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Choices and Consequences
Chapter Five
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The School Board meeting postponed, Elizabeth continued to teach as she had always done. It was her custom to include current events so today they would discuss winds and weather patterns. From a bookcase, she withdrew a chart of clouds, determined to instruct on the varying shapes, colors and weather they forecast. Elizabeth was drawing illustrations of cloud forms on the chalkboard when she heard the door open and shut. Turning, she saw Nathan in civilian clothing. "Good morning, Nathan."
"Hi." He nervously played with his leather hat.
"No uniform today?"
Looking down at his clothing, Nathan chuckled nervously. "Red serge is too obvious for undercover work, so no uniform for now. I'm meeting the next train from Benson Hills. Expecting a wanted man."
"Oh, please be careful? Is he dangerous?"
"I don't know for sure. He probably is armed, but the element of surprise is on my side."
Silence descended as Nathan tried to recall the smooth question he had rehearsed. As he stared at the beauty before him, Nathan's mind went blank.
After some moments, Elizabeth questioned, "Nathan? Is there something I can help you with? Ahhh, Nathan?"
Shaking himself from his hesitancy, Nathan shifted his stance. Finally he mustered the courage. "Elizabeth, I was wondering, uh…if you… if you would accompany me to dinner at the Café on Saturday evening? If the Café is okay?" Afraid she would decline, Nathan made the offer. "If you need some time to think about it, uh… you can let me know later. That's okay…"
Elizabeth shortened the distance between them and reached one finger to graze Nathan's lips. "Shhh…" A familiar spark arced between them, causing them both to search each other's faces.
"I would love to dine with you on Saturday night, Nathan, and the Café is fine. At what time?"
Suddenly Nathan had to think. He had hardly dared to hope that Elizabeth would agree, so he was not prepared to answer her. "What time would be good for you?"
"Shall we say seven o'clock? Why don't you figure out if that works for you and if we need to change it you can let me know."
Nodding with relief, Nathan found his voice. "Ah, yes. That sounds wonderful. I can meet you at your row house. Do you mind walking into town?"
"No, Nathan. Walking is fine and on your arm I wouldn't mind walking anywhere." She smiled demurely and tilted her head.
"Good! That sounds really good. I guess I better head to the station now, but I'll see you around town?"
"That you will. Be safe, Nathan."
Donning his wide-brimmed, floppy hat, he lifted his fingers to salute Elizabeth and turned on his heel.
Letting out a breath she wasn't aware she held, Elizabeth swished her skirts and giggled with joy.
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Having successfully nabbed the thief as he disembarked from the train, Nathan led him to the wagon where Bill waited. Assisting the criminal into the bed of the wagon, Nathan climbed in and holding the handcuffed man at gunpoint, told Bill to head into town.
Once secured in the jail cell and handcuffed to the footboard of the bed, Nathan told the man to be quiet until he asked him questions. Rolling his eyes at Bill as he tossed the keys on his desk, Nathan inquired. "You want to begin the questioning, Bill? I need to change."
"Sure." Grabbing the clipboard and pen, Bill pulled up a chair and began questioning Elias O'Rourke. No one noticed a young woman peer in the side window in search of her brother.
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Surprised to see Lucas standing outside the schoolhouse during morning recess, Elizabeth quickly retreated to don her coat and stepped outside, just as Lucas began to climb the steps.
"We need to stay outside, Lucas. You rarely come here. What is wrong?" Elizabeth was aware that she still had to talk to this man, but she hadn't figured out how to do that and not be alone. "In light of recent events, I would prefer not to be seen with you, especially by the schoolchildren."
"Oh?" A brief frown crossed the dapper-dressed man's face before he chose to ignore her comment. "I come bearing good news. Mother loved your chapters and believes she can submit it to a publisher! You can publish your book, Elizabeth!"
Stunned, Elizabeth grabbed the railing to steady herself. "What chapters, Lucas?"
"I sent the ones you lent me to read to my mother and she loved them."
"You sent... my chapters... to your mother? Without so much as asking me? Lucas, what have you done?"
"I don't understand. I just said what I did and Mother loved them. Shouldn't I have done that? Don't you want to publish?"
Her voice low and eyes squinting, Elizabeth spoke in measured words. "Those chapters were not ready to be seen. I did not give you permission to send them or show them to anyone. I want them returned immediately, do you understand?"
She inhaled and continued, leveling a gaze that would consume an entire wood pile. "You, Lucas Bouchard, are no friend to me. If I never publish my book, that is my concern. I will not be coerced into anything with you ever again, do you understand? You are not the friend I thought you were. You tricked me and lied to me and our outing to Union City almost cost me my job, not to mention someone very dear to me. I was foolish to accept your invitation and to believe you were a trustworthy gentleman. Please convey my regrets to your mother for taking her time. I will meet you on the street, outside the library at half-past four and you can give me my chapters and any copies you have made at that time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have students to teach."
