Quickly exiting the Queen of Hearts, Nathan untethered Newton and began walking him to the livery. He hadn't tried to act cold toward Elizabeth, but his heart could barely handle seeing her talk to and side with Lucas in the community leader meeting. Logically, he knew Lucas and Elizabeth were over and their breakup wasn't just about moving to Capital City. Lucas had told him as much in their chat the day before, but he had yet to hear it from Elizabeth's mouth. Tears stung his eyes as he thought about Allie's concern about him getting hurt again. He couldn't put his daughter through that kind of pain again, but he really felt like this time things would be different.
Nathan's mind wandered to those precious few moments of holding Elizabeth in his arms after she fell from retrieving the "risky" chocolate egg from the arch. It had taken all of his willpower not to kiss her the way he had dreamed of for so long, but Allie interrupted before he could even get the courage to act on it. He could still remember Elizabeth's scent and the way his body felt as electricity shot through him from head to toe as their bodies touched. Her caress at his neck was nearly his undoing…
A tap on his shoulder shook Nathan out of the memory and his eyes snapped open as he turned around. He knew it was her from the moment she tapped him (something she had done several times previously), but their souls were so connected he could always feel her presence. His guard already partially came down; however, he forced himself to stay aloof.
"Mrs. Thornton," he addressed her formally. "What can I do for you?"
Elizabeth scowled. She had been trying to figure out why Nathan had suddenly began acting so distant since Easter. Her tumble into his arms had ignited a kind fire inside of her that she didn't even know existed. Being that near to him set her pulse racing even more than accidentally seeing his bare chest in the Mountie Office. Her face began to flush with both of those memories, along with their hands touching when he gave her the chocolate egg. She forced herself to stop and be present in that moment to find out what was wrong.
"Nathan, what's the matter? Did I do something wrong?" She searched his face and saw his jaw clenched tightly. "Please don't shut me out."
Trying not to roll his eyes, Nathan decided he couldn't hold back. There was no more dancing around the issues, not when kids were involved. "I feel like maybe I'm getting the wrong impression of what's going on between us since I got back from the investigation. Ever since Lucas got back, you are constantly with him. He said you two wanted to maintain a friendship, but you haven't really ever told me what happened at that train station. I have no idea how you really feel about me. So tell me, Elizabeth…What am I to you? I mean, are we just friends?"
Shook by his directness, Elizabeth froze. Nathan had never shied away from the hard questions in the past, but lately their conversations had been laced with undertones. Her mouth felt dry and she couldn't seem to form words. Not to mention how close he was, and it was flooding her senses. His comforting smell and muscular frame were very distracting. Her eyes widened as he began leaning down, erasing the space between their faces. Heart racing, Elizabeth looked from his stunning blue eyes to his enticing lips then back to his eyes.
"Cat got your tongue?" he whispered huskily just inches from her lips.
Opening her mouth to respond, they were suddenly interrupted by Jack running to her and lifting a paper into her face. "Look, Mama! We drew pictures at school. Mine is of me and Mountie Nathan gathering Easter Eggs together!" He turned to Nathan and then held it out to him. "Do you want to keep it, Mountie Nathan? I made it for you since you liked the birthday card so much."
Nathan couldn't keep from smiling, even though his heart ached at the same time. Elizabeth couldn't even answer his simple question. "Thanks, Jack. I love it! I need to take care of Newton and I'm sure your mother needs to get you home for dinner."
Rosemary and Goldie got there just as Nathan was walking away. She gave Elizabeth a "look", knowing they would probably need to talk later from the look of things. "Do you mind taking Jack home for just a few minutes? I need to grab a few books at the library that I need for school in the morning."
"Sure thing," Rosemary answered, taking Jack by the hand as she pushed a sleeping Goldie in her pram.
