Chapter IX: Affianced Part II

Nathan wasn't too keen on the idea of riding out to the cemetery that afternoon. Not that he didn't want to visit Jack, far from it, but he'd been on edge since Lucas told him about the bootleggers. He didn't want to worry Elizabeth. Although he knew it wasn't a good idea to keep the recent turn of events from her, he felt he couldn't share the news just yet.

Nathan apprehended two men the day before, along with the officials over at Eagle Creek. After venturing out a bit further on rounds, he stumbled upon a fellow Mountie who needed his aid. Thankfully all had worked out, and the criminals were safely behind bars. He returned to Hope Valley to have dinner with his family, none the worse for wear.

As far as the outing to the cemetery was concerned, Nathan just wanted to get them there as quickly as possible. He also wanted to return as swiftly as their horses would allow when they concluded their visit. Elizabeth seemed oblivious to his misgivings, which was just as well. He took a deep breath, assuring himself everything would be fine. Simply put, protecting Elizabeth had always been important to him, but now he was also protecting her as his fiancée.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked, happiness laced in her tone. "I think I see a trace of a grin on your face."

They were riding side-by-side at a brisk trot. Nathan quickly glanced at Elizabeth. "I'm grinning because I never thought I'd be riding beside you like this," he said, thinking quickly, although it was certainly the truth.

"You are so sweet to me. I could get used to it," she replied with a playful lilt.

"You should. Being sweet to you brings me utmost joy," he said in a deeply felt tone.

When they finally arrived at the cemetery, Nathan took care of the horses while she had a few minutes alone with Jack. Elizabeth laid a blanket on the ground and held the little spray of flowers she'd fashioned before heading out. The lavender combined with pink roses not only looked pretty but held a lot of significance. She'd always associate lavender with Jack and pink roses with Nathan. It seemed fitting to bring these flowers today.

"Hi Jack," Elizabeth paused for a second, memories of her deceased husband resurfacing in her mind's eye. "I'm sure you know why I'm here," she said, whilst a soft smile spread across her lips. "You have always known what's in my heart. Most likely you knew, even before I did, who my heart was truly calling."

A faint chuckle escaped her. She knew she'd been stubborn and obstinate. Jack would've had words on the subject, Elizabeth was certain.

Taking a deep inhale, she continued. "You let me know from up above you're at peace with my choices. That…along with our son… is the best gift you have given me. The weight I had placed on my heart has lifted, and I know you played a part in that. I'm here today because it wouldn't feel right to embark on this new phase of my life without visiting you, without talking to you once again."

Nathan stood off to the side, leaning on a nearby tree. He knew this moment was crucial for Elizabeth. While he'd had his own conversation with Jack, he understood that coming here with him was Elizabeth's way of starting their life together with a clean slate. She needed this like she needed to breathe. It was the final stitch required to mend what had fallen apart with his passing.

"Dearest Jack, you were my first love. Our time together was a sublime season in the story of my life. You gave me your love, you gave me our son, and you gave yourself as a Mountie. Your legacy is well established."

Elizabeth sniffed back the moisture welling in the corner of her eyes.

"But it's time. Last time I visited, I mentioned both Lucas and I deserved a great love," Elizabeth looked downward, her voice soft, yet full of emotion. "I found it, Jack. I found my great love, and he was right in front of me the whole time. He's a loving, steadfast, nurturing man. Someone who has loved me from the sidelines even when I wasn't the best version of myself," she said hoarsely. "His strength and protectiveness are only highlighted by how gently caring he can be. He's also a Mountie, just like you were. But Jack, he's also a father. To the most exceptional young girl, who inadvertently has become little Jack's big sister. The way Nathan loves Allie is exquisite. And I love him. Oh, Jack, I love Nathan so very much," Elizabeth whispered ardently. "There's nothing I want more than becoming a family with him and Allie. I know there's nothing he wouldn't do for me and our children. The way he is with Allie is all that's good in this world, and I know unequivocally, that's the way it will be with little Jack as well."

Nathan had been listening to Elizabeth's monologue, the musicality of her voice captivating him, along with her words. He was finally seeing himself through her eyes and what he saw was astonishing. Nathan knew he always tried to do his best. He strived to be the best father, man, and Mountie he could be. Yet, the way Elizabeth was describing him made him feel 10 feet tall.

