Nathan stopped outside the home he shared with his wife, Sister and Niece. Lee's car was out the front, which told him sometime through the day that the plans Elizabeth had made with Julie had changed. What he didn't know was whether that was a good or a bad thing.
Pausing on the Verandah, he listened for sounds from inside. He heard Rosemary's laughter, mixed with Elizabeth's and the others, and breathed a sigh of relief. Laughter was a good sign. Removing his hat from his head, he walked to the door, heading inside to see his wife.
The sight which greeted him brought a smile to his face. Elizabeth held Allie on her lap, telling the women a story. All the women were smiling back at his wife, whose face was alive with joy and laughter.
Hearing the door open, Elizabeth turned, and seeing her husband, her face lit up, and she beamed at him. Lifting Allie as she stood, she placed the little girl on their shared seat before rushing across the room and wrapping her arms around him.
Nathan folded Elizabeth into his arms and held her tight. He smelled her floral shampoo as he leaned down to kiss her head; he loved that smell and would recognise it anywhere. He smiled as he held her; it still amazed him that she was his wife, and he got to come home to her every night and wake beside her each morning.
"A good day?" He asked quietly, although it seemed as though it had been.
"Good and bad, but in the end, everything is going to be fine." Elizabeth rose on tiptoes and kissed his cheek before whispering, "I will fill you in later if that's okay."
"Of course," he agreed quickly; all he cared about was her smile. He glanced at Colleen and saw her smiling as she listened to Rosemary finish Elizabeth's story. Elizabeth finally seemed relaxed for the first time since Julie's arrival.
"Evening, everyone," Nathan called out to the group at the table. Rosemary finished her story in time to reply to Nathan's greeting, as did the others. Nathan realised Elizabeth and Rosemary had been sharing the story of their first meeting.
"I didn't realise the time," Rosemary exclaimed. "I need to pick Lee up from the office. He will think I have forgotten all about him," she laughed.
"Oh, let me get my things, so I don't hold us up,' Julie commented with a slight frown. She didn't want to leave right now; she wanted to stay with her sister and the others. She wanted to stay and make amends to Nathan. She had been considering how to apologise since the conversation earlier. She didn't want to ruin it by stumbling or rushing it.
Julie glanced at her sister and Nathan and opened her mouth, closing it again before speaking. Now wasn't the time.
"What are you going to do tomorrow, Julie?" Elizabeth asked. She was returning to work, so she couldn't entertain her sister.
"I'm not sure; as you know, I didn't make plans for my trip," Julie said with a sheepish smile.
"I'm not working tomorrow; I can do the Town tour if you like," Rosemary offered. "I can do the school visit last to catch up with you, Elizabeth, before we walk home.
"That sounds wonderful, if you don't mind, Rosemary. Unless you wanted to show me around, Elizabeth?" Julie stated.
"No, I am happy for Rosemary to do it, but… Elizabeth hesitated. She wanted to set up a time for Julie to apologise to Nathan. Julie shouldn't get away with how she had treated him.
"Can I ask, for one thing, Rosemary?" Julie said, filling the silence left by her sister. She looked at Nathan and smiled tentatively. "I would like to have lunch with you. If you have the time, of course."
"I'll make time, Julie. I look forward to it." Nathan replied, trying to hide his surprise at her request. A lot must have happened today, and he couldn't wait to discuss it with Elizabeth. She was smiling at him, and he knew that having lunch with Julie would make Elizabeth happy, so he would do it in a heartbeat.
After making the final arrangements with Nathan for the following day, Rosemary and Julie left in a flurry of activity. The silence was loud when they finally drove away.
"Colleen, would you mind if Nathan and I sat outside for a few minutes before dinner? I want to fill him in on today." Elizabeth asked; she also wanted a few minutes alone with her husband. Colleen's smile told her she had guessed that part.
"Of course," Colleen narrowed her eyes and said, "are you going to tell him all of it?"
"Unless you want to?"
"No, the details aren't as important as the outcome."
