Elizabeth leaned against the rail of the dock, watching the water ripple in the breeze. Though it was warm for an autumn day, she was cold. The coldness had settled over her three days ago, the moment Faith confirmed her pregnancy.

What was she going to do? In one moment, her life had been irrevocably changed.

The ramifications slammed against her one after another. She was unmarried. Though she was carrying the child of her assailant, that wouldn't matter to the school board. There were no grace clauses in the teacher contract. As soon as it was clear that she was pregnant, she would be fired. She would lose the job she loved, the job she had come to Hope Valley for. In a few months, there would be no hiding the fact that she was having a baby.

People would talk. She would be labeled and suspected, slapped with a scarlet letter. Worse still, she wouldn't be the only one scrutinized.

Lucas would be suspected as well.

Her heart dropped at the thought. How would he respond to the news? Their relationship hadn't been very strong of late, and she fleetingly wondered if it would survive this latest setback. She hadn't even been able to let him show her affection over the past two months. When he hugged her, she had to fight panic. The one time he'd tried to kiss her, she did panic and lunged away.

He hadn't tried since.

Elizabeth sighed. "How can I ask him to accept all this?" she moaned out loud. She looked up at the sky, tears streaming from her eyes. "Why did You let this happen to me?"

The clip-clop of horse's hooves was her only answer. Elizabeth wiped her eyes before turning. Her heart gave a leap as she saw Nathan riding toward her. He was wearing his blue plaid shirt, looking relaxed as Newton trotted down the lane. She watched him, marveling at his ease and grace on the horse. He spotted her, and a smile formed on his face. He rode to the dock. Dismounting, he let Newton graze while he joined Elizabeth at the rail. They stood in a companionable silence for a little bit, then Nathan turned his blue gaze on her.

"I didn't see you at church this morning," he said, leaning casually against the rail. "Is everything alright?"

Elizabeth froze momentarily. She hadn't told anyone about the baby, not even Lee and Rosemary. She had begged Faith to keep it a secret for as long as possible. Faith had agreed, letting Elizabeth find her own way in her own time to reveal her pregnancy. Bill didn't know. Lucas didn't know.

Nathan didn't know.

As he stood there looking at her, no judgement in his eyes, only compassion, Elizabeth knew her secret would be safe with him. She knew he would help her walk through it. She wouldn't need to carry the burden alone.

"I'm pregnant."

Saying the words out loud felt strange, almost as if she was detached from the situation. She couldn't meet Nathan's eyes as she uttered the short sentence. Despite trusting him, she felt waves of shame wash over her, as if she were at fault for conceiving a child.

"Oh, Elizabeth." Nathan's soft words broke through her shame. He gently pulled her into his arms. She went willingly. Tears sprang to her eyes, soaking into his shirt. Elizabeth wondered if she would ever rest in his arms without crying, then blinked at the thought.

The only reason she was in his arms was because he was providing comfort as a friend. A different sadness enveloped her, but she didn't dare let it linger. She couldn't let herself think about the answer. Instead, she focused on the sound of Nathan's heartbeat, rhythmic and soothing.

He rubbed a hand in smooth circular motions over her upper back. Elizabeth let him comfort her, sinking into his strength. Words weren't needed, not yet. Nathan was simply there, just as he had been ever since her assault. She had broken his heart, but rather than leaving her in her brokenness, he chose to lift her from it

She didn't deserve his love.

Her tears took on a different meaning. I made the wrong choice. And now it's too late. Desperation filled her as she clung to Nathan. Too late.

Nathan pulled back, keeping one arm around Elizabeth while placing his other hand against her cheek. "Does anyone else know?" he asked, his voice soft as he smoothed away her tears.

Elizabeth shook her head. "Only Faith. You're the first person I've told."

His eyes searched hers. "How long have you known?"

"Three days," she replied. "I couldn't muster up the courage to tell anyone. It feels...I don't know how to describe it. When I found out I was pregnant with Jack, I was so happy. Now I just feel scared." She bit her lip. "How am I going to do this, Nathan? It's been hard raising Jack on my own. Now I'm going to be a mother to a child I didn't ask for, a child whose father hurt me deeply. This baby is going to be a constant reminder of that." She gave a little cry. "I don't think I can do this on my own."

Nathan's hand remained gently on her cheek. "You won't be alone," he said, the hand at her back drawing her unconsciously closer. "You have me and Bill and the Coulters and Faith. We'll help you through this. I promise. Others will too, if you let them."

