A part of the SNS Christmas Fic Exchange, this story is a gift to Dawna/DDSweet. Hope you like it at least half as much as I enjoyed writing it! Merry Christmas!
"I'm your new Mountie, Nathan Grant."
He certainly couldn't say that his introduction to Hope Valley had gone well. He'd tried to come in quietly, out of uniform, and just get a feel for the people and the town. Instead, he'd found himself breaking up a fight and thrown into his own jail by the town's sheriff. Clearly, he and Bill Avery were going to need some time to get used to one another. Then they were put to the test right off the bat with an apparent stage robbery on his first official day on the job.
As he was hurrying off with mill owner whose payroll had been stolen, he saw a woman standing frozen on the boardwalk, looking at him as though she'd seen a ghost. A protective instinct had him wanting to stop and make sure she was alright, but he watched as another woman stepped up to her side, putting an arm around her and leading her away.
As he learned later, the second woman was the town's mayor, Abigail Stanton. She came over from the café as he was finishing his paperwork, introducing herself and offering him supper.
"Welcome to Hope Valley, Constable. Contrary to how it may seem after your less than kind introduction, this really is a wonderful town."
"I'm pretty sure that as mayor, you are obligated to say that," Nathan replied, his tone doubtful.
Mayor Stanton smiled reassuringly. "Oh, don't let Bill get to you. He's just having a hard time seeing someone new in this office. He's surprised. We all are. We weren't expecting you so soon."
He stared back at her with piercing blue eyes. "And I imagine it doesn't help that Jack Thornton was like a son to him." At the mayor's surprised look, he smirked. "I did my homework before I accepted the assignment. Bill Avery had quite the reputation as a Mountie investigator, and the Thornton name is legendary. I know there's a pretty big shadow over this office. I've got a lot to prove before people accept me here."
Abigail nodded, her smile growing. "Something tells me you're more than up to the challenge."
It didn't take long for Nathan to realize how easy Abigail was to talk to. Her kindness and compassion made it clear she loved the town and its people and despite everyone else's determined avoidance, she always welcomed him with a smile. From her words of caution, it was also evident she had a particular soft spot for their schoolteacher, the widow of the previous Mountie. Abigail very kindly but firmly requested he keep his distance from Mrs. Thornton, asking that he allow her to approach him when she was ready. Well aware of her husband's reputation and their tragic story, Nathan was content to oblige. Yet it was that teacher, the one person in town with good reason to avoid him, who tried to help him make inroads with the townspeople.
She'd come to see him at the jail, standing hesitantly in the doorway as she announced herself. Nathan immediately rose, introducing himself and offering his condolences on the loss of her husband. He wasn't entirely sure what he said, something like, "By all accounts, he was an excellent Mountie."
Elizabeth Thornton had stood a little stiffer and looked him straight in the eyes as she replied, "He was an excellent man."
When he'd apologized, she took a couple of steps inside. He couldn't help but admire her bravery, facing this place and him when it was obvious it made her uncomfortable. Her cheeks had gone pale and he saw her hands trembling even as she forced a smile. Remembering one of the duties he'd been assigned in coming to Hope Valley, he turned to retrieve an envelope from his desk, offering her Jack Thornton's pension from the Mounted Police.
He was surprised when she asked him to follow her outside. Standing by his side, she shared her own introduction to Hope Valley, assuring him that, just as everyone had finally accepted her, they would make a place for him, too. As she walked away, he couldn't help but stare after her.
In his distraction, he didn't see Abigail watching his gaze follow Elizabeth until she turned out of sight.
"Oh dear," the mayor muttered to herself. "This could get complicated."
Nathan had come to find Abigail Stanton to be a confidant when it came to Allie. His niece hadn't exactly had a stellar introduction to Hope Valley either, between running away on her first day in town, skipping school, and learning a card trick that she'd used to cheat her new classmates.
"I feel like a failure. I raised her better than that."
Abigail smiled kindly, moving her mixing bowls aside and inviting him to sit at the café's kitchen table. Placing her hand gently atop the Mountie's, she assured him, "No one here is judging you."
"I'm judging me," he replied, his frustration evident. "I'm doing the best I can but sometimes…I just don't know which way is up. She's ten going on seventeen and I am just trying to keep up."
"Allie's actions have nothing to do with your skills as a parent. Anyone can see how much you love that girl. This is about her needing to discover her place here and finding the courage to put herself out there."
Nathan sighed, staring into his coffee cup.
"I was in a similar situation when I took in my son. The first time I met Cody, he was stealing food from my kitchen."