She fiddled with the flowers in her hand, her fingertip tracing the edge of a rose petal. "I loved you with all my heart. You will always have a special place in it. Still… it's time, Jack. It's time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life. Nathan's it. He, along with Allie and little Jack, have my heart; they are my home."

Nathan kneeled behind Elizabeth and rubbed her arms in a soothing gesture.

"Jack, 'Lizbeth and your son, along with my daughter, are the people I love most. I've already shared this, but I wanted to say it again before her, before you," Nathan said soberly.

Elizabeth went still, turning to face him. "You've been here before?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, I asked for Jack's blessing before proposing" Nathan's fixed his gaze on hers, the nascent honesty from his vibrant blue eyes on full display.

Her breath caught in her throat. "And before that, did you ever visit Jack?" she asked hoarsely.

"Yes," he continued to look at her intently. "I introduced myself when I arrived at Hope Valley. I might have also apologized to him after I told you I loved you the first time around. I was beside myself with how upset you were," he finalized seriously.

Closing her eyes, Elizabeth breathed. She breathed with replenished vitality. She felt a soft breeze swirl around them, and the warmth of a ray of sunlight. It fell on the bouquet in her hand. She placed it on the tombstone, and her heart started racing when she saw that beam of light steadily shine on the flowers.

"Nathan, I do believe Jack's at peace."

"I think we all are 'Lizbeth," he said as he stood, helping her up by taking her hands in his. He smoothed a wayward curl that had fallen on her cheek.

Elizabeth looked lovingly at Jack's tombstone and back at Nathan. "I'm ready to go home."

Taking her hand, Nathan brought it to his lips, and tenderly kissed her fingertips. "Let's go. Allie and little Jack are waiting for us."

Elizabeth smiled radiantly. Nothing could make her soul soar higher than the two of them going home to their children. A little pang flicked her heart. She had the fleeting vision of a baby girl with mountain lake blue eyes, her little head a rebellious riot of dark chocolate curls, and tiny full lips much like Nathan's. She shut her eyes fiercely, overcome by how clearly she could see this child, and prayed God would bestow a miracle upon them in a not-so-distant future.

"Are you alright, 'Lizbeth?" Nathan asked, his head tilting slightly.

She sighed. "Couldn't be better." Elizabeth gently kissed the corner of his lips and proceeded to mount Sargeant. It was time to return.

They rode back in silence. Elizabeth couldn't help but ponder the vision she'd had. Her heart thudded at the thought of having another child. Tried as she could, she couldn't let this longing go. She feared it was now imprinted in her soul.

Nathan didn't notice Elizabeth's introspective turn. He was too busy trying to keep them at a brisk pace, continuously paying attention to their surroundings. He heard leaves rustling along the trail, and knew it wasn't the wind. Digging his heels lightly against Newton, he encouraged the horse into a faster pace.

"Nathan, you really are intent on taking us back home at a gallop!" Elizabeth called out, raising her voice slightly so she could be heard over the clip-clop of the horses' hooves. "Do we really have to rush?"

There was no other choice for Nathan but to come clean. "I made an arrest yesterday, so I'm not fully comfortable in these areas, 'Lizbeth. It's best if we don't dawdle."

Elizabeth frowned, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Sweetheart, I didn't want to worry you if there was no need. Can we talk about this at home?" he asked sensibly.

"I guess you leave me no choice, Nathan Grant!" she pointed out, while nudging Sargeant into a faster canter. Nathan followed suit with Newton and realized he would love to race with Elizabeth under different circumstances.

A scuffle along the trail caught Nathan's attention. Ever still the protective Mountie, he was always on guard. He heard shots fired at an uncomfortably close range, raising goosebumps on the back of his neck. They kept riding, but a quick peek at Elizabeth was enough for Nathan to know she'd heard the shots too. He was thankful she kept her composure and hoped they could find their way home quickly enough.

Suddenly, a pang of fire licked his side, sending a shot of pain through him.

"'Lizbeth," Nathan's voice sounded strangled. When Elizabeth looked over, he was still on the saddle but grabbing his side, applying pressure with one hand while the other handled the reins. It was a miracle Newton hadn't spooked and thrown him off.

