Dinner at the Grant house that evening was a joyous affair. The kids clearly enjoyed being with Archie and Archie's eyes lit up when around them. Most of the talking over dinner was done by that trio. Nathan seemed content to listen to the chatter around him. She had noticed that about her husband when they shared dinner with the Coulters as well, and wondered if he had been that way as a child as well. Elizabeth felt the heat rise in her cheeks at the thought and hoped no one else noticed.
After dinner, Elizabeth suggested that they go sit on the front porch and let the children play in the yard. That is exactly what they did, with Elizabeth taking an embroidery project out with her so Nathan and his father could chat. Nathan reaffirmed with Archie his plans to quit the Mounties next month and the plans in place for the wood working business. Nathan discussed the several projects that he had started for a shop in Benson Hills to display. Excusing themselves, the men headed for the shop so that Archie could see the pieces in progress even as talk turned to Archie's plans for settling into Hope Valley.
As she watched the two men make their way across the yard, Elizabeth realized something. Nathan was just as excited about the prospects of the wood shop as he had ever been about his career as a Mountie. Part of her had worried that Nathan might regret given up his career as a Mountie. Seeing him this afternoon and now this evening talking about the future, Elizabeth realized that she needn't worry. Nathan had taken true pleasure in helping people with everyday tasks this afternoon on rounds. It was clear that the true satisfaction from the job, came from being able to do that. She also knew that he husband did not need to put on the Red Serge to do that. His response that it wouldn't take long to ride over to empty a wash tub if needed, told her that. Nathan would still be serving the people of this community even after turning all the Mountie duties over to Gabriel.
Nathan hitched up the wagon to take Archie back into town that evening. While he did that, Elizabeth got the kids ready for bed. After changing into her nightgown and robe, Ally came to join them while Jack was read his bedtime story. The boy fell asleep before she was halfway through the story, exhausted from the days excitement.
Elizabeth and Ally went downstairs and played checkers while waiting for Nathan's return home. After taking care of the horses, Nathan came in and watched the game for a bit. When it was Ally's bedtime, Nathan went upstairs with her so that they could read from the current bedtime novel. Father and daughter both took turns reading these days, the simple act of being together what was important now that Ally had gotten older.
While Nathan and Ally read together, Elizabeth went to the bedroom she shared with Nathan and got ready for bed. Despite being on the early side for her, Elizabeth found she was tired. She thought she would change and climb in bed. Perhaps do a little reading before going to sleep. She supposed the fact that she had been out and about today had worn her out. It had been a long time since she had interacted with as many people as she had today.
Elizabeth was brushing her hair when there was a soft tap on the door.
"You can come in," Elizabeth called out. It touched her that despite this being Nathan's room as well, he always knocked before coming in if he knew or thought, she was in here. Continuing to brush her hair, Elizabeth looked toward the door. She found Nathan staring at her with a kind of dazed look.
Before she could say anything else though, Nathan shook his head slightly and then spoke to her. "Are you feeling all right?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Just tired. It has felt like a long day, but a good day," she added, not wanting to worry him. "I think I am going to lie in bed and read for a little while."
Nathan nodded, his eyes going briefly to the bed and then finding a spot on the floor between them. "All right," he replied slowly. "I think I might go out to the workshop and work for a bit."
Elizabeth felt a little perplexed. Though Nathan had been spending time after dinner most evenings out there, he had never gone out quite this late. Still, if he wanted to work on the workshop for a bit who was she to stop him.
"That's fine," Elizabeth replied, putting her brush down on top of the dresser.
"If you should fall asleep, I will try not to wake you," Nathan promised as he walked over to her. He placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Good night, Beth," Nathan told her softly.
"Good night," Elizabeth responded as Nathan turned and left the room. It made her wonder how long Nathan planned on staying out in his workshop.
Putting the subject out of her mind, Elizabeth climbed in the bed. She had only read a few pages when she started feeling sleepy. Setting the book aside, she lay down. Sleep soon claimed her. The next thing that Elizabeth knew, it was morning and she was waking up, Nathan's arm around her as she nestled against his side. She wasn't sure when or how it happened, but apparently even subconsciously she had sought out the comfort of Nathan's arms while asleep.
Checking the time, Elizabeth saw it was still early, though she was ready to get up given her early bedtime, Trying not to disturb her husband, Elizabeth slipped from the bed. Slipping her feet into her slippers, she gathered her clothing and brush and padded softly to the bathroom. The indoor bathroom was something she had been thankful she had not had to give up after leaving the big house she had shared with Lucas.
When she was dressed for the day, Elizabeth quietly returned to the room. She placed her night gown on the chair, planning on putting it away later, placed her brush on the dresser and slipped from the room. Nathan had rolled onto his side but was still sleeping, a soft snore escaping every few breaths.