Elizabeth turned and started up the steps when Lucas reached out, incensed, and grabbed her arm. Angrily Lucas spoke under his breath. "Now, just a moment here, Elizabeth Thornton. You agreed to attend that reading with me and didn't seem to have any problem enjoying a fancy, champagne dinner with me. You don't call the shots on our relationship or tell me what to do. I will tell my mother she has wasted her time and will meet you to return your manuscript as you request. Not because you ordered me to, but because I no longer want them in my possession. We are not finished, Elizabeth Thornton, until I say we are finished. I will see you at the Library."
Watching Lucas stomp away, Elizabeth wondered who she could get to accompany her when she met Lucas later. She knew who she wanted by her side, but didn't want to embroil him in this argument. Maybe she could ask Rosemary? No, she had enough going on with Lee recovering. Bill! Yes, I will ask Bill."
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Nathan was getting a headache from Elias O'Rourke's constant chatter. The only time the man was quiet was when eating and since he inhaled his food, even those moments were short-lived. When Bill came to spare him for lunch, Nathan was grateful for the escape and grateful that Union City was sending the transport wagon early in the morning.
Having arranged earlier for a special table at the Café for his date with Elizabeth, Nathan headed to the Mercantile hoping to order flowers.
"Uh, hello Ned, Florence. I have come to order flowers. Can you assist me?" Nathan looked hopefully from one to the other.
"Of course, Nathan. Why don't you talk to Florence over there and she'll get you set-up." Ned grinned hoping there was a really good reason the Constable was ordering a bouquet.
"Do you know what type of flower you would like, and what color?"
"I have no idea. I usually buy pink roses for Allie, but this is… these are not for Allie." Nathan gulped and blushed.
Seeing his discomfort Florence whispered, "In this case, my lips are sealed, Nathan. I assume this is for a special lady? Is it Elizabeth?"
Surprised, Nathan could only say, "How do you know?"
Chuckling, Florence patted his arm. "I have eyes and ears, Nathan. You two are clearly meant to be. So, tell me the occasion?"
"Our first dinner date on Saturday. What do you recommend? Do you know what Elizabeth likes?"
"Indeed I do. Her favorite flowers are hydrangeas and they are in bloom right now. She is especially partial to the blue and purple ones. Now, if you want I could make a bouquet with some hydangeas from local gardens, and add pale pink roses, some variegated or white lisianthus and trailing ivy. That would be a handsome arrangement. Would you like it in a vase or tied with ribbon?"
"What do you think? I am really out of my element here. I am more used to picking wildflower bouquets with Allie!"
"And those will be appreciated any day of the week, Nathan. We'll just make something special for this first time. Leave it to me, okay? What time do you want to collect it on Saturday?"
Nathan arranged the time, ordered three pink roses for Allie, thanked Florence profusely, and departed a happy man.
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Returning to the jail, Nathan sent Bill on his way as he had arranged with Jesse to take a late-afternoon-evening shift to watch the prisoner so he could catch a nap at home. He planned to share dinner with Allie and hopefully sleep a couple more hours before taking over from Jesse at midnight.
Nearing the Mercantile, Florence signaled Bill. "Elizabeth had sent Robert to deliver a message to you and since you weren't in your office, Robert left it with us." She motioned Bill to follow her into the shop.
"Okay. Thank you, Florence. Ned." Bill nodded to them as exited, curious. He opened the envelope and read as he walked.
'Hello, Bill,
I have a huge favor to ask you. I need to meet Lucas outside the Library at half-past four this afternoon so he can return a manuscript to me. It is a long story but I am extremely angry with him and just want my pages returned. I don't want to see him alone and don't want to involve Nathan. Would you mind accompanying me or meeting me at your office and we can walk over together? I am sorry this is so last minute.
If you are not at your office, I will try to find Joseph or Mike or even Henry. I just need a trustworthy male friend.
Thank you so very much.
Elizabeth.'
'My goodness! This is an interesting turn of events, but I am glad she does not want Nathan involved and glad she doesn't want to meet Bouchard alone.' Bill pondered as he entered his office and set an alarm clock he kept on his desk.
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After a quick trip home to ask Laura to stay a few more hours, Elizabeth returned to town and knocked on the Judge's office door.
"Elizabeth, come in. We have a few moments before we have to walk over to the Library. Have a seat and fill me in, please? Are you concerned for your safety? Has Bou… I mean Lucas threatened you in any way?"