Elizabeth blanched as she saw the blood stain spreading on his shirt. This couldn't be happening! Thinking quickly, she realized that Bill's land was close by. "Nathan, can you hold on?" she asked, trying to hide the fear that was threatening to consume her.

"Yes," he puffed.

Trying to keep their nerves steady, while riding as swiftly as possible, proved to be a daunting task for both. It was worse for Nathan, trying to push through with the pain spreading on his side. Thankfully they arrived at Bill's cabin quickly enough, but as Nathan dismounted Newton, he felt himself landing on shaky legs, as the left side of his torso was throbbing with pain.

"Nathan, lean on me… Come…" Elizabeth coaxed, praying for calm. She was terrified. He turned paler by the second. They made their way inside Bill's cabin, where Nathan immediately laid down on a cot off to the side. The cabin was a hodgepodge of clutter since Bill had never organized it after the sale to Madeleine Saint John had fallen through.

"'Lizbeth, there's a first aid kit inside Newton's saddlebag. Could you get it? Along with some water?"

"Of course, my love. I'll also check for linens." Elizabeth felt shaky. At least Nathan was lucid and coherent, but she had no idea how bad his wound was.

After gathering the supplies, she knelt beside him. "Nathan, what can I do? I feel like I should ride back into town to get help, but I don't want to leave you alone," she said, her voice quivering, unable to completely hide her distress.

"I will be fine, 'Lizbeth," he said heavily, "do you really think I'm going to let a scratch get the better of me? Now that you're finally mine? No. Not in this lifetime." He said, panting just a bit, trying to get a grip on the pain. "I'm going to need you to clean this up and do some preliminary first aid. Don't worry about help. I covered the bases. Allie knows where we were going and has instructions to send help if we don't arrive home for dinner."

"Thank goodness," she said softly, realizing how conscientious Nathan was. He really thought of everything, even when pleasing her wants. If she hadn't insisted on going to the cemetery today, they might have avoided this… but there was no use in crying over what ifs. She was going to keep it together, be the brave woman she knew herself to be, and take care of her betrothed.

"Nathan, I'm going to have to remove at least part of your shirt so I can tend to this," Elizabeth swallowed.

"Sweetheart, do what you have to do," he said gruffly.

Her hands trembled as she removed his suspenders and carefully pulled his shirt from his pants. She gulped, realizing the intimacy, but knew it was required at this moment. As she undid the buttons, she felt her cheeks burn, and was forever thankful Nathan had his eyes closed. Finally, she uncovered the gash on his torso and cringed slightly. It was right between his ribcage and abdomen; his smoothly muscled abdomen that rippled with every heaving breath.

Elizabeth breathed deeply. It didn't quite help soothe the tumult of emotions, but it'd have to do. She needed to focus on the task at hand.

After ripping up some linens and dipping them in water, she tenderly treated the open skin. "The good news seems to be the bullet just grazed you. It's still a somewhat nasty gash though."

Nathan could only feel her feminine hand on his stomach as she tended to him. The pain forgotten, his thoughts took him down a traitorous path. A vision of Elizabeth laying her hands on his stomach, only to skim their way upwards towards his neck, pervaded his mind. Instinctively he let out what could only be described as a guttural grunt, promptly startling Elizabeth. She removed her hands from his torso as if it were on fire.

"Did I hurt you?" Elizabeth asked worriedly.

"No!" He exclaimed abruptly. Immediately realizing he was only scaring her further, he evened his tone. "No, you didn't hurt me. I just wasn't expecting your touch to be so gentle."

"Oh, alright…" she said absently, not quite knowing what to make of his words. "I'm going to have to pour some antiseptic on this. Surely, it's going to hurt," she said softly.

"I'll be fine. Go ahead."

Elizabeth winced as she poured the liquid over his lacerated skin. Nathan could only suck in his breath and power through the burning sensation.

That certainly got his mind off the treacherous path it had been dead-set on embarking. "Remind me to throttle Mei when we get back to Hope Valley. Whatever she put in that concoction felt like the fires of hell." Nathan heaved, a trickle of sweat making its way down his temple.

