What's in Her Heart
Chapter 2
After a moment, Nathan gently pulled back and handed a dry handkerchief to Elizabeth. He then guided her to the wagon, helping her up while he went to collect her bags. He took his time as he wanted to give her a few moments to compose herself. As he bent down for her things, he noticed that his shirt was somewhat soaked in the front and he couldn't help but smile a bit as he realized that she'd turned to him. Sure - she didn't know that he'd be picking her up, but her reaction to seeing him was instantaneous and very emotional. He sensed that she wanted to talk and didn't want to take her to her home, where they'd be alone, to do that. As he hopped up into the wagon seat, he turned to her. "Have you eaten?" She shook her head. "I also get the impression that you'd like to talk - I have an idea. Trust me?" he ventured, knowing that she'd trusted Lucas and she may not go for it.
Her eyes drinking him in, she whispered "I trust you, Nathan." When he gave her a small, lopsided smile, her heart tripped a bit. She did trust him. She had no idea where he was going to take her or who would be there, but she knew deep down that he would never compromise her. They didn't say much as they neared town and she was relieved when he pulled around to the side door of the cafe.
As he helped her down, he said "Only Bill is here right now. I know that Jesse and Clara were having dinner at the saloon this evening. We can eat, talk and there will be a chaperone nearby."
"Thank you, Nathan. For everything." she breathed, not wanting to let go of the hand she still held. "Oh! I need to have Bill let Lee & Rosemary know that I'm home. I'm sure Jack's already in bed, but they need to know."
As they neared the door, it opened and Bill looked out. He took one look at the pair, not missing Elizabeth's tear streaked face and somewhat disheveled appearance and quickly welcomed them in. As she passed him by, he sent a grim and questioning look Nathan's way. Nathan simply shook his head and raised one shoulder.
"Hey, Bill. Do you think that Elizabeth and I could sit back here and have some supper? She's pretty worn out from her train ride, and we've got some talking to do." Nathan could tell that Bill was itching to know what on earth had led the two of them there, with Elizabeth obviously in some distress, when she was supposed to be with Bouchard in Union City. Bill looked from him to Elizabeth, then back to Nathan - each man speaking volumes with just their eyes.
Bill nodded and gestured to the table. "Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans were the special tonight. Will that be alright with both of you?" When they agreed, he quickly brought them some napkins, flatware and waters, then plated their food and served them. Before he could step out, Elizabeth asked if he would please get word to the Coulters that she was home. He nodded, then stepped out of the room.
Nathan reached for Elizabeth's hand and prayed over their meal, then they tucked into their food. They ate in comfortable silence for a bit and then he sensed that she was finished eating and ready to talk. He set his fork down and leaned back in his chair, sending her a questioning look.
She took a deep breath, letting it out very slowly. "I made a terrible mistake." Sighing, she pulled Nathan's handkerchief from her sleeve where she'd tucked it. Then she replayed the whole awful event to Nathan. At first, she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye, but when she finally looked up at him - she realized she knew him well enough to see that there was some very carefully concealed outrage at Lucas's manipulations. Managing to not dissolve into tears again, she set down the hanky and laid one of her hands on Nathan's. "I need to apologize to you."
His mouth opened in surprise. He had to shift gears from imagining the ways that he could manage to arrest Bouchard. "Me? Why would you need to apologize to me?"
"For taking so long and making so many missteps before realizing what's in my heart. You asked me that question not so long ago and I didn't know the answer - then. I allowed my head to be turned by the grand gestures of a master manipulator and it distracted me from identifying what I wanted. I know the answer now." She kept her eyes on him and wrapped her fingers around the hand she still held. "It's you, Nathan. You're in my heart. And I'm sorry if you were hurt by any of this."
He sat, frozen by disbelief and almost afraid that he was going to wake up and realize that this was only a dream. He looked down at their connected hands then back into her sapphire blue eyes. "You're in my heart, too, Lizbeth. You have been since the moment you walked into my office for the first time. I just did not want to rush you, first out of respect for a Mountie brother and also for the fact that you were grieving. I almost felt guilty for even considering it. Yes, I was hurt - well rather, jealous. Mainly because I thought you'd chosen him and I couldn't compete with that level of courtship."
"There was no courtship between Lucas and me. I naively believed that we could be just friends and I never allowed myself to acknowledge how manipulative his actions have been. I'm beyond sorry for that. You need to know that there's likely to be scandal. Mrs Wharton is a horrible gossip and I'm sure she wasted no time calling my parents. Are you sure that you want to be associated with me?" she asked, afraid of what his answer might be.
'Now's the time', Nathan thought. He could see the fear mixed with longing in her eyes and his answer was clear. "I've never been more certain of anything, Lizbeth. Would you allow me to court you? It won't be fancy, but it will be true. I care for you, and your son, deeply."
Her heart soared. They would get through this thing together and that's all that mattered. He mattered. "Believe it or not, I don't need, or even want, fancy. What I want is us, this." she gestured to the table, their hands entwined. No candles or trappings - just them.
He pulled her hand to him and brushed his lips over it - when he'd really just like to take her into his arms again and kiss her senseless, his cheeks heating as he thought it. Only moments later, Bill marched back into the room and pulled up a chair and looked at both of them - his impatience clear.
"Well, now that we've finally gotten that out of the way, Elizabeth, you need to tell me everything that man did to you today. Now." Bill ordered.
Nathan and Elizabeth dropped hands, chuckling at Bill's grumpiness and the fact that he was clearly eavesdropping on the last part of their conversation. At least he was taking his chaperoning duties seriously! Glancing at Nathan, who nodded, Elizabeth began the sordid story all over again.
Bill decided to drive Nathan and Elizabeth home so he could return the wagon for them. He also wanted to speak to Nathan alone about Bouchard. When they reached Elizabeth's, Nathan hopped down to assist her and at that very moment, Rosemary rushed out of her house - Lee close behind. Rosemary stopped short as no one with eyes could miss the affection between Elizabeth and Nathan. "Oh!" she whispered, Lee chuckling beside her. "Well, would you look at that" he said. Then he stepped forward and took Elizabeth's bags, giving Nathan a moment to say goodnight. As Rosie moved to take over with Elizabeth - Lee held her arm.
"Oh, right..." she said with a sigh. She was clearly worried for her friend and was fighting for some restraint.
With such a large audience, Nathan and Elizabeth kept their goodbyes brief. She spoke up first, "Would you and Allie like to come for dinner tomorrow evening?" she asked. Not wanting to end their time together just yet - even though she was exhausted and had to tell the story yet again to Rosemary.
He smiled, "Definitely. We'd love to. Goodnight, Lizbeth. Try to get some rest." His gaze lingered on her for a moment, then he descended the steps, glancing back over his shoulder as he followed Bill and Lee into the Coulter's house.
"Alright Elizabeth" Rosemary said, pulling her friend inside her house. "Out with it. I believe that you have a tale to tell and I don't want you missing a single detail. I'll make us some tea." That's how Elizabeth came to be telling her story for the third time this evening - and also being incredibly grateful for these people in her life who care for her, and her son, so very much.