From The Ashes - Chapter 51
Nathan was looking over Elizabeth's head as they stood in the doorway to the café, oblivious to anything but the sight of his parents here in Hope Valley, standing side by side for the first time in as long as he could remember. He thought that his mother wouldn't be in the same room as his father anymore and yet there was a calmness about them, no sense of animosity or signs of strain on their faces. At least not that he could detect. What was going on?
"Mom, Dad?"
In front of him Elizabeth let out a gasp at the same time, her eyes drawn to the people to the side of the senior Grants, her own parents. Her mother had never wanted to visit Hope Valley before yet here she was, looking relaxed and as though sipping a cup of tea in this café was quite a normal thing for her to be doing. At her side her father had a look of so much love on his face at the sight of his daughter.
"Mother, Father?"
Then another figure stepped through the curtains from the café kitchen and her voice rose a few octaves as she shouted out, "Julieeeee?"
Still, Nathan and Elizabeth stood rooted to the spot, confusion clear in their voices and their expressions. Behind them Lucas was sporting a big grin and when they still didn't move he gave them a little push from behind with a whispered, "It's all good" in their ears.
Nathan didn't know what to think, his mind scrambling to work out what this all meant. "What on earth are you all doing here?", he finally managed to get out.
With another nudge from Lucas he moved across to where his parents were standing together, the expression on his face telling them just how surprised he was. Mary Grant reached out to her son and he wrapped his arms around her, careful not to squeeze too hard as he remembered how small she was, the top of her head nestling just at his chest level.
His father's hand reached out to shake his and Nathan gave him a quizzical look, his eyes darting quickly down towards his mother and back as if to say, "You two? Here together?"
"There comes a time in your life son when you have to stop letting the past dictate your future. I am lucky that your mother has such a big heart that she was willing to put everything I have done to one side, at least for a while, so that we could all be here together."
Nathan released his hold on his mother and looked down at the face of the strongest woman he knew, trying to read what was in her eyes. "Are you okay with that Mom?"
She nodded, her face calm, her smile warm. "When Mr Bouchard called me and explained what was happening I wasn't sure how to react. There is a lot to be angry with about the past Nathan but there is so much more to be happy about in the future. I've seen Allie", she paused at the look on his face, "No, she doesn't know we are here. We watched the bridal party leave for the wedding earlier. From upstairs at the hotel. Mr Bouchard showed us where to stand so that we could get the best view without being seen. He's been telling us what a wonderful girl she is and how great a job you have done with her. Colleen would be so happy. She looks so grown up, Nathan. And so pretty!"
"You're staying at the hotel? How long have you been here?"
Before she could answer Lucas's voice interrupted the conversation Elizabeth was also having with her family, moving to stand between the couple. "Perhaps if we could put these family catch ups to the side for a moment I can explain everything to you. Or at least everyone here can because they are all involved in some way." His hand swept the room for a moment to take in all the people around them.
It was only then that they looked around at the inside of the café. There were white flowers everywhere, almost too many to count, and across the ceiling peach chiffon was swathed to create a tented effect. Tables were set to match and Nathan noticed the silver candlesticks placed throughout, their peach candles waiting to be lit. But before they had time to ask about any of it they found themselves being marshalled to the side of the room.
For a moment Elizabeth caught a glimpse of the Lucas of old, his expression tense as though he wanted to hurry them up but didn't know how. She reached out for Nathan's arm and turning him towards her whispered, "We should let Lucas speak so that he can get back to his wedding."
There was an air of anticipation as they waited for him to begin, the nervous energy from the others palpable enough to make Nathan take Elizabeth's hand as they turned towards the man who seemed to have all the information. But it was obvious he was nervous, the clearing of his throat a giveaway that for a change Lucas Bouchard was thinking his words out carefully before he spoke.
"Nathan. Elizabeth. There isn't a person here in this room, in Hope Valley, or much further afield who knows you both who hasn't felt the heartache you have been going through these past six months. Desperate to marry, to make your family whole, to give Allie and Little Jack what they both want so much. What you want. And yet you have stood strong, placing the education and welfare of all the children above your own desires. I can't begin to tell you how much that has meant to the people here."
He paused for a moment to let the murmurs of agreement die down. When he continued Nathan could detect a change in his voice, an excitement that he was trying to keep under control.
"Elizabeth, I don't need to introduce Augustus Landis to you, I know you have had dealings with him in the past." Her intake of breath was clearly audible and Lucas immediately sensed that Nathan was about to speak so he held up his hand.