Nathan looked up, surprised. Abigail nodded. "He and his sister, Becky, had lost their parents in an accident. Rather than be sent to separate orphanages, they ran away. They were living in a tent in the woods outside of town. In winter. Becky was sick and Cody was sneaking into town to steal food and wood for their fire."
"Let me guess," Nathan smirked. "Rather than punishing the boy, you fed him and offered to take both of them in."
"Of course," Abigail nodded. "Like you and your niece, I just knew it was the right thing to do. Not that it was easy, mind you. Cody had his fair share of troubles with the other children, and he fought with me. But with time, love, and the help of some good friends here, we found our way."
Nathan sighed again, distractedly running his fingers through his hair. "So, you're saying I just need to give Allie more time to get settled in."
"And give yourself a break," Abigial demanded gently. "No one expects you to be perfect, not even Allie." She was silent for a moment, stirring the pot of soup on the stove. "My son Cody speaks very highly of your niece. Perhaps they can go fishing together."
Nathan shrugged. "Maybe. It would be nice for her to start getting to know the other kids… It's just… Fishing is kind of our 'thing,' you know? Like, no matter what happened at work or at school, we can always talk when we're fishing."
"Well, then we'll just have to think of something else," Abigail said determinedly. "But if you change your mind, let me know. And if you two catch any extra's, I am always willing to put fresh trout on the menu here."
Nathan chuckled. "Don't let Allie hear you say that, or we'll have a competition on our hands."
Despite Abigail's suggestions of time and patience, Allie's antics continued. When she led Robert, Opal, and Cody out to the "haunted cabin", Nathan felt he had to apologize to Mrs. Stanton for his niece leading her son and the other kids into trouble.
"Sometimes, I just feel like I have no idea what I'm doing with her."
"Welcome to parenthood," Abigail replied, trying to smile reassuringly. "You wouldn't be human if you didn't have doubts and worries. And at this age, when kids are really starting to find themselves…". She shrugged.
Nathan sat quietly for a few minutes, lost in his own thoughts, before he spoke again. "After Gentleman Johnny's arrest, Allie said she thinks I should be a legend." He blushed, pleased at her adoration. "When she says things like that, it's easy to forget about times like this."
"Every girl sees her father as a hero. For Allie, that's you."
"If only it were that way with other people…" At Abigail's puzzled look, he explained his frustration at first seeming to bond with Elizabeth over the kids acting up, then arguing with her about Lucas. "I don't seem to be making much progress with people around here."
Abigail pressed her lips together. Most of the town was coming to accept the new Mountie, waving to him as he returned from his rounds and smiling as they passed on the street. And while he treated everyone cordially, she could see that their Constable was developing stronger feelings for a certain person. Until she knew where Elizabeth stood on the subject, however, she was going to keep her thoughts to herself.
Nathan stood silently beside Abigail outside the café, watching Elizabeth laugh at something Lucas Bouchard had just said to her. He heard the older woman sigh and saw her shake her head before turning to go back inside. He held the door, then followed her through the empty dining room back to the kitchen. He hung his serge on the hook next to the side door before helping himself to a cup of coffee and taking a seat at the table. "Something troubling you, Madam Mayor?"
Abigail narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't play coy with me, Constable. I know you don't like that little situation any more than I do."
Nathan pushed his chair back from the table so he could stretch his long legs out underneath it without tripping her as she worked on the other side. "I don't, but I'd like to hear your reasons."
Abigail huffed, pounding the dough for the night's rolls a little harder than usual as she recounted Elizabeth's first encounter with Lucas, how he crassly flirted with her and tried to hire her to waitress at the saloon without knowing anything about her, and how he all but panicked at the sight of her infant son. "Not that there's anything wrong with working as a server there; Clara and Wilma are both picking up a few hours a week. It's just the way he said it and how his whole attitude changed when he found out she's a mother. It was just so…disrespectful."
Nathan nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. "That carefree attitude disturbs me. Bill told me what Bouchard said when he arrived, how he avoided everyone's questions. 'Tumbleweed.' 'Here and there.' 'This and that.' What kind of chance is he looking for here?"
"Well, like it or not, he has certainly made a place for himself," Abigail replied, resigned.
Nathan shook his head. "He may be a part of this town now, but there is still something about him I don't trust."
Abigail smirked. "If it makes you feel any better, Mr. Bouchard didn't exactly get off on the right foot with some of the townspeople either. First, he bought the saloon away minutes before Bill and Henry were going to put an offer in on it. Then he basically insulted the café and its food, claiming that the people here deserved 'fine cuisine'. As if my cooking isn't good enough. And then there were all the noise complaints."
