Choices and Consequences

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Author's Note:

Intended as a Heart Story submission for May, (meant to address the issue of the schoolteacher going to Union City with the gambler in Season 7, Episode 7) this story could not be completed properly within a 2000-word limit! (I apologize, but I find that challenge nearly impossible while endeavoring to develop characters, and express deep emotions and life lessons!)

Therefore, I kept writing, expanding into a short story of five chapters. We end in the final Episode of Season 7, where many viewers believe Elizabeth made her true choice, Constable Nathan Grant!

Although including elements of When Calls the Heart canon, some scenes have been re-written and may even be on a different timeline in an effort to replace what we viewed. Note that portions of dialog are borrowed from the series' script and all characters belong to Hallmark Crown Media.

Thank you for reading! Eilie

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'Regrets.'

Nathan Grant pondered the word he'd heard in the courtroom. With a clear conscience, he still held regrets. Not for wrongdoing, but for the competition he felt from a gambler in Hope Valley.

As he watched the scenery pass his window he recalled Elizabeth's expression when he had given her the apple yesterday. 'She accepted it with a teasing smile, saying, 'Bribing a public official, Constable?'

'If you eat the evidence nobody finds out!' Happily, Nathan had voiced a quick-witted response which Elizabeth had seemed to enjoy.

Lucas arriving and gloating as Nathan departed however, had caused Nathan to wonder what the gambler was up to. Readjusting his lanky frame in the uncomfortable seat, familiar reservations plagued him. 'I don't trust that man…'

In an effort to forget, Nathan shook his head, once again considering his niece's pretty schoolteacher. 'I'm anxious to see her again…' Yet, even as he admitted that hope-filled thought, Nathan knew his only sure hope for peace right now was redirecting his thoughts to the young girl awaiting him. 'She's the one I love and I know she loves me back. She's the one I will never regret letting into my heart.'

Nathan straightened as he recognized the scenery, indicating he wasn't far from seeing his special girl. A smile spread across his face as the train slowed. He was coming home to Allie.

"Next stop, Hope Valley." The Conductor's call gradually faded as he moved down the aisle and into the next passenger car.

. .

Sauntering into town with his satchel hung over his shoulder, a smiling and contented Constable Nathan Grant nodded to the townspeople, his townspeople.

'Wait. What are those whispers?' Florence and Molly walked arm-in-arm but seemed suddenly uncomfortable when they spoke. Their greeting and hasty retreat set off alarms in this trained Mountie's mind.

Glancing around, Nathan tried to read the atmosphere for clues to what was happening. He noticed furtive glances from some while others nodded with a look he would discern as one of pity, although he didn't know to whom pity would be directed.

Confusion crossed his face until he saw Rosemary, Lee and Little Jack. Seeing Jack always made him smile, as Nathan felt a fondness for that fatherless little boy ever since he'd made him giggle the day of his Christening. "Well, hello, Buddy! Don't you look happy with your Aunt and Uncle!" Nathan addressed the Coulters. "You giving Elizabeth a little break?"

"Ah… Yeah. Elizabeth has…" Lee fumbled for the right word, "An engagement. A thing."

"Right. An engagement thing." Rosemary echoed Lee's words. "We are always happy to spend time with this little one."

"Of course! Enjoy your day, Buddy." Nathan addressed Little Jack again before adding, "You too, my friends."

At that moment, regret pierced Lee's heart. Nathan was his friend, an irreproachable man of character. 'We should never have let Elizabeth agree to go with that gambler. Tonight, we need to talk.'

As the Coulters' mumbled goodbyes and hastily moved on, Nathan felt the discomfort and tension. Yet, after glancing around the street and not finding anything amiss, he climbed the steps to his office leaving uncertainties at the door. Paperwork awaited and what he accomplished now would assure him of time fishing with Allie tomorrow.

. .

"Hi, Uncle Nathan."

Immediately, Nathan knew something was wrong. He rose and greeted his niece with a warm hug. "Hey there, Allie-girl. Did you have fun at Opal's?"

"Yeah, you know…" Shrugging, Allie took a seat.

Returning to his desk chair, Nathan searched her face. "What's up, Allie?"