"Nathan, my good friend, I am asking you to trust me on this and hear me out. I believe you will feel differently when you hear what Augustus, who I should add is Rachel's much beloved uncle, has to say."
Knowing that he had to give this man the opportunity to speak Nathan nodded, feeling Elizabeth's hand tighten in his as she moved closer to his side. His nod satisfied Lucas who continued, "Augustus, the floor is yours to explain what has been going on and where things stand now."
An inkling that this was going to be good news was beginning to creep into both Elizabeth's and Nathan's thoughts and yet neither could figure out what it could be. They had gone over and over ever possible scenario, every way they could resolve the situation, but each time they had drawn a blank. Could this man Elizabeth had seen as the enemy for so long actually have the answer?"
Despite what others may think Augustus Landis was not a man who enjoyed being placed centre stage. In fact, that was something he was usually happy to leave to others, although of late his job was asking more of that from him than ever before. As a young man pursuing a career in education he knew he would have to stand up in front of children but that never bothered him. In fact he revelled in it. There was something he saw in the faces of his students that calmed his nerves, even those who wished to be anywhere but in the classroom. That spark of interest that simply needed to be ignited by the magic words from the right person. And he saw it as his duty to be the one who did that.
He had seen in Elizabeth Thornton someone who had this great gift and despite what she may have thought of him over the years he had always admired her as a teacher. Watching her dedication to her students took his mind back to when he was young and in the classroom, full of so much enthusiasm and determination to change the world by inspiring young people. He knew he had never been happier.
But there was one thing that made Augustus Landis stand apart from many of his peers, something that slowly began to strangle that wish to be a game changer. He was an absolute stickler for following the rules.
When Rachael and Lucas had first contacted him to ask for his assistance in the matter regarding Elizabeth it had caused him great upset to think that he could not help them. For unbeknown to anyone else he had already taken it upon himself to see if there was any way around the situation for her, but there was nothing. The law was the law. The only solution was a new teacher for Hope Valley and they were having a hard time finding anyone.
It was upon hearing that news that Rachael announced she would postpone her own wedding and come to Hope Valley to teach in Elizabeth's place, something that her husband to be supported completely. It was hard for Augustus to understand what would motivate them to offer to make this sacrifice for someone else, not knowing how long it may be, but once he heard what their friends' happiness meant to them he knew he had to try harder to find a way.
And then it hit him. The answer to everything was right there as plain as the nose on his face.
He took a big gulp before beginning, knowing that once he said the next words there would be no taking them back. Yet he felt an excitement building inside him at what he was about to say and a feeling of optimism about the future for the couple waiting patiently for him to begin.
In the saloon Allie was trying to keep Little Jack entertained but it was clear that tiredness was winning the battle. Mrs Coulter and Mrs Stanton had both offered to watch him if she wanted to go and join her friends who were still dancing around the room but she had promised mom that she would look after him and she wasn't going to let her down.
She could hear the muttering of different voices as they reached her table, people beginning to question what was so important that the groom had left the reception before it had even begun. And with Elizabeth Thornton and Nathan Grant no less, she could here Mrs Yost saying to her husband. It was only the seeming lack of concern from the bride, who was happily chatting with family members, that stopped anyone from asking out loud.
For Rachael the interruption to her wedding was a price she was willing to pay for the happiness of the two people who had been responsible for bringing her and Lucas back together. Even if she herself had not been concerned for Elizabeth and Nathan, the fact that it meant so much to Lucas would have been enough for her to be willing to wait patiently for him to return. If she was honest, it was only the presence of all their wedding guests that was stopping her from joining him in the café.
They had laughed together on their train journey here, wondering what they were most excited about for today. Was it their wedding or the news they would be sharing. When Lucas hesitated to answer she had taken his hand, reassuring him that she understood. The two events were so intrinsically linked that it seemed impossible to ever think of enjoying their own happiness without resolving the other issue.
Now as she waited she glanced around the room, seeing all the people who had come to mean so much to her in such a short time. Hope Valley was where she and Lucas planned to spend their future together and despite the journey it had taken him to reach this point she knew that her husband wanted nothing more than to settle here, raise the family she prayed God would bless them with and, if the plan she had for Elizabeth and her was to come to fruition, make a difference in the lives of so many. If things didn't turn out how they wished then they would find some other way to contribute for there was no question in their minds that this was their home.
Her musings were interrupted by the sound of Gustav's voice. Never one to keep his thoughts to himself she could hear him answering Florence's question about where the groom was and how much longer the reception would be delayed. His tone in reply had an edge to it, of someone who didn't want his loyalty to be questioned, and she recalled the discussion between him and Lucas this morning about the announcement.