"Oddly enough, that helps a bit," Nathan grinned. "At least I know that he doesn't have all the advantages when it comes to…" He stopped suddenly, his cheeks turning red as he looked studiously at a knot in the table.
Abigail's stopped kneading, a concerned look on her face as she looked at him. "You don't fool me, Constable. I know you feel something more for Elizabeth. Just be careful. She's still grieving."
Nathan was quiet for a moment, then looked up, staring at her just as seriously. "You're not fooling anyone, either. What's going on between you and Henry Gowan?"
Abigail turned back to the dough. "It's complicated. There is a lot of history there, and quite a bit of it isn't good. Still, everyone deserves the chance to make things right."
"And if they don't use that chance? I have serious doubts about Bouchard," Nathan sulked. After a moment, he added, "I told him he wasn't a good fit for Hope Valley."
Abigail looked at him pointedly. "Was that our Constable speaking in defense of the town, or Nathan, a man protecting his own interests?"
Nathan raised his eyebrows in surprise but said nothing.
"Speaking of second chances," Abigail started again. "Elizabeth told me about your father. Don't be mad at her," she hastened to add. "She was worried about Allie. Apparently, your niece overheard you and your mother talking at some point. She knows that her grandfather is in jail. She has questions, but she doesn't know how to ask them."
Nathan's closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and letting it out before opening them. "I was hoping she'd never have to know about him. I guess part of me thought she'd just assume he left us, like her dad did."
Abigail put a tray of rolls in the oven and closed the door before turning to face him. "Well, she does know, so you need to talk to her about it. I don't know all the details, so I can't tell you how many of them to share, but be honest with her."
"And what if she wants to know more?" Nathan worried. "What if she wants to know him?"
"Then you let her write to him. If he's out of prison, maybe he can visit Hope Valley." She watched Nathan scowl at the idea. "I think it would be good for both of you to work on your relationships with your father. Obviously, he's made some mistakes, but he's family. If anyone deserves a second chance, it's family."
"What about you?" Nathan queried. "If I try to forgive my father, does that mean you're going to forgive Henry for his past?"
She shrugged. "Like I said, it's complicated. And Henry isn't family."
"Maybe not, but he does come in here at least once every day. Something tells me there's more there than just complicated history."
Abigail narrowed her eyes at him again as she wiped her hands on a towel, but this time Nathan smiled innocently.
"Why the long face, Constable?"
Nathan looked up and tried to force a smile for Abigail, standing beside his table with a fresh pot of coffee. She refilled his cup and then waited patiently for him to respond.
He glanced around, relieved the dining room was nearly empty this time of day. Knowing that his friend wouldn't leave until she got a satisfying answer, he tried to explain.
"There's just something about Bouchard that still rubs me the wrong way, and I can't understand why Elizabeth seems so interested in what he has to say. I know she comes from a wealthy family. Why didn't she just pay for the library herself, or ask her father to buy the space? Why did she have to accept help from Lucas? And yes, I know it's going to benefit the entire town, but I can't help thinking that he has an ulterior motive for all of this."
"I have asked myself those same questions, even though I know some of the answers already," Abigail admitted. "Yes, Elizabeth could have paid for the library space herself, and I'm sure if she'd asked, William Thatcher would have bought or had something built for her. But one of her reasons for moving here was to be independent. She has the means to support herself and her son should she need it, but she wants to do things on her own. She wants this to be the town's library, not hers or her father's."
"So why accept Bouchard buying the space for it?"
"Like it or not, he's a part of this town. She asked the town council to find a space, so that it would truly belong to everyone, but the council members kept finding other things they thought were more important. Lucas's offer came at the right time. As for his motives…". She paused. "He assured her there were no strings attached."
"Do you believe him?"
"I'm not sure, and between you and me, I don't think Elizabeth is either. She told me she tried to confront him about his apparent advances, and he shrugged it off and quoted her something from his favorite book, Dangerous Liaisons. I think she's just trying to make the best of things."
Nathan's scowl darkened even further. He hadn't read the book himself but had heard enough about it to know he didn't want to. "She shouldn't have to put herself in an uncomfortable situation. If he's bothering her…"
"Calm down, Constable," Abigail chided. "Elizabeth Thornton is no delicate flower. If Lucas, or any other man, pushes to far, she'll call him on it."
"I hope so."
