1 week later. The Meet and Greet

Elizabeth felt a little nervous about how the meet and greet would go, being new to Hope Valley, she was eager for the parents to see her heart for a wholistic education and for their children. She took a moment in the staff bathroom to touch up her light makeup, brushing her hair and straightening her blouse and culottes.

She came across Rosemary in the hall, carrying a tray of sweet treats towards the classroom "You look great Beth" she smiled, noticing the nervousness in her friend "They're going to love you, don't stress"

"Thank you, Rosie. You know me so well. I just want them to trust me. Thank you for being here" she smiled at her friend, garnering some confidence from her as they entered the classroom, Rosemary adding the tray of treats to the table.

She took one last look around her classroom to make sure it was ready. The children had some of their workbooks on their tables with some of their art and craft projects displayed around the classroom, stuck on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. It made for a cheery room she thought. Undoubtedly though, her favourite section of the room was the cosy reading nook she'd created for the children.

Right on 4 o'clock, some of the stay-at-home mothers arrived keeping Elizabeth and Rosemary on their toes and busy for a good 45 minutes. A couple of the mothers pressed Elizabeth for answers as to why she'd leave her private school position in Hamilton, imagining her to likely be far too high and mighty for the students at Hope Valley Elementary. Why would she move to such a small town by comparison to the city of Hamilton, and was this just a stepping stone for her? Elizabeth was gracious and sure in her responses, explaining her want to make a difference in a school setting, as well as her longing to give her little boy a much simpler life. Those that had questions left feeling confident that their child would be in good hands this year.

The remainder of the evening saw a steady stream of families, ducking in on their way home from work, or quickly before dinner time, or after sports practice. At about 6.30pm there were a few families still lingering around, enjoying the glimpse into the classroom as well as into the school's newest teacher. Elizabeth felt certain the evening had been a success.

Ally skipped down the hall excitedly with Nathan, so glad he could make it, eager to introduce him to Mrs Thornton whom she felt certain would bump Mrs Stanford off her perch as her favourite teacher. He was still dressed in his uniform, exemplifying why a "man in uniform" set women's hearts a flutter. He strode behind her, smiling delightedly at his girl that brought him so much joy. She was so much like her mother he thought, looking at her – fun and quick to laugh, curious by nature, and with a wisdom beyond her years.

Elizabeth was speaking with the Canfields and their daughter Angela, turned half away from the door as Nathan and Ally entered. Rosemary caught a glimpse of Nathan thinking she'd seen this police officer before but wasn't able to place him.

"Hi Mrs Thornton" Ally called, Elizabeth turned towards her, eyes widening in recognition of the tall man beside her.

"Nathan." "Elizabeth" in unison. Ally glancing between them, confused "You know my dad?"

The butterflies in Elizabeth's stomach launched into high gear. Ugh, I can't, he's in a relationship, she scolded herself.

Mrs Thronton! She's married! Nathan couldn't hide the surprise on his face, or the twinge of disappointment he felt, realising she was taken. He recovered first, so uncomfortable, but extended his hand to greet her formerly.

"M-Mrs Thornton. Yes Ally, we've met before". He felt the sparks immediately at their touch, his heart beginning to race as she swallowed lightly, struck by those eyes. She felt so embarrassed. She had absolutely made out with a student's dad, at a bar, slightly drunk - definitely not how she would want herself characterised! In fact, she was pretty sure there may even be school rules about this. Ally looked between them again. It felt like they were barely even registering she was there, and she noticed they were still shaking hands slowly.

"Ummm dad? Come look at my diorama" he tipped his head to the side excusing himself, and Elizabeth sidled up to Rosemary.

"It's him Rosie" she uttered into her ear. "Him?" quizzically glancing back at him

"From the bar. Nathan" she half hissed; half mumbled.

"Oh crap. Awkward. What are you going to say to him?!"

Elizabeth groaned in response "I-I don't know" blushing. "I guess I'm just going to have to keep it strictly professional. Focus on Ally. I can't exactly demand to know what happened the other night". She took a breath to steel herself and began mingling around with the other families again. Rosemary scowled at Nathan but refrained from going over to give him a piece of her mind. That jerk! She thought. Married with a child, how could he?

As Nathan looked at Ally's diorama, he kept stealing glances at Elizabeth (she really is beautiful he thought), whilst trying to focus on Ally's chatter of explanation. Mr Canfield came over to say hi, engaging him enough that Elizabeth was able to peek at him a few times. She didn't realise she was being obvious until Rosemary came and handed her a tray of banana muffins to pass around "Here" she instructed "You need something to distract you Beth" causing her to refocus, ducking a little in embarrassment at being caught. He really was exceptionally good looking. She was grateful again, that Rosemary was there, so she didn't make a fool of herself.

She ambled around the families, leaving Ally and Nathan till last, clearing her throat slightly as she offered "Banana muffin?"

"Dad's favourite" Ally answered grinning, as he was already reaching to grab one, like a kid in a candy store.

"She's not wrong" he responded with that crooked smile, "Delicious, thank you" as he took his first bite.

"Thanks, you're welcome" she returned, watching his lips as he ate. Delicious indeed. Remembering.

"You made these?" as he took another bite.

