SECOND SUBMISSION FROM MAY HEART CHALLENGE

After Nathan left, Elizabeth gazed at the apple on her desk, reflecting on their playful banter and how thoughtful he was to inform her of his whereabouts and expected return time. She knew it was partly because of Allie, but the apple also signified his consideration for her too. As she returned to her work, Lucas walked in.

"Hello, Lucas. Is there something I can help you with?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to join me for a book reading," Lucas offered, holding up two tickets.

"Oh!" Elizabeth felt caught off guard.

"It's Virginia Woolf. I assume you're familiar with her?"

"Yes, my sister Viola is a big fan. I've read a few of her works," Elizabeth replied enthusiastically. "She's a talented writer." However, she looked at the apple on her desk, and felt hesitant to accept.

"You'll be a published author soon and should attend, so you'll be ready when it's your turn in the spotlight and to meet other women in publishing," Lucas wheedled.

"Lucas, I don't think it's a good idea,"

"Please, Elizabeth, just consider it," Lucas urged her.

Their conversation was interrupted by Opal. Lucas quickly departed, leaving Elizabeth to resume her teaching duties.

Later that day, Elizabeth rushed to the stage platform to greet Jesse and Clara, who had just returned from their honeymoon. She also took the opportunity to catch up with Rosemary. As Clara departed, Elizabeth noticed that Rosemary was looking at her knowingly.

"Okay, Elizabeth, spill the beans!" Rosemary exclaimed, taking her arm and leading her home.

"Lucas asked me to go to Union City with him to see Virginia Woolf tomorrow night, which means I would have to stay overnight,"

"Oh, Elizabeth! Virginia Woolf is all the rage. Of course, we'll watch Jack for you! What are you going to wear?" Rosemary asked excitedly.

"I haven't decided yet whether I'm going or not. Lucas gave me some time to think about it," Elizabeth replied.

"You're considering not going? Why? You're single, and he's single...," Rosemary teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Rosemary! Firstly, I don't exactly consider myself single. Secondly, I need some time to think," Elizabeth clarified.

Rosemary interrupted her. "Oh, Pshaw! Elizabeth, stop making excuses and say what's really holding you back because you know Jack would be with Lee and me. As for other concerns, no one will even notice or care."

"Well, what if he gets the wrong idea and thinks I … and then there's Nathan to consider," Elizabeth stated as they reached her rowhouse.

"Forget the two of them. What is it you want to do?"

"I want to go, obviously, but I …."

Rosemary silenced her by placing a finger on her lips. "Then go! Nothing cataclysmic will happen that can't be repaired."

After much consideration, Elizabeth eventually agreed to go with Lucas but clarified to him that it was not a date. On the day of their outing, Elizabeth was still hesitant and felt rushed as she said goodbye to her son. She couldn't help but worry that he would grow up overnight, her mind dancing with visions of him crying for her, and she wouldn't be there. As they drove away, Elizabeth lost her thoughts and failed to notice Allie and Opal playing cat's cradle on the Weiss' steps. If she had seen Allie's face, it would have reminded her of Nathan's when she chose Lucas for her ladies' choice dance.

As the car pulled away, Lee and Rosemary waved them off before they headed into town with Jack.

"Far be it for me to criticize, but Elizabeth was a bit of a nervous Nelly this morning," Rosemary said.

"I understand leaving your child for the first time, but it's not like we haven't looked after him before." Lee agreed. "She also chose us to be his guardians."

"Exactly. I mean, he's one little boy." Rosemary exclaimed. "How hard can it possibly be?"

"Yeah," Lee said.

They arrived just as the stage pulled up to the platform. Upon seeing it, Lee turned to his wife and said, "There's only one question left."

"Oh, what is that?" Rosemary asked.

"Who is going to be the one to let Nathan know?" Lee pointed towards Nathan, who had just got off the stage.

"OH, UH! I didn't think about that," Rosemary said. "Hmm."

"Uh-huh," Lee said just before Nathan approached them.

"Hey, good morning." Nathan greeted with a smile.

"Hi," Lee said a bit awkwardly.

"Good morning," Rosemary said quickly.

"Where are you coming from, Nathan?" Lee asked.

"Oh, Cape Fullerton." Nathan was beginning to pick up on something and looked at them, confused.

"Wonderful," Rosemary said.

"Great," Lee added.

"Yeah. I had to testify as a witness in a trial. It's good to be home, however. Hey there, little man," Nathan said, reaching to shake Jack's hand. "You guys just giving Elizabeth a little break?"

"Yeah, um... Well, Elizabeth, uh, had an engagement..." Rosemary offered.

"A thing," Lee said simultaneously.

-"She had an engagement thing?" Nathan asked, really getting confused as the awkwardness of the interaction increased.

"Exactly," Rosemary said quickly, a little too quickly. "Sweetheart, we should be on our way. Bill is probably wondering where we are right now." Then they walked away.

"Bye," Nathan called out. Turning, he practically ran into Florence and Molly, who also acted weird. He wondered if Elizabeth's engagement had anything to do with why Lucas was at the school yesterday.