Abigail studied Nathan for a moment, wondering if now was the time to nudge. "Elizabeth told me about your meeting at the school. She said Allie is pushing people away to avoid getting hurt. She promised not to give up on your niece. I hope you don't give up on Elizabeth. She's been hurt, deeply, and she's afraid of going through that again, but she can still use someone to lean on once in a while. I hope you've let her know she can count on you."
"I don't know where I stand with her," he admitted, frowning. "The other day, we were in the library. We were talking and then we both reached for the same book and…" He trailed off, lost in the memory for a moment. When he looked up again, his eyes were glowing. "I swear there were actual sparks. It was incredible." He frowned and the sparkle in his eyes dimmed. "But before either of us could say anything, Fiona came rushing in and Elizabeth all but ran out of there. What am I supposed to do? Pretend it didn't happen? Ask if she felt the same thing?"
Abigail shrugged. "Just don't stop being there as her friend. Grand gestures are nice, but she's had that, first as a debutant in Hamilton and then with Jack. Just keep showing her that you're there for her, whether it's fixing shelves or something more."
"I don't know about you, gentlemen, but I'm ready for a little peace."
Mayor Stanton glared at Nathan and Bill as they finished the paperwork on Amos Dixon's arrest. She'd been in the jail when Elizabeth had hurried in to tell them about Lucas riding out looking for the wretched man, and had expressed her concern not just for Lucas's safety, but that of the entire town if Dixon followed him here. Then Elizabeth had been taken hostage. To say she'd been worried sick was an understatement.
"Believe me, I want the same thing," Bill grumbled in reply. Turning to Nathan, he added, "Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thanks, Bill," Nathan replied, nodding as the older man left.
"Are you alright?" Abigail asked.
"I'm fine," Nathan assured her. "You should go check on Elizabeth. I'm sure she's still shaken up."
Abigail put her hands on the desk, leaning in until the stubborn Mountie looked up. "I will go check on Elizabeth shortly. At the moment, I'm worried about you. You were the one who was shot at trying to save her and Lucas. You're pale and I can see your hands shaking having to go over it again. You can't go home to Allie like this."
Nathan was quiet, breathing deeply as he tried to get the image of Elizabeth's terrified face out of his mind. When the gun went off next to her as she pushed Dixon's arm away…
"If anything had happened to her…" he uttered softly, his voice breaking.
Abigail put her hand on his arm. "That's not the response of a worried Mountie. Those are the words of a man in love."
"I was terrified," he admitted.
"So was I. To think that Jack could have lost both his parents…Thank you, Nathan. I know you don't like to be called a hero, but to me, you are."
Nathan shook his head. "He put her—put the entire town—in danger. How can she just forgive him? How can she choose him?"
Abigail squeezed his arm again. "First, Elizabeth hasn't chosen anyone. She isn't ready yet. But she also doesn't have it in her to hate. She sees the good in people."
"Bouchard says there are no more secrets I need to know about and that he wants to put all of this behind us, but… I just don't believe him." He closed his eyes, reaching up to rub his aching temples. "Maybe Elizabeth's right. Maybe I really do see the worst in people."
Abigail shook her head. "Nathan, you and I both know that's not true. Besides, in your profession, I'd say a healthy dose of skepticism is a good thing. Just don't let that distrust blind you to the good things."
Life in Hope Valley settled down again. Nathan allowed Cody to join him and Allie on one of their fishing outings, and between the three of them they caught enough for both the Grants' dinner and the café. Jesse Flynn and Henry Gowan's discovery of oil meant new business and opportunities for the town. And, to Elizabeth's delight, a traveling preacher had agreed to stay in town and perform Baby Jack's christening.
Abigail had offered to prepare the food for the celebration at the café and was helping decorate the church for the ceremony. She had stepped out the side door to get another bundle of flowers when she saw Nathan walking quickly up the path to the stairs in front. Through the nearly closed door, she watched silently as he gave Elizabeth a plaque with a quote from her favorite poet, pleased to see him talk to Baby Jack as well. It's about time, Constable, she thought to herself, happy to see Nathan showing his interest while also respecting Elizabeth's boundaries of friendship. She smiled, bemused, as Elizabeth watched him walk away, her cheeks getting a little bit of a glow to them for the first time since Jack's death.
She saw that light again as Elizabeth watched the man hold her son at the party. Baby Jack was enthralled with the funny faces Nathan was making at him, giggling hysterically.
"Do you use those looks on your prisoners?" Abigail teased as she stepped up beside him.
