As they walked into the church, the couples were greeted warmly. Moira and Catherine enjoyed the comments that were made to them about how lovely the newest additions to town were and how much in love they appeared. Catherine also became aware that Elizabeth's status as one of William Thatcher's daughters had made its way through town. But she was pleasantly surprised that no one was making a huge deal about it but rather looking forward to Alice finding out and eating crow.
As the pastor took his place at the podium to begin the opening prayer, everyone settled down, and Allie climbed into her aunt's lap. As Elizabeth listened to the choir, sing she was taken back to Christmas Eve and her thoughts and prayers that evening. Looking down at the little girl in her lap, snuggled trustingly in her arms, she thanked God for her. Then she reached for Nathan's hand and thanked Him for the wonderful man beside her and for continued guidance as they progressed in their marriage. As if sensing what she was doing, Nathan gave her hand a gentle squeeze and kept her hand in his for the duration of the service.
An hour later, Elizabeth and Faith waved to their husbands as they headed out on rounds after having lunch at the cafe. The drive home was lovely, but Elizabeth could tell Faith wanted to talk with her. Allie had already gone down for a nap, so they took advantage of the time to grab a cup of tea and converse. They wanted to be able to talk about the night before.
Elizabeth had noticed the cute awkwardness between her friend and Gabe and suspected the reason. She couldn't help wondering if she and Nathan would be the same afterward. Judging by what happened this morning and that they had professed their love, she didn't think it would be much longer until they were ready. It had been hard to pull back because the feelings swirling within her were new but exciting, and the more she got to know Nathan, the more she wanted.
Faith had put the kettle on as soon as they arrived back, so the tea was ready when Elizabeth walked into the cabin after changing her clothes. Elizabeth decided to wait for Faith to lead the conversation and took a cookie from the plate Faith added before sitting down. She looked about to burst with excitement.
"Wasn't it a wonderful night Elizabeth?" Faith said. "Thank you for loaning me the dress too."
"It was a wonderful night, especially the kiss," Elizabeth said.
"I noticed that you took my suggestion," Faith said. "Not to mention the lack of conversation from the back on the way home."
Elizabeth blushed but giggled. "Oh, Faith, I am so glad that I did. I feel like we are definitely swimming in much deeper waters now. What about you and Gabe? I notice that you are pretty happy, and the two of you were awkwardly cute earlier."
Now it was Faith's turn to blush, but then she shyly added, "We are now fully husband and wife, Elizabeth. It was beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of and hoped for. Gabe was so gentle and sweet and gave me the time I needed." Her blush deepened as she spoke.
"Oh, Faith, that is wonderful. Congratulations," Elizabeth said. She didn't have to ask what Faith meant.
"Have you and Nathan…." Faith said, not finishing the sentence.
Elizabeth blushed and cleared her throat before answering. "UM….well….not yet. However, I think that we are getting close. Being with Nathan, especially after our kisses, feels natural, but I think it's a bit too soon. It would make sense for you and Gabe because you had already been corresponding and talking before we got here. I think that Nathan and I still need a bit more time. Besides, we just started kissing and getting comfortable with physical affection. I want to enjoy and not rush the journey because you only experience it once. I will admit that at one point this morning, we almost allowed things to get out of control. Faith, when I'm around him, and he kisses me, holds my hands, or even holds me, it creates a fire in me."
Faith nodded with a smile. "I feel the same with Gabe. Both of us seem to have found love and are keeping your aunt's matchmaking record intact."
"I would have to agree. I still look back, wondering how it happened and what a miracle it is that Nathan and I found love so soon. In fact, I told him that I loved him this morning when he brought me breakfast in bed. Although technically, I was awake and dressed when he came in." Elizabeth said.
"Really?" Faith said, excited and happy for her friend. "What was his response?"
Elizabeth smiled. "He said that he loved me too. Then told me that the love he felt for Alice pales in comparison to what he feels for me,"
"AWW, how sweet," Faith said, leaning over to hug Elizabeth. "That must make you happy that his heart isn't as wounded as you thought. It will make it easier too when you come face to face with Alice."
"I go back and forth on what I feel, knowing that I will be coming face to face with her soon. From what a couple of the ladies said last night, she will return on the 4th, the day before my father and aunt arrive. But Nathan's words this morning have eased my jealousy at the thought she had his heart. Now I am confident I can handle meeting her using what I learned in Hamilton society."
Faith laughed. "Well, I have been on the bad side of your older sister Viola once, and I'm glad that I'm not Alice, although I don't think you would be as bad as your sister." Realizing what she had just said about Elizabeth's sister, she immediately apologized.
Elizabeth laughed and embraced her friend. "Don't apologize for that, Faith, because I can imagine how nasty she probably was. I know we have only known each other briefly, but you are one of the sweetest people I know. If you are saying that, then it was deserved. I try to avoid conflicts with her when I can. I was always having to step between her and my younger sister Julie. Of course, Julie always crawled into bed with me when she was scared or had a nightmare about monsters. My sister Viola could give monsters nightmares. Though she wasn't always that way, she can sometimes be somewhat nice. I've even gone to her for a bit of advice here and there. But once we became debutantes, she changed and became more concerned with taking a place in society."
Elizabeth took the opportunity to take a few sips of her tea before continuing. "I'm closer to Julie than Viola. Of course, Viola is closer to Mother, and I was closer to Father."
Faith put a comforting hand over Elizabeth's. "How are you feeling about your father coming?"