Sighing Elizabeth explained their conversation on the steps of the schoolhouse and how she still wasn't sure Lucas got the message that she was not interested in any relationship with him, even a friendship. "He lied to me, Bill. He told me he enjoyed Virginia Woolfe and he hadn't read more than one chapter. He told me it wasn't a date, but he treated me to champagne at dinner and had arranged for a delivery of coral roses. Do you know what they mean, Bill?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Bill was quick to answer. "I didn't know roses had meanings!"
"The color coral means 'desire!' We are not even dating and he has the audacity to give me coral roses? I can't even go into detail, but I realized he was not the man for me before we even departed Union City. And this morning? Learning he went behind my back… I am just livid and want him out of my life."
"Okay, dear girl. We'll take care of Lucas Bouchard together. Are you ready to go?" Bill stood and offered Elizabeth his arm. Heading towards the Library, there was no sign of Lucas.
"I told him outside." Elizabeth almost growled.
"Easy there. We can wait a bit. Let's go stand nearby."
Waiting for some moments, Bill raised his hand to be quiet and follow him. Opening the door to the Library, Bill was as surprised as Lucas was. The man stood next to a table set with china and crystal, a bottle of champagne chilling and a plethora of candles burning all around the room.
"Lucas! This is a firetrap! Elizabeth help me snuff these out. Just be very careful." Bill headed one direction in the Library and Elizabeth the other.
"What do you think you are doing? This is my surprise for…" He turned to Elizabeth and watched as she snuffed out candle after candle. "I wanted to surprise you and say how sorry I am that I gave your chapters to my Mother. I should have asked. I talked to her this afternoon and…"
"There. That was a close one. Bouchard you could have lit the entire town on fire if those had gotten out of control, not to mention injured Elizabeth and countless others in the process. What were you thinking?" Bill had not trusted Lucas Bouchard from the first day the man came to town, and nothing he had done since had changed Bill's opinion for the better.
"Bill, you exaggerate. The candles are fine. Nothing would have happened, but thank you for your concern. Elizabeth would you like to have a seat and enjoy some treats Gustav has prepared for us?" He looked pointedly at the Judge. "Bill was just leaving." Turning back to Elizabeth he pulled out a chair and waited, oblivious to the fact that Elizabeth was angry.
"No, Lucas. I will not have a seat. I agreed to meet you outside the building, not in here. Where are my chapters?"
"Bill, I can take it from here. Thank you for your concern." Lucas was overly charming.
"No, Lucas. Bill is not leaving without me. We came to collect my chapters." Spying a thick envelope on a corner chair, Elizabeth moved to retrieve it and opened it to be certain of its contents. "Is this everything?"
His voice low, Lucas turned his back on Bill and tried again. "Those are your chapters, but let's sit down and discuss this. No need to let this delectable food go to waste."
"What is it about the word 'no' that you don't understand, Lucas? I cannot and will not meet with you ever again. I am not interested in you or your deceptive ways. I am not interested in you or your mother being involved in publishing my book. I am not going to date you or go out with you or even be your friend. You have shown me your true colors, Lucas, and they are not colors that I care for at all." Elizabeth took a breath and leveled her final comment. "I am sorely disappointed in you, Lucas." She waved the envelope at him. "Thank you for returning these. Bill? We can go now."
Bill moved closer to Lucas and in low tones gave a warning. "I don't know what game you are playing, Bouchard, but you have lost this one. Elizabeth Thornton, her son, her students, her friends, all of us are off limits. You threaten any of us and you may not live to see the next morning a free man. I mean it, Lucas, and as a person who knows the law I know how to make that happen. Now if you'll excuse me, I must escort a lady home."
Elizabeth headed for the open door, unaware that a few people were observing from the street. Holding her head high, she took Bill's offered arm ready to exit. The last words she heard were Lucas cursing under his breath and sputtering a snide remark. "So much for catching more with honey, Mother dear."
Glancing at each other, Elizabeth and Bill tried hard to keep a straight face. A few buildings down the street they could hold it no longer. Bursting out laughing, they left Lucas behind.
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Bill met Nathan at the jail, the next morning, grateful that the transport wagon was parked outside and two Mounties were on the porch, while one was inside completing paperwork with Nathan. Nodding at the Mounties, Bill made his way into the jail with a cup of coffee for Nathan and one for himself. "Sorry, fellas, but you may get mugs for yourselves over at the Café. Tell them Bill sent you, okay?" As the men hesitated, Bill assured them. "We have time. Go ahead."
Looking up from his desk, Nathan eyed the coffee. "Thanks for that, Bill. It's been a long night!"