Nathan blushed and stopped the silly faces, shifting naturally into a gentle swaying motion to keep Baby Jack content. "I knew Elizabeth needed a break…"
"Oh, you don't need to justify anything with me," Abigail was quick to assure him. "I remember those days. It never failed that the nights Noah was gone were always the ones that Peter couldn't sleep. I spent hours pacing the floor with him. And I've had plenty of my own moments of doubt and frustration, trying to be both mother and father to Cody. But even with a partner's help, raising a child can be overwhelming." She reached over to tickle the little boy in Nathan's arms. "That's why we have to help each other."
Nathan glanced across the room to meet Elizabeth's gaze and then around until he found his niece in the corner with Opal and Cody, enjoying another piece of cake. Turning back to the woman beside him, he smiled. "Yes, it definitely helps to have someone share the load."
Another important event for the town was the annual Founders Day celebration. Given the grief still weighing them down last year after their beloved Mountie's death, the event had been recognized with a simple potluck supper instead of the usual play by the schoolchildren, speeches, and overall sense of merriment. This year, Rosemary Coulter had taken over the planning, determined to give Hope Valley's founders the notice, respect, pomp, and circumstance she felt they deserved. She was organizing a festival as well as adding her acting talents to the children's play.
Plans for the play hit a snag when they realized that the backdrop was missing. Elizabeth and the children emptied all the shelves in the back room at the church, everyone checked their attics, and Rosemary helped Lucas and Gustav search the saloon's storage areas. While the boxes and trunks of costumes and props were all accounted for, there was no sign of the backdrop.
Deciding they would just make do without it, Elizabeth and the children were practicing lines after school one day when Lucas interrupted. His face proud, he gestured for Mike Hickam to follow him in, the two of them each bearing boxes. Placing them in the middle of the room, he opened the top one, revealing fabric for new costumes. The next box was more material, as well as props.
"And now for the best part," Lucas teased as he slowly took the lid off the last box. With Mike's help, he unfolded a large sheet, revealing a detailed depiction of Hope Valley and the surrounding landscape. "Who needs a dusty, old, worn-out sheet when we can have a new, professionally painted set!"
Elizabeth looked at the new backdrop, tears falling silently down her cheeks before she turned and ran from the school.
Abigail and most of the mothers shared sympathetic looks while Rosemary scurried after Elizabeth. While the children who hadn't known Jack Thornton or been in play before were excited about the new pieces, Opal, Cody, and the others looked on in dismay. Lucas remained frozen in the middle of the floor, completely dumbfounded. Nathan, coming to pick up Allie after rehearsal, arrived just in time to hear Abigail explain.
"Jack painted the old backdrop," she shared. "Their first year here. All the old costumes and props had been destroyed when the church burned down. He surprised Elizabeth with it."
Nathan inhaled quickly, his eyes taking on a sudden gleam. After assuring that Mrs. Montgomery would keep an eye on Allie while he ran a quick errand, he urged Abigail to follow him as he hurried back into town to the jail. Abigail stood next to his desk, puzzled, while he rummaged around in the storage room. He returned, triumphant, a few minutes later. "Is this it?"
Abigail's eyes widened as she unfolded the large sheet of canvas, running her fingers over the painted replica of their little town. "It is," she answered, astounded. "Where did you find it? Why wasn't it stored with the costumes and props."
"It was here when I moved in," he shrugged. "I found it when I was trying to rearrange things back there. Was Jack Thornton really that unorganized, or did Bill have something to do with the state of that storage room?"
"Oh, that mess is definitely Bill's," Abigail chuckled. "Jack kept this place tidy, and he certainly wouldn't have let this get lost in the clutter." Her smile turned soft as she continued, her fingers just barely touching the edge of the canvas. "According to the children, he included a tiny cameo of him and Elizabeth on it. Kissing. I've never seen it myself, but it became a game each year for the children to try to find it."
"You should take this to her. I'm sure it will make her happy," Nathan suggested, but Abigail shook her head.
"You found it. You should be the one to bring it to her. I'm sure she will want to thank you herself."
With that parting comment and a knowing grin, she left to start supper at the café. Nathan cleared his desk off and carefully spread the large sheet over it, checking it for damage before presenting it to Elizabeth. He paused when he caught a tiny flash of red and reached into his desk drawer for a magnifying glass. Searching again, he smirked when he found the figures just as Abigail had described, a dark-haired woman and a Mountie kissing under a tree. As she hadn't mentioned the two young children playing at their feet, he suspected they had been added more recently. It would explain why the painting had been left in the jail instead of with the other set pieces. Chuckling, he put the glass away and neatly rolled and folded the canvas, placing it back in the box he'd found it in.
