Choices and Consequences
Chapter Four
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Not finding his wife at home, Lee figured she was probably waiting with Elizabeth. Donning his coat again, Lee stepped next door and knocked softly. As he heard footsteps approach, he spoke softly, "It's me. Lee."
Nervously, Elizabeth opened the door and whispered, "Hello, Lee. Come in."
"Oh, Lee!" Rosemary was at the door within seconds, tugging his arm to follow her to the sofa. "We've been waiting. Tell us what happened." She almost pushed her husband to be seated.
"Do you want tea, Lee?"
"No thank you, Elizabeth. Please have a seat?"
The room was momentarily quiet as Lee formed his thoughts. "Elizabeth, I might as well tell you now. The School Board met with the parents tonight to discuss your overnight trip with Lucas. There were many concerns and a lot of disapproval." He glanced at the potbellied stove.
"The decision tonight is to retain you as the schoolmistress, but there are a few constraints." Lee leaned forward and locked eyes with Elizabeth. "First, you need to meet with the Board in private. Can you meet us at my office on Wednesday evening, say seven o'clock? Rosie, will you sit with Jack?"
As both women nodded, Lee continued to explain. "We would like you to determine a way you feel is effective to apologize and explain to your students what you did and why it was wrong? As Nathan suggested, make it a teachable moment?" Lee chuckled and shook his head.
"Nathan?" Elizabeth breathed out his name.
"Yes. He was your advocate tonight, Elizabeth, and you are one blessed woman. He stood and, although acknowledging that the parents needed to explain right and wrong behavior and have a talk with their children as he had with Allie, he recommended grace and a way forward. Don't take this lightly, Elizabeth."
With teary eyes, Elizabeth whispered. "I won't…"
. .
When Nathan arrived at his office after completing morning rounds, he found an envelope slipped under his door. Setting his Stetson on the hook, he set his coffee on his desk, sat and removed his gloves. He would start a fire after he read this note.
"Dear Nathan,
As you know, having signed the permission slip, I am taking the children up the mountain today for a science lesson. When we return could we please meet to talk? You name the time and place and I will be there.
I understand you spoke on my behalf last night and I am so grateful, undeserving but grateful. I don't know everything that you said, but, thank you. I will meet with the Board tomorrow evening and, if I dare, may I ask for your prayers? Again, thank you.
Please let me know about tonight?
Sincerely,
Elizabeth"
Considering her words, Nathan built a fire for heat, grabbed his coffee and stood on the porch, leaning against the post. Frequently found in this position, Nathan surveyed the town and greeted the citizens as they passed by. Now, his eye caught a disturbing sight. Elizabeth was standing with Lucas Bouchard in the middle of the street. Nathan immediately adjusted his expression to nonchalance as he observed. Suddenly Elizabeth lifted a pair of binoculars and began to scan the street. Her view stopped suddenly, resting on Nathan. Squinting to be sure, Nathan waved, giving a smirk of understanding before Elizabeth hastily removed the binoculars.
. .
Later Nathan was discussing automobiles while standing beside Lee as he changed his vehicle's headlight, when Lee offered to teach Nathan to drive.
"Really? You would do that?"
"I would be happy to. When do you want to begin?" Lee suggested. "Maybe Saturday morning?"
"I'll plan on it. Thank you…"
"By the way, Nathan, I need to apologize for playing a part in Elizabeth going to Union City. Had Rosie and I been unwilling to care for Jack, she couldn't have gone. Also, I am sorry for decieving you on the street when I said Elizabeth had an engagement. Well, that was true, but I wasn't fully honest with you, and as your friend I should have been. I don't know how you found out but, in retrospect, I believe I should have told you. I am truly sorry. Nathan." Lee extended his hand, adding, "Will you accept my apology, please?"
With a warm grin, Nathan shook Lee's hand. "I don't hold you accountable for her decisions, plus you have the challenge that Rosemary is dear friends with Elizabeth. I accept your apology, so put it behind you, my friend. As to who informed me of Elizabeth's excursion? It was Allie. She always has my back, no matter how uncomfor..."