Worried about her uncle, Allie looked to the floor before taking a deep breath. "Uncle Nathan? If you knew something that might upset someone, would you tell them or would you keep it to yourself?"

"Alright, come on. Let me have it."

"Mrs. Thornton went away this morning with Mr. Bouchard. With a suitcase..." Her words came out in a rush and tears welled in Allie's eyes, knowing that this would be devastating to her uncle.

Shocked and blinking back his own tears, Nathan responded quietly. "Oh…"

. .

Thwak. Clunk. Pause. Thwak. Clunk. Pause. Thwak…

The rhythm of wood-chopping resounded as Bill approached Nathan. "Looks like you've chopped enough wood for two winters. I guess you heard about Elizabeth and Lucas?"

"Yep."

Thwak. Clunk.

Bill continued. "It's just a reading. I wouldn't build it up more than that."

"I'm not. You brought it up, not me."

"So it doesn't bother you then..."

"No, of course not. Why would it bother me? They're free to do whatever they want or go wherever they want." Nathan set another log on the chopping block.

"You just suddenly have the urge to chop wood?" Bill queried.

"What're you getting at here?" Nathan questioned pointedly.

"Just making conversation."

With a loud sigh, Nathan responded. "Well, I'm a little busy."

"Fair enough." Bill shed his suitcoat and lifted the extra axe.

"Bill… What're you doing?"

"I'm helping you." Bill explained as his axe hit its mark. "I suddenly have the urge to chop wood."

"Thank you, but I don't need your help. Just like I don't need people in town walking on eggshells around me, ok?" Buffeted by the chill wind, Nathan protested. "I'm not making a big deal out of this. Nobody else has to."

"Well, I'm gonna help you anyway. You know, we can talk."

In spite of his exasperation, Nathan grinned. Bill was a true friend.

. .

In Union City, Elizabeth Thornton sat in her hotel room, disturbed. 'First he planned, assuming I would attend. Then he hurried my goodbye to Jack while still having time for a picnic he had prepared? Then the awkwardness at the reception desk, when the reservation for me should have been made in my name shouldn't it? Isn't that what a friend would do? Unless Lucas is thinking this is more…'

Elizabeth was unwilling to even think of what impropriety Lucas may have planned. 'Well, I am here now so I might as well enjoy Virginia Woolf. This is a wonderful opportunity.'

Distractedly, Elizabeth dressed in Rosemary's elegant dress, fully aware that it was not her style. She felt as though she was acting a part and entertained a longing for a little man back home. 'Who am I kidding? I am thinking of a big man! Nathan. I am always thinking of Nathan.' Suddenly Elizabeth panicked, sat down heavily and whispered aloud, "What if Nathan finds out? What will he…"

Shaking her head and straightening her shoulders, Elizabeth justified this outing as two friends listening to an author they both appreciated. Inhaling a fortifying breath, she stood for a final glance in the mirror before meeting Lucas downstairs.

. .

Elizabeth observed Lucas pacing until he leaned against the front desk, frowning and staring at his pocket watch. Seeing her stepping from the shadows, he schooled his features.

"Are we ready?" He politely held out his arm.

. .

Grateful that Newton needed a long ride since Nathan had been away the previous day, Nathan took him into the open meadow and galloped with abandon. Coat flapping and hair blown, Nathan hunched over his steed, wanting the wind to clear his mind and leave his worries behind. The trouble was that eventually Nathan had to turn around and he found all his concerns right in front of himself again. He slowed Newton to a walk.

'The townspeople all know… Allie and the students know… What is Elizabeth thinking? She couldn't possibly be thinking… at least not thinking straight. What about the parents? Will this jeopardize her teaching position? Her reputation? There is a moral standard to uphold, an example to set…"

. .

In bed after the presentation, reception and elegant dinner, Elizabeth allowed herself to recall the evening. 'Virginia Woolfe was interesting, but Lucas deceived me. He led me to believe he was a fan and yet he hasn't even read her book! When Lucas presented me as an accomplished author, he was not pleased when I corrected him, explaining my book is in the works. Mrs. Woolfe gave me an odd look, as if disapproving.'

Elizabeth frowned and turned over, continuing to reminisce. 'It seems as though Lucas is pursuing me, but why didn't I question Lucas on the spot when he told me he was not ready for a family? I am already a mother. Jack and I are a family!'