Elizabeth felt herself soften under Nathan's steady gaze. "I know you will," she said, his assurance all she needed to know it would be okay. But she was still scared. The future was unknown. There were hard conversations to be had, starting with the man she was courting.

As if reading her thoughts, Nathan's hand drifted from her cheek to her back, his hands locking together behind her as he held her. "You need to talk to Lucas." It was a statement, not a question.

She nodded, a sense of dread filling her. "I don't think he's going to react well, Nathan."

Nathan drew in a deep breath, measuring his next words carefully. Elizabeth knew there was no love lost between him and Lucas, but Nathan didn't say anything against her suitor. "If you two love each other, you'll be able to work it out," he said. His words were calm, but a slight furrow between his brows gave away his anguish at saying them.

If you two love each other. Elizabeth's throat worked. She had told Lucas she was falling for him, but now she wondered if that had been her denial speaking. Candlelight dinners and romantic picnics were all well and good, but they didn't equal love. Love was tested in fire, purified in the refiner's flame. True love turned to gold. The dross was burned away.

She would find out soon enough what she and Lucas shared. They were about to face the fire.

Nathan's voice broke into her thoughts again. "Would you like me to come with you?" he asked.

Touched by his care, even though it would come at great cost to him, Elizabeth shook her head. "Thank you, but I have to do this by myself. Lucas needs to know the truth, and it needs to come from me."

Nathan nodded. "I understand. When are you going to tell him?"

Elizabeth sighed. "I suppose I should get it over with and find out where we stand."

They parted, looking out over the water for several moments. Finally, Nathan motioned toward Newton. "Can I at least offer you a ride into town?"

Briefly wondering at the appropriateness, Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, please." She realized she didn't care how it looked. Nathan was being a friend. He was offering her support. If people took it the wrong way, that was on them.

She let Nathan help her onto Newton, then felt him swing up behind her. With one arm around her waist for support, he urged the horse forward, heading back into town. Elizabeth leaned against him, gleaning all the strength she could for the conversation ahead.

She knew it wasn't going to be easy.

Lucas stared at her, his face deathly white after she told him about the baby. They were in his office in the saloon, sitting in chairs opposite each other. Silence reigned between them. Unlike with Nathan, silence with Lucas felt heavy and oppressive. Elizabeth resisted the urge to jump up and run from the dark office.

"Are you sure?" Lucas asked finally, sliding a finger into his tie to loosen it slightly. He looked like he was trying to draw in a full breath, but it wasn't working. "Could this be a mistake?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "No mistake," she said quietly. "Faith confirmed it."

Lucas let out a breath. He stood, walking behind his desk. "How long until you start showing?"

Confused by his question, Elizabeth stared at him blankly for a minute. "Excuse me?"

Lucas pointed to his desk calendar. "If you conceived during your attack, it was mid-September. That would make the baby due in June. When do women start showing?"

"That depends," Elizabeth said, her mind trying to follow Lucas's train of thought. "Around four or five months, I think."

"Hmm," Lucas muttered, studying the calendar. "That would mean your pregnancy would be visible around January or February, and then you would have about four months until the baby was born."

Elizabeth's brow wrinkled in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?" she asked, annoyance beginning to form. "Why do you care when I start showing?"

Lucas gave her a look that could only be described as patronizing. "Because that tells us when you have to leave town."

Frozen in shock, Elizabeth blinked at him. "Leave town?"

Lucas nodded. "We don't want people knowing you're pregnant. They'll think I'm the father! Even if we told them about your assault, some would think we're just trying to cover up an indiscretion. The only solution is for you to go somewhere for a time, somewhere you can be unknown and discreet. Then after you give birth, you can come back here and resume your normal life. We can tell people you had an opportunity for a book tour around Canada and the United States, an opportunity that was too good to pass up. No one will be the wiser." He nodded. "It's a foolproof plan."

Elizabeth bit her tongue, indignant that Lucas was planning her future without consulting her. "And no one's going to question things when I return to town with a baby?" she asked, her tone slightly sarcastic. "What am I going to tell them, that I adopted a child while unmarried?"

Lucas frowned. "Of course not. You'll give the baby up for adoption."

"What?!" Elizabeth shot up from her chair. "What do you mean, I'll give the baby up for adoption?"

"Isn't that what you want?" Lucas asked, looking exasperated. "Don't tell me you're thinking of keeping it!"

Elizabeth flushed hotly. "Of course I'm keeping it! This is my baby! I couldn't live with myself if I gave up my own flesh and blood for adoption."

"But it's also his baby," Lucas said, grinding the words through his teeth. "Do you really want that reminder day in and day out for the rest of your life?"