Kurt Lawson interrupted their conversation with news of the high winds developing up the mountain. "Jesse may have just lost track of time, but I'm heading there now to check on him. See you later."
As Kurt galloped away, Nathan queried, "What's this about high winds? Elizabeth took some of the children on a field trip into the woods. Allie said they were going to Simon's Pass."
"I sure hope they are on their way back. Strong winds whip up very quickly up there."
Lee's comment and an expression of concern was all it took. Nathan mounted Newton and headed out to find the girls he loved, his words drifting back to Lee. "I'm heading up the mountain…"
. .
Howling winds blew in quickly and Elizabeth had the children hold hands as she directed them towards a hunter's cabin.
"Allie? What's wrong?"
"It's Emily, Mrs. Thornton. She let go and went back for her arrowhead."
"Okay, get inside, children. Oh! Here is Nathan!"
"Is everyone alright?" Nathan queried as he dismounted.
"No. Emily went back to find her arrowhead…"
Taking charge, Nathan instructed Elizabeth to tie up Newton so he wouldn't get spooked with the winds. "You stay in the cabin, Elizabeth. I'll go find Emily." With that he began his search on foot, calling out for the young girl. "Emily?"
Finding the missing arrowhead in a discarded basket near a trail, Nathan continued his search, calling, "Emily!"
. .
"Emily? Emily? Answer please?" Elizabeth felt she had waited long enough and, leaving Allie and Robert in charge, she began to look for Emily herself.
"Mrs. Thornton! I'm over here." A young girl's voice competed with the howling winds until Elizabeth saw her.
"Oh! Emily! Are you okay? You shouldn't have turned back…"
Crack. Thud. A tree fell within a couple feet of where they crouched.
"Emily? Elizabeth!" Bending over, Nathan assured them. "We're okay, just hold onto me." Offering his arms to teacher and student he led them back to the cabin. Once inside, Nathan bolted the door and immediately checked on Allie. Finding her okay although shaken up, he assured all the students that they would be safe inside and he would find a path for them to return once the winds calmed.
Remaining silent, Nathan peered out the window. A fierce wind raged in Nathan's heart, even as the winds outside diminished. When it was safe to make their way down the mountain, Nathan excused himself to find the best route. Upon his return, he explained that he had found a safe path and instructed the children to fill their canteens at the well.
"The route you were on before is impassable. If we all stay together, I found another way." Nathan looked at Elizabeth, concerned. "You're not hurt or anything, are you?"
"No. I'm fine. You?" Elizabeth looked at Nathan carefully.
"I'm fine." Nathan's tone of voice didn't match the words he spoke.
"Nathan? What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Nathan looked away.
"If there's something on your mind, please just say it." Elizabeth pleaded for Nathan to open up to her.
A sudden torrent of angry words escaped. "Okay, how about this? How about today you put
both our lives in danger? How about it wasn't smart for you to go out after Emily under those conditions?"
Startled, Elizabeth responded. "I take it back. Whatever's on your mind, just keep it to yourself.
Ignoring her request, Nathan pressed on. "Elizabeth, what were you thinking?!"
Defensive, Elizabeth explained. "I was thinking that I heard Emily and I wasn't just going to leave her out there."
His voice raised in exasperation, Nathan blurted out. "I told you I would get her.''
"But you didn't. I did." Elizabeth's eyes darkened.
"With my help... If I hadn't gotten to you she might have died." Nathan lifted his finger to point at Elizabeth. "You both could have died!
Stepping back, Elizabeth questioned. "What is this really about?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." His emotions barely in control, Nathan's voice was low. "I just... I'm going to put this as simply as I can, okay? My focus is on two things. Raising Allie and keeping the people of this town safe, and today both of those were put into jeopardy." He sighed in frustration. "So please, in the future, just... just let me do my job."
. .
