What's in Her Heart
Elizabeth watched as Lucas headed for the concierge desk to check them into their hotel - he'd told her to wait, and that made her a little curious as to why. The whole way to Union City from Hope Valley, she'd felt unsettled and it was only increasing. She decided to ignore what he'd said and followed fairly close behind him. As she approached the desk, the concierge noticed her and said "Mrs Bouchard! It's a pleasure to finally meet you! Your suite is all ready for you."
Her mouth dropped open, but before she could even utter a word, she heard a vaguely familiar voice call out "Elizabeth? Elizabeth Thatcher is that you?" She turned, and there before her were her parents' friends from Hamilton, Mr and Mrs Wharton. "It is you! Did I hear correctly? Are congratulations in order? Your parents said nothing!"
As she turned towards Eleanor Wharton, Elizabeth began to realize just what she'd done and precisely how bad this situation looked. Now she knew exactly why she'd been unsettled and that she should have paid heed to it. Even if she explained that Lucas was not her husband, but just a friend - the fact remained that she was there with him - in a hotel - unchaperoned - where the concierge just referred to her as 'Mrs Bouchard'. She briefly shot a withering look his way (not missing the fact that he looked positively smug) and then greeted the couple. Leaning in for an air kiss, she smiled sweetly at them both. "Eleanor, Franklin! How wonderful it is to see you! And here in Union City!" She really wasn't sure why it never occurred to her that she might run into someone she knew at the swankiest hotel in town.
Fuming the entire time, she squirmed her way through the painful conversation - she was somewhat relieved when the couple finally moved on. Then she turned to the concierge and said, "I'm so sorry, it seems that there's been some sort of misunderstanding. We are not married or even a couple." turning to Lucas "A word, please?" Her expression hard and not brooking any argument. Seriously, the man had said not one single word since his duplicity was discovered and she had no doubt it was duplicity - for all this about him being a gambler, it was written all over his face that this was a premeditated event. She could just hear Jack in her mind, chiding her for being so gullible.
When she and Lucas got far enough away for a measure of privacy - just not too private - she turned to him and searched his face. What she saw there was incredible. The man was actually pleased with himself! With her mind working as fast as possible, she formulated a plan and it didn't involve him at all. No author reading was worth what she'd potentially done to her reputation, not to mention that she'd likely ruined any chance she had for a future that she might have with Nathan in the process.
"Lucas, I'm not even sure where to begin. I cannot believe that you did this! I'm so furious right now that I would like nothing more than to slap your face, walk out of here and never speak to you again - I may just do the last two. You made a single reservation. It was not a 'mix up'. This was never a 'friendly' outing to you. You manipulated me and I willingly went along with it - despite having some serious misgivings. I went against what I know is right and proper without a care for my reputation. For you, that may not be a problem - but for me? Well, I'm certain that this tantalizing tidbit will be making the Hamilton rounds as quickly as Eleanor Wharton can manage to place a phone call out."
Lucas just rolled his eyes at her "I don't really understand what you're making a fuss about, Elizabeth! Nothing has happened! Stop being so uptight. We'll just make another room reservation for you and go to the reading. All will be well. As soon as someone else steps out of line in Hamilton, they'll stop wagging their tongues about you." he said - somewhat derisively as he reached out for her hand. "And, besides, you are a widow. The same rules don't really apply."
She jerked back from him as if burned. "Fuss?! Easily spoken by a man who has no need to worry about his reputation! And what does me being a widow have to do with it exactly?! Please keep your hands away from me! Whatever this is?" she gestured between the two of them, "It's finished, Lucas! You will cease your manipulations right now! Stop pursuing me and trying to corner me into compromising situations. I'm heading back home right now and I have to insist that you keep your distance from now on. You have a lot of nerve and I'm only sorry that I refused to see it sooner - even though I seemed to to be aware when we first met. I believe my words were, 'I've met charmers like him before and the flower soon withers on the vine.' How absolutely true. My eyes are fully and permanently open now and don't you forget it, because I don't intend to!"
She turned and marched towards the concierge desk to order a taxi to take her to the train station, also asking the man to make sure 'Mr Bouchard' stayed far away from her until she was able to leave. Mr Girard had such kind and concerned eyes "I'm so sorry, Mrs Thornton. I'll make sure that the man is kept occupied from now until well after you depart." He nodded towards a tall young man in a bellhop uniform "Harry here will escort you to your taxi with your bags. Please consider a stay with us in the future. Your room will be on the house."
Elizabeth said her thanks and followed Harry outside, never glancing back where Lucas still stood. It was time to make her way home. When she arrived at the train station and had purchased her ticket, she asked the station master if she could please place a call to Hope Valley so that she could have someone meet her there. She spoke briefly to Florence, not wanting to bother to make a connection with Rosemary. Florence assured her that someone would be there to pick her up.
Florence smiled to herself. Oh yes! Obviously Elizabeth coming back so suddenly - alone - meant that she'd finally come to her senses. Well, at least she hoped so. She knew exactly who she'd enlist to meet Elizabeth at her train and then headed directly over to the Mounted Police Office to speak with the Constable. She could see the light on and prayed that he was still there. Someone needed to give those two a nudge, or maybe a hard push, together!