"I need someone to tell me!" Nathan exclaimed. He couldn't wait to hear the whole story after seeing how drastically things had changed. Looking at Colleen, he nodded, inviting her to start talking, but she only shrugged and smiled. Taking pity on him, Elizabeth took his hand and led him outside. Closing the door behind him, he pulled Elizabeth close, wrapping his arms around her and capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. Elizabeth's response to him was immediate, sliding her arms around his neck, one hand tangled in the hair at the base of his neck as she deepened the kiss. They were breathless when they broke apart, and Nathan smiled as he rested his forehead on hers.
"I have been dreaming about coming home to you all day,' he whispered. "I missed you and worried about how you were dealing with Julie."
Elizabeth grinned and pulled away; taking his hand, she tugged him toward the porch seat. Sitting down, she drew him beside her and leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Please, Elizabeth, tell me what happened. How did you deal with Julie?"
"I didn't deal with Julie," she explained. "Colleen and Allie did it for me."
Nathan groaned; he knew his sister would lose her temper. What on earth had Colleen said to her? Wait. Had he heard her right, Allie had something to do with Julie's behaviour change?
"Allie?" He asked, incredulous. "No, wait, tell me everything from the beginning," he asked, wanting to understand the steps involved in bringing about such a change.
Elizabeth began by explaining the telegram Julie intended to send, which resulted in the altercation between Julie and Colleen, and finished by describing the drawing Allie had done.
"It was a little bit of everything, Nathan. Julie was tired, although that isn't an excuse, and she didn't understand what we had been through and why we didn't want to wait to be together. My family judged you unfairly." Elizabeth looked up at him and said, "seeing us together, hearing how wonderful you are, she realised she was wrong. Allie's picture of us as a family confirmed it."
Nathan breathed a sigh of relief; it must have been some picture. He should have it framed as a reminder. He wanted to be upset at Colleen, but he couldn't. She was always his staunchest defender, and he appreciated her loyalty. They had been through a lot together, and more was to come. As for Allie, what could he say about his niece, the innocence of a child's perspective somehow broke through the toughest defences or prejudices.
"I'm sorry if Colleen upset, Julie, but I am not sorry it has worked out this way." Nathan said softly, "I'm glad Julie seems to be accepting of the two of us. I know you said you don't care, but disharmony can eat away at you, and eventually, it becomes an issue."
"I'm glad too. I don't like being at odds with Julie. I still have my parents to deal with, but they will come around too." Elizabeth sighed, "at least your family like me."
Nathan frowned and said, "my family don't like you, Elizabeth." He watched her mouth drop open in shock and burst out laughing. "My family love you!" he said hurriedly, trying to avoid her whack on his arm.
"Remind me again why I love you," Elizabeth said, pursing her lips and pretending to be outraged.
"I have no idea why, but I'm very glad you do," he said before kissing her, his lips lingering on her mouth as he felt her lips curve into a smile.
Julie brushed her hair back from her face as she stood outside the Mountie office. She was nervous about meeting Nathan for lunch and for the apology she knew she had to give. She wasn't worried about Nathan as much as owning up to her horrendous behaviour. Hopefully, he was the man everyone told her he was and would understand.
She raised her hand to knock on the door of the Mountie office, but before she could, the door swung open, and Nathan stood before her with a smile on his face.
"Oh, Nathan, you startled me," Julie said.
"I'm sorry. I was watching for you." Nathan replied as he stepped back, "come on in. How was your morning with Rosemary?" As Nathan ushered Julie inside, he took the basket she was carrying from her, placing it on the table. He took a moment to breathe in the wonderful smells, pleased Abigail had sent along something for them to eat.
"We had a lovely morning; I didn't realise just how sweet people could be. They all love Elizabeth, and you, of course," Julie grinned, "you probably won't believe me, but it didn't take me long to see why Elizabeth loves this Town."
"I do believe you; it didn't take me long to fall in love with the place after I was assigned here."
"Because of my Father," Julie stated, curious to see his reaction. Julie knew how angry Elizabeth had been when she found out their Father had lied to her and had a Mountie assigned to the Town, she was working in.
"Because of your Father," Nathan agreed amiably, nodding at her. "Julie, unlike Elizabeth, I understood why your Father did what he did." Shrugging, he said, "because of what your Father did, I found Elizabeth again. I also found a Town where my sister and niece could live close to me and get the support they need. I would be pretty ungrateful if I stayed angry with him."
