Finally getting control of his emotions, Nathan lifted his head. Taking his handkerchief out of a pocket, he wiped his face and then blew his nose.

"I've still got things I need to do following this incident, including speaking with Lucas about what happened so I can write my report. Allie is probably anxious to see me too, though I am sure someone has assured her I am all right."

"Well, I am not going to tell you to not do your work," Bill ventured, his hand still on Nathan's back. "However, how about I take the two horses back to town and you walk Elizabeth home and see Allie before doing anything else. I think you need a bit more time before dealing with Lucas."

"You're not going to talk to him first, are you?" Nathan asked the older man.

Taking his hand from Nathan's back, Bill held both hands up in front of him. "I promise that I will not speak with Lucas before I get your report on what happened here. That doesn't mean that once I get the horses settled I won't ask Henry to come with me to check out the other derricks. I might not like the guy, but Henry probably knows more about the oil business than anyone else in this town. The fact that he hasn't been involved in the business for a while gives me hope that he will point out a safety violation if there is any."

"You think Lucas put his workers at risk?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know," Bill said. "But I would feel remiss if I didn't check into the possibility. If this could have been prevented - I want to know. Perhaps it is simply a case of Lucas trying to run a business he doesn't know enough about, maybe it was a deliberate oversight, or maybe this was simply an accident. I want to know for sure which."

Nathan heard Elizabeth sigh. "I hope it is the last," she confessed.

Not long ago, Nathan knew that comment would have rankled him, feeling that she was once again being Lucas Bouchard's champion. However, despite his injury, albeit seemingly minor, Elizabeth hadn't gone to be with him today. She had stayed up here alone waiting to check on him.

Elizabeth simply wanted to see the good in everyone. Just because it was something he couldn't do, didn't mean it was a bad quality. After all, she had been right about his father. Archie Grant truly has seemed to have finally changed - something that he never would have discovered if Elizabeth hadn't encouraged him.

"Well, let us worry about the issue, Elizabeth," Bill said. "You have my word that I won't throw him in jail until I have solid reason to."

Elizabeth cast a smirk. "Learned your lesson with Nathan did you?"

"I am never going to live that down," Bill mumbled under his breath.

The friendly teasing was just what Nathan needed. He chuckled at the exchange even as he got to his feet. There was work to do but perhaps Bill had a point. Maybe a walk and giving himself a bit of time was the better way to deal with things.

"May I escort you home, Mrs. Thornton?" Nathan asked, holding his hand out to Elizabeth.

With a smile, Elizabeth placed her hand in his. "I would like that very much," she replied, letting Nathan help her to her feet.

Bill stood, smiling. "The two of you take your time," he told them. "I am sure there are plenty of things to talk about."

The older man walked over to the stump that Kevin had left a canteen of water with Bill before heading back to town. Walking back to Nathan, he handed the Mountie the canteen. "I will get Newton settled in his stall, secure your rifle and leave the saddle bags in the office," he told the Mountie.

"Thank you," Nathan replied.

Nathan stood holding Elizabeth's hand and the canteen in his other, as Bill returned to the horses. Bill untied Hero, mounted, and then leaned forward to untie Newton reigns. Leading Newton, Bill headed Hero down the road that led toward town.

As Bill turned a bend, Nathan looked over at Elizabeth. "Shall we be on our way?" he asked, nodding his head in the direction of the road.

Elizabeth nodded. Nathan felt her grip on his hand tighten as if she didn't want him to let go. He smiled, because he knew the only way he was releasing that hand was for Elizabeth to try pulling it out of his grasp. He would let go then, but reluctantly. He had wanted to take her hand so many times over the last couple of years, but it had never felt appropriate.

Nathan set a slow pace, both in deference to Elizabeth and because he was in no hurry to get back to town. Perhaps that was because a part of him thought things might change once they reached town. Out here, Elizabeth had been the woman he remembered meeting. Would that Elizabeth become distant once they were around others?

Neither one of them seemed to know what to say at first, not that it bothered Nathan. He was just enjoying being with Elizabeth. Still, he knew that they had things they needed to talk about and if they didn't do it now, one or both of them might find reasons to avoid it after they reached Hope Valley.

"So, where does this leave us?" Nathan ventured, half expecting Elizabeth to bolt at the question. "I've already confessed how I feel about you. You confirmed what I suspected up there with Bill - that you have feelings for me as well. So where do we go?"

