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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love

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Chapter Eighteen

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Unexpected Surprises

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"Brought you fresh coffee, Son! I'll make us some of the real stuff, later! But had to go all the way to the Saloon for it, since the Café was closed up tight as a drum. Funny thing, though, Elizabeth and Lucas were inside, talkin' in the booth by the window."

Nathan glanced up from his stack of reports.

"Thanks, Bill."

"Aren't you the least concerned?"

"No, why should I be? That just means Lucas is talking with her. And better him than me! However, I do hate that all this is going to hurt her."

"Maybe sting like a hot bee, but hey, bees are quick, Nathan. Besides, Elizabeth is super resilient and the type of woman who needs to know it all, at least usually! How that man got by with never tellin' her anything about his past, I'll never understand. Unless she just didn't care enough to ask. And though I don't know all the Governor's personal details since nobody's shared 'em with me, I sure can imagine a few!"

"Undoubtedly! Bill, do you have a minute before you start back to work?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"The strangest thing just happened. And to be blunt, I'm not exactly sure what it means."

But before Bill could sit down, Allie burst into the office looking like she was about to cry.

"Dad!"

"Allie, what's wrong?"

"I just…I don't want to tell you…but…Dad, I have to…I just saw Mrs. Thornton in the Café window…with Governor Bouchard."

Now, Allie was out and out crying.

Nathan opened his arms, giving her a huge hug, then sat down on the side of his desk, and held her back a moment, though still holding her, so he could look into her face.

"Allie, I know. I asked Lucas to talk to her about some things he had kept from her in the past and I felt she needed to know."

"You know what they're talking about? So, you're really not upset?"

"Yes, Sweetheart I know, and no, I'm not at all upset, I'm pleased! I'm afraid it's a grown-up conversation that's not going to be pleasant at all for Elizabeth, which I hate. But I do know what it's about, and I felt she needed to hear the truth directly from Lucas so that she can make her own decisions about the issues involved."

"So, she's not betraying us again and going back to Mr. Bouchard?"

"Is that what you thought?"

Embarrassed to face her dad's eyes, she looked away momentarily and shook her head yes.

But she quickly brought her eyes back to his for reassurance.

"No, Princess, that's not going to happen!"

"No, Little Mountie, it's not!" assured her Uncle Bill. "Remember what I told you last night?"

"I just jumped to the wrong conclusion, again, didn't I?"

"Given the circumstances, it's understandable. But Sweetie, Elizabeth loves us, and she will never ever leave us for Mr. Bouchard."

"But how are you so sure, Dad?"

"I trust her, Allie, just like I trust you, and as I told you before, she has never felt for Mr. Bouchard what she feels for us. She wants to be part of our family, Allie. She really does."

It was slow, but a sweet smile swept across Allie's face.

"There's that smile I love! How was the birthday party?"

"It was great! Opal was really surprised. Miss Minnie fixed a Birthday Cake and lit candles, and it was so pretty. The cake was yummy too. Strawberry, Opal's favorite. Oh, and Opal loved the new charm bracelet we gave her!"

"I'm glad! How would you like to go out to dinner tonight at the Café with Jack, Elizabeth, and me?"

"Really? I thought Mrs. Thornton wanted to wait for us to tell people."

"She did, but she changed her mind and can't wait for people to know we're all together!"

"Well, I, for one, knew that ridiculous idea would never last," interjected Bill. "Nor did it have a chance of workin' in the first place."

"Why, Uncle Bill?"

"Because she loves you two so much, she's about to burst and can't wait for all of Hope Valley to know it."

"Then she must really love us!"

"You've got that right, Kiddo," chuckled her Uncle Bill. "She loves you both like crazy, so you'd better get used to it!"

"If you'll come tonight, Allie, dinner's at 7," grinned her Dad. "But I'll be working till then if you don't mind bringing me a change of clothes."

"Oh, I'm coming, Dad! And sure, I'll pick out something extra nice for you to wear! Is it okay if I walk into town with Mrs. Thornton and Jack?"

"She was hoping to pick you up on their walk-in so you all could walk to the Café together! Wear something pretty, Sweetie! Let's make this dinner a real celebration!"

"That sounds fun! My pink dress or yellow?"

