ANOTHER REVISION OF S7 EP 7 UNION CITY
Nathan nervously approached the schoolhouse while tossing a bright red, shiny apple. He noticed the children playing outside and realized that recess would soon end. As he moved closer, he heard their laughter and spotted Allie, Opal, and a few others kicking a ball.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...I thought you were leaving."
Nathan smirked, "Don't rush me." Thankfully the game resumed and distracted her, so she didn't respond. He was still smiling as he walked in and saw Elizabeth sitting at her desk.
"Good morning." He said as he approached.
"Hi," Elizabeth said, feeling the familiar butterflies in her stomach whenever he approached her.
He held out an apple reminding her of that day when he came upon her and Jack petting Newton. "For Allie's favorite teacher."
"Bribing a public official, Constable?" Her heart raced as his crooked grin flashed, and a giggle escaped.
"Well, if you eat the evidence, then nobody finds out," he responded, his eyes twinkling with mirth.
She giggled, taking the apple and setting it on her desk. "Well, for the record, Allie was getting an A anyway."
He chuckled and looked at her warmly. "I just came by to tell you that Allie will go home with Opal's mother this afternoon."
"Oh?" Elizabeth asked warily.
His soft gaze helped dispel her fear as he said, "I'm heading to Cape Fullerton. I've been called as a witness in a trial.
"Well, that sounds interesting."
"Eh." He said, making a face and causing her to laugh. "I'll be back tomorrow, however. I'll see you around town?" '
"I am sure you will, Constable, since it's a small town," Elizabeth teased with a smile. "Safe travels."
As Nathan approached the door, Elizabeth caught a whiff of the familiar aroma of pine and cedar that always lingered around him. She couldn't help but admire his good looks, whether he was in his uniform or not. Elizabeth sighed as Nathan tipped his hat and gave her his charming smile before leaving. Trying to compose herself, she giggled and returned to her desk to gather her thoughts before calling in the children.
Nathan embraced Allie with a smile, but it quickly vanished when he noticed Lucas approaching the school. "Lucas, it's unusual to see you up here."
"Indeed, it is," Lucas smirked.
Nathan tried to remain calm and not reveal how much Lucas bothered him. "Recess is almost over."
"In that case, I better hurry," Lucas bounded up the stairs while Nathan reluctantly returned to town to catch the stagecoach. "Am I interrupting?"
Elizabeth looked up in shock as Lucas walked through the door. She had never had the Saloon owner visit the school.
"Well, I was just about to call the children back in," Elizabeth told him, wondering what he wanted with her.
"I'll be quick. Do you have any plans for Saturday evening?" Lucas inquired.
"Not really, except for taking care of Jack. I don't usually plan things when I'm off."
Lucas then mentioned a new English novelist, Virginia Woolf. "Have you heard of her?"
"I have a sister, Viola, who currently resides in England. She admires her work and recently sent me some of her short stories."
"Did you know Virginia Woolf is scheduled to give a reading tomorrow night in Union City?"
"Yes, I read about it in the newspaper."
"Would you like to be my companion for the event? I apologize for the sudden invitation."
"No need to apologize. I would be delighted to attend. However, I just…."
"Mrs. Thornton? Shouldn't recess be over?" Opal asked, walking in the door. Elizabeth smiled down at her, grateful for the interruption.
"Yes. Yes, it should. Opal Um, would you please do the honors for me?" Elizabeth handed her the bell.
"Sure." Elizabeth smiled down at her. Looking back at Lucas, she saw he was slightly annoyed at the interruption.
"Why don't you think about it and let me know?"
"I can answer you now. I appreciate the invitation, but I have to decline. Attending a reading with you that requires an overnight stay without a chaperone wouldn't be appropriate for me, even if I would like to meet her. Additionally, I could only allow you to pay for expenses if we are in a courting relationship. I regretfully have to decline as only two tickets are available, and the event is sold out. I'm sorry."
"She'll be discussing women and publishing, which is right up your alley."
While Elizabeth appreciated Lucas's suggestion that the author would discuss women and publishing, she still declined his invitation. She redirected her attention to the children, instructing them to take out their workbooks and turn to page 9. Lucas turned away, appearing disappointed and muttering something under his breath.
As Elizabeth left the church after school, she was surprised to see Lucas waiting outside. "Lucas, is there something else you wanted to discuss?"
"I just wanted to continue the conversation we had earlier."
"Oh? I thought we had already covered everything," Elizabeth felt annoyed and realized that she could never see Lucas as a suitable father for her son. She needed to clarify that to him since her son was her top priority. She couldn't help but think of the other person in their erstwhile triangle, and her heart raced at the memory of him walking away earlier. "Anyway, I'm going to town to welcome Clara and Jesse back from their honeymoon. If you like, we can talk about it on the way."
"I would appreciate that," Lucas said, offering his arm to her. But Elizabeth shifted her basket to her other arm and kept some distance between them as they walked.
