This chapter is especially for those who want to see some lighthearted moments between Nathan and Elizabeth. So although I didn't intend to write a steamy moment between these two in this chapter, it just so happened the scene essentially wrote itself here in Part 1. Like in S11 E12, these two are not only tried and true soulmates, but they're newly smitten. So … sorry, not sorry, that there will be more kisses ;-) But … especially in Part 2, there will mostly just be fun and meaningful conversations since that's a wonderful part of their relationship as well.
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The 1st UNchaperoned Date
Chapter 3: The Schoolhouse - Part 1
As the summer sun cast its final rays of the day over Hope Valley, slivers of orange and pink streaked across the sky. Amidst the canvas of color the white wooden frame schoolhouse stood boldly, clearly proud of its simple charm. Abruptly, two horses thundered past the town's water tower, shattering the tranquility of the evening as their hooves pounded against the gravel path, sending ripples across the surface of the nearby pond and startling the previously peaceful birds into flight.
Newton and Sergeant competitively charged ahead, neck and neck, their skilled riders focused on the race's predesignated finish line - the top of the schoolhouse steps. Despite the riders' occasional prolonged sideways glances, both were equally distracted, meaning neither gained the upper hand. To any observer, the horses were enjoying the exhilarating race from the forest just as much as the riders. Their powerful legs extended speedily and gracefully masking the exertion that was more evident in their glistening brown coats. As the two riders narrowed to within yards of the schoolhouse, one set of reins loosened while the other tightened.
Just meters away from a win, Nathan and Elizabeth bolted off their horses. Taking two steps at a time, Nathan cleared the staircase before Elizabeth even reached the bottom step. He allowed himself one little fist pump into the air on the schoolhouse porch to celebrate his victory, though he still questioned Sergeant's subtle slowdown the last few meters. Having raced Sergeant himself years ago against Lucas, Nathan knew that wasn't Sergeant's typical style. He was a fighter, one to push on with a burst of determination and fire when it mattered most.
Even still, Nathan was on fire - he couldn't possibly remember a day he'd felt so carefree. And after a close competitive race like that one on a warm summer night, he literally was on fire. While wearing an elated grin, Nathan lightly fanned his blue linen shirt, which in turn further warmed Elizabeth as it regularly revealed more of Nathan's glistening chest.
Elizabeth just stared up at him, both star struck and flabbergasted. Nathan looked radiant. She'd never seen him this unencumbered. Over five years ago, Elizabeth met this Mountie, clearly an iceberg of a man. Just two seasons ago, she felt confident she knew Nathan - all the way down to his sweet tooth and furrowed brow. Yet, now in this moment, seeing her Nathan, the Nathan of this spring and summer, she realized she'd only ever known the tip of the iceberg. And, as a teacher, she understood that ninety percent of an iceberg's mass lies beneath the surface.
Elizabeth's heart ached with love for the man Nathan was now inviting her to know, beyond the relatively small exterior he'd otherwise shared. She silently thanked God for keeping him in her life. Subconsciously, she sighed in the way only a truly smitten woman can sigh. Despite Elizabeth's fairly thorough train of thought, only seconds had passed during this insightful reflection. So as Nathan continued to fan his shirt, Elizabeth naturally wished for any amount of ice - she was not cooling down!
"And what are you smiling about? Nathan teased. "Is second place that satisfying?"
"Yes, it is, in fact. I'm absolutely delighted, thank you very much," Elizabeth answered truthfully.
Curious about what he'd noticed with Sergeant in the final steps of their race, Nathan decided to press Elizabeth.
After walking back down the wooden schoolhouse steps to stand beside Elizabeth, Nathan suggested reasonable excuses for her second place finish. "Certainly your attire is a challenge," pointing to her heeled boots and skirt. "Or are you going to blame the view again?" He prodded with a smile.
"Well, to be honest, Constable," Elizabeth admitted as she closed the gap between them, "This was my distracting view in both cases," she added, placing her hands flat on his chiseled chest.
At her physical touch, Nathan's heart immediately jumped pace as if back in the race, "Me?" he asked, a little puzzled, remembering Elizabeth said something about the view earlier, but that had been in context of the mountain scenery, or so he'd thought.
"Yes, you," she whispered, reaching up on her tiptoes to softly press her lips to his.
