Elizabeth couldn't sleep. It wasn't raining, it actually ended up being a bright sunny day without a cloud in the sky. Before the sun was up though, Elizabeth lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She had started to deal with her fears and questions. She knew though that they weren't completely gone but she was going to try to move forward with her life. Then there was Nathan.

She hadn't heard from him since he had tried to call her on the day of their cancelled date. She didn't blame him that he hadn't tried to call again. The two of them had a connection for sure but there was so much he didn't know about her and her past. Elizabeth knew that she would need to talk to him and hopefully get a chance to explain why she cancelled.

Elizabeth started to get ready for the day. Once she had showered and gotten dressed, she went down to the kitchen just as the sun was starting to come up. She had a little time before she had to leave for school. After Rosemary had left, she did some of her lesson plans so she wouldn't have to go early today. Elizabeth put on an apron and started to get the things out of the pantry to make a batch of cookies before school.

She wanted to make some cookies for Nathan to take when she tried to talk to him at the hospital after school. She knew he liked the lemon blueberry ones she had bought for the bake sale but she wasn't sure what else he would like. One of her other favorites were chocolate cookies with mint chocolate chips. She was going to make a large batch so she could take some for him and leave a few at home for herself.

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After school, Elizabeth drove to the hospital. She knew that Nathan worked in the pediatric wing of the hospital based on her last visit there. She walked through the hospital as the pediatric wing was on the opposite side from the parking garage. As she walked down the one hall, she passed a sign overhead a new section of the hospital: The Thatcher Research Center.

Elizabeth had been determined to come to Hope Valley after Jack's death. After one visit back to her parents' house, she mentioned wanting to help with a cancer charity. Her father offered to give her money so she could start a charity of her own but she refused. She wanted to help but she didn't want to be the face of it. She wanted to do something outside of her family's name. Rosemary loved being the face of the charity and that was just fine with Elizabeth.

After a short time after that, Elizabeth heard that a new wing was being added to the hospital after the generous donation of a benefactor. The wing would be primary used for cancer research but it would also be research for other things as well. Elizabeth started to get angry when she heard what her father had done but then she realized all the good that could be done with that money. She kept her distance from the research center but she still smiled as she walked past.

She turned a corner and walked towards the waiting area of the pediatric wing. There was a nurses' station nearby and there he was. He was standing in front of the counter reading a chart. He was wearing his blue scrubs which Elizabeth imagined would only bring out the color in his eyes. She felt her heartbeat start to go faster the closer she walked. He didn't see her as Elizabeth heard a message over the intercom "code blue".

Nathan handed the chart to a nurse and started to take off down the hall. He saw Elizabeth as he turned and they locked eyes. He didn't show any emotion and turned quickly down the hall. Elizabeth knew there must be an emergency that he was running off to but she felt a little sad that he hasn't smiled. It would be longer before she could explain.

Elizabeth walked over to the nurses station. "Excuse me, would I be able to leave something here for Doctor Grant?"

"Yes, I can make sure he gets it," the nurse said.

Elizabeth took a small notebook out of her purse and ripped out a piece of paper. She wrote a short note and handed it to her on top of the container of cookies.

"If you could give the note to Doctor Grant, I would appreciate it."

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Nathan walked back towards the waiting room to talk to the parents of one of his patients. There had been a scare after surgery but the patient was stable now. He explained everything that had happened and then walked back to the nurses station to get the charts so he could finish rounds before he went home for the night.

"Doctor Grant, someone left these for you today," the nurse said as she handed him the note with the container of cookies.

"Thank you," Nathan said as he opened the note.

Nathan, I'm sorry. I can explain if you give me a chance. - Elizabeth.

Nathan smiled at the note. He had seen her earlier. He wasn't sure as he was running quickly to the emergency. He saw her but it was almost like it didn't register with him until later. He got an idea and he wondered if someone would be able to finish his rounds so he could leave on time. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent a text to another doctor in the department. Nathan picked up the cookies from the counter and started to walk to the locker room.

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A couple days later after school, Elizabeth went home planning for a quiet night at home. She changed into some leggings and a large comfy shirt as soon as she got home. Faith had asked her to go out tonight with some of the teachers from the school, but Elizabeth declined. She didn't enjoy going out to crowded bars or restaurants and would much rather stay at home. She was trying to decide what to make for dinner but nothing sounded good. As she opened her pantry, she heard her doorbell.

