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Chapter One Hundred Forty-eight

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A Wounded Hero

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Knowing Allie would be in school this morning, Wes rang Elizabeth at the Hotel to coordinate schedules hoping that while she was a Depot with the horses, he could spend some time alone with Nathan.

Arranging a time when Wes was between meetings and classes, Wes showed up at the Cottage as Elizabeth and Jake were ready to leave to visit Sergeant in the stables at Depot.

"We are each taking care of our Sergeants, Elizabeth! How is our Mountie?"

"He said he slept well once he took his pain medications, so that is good. This is only his second day and I think he already desires to move around more though, so please reinforce the instructions to him?"

"I intend to! Don't' worry about Nathan because I will make certain he is settled if I have to depart before you return." Wes held the door as Jake and Elizabeth climbed into the car, commenting, "I hope all goes well with the horses."

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"Hello, Brother! How are you this morning?" Wes removed his cap and coat and sat across from Nathan.

"Every day is better, Wes. Thanks for coming, although I am sure I would be alright by myself," Nathan grinned, "that is if only everyone would trust me!"

"And therein lies the problem, my friend! Can you be trusted to continue to rest? I happen to know that if you overdue it your pain will increase and the setback will not be worth trying to hurry the process. You, Nathan, need to trust me and the other medical professionals. We know what we are talking about!" Wes chuckled to ease the severity of his admonition.

Sighing, Nathan nodded his head and, knowing he wouldn't win this standoff, he changed the subject, "So did you catch up with sleep yourself?"

"I did. Remember, I spent the evening with Ardis," Wes smiled, "so that helped. By the way, she sends her greetings and might visit later in the week."

"Please return my greetings to her." Sensing Wes was withholding something, Nathan questioned, "What is it?"

"We need to talk about something, Nathan," Wes paused for emphasis. "I saw the scars on your back. Please tell me what happened?"

"Oh…" Nathan ran his hand through his hair and looked away considering how to find the words to explain.

As Wes was ready to ask his question in another way, Nathan finally began to speak, "I was young, around twelve or so."

Wes held his tongue but his expression was one of surprise.

Nathan continued quietly. "Dad was in prison and I was the man of the house, even as a boy. Colleen and I were mostly inseparable when home on the ranch and, when I didn't find her in the house, I went out to the barn in search of her. Coming around the corner I saw two boys from town with a very frightened and tearful Colleen who was struggling to get free. They had her pushed against the wall and one was running his hands over her front." Nathan paused, the painful scene still vivid in his memory.

"The other boy was sneering and egging him on. Colleen gasped when she saw me and that alerted them to my presence. I immediately ran and grabbed the one boy away from Colleen but, as I pulled him off, his friend whipped out a knife and slashed me. Realizing they were now in big trouble, they ran, but Colleen collapsed over me as I fell forward bleeding."

"There weren't any doctors for miles, so Mom instructed Colleen to ride to the neighboring ranch and have someone go get the vet. When the vet came he was afraid to stitch the wound, but he cleansed it thoroughly and taped it closed. I guess he fixed it so nothing would stick to the open wound but it would be drawn together. You see it may be my ugly scar, but I have never really seen it except reflected in two mirrors so most of the time I forget it is even there."

With glistening eyes, Wes listened to his friend, silently thinking, 'He was twelve. He tried to protect his sister who was being assaulted. He tried to stop two young men. Two! He was attacked. Knifed. Wounded. So brave. So protective. So loving. A wounded hero…'

"What are you thinking?" Nathan whispered, "I know, two fellas… It was foolish to try to stop them by myself, I…"

"Nathan." Wes swallowed hard, speaking softly, "It wasn't foolish, it was brave. You were brave. You were courageous and protective and it was right. You were twelve! It was all you could do to protect your sister and the only thing you could think to do in that moment. You were her hero, Nathan. You protected her from rape, defending your family from evil. You are a hero to your Mom and to anyone who hears of this rescue, including me."

Clearing his throat, Wes continued with questions, "I imagine you've had to work through a lot of emotions since that day. Have you talked to anyone about what happened? Did you tell anyone who saw the scar what happened?"

"My friend Gabe knows… and Sergeant O'Reilly. He told the former Commissioner because he interviewed me later."

"Interviewed you?" Wes queried not understanding.

"Yes. They were concerned that I might have anger issues having been wounded like that, so they wanted to know the full story. I was new to them as a Cadet-in-training, so they didn't really know me. I think they kept their eyes on me from that moment on, but I didn't give them any reason to not trust me. Actually…"

After waiting for a few moments, Wes encouraged Nathan to keep sharing, "'Actually' what?"