As Elizabeth slowly returned both heels to the ground, she took a small step back into a more conversational stance and gently placed her hands in his. Glancing down at their clasped hands, it was Elizabeth this time who brushed her delicate thumbs across Nathan's. Her tone unexpectedly turned more serious. "Nathan, It's haunted me how I rode away from you the first time you told me you loved me," she explained with remorse. Then, returning her gaze to Nathan's ever forgiving blue eyes, she added lovingly, "I can't help wanting to keep you in view." Locking her eyes intentionally to Nathan's, she tightly grasped the open "V" of his shirt and pulled him in even closer. With a telling smile, Elizabeth said, "I like running to you."
Was it possible for a heart to gallop, Nathan instantly thought. That's certainly what he felt his was doing now. Elizabeth surprised Nathan the first time she'd made a similar grab - to his vest. She'd snuck in the move while Little Jack was off getting Pal water during his riding lesson.
Nathan would only ever admit this to himself, but he'd felt beyond happy … euphoric, really, as to what he interpreted that gesture implied. First, it led him to believe their connection must be particularly strong, for a Hamilton-raised woman to initiate such a seemingly bold move, especially with her son so close by. But second, and even more importantly to him, it suggested a high level of trust for Elizabeth to already feel comfortable with that degree of intimacy between the two of them.
Gratefully, Nathan thought, Elizabeth had proven both implications to be true in what they'd shared in the forest that afternoon.
But this … this second time electrified Nathan. He'd actually been relieved he hadn't gasped or stepped back or something based on the shock and then subsequent current coursing through him. The difference between the two grabs to his shirt was crystal clear - skin. At the pasture, when he glanced down in surprise, he saw Elizabeth's hand clutched to his vest and felt the pressure of her pull. It was flirty and fun. Here by the steps of the schoolhouse, he felt the tantalizing soft warmth of her four fingers against his bare chest. By the look on Elizabeth's face and her suddenly altered breathing, he knew well enough she'd noted the difference as well.
Thoroughly undone by the blaze in Nathan's eyes, Elizabeth left the one hand in place, fingers curled around the light fabric of his shirt and ran her other hand across the evening stubble of his cheek, but only momentarily until she extended her fingers into his silky hair. Somewhere in all the sensation their eager lips met. Without hesitation, Elizabeth circled Nathan's neck as he intertwined his hands behind her back, both quickly becoming more familiar as to how their two bodies shaped to one another.
The sun had yet to set and Hope Valley's constable and teacher were obliviously lost to each other outside the schoolhouse in plain daylight. Fortunately, since school didn't start until the following week and it was dinner time, no one in town happened to spot the smitten couple.
They'd only just dipped into deeper kisses, when Nathan, hardly able to gentle the kiss, reluctantly pulled away. He grasped Elizabeth's hand and lifted it to his lips. Breathless, he dropped his forehead to hers. "Elizabeth," he smiled sheepishly, his warm breath still intermixing with hers. "I think I've nearly exhausted my will power."
With foreheads still softly touching, Elizabeth took a deep stabilizing breath and related, "I know the feeling." She withdrew with a smile and then tucked her lips in momentarily. Nathan loved this little mannerism of hers that he was coming to understand.
Taking a step back, but still holding Elizabeth's hand, Nathan's mind whirled trying to figure out what they'd been talking about before the intimate shirt grab.
Ah yes, he remembered. The "view." Running to me. Second place.
"So," he flashed his half-smile, "Are you always going to come in second?"
Elizabeth chuckled, still trying to regain her composure. "Maybe … for a while anyway."
"Well, you're no fun …" Nathan teased, subtly referencing a past conversation.
"Excuse me, I'm a lot of fun!" Elizabeth called out, playing along.
Suddenly Nathan's voice dropped an octave as he inched forward. "Actually, I take that back," he said slowly, with his characteristic head tilt and half smile. Then, he leaned in beside Elizabeth and whispered in her ear, "I think you're plenty fun," brushing a kiss into her hair.
Elizabeth shuddered for more reasons than one. Trying to steady her passion for the both of them, she softly and slowly placed a kiss on his lips. They kissed once more, this time lingering longer and tempting a deeper urgency. But when Elizabeth sensed Nathan's hand intently glide to her cheek, his fingers weaving through her hair, she felt the agonizing wait of every year since she'd first run to Nathan in the street. She wholeheartedly reached around him as she had that day and pulled him to her with the same desperate intensity, throwing all the delayed passion into her kiss. Nathan felt his own arms responding, impulsively circling around Elizabeth, drawing her in as he'd longed to do after the danger at Rock Creek.