Looking to the side, his eyes met Elizabeth's as she looked over at him.

"I want to go forward. I want to stop running in fear and stay with you. That became very clear to me as I watched the smoke rising in the distance today."

"And Lucas?" Nathan asked, moving his gaze forward to keep an eye on where they were walking.

"Lucas reminds me of the boys I grew up with, in Hamilton. None of them really sparked an interest in me and neither does Lucas. However, any girl likes to be flattered, and he reminded me of a world that felt safe."

"I can understand how that could appeal to you," Nathan conceded.

"But the truth is, if that was the world which I wanted I would not have made the choices I have. I would have accepted Charles' proposal instead of staying in Hope Valley and making things work with Jack. Or I would have returned to Hamilton following Jack's death, but I couldn't. When I chose to come back to Coal Valley to teach and pursue a relationship with Jack, I was making the choice of this way of life over the way I grew up. Wanting that type of life now seems like I am saying I made a mistake choosing Jack. I don't regret marrying Jack . . . despite the pain it brought me."

"Of course you don't. Just because someone dies that doesn't mean the love we have for them does as well."

"You understand," Elizabeth said. "Of course you would," she added quickly, sounding a bit sheepish. "Your sister."

Nathan nodded. "The older Allie gets, the more I see Colleen in her. I imagine you would know about that. You probably see his father in Jack."

"I do," Elizabeth said, her voice wavering even with just those two words.

Nathan gently squeezed the hand still in his.

"I know it is painful, but it also brings joy," Nathan told her. "It's a reminder that those we love are still alive in their offspring. It isn't the same, I know, but it is something."

"It is," Elizabeth said. "There are also times when I look at Jack and think of all that he is missing. There are things that his father would have taught him that I never could. Yes, he has Bill and Lee in his life, but it wouldn't be the same. I also know that whomever I choose to be with, needs to be someone who will love Jack and be a good role model for him. I could never see Lucas filling that role. He even told me that he wasn't ready for children," she admitted. "But I've seen you with him, Nathan. You already are a role model to him. You take time to see him."

"He's a great kid."

"You're a great father," Elizabeth countered. "Allie is proof of that."

Nathan shrugged his shoulders. "Allie makes me look good."

Elizabeth laughed. "And you're modest, I see."

They took a few steps in silence before Nathan spoke again. "I meant what I said the other day, Elizabeth. If the only deal breaker is the uniform, I will quit the Mounties for you. You mean more to me than this job."

Elizabeth stopped walking, creating a little tug on his arm. Nathan stopped himself and turned to face her. "I can't let you do that, Nathan," she told him, gazing into his eyes. "I told Jack once that I couldn't be the reason he put his career in danger because I loved him. I feel the same way with you. Losing you like I lost Jack does scare me, but you taking off the uniform doesn't mean you'll be safe. That truth has been in front of me this whole time, and I think today is finally making me realize it."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I love you, Nathan Grant and if the invitation still stands, I would love to have supper with you sometime."

It felt like his heart skipped a beat at the words. Part of him couldn't believe this was really happening.

"How about tomorrow night then? I know Allie will want to try a group supper again some time, but tomorrow night, I would like it to just be us."

"I would like that too," Elizabeth said.

Tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow, Nathan started leading her toward town. He had a feeling there was a goofy grin on his face, and he didn't really care.

"And just so you know what is going on," Elizabeth said, as they walked. "I am going to be talking to Lucas. I want to let him know that I have made a choice, and that I would appreciate it if he would respect that."

"Thanks for the heads up," Nathan told her. "Would you like to talk to him before or after I start asking questions about what happened this afternoon?"

"Perhaps before?" Elizabeth ventured. "It might be best if he isn't already in a bad mood when I talk to him. Instead of walking me home, perhaps you can walk me to the Queen of Hearts and then go find Allie. I am sure she is waiting anxiously to see for herself that you are all right."

"You are probably right," Nathan admitted.

"What about the inquiry that Bill mentioned?"

Nathan sighed. "Apparently it is about the prisoner transfer last fall once again. I thought it was settled but apparently not for someone."

"Should I be worried?"

