Leaves crunched beneath Elizabeth's boots as she entered the cemetery with purpose and quickly knelt down at Jack's grave. "Hey you," she said out loud, touching the cold stone and placing some daisies in front of it. "Sorry it's been a while. So much has happened since I last dropped by." Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth continued. "I'm not engaged anymore. It's for the best, but I feel horrible for hurting people." A tear fell down her cheek, and she wiped it away quickly. "Jack, I'm finally ready to stop running from my fears. Remember when I told you I didn't think I was brave enough to love a Mountie? My worst fears were realized when you died; but then I let myself fall for another man, who happens to share the same profession you did. I ran away and convinced myself that taking the safe option would keep me from getting hurt."

Shifting so her legs wouldn't fall asleep, Elizabeth chuckled when she looked down at her attire. "I tried out these riding pants and boots Julie brought me when she visited a few months ago. She didn't think I would ever wear them, but today felt like the right time for a change. Jack, I'm going to tell Nathan I'm in love with him when the time is right. I know you two would have been good friends, given the chance. Just know you will forever be in my heart, as well as your son's. I'm finally doing what you encouraged me to do in your letter. I'm not just opening my heart again, I'm giving the whole thing away. I don't know if Nathan will take it after how awful I've been to him; but if he happens to still love me, I am the luckiest woman in the world to have found true love twice." Elizabeth kissed her hand and moved it over Jack's name etched in stone before heading back to where Sargent was tethered just outside the cemetery gate.

Riding over Bill's land, Elizabeth noticed that most of the equipment from the water-diverting project had finally been taken away. She prayed that this particular trial was behind the town. As she headed down the road that led home, a memory flashed in her mind when she saw a certain log near the pond. She slowed Sargent and led him over to a good grazing spot. Sitting down where she once waited for Nathan so they could talk, her heart hurt as she remembered his passionate declarations of love: "Elizabeth, l'm in love with you. Elizabeth, I love you." Emotions swirled through her, remembering how she just rode away. She knew if she had stayed she would have melted in his arms and…

Hearing another horse approaching, she looked up and wasn't at all surprised to see the red serge coming toward her. Elizabeth's heart raced faster as she watched him dismount and let Newton graze near Sargent. Trying not to stare, but unable to help herself, she let her eyes wander over his slender, yet muscular, frame. His handsome features looked tense, as he searched her face. Their pairs of ocean eyes met briefly, then he took off his hat and cleared his throat. "I wasn't expecting to see you out here," he admitted, matter-of-factly. "Is everything alright?" His breath caught as he took in the sight of her. He had never seen Elizabeth in pants or tall boots before, but had to admit she had never looked more beautiful to him. "Wow, you look, um, you look great," Nathan muttered, trying to focus on anything other than the urge he had to pull her into his arms at that moment.

Elizabeth blushed and shrugged, trying to ignore the tingling she felt when Nathan looked at her that way. It reminded her of how he looked seeing her in that horrible wedding dress, but admiring her so lovingly. "My sister Julie brought these to me a while back. Today felt like a good time to try them out." Doing her best to refocus, she could still feel tears in her eyes, but swallowed hard to keep the emotions from boiling over. With resolute determination, Elizabeth squared her shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. "Nathan, I don't even know where to begin."

"Here we go," he mumbled under his breath. Memories flooded back of him pouring his heart out to her here, only to see her ride away and start her life with another man. He cleared his throat and gave her a strained smile. "Elizabeth, you don't owe me any explanation, especially not here." Every time he rode past this spot, he felt remnants of the worst pain he had ever endured. He had spent the past two years watching her court, get engaged, and nearly marry Lucas Bouchard. On election day he discovered her bare finger, but their conversation was quickly interrupted in Bill's office when he went to vote. At Goldie's Christening, he followed her outside where they shared a dance under the stars while reminiscing about Jack's Christening and Allie's adoption. Talking about the kids was easier than confronting the elephant in the room; but having her in his arms was just about more than he could take, not knowing if anything would ever come of it. He wasn't going to be the one to bring it up again. He took off his gloves and held them with his hat.

Elizabeth stepped closer to Nathan and caught his gaze. Their eyes made contact and stayed locked on each other as she finally spoke. "Nathan, there's just so much I need to say. It's just been so busy, and…" her mind kept moving but her mouth stopped. She had been trying to figure out what her heart was saying, while at the same time gathering the courage to fully face her fears head on. "Do you remember the day you came back from being held hostage?"

He nodded. Nathan had moments from that day on repeat in his mind; both about the incident itself, but mostly seeing Elizabeth looking distraught after his return. He was puzzled and wanted to know the truth. "Of course I remember. You seemed upset, but I wasn't able to comfort you. I had to keep boundaries since you were an engaged woman."