Nathan sighed as he heard someone open the door. He'd gotten back from Cape Fullerton much earlier than expected and he was trying very hard to finish his last bit of paperwork on a fight that took place at the saloon a little while before. No prisoners, thankfully, and he wanted to just get home. It didn't help that he knew where Elizabeth had gone and just who she'd gone with. He'd thought that they were getting closer and he wished he hadn't been so hesitant. He really didn't want to rush her into anything. He looked up and saw Florence rush in. Did she look like a cat who'd gotten into the cream? He shook his head. "Is everything alright, Florence? How can I help you?"
"Everything's fine, at least as far as law and order are concerned. But I have a big favor to ask. I received a call from Elizabeth and she is currently on the train here from Union City and needs to be picked up at the station. I know it's a big ask, but would you be willing to pick her up?" she looked at him hopefully.
He scowled. "What about Bouchard? Didn't she go there with him? Why isn't he bringing her home?"
She crossed to the chair and sat down, her eyes gentle. "Nathan, I know it hurt you when she decided to go with him. But, I'll tell you that she sounded extremely upset and agitated. Almost tearful. I don't know what happened exactly, but I do know that Lucas is not coming back with her. I came over here rather than calling you because I wanted to stress to you that I believe it's important for you to be the one to meet her. Robert is at the store and he can hook the wagon up for you and have it waiting. She'll be here in about 2 hours."
He could not deny such a plea from Florence. And he was instantly on alert about why Elizabeth would be in such a state of mind. He wanted to ask more questions, but realized that - for once - Florence had been discreet and not peppered someone with questions in her need to know. He was hurt, and incredibly jealous, but it wasn't as if he and Elizabeth were courting. He just figured that her going was signifying that she had agreed to court Bouchard - but what if he'd been wrong? "Florence, of course I'll pick Elizabeth up. Thank you for warning me about her state of mind. Would you please see if Robert can maybe get word to Allie that I'll be late?"
She nodded, then stood and started to leave, but turned back "Thanks for taking care of her...this. And, just be open to what she may have to say." With that, she hurried out the door to get back to the switchboard.
Nathan watched her leave then sighed, trying to process this latest development. He was still a bit shocked that Elizabeth would go away with a man, unchaperoned - as she most definitely knew better...but he still cared for her so much and wanted to be with her. She mattered to him. He found himself concerned as to what actually happened after they left town.
As the train sped on towards Hope Valley, Elizabeth stared out the window while she tried to breathe deeply and calm herself down. Her thoughts were racing still. She was trying to figure out how she'd been so vulnerable as to allow herself to fall prey to Lucas's manipulations. Again, Jack's voice rang in her mind. She remembered how he'd called her out on this very thing when the con man, Billy Hamilton, had tried to woo her to get to her father. That was years ago. And she had seen Lucas for what he was the first time she'd met him. So, how did she get here?
She felt tears begin to well up, searching for her handkerchief as it hit her. Delayed grief. Certainly not an excuse, but most definitely a reason. She'd found out she was expecting just barely moments after losing Jack. Her focus changed to preparing for the baby and becoming a single mother. After that, she now knew she began to drift. At first, she was incensed by Lucas - but then he donated the space and books for the library. That's when her head began to turn. How unutterably shallow was that? It's not as if she couldn't have easily gotten her father to do the same thing, and on an even greater scale. She made a mental note to take care of that when she got back home. She wanted nothing from Lucas again. Then his 'help' with her writing. His mother works for a publisher. Head turned - again. Shallow. Self centered.
In contrast - Nathan asked nothing of her, didn't try to get her into compromising situations. He just offered honesty and friendship - but she could sense that there was so much more there. When she cleared away the 'clutter' of Lucas and his grand gestures - the truth was very clear for her. She knew where her heart was...it was with the honorable, selfless, unassuming man who looked at her in a way that no one had since Jack - and maybe not even then. Nathan was in her heart and she desperately prayed that she was still in his. She shook herself out of her reverie as she noticed the train slowing down. Relieved to be home, she collected her things and waited her turn to depart the train.
As she stepped down from the train, expecting to see Lee, Bill or maybe even Jesse - she was momentarily rocked by the sight of...Nathan. Without thinking, or hesitating because of thinking, she dropped her bag and ran straight for him, unable to hold back the tears of relief, hope and longing that hit her. He came for her, regardless of what she'd done! As she reached him, she threw her arms around him and held on. This was a scandal she cared nothing about - because it was real. She felt his arms go around her and his chin rest on her head as he let her cry it out.
Nathan's heart leapt as he braced himself for the impact that was Elizabeth - even while he was concerned for what she may have experienced. As her felt her sobs, he brushed a hand down her hair as he would Allie. He knew in that moment that he forgave her for any indiscretion against societal rules that she may have committed. He looked up heavenward and thought, 'Who she is is much more important than what she's done.' as he knew the Lord would think of him. That moment opened the way for their future more than either of them even imagined.