"Mhmm, I love banana muffins. Banana bread more, but I thought muffins would be easier" He was looking into her eyes far more deeply than the moment called for, so she quickly turned to place the tray on the table, breaking eye contact and redirecting the images firing into her brain – were they from that night, or from her dreams, she couldn't really be certain? How in the world was she supposed to deal with this for a whole year as Ally's teacher?! Where do we even go from here she wondered?

Nathan thought it time to approach her as a parent of a student, even though he didn't really know where to start. "Mrs Thornton?"

She turned to face him, not realising he'd moved closer. His strong, broad shoulders right in her eyeline "Oh boy" she said under her breath. Ridiculously good looking.

"Pardon?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing… Is there anything I can help you with?" He looked at her lips thinking, maybe stop looking so beautiful so I can concentrate?

"Will your wife be joining us tonight, Nathan?"

"Wife? I'm not married." Confused. Why would she think I'm married?

"Oh um, ex-wife then? Ally's mum?"

The lump in Nathan's throat caught his voice for a moment, as they were interrupted by Cat Montgomery "Thank you for this evening, Mrs Thornton, I look forward to Emily being in your class this year. See you Nathan" she smiled at him "C'mon Em, time to go".

Emily gave a small wave to Elizabeth, "See you tomorrow, Mrs Thornton, bye Mr Grant, byyeeee Ally"

As the Weisse family also said their goodbyes, Ally gave Opal a quick hug and then she went over to the Canfields to talk to Angela about the choir tryouts later in the week.

Rosie walked over to join Nathan and Elizabeth, to introduce herself officially. "Mr Grant, I'm Ms LeVeaux, the drama teacher. Your daughter is such fun to have in my class"

"Thank you, Ms LeVeaux, she is my biggest blessing" smiling over at his daughter. "I was just about to answer Mrs Thornton's question about Ally's mother"

Elizabeth and Rosemary both leaned in slightly, waiting for the answer. Elizabeth found herself holding her breath.

He took a breath as he ran his hand through his hair, bracing himself "Colleen, Ally's mother, she ah. Ally was four." This wasn't a new story for him to tell, why did he feel so vulnerable looking at Elizabeth? He swallowed, continuing "C-Colleen. She, she passed away six years ago" his eyes cast downward.

"Oh goodness" Rosemary gasped, how had she not put it together already?! This was Ally Parkes, who had become Ally Grant. "I'm sorry" she said, and then looked at her best friend who she could tell was reeling internally, likely her own memories of her loss of Jack swirling in her heart. She reached a hand across to Elizabeth to give her a tight squeeze, hoping to strengthen her as she realised, they could do with a few private moments to speak to each other.

"Ally, would you help me with clearing up a bit please?" as she started to place the glasses on a tray.

"Of course, Ms LeVeaux" jumping into action, grabbing a few platters and following her out the door to the staff kitchen.

As they left, the Canfields made their way over to say goodnight "We'll see you Saturday Nath?"

"Yep, see you then my friend"

"Pleasure to meet you Mrs Thornton" as they stepped out of the classroom, Joesph taking his wife's hand on one side, and his daughters on the other.

Elizabeth spoke slowly and quietly then. "Nathan, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please forgive me if that was insensitive. I understand the pain of losing someone you love." Tears threatened then, for herself, for LJ, for Ally, for him. "My husband Jack died four years ago."

Kindly, he couldn't help but reach to hold her hand softly. "I'm sorry too"

They were silent for a while, lost in their own memories and thoughts, processing a commonality in their history. Elizabeth pulled her hand back from his, motioning towards her desk "Would you like to sit down?" she invited Nathan. He followed and sat opposite her.

"Would you tell me about Colleen? I'd like to know more about her, it will help me to understand Ally better"

He smiled so brightly thinking of her, she saw his eyes sparkle, making him impossibly better looking, butterflies returning to her stomach. "Ally is so like her. She looks a lot like her, but she also has her wit and zest for life. She would light up any room she went into and always had a gaggle of girls around laughing."

"That definitely sounds like Ally" Elizabeth responded, "Does her love of the outdoors come from Colleen too?"

"No, that's more my influence" he chuckled "Colleen didn't mind it, but she wasn't like me. I can't get enough of it, she always thought I was crazy for loving to run through the trails, or whiling my time away fishing"

"How long were you married, before, before she passed?"

"Married? I wasn't married to Colleen; she was my sister, my best friend. I was Ally's guardian for two years before I officially adopted her" the love for her so evident on his face.

"She's a wonderful girl Nathan, you should be proud"

"I am. We've found our way together".

An easy silence between them as they gave space for the conversation to settle.

Ally and Rosemary returned at that moment, Rosie taking in that they were seated together, seemingly at ease. She couldn't wait to hear the developments.

Nathan stood then, smiling at Ally.

"Ally girl, we better get going, so Mrs Thornton and Ms LeVeaux can get home, I'm sure they've had a long day" looking between them.

"OK dad, I'll see you tomorrow, Mrs Thornton. Bye Ms LeVeaux" as she begun to make her way to the door.

"Ladies" Nathan said, only looking at Elizabeth. She smiled hesitantly at him, still so much to understand, especially from that night, but it really wasn't the time.

As he walked to join Ally, he had a quick look back at Elizabeth, he couldn't help himself, he was so drawn to her. She was still looking at him. He turned back quickly, but his girl had seen, and, as they made their way down the hall a little further she looked up at him and stated matter-of-factly:

"Told you you'd like her" grinning like a Cheshire Cat.