"Nathan, I do want to speak to you about Colleen's illness, but before I do, I need to say something to you," Julie said. "I owe you..."
"Julie, please stop," Nathan said gently, holding up his hand to silence her. "You don't need to say anything; I understand your concerns."
"Nathan, thank you, but I need to say it." Julie insisted, her hands clasped in front of her. "I am so sorry. I was wrong; I judged you without knowing anything about you. I was horrible and unkind, and I'm mortified at my behaviour." Julie took a deep breath and continued earnestly, "I can see how much you love my sister and are perfect for each other. I have never seen her so happy or content. Will you forgive me? Please."
"Of course, Julie," Nathan replied, his smile kind. "You are right; I do love your sister. More than I thought it was possible to love anyone, and I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy."
"Just keep doing what you're doing, and that will happen," Julie said with a smile. "Now, how about we eat the food Abigail sent us. Although I must be careful, I won't fit into any of my clothes if I keep eating her delicious food."
Nathan laughed; he remembered his concerns about his waistline when he first discovered Abigail's cooking. He was glad his job kept him active; otherwise, he would have to limit what he ate, and he did not want to do that.
The two of them settled near the stove in the corner of the room. Earlier, Nathan had dragged a small table over to nestle between their two seats, and now he placed the food on it. As they ate, they made small talk, Julie filling Nathan in on who she had met so far on her travels with Rosemary and the information Rosemary had given her about the Town. There was still a lot to see that afternoon, including the Timber mill and abandoned mine.
Nathan had expected the meeting to be awkward and was pleasantly surprised to find he had been wrong. Julie Thatcher was charming and funny and able to draw him out of his shell, which was not something just anyone could do. He now understood why Elizabeth was so shocked at her sister's behaviour. This version of Julie Thatcher was very different from the one he had met before. He hoped he was meeting the real Julie Thatcher this time and they could eventually become friends.
"You hoo," Rosemary called out as she opened the door to the Mountie office. "How are the two of you getting along?" she asked. Looking between them, she smiled; they were clearly getting along just fine. Without waiting for an answer, she asked, "are you almost ready to restart our tour, Julie?"
"Oh yes, let me take the basket back to Abigail's and I am all yours."
"I'll take it back, Julie," Nathan offered.
"You just want to finish off what's left!" Julie teased.
"Guilty," Nathan admitted smiling at her and Rosemary. "I can't pass up on Abigail's baking."
Rosemary glanced between them, pleased they were already comfortable enough for Julie to tease her brother-in-law. Nathan was a good man; a lesser man may not have been able to forgive her poor treatment of him, but she could see he had done that wholeheartedly. Elizabeth and Nathan could move on with their lives now, knowing that one hurdle, at least, was out of their way.
"Would you and Elizabeth like to join us for dinner, Nathan?" Rosemary asked. "Colleen and Allie, too, of course. Lee will be there."
"Thank you, but if it's alright with you, we might take a rain check. Colleen was a little tired this morning, and I want her to rest. If I tell her about the invitation, she will want to go, but she should stay in." Nathan knew Rosemary would understand and hoped Julie would too.
"Did I cause that?" Julie asked, "by my behaviour? Because of our argument?" Julie's face reflected her remorse, her eyes full of concern.
"No, Julie." Nathan assured her, "Colleen is unwell; sometimes, she feels the effects more than others. We aren't sure why."
Julie allowed herself to be convinced that it wasn't her fault, but once she and Rosemary were outside, she questioned Rosemary about Colleen and her illness.
Julie was alarmed to hear Colleen's prognosis; they hadn't gone into the details of her illness the night before. She couldn't believe she could be so ill and that there was nothing anyone could do. She decided there had to be something that could cure her, and she would make it her mission to find it.
There had to be something or someone who could make a difference for Colleen and her family. Julie knew several people in the medical field from her volunteering and attendance at social events. She made a note to contact them immediately and ask for advice and suggestions for a second opinion.