"Well, you need to perk up for the ride, so drink up, Son!"
"Wait! I thought we could head out later today. They don't need us today."
"Ah no, Nathan. We ride with them. Headquarters is taking no chances with O'Rourke here. We have him and we are not going to lose him." Bill countered.
"Really?" Nathan gave a heavy sigh although he realized the sooner this fella was out of the way, the better. Nathan swigged the aromatic brew, praying it would do the trick and keep him alert.
Townspeople were beginning to fill Main Street when two of the Mounties escorted the prisoner out of the jail and secured him in the wagon, cuffed with his hands and feet attached to the wagon itself.
"We'll take the advance position, Nathan. Ready fellas?"
On his way to another assignment, one of the Mounties had been sent to remain in Hope Valley until the Constable returned, so he waved them off from the porch.
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After Bill summarized Elizabeth's encounter with Lucas, Bill and Nathan became quiet.
Nathan didn't think it was his lack of sleep, but he sensed something was amiss. A quick glance at Bill told him that Bill had picked up on something as well. Suddenly before them, a woman stood in the middle of the road a rifle aimed at them. "Let him go!" She shouted with the gun wobbling in her hands.
Nathan slipped from his saddle and began to slowly make his way towards the woman. "Is Silas your husband, ma'am?" He kept moving as he spoke.
"Husband? Ewwww! He's my brother. Why isn't anyone opening the door? I said to let him out or I will shoot!"
"You tell 'em, Jenny! Good for you!" Elias O'Rourke was pressed against the window, his hands gripping the iron bars. "You can do it."
"You don't want to do that, Jenny." Nathan's voice was calm and soothing as he gradually got closer his arm extended to stop her or grab the rifle. "You hand me the gun and your charge will be minimal. You shoot anyone and you can be looking at a lifetime in prison. Your brother is not worth that. Drop the gun, Jenny. Think about your future and drop the gun…"
From inside the wagon, Silas heard the click of a rifle and shouted, "Watch out, Jenny!"
BANG!
Nathan almost had his hand on her rifle when she pulled the trigger. He heard the shot, but wasn't sure if he was alright or not. Bill's shout alerted him from his shock and Nathan tackled Jenny and threw the rifle away from them. "Sorry, Miss, but that was not a wise decision." As Nathan was cuffing her hands behind her back, Bill shouted.
"Nathan, she got him. He's bleeding bad."
Taking immediate action the Mountie who was driving the wagon, hopped down, grabbed rags and a tourniquet from under the seat and began to work on the young Mountie who had been shot. Quickly, the three men carried the wounded Mountie to the back of the wagon, giving Eilias a full view of the result of his actions and ignoring his pending vomiting.
Letting the other Mountie and Nathan deal with walking Jenny O'Rourke back to town, Bill took off at a wild clip to get the injured man to the Infirmary. Shouting as he galloped into town, Bill called for Carson. "We have a man whose been shot. He's in back."
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In the Mercantile, Elizabeth and Ned heard the shouts and when Fiona burst through the door, she exclaimed. "Carson needs bandages. Someone's been shot!"
"Who?" Elizabeth had hardly voiced the question when Fiona gave her a frightened look and from outside a man's voice echoed.
"It's Nathan! Nathan's been shot!"
In a daze, Elizabeth dropped her basket and moved down the steps, catching a glimpse of red serge in the wagon. As she hurried closer to the wagon, she saw Carson emerge and heard his declaration, "He's gone. He didn't make it."
Elizabeth froze in place, a silent scream filling her lungs. What made her turn and catch a flash of red making his way slowly towards her, she could never understand, but she did turn and in a moment she found her voice and her feet moved, propelling her towards Nathan.
"Nathan…" She hit him hard, her arms encircling his waist, and he rocked slightly, unprepared for the force of her hug. Slowly he let go of his horse and let his arms wrap around Elizabeth pressing her against his chest.
She held him as tightly as she could. There, in the middle of Main Street, surrounded by the townspeople watching and wondering, Elizabeth Thornton hugged Nathan Grant.
Emerging from the Saloon, Lucas Bouchard stared as Elizabeth's choice became clear, to him and to the town of Hope Valley. Defeated, the gambler made an instant decision. The game was over. He would fold and leave this town for good. Soon.
Their hearts pounding wildly, Elizabeth felt Nathan's every heartbeat as she pressed her head against his muscular chest. Closing his eyes to the world around them, Nathan leaned his head against Elizabeth's soft, fragrant curls and found his home. For a very long time, they stood there embracing. When they finally parted, their hands remained joined.
It was their first day of together forever.
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The End. Or to be more accurate, the Beginning!
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