Chapter 9- Courage to Fight
"Are they courting yet?" "I'm not quite sure" was the curious banter of Florence and Molly. There hadn't been much chatter about the would-be couple until now. "That dance during the Christmas ball would suggest so." Molly vehemently announced. "Well, the last I heard they are back to avoiding each other." Florence rebutted. Ned, standing nearby, interjected, "I thought we decided to mind our own business?" Molly and Florence just looked at each other and smiled. Then it happened before everyone's eyes. Nathan walked right up to Elizabeth as she walked into town and quite loudly pronounced, "We need to talk!" Elizabeth looked a tad taking aback but she followed Nathan into his office and shut the door.
In his office Nathan was pacing not saying a word. "You said we needed to talk, so talk." Elizabeth chided. Nathan stopped pacing. He turned to look at her with weary but determined eyes. "Are we okay?" He started. "What makes you ask that?" Elizabeth looked off and not at Him as she replied. "It just seems like everythings been awkward since I walked you home after the Christmas Ball. Did I do something wrong?" Her eyes flew up and she looked out of sorts. "I really don't know what to say to that." "You can just be honest with me. Did I say something or do something that made you upset?" "No, not really but I…never mind it's nothing really and we're fine." Nathan felt frustrated they had come so far in their relationship. He did not want to go back to whatever they were before. "Elizabeth!" he shouted much louder than intended. Caught off guard and a little frustrated herself she shouted back. "What do you want from me Nathan?! Because I don't know if we are okay or not. I just feel…" "What?" His voice was much softer but still filled with exasperation. "Is this a fight Nathan?" "I don't know, is it?" "If it is, I have no idea what we are fighting about or how to resolve it." "What are we doing Nathan? Are we just friends or…?" "We're friends first and foremost Elizabeth– of course there will always be more between us–but are you ready for the more part?" He stepped a little closer and took her hand. "I'm not going to do anything that pushes you or makes you uncomfortable. I care about you, I always have and I always will." Nathan stated his eyes Elizabeth sees love; pure unadulterated love and her heart trembled in her chest. Was she ready for more with Nathan? Could she give this man, who just happens to wear a red surge, her whole heart?" She knew that the question was irrelevant; he already had her whole heart. The real question is–did she have the courage to listen and follow her heart. "I should go, I'm sorry Nathan." With those words Nathan let go of her hands and Elizabeth walked out of his office. Nathan felt a pang in his heart; he wanted to chase after her and make her stay but he knew that Elizabeth had to find the courage to face this herself.
As Elizabeth walked out of the NWMP's office she was met with awkward looks from those who had witnessed the Mounty's declaration that they needed to talk. Elizabeth moved swiftly towards the livery where she saddled Sergeant for an afternoon ride. As Elizabeth rode off Nathan emerged he faced the same looks as Elizabeth had; he smiled and waved–an awkward gesture. He too took a ride in the opposite direction. Bill, having just arrived in time to see both Elizabeth and Nathan ride off, asked Lee and Rosemary who were passing by, "What did I miss, what's going on with those two?" "Their fighting!" They said in unison. "About what? I thought they were working things out?" "Apparently not, there was a big to-do earlier with Nathan shouting at her that they needed to talk. I think that something happened after the Christmas Ball. What? I have no idea." Rosemary prattled on and on. Lee had to interrupt less she continued. "Rosemary, we have no idea what they are fighting about so we should not assume anything." Rosemary smiled at him and agreed. "Perhaps I need to lock'em both in the jail until they resolve their issues. Hope Valley doesn't need any more drama." Bill stated matter of factly as he walked off leaving Lee and Rosemary worried. "You think he'd really lock them up?" Lee asked. Then they looked at each other and said "yeah, he would."
It's amazing that even when they head in opposite directions Elizabeth and Nathan just always seem to end up in the same places. And there they were again, both shocked and amazed at their log where fear first made her run. She had run away from his love and left his heart in pieces. Though grief had found peace, fear was still pungent. They had found courage to fight but what were they fighting for or against. Uncertainty was present in the silence of the moment. Yet, their thoughts were still shouting and their hearts pounded loudly–could their hearts find the courage to speak and to listen to the love they both felt.