"The pink one is my favorite!"

"Thanks, Dad! Well, I guess I'd better go. I was on my way to see if I could find Angela. Oh, can I tell her our big news?"

"Absolutely! Have fun, Allie!"

"Now, I will, Dad! I'm going to tell all the girls! This is going to be so much fun!"

And off she went from tears to joy!

As soon as she made it outside, Bill spoke up.

"Now, tell me about this strange thing that happened, Son!"

"Well, actually, it's a couple of strange things. I got a phone call from the Deputy Commissioner just after you left."

"The Deputy Commissioner, Hal Blevins?"

"Yes, you know him?"

"Nathan, we were Inspectors together! Even went through training together. That man is as good as they come. What I wouldn't give to see him! But hey, do you realize you just got a call from the second highest Mountie Officer of the entire RCMP?"

"Yes, I do! I felt like standing and saluting when I hung up. But about that wanting to see him? You'd better get ready. Because he's coming to Hope Valley to meet with me this Wednesday morning at 10 AM sharp!"

"You can't be serious! This is huge, Son. Did he say why?"

"He just said it was a top priority and to keep it confidential, then oddly he qualified it by saying, 'keep it confidential no matter who visits you, even from the Officer level, all the way to the top!' Bill, don't you think that's rather odd!

"I'll say! I've never heard of an order like that" mused Bill as he started pacing.

"Bill, you're pacing again!"

"What? I can't help it 'cause I think better when I'm pacin'!"

Suddenly he turned around and placed both hands, leaning on and over Nathan's desk, as the Constable stood and did the same from his side, both getting the identical idea at the exact same time.

Facing each other eye to eye, together they said:

"Unless there's a top-secret internal investigation going on!"

"How much you want to bet they're checkin' up on the arrogant Superintendent Hargreaves, Son? I know that's gotta be it. It's way too coincidental, them both comin' at about the same time!"

"Sure, does feel like it. We definitely aren't expecting any other officers to be dropping in. Have you heard anything else from your Judge friend?"

"Judge Haverson? Not directly. His secretary phoned to let me know he was called to an emergency meetin' in closed chambers and won't be back in his office till tomorrow. She wasn't sure just when, but said he planned to call as soon as he returned."

"Which probably means he has something important he needs to tell you."

"Yep! He's latched on to somethin' durin' his meetin' with Andrew or at least has a concern or question, for sure! Looks like we'll know soon enough. But now, I can't get this Wednesday mornin' meetin' out of my mind. Nathan, somethin' big is happ'nin' I can feel it in my bones, and I'm wonderin' if this isn't the tie in to all this goin' on about the big changes we've been hearin'. What are you thinkin'?"

"I don't see how it's not tied in somehow to all these trips and reports they've thrown at me as of late. My luck, I'll probably have to cover all those places, in addition to Hope Valley! But I can't figure out what else this is about unless it's just this Hargreaves theory of ours. Yet from the beginning, Bill, you've felt these were two separate things, and I sort of get the feel there's more, too."

"Yep, then we agree! But now, oddly, whatever these situations are, they seem to be convergin', Son! Except they better not be puttin' you over all those other places, they've been sendin' you to. We need you here full time, not to mention you and I both need help! As long as they don't pile more on us and give us our help, hey, I for one couldn't be happier…"

Elizabeth walked out of the Café about the same time as Allie walked out of her Dad's Office, so relieved to be alone and taking in some fresh air while doing her best to hide the fact she was stressed to the max and was still dealing with a jumble of emotions inside.

But Allie immediately noticed how stressed her teacher looked, just like her Dad had expected.

Feeling concerned, Allie walked across the street.

"Are you alright, Mrs. Thornton?"

That was when her teacher wrapped her arms around her in an embrace like she was hanging on to the girl for dear life.

"I am now, Allie. I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you!"

"You are?"

"Yes, as soon as I caught my breath, I was planning to try to find you. Did your Dad get the message to you about dinner tonight?"

"Yes, Ma'am and I'm super excited!"

"Oh, good! I am too. Jack doesn't know yet, but we both know how excited he's going to be!"

"Dad's pretty excited too. He asked me to wear a pretty dress, so we can make it a celebration!"