Downstairs, Elizabeth headed for her desk. She planned on writing in her journal for a bit before Ally came down to join her for the breakfast preparations. Reaching her desk, Elizabeth found the completed plaque she had seen in the workshop a short time ago. Nathan must have finished it last night while out in the workshop. She ran her hands over the smooth wood, as she read the inspirational quote. The words felt like a balm to her soul even as a strength filled her. Those words seemed to provide hope that things would be all right despite the darkness she had gone through.
Finally, Elizabeth placed the plaque aside and sat down at her desk. Pulling out her journal, Elizabeth opened it. She still had things to write but she wanted to start with finding the plaque to make sure these emotions got down on paper and then perhaps she would write about the family reunion at the stage coach.
Her family.
Elizabeth repeated the two words softly out loud. She heard the truth in them. For the first time since leaving her father's roof, she truly had a family of her own. Yes, Jack had been her husband, but they'd had such little time together before he passed and he had never even known about their son. She had not had time to think of her and Jack as a family. She had thought that would change when she married Lucas. She had thought Lucas, Jack and she would be a family. However, a family cared for and looked out for one another. Lucas had only cared and looked out for himself. She saw that now. She and Little Jack had been more of a family before Lucas had come along. Even when she had been with Lucas, her four-year-old son had protected her better than her husband had.
This marriage may not have been conventional. What they had might not be a traditional family. However, Elizabeth knew that she and Jack Jr. were both lucky that Nathan and Ally had accepted them into their family despite what she had done to trample that possibility.
Picking up her pen, she started her entry.
Thank you Lord for bringing Nathan into my life despite how much I fought against it. Perhaps that was why I felt so troubled these last few years because I was fighting against your plan . . .
Over the next days, Archie settled into Hope Valley. He started forming relationship with the other men in town but still made time for his grandchildren. Elizabeth even noted that Nathan and his father would spend time in Nathan's workshop. Though Nathan sometimes seemed thoughtful and far away when he came back in and Archie headed back to town, it was not the same anger and resentment that she had observed when Archie Grant had first showed up in Hope Valley. Elizabeth hoped that meant that what was taking place in the workshop was healing.
Lee also spoke to Archie about his proposed business venture to reopen the saloon as a hotel and event venue. Archie was intrigued by the idea though surprised that Lee would want to go into business with him given his past. Lee told him he was a firm believer in second chances. Rosemary had told Elizabeth that Archie had thanked Lee for his belief in him but had told Lee he couldn't just manage the place for him. Instead, Archie had proposed that he put up some of the purchase price of the building and be a minority partner in the business. Lee took him up on the offer and approached Elizabeth about purchasing the Queen of Hearts.
Lee had stopped by after dinner one night to discuss it. Elizabeth had heard him out, and then reached for Nathan's hand as she proposed a counter offer. Knowing that Lee had lent Nathan money, to get his woodworking business started, Elizabeth proposed that Lee did not by the property outright. Instead, she wanted to strike a deal that would give Lee and Archie ownership of the Queen of Hearts while erasing the loan that Nathan had with him. It didn't surprise Elizabeth when Nathan opened his mouth to protest. Giving her husband's hand a squeeze, Elizabeth had looked over at him. She spoke before he could.
"We made a vow to each other," Elizabeth reminded him gently. "Your new business is going to support this family and one of the things I remember my father saying is that it is too much debt that sink businesses. The less debt a business starts out with the greater its chance of success."
"Elizabeth makes a good point there, Nathan," Lee had told him.
"I want to support you in everything you do, Nathan," Elizabeth finished.
Nathan had nodded, even as he leaned toward her and placed a kiss against her temple. "Thank you, Beth," her husband had told her softly.
The next day, Nathan, Elizabeth, Lee and Archie all met with Bill so that the proper paperwork could be drawn up. Bill was enthusiastic about the deal, glad that things were working out for all involved.
While Bill handled carrying out the transaction, Lee and Archie started planning the minor renovations that they wanted to do to the building, including a new name. Elizabeth told Bill to turn the keys to the building over to Lee and Archie and gave her blessing for them to begin getting the building ready to reopen.
July kept moving along with Nathan working and Elizabeth staying home with Jack. Some days, Ally was home with her friends while other times she and her friends were elsewhere. With very few exceptions, all four Grants had started their day off together with breakfast and gathered around the table for supper. Ally took care of Cosmo, helped take care of Sargent, helped with the garden and the dishes. Elizabeth couldn't help but admire the job Nathan had done with raising the young girl but as the two talked while making breakfast, Elizabeth became aware of how much the teen had missed a mother figure to talk to. She remembered her own teen years and how comforting it had been to not only be able to go to her mother but Viola as well. Though Ally was hesitant at bringing topics up now, Elizabeth hoped that her step daughter would continue to open up to her more as time passed.