Entering the library, Elizabeth took a deep breath. She spent time carefully finding the books she needed for school, then sat down in a chair to make sure she had everything. Her eyes drifted upward and like a punch to the gut she really saw the plaque Nathan had made her years earlier. Always Do What You Are Afraid To Do - Emerson. "Oh, Nathan," she said aloud. He always knew what she needed to hear. Did he really think she only saw him as a friend? Sure, they were extremely close friends, but there had always been more between them. Her fear had forced her to keep her distance, but now? Determined to finally move forward and not be scared anymore, Elizabeth rushed out of the library and past her own house to the Grant home. Feeling butterflies in her stomach, she smoothed her skirt and ran her fingers through her shorter locks of hair.
Knocking on the door, she was surprised to see Allie open it and look a little sad. "Hi, Allie. Is your Dad home?"
Her expression sullen, Allie shook her head. "He went somewhere to think. I was making dinner when he quickly changed his clothes and left again on Newton. He seemed kind of upset."
"Oh," Elizabeth responded, feeling slightly worried. "Does he do this often?"
Allie shrugged. "I don't know. He used to do it sometimes back when…" Her voice trailed off and she looked directly at Elizabeth. "Please don't hurt him again. I can't stand seeing him sad because of you."
Stunned and a little hurt herself, Elizabeth touched Allie's arm and smiled. "I promise I won't. I just need to find him. Do you have any idea where he would go?"
"No. I think he must have somewhere he goes to think, but he wouldn't tell me where that was." She looked curiously at Elizabeth who was wracking her brain for ideas.
"Thanks, Allie," she hollered as she rushed toward the Coulter home. She asked Rosemary to take care of Jack and hurried into her own house to change. She found an outfit she knew Nathan loved on her with a more flowy skirt she could ride in it. Elizabeth couldn't help but feel like something big was about to happen. She reapplied some lipstick and looked at herself in the mirror on her bedroom vanity. "Here goes nothing," she said to herself and quickly headed to the livery to prepare Sergeant.
Listening to the quiet sounds of nature, Nathan let his mind wander to the conversation he'd had earlier with Elizabeth. All of the words fell out of him without even thinking. Maybe it was too demanding of her right then. He always had a habit of wearing his heart on his sleeve and letting his emotions get the better of him. After Allie talked to him, Nathan just knew he needed to settle things once and for all. Had he ruined everything? He couldn't go through the pain again of losing the only woman he had ever loved. Maybe it was best to walk away before he was in too deep. But sadly, he knew it was already too late. He had a love/hate relationship with this spot; however, he would always be drawn there to think of Elizabeth. Unsure of how long he had been there, Nathan thought about going home to eat the dinner Allie had been making. But for some reason, he sat and couldn't force himself to move.
"Nathan," Elizabeth called out as she rode. Someone had told her they saw him head in the direction she was going, but after riding for a bit it suddenly hit her. I know right where he is! She pushed Sergeant as fast as she dared, hoping she hadn't missed him. But when she arrived, she saw Newton grazing happily by the little pond near the log where Nathan sat. She had sat in that same spot multiple times before, when Nathan had ridden up. So much had happened there, and suddenly her nerves kicked it. You can't stop now. Do what you're afraid to do, Elizabeth. Fight for love!
She dismounted Sergeant who immediately began grazing as she started walking toward the most handsome man she had ever seen. "Nathan…" she began, as he rose and started walking in her direction. She swallowed hard, admiring just how good looking of a man Nathan Grant was. He had a new striped shirt with several undone buttons exposing his impeccable chest, and suspenders holding up a new pair of slacks. It was no wonder he had gotten new clothes, seeing how he had bulked up over the past several months.
As soon as he heard a horse approach, Nathan knew it was Sergeant with Elizabeth on his back. "Lizbeth," he barely squeaked out while standing to greet her. "What are you doing here?"
Looking around, Elizabeth playfully winked at him. "Just making sure Bill isn't around to interrupt. What are you doing here?"