"He did, did he? Allie, I just got a grand idea! Let's go find Mrs. Coulter. I need to borrow her car and ask her to look after Jack when he finishes his riding lesson. How would you like to take a ride to Buxton with me to get new outfits for us to surprise your dad with for tonight!"

"Just the two of us? YES! But won't I have to ask him?"

Elizabeth winked.

"You let me handle that; we'll stop by his office together. What do you say?"

"Can you teach me to drive?"

"When the time is right in a year or so, I sure can! But what do you say we just enjoy us two girls being together along with the beautiful day this time around?"

"That sounds perfect!"

"Oops and make sure your Dad doesn't have a stroke about the driving thing! He gets to say when that happens, you know. But hey, did he ever finish those driving lessons he was going to take?"

"Yes, Ma'am, he sure did. Mr. Coulter taught him and gave him an A. Said Dad was his best student ever! I just personally think we need a car so he can practice more, not that he needs it! But it sure would be nice to get out on the road and let the wind blow through your hair, you know?"

"You just want a car!" teased Elizabeth.

"You better believe it! It's like Dad thinks if we buy a car, it will hurt Newton's feelings or something!" Allie rolled her eyes for added emphasis, causing Elizabeth to burst out into giggles.

"You know what, I think we make great comrades in arms, and I also think with the two of us girls together, your poor Dad doesn't stand a chance!"

Now literally, arm in arm, the 'comrades in arms' walked down the street, laughing and giggling together, excitement filling the air…

"Constable!" greeted Ned as he walked through the door of the RCMP Office.

"Oh, hi, Ned! How are things going?"

"Fine at the Mercantile, but I have yet another telegram for you and thought I would hand-deliver it and soften the blow a little!"

"Another one, hey?"

"Not to be nosey, but it sure seems to me they're piling the work on you!" noted Ned as he sat down across from Nathan, with a worried look on his face.

"That they are! But it's fairly routine for the Mounties when they are working on a special project…"

"Or getting ready to promote our Mountie and take him away from us?"

"Oh, naw, to use one of Bill's words! I haven't been given any reason to think that's what this is. Changes yes, but with the Mounties, that can be anything from changes in reporting forms to additional recruits being brought in to train. Besides, I'm happy right where I am!"

"Shew! That's a relief! Nathan, I know we both stay so busy we don't get to talk a lot. But Florence told me she and Mollie saw you and Elizabeth together earlier, looking happier than a couple has a right to!"

Nathan chuckled.

"Florence and Mollie would be correct! Between us, Ned, I'm so happy I could scream it from the rooftops! And so is Elizabeth! This has been a long time coming for the both of us!"

"It sure has, and the whole town couldn't be happier for the two of you and the four of you! It just feels right, you know? We all know so!"

"Thank you, Ned, from the bottom of my heart. And your kind words are much appreciated! As are your constant encouraging words – they keep me motivated more than you know!"

Ned beamed.

"Since that's exactly what they're meant to do, then they've hit their mark. Well, I better get back to the Mercantile. Feeling lots better now that I know we're not losing you!"

"Hope Valley is my home, and you know what I'm realizing more and more? You all are my family too, and I am very blessed!"

"As are we, Sir! Hope there are no more telegrams for a while, and you get some rest! Nathan, one other thing, and I hope you don't mind my asking, but what's that awful-burned smell that's everywhere?"

Nathan chuckled.

"Funny, you should ask! Earlier, Bill made a pot of his coffee that was so strong it could walk. Apparently, he forgot and left it on when we grabbed a couple of sandwiches! It's a miracle that man didn't burn down the entire RCMP Office!"

"Or the entire town with that coffee of his!"

"You've got that right! Appreciate you Ned, along with the hand delivery. Don't be scarce. Oh, the next time, I'll fix the coffee so we can actually drink a cup!"

Ned chuckled.

"I'd like that! Sounds like a plan, Constable! You have a good day!"

"You, too, Ned! See you later, because I've got a feeling there might be another one or two of those telegrams showing up before the workday is through…"

Having read the telegram containing yet another set of orders to re-visit Buxton tomorrow, Nathan decided he needed some fresh air before tackling his remaining reports for the day. There had been so many extra tasks to complete lately that Headquarters was now recommending that he suspend evening rounds till further notice.

