Sneaking out of the house before Robert and Allie were up, trying to avoid a lecture, Nathan carefully made his way down the front steps and took a deep breath before heading into town. A cool breeze played with his overgrown hair, and he ran his finger through it in an attempt to tame his thick dark locks that now had a few streaks of gray throughout. Ever since he heard Robert say the train had arrived last night, he could barely contain his excitement at being reunited with his best friend. He wouldn't let a bum leg keep him from getting right to town for a visit. Looking to the east, he saw the sun barely peeking above the horizon, causing the sky to be filled with brilliant pink and orange tones. He felt little pain, as the excitement and beauty of the day filled his body with exhilaration and erased some discomfort he had experienced after getting out of bed.
It was with great anticipation that Nathan approached his destination. He couldn't believe it had been almost two months since he saw his partner in crime and hoped he would forgive his absence. When they finally saw each other, they both reacted emotionally. Tears were streaming down Nathan's face as he hugged Newton and stroked his neck, trying to calm his trusty steed from all of the excitement.
"Oh buddy, I've missed you so much!" Nathan was a bit surprised by the tears falling down his face and into Newton's dark mane, as the horse kept nudging his owner and companion, confused why he had not been to see him for so long. "I didn't want to have to retire you last year, boy. But I couldn't risk you getting hurt or having to be put down. I want you to enjoy some good retirement years while you are still healthy, and I'm planning to get some land so you can roam free the rest of your life."
"Do you always have longer conversations with your horse than you usually do with humans?" a familiar voice heckled.
Nathan wiped his eyes dry as he turned around to face one of his favorite former Mountie mentors. "Bill Avery? I knew I would run into you eventually but didn't think it would be in the livery at the crack of dawn." As Nathan tried to move toward Bill to shake his hand, he nearly tripped over his cane and had to stop himself from cursing in annoyance...and discomfort.
"I heard you had a career-ending accident," Bill admitted, eyeing the cane and the way Nathan hobbled. "It didn't happen on this guy though, because I heard you retired him last year."
Tilting his head, Nathan scoffed: "You seem to hear a lot of things, for a retired Mountie." Both men chuckled and shook hands vigorously. Suddenly feeling fatigued, Nathan sat down on a bench next to the stalls. "I've heard you are still the acting judge here in Hope Valley. I was planning to come visit you when I could get around a little better."
"I'm just glad you are alright," Bill sincerely confessed. "From what I was told, it could have been a lot worse. I know unexpectedly having to give up your career is devastating and trust me when I say I completely understand how you are feeling in having to give up your serge."
A lump formed in Nathan's throat, and he swallowed hard, hating how emotional he had been during the past many weeks since his entire way of life had abruptly changed. Spending 30 years "married" to his work made the ending even that much more difficult. He now found himself alone and without a real purpose in life. At least he had Allie and Robert, and soon a new grandbaby; but his heart ached for more, and regret of never finding love and a real-life partner kept eating at him. Seeing Elizabeth a few days ago had completely thrown him into a downward spiral of remorse and guilt. He wished that he had fought to be with Elizabeth when he realized he had fallen in love with her all those years ago and told her about his connection to Jack at Fort Clay. As hard as he had tried to forget her and move on, no one ever made him feel the way she had, and he refused to settle for less than a true lifetime love.
Bill sat next to Nathan on the bench. "Look, I am here if you ever need to talk. It hasn't always been easy for me here, without some of my closest friends. I felt completely abandoned when you left, closely followed by Elizabeth and Jack Jr going back to Hamilton. I understood why you all chose to do what you did, but this town just wasn't the same. I did not get along with the Constable they sent after you went to Union City, but finally having Robert and Allie come back here helped and was just what this town needed." He turned to face the man who had felt very much like a son to him, until he left for a promotion to run away from heartache. But he still felt the need to give him a little unsolicited fatherly advice. "Now Nathan, what are you going to make of yourself following this great tragedy in your life? It's completely up to you."