Just as they were both gentling their kiss and grasping for one another's hand, they heard an unmistakable rumble.
"Nathan," she laughed, playfully swatting him on the shoulder.
Gurgle. Growl.
Nathan shrugged helplessly. "What?" he asked. As he lifted their hands to his lips and brushed Elizabeth's hand with an exaggerated light peck, he suggested with just the slightest seductive implication,"Maybe a little food and some uncomfortable desks will build back up my reserves."
"With all that grumbling your stomach has been doing, we clearly should've eaten first," Elizabeth replied with a tinge of regret.
First, her gaze dropped to Nathan's rumbling stomach. Next, her mind couldn't help but wander to his musculature being the demanding cause for such an extraordinary amount of food. Eventually, her eyes inadvertently scanned up Nathan's arms, then across his chest …
"Elizabeth?"
"Hmmmm?" snapping her roaming eyes back up to his.
Nathan wore a slight smile and a bit of a blush, knowing exactly what she'd been feasting on. Trying to stick with safer territory for now, he pointed two fingers at his stomach. "Dinner?"
"Right," Elizabeth said with determination, casting Nathan a knowing look. Then, as she walked away toward Sergeant to retrieve their packed picnic from his saddlebag, Elizabeth decided to make a clear point. Sighing helplessly, she mumbled just loud enough for Nathan to hear, "Distractingly good looking in suspenders."
Nathan grinned, thoroughly affected by Elizabeth's comment, though he shyly attempted to conceal the evidence by turning away from where she was headed. Whew, Nathan thought. Was he ever grateful they weren't eating the strawberries now!
After he'd steadied himself, Nathan glanced over to find Elizabeth. Wondering why she'd gone so far, he noticed they'd left their horses entirely untethered. In the final seconds of their race from the forest, they'd both quickly dismounted, and then … well … they got distracted. As a reminiscing smile spread across Nathan's face, he lightly shook his head and focused his attention on the varied stones of the gravel path. Goodness. Stoic Mountie. Smitten suitor. Despite feeling a wave of vulnerability, Nathan's heart burned with belonging. It meant everything to him that Elizabeth loved him completely, embracing every aspect of who he is.
Nathan raised his eyes again and spotted Newton and Sergeant, loyally still nearby, whinnying back and forth. Evidently, after two races today, and a whole lot of grass, their beloved horses were also elated with their day.
Noticing Elizabeth now laden with two bags, Nathan called out, "Here, I'll help."
As Elizabeth approached and off loaded one of her sacks to Nathan's arms, he started up the steps and apologized with some embarrassment, "I'm sorry I didn't think to help earlier. I don't know where my head was." The moment after he'd spoken those last few words, Nathan had already narrowed in on the problem, aided by rapid-fire Mountie instincts, perhaps. The diagnosis? His head was hardly involved at the moment! It was his stomach and heart doing all the talking! Yet, he was entirely uncertain as to how to resolve this problem, especially in the presence of the beautiful woman now walking up the wooden schoolhouse steps.
Once Elizabeth arrived at Nathan's side, he reached out, gently stopping her from entering the classroom.
"Wait … let's catch this sunset," Nathan suggested, tilting his head toward the recent explosion of color to the west.
Elizabeth's eyes swept out to the stunning sunset filling the evening sky, and then returned to his, "But Nathan … dinner" she said playfully, pointing to her stomach. "Remember?" she added, with a chuckle. "Your stomach was pretty demanding!"
Nathan responded stoically, "Let it gurgle away." Then, setting his bag down and taking hers as well, he said softly, "I want to watch this sunset tonight with you," He tenderly pulled her across in front of him and thoroughly wrapped her in his arms.
"Wow," Elizabeth whispered softly. Nathan affectionately nestled his head against hers to place a single kiss on the silky skin of her cheek. His mind thought the same, but not only about the sunset.