On the one hand, Nathan was relieved to have that chore removed, although he would have preferred to have someone who could have replaced him temporarily till he could get back to it himself. Too many things could happen, and without any coverage it concerned him since he knew the people relied on his visits both morning and evening.

Walking outside, he was amazed at how, now that he and Elizabeth were together, the whole world just looked amazingly brighter.

As he glanced up at the beautiful blue sky above him, he heard a car pulling up in front of him.

Looking down, he was shocked to see Elizabeth driving the Coulter's car with Allie sitting beside her!

"I don't know this looks like trouble to me," he teased.

Elizabeth and Allie both giggled.

"Hi, Darling," smiled Elizabeth radiantly.

"Hi, Dad," grinned Allie.

"Hi, to you, Darling! Hi, to you, Allie! I'm almost afraid to ask, but what are you two up to on this gorgeous day?"

"We thought we might take a quick ride to Buxton and do a little shopping!" explained Elizabeth. "If that's okay?"

"Okay? I think that sounds like loads of fun!"

"And it's okay for me too, Dad?" asked Allie for reaffirmation.

"Absolutely! Listen up, Allie, you can do anything or go anywhere with Elizabeth, anytime she asks you to do, exactly as you would with me. Just give her the same respect you give me. The only thing I ask of both of you is for you to let me know where you will be, in case you need any help, I'll know where to come!"

"That's exactly what we thought, Dad!"

"And that's exactly why we're here, Love!"

"Let's see," and Nathan pulled out his wallet. "Take this cash for the both of you and if you need more, the Buxton people all know me, so just open up an account under Constable Grant wherever you need to shop! I have to visit there tomorrow, so I can get it paid while I'm there."

"That's sweet, Nathan! Thank you," beamed Elizabeth.

Since Allie was on his side, Nathan kissed her goodbye, first.

"Love you! Have lots of fun, Princess!"

"I will! Love you, too, Dad! We're so excited!"

Then he walked around the car to Elizabeth's side.

"Thank you for doing this for our girl," Nathan whispered in her ear before he spoke aloud.

"I love you, Lizbeth! Drive carefully and you two have lots of fun!"

"I love you, too, Nathan, and I can't wait for our dinner tonight!"

"Great, me too! Oh, what about Jack?"

"Rosemary is picking him up after his riding lesson and keeping him till we get back!"

"Wish I could do that myself, but it looks like I'm going to be pretty busy up until our dinner!" lamented Nathan.

"No worries; everything is taken care of, though I appreciate the wish!"

He quickly kissed her once more, then smiled and waved as his two excited girls took off on their big adventure…

But just as Nathan turned to walk back up the steps to the boardwalk to re-enter his Office, Lucas appeared, looking a bit frazzled, and offering a wan smile.

He had obviously waited till Elizabeth had left with Allie.

"Governor, what can I do for you?"

"Please, it's Lucas!"

"Afraid I don't have any tea, nor coffee at this point since Bill burned it, but I can get us some water."

"Thanks, but not necessary. Can you spare a couple of minutes?"

"Of course, if you don't mind the burned coffee smell!"

Both men entered the door, and Lucas, the non-coffee drinker, was immediately taken aback!

"You weren't kidding! Could we maybe just sit out here on the boardwalk?"

"I think that's probably a grand idea – at least out here, you can breathe! Besides, since I have to work in that mess till late, I probably need a break from all that acrid coffee, too – your seat of choice!"

"Lucas laughed as the two seats were identical."

The two men sat, one in his typical Italian dress suit and expensive Italian hand-crafted shoes; the other in his Mountie uniform with his rugged boots stretching up his long legs, both remaining silent for a moment.

"I just wanted you to know I talked with Elizabeth."

"How did it go?"

"Honestly, I don't know. The whole thing was difficult, but I'll admit I feel a lot better having confessed everything. After all this time, it's like a huge weight's finally off my shoulders."

"Lucas, I'm glad. I'm also very grateful you did this. That took courage, and it's much appreciated!"

"She says if I learn how to prove my trust, the two of you will continue to be friends with me, which I know is more than I deserve. But, Nathan, how do I do that?"