"Honestly, I don't know other than conflicted. I want to be happy and hopeful that he truly wants to mend fences, but history has shown that isn't always the case. I would never have thought he would disinherit me because I wouldn't marry whom he picked out for me."
"Well, you know that you are not alone, and I can't see Nathan, Moira, or even your aunts allowing him to interfere with your marriage," Faith assured her friend.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded," Thank you for that, Faith. Nathan told me nothing would come between us, no matter what my father attempted. That gave me the courage to hear him at least out and try to reconcile our differences. If he is supportive of my family, then I will thank God for it. But if he doesn't support us and tries to interfere, then I'm serious about cutting them out of my life. Plus, I will still thank God for giving me all of you. Deep down, though, I really want things to get better with my parents."
Elizabeth choked on the last part, and a few tears fell. Faith scooted her chair closer and took Elizabeth in her arms. "I will pray that it will be so, Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Faith. You know, in a short time, you have become the best friend I always wanted. I hate that we will soon be parted when Nathan and Gabe get their new postings."
"I feel the same way, Elizabeth. I wonder what the chances are they could get posted in the same place," Faith said.
"I can't imagine they would be very good."
Looking at the clock, they saw they needed to head over to the house. Today was their first time being responsible for dinner by themselves. Moira had taught them a few simple recipes, and Elizabeth had caught on pretty well. They were attempting biscuits and Beef stew with Apple pie for dessert tonight. Their first attempt at making pies yesterday hadn't turned out very well, and they ended up with a few tears. But the guys stepped up and managed to comfort them, to Moira and Catherine's amusement. Elizabeth had talked with Moira earlier about wanting to make a family meal while her father was visiting to show him she could handle frontier living.
"Well, I guess we should get to work before Moira comes searching for us," Elizabeth said.
Faith groaned, "Can't we just hide somewhere?"
Elizabeth giggled. "We could, but then when we move away from Moira, who is going to cook in your house? From what Nathan told me, Gabe burns water,"
Faith laughed, and the two women headed over to begin dinner.
MEANWHILE IN HAMILTON
When his wife left the room, William instructed Thompson to notify him if she called for their driver or attempted to leave the house. Then he finished breakfast and headed to his study to warn Agatha about Grace's reaction. He had suspected she would be going over to her sisters at some point in the day. He also had to finish talking to Grace and tell her about his intended trip.
He had already called the train station and had them booked to leave on the second with a scheduled arrival in Aberdeen on the 5th. After calling Agatha, he went to search for his wife and found her sitting in the little seating area they had in their bedroom by the fireplace.
"Grace, we need to finish our conversation," William said gently as he saw signs that she had been crying.
"I don't know what there is left to discuss. It seems to me that you have already taken care of everything." Grace said flatly.
William settled in the chair across from his wife. "Actually, there is more that I need to say."
"I just want to know one thing, William. Why are you changing your tune after adamantly proclaiming that she would marry Phillip? You even threatened her, and she called your bluff, creating a scandalous situation that will probably affect her sisters and their matches." Grace said. "I even tried to voice my objection about the disinheritance thing, although I think she should have married Phillip and done her duty by us. Now she is the wife of a Mountie she didn't meet until the day she married him. After my dear sister comes with her judgmental attitude, you suddenly have changed your tune, and I'm the uncaring mother."
"Those are fair questions, Grace," William said. "I will admit that Agatha got through to me, and I hope that in time you can see that she was right and we were wrong. However, I do accept the blame for creating this mess in the first place. But I am now in the process of correcting the mistake. I have a question for you now." William paused until she looked at him with a raised brow. "Have you read either of Elizabeth's letters, particularly the second one?" He could tell by the thinning of her mouth that she hadn't.
"I have been trying to put out fires that she has caused by her unruly behavior William. Someone has to look out for our family; apparently, it is my responsibility. So to answer your question, I have not." They sat there for a time, just looking at each other angrily until Grace spoke again. "Exactly what are you doing to fix the problem?"
"I have spoken to Beth and arranged for a ticket out west to see her. Agatha will be accompanying me, and my train leaves tomorrow morning."
"I see," Grace said. "Why are you now just telling me? I have a lot of packing to do if we are to be ready to leave in the morning."
"You are not going, Grace," William said. "Not this trip. It was agreed upon that only Agatha and I would come, and it was the agreement we made with Catherine and Elizabeth."
"An agreement with Catherine!" Grace said, her voice dripping with disdain for the other woman. "I shouldn't be surprised. Very well, William, if you will excuse me, I would like to be alone."
He knew that she was hurt, and he couldn't blame her for being upset. But he had one last thing to say before he gave instructions to Thompson to begin packing for him. "From everything I have heard, he is a good man and a respected Mountie. You need to reconcile yourself to him as a son-in-law because I intend to give our blessing to their marriage. I think you should also know that we are, in essence, now grandparents to a three old little girl."
Grace looked up at her husband. "What do you mean?"
"Nathan, that's his name, and Elizabeth are in the process of adopting his three-year-old niece Allie who recently lost her parents.
For the first time, a smile appeared on his wife's face. "Oh William, I'm a grandmother?"
He nodded and smiled. "I simply must go to the store and send something to her," Grace said. "I'm a grandmother," She repeated softly as she hurried to the door. For the first time in a while, he felt that things would work themselves out if he were patient. He rang for Thompson giving instructions for his bags to be packed and transported to the station before tomorrow's journey.