Nathan was certain he'd never seen the blouse Elizabeth was wearing today. Normally he wasn't particularly attentive to fashion, but anything on Elizabeth always drew his eye. In the stables, at 4pm sharp, he'd immediately noticed how the white, frilly v-neck top complemented her figure. As they were riding, he'd been dreadfully distracted by how the lightweight blouse billowed in the warm summer wind. And now, as he held Elizabeth, he especially appreciated how soft the fabric felt where it brushed against his bare forearms. But, the best feature, in his opinion, was how the sleeves dipped only just below her elbows, leaving an enticing amount of connection between their mutually uncovered arms. With a collective sigh, their eyes settled on the horizon, captivated by the vibrant colors melting into the evening sky.
Snuggling in close to Elizabeth as they watched the sun sinking and the pinks and oranges shifting in their composition, Nathan felt their breathing settle into a synchronized rhythm. Yet neither knew just how much they were aligned in that moment. Between two matched breaths, both minds met on the same exquisite thought: "I don't think I've ever felt this complete."
Only minutes before the warm, amber sun disappeared behind the trees, Elizabeth unexpectedly felt herself being spun out of Nathan's arms and released to face an entirely new direction. Nathan eagerly awaited her reaction as he opened her view to the east of the illuminated splendor from the sun's final rays. As Elizabeth's hands flew to her mouth in awe, Nathan explained, "Most people only see the bold sunset in front of them, unaware of the warmth and light glowing more softly behind them."
Elizabeth was taken aback by the sudden tears welling in her eyes. She wasn't sure if Nathan intended an underlying meaning, and if he had, she knew he'd only meant it in a positive light. But, even still, her heart immediately felt burdened, remembering how she'd initially chosen the charismatic Lucas, all the while overlooking and even running from the genuine, steadfast, and remarkably boundless Nathan.
Elizabeth reached longingly for Nathan's hand, all at once needing him close. Offering his hand a loving squeeze, she fought to keep composure.
As the last flickers of light spilled across the landscape, Elizabeth ached to express to Nathan all the mixed emotions of her heart. With her back to the setting sun, she soaked in the expansive glow directly within her reach. Elizabeth hesitated in order to find the most fitting words for her impression, believing Nathan had inferred a layered message himself.
Hand in hand, as they gazed out at the radiant light illuminating their special town of Hope Valley, Elizabeth spoke, almost poetically, "Night after night, week after week, it's like the sun creates this intimate golden hour but only ever whispers of its grandeur. So, tragically, it's all too often missed." Then, glancing over to meet Nathan's steadfast blue eyes, Elizabeth spoke with both remorse and her own enduring love, "Those who don't pause long enough to glimpse beyond the horizon may overlook the perfectly warm and enchanting glow that already surrounds them."
The welcoming evening air stilled as the final embers of light faded around them. Holding Elizabeth's gaze, Nathan closed the gap until the blue and white of their shirts touched. Silently and softly, he brushed away her one escaping tear. "Beautiful words, 'Lizbeth," he whispered, "as always." And he certainly felt their loving, layered meaning in his heart.
As their expressive eyes continued sharing, an undeniable connection pulled them closer, deepening their trusting bond. They shared only one brief kiss, but it was filled with overwhelming gratitude for the love they'd found together, now that the stars had finally aligned.
Gurgle. Rumble.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and shook her head at the interruption.
"Dinner," they both said in unison. Despite the comedic moment, Nathan and Elizabeth only lightly chuckled, still reverenced by the emotions of their expansive sunset views.
Walking into the charming schoolhouse, Elizabeth allowed the mood to lighten and swept her hand across the room. "Where would you like to sit, Constable?"
First, Nathan set down one of Elizabeth's dinner bags on her teacher's desk. Then, he slid into his preferred spot. "I'd sit on the front row in your class," he answered, trying to hide a smile.
"That doesn't surprise me," Elizabeth replied coyly. "If I recall, you've been known to bribe the teacher as well." As if on cue, she pulled out two apples from the smaller of the two bags on the desk.
At the visual, Nathan laughed, remembering the time he'd used the excuse of an apple to steal away a bit of her time during recess.
Elizabeth continued, comfortably standing at the head of the classroom. "I know you might have been expecting something a little fancy for our first date on our own. But, I couldn't resist choosing a dinner based on some of our memories together."
Walking over to Nathan, she announced, "So … first, the apples," carefully setting one down for him and one to its side for her on the base of the angled wood intended for schoolwork.