"Well, for starters, you might want to stop taking bets on our personal lives, although that last one regarding, whether or not we'd make it through half of our first date was pretty funny! So, kudos there, but I will get you back when you least expect it, and you can count on that! You do know that's what friends do, right?" (*40)

"I'm learning," he chuckled. "But I'm serious when I say I don't know how to get you both to trust me again."

Nathan sighed, feeling sadder for Lucas than angry, though he had every right to be both.

"Just be honest and helpful when you can; be consistent; always do what you say you will do! At least those are my top three!"

"I can do all that. Anything else?"

"Let's see. For me, communicating effectively with each other is important. And perhaps most important of all is looking at things from the other person's perspective. How is this making them feel; what are they thinking? And how can I make it better for them? Does that make sense?"

"So, you're very politely saying instead of thinking about my own needs and wants all the time, think about the needs and wants of the person I want to be friends with?"

"Touche! But that holds for all of us, you know, not just you, Lucas. My mother used to say if you want a friend, you first have to be one."

"Is it really that simple?"

"Yeah! Ironically, even though I hated it at the time, I've found that it truly is!"

"Thanks, and thank your mother! That helps a lot!"

"I'm glad. Hey, if you get hung up, just yell. I'll be here if you need me."

"And I'll be here if you need me, Nathan, that's a promise!"

Nathan reached out his hand, and Lucas, though surprised, took it and the two men shook on it.

"There, now it's official!" grinned the Constable.

"Do you have time for one other question?" asked Lucas, almost hesitantly.

"For you, I'll take time!"

"Elizabeth thinks I'm still in love with Jeanette."

"Are you?"

"Between us, I think I always will be, but why did Elizabeth say I have to fix it for both of us? What can I fix? I'm the governor now, and Jeanette's in prison. That's a pretty impossible situation, isn't it?"

"My friend, I've learned in my line of work, nothing is impossible. Elizabeth isn't wrong, you know!"

"But where do I start?"

"Next time you're in Capital City, if I were you, I'd visit Jeanette, and let her know you haven't deserted her, that you still love her if you do, and you are working on her behalf to get this mess resolved, as am I! You are the Governor after all, and in my book, that means you can easily call for a private visit. If you don't want to be seen at the prison, have her brought to your office. But if I went that route, ask for it to be done covertly and with heavy security, understood? We don't want anything happening to her! If you need me to make the trip to manage it, I'll be happy to do so. Truthfully, I'd feel better if I was there."

With those words, Lucas's face relaxed.

"Thanks, Nathan! I hadn't thought of any of that – it's all a really great idea. I'll do it, especially if you'll be so kind as to make the trip and oversee her security. But still, I don't know what to say to her."

"Lucas, we men don't always have the answers. Hmph! Sometimes, I feel like we seldom have the answers. I don't know a lot, but I know one thing where women are concerned. If we open ourselves up, allow ourselves to be vulnerable, and speak from our heart, the woman you love who loves you too, will respond in ways you can't imagine, and if I'm being completely honest, will probably offer solutions we men have never even thought of! Just open up and speak to her directly from your heart. Everything is going to work out!"

"Why are you being so kind and sharing all this with me, especially after all I've done?"

"Because I'm meeting you halfway on this work in progress of you and me moving forward from being adversaries to friends, and this is the best way I know how to do that!"

"I hope someday I can do something as important for you like you just offered me," offered Lucas.

"Lucas, you just did! As much as I didn't want Elizabeth to be hurt, she deserved to know the truth. It was the right thing to do and I'm proud of you for being man enough to do it. As I said it took a whole lot of courage. And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Means a lot to me, and I know eventually it will to her as well!"

"You know, Nathan, Elizabeth is extremely lucky to have you, though I'm certain she knows that already. You're a great man, in lots of ways! I just can't believe I'm the one who got it all so wrong…"

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40. "Kudos," originated in ancient Greece during the late 18th Century; meaning comes from kydos, which means honor, glory, or fame, especially in battle; though somewhere along the line, the definition became untied to war, though it still means congratulating or honoring a person for something they've achieved, or an effort they've put in, or even for the character they've shown, or for example: besting someone in a joke. Public Domain Information.