Back in town after a slow, silent and somber walk down the mountain, Nathan was ready to apologize to Elizabeth.
"Constable! Constable!" Loudly, Florence called out. "They haven't returned, and now Rosemary and Clara took a wagon and they aren't back yet either. Bill started a search party and all the men are out there." Florence's voice cracked as she began to panic.
"Okay." Turning to Allie and Elizabeth, he spoke apologetically. "I'm sorry, I have to go."
Nodding, Allie only said, "I know."
. .
With Lee in the Infirmary. still unconscious after the tree fell on him, Elizabeth returned home to Laura and her giggling son. "Thank you so much for staying, Laura. I don't know how helpful I was, but I was glad to be near Rosemary for some of the time at least."
"Is Mr. Coulter going to be alright?" Laura asked, fearful.
"Everyone is praying that he will wake up and recover, Laura, but only God knows. Are you okay walking home alone? Maybe you could… Wait, let me call Henry and see if he'll drive you home. I'll be right back." She grabbed the Coulter's key from her desk drawer and departed.
Returning within moments, Elizabeth explained that Henry would be here shortly to give Laura a ride.
"I already fed Jack and the meatloaf is just keeping warm in the oven for you. Jack has brushed his teeth so he is ready for a 'S. t. o. r. y!'"
"Ah ha. You ate, right?" As Laura nodded, Elizabeth commented. "Good. I think I'll just prepare my plate now, then take care of our routine! Thank you for your sweet care for Jack. You are such a blessing to me!"
. .
Descending the stairs later, Elizabeth decided to journal. She was feeling overwhelmed and knew writing would help after the day she had experienced. Nathan had started to talk to her before he had to join the search party. Later she had tried to talk to him outside the Infirmary, but was interrupted before she even began. They had not arranged for a time to talk and after their heated words in the cabin, Elizabeth despaired of when another opportunity might arise.
A knock interrupted her musings and, immediately afraid it might be news about Lee, she hurried to open the door.
There on her doorstep was the most handsome man she had ever seen. "Nathan!" He was dressed in a blue shirt and navy suitcoat and the vision of him standing at her door took her breath away.
"Um, I'm sorry to bother you so late." The night's sounds orchestrated the dark landscape behind him.
Even though his expression was sad, Nathan's crystal blue eyes sparkled in the porch light and Elizabeth found it difficult to turn away. "It's alright. Jack just fell asleep." Elizabeth stepped aside. "Would you like to come in?
"Thanks." Nathan stepped in and faced Elizabeth, trying to remember the words he had planned to say. "I feel like um... about our words in the cabin, I owe you an apology. I overreacted about a few things."
"Nathan, the last thing I want is to hurt you, or anyone. And I can see how things looked from your perspective." Elizabeth explained, thinking about the Union City trip.
"You mean in the woods…"
Elizabeth spoke quietly, but memorized Nathan's eyes, face, and expression. "That too."
Looking at the floor then back into Elizabeth's sapphire eyes Nathan forged ahead. "I just… I wanted to let you know that I appreciate your courage. Going out there after Emily, you followed your instincts. And if you can't do that then you're in real trouble."
"I guess I'm just following my instincts then." She held his gaze.
"About what?" Nathan questioned, confused. He was not used to talking in circles or beneath hidden layers of meaning.
"Everything." Elizabeth's response did nothing to clarify their conversation.
"Lizbeth, I um... I just want you to be safe because... Because you matter to me." Nathan released a long breath. He had said what he needed to say to Elizabeth Thornton. "Ah, Goodnight…" Nathan moved towards the door.
"Wait! Nathan…" Elizabeth placed her hand on his forearm and inhaled deeply. "You matter to me too."
She hated to see the surprise in Nathan's eyes, but was grateful she had spoken the words. Now she needed to find ways to show him.
He smiled his signature half-smile and momentarily dipped his head. His voice husky, he lifted his hand to offer her a hat-tip-salute before repeating, "Goodnight."
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