Knowing that Allie was waiting for him, he hurried down the road to the rowhouses. Not wanting to overwhelm Elizabeth with an audience when he returned the backdrop to her, he decided to stop at the Thorntons' first. He knocked gently on the door, waiting patiently as he heard a quiet 'Just a minute!'. There were quick footsteps across the house and the soft splash of the faucet before Elizabeth came to the door. The drops in her hair and on the collar of her blouse indicated that she'd splashed some water on her face before coming to greet him, though her eyes were still puffy from crying.
"Nathan!" she exclaimed softly, obviously expecting someone else. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything's fine," he assured her quickly. "I have something for you."
Elizabeth stepped aside, allowing him inside and watching as he set the box on the table in the middle of the room.
"Where's Jack?" Nathan asked.
"He's still down for his nap," she replied, nodding towards the crib in the corner.
Nathan glanced towards the sleeping boy before he turned back to Elizabeth. "I found this in the jail. I thought you should have it back. It's up to you if you want to use it again or…" He trailed off, watching and waiting.
Elizabeth sat on the edge of the settee and carefully lifted the lid off the box. Her eyes filled with tears again as she immediately recognized Jack's painting, but this time she was smiling. Beaming, she stood, pulling the backdrop out and draping it over the settee and the table so she could see the whole thing. Running her fingers over it reverently, it took her a few minutes to find words.
"Thank you," she said softly, the raw emotion in the two words making tears threaten Nathan's eyes, too.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner what it was. It's been safe and sound in the back of the storage room since I came to town."
"Jack must of taken it, though I have no idea why," she said, love and exasperation both in her tone.
Nathan smirked. Turning to leave, he stopped with his hand on the doorknob. "I think he added a couple little somethings to it," he explained, being deliberately vague. "You might need your magnifying glass to find them though." Elizabeth's eyes went wide as she blushed.
"It's nothing bad," he assured her. "I think you'll like them. Good night."
Leaving her to her memories- and likely a frantic search for the new additions- he made his way down the road to pick up Allie, pleased that he was able to give Elizabeth a little piece of her husband back.
Fall turned quickly to winter, and with that the town's preparations for Christmas began. As Mayor, Abigail was pleased to bring back the Wishing Tree, offering everyone in Hope Valley the chance to share their hopes and help others' dreams come true. Taking a break from the tree decorations, she joined Elizabeth and Baby Jack on a tour of all the Christmas Festival booths.
"I have to admit that Lucas's idea has certainly brought a lot of people into Hope Valley, which is good for business, but poor Nathan," Abigail lamented as they squeezed past yet another bunch.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked, surprised and puzzled.
"Well, all these crowds, not to mention how the street is blocked off for everything… this is certainly making his job more difficult than usual."
"Hmm…I wonder if that's what he meant…" Elizabeth said uncertainly.
"What do you mean?"
Elizabeth frowned. "Earlier, I went into the mercantile. Lucas and Nathan were both there. Lucas told me that Nathan doesn't like crowds, as though he doesn't like Christmas. But Nathan left before I got a chance to ask him…"
"Uh huh," her friend murmured in reply, hoping Elizabeth realized what had happened.
When Elizabeth began to worry about Baby Jack being out in the cold air and chilling wind too long, she took her son home while Abigail made her way back to the Wishing Tree. It was wonderful to see so many ornaments already taken down, their wishes on the way to being granted. She paused, considering making a request of her own. After all, Elizabeth had gotten her seemingly impossible wish two years ago, and last year they'd been blessed with the miracle of Baby Jack's birth. Perhaps a small prayer for her friends to find peace wouldn't be difficult.
"What are you doing, Abigail?"
She turned, smiling as Henry approached. "I'm trying to decide if I should make a wish."
"I would think someone like you wouldn't need a magical tree to make things happen," he replied. "You seem to make your own miracles, especially at Christmas time."
She laughed. "Well, I certainly try, but everyone needs a hand every now and then."
Henry smiled back. "I seem to recall someone once told me, just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart. You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met."
"Well, thank you, Henry," Abigail beamed, placing the ornament and pencil back in the box before they began walking slowly towards the cafe. "Are you enjoying the festival?"
"Some of it more than others," he replied, pulling his scarf aside to reveal the mustard stain on his coat and shrugging. "I think Bouchard might have bitten off a little more than he can chew here, what with all the extra people coming in from out of town. I think he was more concerned with making an impression than he was with the logistics."
"You think there's more to it than just holiday memories?" she wondered aloud, both pleased and chagrined at his observation.