Elizabeth then returned to the desk, picking up the final sack and carrying it over. Nathan was intrigued as to what the next memory might be. He was scanning his brain but couldn't recall another food association with the school.
The single small brown bag she pulled out piqued his curiosity. She followed a similar pattern as with the apples – one for Nathan, one for Elizabeth. After she'd settled hers, Nathan processed the two bags sitting side by side. That was sweet, Nathan thought, figuring she'd packed "lunches" for dinner, considering the school setting. Nathan reached out to start opening his when Elizabeth's hand shot out and stopped him.
"Wait!" she warned as warmly as possible, smiling to soften the impact of her unexpectedly loud outburst.
Placing her hand back into the bigger sack she dramatically retrieved a third small brown bag and dangled it in front of him before situating it directly beside his other. Nathan glanced up, perplexed, clearly not understanding what he'd missed. Was someone else joining them? He clearly hoped not!
A grin erupted on Elizabeth's already delighted face. "Now you have two lunches!" she said.
But isn't it dinner, Nathan thought? But the wheels turned quickly for this Mountie. Ah … yes, Nathan smiled, a bit embarrassed. Instantly his eyes found the floor as he rumbled off a low sigh. He knew exactly what memory Elizabeth had chosen, back in the spring.
"That Allie girl," Nathan said, shaking his head. "She catches on to the littlest things, but somehow completely missed the look I was trying to give her!" With a blush rising to his cheeks, he added, "I'd hoped she wouldn't bring up the lunch I'd already made that morning."
Nathan accepted the joke and willingly laughed at himself as Elizabeth, still smiling, scooted in beside him and squeezed his hand.
"This was a good one," he said, pointing to the two bagged lunches/dinners.
Elizabeth shifted toward him and rested a supportive hand on his broad shoulder. "It was unbelievably endearing," she assured him, "I promise."
"And," Elizabeth continued, while taking out her sandwich, "It held a special purpose to me anyway."
"Really? How is that?" Nathan asked, pulling the first sandwich out of his first sack.
This might be interesting, he thought, considering he almost didn't go see Elizabeth that spring morning after his "surprise" birthday party. Despite being blessed with an unanticipated gift from Elizabeth, Lucas unexpectedly returning to Hope Valley had cast some heavy doubt on Nathan's hope for a potential future with her. But, the confetti moment compelled Nathan to take action. He convinced himself that even if he felt there might be only a sliver of hope, he needed to fight for that chance … yet again. With only a hint of cynicism, he kept trying to assure himself, the third's time the charm, right? So he thought up an excuse to stop by the school.
In spite of his mixed emotions that morning, taking the leap of faith did return a reward. Through some Mountie intuition, he effectively clued in that Elizabeth liked their "new normal." Looking down at his two meals, he consoled himself now in the idea that at least his gesture was clearly memorable!
Nathan really wanted to smile, to return to the lightheartedness that had just recently filled their conversations. Elizabeth's joke was funny, but the mere thought of Lucas, and how they were all entangled for years unfortunately dampened the exuberance of the moment. In talking to Bill yesterday, Nathan's unsettled knot about Elizabeth's past with Lucas started to loosen and unravel. Even still, Nathan knew he needed answers from Elizabeth, herself, and soon.
Despite the deep subtext between the two in their prior conversation that double brown bag day, Elizabeth held nothing back now as to why Nathan's effort held particular meaning, "Up until that day," she began, "I was scared to trust that you might still love me after … after, well, you know," she said with a sigh and a tinge of sadness. Then, with a fresh sparkle in her vivid blue eyes, Elizabeth added, "But after our conversation that morning, I felt really hopeful about us." She offered a light shoulder bump for added affection.
Elizabeth's openness and undeniable charm quickly brightened Nathan's subdued mood.
This time, Nathan surprised Elizabeth by sending back a shoulder bump of his own, which he cautiously delivered based on their size difference. He adored the sound of her ensuing giggle. When Elizabeth's eyes returned to his, patiently waiting to hear his thoughts about that memorable morning, Nathan said, somewhat guarded, "I did, too … feel hopeful, I mean, though a little embarrassed afterwards."
"Well, it meant the world to me you came," Elizabeth reassured him, her turquoise eyes glowing with gratitude for his intentional visit.
"Thanks," Nathan said simply. Then, trying to share a bit more, he vulnerably added, "It did take some courage, I admit."
