Elizabeth woke the next day thinking of Nathan as usual, but her dream had been incredibly vibrant. It left her once again missing him so much she ached. She wondered if the fact that she was going to be seeing him tomorrow was the culprit. Elizabeth thought back to that day when she thought Nathan had died. It was the first time in a while that she allowed her mind to ponder the event that led her to where she was at this moment.

She remembered Fiona running into the Mercantile, asking for bandages, and hearing someone say Nathan had been shot. Instantly she was filled with so many regrets that they threatened to overwhelm her. Elizabeth had wished she had said yes when he finally asked her to dinner. She had determined after he had left with the transport that when he returned, she would say yes to having dinner. Now she wouldn't have the chance to tell him or explore what was between them. But then, as if she sensed him, Elizabeth turned around only to see Nathan and sweet old Newton coming towards her, still alive.

All she could think about was putting her arms around him in joyous relief that she was given another chance to change things. Elizabeth gave in to that urge and ran up and threw her arms around him, tightly holding on to him. She didn't care what anybody else thought or whether it was proper. Because Elizabeth just needed to hold Nathan in her arms as if to prove that he was indeed safe. How long they stayed that way in the middle of the street, she didn't know. Nor was Elizabeth aware until later that Lucas had seen what had happened. But when Elizabeth realized he had, it didn't diminish the joy of Nathan being alive.

Elizabeth had known that she cared about Nathan and connected deeply with him. But that day, she knew without a doubt that he was in her heart, as was his niece. Elizabeth could no longer deny that she was irrevocably in love with Nathan Grant. They had only let go when Bill came up and directed Nathan to his office with Elizabeth. She could see how devastated Nathan appeared concerning what had taken place. As Bill turned to draw the blinds and lock the door, Elizabeth quickly inquired after Bill and asked him what had happened. Commonly Bill wouldn't have told her, but this was Elizabeth, the daughter of his heart, and he was worried about how it affected her too. Plus, he knew she was very concerned for both of them, and Bill had wanted to reassure her.

Elizabeth knew that Bill was excited to see that embrace in the street. It gave Bill hope that his own wishes concerning Nathan and Elizabeth might finally come to fruition. When he and Carson had seen her turn after thinking the Mountie in the wagon was Nathan. They couldn't believe what they were witnessing. It was as if she was turned by some unseen hand and knew Nathan was alive. Then to see her run and hold onto him like a lifeline was unbelievable. Bill, Rosemary, Lee, and Carson all had told her their impressions. Although, with Rosemary, it was more from what others had told her than what she had witnessed for herself. Elizabeth had to admit that it did help her see where and with whom her heart lay. While it revealed what was in her heart, it also reminded her of the risks involved with loving a Mountie.

Her mind drifted back to the day in Bill's office again and how she had crossed the room when she saw Nathan was fighting the falling tears. Without hesitation, she immediately gathered him in her arms like she would Jack, her son, or any of her students. Her only thought was to comfort this man that she indeed loved, and she began to cry with him and for him. She started rubbing light circles on his back as she held him before speaking.

"Nathan, you know it wasn't your fault. Bill told me what happened, and the other Mountie had pulled out a gun. He said you had it handled, but the other Mountie pulled the gun out and triggered the other events. The other Mountie is the one that made a mistake. Look at me, Nathan; please don't blame or second guess yourself. I can promise you that if Bill thought you had messed up, he would tell you. Bill doesn't sugarcoat anything, especially when it involves another's life being lost. Being a Mountie involves making hard decisions in quick moments. Sometimes even without much information in order to save lives. I've been in some situations myself where I had to make quick decisions that were not easy. I am sometimes called to make hard decisions that impact my students' lives or even my son Jack. Before you discount my thoughts, let me share something else with you. Do you know Jack talked to me about what he saw and, at times, what he had to do in the Northern Territories? Some of them were so horrible that they haunted him day and night. When he initially got back from there, he was very affected by what happened. I could tell since he was bottling it all up and avoided the subject whenever it was brought up, even in general terms. He struggled with it but didn't want to burden anyone, especially me. Bill tried to get him to talk about it because he had heard the reports about how bad it was and how many men were lost. Finally, I couldn't watch him suffer anymore and told him so. I broke through his resistance finally, and he shared his burden about what he saw and did. He had to talk to someone, and in the end, it was me."

As Nathan looked up as she said she broke through Jack's resistance. Elizabeth smirked as she looked at him, knowing what he was thinking, and he returned it with a slightly crooked smile.

"I was glad he did because I told him that marriage means sharing the good and the bad. So, if you don't believe I know about being a Mountie and making hard choices, then consider that I know what Jack dealt with. I want to add that in sharing his experiences; he was able to process his feelings. Nathan, it made a world of difference in him, and he began to go back to how he used to be. I say all this because I don't know how you feel, but I can listen and share that burden with you. If I can handle those horror stories of the Northern Territories, I can also handle today. I'm still your friend, so please, Nathan, don't shut me out again. Besides Bill, I'm probably the only other person who can understand anyway. So don't think you're going to fool me with the standard Nathan Grant, I'll be fine answer, either. I know that you will run scenarios through your head about what you did wrong all night for the next several days despite what I or Bill say. In fact, I guarantee you're doing it right now, aren't you?"