As July began to come to an end, the one thing that did puzzle Elizabeth was her husband's sudden like for night time walks. She knew for a fact that Nathan had not been going out late at night when they first got married. At least she hadn't thought he had. Then again, they hadn't been sharing a room then. Perhaps he had gone out for walks at strange times of the night and she just hadn't noticed. More than once, Elizabeth had thought about asking him about it but had decided against it. He had already given her so much and she had given him so little in this marriage. She told herself it was simply a case of him having trouble sleeping.
Elizabeth's own troubles sleeping had disappeared since starting to share a room with Nathan. She tended to fall asleep quickly these days and only once had a nightmare interrupted her dreams. Nathan's own nightmare had seemed to have mostly stayed away as well. Only once had she been awakened by her husband waking up from a nightmare. That one time she had, she had simply sat beside him, rubbing circles on his back, telling him that she was there should he want to talk.
More often, their nights would be interrupted by Jack. Though they were losing frequency, Jack would still wake up crying from a nightmare. The nightmares always included Lucas. Occasionally, instead of calling out for someone, Jack would make his way to their room. The first time he had simply asked Nathan to come check his room to make sure Lucas was not hiding in there. Without complaint, Nathan had gotten out of bed and did just that. Other times, Jack had simply wanted to be with them until he went back to sleep. On those occasions, Nathan picked the boy up, placed him in the bed between them and waited until Jack had fallen asleep to carry him back to his room. Nathan then usually sat with Jack for about ten minutes to make sure the boy stayed asleep.
As the summer wore on, Elizabeth was aware that all four of them were healing in different ways. None of them had been spared from hardships in their paths. All of them had suffered pain and loss. It may have affected them in different ways, but it had affected them.
Now, through the simple act of living together, each of them were healing and becoming stronger.
Trying to read a report from headquarters, Nathan found the words running together. Dropping the paper onto his desk, he closed his eyes, rubbing them with his fingers. He had not slept well the night before and reading reports was not helping. Though he was trying to not let Elizabeth realize it, restless nights were becoming more common place.
The sound of a mug being placed on the wooden surface of his desk caught his attention. Opening his eyes, he found Gabriel sitting in a chair across from him, taking a sip from his own coffee mug.
"You only have three more weeks left of being a Mountie, " Gabriel commented after swallowing his coffee. "You do not plan on sleep walking through those three weeks do you."
"No," Nathan replied, reaching out for the coffee mug Gabriel had placed on the desk for him. He leaned back in the chair, inhaling the aroma in an attempt to become a little more alert. Settling back in the chair, Nathan took a sip of the strong coffee.
"I am the one, working all day and trying to plan a wedding in the evenings," Gabriel commented, referring to his wedding which was not just over a month away. "You should be handing me cups of coffee to wake up in the morning. What's going on?"
"Having Elizabeth sleeping next to me at night sometimes proves to be difficult," Nathan told his friend.
Gabriel raised his eyebrows. "I thought you were happy that your relationship with her was getting closer."
"I am," Nathan said. He felt the heat rise in his cheeks but knew that Gabriel was not going to let the subject go now. Nathan glanced to the door as he continued. "It's just that having her close sometimes brings on urges that I cannot exactly act on giving the type of relationship that we currently have, if you know what I mean," he said quietly.
"Ahhh," Gabriel said, understanding what his friend was going through. "That must be hard."
"It is and the last thing I want to do is to do anything that would cause us to take a backward step in our relationship. Sometimes, taking a walk outside helps but other nights nothing seems to help. There are times that I just want to press my lips against hers and finally find out what they feel like and taste like and at the same time I think that doing so will only make these urges worse."
"Is Elizabeth aware of the situation?" Gabriel asked.
Nathan shook his head. "I don't think so. I mean, I think she finds my nocturnal walks puzzling but she has never questioned me about them."
"Perhaps you need to tell her what you are going through then."
"I can't do that, Gabe," Nathan protested.
"Why not?" Gabriel asked simply.
"I told you. I don't want to do anything to cause a backward step in our relationship. Knowing how her proximity is affecting me might do just that. I promised her a chaste marriage. I won't go back on that and the last thing I want to do, is make her feel guilty."
"Or maybe discussing the topic, hard as it is, will help deepen and strengthen your relationship with Elizabeth. I know you love her, Nathan. I have known that for the last few years. Seeing the two of you together since moving to Hope Valley, I am starting to suspect she has feelings for you too. If you two would be open and honest with one another, I think she would begin to recognize those feelings for what they are."
"Or Elizabeth will pick up her things and move into that bedroom that is now completed," Nathan replied.
"Either way, the problem would be solved, wouldn't it?"
The ease with which Gabriel said the words irritated Nathan for some reason. Perhaps because he knew there was some truth to them.
Instead of snapping at his friend, Nathan sat the cup down and got to his feet. "Let's go do rounds," he told his friend.
Recognizing this as one of those moments it would be best not to push his friend further, Gabriel simply got to his feet and followed Nathan out of the office.