"Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth spun around to face Henry, unsure of how to respond to him. She had been self-conscious around him after their last conversation. Henry had been the catalyst for breaking off her engagement to Lucas. He had spoken to her so carefully, but his words had penetrated her heart, breaking down the final walls she had put up to protect herself.
"Henry. Is everything all right?"
"I just wanted to check in on you...see how you're feeling with the voting closing soon."
Elizabeth watched as Henry twisted the hat he held between his hands, turning it around and around as he spoke. His voice was gruff, but his words were kind, and she smiled at him, trying to ease his discomfort.
"I'm fine, Henry, very pleased that Lucas's first act as Governor will ensure towns like Hope Valley will not be exploited. That is why he ran after all."
"You sound confident he will win."
Elizabeth nodded and then waited, knowing Henry had more to say.
"And everything else, with ...your engagement? And with ..."
"Yes," Elizabeth interrupted hastily. "Lucas and I agree that breaking off the engagement was the right thing to do. It would have happened, win or lose." Elizabeth felt the heat in her cheeks as she answered Henry, knowing she had deliberately stopped him before he could mention Nathan. She stopped him because there was no way she could give him an answer. She had no idea whether everything, or anything for that matter, was all right between her and Nathan. He had been avoiding her since he found out about her broken engagement.
"Okay, that's good. I'll let you go then."
Watching Henry walk away, Elizabeth felt a pang of guilt. She should be grateful to him that he came after her and cared enough to check on her then and now.
"Henry!" Elizabeth called, placing the book she had been holding on the library table. "Wait!" When he turned, she saw the uncertainty on his face and stepped toward him. "I'm sorry. I should have come to see you - to thank you for your concern for me the other day. I appreciate you realising something was wrong and coming after me. What you said truly helped me."
"Well," Henry said, his mouth a wry grin. "It was pretty obvious to anyone that something wasn't right."
Elizabeth smiled. That was an understatement. She had rarely been so overwhelmed with emotion. When she lost Jack. When she thought Nathan had been shot, and this time, when Nathan was once again at risk, she had been distraught. This time, though, Henry's words forced her to do something she hadn't done before. This time, she listened to her heart and heard it when it cried out. She understood now that her heart would still break if she lost Nathan, whether she admitted she loved him or not. Hiding within her relationship with Lucas hadn't protected her heart at all. It wasn't fair to Lucas to stay with him, not when she couldn't give him the love he deserved or her whole heart.
"Would you like to join Jack and me at the Cafe, Henry," As he shook his head, Elizabeth could tell he was going to decline, "we are meeting Rosemary and Goldie," she said, coaxing him.
"Well, all right then," Henry agreed.
Elizabeth was pleased; she knew Goldie would convince Henry to join her. Like everyone else in Town, he was enamoured with the little girl.
As they approached the cafe, Elizabeth could see Lucas' election posters had increased in number; there was barely a Verandah post, window or structure that wasn't covered in his face. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, his wasn't the face she longed to see. The one face she was looking for was nowhere to be found. She felt her face heat up as she remembered how many times she had stared at Nathan's picture in the newspaper, how many copies she had of that edition and that she had placed a copy in the bottom of her nightstand beside her bed and looked at it every night.
"Nathan! Nathan!"
Nathan sighed before turning toward the person calling his name. All he wanted to do was relax at home. It had been a long day with very little sleep the night before. He'd had little rest for the last couple of weeks, actually. He spent his days and nights tormenting himself with "what if?" and "what now?" He didn't want to talk to anyone, and he could imagine what she wanted to say.
"Have you voted yet?"
"Sorry?" Nathan shook his head, taken aback. Apparently, he hadn't known what she was going to say. "No, Rosemary. I have only arrived back from rounds. I got...caught up."
"You have to vote, Nathan; the last election was won by only a handful of votes. We need every vote we can get to ensure Lucas wins."
"Fine, Rosemary. Is the voting booth still open?"
"Yes, it is, but only just. There is no time to dilly dally."
Nathan couldn't help but smile at Rosemary's enthusiasm. She had been tireless during Lucas's campaign. Between working on articles for the Valley Voice and sharing stories with other towns and newspapers, she had been Lucas's biggest supporter. If Lucas didn't win, it wouldn't be for lack of effort on behalf of Rosemary, Lee, and Elizabeth.
There it was again; he couldn't go five minutes without thoughts of her popping into his head.
