
"If it is any consolation, I went back and forth a few times about canceling the dinner. I even spoke to Bill, Abigail, Rosemary, and Lee about my unease. But they got me to see that in my way, I was living up to the Mountie code by offering assistance to a fellow Mountie, and it would have been what Jack would have wanted. The longer we are together, you will find that I go above and beyond for all my students, though I do have a few special ones. Being a single parent does offer up its challenges, doesn't it." Elizabeth said in amusement.
Nathan chuckled, "I guess so. One thing I did learn, though, was not to get on the bad side of the widows of this town."
They laughed as they recalled those few weeks before Nathan made peace with them by apologizing. "From what I heard later, you managed to charm them quite easily once you figured it out."
"There's only one woman in this town I'm interested in charming, and I'm looking at her," Nathan said, leaning over to kiss her softly.
With a sigh, they stood up and began clearing the table and cleaning the dishes. By the time they were done, it was getting a bit late, and Nathan kissed her goodnight and headed home, his heart full of love for Elizabeth Thornton.