Elizabeth was the first to move "Allie, why don't you and Opal come with me, and I will show you where you will be sleeping?"
"Thanks, Miss Beth," Allie said with a smile picking up her bag and following Elizabeth and Opal. Jack immediately ran up and grabbed Allie's hand, and started talking about things they could do while she was there.
The others stayed outside, knowing that they needed to give Allie and Elizabeth some time together to develop ease between them and to allow privacy if needed. It was apparent that for the time being, Opal and Jack should be involved to help with that process.
As the others watched Elizabeth and Jack show the girls into their room where they would be staying, Nathan wondered whether or not he should have gone with them, knowing how nervous Allie and Elizabeth were about the visit. Sensing Charlotte wanted to talk to Nathan, Bill went to put his bag away while Julie and Tom went to their cabin so she could lie down.
"How was the ride back?" Charlotte asked.
"It wasn't too bad. I think that Allie will be fine, but It's just going to take some time for her. I think she's more shocked by Elizabeth's attire and trying to reconcile what she is used to with her appearance today. I don't think it'll take long for her to see that Elizabeth has truly changed and for her to let down her guard."
"Well, to be honest, the first time that Elizabeth borrowed my clothes, I was shocked myself. But the one thing I've learned about Lizzie is that she isn't afraid to embrace new things.
"I know it probably seems strange given the history that you and Allie had in the past year with her. But the woman you're seeing now is who she was when I met first met her.
"Did I ever tell you about the day I met with Lizzie?"
"I don't think so," Nathan replied.
"Well, let's go unhitch this horse, and I'll tell you all about it." As they walked toward the barn, Charlotte recalled the memory of that day.
"It was a few days before Lee and Rosemary got married, and I had showed up unannounced for the first time the night before.
"I was determined to meet this Hamilton girl that had Jack so enamored with her that he was thinking of marriage. Given what had occurred when Tom and Julie began, I needed to know more about Elizabeth." Charlotte said. Noticing the look Nathan gave her, she said, "That is a whole other story, and you should ask Lizzie, Tom, or Julie because they would enjoy the retelling.
"Anyway, I showed up right as Jack was about to turn in, and after getting my horse settled, I stayed at the Jail in his room while he bunked in a cell." Her mind drifted back to that time.
"You've got a loose button. Here.
"Take that off. Let me sew it for you."
"Nah. I'll fix it later.
"Jack, how is anyone going to respect you with a loose button?"
"Well, if I lose their respect over a button, I never had it."
"My Jack always had a comeback for everything," Charlotte said. "Your friend Gabe reminds me of him a bit in that way."
"Anyway, I had teased him about his cowlick, which he always hated, especially when I attempted to fix his hair. He told me he could dress without my help. What is it about you men that a pretty girl can run her fingers through your hair, and you're as happy as a pig in mud, but if it's your mother's fingers, it's the worst thing in the world?" Charlotte said teasingly. She had seen the looks that passed between Nathan and Elizabeth when Elizabeth played with the curl that liked to fall forward a lot.
Nathan just blushed. "Relax, I'm just teasing you, Nate," Charlotte chuckled, giving him a pat on the back.
"The door to the jail opened, and here comes this beautiful, sweet young woman with a beautiful pair of blue eyes. I could easily see why she would appeal to Jack. But I wasn't so easily sold on her because they were from two different worlds, and Jack was a Mountie. I knew that Jack's heart was hers by the way his whole demeanor changed as he looked at her, and she was just as besotted. You and Lizzie are just the same, and it's why I am supportive of the match.
"So Lizzie walks in, and there I am too, and Jack was standing there." Again the memory flashed back to that day.
"This is my mother, Charlotte Thornton."
"Ma, Elizabeth Thatcher."
"Well, hello."
"Mrs. Thornton, it is such a pleasure to meet you."
"Jack, I can't believe you didn't tell me that your mother was coming for a visit."
"Well, I didn't know."
"I, uh, like to surprise him, Lizzie. Keeps him on his toes.
"It's Elizabeth, Ma."
"Oh, that's all right. You can call me whatever you like, Mrs. Thornton."
"I had called her Lizzie on purpose just to see her reaction to it because my impression of her was tainted by what Jack had said early on, her family and background, and of course, Julie and Tom's actions. So I had the impression that, you know, she was very haughty and prideful and was certain she would correct me. Well, imagine my surprise when it was Jack who corrected me and not her. In fact, Elizabeth actually said, 'Oh, that's all right. You can call me whatever you like, Mrs. Thornton.' That intrigued me, I must admit. Then Lizzie followed up with an invite to dinner.
"Well, then she totally surprised me, and I can tell you not too many do that, Nate, by inviting me to stay with her at her house when she found out I was allergic to Rip. You can imagine Jack's reaction to his mother and the woman he's courting since we had just met and were two totally different people.
"I shared stories of my own upbringing and was completely myself, and no matter what I did, she never looked down on me. She treated me like I was her equal.
"She loved my boy with her whole heart, and I am so blessed that my two boys found a good woman who appreciated them and experienced the kind of love I had for their father. The kind of love I see that she has for you and Allie.
"Now you may wonder why I'm telling you this, and it's because I want you to know that this Elizabeth you have seen on the ranch is who she truly is. I suspect, though, when she goes home, that you won't see the pants, but just know that when you see her back in her skirts, that Lizzie is still there, you understand what I am trying to say?"