Thinking back to her recent conversation with Henry, Elizabeth gathered courage. Always do what you are afraid to do. How many times had she seen the plaque Nathan made for her, without truly understanding how she was going against it? Not to mention the significance of Nathan knowing Emerson was her favorite, and making a thoughtful gift that meant something. "I've been a coward. I took the easy way out, and that wasn't fair to anyone. When I left you right here, you were right. I did feel the same way as you; but I thought I could protect myself if I fought against your love for me, instead of embracing it. I ran to something…someone…who I thought was safe. I figured that is how I could protect myself in case something happened to you. But I learned that my feelings are so strong, that it would hurt just as bad to lose you whether we were together or not. I should have fought for love like you had been doing. Can you ever forgive me?" Tears pooled in her eyes, but she still kept eye contact. She could see his mind processing her words, but his face was far more relaxed than it had been in quite some time.

Feeling the need to comfort her, Nathan instinctively moved closer but resisted the urge to touch her…for now. "Lizabeth, you suffered a traumatic loss when Jack died. I've tried to always keep that in mind when you've pushed people away. It's a tactic I've seen others use my entire life, but don't forget the advice you gave me regarding Allie when we first came to town. You said she pushed people away before people could get close to her, to protect herself so she doesn't have to worry about losing them. In a way, I knew you were talking about yourself. Is that what you've been doing with me? I tried to not let myself hope for anything more than friendship, but my heart has always led me to you."

How was it that this man seemed to know her better than she knew herself? Why had it taken so long to understand the depth of his love for her? She closed the gap between them and had to look up, due to his height made even taller by his Mountie boots. "Nathan," she whispered emotionally, "I'm in love with you." Her voice grew stronger, "Nathan, I love you." She reached up and touched his cheek, not expecting the fire that one simple touch ignited in her. They had barely touched since she had gotten engaged; but she had still felt heat between them on many occasions, explaining it away as just a deep and abiding friendship. But weren't the best relationships built on that kind of love and trust that being friends brings? She could never talk to Lucas the way she was able to confide in Nathan.

Her hand on his face was all the permission Nathan needed to drop his hat and gloves and wrap her in his arms. Elizabeth settled into him and nestled her face into his strong chest. They had hugged before, but this one was different. When she pulled back and looked up, his gaze wandered from her eyes to her lips, licking his own as he contemplated his next move that could change their bond forever. "Lizabeth," he moaned, voice thick with emotion. "I've never stopped being in love with you. I've tried to move on, but it was my love for you that held me back from being with anyone else. I guess I've always been a one woman man, and I'm not good with matters of the heart except for loving you."

Relief washed over Elizabeth, followed by a wave of desire. She hadn't let her mind dwell too much on what kissing Nathan Grant would be like, but she knew they both felt it had nearly happened several times over the years. Without even thinking, she stared at his lips and just barely caught his eyes when he bent down and ever so gently brushed his lips over hers for just a brief moment. Their breath mingled together as they stayed just inches apart, taking in the moment. Elizabeth slipped her hand up his neck and into his soft hair that she'd longed to touch for so long. She pulled him closer and kissed him long and slow, his response fueling something she hadn't felt in a really long time. For claiming to be bad at love, he didn't seem to have any trouble in the kissing department. She felt weak in the knees when they finally pulled apart to breathe again. "Are you still giving up on love?" she teased, "Or would you like to reconsider?"

"I will always love you, Elizabeth," Nathan said, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess I can try again…just for you."

She smiled at him with adoration. "You'll always be what's in my heart, Nathan Grant. You asked me before to let you know when I'm ready, and I want you to know that I am finally ready now! However fast or slow you want to take things, I can't wait to go on this journey through life together with you and the kids."

"Speaking of kids, is Allie watching little Jack for you?" Nathan picked up his hat and gloves, brushing the dirt off. "I promised Allie we would have dinner at the cafe when I got home from rounds. Would you and little Jack like to join us? You can let me know when you figure it out."

They walked side by side to where the horses still grazed together. "I don't even have to think twice. Dinner sounds lovely after we get cleaned up and changed. But before we go home, do you have time for a little ride? I want to show you where I rode off to before. It's the land Jack bought for us to build a home on together. I've always kept it, thinking maybe one day I could give it to our son."

Helping Elizabeth onto her horse, Nathan nearly pinched himself. Did this woman he had loved for years actually feel the same way he did? Was she finally facing her fears and admitting she loved him all along? He felt very humbled and blessed. "I would love to see your land," he answered, mounting Newton and following her lead. They galloped across the fields together, knowing the best was yet to come.