Henry nodded. "I know a thing or two about ulterior motives. Sure, this is bringing him a lot of extra business, but it also seems to have won him favor with a certain schoolteacher."
Abigail frowned. "I'm afraid I am starting to think the same thing."
They continued their walk in companionable silence. When they reached the café, he held the door for her and started to tip his hat in farewell. Abigail turned to him with a welcoming smile. "Henry, why don't you come inside? You can join me for a cup of coffee, and I bet I've got something in my kitchen that can get that mustard stain out."
Henry grinned back, nodding. "It would be my pleasure."
After her impromptu coffee date with Henry and once she'd finished prepping the night's supper, Abigail hurried across the street to the jail. "I don't think I've seen you all day, Constable. What have you been up to?" she asked as she sat down in the chair opposite Nathan and slid a bundle of warm cookies across the desk to him.
He smiled as he bit into the first cookie, admitting to spending some time with Allie at the festival before going to work. "I promised her we could get a giant tree this year. It's great to see her so excited about things." His smile faded as he told her about Superintendent O'Reilly's visit and the promotion offer. "Allie called this 'the best Christmas ever'. How am I supposed to tell her that it's the only one she'll have here in Hope Valley?"
"Well, from a professional standpoint, I want to congratulate you. I know you deserve the new position and all the added perks that come with it. As the mayor and more importantly as your friend, however, I'm going to be sad to see you and Allie go. This town won't be the same without you." She forced a smile. "But it's just like Bill becoming a judge. No one saw that coming, but it turned out well. Change doesn't have to be a bad thing, as long as it's what you want."
Nathan nodded but didn't say anything more.
"So where are you going to find this amazing tree?" she asked, turning their conversation back to the more cheerful topic.
Nathan's cheeks turned red. "Elizabeth volunteered to show us where to find the best trees."
"I see," she replied, grinning knowingly. Perhaps there's still a chance to change his mind.
Nathan stopped at the café before heading out on rounds, once again helping himself to coffee while Abigail got the breakfast orders ready. She, of course, asked him about the tree search. He told her how he and Elizabeth had talked about parenting alone and how hard it is to make things special.
"She said 'when it's right, you can just feel it'. That moment felt so right. Us, there together… The snow falling around the trees…. Allie chatting up ahead… Knowing Jack was waiting at home for us…" Then his face fell. "Now there's the promotion, though. I almost told her about it. And about how I feel… But then Allie broke in. That definitely wasn't the right moment." He went on to tell her about the near kiss with the cardinal ornament, and that he was certain Elizabeth had felt something that time.
Abigail paused, searching his face. "It sounds like you had a good day. Why do I get the feeling you're upset about something?"
Nathan frowned. "Allie made a comment about literally putting down roots here. It nearly broke my heart. I wanted to tell her about the move myself, after Christmas, but she found out last night by accident. She's trying to act happy for me, but it's obvious she's struggling." He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Am I doing the right thing taking her away from here?"
Abigail put her hand on his shoulder. "Only you can answer that."
Nathan shrugged. "It's an honor to be offered this promotion. This could be a solid steppingstone in my career, and it means I can offer Allie more opportunities."
"But is it what you want?"
That night at the choir concert, Nathan smiled and applauded at all the right moments, but he didn't actually hear the music. Instead, he was watching his niece as she studied the crowd. He realized that she was trying to memorize everything and everyone, and his heart sank even further.
After the concert, Abigail led a potluck collection for supper at the saloon. With all the extra people visiting for the festival, Lucas had run out of food, but in true Hope Valley fashion, they stepped up to the challenge. Everyone provided something so there was something for everyone. It wasn't the gourmet meal that Lucas had planned, but it was special because it brought the town together. She couldn't help but notice Nathan leaving before the meal was over, and how both Allie and Elizabeth watched him go.
As mayor, Abigail stood up to make a speech, welcoming guests to their town and thanking the residents for stepping up and sharing their holiday meals with everyone. To her surprise, Lucas interrupted before she was finished, inviting everyone to join him outside for a surprise. Standing on the edge of the crowd, she had to admit that the lanterns rising against the gently falling snow were rather beautiful. Watching Lucas use the opportunity to stand close to Elizabeth, on the other hand, was not so pleasant.
"We missed you at the lantern show." Abigail was waiting outside the jail when Nathan stepped out to lock it for the night.
"I had to finish my rounds," he explained. "I saw them from outside of town. I even followed a couple of them for a little bit, just to make sure they didn't crash into the trees and start a fire."