Throat tightening, Elizabeth fought tears. "Lucas, I don't think you understand a mother's heart. I'm terrified of keeping this baby. I'm terrified of what people will think when they find out I'm pregnant. I'm terrified of trying to raise this child knowing how it came into existence." She walked toward the desk, resting both fists on it and staring him down. "But this baby is a part of me. It isn't responsible for it's father's actions. I will not be giving this child up for adoption. And I will not be going away for four months to hide the pregnancy. People might think the worst of us, but we will know it's not the truth."

"Elizabeth," Lucas said, a desperation in his eyes. "Think of what this will mean. You'll lose your job at the school. My businesses could be hurt by the inevitable assumption that we are having a child together without being married. It won't look good."

"You're right," Elizabeth said, a lump in her throat. "It won't look good." Tears stung her eyes as she looked at the man she'd thought was her future. "Are you willing to stand with me through this? Are you willing to raise another man's child as your own?"

Lucas flinched. He sank into his chair slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Elizabeth," he said slowly, looking at her with anguished eyes. "Children are not my forte, but for you I was willing to try. But to raise a criminal's child?" He shook his head. "I don't think I could do that."

Elizabeth stood stunned. When she spoke, her voice was a strangled whisper. "Are you saying we're done if I keep this baby?"

Lucas closed his eyes. "It sounds harsh when you say it like that."

Elizabeth felt a spark of anger inside. "Is there a way to say it that doesn't sound harsh?" she hissed, flinging the words at him. "What are you saying, Lucas? Children aren't your forte? Do you even want children of your own?"

"Someday, maybe," Lucas shot back. "If it's my own, I could handle it. But I don't relish the idea of raising another man's child!"

A cold splash of reality stung Elizabeth. She stared at Lucas once more, mouth gaping. Her hands began to shake. "Jack is another man's child," she said, pinning him with a stare. "Would you ever be able to see him as your own, Lucas?"

Lucas stood, walking around the desk to stand in front of her. "He never would be mine, Elizabeth, not fully. I'd care for him, of course, and love him because he was yours. But he would always be Jack's son, not mine." He took her hand. "Can we talk about this more later? I think we're both too upset to really discuss the matter."

Elizabeth pulled her hand away. "There's nothing to discuss," she said, her voice icy. "You made the decision for me. This relationship is over." She walked to the door, fighting tears. "Goodbye, Lucas."

He made no protest, no move to go after her. That was all the answer Elizabeth needed. He wasn't going to fight for her.

He never had.

She fled the office, ignoring the surprised looks from saloon patrons as she ran out the door. She didn't stop until she was on the path to the rowhouses. Wrapping her arms around herself, she let the tears fall again.

She and Lucas were done. Elizabeth expected to feel the sadness, but she was surprised to feel a sense of relief as well, as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She wondered if she was truly sad about the breakup, or if she was simply feeling the pain and confusion of her uncertain future.

At least one thing was certain. She needed her friends more than ever. When she got home, she would tell Lee and Rosemary about the baby. They deserved to know the truth.

A few days later, Faith came to see Elizabeth at the school. Since the students had been dismissed for the day, she left the door open so the autumn breeze could flow into the room. Elizabeth stood to meet her friend, motioning to one of the benches. "Let's sit," she said.

Once they were settled, Faith spoke. "I just wanted to see how you were doing. I heard about your breakup with Lucas from Fiona. That can't be easy."

Elizabeth let out a sigh. "Honestly, Faith, it's been a relief. I don't know what that says about my feelings for Lucas, but I don't think I ever truly believed he was the man for me." She didn't elaborate. She knew if she analyzed her feelings, she would find that running from her fears had led her to choose the "safe" man. Everything about their relationship had been surface level. It was no wonder she was relieved it was over. The whole thing had been a lie.

Faith put a hand on her shoulder. "Then I suppose it was a good thing," she said softly. "But the timing, with everything else you've been going through…"

Elizabeth shook her head. "When it rains, it pours," she said, letting out a little laugh. "Lucas and I weren't meant to be. That's one less thing I have to worry about."

Faith nodded. "And how have you been feeling? Is the nausea still there in the mornings?"

"Yes," Elizabeth said. "It's not quite as severe as it was with Jack, but it's longer. The sickness is extending into the afternoon with this pregnancy."

"Pregnancy?" A male voice startled both Elizabeth and Faith. Elizabeth stood, her stomach dropping at the thought of someone already knowing her secret. The blood drained from her face as she took in who it was standing in her classroom.