"You'll find a treat when you get to the polling booth. Elizabeth baked banana bread to reward everyone for voting. It's delicious."
Delicious. He didn't doubt it. He wished a part of him didn't hope she had baked it for him, after their conversation about it. It was better not to think that moment had been special to her as well.
"Okay, Rosemary, you convinced me. I want Lucas to win, and I want banana bread. I'm starving."
"Well, hustle then," she said, smiling as she clapped her hands, urging him to hurry.
Nathan took her advice and hurried to the polling booth. It was late; he had little time to lodge a valid vote and knew Rosemary was right. The last election was close, and he didn't want Balfour to win because not enough people voted for Lucas.
Nathan hesitated outside the mayor's office; a single light shone inside, but he couldn't see anyone moving around; he hoped he wasn't too late. He gripped the door handle, pleased when it turned.
"Nathan! You're here." Elizabeth stood, her heart racing at the sight of him before her, Strong and tall, in his red serge. She saw his jaw tense when he saw her, and her stomach lurched in disappointment. She was right; he had been avoiding her. Flustered, she turned away from him, finding a voting card on the desk and rushing to him, holding it out for him to take.
"There isn't much time left, Nathan. You need to complete this now."
Elizabeth stood awkwardly, watching Nathan walk to the booth in the next room. She wiped her hands down her skirt and exhaled shakily as she stared at his back. Why hadn't he said anything? What was he thinking behind those intense blue eyes? Was now the time to talk to him? They were finally together and alone; she wasn't expecting anyone else to come.
Before she could change her mind, Elizabeth reached out and turned the lock on the door. They wouldn't be interrupted now. All she had to do was wait.
"Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth spun around as Nathan whispered her name.
"I'm done. I voted."
"Thank you," Elizabeth whispered, staring into his eyes, breathless at his proximity. Butterflies swirled in her stomach as she tried to unscramble her thoughts. She had to make him understand.
"Nathan. I know it's late, but can we talk?"
"Elizabeth, is now the time...do you want to wait and see if Lucas wins? You can still change your mind if he doesn't. I'm sure…"
"No, Nathan, it won't change anything." Elizbeth interrupted, wanting to stop him going down that path. "That's what I want to explain?"
Elizabeth was thankful when he nodded; she worried he would say no. "Thank you. I..." lost for words, she stopped and shook her head gently, her lips pursing briefly. "I'm sorry, Nathan. I wasn't sure you would agree to talk, and now you have, I don't know where to start." She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she made herself look into his, "When you were held hostage in Rock Creek, when I found out you were missing, I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe."
Elizabeth saw his eyes widen at her confession. Hope flashed across his face, giving her the courage to continue.
"Nathan, Henry helped me realise I had been lying to myself, to everyone, but especially to you. I have been lying since you asked me what was in my heart. I've pushed you away. I've run, and I've been running ever since, hiding in a safe relationship and denying what I want."
"Elizabeth, what do you want?"
"You. Us."
Elizabeth held her breath as he reached out, lightly tracing the curve of her cheek as he wiped away the tear that slowly slid down her cheek. His touch was gentle, but the heat from his skin sent a jolt through her. She saw her tears mirrored in his eyes, but his smile when it came, was radiant.
"Do you mean it? Is this really happening? No more running?"
"Yes," she whispered. "I promise you, no more running."
She held her breath as Nathan leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. His touch was soft at first and oh so gentle, and heat pooled low in her stomach. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned into him, moulding herself against his body, as he deepened their kiss.
Elizabeth got lost in the sensation of finally being in Nathan's arms, revelling in the feel of his arms around her, holding her tight, making her feel safe.
The rattle of the doorknob and, the door banging slightly in the frame as it was jiggled brought Elizabeth back to her senses. Someone was trying to get in the locked door.
"You locked the door?" Nathan asked, amused as he looked down at her.
"I didn't want to be interrupted," she said sheepishly as heat rose in her cheeks.
"Well, I'm glad you did, but we should probably let whoever that is in."
"You know it's going to be Rosemary."
"Yep." Nathan paused and turned to face her again, his brow creased with doubt. "Are we hiding this? Would you prefer people not know?"
Elizabeth closed her eyes, hating that she was the reason he was doubting himself for even one moment. "I want everyone to know, Nathan. I know we should start with Allie and Jack, but I'm pretty sure Rosemary will take one look at us and guess." Slipping her hand into his she said "and I don't mind if you don't."