"If it keeps an infection at bay, I might just name our first-born Mei," Elizabeth said, attempting some humor to lighten the mood.

"You think about us having a baby, 'Lizbeth?" Nathan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," she answered quietly, taking his hand in hers, and laying it on her cheek. He was warm, but not burning up, which was a good sign.

He closed his eyes, letting that beautiful and crisp "yes" echo around him. He let his mind drift and saw her clearly. Lizzy would be her name and she'd have her mother's translucent blue eyes.

Elizabeth sat back as she watched Nathan's eyes flutter closed. She let him rest a little bit. Surely the sting of the medication wiped him out.

She sighed faintly, taking care not to wake him. Her eyes were burdened with worry, and she zealously hoped help would arrive soon. Elizabeth didn't want to leave him alone. At least he slept peacefully, noticing the even rise and fall of his chest.

Looking at him, she couldn't help but ponder how extraordinarily handsome Nathan was. He was a stunning man, but it had never been about his looks for her. It was the man he was inside she found attractive. Elizabeth remembered a time a few years ago when he'd ever so gently, ever so lovingly asked her what was in her heart. It was thanks to that pointed question she was able to finish writing her book. That moment had made her look at him differently, but it wasn't until recently she became quite aware of his physical attributes and how they awakened her dormant desires.

That was a loaded word…desires. She had no idea of its meaning when she'd married Jack. But now she knew. She knew what to expect from a wedding night, and taking care of Nathan, taking in his beautifully shaped torso, brought forth images of what could be, of things she hadn't thought about in years.

How could she only think about this now? She loved their kisses. She adored them. They made her feel blissfully happy, cherished, adored. Wanted. Elizabeth knew Nathan loved her, but did he want her too? That was certainly how she felt with him. He was always so achingly tender with her, so much in control. How would it be when he finally gave in to the throes of passion?

Elizabeth had difficulty swallowing, a rush of warmth creeping up her neck. It was suddenly stifling hot inside the cabin, but she didn't dare open a window and risk Nathan catching a chill.

How experienced was he? The thought involuntarily popped into her mind, and she squeezed her eyes shut in reaction. His romantic entanglements in Hope Valley had been brief and inconsequential, but what about his life before then? She knew very little and wondered if eventually they could talk about it.

Nathan stirred a little, and he lightly moistened his lips with his tongue. Oh dear…that fleeting flick had her perfidious mind swerving on a downward spiral, an image of her beloved pleasuring her neck as he...

"Nathan! Elizabeth!" She heard voices calling out.

Thankful for the interruption to her salacious thoughts, Elizabeth jumped to her feet and hastened towards the door.

"Over here!" She called out, relief seeping through her as she noticed Bill and Faith approaching in her wagon.

"Oh Elizabeth, thank goodness! How's Nathan?" Bill asked, evidently distressed.

"He's hurt. Please, hurry!"

Faith rushed inside, immediately tending to Nathan, who had woken to the sounds of commotion surrounding him.

"I'm fine," he panted slightly. "Just patch me up and let's go home."

"You are the worst patient ever," Faith said, shaking her head, as she got down to business. "Elizabeth, you did a pretty good job here. Did you use Mei's antiseptic?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"It works! It definitely kept the wound from getting infected. Let me inject a bit of painkiller so I can make the stitches. This will make you groggy, Nathan, which will be a good thing. The ride home will be easier on you."

They all briefly nodded, letting the doctor tend to the patient.

"Nathan, we'll talk about what happened later," Bill said gruffly. He needed to debrief him, but he was also concerned much like a father would be. He briefly fixed his gaze on Elizabeth in an unspoken understanding.

Faith had set up a makeshift bed on the back of her wagon, and Nathan laid on it for the ride back to Hope Valley. Elizabeth sat with him, while Bill managed Sargeant and Newton. She couldn't wait to go home, hug Allie and Jack, and take care of Nathan.

"Thank you, 'Lizbeth for taking care of me," he whispered faintly, the pain medication Faith administered was finally kicking in.

It's my turn to take care of you, my love. Elizabeth thought. You have been taking care of me for so long. Taking his hand in hers she pressed her lips to his knuckles. "Always."