'Had Faith come by on her way out tonight? Or could it be Rosemary coming over?' Elizabeth thought. She dismissed both ideas almost immediately. Faith had told her they were going out on the other side of town. Rosemary was planning to work on revisions for her book all night since Lee was working. Elizabeth walked to the door and looked out the side window before opening the door.

"Hi," Elizabeth said as she looked out at Nathan on her step. He was still dressed in his blue scrubs from work. She was right, they did bring out the color in his eyes. Nathan stood with his hands behind his back. "Would you like to come in?"

"Yes, thank you," Nathan said as he walked in as Elizabeth held the door. She shut the door behind him and the two of them stood there for a minute or two not saying anything.

"Is everything ok?" Elizabeth asked.

Nathan looked nervous or worried, Elizabeth couldn't decide which. He still held his hands behind his back. After she asked, Nathan nodded and pulled out a bouquet of red roses with a flourish holding them out to her. Finally a smile appeared on his face and Elizabeth smiled back. "These are for you."

"Thank you. They are lovely. I am just going to put these in some water." Elizabeth walked towards her kitchen and motioned for Nathan to join her.

Nathan walked behind her and said, "You came by the hospital the other day." It wasn't a question. He wanted her to know that he saw her and he got her note with the cookies.

"I did. I wanted to apologize for cancelling on you and maybe try to explain why it happened."

"Ok," Nathan said as he stood on the other side of the kitchen from her. Elizabeth got a vase off her counter and filled it with water. She turned and carried it over to the kitchen table as she placed the flowers in the vase. She would cut and arrange them later, but she was so surprised to see Nathan. The two of them then walked over to the couch in the family room and sat down to talk.

"Nathan, I want you to know that me cancelling had nothing to do with you. I was so excited for our date. I wanted to go so we could learn more about each other."

"What happened?"

Elizabeth sighed. She knew she had to tell him but it was hard now that the time was here. Nathan didn't rush her. He wanted to know anything she wanted to tell him. He wanted to give them every chance to move forward.

"I moved to Hope Valley three years ago," Elizabeth started. "I moved her from Chicago. My father owns a company there and I worked for him. I didn't become a teacher until I moved here. I love children and I had always wanted to teach. When I came here I needed a change."

Nathan could tell that something awful had happened based on the tone of her voice and the small tears he saw in her eyes. Nathan reached out and took her hand in comfort. He nodded, not wanting to interrupt but showing that he was there for her.

"I was engaged in Chicago. Jack was a lawyer and the assistant district attorney. There was a car accident and he was killed instantly. It was raining and dark. They weren't sure exactly what happened but the police said he lost control of his car. Ever since that day, I freeze when it rains. I can't go to work or leave the house because I am afraid of what will happen. On the day of our date, there was a storm that woke me up from sleep. I went into my closet with my blankets to try and escape. Rosemary found me there later that night after I cancelled with you."

Elizabeth had her head down as she explained but she looked in Nathan's eyes when she finished. He only had concern for her and she thought she might have seen tears in his eyes to match hers. He took her other hand so he held both of them.

"Elizabeth, I am sorry you had to go through that. I can't imagine the pain you went through after losing your fiancé. But the strength you showed in moving here and starting over- I am amazed by you."

"But I cancelled on you. I am not strong when it comes to dealing with the rain or the thought of losing someone else."

"You are stronger than you think you are. I will help you in any way that I can. Have you tried therapy? It might be helpful to talk to someone."

"I went for a short time after Jack's death but then I moved and I thought everything would be ok once I was out of the city with all the reminders."

"I can get a couple names for you if you'd like."

Elizabeth nodded. She was willing to try anything if it meant she could be out in the world again, rain or no rain.

"Have you eaten dinner yet?" Elizabeth asked as she used her hand to brush the tears from her cheeks.

Nathan saw a box of Kleenex on the side table near her couch and he handed it to Elizabeth. "No, not yet. I came straight here from work, as you can probably see," Nathan said motioning to his scrubs.

"I did," Elizabeth said with a smile and a blush. "I was thinking of ordering pizza if you'd like to stay. I know it isn't the first date we had planned, but maybe we can try again?"

"I like that, both of those. Staying for dinner and another date," Nathan said smiling.

Elizabeth looked on her phone for the nearest pizza place and the two of them picked toppings for the pizza. Elizabeth ordered the pizza with a salad and the two of them talked about a number of things, all much lighter than the things Elizabeth had shared. Even though Elizabeth had planned a quiet night at home, this was much better.