"I think they began to trust me more." Nathan quieted for another moment. "We were new recruits and O'Reilly was putting us through the paces. It was summer. Hot as blazes and some of us removed our sweat-soaked shirts. I didn't even think about it, but the others saw the scar and went silent. I guess they were horrified. That's when O'Reilly noticed and called me out to get the story."

"Gabe told me later that while the Commissioner was interviewing me, O'Reilly gathered my classmates and told them that as a teenager I had defended a woman's honor as she was being assaulted and I was attacked. He instructed them to refrain from any gossip or further discussion. I guess they admired me after that. Gabe also told me he never heard any of our troop speak of it. They just kept silent and watched me, although Gabe said he could see admiration in their eyes and that was when they began to make me a leader."

Nathan sighed. "You know, I think that scar is the reason I have the job I do. That's when the officers began to notice me and I began to get opportunities to become the class captain, then squadron leader, then a specialized tracker, then a trainer. I was rising in the ranks because of my scar. I changed direction when I got Allie though."

"Stop just a minute, my friend. You rose in the ranks because of your excellence and skills. The scar may have opened the door, but you earned their respect and admiration once they saw you. It was and is only you they see. You exemplify the Mountie motto. You maintain the right and have been doing that since you were twelve... probably even younger."

Wes continued, "Did anyone ever counsel you or comfort you? Or did you just go riding in the fields and talk to God like you said you did after you found out about Zachary and your father?"

Staring at the floor, Nathan sighed. "I guess the Commissioner did. He asked about the perpetrators, and if I had forgiven them or if I held a grudge. He wanted assurance that I never sought them out to take revenge. I told him about my family, Dad, and my faith, so he knew it all. He encouraged me to come talk to him or to find a trusted pastor if I needed to work through any of it and then, he prayed with me. Can you believe it? I never told anyone that, but it meant so much to me because it was like a father would with his son." Nathan sighed again. "I told Gabe and that seemed to be enough for me."

"What happened to the boys who attacked you and Colleen?"

"The one who knifed me was the son of a rich man in town, but he got into a lot of trouble. He ended up in prison and when he was released he was killed by someone to whom he owed money. A few years later, the one who attacked Colleen fell off a horse and died. That's all I know."

"Thank you for sharing this with me, Nathan."

"Thank you for listening."

"You know you need to tell Elizabeth about this don't you? Preferably before she sees your scar on your honeymoon night, right?"

Nathan sighed deeply, "I never see it so I haven't thought about that. I guess you're right…"

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Back at home with Nathan, Elizabeth shared about walking Sergeant in the paddock and how he seemed more at peace. "Jake took Newton out and I think Newton is a calming influence. Almost like an equine counselor or pastor!"

Nathan chuckled to hear this, commenting, "Newton has heard many prayers, songs and confessions from me over the years, so maybe he is well-trained!"

Elizabeth squeezed Nathan's hand, laughing. "I guess so! Trained by the best, Honey. Seriously though, I'm thinking your calm ways have probably influenced him more than you think. So how was your visit with Wes? Is everything okay with your shoulder?"

"It is too soon to tell really, but he intends to begin to manipulate my arm soon, then eventually give me exercises to do on my own. He says that will maintain movement and strengthen the injured muscles, etc." Nathan paused and gulped.

As she was looking into his face when he spoke, Elizabeth saw his gulp. "What is it, Nathan?"

"Ah, I guess there is no good time to tell you this, but Wes asked me about…" He took a deep breath before continuing. "He asked me about a scar on my back. He reminded me that I should tell you about it before our honeymoon so you are not shocked…"

Elizabeth's reaction was more emotional than Wes when he had heard the story. Trying to control her tears, she gripped Nathan's hand and spoke words of admiration, "You were a hero to Colleen, Nathan. She could have been raped, but you defended her and prevented more harm. You are a hero, Nathan. My hero. Your scar is a reminder of a sacrificial act," she slowly repeated, absorbing the impact of the event. "You took no thought for your own safety. You stepped in to save your sister…"

Tears welled in Nathan's eyes. First Wes's support, now this. He had never felt so loved. 'This love is… so supportive and strengthening. So strong itself! So understanding. So kind…'

"When I see your scar, Honey? It will remind me of your courage and whisper, or even shout 'hero' to me. I ache for what you went through, for the pain, the fear, the worry… but this scar is a part of who you are, my wounded hero, my brave man."

They were quiet for a while, pondering until Elizabeth whispered, "Where is the scar, Honey?"

"On my back, below my right shoulder."