Elizabeth ached at Nathan's understated honesty, knowing all too well why his seeking her out was such an emotionally arduous effort. "Thank you for fighting for us," she said with far more emotion than would typically make sense during a sandwich dinner. Ironically, the more Nathan invited her in to know what lay beneath his surface, the more heartbroken she became thinking of what he'd endured all these years as she wandered to figure out her heart.
Helpless to reverse the past, Elizabeth focused instead on repairing the past, which she'd intended to be the underlying theme for their date tonight. With all of her heart, she wanted to fill Nathan with her love, to try and heal some of the past hurt by helping him see just how much he was in her heart all along.
As much as Elizabeth longed to hold him and be held by him the entire night, she brought her sole attention back to Nathan and his happily munching mouth. For now, conversation was just as important. Plus, all the more she loved these simple moments with him, being together in the routines of life. And it doesn't get any more ordinary than sandwiches and apples, she thought. But Elizabeth truly loved nothing more than sitting beside Nathan in this moment, even on a painfully uncomfortable wooden bench, as he finally fed his rumbling stomach.
It was all she could do not to curl up beside him as he ate, and so she did. A bit startled by the sudden affection while eating a sandwich, Nathan set his dinner down and wrapped his right arm around her, just as he'd done at Mike and Mei's wedding. In this more intimate setting, Elizabeth snuggled her head in against his shoulder. Much like the night of their moonlit porch talk, Nathan glanced down at her in awe, still surprised that this could be his reality.
"Please keep eating," she urged. "I don't want to get in trouble with that stomach of yours!" At that, Nathan settled in to her as best as one can on a church pew, and resumed eating, now with his left hand.
With only two bites left, Nathan finished his first sandwich.
But, with Elizabeth still quiet, he circled back, "You know, Allie did apologize later that day. I remember her telling me by the time she went back into school, she realized why I'd made the extra lunch." With a chuckle, he added, "She felt bad for bungling things up for me."
Elizabeth gave Nathan a gentle squeeze just above the knee, where her hand had been resting. "Well, please thank her for me because I think it was all the more lovable how it played out."
Between the physical touch and Elizabeth's warm words, all Nathan could think to say at first was, "I will." Then, he recalled Allie's excitement yesterday during their conversation while washing Scout. And so he elaborated, with a full, knowing smile, "I'm sure she'll be delighted to hear you called anything between us lovable."
A twinge of regret tugged at Elizabeth's heart, remembering how hopefully the ten-, eleven-, and even twelve-year-old Allie had attempted to draw together her uncle and her teacher. Although wrapped up tonight in all things Nathan, Elizabeth mentally noted to actively work on repairing her past with the growing girl she'd come to love so deeply, the blossoming young woman she so hoped would soon become her own daughter.
As Nathan pulled out the second of his two "lunches," a pensive Elizabeth rose back up to finish her sandwich. Nathan's eyes lingered on her as she took a small bite and slowly chewed.
Catching Nathan's gaze, Elizabeth asked in a drawn-out questioning tone, "Yes?" wondering why he was watching her eat.
Although his ocean blue eyes clearly expressed a boundless depth of love, he only lightly shook his head, and with a soft smile whispered, "Nothing."
Nathan felt wholly touched by Elizabeth's sweetness, both in word and in affection. He didn't expect to do much cuddling in the schoolhouse, but he was loving how regularly Elizabeth surprised him, even hour to hour. Additionally, he enjoyed the new challenge of continuing in conversation all the while being undone by the littlest gestures of unexpected affection, including the most recent squeeze to his thigh.
Intentionally redirecting his thoughts to the schoolhouse, Nathan turned his attention back to the plaque on the wall, "You know, I've never heard the story of how this became the Jack Thornton school."
"Really?" Elizabeth asked between bites. "Well, you may not believe this, but when I first came to Hope Valley, school was held in the saloon of all places! And it was quite a bit rougher then!"
"The saloon?!" Nathan exclaimed. "I'll bet that was an interesting twist for a girl from Hamilton," he said with a bit of a smirk.
"Exactly," Elizabeth responded. "Let's just say it wasn't ideal."
She took another bite of her sandwich and used the seconds of chewing and swallowing to reflect on her first year settling in.
