Nathan was at his lowest point. That day, he told Elizabeth about Fort Clay and how Jack was assigned his training mission. The look on Elizabeth's face broke his heart. After finishing his rounds, Nathan decided to go out to the cemetery. It was late and the fog was rolling in. Nathan was exhausted from the day. As Nathan went by each gravesite, he quickly read the names on the tombstones to himself. Finally, he arrived at the specific gravesite; Jack Thornton. Hero. Husband. Friend.
"I'm sorry." Nathan said to the grave. Not being able to keep his eyes open, Nathan walked to a tree nearby and sat underneath it and closed his eyes.
A sound woke Nathan up. In front of Jack's grave stood a man dressed in a Mountie uniform. The man looked up at Nathan.
"Jack?" Nathan asked.
"I finally get to meet the famous Constable Nathan Grant." Jack said.
"How are you here?" Nathan asked.
"You fell asleep under the tree. I thought it was about time you and I had a talk." Jack said.
Nathan tensed up.
"At ease Grant, I'm not here to hurt you." Jack teased.
Nathan eased up.
"I just want to thank you." Jack said.
"Thank me? For what? You took my place in the training mission." Nathan said.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. It's not your fault that I died in the training mission. It was an accident." Jack said.
"But if I didn't disobey orders…" Nathan started.
"If you didn't disobey orders than the cattle rustlers would have crossed the border. I would have done the same thing." Jack said.
"But as I said, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for caring for my family. By taking the post in Hope Valley. For protecting them. I wish I could have been there for Elizabeth and met my son." Jack said.
Nathan gave a deep sigh.
"I know you blame yourself." Jack said.
"I do. I felt guilty and that is why I came to Hope Valley." Nathan said.
"When my friend Doug died, I felt guilty too. I decided to go to the Northern Territories knowing that I might never see Elizabeth again. I realized that I should have listened to Doug's mother and Elizabeth. Doug's death wasn't my fault. Doug died doing what his heart called him to do. And I died doing what my heart called me to do. But you feel guilty for something more." Jack said.
Nathan nodded his head.
"It is because you fell in love with Elizabeth." Jack said.
"I tried not to. I tried being reserved and let her live her life." Nathan said.
"But somehow she entered your life and heart." Jack said.
Nathan nodded.
"She's easy to fall in love with. After getting through that tough exterior, there is a beautiful woman inside." Jack said.
"It felt like I was dishonoring your memory." Nathan said.
"But you weren't. You let Elizabeth talk to you about me. You let her keep my memory alive. You make my son laugh. By doing that, Elizabeth gets to see a part of me in our son." Jack said.
"I didn't mean to fall in love with her." Nathan said.
"It's okay. I'm not mad. I told Elizabeth to open her heart to love again. I know she feels the same way you do, she's just afraid." Jack said.
"I told her I would quit the Mountie's." Nathan said.
"She wouldn't want you to quit the Mountie's just like she wouldn't want to quit teaching. We each have our calling." Jack said.
Nathan nodded.
"But you are going to have to tell her why you came to Hope Valley. It won't be easy and it may cause heartache for both of you, but you have to tell her." Jack said.
"I'm going to, I promise." Nathan said.
"And can you somehow tell her that I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I put the Mountie's above her. That our love story ended too soon but I wouldn't have changed a thing." Jack said.
"I will." Nathan said.
Jack smiled.
"This is a good town with good people. Please keep watch over it." Jack said.
"Always." Nathan said.
A strong wind blew and Nathan woke up again. Nathan looked around. That was a crazy dream, Nathan thought to himself. He got up and walked back to town with Newton. As Nathan walked back, he looked at the stars. There was one star in particular that was shining bright over Hope Valley.