Clearing his throat to mask even more emotion that Bill had brought to the surface, Nathan ran his fingers through his hair and tried to express what he was feeling. "Honestly, I have no clue what to do with the rest of my life. If I didn't have Allie, I would be completely alone. I thank God every day that I was fortunate enough to be her dad, and that is partly due to your encouragement to make sure she was legally adopted when Dylan was sent to prison. I have constant torment over having left you and everyone else I care about in Hope Valley, because it was somewhat selfish for me to go like I did. Although I absolutely loved my time in Union City as Inspector and eventually Superintendent, I put my entire focus on my career and my daughter. Both were extremely successful; but now that I am to this point, I know that I could have had more. I have no idea what to do, especially with Elizabeth being back in town."
Nodding in acknowledgment of all Nathan was feeling, Bill tried to give him encouragement. "I understand why you left, Nathan. I am so proud of you and your professional accomplishments. Yes, I still have many contacts among the Mounties, and I have heard nothing but praise and accolades when anyone mentions Superintendent Nathan Grant. Then there is Allie, who is one of the finest young women I've ever known. You did that by raising her the right way all by yourself. I am in awe of your resilience and all you have overcome in your life. This injury is just another challenge that I know you will overcome with grace and strength. As for Elizabeth, I know you see this is a complication, but maybe it is also an opportunity? I have yet to see her, since I actually just got back into town last night from visiting a friend in Benson Hills. I needed to check on my horse, which is why I came here so early."
"I'm not sure Elizabeth would want anything to do with a dried-up bachelor Mountie who is broken and old," Nathan mumbled, standing up. "It's been great seeing you, Bill. We should get together again sometime, but I better get back before Allie sends out a search party." He hugged Newton one last time and started limping away, his leg throbbing worse than he thought it would after a restless night and a walk into town that was farther than he should have been trying to go at this point in his recovery.
Bill immediately rushed over and took Nathan by the arm. "No, you don't. I have my car outside, and I'll give you a ride. Don't be a tough guy, but let your body heal so you won't be laid up longer than you need to be."
Not having the energy to fight, as well as being in a lot of pain, Nathan let Bill help him into his car that was parked just outside the livery. They drove in silence to Allie and Robert's row house, Nathan wincing every time they hit a bump in the road. He longed for some soothing tea and a hot bath to help ease his discomfort. "Nice ride, by the way. I thought you were a forever horse man though."
Bill laughed. "I still prefer horses, but a car is far more practical at my age. When Hero died, I wasn't sure I wanted to give my heart to another horse. I bought this car so I could travel again. Don't let this get out, but I actually don't mind it as much as I thought I would. After several months, I really missed riding, so I bought myself an older and very calm mare. Betty is a good old gal, and we've gone on some very nice rides through the countryside."
"I constantly question my decision to retire Newton last year. He had been slowing down a bit, but one day he almost got injured and just didn't have the get up and go that he did before. Everything checked out at the vet, but I wanted him to have some good years left that he could enjoy without having to work. He's over 20 years old now, and since I was Superintendent, I thought I would spend my final years as a Mountie helping to train a new horse that could be used by someone for most of their career. We now see how well that turned out for me."
When the car came to a stop in front of Robert and Allie's house, Bill hurried over to help Nathan out of the car and up the steps to the house. "What is the prognosis, Nathan? Do you need some help rehabilitating your leg? My advice is to listen to what the doctors have said and don't overdo it, because I've tried that in the past and it doesn't end well."
On the porch, Nathan leaned against the front door. "From what they could tell, I should make a full recovery as far as walking goes. But I'll never have the agility and speed I had before. I have a rehab regiment given to me by the doc, but I just want to be back to normal faster than they say. I really need to find something I can do to keep my mind, and maybe my hands, busy."
All of a sudden, the door swung open, and a distressed Allie rushed into her father's arms before sternly reprimanding him. "Dad, where in the world did you go so early in the morning? When I woke up and tried to check on you, I was worried sick to find you gone! Bill, I appreciate you bringing him home safe and sound," she thanked him with a hug. "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea or coffee?"
"Another time, Allie. Thanks for the offer, but I have work to catch up on," Bill explained. "I do think we can make arrangements to spend some time together, especially since your dad is back in town. It looks like you may need some help keeping him in check while he recovers."
Allie nodded in agreement. "You can say that again. He is a difficult patient sometimes."
"I'm right here," Nathan complained. "And I'm heading inside for my tea and bath. See you later, Bill. Thanks again...for everything." He slowly turned around and staggered inside, followed closely by Allie who had said goodbye to Bill and sent him on his way.