During their trip, Elizabeth remained quiet while Lucas kept up the conversation. Elizabeth began to feel worse as they moved further away from Hope Valley. She looked at him questioningly when they stopped by the road in a lovely little meadow.

"I had the kitchen prepare some food before we left. Are you hungry?" Lucas asked.

"You do think of everything," Elizabeth said. "I am a little hungry." Then proceeded to help him lay everything out on the ground. As they sat down, she flashed back to another picnic similar to this one with Charles, only that time it was at her parents' house in Hamilton. He, too, had gotten the wrong idea, and her earlier misgivings returned.

Sensing that she was struggling, he broke her out of her thoughts. "You're thinking of little Jack, aren't you?"

Feeling guilty, she replied, "I am. I'm also just wondering about tonight. I'm so curious to see what Mrs. Woolf is like. I hear she's quite eccentric."

"Well, that often comes along with great talent. You should know." Lucas complimented, giving her a charming smile, but it had the opposite effect he intended.

"Lucas, I was wondering about something. How did you get these tickets? I heard they were sold out."

"I asked around. Turns out the theatre manager and I have a mutual acquaintance." He responded as he reached for a macaron.

"You really went to quite a bit of trouble with the tickets, hotel, and this picnic. Why did you do it? We are only friends."

"I thought you would enjoy it."

"I appreciate this, Lucas.

"Elizabeth, believe me when I say the pleasure is all mine. I'm sure it has been a while since you were able to do this."

"But…" Elizabeth interrupted. "I can't continue on our outing. I'm sorry, but I need you to take me home now. This doesn't feel right to me, and I can't risk hurting Nathan again."

"Nathan?" Lucas asked in irritation, "What does he have to do with anything?"

Elizabeth smiled, "Apparently, a great deal, or at least his feelings matter to me. I cannot do something like this until I can sort out what those feelings are. Not to mention that being a teacher, coming without a chaperone was not prudent because of the message it sends to my students and parents and the appearance of impropriety. I could lose my job over this, and it only tells me that I didn't think it out properly."

"But we aren't doing anything improper, Elizabeth," Lucas said.

"Lucas, maybe for you or others like Rosemary or Fiona, but being a mother, a teacher, and a public official, I have a certain moral standard I must uphold. This proves that we would be better friends because we wouldn't work. If that is not something you are okay with, I have to request that you keep a friendly distance. We can be polite in public but have no further interactions.

"If that is what you want, Elizabeth, I will agree as a gentleman. I can see that your feelings for me are platonic. Let us get packed up so we can return home. Luckily, we are only 2 hours from home."

Nathan had just finished making notes from the trial when his door opened, revealing Allie.

"Hey. I was just about to come to get you at Opal's. Did you have fun?" Nathan asked, smiling at her.

"Yeah," Allie said, attempting to smile.

"Good," Nathan said, getting up to file the papers.

"It was great." She mumbled, drawing his full attention.

"Okay. What's up?"

After a few moments, she looked unsure but said, "Uncle Nathan, if you knew something that might upset someone, would you tell them or keep it to yourself?

Suddenly he knew that he was missing something, and judging by the earlier interactions, it was something he wouldn't like. "All right, come on. Let me have it."

"Mrs. Thornton left with Mr. Bouchard a little while ago to visit Union City for a book reading. Opal and I were playing on her steps when they drove by." Allie said.

"It will be okay, Allie," Nathan said, trying to reassure his niece while inside he was crumbling and if he was honest, hurt, and angry, but he didn't want her to worry more. "Why don't you go play? I'm going to change, and then I have a couple of things to do here, and we can maybe go fishing later."

He knew one thing that would help him process, and after changing out of his serge, he headed out to his woodpile. That's where Bill found him a short time later.

"Looks like you've chopped enough wood for two winters. I guess you heard about Elizabeth and Lucas." Bill asked.

Without pausing, he said, "Yep."

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

"I'm not. You brought it up, not me." Nathan said as he brought his axe down.

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

Nathan looked over in exasperation, "No, of course not. Why would it bother me? They're free to do whatever they want or go wherever they want." He brought the axe down a little harder than intended.

"You just suddenly have the urge to chop wood?"

"Bill, what're you getting at here?"

"I'm just making conversation," Bill said, throwing his hands up.

"Well, I'm a little busy."

"Why don't I give you a hand," Bill said as he removed his jacket.

"Thank you, but I don't need your help. Just like I don't need people in town walking on eggshells around me, ok? I'm not making a big deal out of this, and nobody else has to." Nathan said, bringing down the axe harder than the last time. Nathan stood to wipe the sweat from his brow and was shocked by what he saw. The look on his face was enough to have Bill turn too.

Elizabeth had been watching Nathan, and by the look in her eyes and the disgruntled look on Lucas' face, Nathan felt his heart fill with hope. When she realized he had caught her, she blushed and hurried away. He grinned when he caught the hint of a smile on her face before she turned. Bill, having observed the same things, looked over at Nathan and grinned.

Bill just said, "Well, it looks like my job is done here, and I would say that your day just got 100 percent better."

"Indeed it did, Bill," Nathan replied with a grin.