"Can I ask why you got the tickets?"
"You've said that you've lived a different life in Hamilton. I'm guessing that that life included the theatre and fine dining?"
"Yes, it did." Elizabeth couldn't help wondering where it was going.
"I figured since I missed it, you probably did too. Though I have tried to recreate it here by bringing in Gustav and helping with the library."
"I'm quite content here in Hope Valley, so why do you think I miss my old life just because I grew up with it? I chose to return here after Jack's passing because this is where my heart is. Although I enjoy an occasional visit to Hamilton and life there, I want my son to grow up where hard work and character are valued more than wealth. I'm sure you understand what I mean, right?" Knowing he didn't.
Lucas nodded in agreement, saying that he completely understood what she meant. She was shocked when he admitted that he came to Hope Valley because he wanted to find the perfect place to settle down and start a family—then said that since he had lived in many different places before, he had been searching for a place that felt like home.
"Yet you speak of trying to change it. Did you visit or research the town before buying the saloon? I was under the impression that you saw the opportunity and bought it sight unseen. It is also the first time you mentioned you wanted a family."
"Well, I am in no hurry. My father always emphasized the importance of patience when finding your soulmate, and I fully agree. He courted my mother for five years before she finally agreed to marry him."
"Five years? Why did it take so long?" Immediately she thought of how long it took her and Jack and the wasted time.
"Life always has a way of getting in the way. My father knew my mother was the one, but my mother needed time to be certain. She loved him, but she wanted to make sure."
"So you plan to be patient like your father?" Her instincts told Elizabeth he would always push for more rather than wait. Once again, Nathan popped into her head; somehow, she knew he would wait as long as it took.
"I have always had faith that I would know the perfect woman for me when I met her. And I will wait as long as I have to to win her heart." Lucas said, but Elizabeth felt uneasy when she saw the look in his eyes.
"Lucas, not to be presumptuous, but you seem to be looking for something in me beyond friendship. I need to stop you right here. Even before this conversation, I knew we would never work as a couple. You own a saloon and make a living as a gambler."
He went to speak, but she stopped him. "Let me finish. Regardless of whether I am right or wrong, I would never consider you a suitable match for me and my son. Though your words were charming, I have met charmers like you before, and what I find is that the charm always withers on the vine not long after it blooms. I think you see me as a challenge and that I am a prize to be won because someone else is interested."
"Elizabeth, I think you have misunderstood. I have a genuine interest in you."
"Really! Lucas, just a few moments ago, you said you weren't in a hurry for a family. In case you haven't noticed, I already come with one. On numerous occasions, things you have said and done have shown me clearly that you are not someone that I want in my son's life. We need to stick to a platonic friendship, which means no more grand gestures, private dinners, or flowers. Or if that doesn't work, keep a polite, friendly distance and only interact regarding the library or town social functions. Don't think I don't know of your baiting Nathan and trying to make it look like things are different than they are. I only asked you to dance that day to show you there were no hard feelings. Don't make me regret that."
"But, Elizabeth…." Lucas didn't say anything else as he saw the hint of steel in her eyes and knew that she was resolute, and there was a finality in her tone as she said, "Take it or leave it, Lucas. Now if you will excuse me, I see that Clara has already arrived."
"As you wish, Elizabeth."
"Finally, any negotiations or meetings regarding my manuscript will involve Bill as my attorney. Have a good day, Lucas." Then she was gone, leaving Lucas staring at her in shock.
The next day she and Jack were coming from seeing Bill and talking about what had transpired the previous day. He had been overjoyed, and they had discussed him being her representative, and then he invited Jack and her to dinner to celebrate.
As they headed over, the stage pulled up to the café, and Nathan arrived. Allie ran up and hugged him, and Elizabeth's heart warmed at the sight. Looking at Bill, she raised a brow in silent question, and he nodded, and they headed over to the platform. When Nathan looked up and smiled, her breath caught, her heart fluttered, and suddenly she saw her forever standing before her as she looked at the Grants. That knowledge solidified in her heart, and she knew what, or rather who, was in her heart. Rather than be afraid, she was at peace and excited at what the future held. Nathan and Allie walked over toward them, and Jack smiled and started chattering, making them all laugh.
"Hey there, little man," Nathan said, reaching for his hand. "Lizbeth. This was a nice surprise."
"Hey Jack, Hi Mrs. Thornton, Hi Judge Avery," Allie said.
"Well, we wanted to see if you and Allie would join the three of us for dinner." Elizabeth said, then added, "Bill's paying."
"Really! Dinner with the two of you, and Bill is paying?" Nathan teased, and after looking down at Allie, he looked at her and said, his eyes twinkling, "Allie and I would love to. Thank you, Lizbeth,"
"My pleasure Constable," Elizabeth replied, her gaze warm. That night a gift of an apple turned into so much more as the Grants escorted the Thornton's home after dinner.