In the kitchen, Allie made Nathan's medicated tea and some chamomile tea for herself, then sat down at the table next to her father, who was using another chair to elevate his hurt leg. "Where did you go, Dad? I just don't understand why you had to sneak out and upset your very pregnant daughter."
"Oh, you're playing the pregnancy card now?" Nathan teased. "I apologize for causing you to worry. When I overheard Robert tell you last night that Newton was back, I couldn't wait to go see him. I knew you wouldn't want me walking that far, and you would have been right to stop me. It's lucky Bill came by, or I may have been stranded for a while."
Allie placed her hand over Nathan's. "Robert was going to bring Newton over here to see you today, because we both know how much you've missed him. How did he look after his train ride all the way from Union City?"
"He looks good," Nathan answered, remembering how happy they had both been to see each other. "I just need to find some land where he can wander around and enjoy his retirement."
Giggling, Allie asked: "Are you talking about Newton or yourself?"
He looked at her with his crooked smile, then got a more serious look on his face. "I guess we both are being put out to pasture." Taking the last sip of his tea, Nathan got up and kissed the top of Allie's head. "I'm going to take a long soak in the tub before trying to take a nap. I really didn't sleep well last night, and I'm hoping my leg will feel good enough after the tea and bath to get some good rest. Love you, kiddo."
"Love you too, Dad," Allie responded, her voice cracking. "I just want you to get well and find meaning in your life again."
"I know, and I will," he promised.
Feelings of nostalgia washed over Elizabeth as she turned the key to unlock the front door of her new/old rental house. Lee and Jack would be bringing their belongings over and unloading them later that afternoon, but she wanted some time alone in the house that had been hers for over ten years from her early twenties to early thirties, and now here she was back in her forties in the same, yet different, place. She looked around at all of the wonderful upgrades they had done in the remodel and knew it would be a comfortable place for her and Jack to live until a new home could be built for them on their land. Luckily, the home was still mostly furnished so she wouldn't have to get new furniture for now. As she entered the room upstairs where she had slept all those years, she couldn't help but remember the short time she shared it with her husband Jack over 15 years ago. Now, all she had left of him was their son. Even his beautiful Mountie horse Sergeant was gone. Jack Jr had cried for weeks when that connection to his father had passed away at 28 years old, not long before they lost Elizabeth's father. They took Sergeant with them to Hamilton, and he lived in the Thatcher's stables, where he was taken care of and loved by everyone.
Before going back downstairs, she peered into the room where she had built a nursery for her son with other widows in the town, who had lent Elizabeth a hand in her time of need. She couldn't help feeling sorrowful that Allie had to go through her pregnancy without a mother to help guide her. I wonder why Nathan never married, she wondered. How could such a man remain single all these years? She tried to brush those thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand. Her house could use a thorough cleaning, and she knew Rosemary would be over shortly to help her with that necessary project. After finishing her self-guided tour, Elizabeth decided to get some fresh air. She walked into the backyard and noticed she would need some wood chopped for the kitchen stove. A noise from the neighbor's yard startled her, and her heart began to race. Looking over, she noticed Nathan struggling to get a few pieces of wood from the neat stack near their back door.
Her heart sped up even faster as she saw Nathan in his signature unbuttoned Henley, suspenders, and wild hair going in every direction. Elizabeth hadn't realized she'd let out a loud gasp until Nathan looked over and saw her. She waved, but he looked extremely embarrassed at his inability to do a task that had always been so effortless before. His muscles tensed against his shirt as he gathered up the logs he had dropped, and Elizabeth tried not to stare. He took the small pile into the house with great effort, then appeared back outside after a few minutes. She walked the short distance to meet him near the woodpile, and noticed he was leaning heavily on his cane with sweat dripping down his neck and back.
"Hello," he muttered, slightly out of breath. "Sorry you had to see that pathetic display of weakness."
Elizabeth shook her head in disagreement. "Just because you are healing from an injury, it doesn't make you weak. Nathan, you have always been strong and determined. That's what I saw just now."
Brushing off the compliment, he pointed at her row house. "So, it's true? You are going to move back into your old house? That must be a very strange feeling for you and Jack."
"Jack barely remembers living here," she sighed. "It's so different now, but for me all of the memories flooded back as I walked through the house alone." Elizabeth noticed a beautifully crafted wooden bench next to the woodpile and motioned for them to sit down so Nathan could rest his leg. As he sat, he put his leg up on a big log. "So, what happened to your leg? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but something this serious must have been awful for you."