"No," Nathan told her, though he thought of Hargraves words that his career was at stake. Still, perhaps being forced out of the Mounties wasn't such a bad thing if there was a chance to be with Elizabeth. "The worst that could happen is I might need to ask Lee for a job. Depending how our date goes tomorrow, perhaps that wouldn't be such a bad thing."

"That isn't comforting at all," Elizabeth said, resting her head against his arm.

Nathan placed a kiss to the top of her head just as he had often done with Ally. "It is for me," he told her softly.

Suddenly, even the trial didn't seem as daunting as it had this morning when Hargraves had first sprung it on him. No matter what happened, if he had Elizabeth and Allie at his side, Nathan knew everything was going to be all right.


As they walked into town, Allie sprung up from the bench she was sitting on and ran toward them. Elizabeth released Nathan's arm so he could open his arms to the girl running toward him. Watching uncle and niece embrace, Elizabeth knew exactly how Allie felt.

In her mind, it was just one more reason that she and Nathan should be together. She and Allie already worried when Nathan was away. Didn't it make more sense to support one another during those times instead of being alone in their worry?

"Thank you for the escort back to town, Nathan," Elizabeth said. The words caused Nathan to look up though his arms still held Allie close. "Come find me later so we can work out the details for tomorrow night?"

Nathan smiled "I will."

"What's tomorrow night?" Allie asked, looking up at Nathan though she didn't release him.

"Sorry," Elizabeth mouthed to him, even as he turned his attention to his curious niece. As she headed toward the entrance to the Queen of Hearts, she heard Nathan suggest they get something to eat at the café. At the thought of food, Elizabeth realized she was feeling hungry herself, though first she had to set things straight with Lucas. She just hoped he was here.

Stepping into the saloon, Elizabeth stopped to let her eyes adjust to the dimmer light. As they did, a look around the main room revealed that Lucas was not in sight. Seeing Gary behind the bar, Elizabeth crossed the room and inquired about Lucas' whereabouts. She was told he was in his office. Thanking the bartender, Elizabeth made the way to Lucas' office. Reaching it, she reached out and knocked.

"Come in," came the call from behind the closed door.

Turning the knob, Elizabeth pushed the door open. Behind the desk, Lucas appeared to be trying to fix his hair which looked as if he had been running his hands through it haphazardly. Elizabeth supposed after the incident up at the oil derrick, even Lucas was allowed to deviate from his normally composed look.

"Elizabeth, what can I do for you?" Lucas asked, rising quickly to his feet when he saw her.

"I think we need to talk," Elizabeth began, still searching for the best way to say what she had come in here to say.

Lucas had walked around his desk, and he now leaned against the front of it. "I would ask you to sit but something tells me this might be best to be a short conversation."

Elizabeth felt her cheeks flush as she looked apologetically toward him. "It is not that I don't appreciate all you have done for me," she told him. "It's just that . . . "

"Your heart has already chosen someone else," Lucas finished for her.

"Yes," Elizabeth confirmed. "I'm sorry."

Lucas shook his head. "Don't be," he told her. "You've said multiple times you only saw me as a friend, but I figured as long as you weren't officially courting anyone then I had a chance to sway your mind. When I left last fall, I thought that embrace in the street was you choosing Nathan. When I came back and you and Nathan weren't courting yet, I told myself there was hope but there isn't, is there?"

Elizabeth shook her head.

"I thought that was the case after today," Lucas admitted. "I told Nathan not long ago that he should make sure that he had Allie and your best interests in mind. I believe he always has and now, it is time for me to take my own advice. I hope you, Nathan, and the children are happy together, Elizabeth. I promise, I will back off and respect your choice."

"Thank you, Lucas," Elizabeth said, realizing that this conversation had gone much easier than she had expected it to. "I should be going," she said.

"Of course," Lucas replied. "Should I say something to my mother of your decision or do you want to?"

Elizabeth thought about Helen Bouchard's question that morning when she had been caught staring out the window at Nathan. The woman clearly knew about her son's infatuation with her at least.

"If it comes up in conversation, you don't need to keep it a secret," Elizabeth replied.

"Fair enough," Lucas said. "Good day, Elizabeth."

"Good day," Elizabeth echoed, before turning and leaving the office. She walked quickly from the saloon - a sudden desire to go home and be with her son coming over her.

Little Jack's questions were always easy to answer.