Part of the monthly Heart Challenge. I always thought the library scene with Nathan and Rosemary should have gone differently.
Rosemary was walking down main street toward the library. It was a nice warm morning. It wasn't too hot yet. Rosemary had books in her hand that she was returning to the library. But even with a beautiful sunny morning, Rosemary's head was elsewhere.
The last couple of days had been a confusing time. Rosemary saw Elizabeth confront Nathan at Bill's ceremony. Later that day, Rosemary went to see Elizabeth. When Elizabeth had opened the door, her eyes were puffy from crying. Through sobs, Elizabeth told Rosemary that Jack took Nathan's place in the training mission. Rosemary was shocked. Why would Nathan take so long to tell Elizabeth?
The next day, Elizabeth told Rosemary the full story. Nathan had disobeyed orders by going after cattle rustlers and was suspended. He was supposed to lead the training mission but once Nathan was suspended, Jack was assigned the training mission. Elizabeth told Rosemary that Nathan felt guilty about what happened to Jack and asked to be transferred to Hope Valley.
After putting all the pieces together, Rosemary found the answer to why Nathan had waited so long to tell Elizabeth; he truly cared for her. Nathan knew about loss with his sister. He knew how opening old wounds can be determinantal.
Rosemary arrived at the library and went inside. Rosemary returned the books to their rightful shelf. Rosemary started perusing for more books when she saw Nathan.
"Nathan." Rosemary said.
"Rosemary." Nathan said with a nod.
"I didn't expect to find you here." Rosemary said.
"Contrary to popular belief, I do read." Nathan said defensively. Rosemary could tell that he was being defensive because he knew that Elizabeth had probably told Rosemary about Fort Clay.
Rosemary gave a small smile.
"I know that you read. Mountie's have to be well read and smart to do their jobs." Rosemary said.
"Oh." Nathan said. He started to relax.
"I'm sure Elizabeth has told you all about Fort Clay." Nathan said.
"She has." Rosemary said.
"Alright, let me have it." Nathan said.
"What do you mean?" Rosemary asked.
"Scream, cry, hit me, do your worst." Nathan said.
"I'm not going to hit you, Nathan. Contrary to popular belief, I am not always over the top." Rosemary said with a smirk.
Nathan smiled.
"Jack always knew the risks of being a Mountie. All Mountie's know the risk." Rosemary said.
Nathan didn't say anything.
"Even Jack's father knew the risk. My father and his father had served. After Jack's father passed, my father looked out for the Thornton's as if they were his own family." Rosemary said.
Nathan nodded.
"When I was a little girl, my father used to take time to himself for a couple of days and go on a trip. I never knew where he went. It wasn't until I was courting with Jack that my mother told me that before I was born, my father and his partner were ambushed. His partner had died and he had survived. My father has survivor's guilt and every year would go visit his partner's family. He bought them food, paid their mortgage and made sure his partner's family was taken care of. It was his fault that his partner had died. But the Mountie's always take care of their own. Elizabeth can't see it right now because of her grief, but transferring to Hope Valley was a noble act in my opinion." Rosemary said.
Nathan tried to hold his emotions back.
"Thank you, Rosemary." Nathan croaked out.
"But I think you owe Elizabeth the whole truth." Rosemary said.
"What do you mean?" Nathan asked.
"When you were assigned to Coal Valley, I wanted to know more about you. I contacted my father who made some inquiries about you. I was surprised to find out that you were originally assigned to Hope Valley but had to pass on the assignment." Rosemary said.
Nathan sighed.
"My sister had passed and I was in the process of getting custody of Allie." Nathan said.
"So, if you had not passed on the assignment, you would have met Elizabeth first." Rosemary said.
"I guess so." Nathan said.
"It is like everything happens for a reason." Rosemary said. Nathan knew what she meant and smiled.
"I have to go do my rounds now. It was nice talking with you." Nathan said.
"Always a pleasure to talk with you." Rosemary said. Nathan nodded and left the library. Rosemary took a few more books out of the library and headed back home. She decided that she was going to set Elizabeth straight and let her know that Jack's accident was not Nathan's fault.