Elizabeth slowly moved her hand to stroke Nathan's back, right where she imagined the scar to be located. After some moments, she adjusted her position, tilting her head to lean against his good shoulder, her face tucked in against his strong neck. Their only movement was breathing, but they breathed together.

Finally Elizabeth spoke again. "You've experienced a lot of emotions since that day. Have you talked to a doctor or pastor about what happened? Does anyone beside Wes know about it? Does Allie know?"

"I had to answer Allie's question some years ago and actually that led to our talk about anatomy and the differences between boys and girls. After that discussion I think we both shied away from ever addressing the topic again, but she knows."

"Ah ha… Anyone else know?"

"Obviously Mom does and she probably told Dad. Gabe knows and Superintendent O'Reilly because he was the Sergeant during my time at Depot. He told the Commissioner because he interviewed me. That was before Peter became the Commissioner."

"Why were you interviewed?"

"They needed to be certain I didn't have anger issues having been wounded like that, so needed the full story. As a cadet they really didn't know me but they watched me from that day forward and saw I could be trusted. Gabe told me that O'Reilly told our troop that as a teenager I had defended a girl's honor as she was being assaulted and I was attacked. O'Reilly told them not to gossip and Gabe told me he never heard any of our troop speak of it. Still, I felt them observing me, although Gabe said it was with respect and admiration." Nathan paused.

"I just told Wes that I've always thought my scar was the reason I was noticed and the instructors began directing me into the leadership track. I was rising in the ranks because of my scar. Wes disagreed."

"Honey? I agree with Wes. You were noticed because of your excellence and skills, not because of your scar. You've earned respect and admiration. You are noble and honorable and wise and live sacrificially. Remember what Father said about observing you with the police when Lucas was arrested? You are an excellent leader. All of these attributes are reasons for your advancement."

Elizabeth added, her voice wistful, "I'm proud of you, Staff Sergeant Major Grant, and just when I don't think I could love you more, I learn something new about you." She moved away to look into Nathan's face, "I am so grateful to God for you, Honey, and for God's protecting hand on you throughout your life."

They shared a sweet kiss, aware that their relationship was deepening daily.

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Elizabeth answered the telephone at the Cottage and arranged for four o'clock for Jane Samuels to deliver their dinner, explaining that it might stretch to two days, depending on who shared their table.

"That is wonderful and very thoughtful, Jane. Thank you. We had leftovers in sandwiches for lunch today and I think we might just share with the Collins's tonight. Jack is enjoying having his grandparents treat him so we will take advantage of that before the novelty of hotel dining wears off. I think he has charmed the staff and I've had people address me as Jack's mother!"

"Oh! I love that and it is a special thing to have grandparents nearby. Neither of our families are local, so our children's memories are visiting them out of town. Your parents are blessing your son."

"I agree. I had extended family in Hamilton as I grew up but only my sister visited us in Hope Valley until I got sick. I am very grateful!" Elizabeth paused, "Can you tell me what the menu is?"

"Sure. I'm making a roasted chicken with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and carrots, and an apple pie. I know Nathan enjoyed this meal at our house some weeks ago." Jane laughed. "Of course he is easy to please!"

"He is and I am grateful. I only learned to cook in recent years, so he may be more skilled than I am!" Elizabeth laughed as she watched Nathan's expression. "Thank you, Jane, and we'll see you at around four. I plan to go help Carol now so Nathan can sleep as we tend to talk more than rest!"

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Elizabeth hung up the call and turned to see Nathan smirking at her. "What?"

"We tend to talk, eh?"

"Well, we do. We go from one subject to another with nary a breath sometimes. As a matter of fact, our Hope Valley friends would be shocked to learn how verbal you can be, Sergeant! You even amaze me sometimes! Now, are you okay on your own? Can you nap for an hour so I can go up and check on Carol?"

"Sure, that's one way to keep me quiet!" Nathan chuckled, adding, "Can you help me arrange the pillows in my bed? I would like to change position for a while." Nathan stood and tried to stretch, not used to staying in one place for such a long time and headed to his bedroom. He laid on top of his quilt and Elizabeth propped pillows around him to support his arm.

"How is that, Honey?" she inquired tenderly as she fluffed and adjusted the pillows.

"Good. Thanks, Nurse Lisbeth. I appreciate your tender loving care."

"Here is a blanket should you get chilled," Elizabeth arranged an extra blanket over Nathan then leaned over to kiss his forehead. "Sweet dreams, my Love. See you later."

"Thank you. You've just made one of those sweet dreams come true. Love you." He gave one of his half-smiles then closed his eyes.

After memorizing the sight of her fiancé so cozy on his bed, she quietly closed the door behind her and she departed for the main house.

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