Nathan blew out a breath when the door closed behind Julie and Rosemary. He couldn't wait to get home and tell Elizabeth how well he and Julie had gotten along. He was glad he and Julie had cleared the air, and it seemed, from now on, they could become friends. If only he were guaranteed Elizabeth's parents would come around so easily.
Nathan decided not to wait until Elizabeth got home to see her. He picked up the basket of leftovers and quickly ate the remaining food, a little disappointed there wasn't more. Carrying the now-empty basket, he headed to the Cafe to return it, after which he would stop at the Saloon to see Elizabeth.
Nathan smiled and greeted the townspeople he passed on his short walk to the Cafe. He loved the Community in Coal Valley, and now the Bouchard's were gone, and the threat to him and Elizabeth was over, he could relax. He still had Colleen's illness to worry about, which was always in the back of his mind, but he was determined to respect her wishes and not constantly talk about it or remind her of it. Faith was looking in on her, and he trusted she would tell him if anything changed.
Nathan knocked briskly on the kitchen door of the Cafe and swung it open without waiting for an acknowledgement. The moment he stepped through the door, he wished he hadn't. He watched as Abigail and Bill hastily stepped back from each other, putting distance between them.
"I am so sorry to interrupt," Nathan stammered, cheeks flaming.
"Yeah, nice timing," Bill muttered.
"Hush, Bill. You aren't interrupting anything, Nathan. I had something in my eye, and Bill was helping me remove it," Abigail explained, her cheeks red too.
Nathan tried not to smirk at Abigail's explanation, especially when she avoided eye contact. Looking at Bill, staring at him, still frowning, he thought it would be wiser to let it go.
"I came to return the basket for Julie, and thank you. Everything was delicious as always, Abigail."
"I take it the meeting went well?" She asked as she took the basket from him.
"It did," Nathan said, grinning. "I think we finally understand each other."
He looked over at Bill and said, "I am off to do my rounds now, so if you need to help Abigail again, I won't be around to interrupt," laughing as Bill only growled in response.
Nathan hurried out of the Cafe's kitchen before Bill could gather himself for a comeback. Abigail had laughed at his statement, so he knew he hadn't upset her. Nathan had an extra reason to rush to see Elizabeth now; he couldn't wait to tell her what he had seen. It was about time they had something to talk about. Bill and Abigail had been taking their relationship slowly, but now it seemed they were moving forward.
Nathan arrived back in Town earlier than expected, so he tied Newton outside the Mountie office and headed to the Saloon. His rounds had gone smoothly, with no sign of trouble. Everyone he encountered was happy to talk about their farms and families but had no issues he needed to resolve.
As he walked to the Saloon, he thought about Elizabeth's classroom. Nathan knew Elizabeth had gotten used to teaching in the Saloon, but he wished she had an actual schoolhouse to use for the children. Elizabeth said they could learn anywhere, but the Town and its children deserved more, the same way they deserved a Church, not a makeshift outdoor space they couldn't use in the cooler months.
Nathan cracked the door to the Saloon and peeked inside, trying not to distract the lesson. Looking around, he could see the children were engrossed in their studies, so much so that they didn't even look up. Elizabeth heard the door and looked up, smiling, when she realised it was him. He smiled at her while indicating she should keep going with the class. He loved watching her interact with the children and imagined what it would be like when Allie was finally old enough to start school. Allie loved spending time with Elizabeth, and they had already begun basic lessons, although Allie didn't recognise them as that, thinking it was regular colouring and stories.
As Nathan waited, school finished for the afternoon, and the children streamed past him on the way home. They called greetings or waved to him as they walked out, some of the older boys sought him out for a quick conversation and he wondered what he could do to engage more with them. Many of the children lacked a father figure in their lives, and while his Father wasn't a good role model, Nathan could try to be.
"Penny for your thoughts!" Elizabeth offered as she walked across the room and stood before him, head tilted back as she smiled at him.
"I was just wondering if it was safe to kiss the Teacher?" he teased.
Looking around, she checked that they were alone and said, "yes, you may; there is no one here to catch us."
Nathan kissed her, not as deeply as he would have liked, but that would have to wait until they were truly alone. "Speaking of being caught," he said, eyes twinkling. "you'll never guess what I saw earlier."