Elizabeth laughed at the expression on his face. But she could also see a little of the sparkle in his eyes and just a little bit of that crooked grin she loved in return. Just as quickly as she saw them both quickly disappeared as he began thinking about the dead Mountie again. As she looked down at him, her hand gently cupped his cheek before pulling him closer to her again in comfort. For a brief moment, she thought she felt him draw her closer, taking comfort in her but trying to give comfort as well. As she drew back once more to look into his eyes, she could see his sparkle had returned, replacing the blank stare from before, and his crooked smile was back too.

She kissed his cheek instinctively and said, "There is the Nathan Grant I know and love."

Suddenly Elizabeth froze and realized what she had not only done when she kissed him but that she had just revealed her feelings to Nathan as well. He seemed as shocked as she was, but the more she thought of it, the more she knew it was true. Elizabeth could no longer deny that she was irrevocably in love with Nathan. However, despite everything she knew, Elizabeth wasn't sure she wanted to reveal anything yet until she really thought everything through. Because while the situation with the transport had revealed what was in her heart, it also served as a reminder to her mind of the risks involved with loving a Mountie. Her heart may have been all in, but her mind had already started a retreat campaign. She knew there was too much at stake to be rushing into anything, especially when it involves two very impressionable children.

Quickly before Bill returned with Allie, she said, "Remember, I am a good listener if you ever want just to talk. I won't repeat it unless you give me leave to do so because you know it wouldn't be my story to tell. I am also willing to keep Allie if you feel like you need some quiet. I know you, Nathan Grant, and you will be chewing on this for a while."

Nathan couldn't believe how much Elizabeth had him figured out. She would definitely make an excellent Mountie. "But dwelling on things like this will only eat at you and make you second guess yourself constantly. Allie will also pick up on it and worry as well. Children, in general, easily pick up on things, but Allie is gifted in picking up on everything, especially if it concerns you, Nathan."

"Thank you, Lizbeth. I will keep it in my mind with everything else you've said. I will try to stop second-guessing myself." They both looked at each other with a smirk on his and a raised brow on hers. Nathan continued, "I feel more in control now, and I appreciate what you did."

"Your very welcome, Nathan, but fair warning, here comes Allie." Luckily there had been no more time for words as Allie came running into Bill's office. She took that moment to exit to provide them privacy and her time to gather her thoughts just in case Allie needed her. As she stepped outside, Bill came over to her with concern and love written on his face.

"You doing all right, Elizabeth?"

"Yeah, I'm OK, Bill. Just a little shaken by everything, is all," she answered.

"That's understandable, and I heard and watched what you did with Nathan, Elizabeth. I also wanted to say that I am so thankful Jack saw what a treasure you are. I had no idea that you were the one he talked to about the Northern Territories. The reports I had heard were horrific, and the losses were many. I knew Jack had been hugely affected because Collins shared some of what happened to me. But shortly after his return, it was like night and day. He went from guarded to open and almost back to the Jack Thornton I always remembered. Then to see you comfort Nathan really warms my heart. Don't tell him this, but I really like him as much as I did Jack. Plus, as an added bonus, I have a soft spot for that spunky kid of his. She really likes to keep me on my toes and sort of reminds me a bit like you."

"Wow, Bill, that is high praise indeed, and I am so glad you do. Well, I think I'm going to head home to Jack because I have some thoughts I need to sort through. Let Nathan know he can send Allie to me if he needs to Bill. Stop by for dinner later if you are free and want to talk."

After hugging Bill, she headed home, and the sweet boy Elizabeth suddenly had the urge to cuddle. Bill had told her how glad he was that she considered him family. However, he also knew Nathan and Elizabeth would have an uphill battle sorting through what happened. He warned her that nothing would be resolved if they didn't have any further discussions about that day. She was pretty sure that he had also told Nathan the same. But with all the official business that had to be done due to the situation, Nathan and Elizabeth never got to discuss that day further.

Then as more time went by without talking with each other, it gave Elizabeth time to really think. After a few months, she began to become resolute about denying her heart's choice of loving another Mountie. Nathan had been busy dealing with other Mountie businesses out of town and visiting his father.

Lucas had been out of town to some unknown location since the hug. Elizabeth realized that she never really dealt with anything. She still grieved for Jack, and now she was suffering for Nathan and Allie. Instead of running from her problems, she should have faced them. Now, as she thought about everything, she realized that she was filled with even more regrets that held her trapped and unsure of herself.

Once again, she felt an urge to give in and see where it could go. Before she could think anymore, Jack began calling out to her, ready to start the day. But she couldn't help wondering if she could find the courage to share her heart and open up the discussion between them. She couldn't deny that she felt the urge to give in and see where it could go even more than before. At the same time, the familiar fear was there as well, but she realized it wasn't as strong as it had been. 'What did that mean? Was it too late for them?'