"Hope Valley was a mining town at the time, called Coal Valley," she began. "I arrived just after 46 miners died in a cave in, most of them fathers, and a few just barely men." In thinking of Abigail's son and Clara's young husband, a note of sadness crept into Elizabeth's tone. "Those left behind survived only through faith and the love of the community. Then, in a messy situation, one of the remaining miners set fire to the church, leaving the whole town deep in loss."
Nathan listened intently. Even though he felt he knew Elizabeth well after all these years, it was surprising to realize how many aspects of their lives they'd never talked about. He suddenly felt all the more grateful for this gift of time just to talk.
Elizabeth continued, now immersed in the memory, "The town met, trying to figure out how to raise the money to rebuild the church. Since they'd be starting from the ground up this time, the town intended for the church to also serve as a school." Elizabeth recalled feeling so hopeful about the possibility of teaching in a classroom again, only to be disappointed by the reality of the costly project.
With a wistful sigh, Elizabeth added, "But, with the mining accident, there was no money." Now, pointing back at the plaque, she explained, "So Jack donated the entirety of his reward money he'd just received for bringing in the Tolliver gang." There was a brief pause, as if the air itself held its breath. In the silence, Elizabeth felt pressed to fill it. "Jack tried to give the money anonymously, but you know how well that works in our town."
"Wow," Nathan whispered, appropriately overcome with a new respect for Jack. "What a sacrifice … but a noble one," he added, reaching for Elizabeth's hand. With appreciation for the Mountie who protected Hope Valley and the man who once loved the woman he now cherished, Nathan said earnestly, "He sounds like a truly honorable man, Elizabeth."
In response, Elizabeth delivered a lingering shoulder bump to Nathan's frame. Then, looking into the humble eyes of the most giving man she'd ever met, she lovingly whispered, "Kind of like someone else I know."
Outwardly, Nathan graciously accepted Elizabeth's compliment with a slight smile and tenderly interlaced his fingers into the delicate hand he'd already been holding. But within him, a wave of warmth from her deeply healing words flowed steadily through him, reaching to his outermost edges, until he felt completely filled with Elizabeth's enduring love.
With a peaceful glow shining in her eyes, Elizabeth shared her final thoughts on what the school and church meant to the town. "I feel like this building became a beacon of hope, transforming a town buried in loss to a community supported by love."
"And so Hope Valley was born," Nathan said softly.
"Yes," she sighed happily, "and we're ever so blessed to have you."
Although generous with his apologies and praise toward Elizabeth especially, Nathan was particularly frugal with words in the realm of receiving compliments. So he silently offered his thanks by lifting their intertwined hands and affectionately placing a warm kiss on the back of Elizabeth's hand.
"Well, from where I sit," Nathan started, completely incapable of withholding his admiration, "I'm looking at the very source of what makes Hope Valley feel like home… not just to me," he added, with an instantly racing heart at his openness, "but to the whole town."
Entirely touched and flustered by Nathan's compliment, Elizabeth simply said, "It's a group effort for sure."
With a collective sigh, their gaze shifted forward and Elizabeth giggled to see half her sandwich still on a napkin. "I don't think I've ever taken this long to eat! I must have a pretty compelling distraction," she teased, casting out a flirty side eye to Nathan.
"I guess I'll have to avoid meeting you here at lunch," he said, poking back at her.
"No, no!" she exclaimed, assuring him, "I can be good!" Then, with some reflection, Elizabeth glanced around the room. "I can't believe school is starting up again next week!"
"How is Little Jack feeling about school?" Nathan asked.
"Oh, he's so excited!" she replied, then added, "Thanks for asking," with the same heartfelt gratitude she'd once expressed over apple juice.
With the thoughts of Little Jack fresh in her mind, she viewed Nathan with new eyes as she affectionately watched him nibbling at his second sandwich. Although he was decidedly all man with his musculature frame, there was something still so adorably boyish about him.
Her curiosity piqued, Elizabeth couldn't help asking, "Nathan, what were you like as a little boy?"
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Author's Notes
I hope you enjoyed this first section of the Schoolhouse chapter. Feel free to leave any comments! I love to hear what you liked, or what you feel like may have gone differently, or what you would have preferred to see! For Part 2 - Can you imagine Nathan as a little boy?! Or Elizabeth as a little girl?! Fun and meaningful stories await!
These characters are not my own and belong to Hallmark's "When Calls the Heart."