"Thinking." Was he? Now that she was here looking radiant in an outfit he loved, Nathan's brain momentarily forgot he was upset with her. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I was actually just leaving," he said curtly, and moved toward Newton. But Elizabeth reached out and took him by the arm. Her touch sent shockwaves through him, but he slowly turned around to face her undeterred. "What do you want, Lizabeth?" Fire was in his eyes, just like during their fight at the cabin
Knowing this was her own doing, Elizabeth felt pain shoot through her heart. "I came to find you so I could answer your questions."
"You don't owe me any explanation. It's my own fault I thought there was something more between us this time. When you were in my arms on Easter, I thought it was finally happening. But turns out I am still having to endure His Royal Highness butting in whenever I think we are moving forward in our relationship. Every time I see you with him, supporting him, touching him;, I want to punch him and scream at you." He shot her an icy look, anger permeating his entire body.
It had been a long time since Elizabeth had seen Nathan so fired up, but something about him when they fought sent a thrill up her spine. They always did have lively discussions when one or both of them were upset about something. She met his gaze with a fiery one of her own. "I thought you told me love was always worth fighting for," she challenged him. "Are you really going to give up that easily?"
"Maybe," he barked back, wishing she didn't look so darned adorable. "I don't know what else to do." All he could think about was getting out of there, and finally understood how she might have felt when she ran away from him. He rushed toward Newton, and mounted as quickly as possible. He turned to leave when he heard Elizabeth yell out.
Seeing Nathan frustrated and leaving, Elizabeth panicked. It couldn't end this way again. "Nathan, I'm in love with you!" she screamed before she realized what was happening. As he turned Newton back toward her she yelled out again, "Nathan, I love you!" She looked him in his eyes, searching for his reaction. He slowly dismounted, but didn't move.
"I don't know if I believe you," he admitted, still making no effort to get closer.
Elizabeth closed the gap and got right in his face. "Nathan, we are friends. You are my best friend. But I've been running from my true feelings about you for a long time. I only know one way I might be able to convince you…"
Nathan felt himself losing control as she moved closer and looked from his eyes to his lips, making her intentions known. He let her take the lead as she moved her hands up his arms and behind his head, her fingers playing with the short curls on his neck. Her lips pressed against his, and completely took his breath away. Sparks from their previous touches, turned into flames.
When Elizabeth pulled back, she eagerly gauged Nathan's response. Desire had melted away his frustration. He pulled her into him before covering her lips with his in a much more passionate kiss, their souls connecting with every touch.
Nathan's head was spinning as he finally forced himself to pull away after kissing Elizabeth like he had never kissed anyone before. His entire body was tingling with love and a yearning to never let her go. He pressed his forehead against hers as their breathing began becoming more steady again.
Searching her heart, Elizabeth tried to get the words out that she needed to say to him. "Nathan, I'm scared to lose you." A lump immediately formed in her throat as she let those words out. Knowing she had to give a bigger explanation, she swallowed hard. "When we were here the first time, I told you it would hurt too much to lose you like I lost Jack. I let fear rule me and lead me down a path that hurt a lot of people. I went to the library after you left earlier and looked up at the plaque you made me. I want to face my fears and fight for love, Nathan. Can you ever forgive me for all the heartache I put you and Allie through?"
Hearing those words filled Nathan with hope and compassion. He struggled to talk through his own emotions. "I've waited for years to hear you say all of these things to me. You are the only woman I've ever been in love with. I want to be with you, but I know our lives have always been very complicated. We have the kids and other factors to consider, but I know we can face anything together. Do you trust me?"
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Nathan and he pulled her into a very heartfelt embrace. It was the first time they both hugged each other in that way with all of the feelings they shared. "I trust you implicitly, Nathan Grant. I want nothing more than to walk through life with you. I know there are many things we still need to work through, but I'm ready to do it with you. It still might take some time."
After just holding each other for a little bit longer, Nathan looked at the sky. "As much as I would love to stay here indefinitely, it will be getting dark soon. Not to mention, I didn't eat dinner and I'm starving."
Giggling, Elizabeth agreed they should get back to town. Nathan helped her on Sergeant, then mounted Newton. They rode side by side, knowing it was going to be a brand new beginning for them…together.