"And did you have time to think while you were out on your extra rounds?"
Nathan nodded. He knew Lucas had to be behind the lantern show, and he was certain Elizabeth had been charmed by it. "There's nothing holding Allie and I here."
Abigail stopped, grabbing his arm and pulling him to a halt as well. "That's not true, and you know it," she scolded. "That girl has made friends. You have friends here. And what about Elizabeth?"
"What about her? Maybe she is better off with Bouchard," he grumbled bitterly.
Abigail shook her head, still holding his arm. "Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. I know it seems impossible right now, but you have to tell her how you feel. Have faith and let her decide. Even if she's not ready to return your feelings as strongly, she cares deeply for you, I know she does. You two need more time to figure things out. She's struggling right now, caught between her grief for Jack and all he's missing out on with their son, and her guilt for developing any sort of feelings for someone new. She needs more time, and you need to be here."
"I made a commitment…" he started to argue, but she quickly interrupted him.
"And you are allowed to change your mind. What do you want?"
Nathan remained standing there as she walked away, his eyes going up and down the lights and wreaths on all the doors and windows along Main Street. He could hear people caroling and smell the remnants of the festival food still hanging in the air. The snow softly drifting down from the sky brushed his cheeks as it fell to blanket the boardwalk. And if he crossed the street and asked, he was sure Abigail would have fresh Christmas cookies and coffee for him.
This. He thought to himself. This is the life I want. This is where Allie and I belong. He turned, hurrying back to the jail. Taking a deep breath, he picked up the phone, hoping Florence was still at the switchboard. He waited a few minutes while the call was connected, then braced himself for what he expected to be a difficult conversation.
"This is Superintendent O'Reilly."
"Sir, this is Nathan Grant. I need to talk to you about your offer…"
Once he told Allie that he'd turned down the promotion (and recovered his sense of hearing after her excited shout) Nathan set off to find Abigail and Elizabeth to share the news. After how upset Elizabeth had been at the idea of him leaving, he couldn't help but hope it meant there was something more between them. It didn't make him happy to find both women at the saloon and Elizabeth deep in conversation with Lucas, but he used the time to update Abigail.
"It's wonderful!" she exclaimed before he could say a word, pulling him into a warm hug. When she stepped back, she was beaming. "First Ned told me about you needing a large pot, and how he had to dig around in the back for one since they're not exactly in season right now. Then Allie came to the café to tell Cody and Robert. I'm so glad I don't have to request another new Mountie, and I won't have to listen to Bill grumble about breaking in a new one. Elizabeth won't lose one of her favorite students…"
"Speaking of Elizabeth," he said, glancing anxiously across the room to see her walking away from Lucas.
Abigail followed his gaze. Turning back, she gave him a gentle push. "I'm sure she's going to be thrilled as well. Now, go!"
Nathan walked quickly across the floor, hoping to catch her before she left or resumed talking with Lucas. "Elizabeth," he said, nervous now that he was standing in front of her.
"Come to say good-bye, Constable?" she asked coolly, refusing to meet his gaze.
"The opposite, actually," he replied.
Her eyes shot up to meet his and a brilliant smile broke out across her face. "Really? You're staying?"
"I turned down the promotion," he confirmed. "Allie and I are staying in Hope Valley."
The next thing he knew, Elizabeth was in his arms, hugging him with glee. She stepped back after a moment, trying to compose herself. A little embarrassed himself, Nathan glanced around, looking to see if anyone had witnessed their spontaneous embrace. Afraid to meet Elizabeth's eyes, his gaze slid across the ceiling, and he realized they were standing under a bundle of mistletoe. When he finally looked back at Elizabeth, he saw that she'd made the same realization. Her cheeks pinkened in a becoming blush as she looked around, but she didn't move away from him. Nathan glanced across the room behind her, meeting Abigail's amused eyes. She offered an encouraging nod before turning back to her conversation with Henry.
Nathan leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss on the teacher's cheek.
"Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, Elizabeth."
Dawna- I know this took a long time to actually get around to Christmas and the prompts that you asked for. Please forgive me. I took this as an opportunity to fill in some plot holes that have always bothered me. What ever happened to Jack's backdrop? DID anyone in Hope Valley watch to ensure the lanterns didn't start a massive forest fire? And, of course, Abigail.
I put in extraordinary effort to not let my usual Lucas-hate overtake the story; hope you all can pardon my few subtle digs at him. (Hey, I didn't physically harm him. If you know me, that's progress.) ;-)
Happy Holidays!
-Katie