Flashes of that horrific day went through Nathan's mind, and he felt panic threaten to overtake his entire body. "I don't want to talk about it right now," he blurted out. Trying to calm himself down, Nathan tried breathing in and out just like the doctor had suggested to do when he was overcome with fear from recalling the accident. His eyes were closed, but he felt calmer as a soft hand rubbed his back while he breathed through the feelings of dread. When he finally opened his eyes, Elizabeth's eyes were full of compassion, but she immediately pulled her hand from his back.
"I'm sorry, I hope that was ok. Jack had those same episodes after he got back from the Northern Territories. He did the same breathing exercises you just did, but if I rubbed his back he seemed to feel better much more quickly. I was acting on pure instinct."
A much more pleasant memory entered Nathan's head. "I remember those instincts, and hope you always follow where they lead." Their eyes were locked together, like magnets that couldn't be pulled apart. Neither spoke a word, lost in their own thoughts about the past, present, and future.
"Yoohoo!" a cheery voice called and broke the spell between them. Rosemary appeared in the backyard of Elizabeth's house, and she stood up quickly to avoid any appearance of something happening between her and Nathan. He stayed seated on the bench for a multitude of reasons, but mostly, he felt too weak to walk back into the house after the moment he just shared with the woman he fell in love with years ago who had somehow come back into his life.
Feeling color warming her cheeks, Elizabeth smiled timidly at Nathan and said goodbye. She walked over to Rosemary, who acknowledged and waved to Nathan, before the two women disappeared back into the house.
"What was that?" Rosemary asked her friend, once they were safely inside and out of earshot from Nathan.
Elizabeth grabbed some cleaning supplies that Rosemary had brought to the house and started working on the kitchen. "We were just talking, but I made the mistake of asking about his injury. I think it set him off because of the trauma he experienced. Jack acted almost the exact same way after he came back from his horrible time up north. Poor Nathan. I hope he recovers quickly."
Joining her in cleaning, Rosemary tried to find the right words to say to her best friend. "Do you still have feelings for Nathan?" she asked cautiously.
"Still?" Elizabeth squeaked, a bit surprised. "Who said I ever had any feelings other than friendship for Nathan Grant?"
Rosemary gave her "the look" and rolled her eyes. "I knew the way you felt for him was way stronger than anything you ever felt for Lucas. I kept waiting for him to ask you out. But it seemed like after the prisoner transfer where he became a hero for getting that gun away from the crazy sister of his prisoner, he began focusing more on his career...just as Lucas began focusing more on you. I'm pretty sure he took that promotion and left because he couldn't stay and watch you marry someone else."
"Maybe all of that is true," Elizabeth conceded. "However, so much time has passed since then, and we are both such different people now. I think he's perfectly happy being a perpetual bachelor just like Bill." Both women giggled, having a hard time imagining Judge Avery giving up his independence to be married again.
They worked together with no more mention of Nathan, just plenty of reminiscing about all of the good times they shared in this house and the one next door. Being reunited felt so good, and the two friends knew they were extremely blessed. When they were just about finished cleaning the entire house, Lee and Jack showed up with the first load of luggage to take into the house. Daniel and Daisy joined them on Lee's second round of bringing bags and trunks, so they could help get everything set up for Elizabeth and Jack. By dinnertime, everything was pretty much organized and put away, so they took a break to eat some sandwiches and snacks prepared by Rosemary earlier in the day.
When dinner was over, the Coulters left the Thorntons alone in their house to settle in and get some sleep. Jack was so exhausted from the move, he cleaned up and went straight to bed. Elizabeth needed time to wind down before turning in, so she made herself some tea and went on the front porch to watch what she knew would be an incredible Hope Valley sunset. She wasn't sure what the future held but knew that being home felt right. Her eyes drifted to the house next door, scolding herself for hoping to catch another glimpse of Nathan. She told herself it was just to make sure he was alright but wasn't convinced that it was entirely true. Once the pinks and purples had faded, and the sun had fully disappeared in the western sky, Elizabeth could barely hold her head up or keep her eyes open. Breathing in the fresh country air, she opened the door to her house, and the new life she was embracing...intermingled with ghosts from her past.