Mr. Landis.

He was regarding her with a serious expression. "Mrs. Thornton, I'm not one to eavesdrop. The door was open, so I assumed it was permissible to enter." He glanced at Faith. "Do you mind giving us a moment alone?"

Faith looked at Elizabeth, silently asking if she wanted her to stay. Elizabeth felt sick, but she nodded slowly. "I'll be fine. Thank you, Faith."

"Alright," Faith said, though she sounded hesitant. Landis waited until she was gone, then turned to Elizabeth. "Mrs. Thornton, did I hear you right? Are you pregnant?"

Throat closing, Elizabeth felt fear rising inside. She thought she'd have several months before having to face public scrutiny. If Landis knew, she would be fired by the school council by tomorrow afternoon.

But she couldn't lie.

"Yes," she said, her voice haggard. "But Mr. Landis, it's not what you think…"

He held up a hand. "It doesn't matter what I think. You know the rules in the contract. Any unmarried woman who becomes pregnant is subject to immediate termination. Rules are rules, Mrs. Thornton. I've already bent them for you to teach Angela Canfield, which is why I am here today. You still haven't taken the qualification test to teach a blind student." He clicked his tongue. "Though it would seem that no longer matters. I will have to take this to the school board."

Desperation filled Elizabeth. "Please, Mr. Landis, don't tell them. Not yet. I can explain everything…"

"There's nothing to explain," he interrupted. "I'm sorry." He turned to leave, almost bumping into Nathan, who had appeared suddenly behind him.

"Is there any way Mrs. Thornton could keep her job?" Nathan asked mildly, hat in his hands. Though his question was calm, his eyes sparked with the weight of the injustice pressing on Elizabeth. She hadn't seen him since their talk at the dock. Mountie business had taken him out of town for a few days, and he must have just gotten back.

Landis shook his head. "The only way she would be able to keep her job is if she was married," he said. "And that clearly isn't the case."

"And if she were to get married?" Nathan asked.

Landis huffed. "Then the problem would be solved. But I can't imagine that happening by tomorrow, Constable," he said. "I have a meeting with the school board in the morning. I'm morally obligated to bring up Mrs. Thornton's condition." He eyed Nathan. "Why do you ask? Are you planning on rectifying a situation you created?"

Elizabeth gasped at the unfounded accusation, horrified on Nathan's behalf. Nathan's expression didn't change, though a glint of steel entered his eyes. "I'll ask you to leave now," he said, stepping aside and pointing toward the door.

Landis looked between the two of them, shaking his head. "I'll be back in the morning," he said. "You might as well pack your desk, Mrs. Thornton. We'll be looking for a new teacher starting tomorrow." He left without another word.

The silence that followed weighed heavily on Elizabeth. It was over. Her teaching career had come to an abrupt end. Closing her eyes, she swayed on her feet.

Nathan quickly took her arm, leading her to the same bench she had occupied with Faith. Sitting beside her, he studied her face. "Are you alright?"

"No," she moaned, passing a hand over her eyes. "What am I going to do, Nathan? Teaching is my life, my calling. I can't just give it up."

Nathan was quiet for a few moments. Elizabeth knew he was thinking. Finally, he spoke. "Would Lucas be willing to marry you?"

Elizabeth barked out a harsh laugh. "No," she said flatly. "And I wouldn't marry him even if he was willing. Lucas and I are over. He couldn't accept my children, so I couldn't accept him."

Nathan absorbed that information, his expression carefully guarded. "I'm sorry," he said finally.

Shaking her head, Elizabeth sighed. "Don't be. We were completely wrong for each other. I think you already knew that."

Nathan looked down, tracing a circle on the ground with his boot. "I can't deny that I thought you were mismatched," he admitted. "But I thought I was biased."

"I don't think you were," Elizabeth said, letting out a long breath. "You have good instincts, Nathan. Your impressions of people and situations are usually accurate."

Nathan reached out, taking her hand. He was quiet for a time, clearly wrestling with something interiorly. Eventually he seemed to come to a decision. Peace entered his eyes as determination filled his face. "Elizabeth, I think I have a solution to your problem."

"Oh?" Elizabeth raised her brows, wondering what he meant. "What might that be?"

Swallowing hard, Nathan turned to face her fully. "You don't want to lose your job, and you don't want to raise this child alone, right?"

Elizabeth nodded slowly. "Right. But I don't see a way out of either option, Nathan. Where's the solution?"

She wasn't sure what she expected him to say, but the words that he spoke sent shock waves through her entire body.

"Marry me."