"Whatever time it takes Gustav, this is as important to me, to us, as the exchanging of vows between Rachael and myself", Lucas had said. "Remember it is for that very reason that we planned the menu so that a small delay would not spoil anything. Once I have been gone for fifteen minutes you are to send the serving staff out with canapes to satisfy the hunger of those who are waiting patiently and appease the frustration of those who aren't. And you must not forget the special treats for the children. After all, they are a big part of the reason we are doing this."
Gustav had let out his customary harrumph at Lucas's words but she had seen in his eyes that he agreed with everything his cousin was saying. She wondered how many people had ever really gotten to know him. Who had looked at the man behind the chef's apron and seen the soft side he hid beneath his brusque Gallic façade? She had known him almost as long as she had known Lucas. She had loved him like another brother and shared with him a secret in their youth of which she had reminded him only yesterday. There is still hope, she had said. Now as she looked from where he stood talking with Florence across to her sister Mary she wondered if perhaps fate had more surprises in store for all of them.
Further along Main Street the café had gone quiet. Augustus turned towards Elizabeth and she was surprised to see how nervous the man was. "Elizabeth…", he began, before looking from her to Nathan. "I hope I may call you that as I feel we are almost family now."
Aware that he was asking for her permission to speak freely and without formality she quietly said yes, sensing Nathan giving a nod beside her in agreement.
"I won't go into great detail right now about how this solution was reached and the steps that have been taken to make it possible, there will be time enough for that later. But before I begin I just want to say that you and Nathan are not the only beneficiaries from this resolution. In fact, in the interest of total transparency, I would almost say that I am gaining as much, if not more, from this than you are."
Although they knew the gist of what he was about to say, the others in the room were fascinated by his honest disclosure and slowly they had moved in around the three of them until Augustus found himself facing an audience of people. He took a big breath and continued.
"We tried very hard to find a replacement teacher for Hope Valley, for you, but with the growth of populations in our cities no-one is willing to venture out to what they still consider the frontier when they can stay within the areas that they know. They still see it as a very tough and hard life out here, especially for a young woman. I had reached a dead end when, it will come as no surprise to you, my sweet niece offered to delay her own wedding and take over the school so that you could marry."
Elizabeth suddenly felt so much emotion burst inside her at those words … amazement, gratitude, love …that she struggled to stop herself from crying out. When she regained her composure and turned towards Lucas he simply gave her a small nod, his hand already grasped in a firm handshake from Nathan who she could see was battling to contain his own feelings at the sacrifice their friends were willing to make for them. How far we have all come, she thought to herself.
Augustus could see that emotion was in danger of overwhelming them all and wanting to get Lucas back to his own wedding reception he quickly continued. "As I said, I will give you more details later but the happy event of today tells you that I rejected her offer. But then it hit me and suddenly I realised that the answer had been in front of me all the time."
The room went quiet, no-one wanting to break the flow of his words, but he had paused and seemed to be thinking back to when he had found the way forward. Lucas gave a small cough of what he hoped was encouragement and Augustus continued.
"You may find this hard to believe but once upon a time I was a young enthusiastic teacher just like you Elizabeth. I thought I could change the world, student by student, but eventually the system sucked me in and I moved up within the ranks without realising how it was affecting me. Over time I lost touch with what was really important. The children. Rachael has been my grounding. Through her I was reminded of who mattered and what I had dreamt of doing, what made me truly happy. But I felt as though I was stuck in a place from which there was no escape. Until your predicament made me look outside of what was expected from a man such as myself, so totally entrenched in a role he no longer desired to be a part of that he just did what was expected of him. For a long time I could see no answer until I remembered the plaque that I had seen hanging in the library here in Hope Valley. It is an Emily Dickinson quote. Always do what you are afraid to do. I'm sure you will have seen it?"
It was Lucas who answered, Elizabeth and Nathan too busy staring at each other as the realisation of what was happening began to dawn on them. "Actually, it was Nathan who carved the sign. I believe for Elizabeth."
Augustus nodded, his expression showing that he wasn't surprised by that piece of information. He looked at Nathan, seeing more of what his niece had tried to explain about how special this man was. So much focus had been placed on Elizabeth's needs and sacrifice that it was easy to forget the strength she got from the man who had time and time again shown patience and understanding. There was no doubt that he had faced his own fears long ago and was then willing to wait for her to catch up.
"I won't go on any longer as others have their own things to say and we have a wedding to celebrate. So let me just tell you that as of next term I, Augustus Landis, will be the new teacher in Hope Valley."