Nathan nodded as he kept brushing down the horse and just listened. "She will be the same Elizabeth that will love you and support you in whatever way you need. As you can see she isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and is loyal and protective, and will give everything that she has for those she loves. Everything you would ever want in a wife, especially a Mountie wife, Nate.
"I know that it's not going to be easy when you leave here because she lives in Hope Valley and you live in Union City, only seeing each other occasionally, but the love that you and Lizzie have found is worth fighting for."
Meanwhile, in the house
"I hope you and Opal will be comfortable in here, Allie," Elizabeth said.
Allie was surprised when she saw that her former teacher seemed to be as nervous as she was. It gave her a little more confidence that just maybe, this time, things would work out.
She recalled the looks that passed between them and the closeness that was easily discerned. It was obvious, too, that her dad was happy, and she could see the love in Miss Beth's eyes when she looked at him. Maybe it was time to trust and let down her guard.
"I'm sure it's fine, Mrs. Th… I mean Miss Beth. Just being able to be here with Dad, Uncle Bill, Opal, Jack, and you and meeting your family is enough for me to be happy." Allie said.
"I feel the same, and I know the others do, too," Elizabeth said.
"I'm really looking forward to spending time here with everyone," Allie said.
"Oh, I'm really looking forward to spending time here where Mountie Jack lived," Opal said. "I really miss him sometimes, Miss Beth.
"I know Opal, and so do I, but at least he lives in our memories and in Jack Jr," Elizabeth said. "I actually have a special surprise fact about the room you are staying in while here."
"Really?"
"This was actually Mountie Jack's room when he was a boy," Elizabeth said, smiling at the little girl's reaction.
"Oh," Opal said, looking a bit in awe as she began to explore.
"I know how much you missed Mountie Jack, so I thought it'd be nice to put you in his room," Elizabeth explained.
"Where is Dad sleeping?" Allie asked.
"Your dad and your uncle Bill are sleeping in the bunkhouse next to the stable. My sister and Tom are in a cabin nearby, and then Jack is sleeping in what used to be his Uncle Tom's room. Of course, I will be sharing a room with Charlotte. If you're settled in, let me show you where everything is, and then we can find them and give you a tour of the ranch, starting with where your dad is staying.
A short time later, as Nathan was stepping up onto the porch to look for the girls, Elizabeth, and the kids were coming out the door.
"Everything okay here?" Nathan said, his eyes scanning Allie first before moving on to Elizabeth. He relaxed as he took in the smiles and warmth in both Allie and Elizabeth's eyes. It wasn't that he was worried Elizabeth would begin a conversation with Allie without him, but that Allie might have said something that sparked one.
"We were just coming to look for you, Nathan," Elizabeth said, chuckling.
"Great minds think alike, I guess," Nathan grinned. Jack ran over to him, wanting to be picked up.
"Dad, can you show me where you and Uncle Bill sleep?" Allie asked.
Looking at the time, Elizabeth said, "I have to get lunch started, so if you and Jack want to show them around, that would be okay."
"You do the cooking on the ranch?" Allie asked, suddenly perking up.
"As a matter of fact, I do," Elizabeth confirmed. Then she chuckled. "Tim, the regular ranch cook, hasn't been able to, and Charlotte? Well, let's just say you want to hide the lard bucket before she starts."
"I heard that, Lizzie," Charlotte smirked. "Don't think I haven't noticed that the lard can isn't where I usually have it. By the way, my grandson showed me where it is."
"It won't be there for long," Elizabeth sassed in return. "Nathan and Jack are just about to take the girls for a tour of the ranch, and I'm sure they would love Nana Charlie to tag along, wouldn't you children?"
Charlotte snorted and said, "Fine with me," Then, holding out a hand to each girl, she led them toward where Bill and Nathan stayed, followed by Jack and Nathan. Nathan glanced back at her and winked as he grinned that crooked smile that always made her heart flutter.
She giggled and shook her head in amusement before heading into the kitchen. The rest of the day was spent just enjoying the company of each other. Allie and Julie had been deeply conversing about art and different perspectives while Opal clung to Charlotte, who regaled her with stories about Mountie Jack as a boy.
Before the children went to bed, they had a bonfire and gathered on the logs sipping on cider. Seeing the girl's eyes starting to droop and Jack snoring, they decided to call it a night. Nathan carried Jack while Elizabeth ushered the girls inside. Once they were all tucked in, Charlotte told them that she would keep an ear out for the kids and to go for a walk and spend a little time alone.
Elizabeth and Nathan decided to sit on the swing for some alone time. Stepping out on the porch, they were surprised to see the fire had been banked, and there was no sign of Tom, Julie, or Bill.
"How do you think our first day went, Nathan?" Elizabeth asked.
"I think it went well. I can tell that Allie is relaxed now, being here, and I think it was the right decision to hold off on any discussion for a day or two. But for now, Elizabeth, I have a better use for this time than talking." Nathan replied huskily.
"Wait, did I do something wrong, Nathan?"
"No, why would you think….," Nathan said, not finishing his sentence.
"You called me Elizabeth,"
"Sorry, Lizbeth," he whispered, kissing her cheek. Feeling her shivers, he smiled and whispered, "Lizbeth, is that what you want." before kissing her other cheek. He repeated Lizbeth repeatedly as he rained kisses over her face but avoided her lips.
"Oh, Nathan," She rasped as passion began to flicker.
"Your right; Lizbeth is so much better," Nathan said as he captured her lips, ending the sweet torture for both of them. Elizabeth went to bed that night dreaming of those kisses and knew that hearing her name on Nathan's lips would never be the same; It would be even better.