A memory of Nathan holding a giggling Jack invaded Elizabeth's thoughts. "He is so kind and caring and patient…"

She placed her hand over her heart gasping at the comparison. 'Lucas presenting himself as patient? Willing to wait as long as it takes for his soulmate? Twice today I saw his impatience!'

Elizabeth sighed. 'It was nice to enjoy some of Hamilton's pleasures though… Jack gave me a hint of that, yet he was solidly rooted in real life.' She wiped away a tear. 'Oh, Jack, I miss you…'

. .

"Rosie?" Lee whispered, hoping Little Jack would stay asleep. "I know we're both exhausted, but we need to talk."

"We do?"

"Yes. We should never have agreed to watch Jack or be a part of Elizabeth going on an unchaperoned overnight. What exactly did you say to her to encourage that choice?"

Defensive, Rosemary sat up in bed. "I told her to forget about Lucas or Nathan, and asked, 'What do you want to do?'"

"She said she wanted to hear the author and I said 'Then that's what you will do!' The woman has been through so much, Lee, she deserves a treat."

"Oh Rosie…" Lee sat up and turned to his wife. "Ignoring what Nathan, the parents, students and townsfolk think, has left her vulnerable to losing her reputation and her job. I am sure that the school board will be calling her in to question her choices. She has broken her agreement, not to mention been a poor moral example to her students. We…" Lee paused, "…I own my responsibility in this… We should have loved her enough to discourage this trip. And, Nathan? We are friends, Rosie! How do we explain our compliance to him?"

"Oh, Lee! They wouldn't fire her for this would they?" Rosemary was suddenly extremely worried and now concerned that she had failed her friend. "Elizabeth won't do anything wrong… I'm sure she won't."

"She already has, Rosie. Going without a chaperone was unwise and calls into question other decisions she may make…"

. .

The following morning, the Grants remained silent while fishing although Allie surreptitiously watched her silent uncle, until he spoke. "I think we have caught two suppers, Honey. Let's pack up, eh?"

Relaxed, they headed back to town, Nathan's arm loosely draped over Allie's shoulders. What they saw as they rounded the corner, made them tense up, stopping them in their tracks. At her front door, Elizabeth and Lucas said their farewells, her suitcase on the porch beside them.

With a sniff and quick wipe of his nose, Nathan responded to Allie's prodding. "Come on, Uncle Nathan. Let's go home."

. .

In the Grant row house, Nathan called Allie to sit beside him. "Allie? I don't know what will happen now, but you know that Mrs. Thornton should not have gone overnight without a chaperone, right?" As Allie nodded, Nathan continued. "What she may or may not have done while in Union City, is not our business, but her reputation and teaching position here are now in question. There is a verse that says, 'Avoid even the appearance of evil.' (*1) Do you understand what that means?"

Nodding, Allie spoke, "Don't do anything that might make people think you are doing something wrong?" As her uncle nodded, Allie continued. "Why did she go overnight, Uncle Nathan? She is not just hurting you, but all of us if she can't teach anymore."

"I don't know, Honey, but don't worry about me. If she is choosing Lucas then she is not who I thought she was anyway. As to teaching, we'll wait and see."

. .

With Jack upstairs in bed, Elizabeth sat at her desk, handkerchief in hand. Last night she had fallen asleep with Jack in her dreams, but this morning had awakened with Nathan on her mind.

When Lucas had dropped her off at home, Elizabeth had been so focused on seeing Jack that she hadn't acknowledged Nathan and Allie walking past with fishing gear, staring straight ahead. Yet, it was Nathan's pain-filled eyes and disappointed expression that shook Elizabeth to the core when she saw him in town later, his only words being, "Welcome back."

'I shouldn't have gone, even on a 'not-a-date' with Lucas." Elizabeth wept. "I have hurt Nathan, but I can't lose him. What have I done? How can I make this right?'

. .

Having slept fitfully, Elizabeth awakened before dawn with a new revelation. She cared deeply for Nathan Grant and she was resolved to find a way to show him her love.

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(*1) Paraphrase of 1 Thessalonians 5: 22, The Holy Bible.

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