AN: Yes, I actually have an update for you. Your eyes on not deceiving you. It's a short chapter but a chapter. Enjoy!
Elizabeth bit back a sigh of frustration. There were more revisions than she had anticipated. Was there anything about the book that they even liked? Was she being humored?
The questions caused panic to rise from within as connections were made. Lucas had sent her manuscript in without asking for permission. He had also sent it to his mother. Was Helen Bouchard simply humoring her as a favor to her son? Had Lucas paid for them to accept the manuscript to impress her? The gift of the library had clearly been that. Though she had tried to defend him to Nathan, she wasn't blind to the attempts Lucas had been making to impress her. He was just like those boys back in Hamilton, with the exception of Edward. They had used smooth talk, flattery and expensive gifts to win a girl's hand in marriage. Edward's approach had been to tease her mercilessly, which looking back made her realize that his feelings for her were more genuine than the other boys.
Just like Nathan now—his compliments weren't overly flowery, but they were heartfelt. She knew his stumbling over words had come from nerves, and he had never tried to pressure her into anything. Anytime she hesitated, Nathan would back off and give her room to figure out her emotions whereas Lucas would see her hesitation and try to discretely steer her toward the answer he was fishing for. She still couldn't believe she had let herself be talked into that Virginia Woolf reading without someone else accompanying them on the trip. She had let her desire to hear the famous author and longing for a taste of Hamilton overrule her better judgement.
"I know it looks like a lot of changes, but though numerous, they are minor changes."
Helen Bouchard's words brought Elizabeth out of her own thoughts. Looking to her left, she met the older woman's patient but emotionless expression. The woman had an excellent poker face.
"Do all the manuscripts that you agree to print get this marked up?" Elizabeth asked, trying to control her emotions. Part of her wanted to cry, but she refused to. All writing needed revisions. She was just being too sensitive.
"Yours might have needed a bit more polishing than most, but there is a good story in there. I can see it. Think of it like a diamond hiding in the coal that use to be mined in this little town from what I hear."
Knowing that it could backfire on her but wanting to know the truth, Elizabeth asked her next question. "So, you aren't just doing this because your son asked you to?"
A small smile came to Helen's face. "You don't feel the same way about my son, as he does for you, do you?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "I've tried to make it clear I see him only as a friend, but I'm not sure he is accepting that."
"Lucas is like his father. He thinks he can have anything that he wants—including a woman's affections. It was why I originally turned down Martin when he first proposed. I didn't think he was sincere. Took him two more years to convince me he was. I think my rejection caused him some self-reflection. He still thinks he can have anything he wants when it comes to business though." Helen leveled a look at Elizabeth. "I was happy to humor my son and read your manuscript, but if I truly did not think it had potential I would not have bothered to put time into editing it. I would not put my professional reputation on the line just to help my son's romantic pursuits. Your writing needs polishing, my dear, but you have talent and a refreshing voice."
The praise made Elizabeth feel better about her abilities as a writer—as well as a little guilty for doubting Helen Bouchard as an editor. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Helen replied. "I respect your courage to ask directly. It is the best way to know where you stand. I want to see your book in print and your relationship with my son has no impact on that. In fact, I can tell him to back off if you would like."
Elizabeth felt the heat rise in her cheeks. "I had a talk with Lucas yesterday afternoon, and for the first time I think he truly heard what I was saying."
"Good," Helen said determinedly. "That means this situation can be less messy and you and I can be strictly professional."
Elizabeth smiled, feeling better about the whole situation. At least Lucas had tried to pay for her book to be published. She could live with a little sweet talking to get his mother to read it. Her father had always said part of being a good business man was having the right connections.
"That sounds quite nice, actually," Elizabeth told her. She looked down at the marked up manuscript. "Though I may need a pastry from Abigail's Café to help my bruised ego after we're done here."
Helen chuckled. "That sounds like a lot of the authors I work with. Shall we get started?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath and nodded. She could do this.
Four hours later, Elizabeth walked out of the Queen of Hearts feeling worn out and hungry. They had made a lot of progress today. Helen felt they could have all the changes made in the manuscripts before the editor left Hope Valley if Elizabeth was willing to give up her mornings for the next few days. As summer break had begun, she had relented. Though she had been hoping to start spending more time with Jack with school out, this was only a short term arrangement. If she wanted her book published, then she needed to put in the work.
Laura had promised to meet her at the café for lunch with Jack. Elizabeth was about to turn to walk up the street when she noticed Allie sitting in the chair out front of the Mounted Police Office. The girl looked worried and Elizabeth knew she had to go check on her student, no matter how hungry she was. Summer or not, she felt a responsibility to the children of the community, not to mention, the motherless girl had found a special spot in her heart already.
Turning in the direction of the jail, Elizabeth checked for traffic as she crossed the street. Allie was so focused on the judge's office at the end of the street that she didn't seem to notice Elizabeth's approach.
"Allie, is everything alright?" Elizabeth asked, as she walked up the steps.
The girl finally looked away from the building. Looking up at her teacher, she nodded but did not speak.
Elizabeth knelt down in front of Allie and took her hands. "Are you worried about the inquiry?" she asked.
"Yes," Allie confessed, nodding her head. "Uncle Nathan told me that the worst that could happen is he might lose his job. He didn't seem too worried, saying that Mr. Coulter would make sure he had a job so we don't starve."
Elizabeth smiled as she nodded. If that scenario did happen, the community he served would rally around the Grants. It was what Hope Valley did.
"But Uncle Nathan loves being a Mountie. I don't want him to lose his job, even if it does mean I would worry less about him," Allie confessed, unshed tears making her eyes sparkle.
"I know you wouldn't, no more than I could have made my late husband give up the job for me," Elizabeth confessed. Or Nathan, she added silently. The next thought that followed was that if he did lose his job because of the inquiry then Nathan wouldn't be a Mountie and she wouldn't feel guilty that it was because of her. Apparently, she was a bit more selfish than the young girl sitting in front of her. "But your uncle would be okay if that was the outcome. He would find something else that he enjoyed to do because you, Allie, are the most important thing in his life."
That brought a smile to Allie's face.
"I know it isn't easy, but try not to worry," Elizabeth continued. "Now, did your uncle say he would meet you for lunch?"
Allie shook her head. "He expects me to be hanging out with Opal or Emily until it is time for my shift at the switchboard. Uncle Nathan was worried the trial would occupy his day, and he told me he would meet me at the Mercantile after my shift so I could help him pick out an outfit for his supper date with you." She added, a happy but wistful look coming into her eyes. "Do you like, Uncle Nathan, Mrs. Thornton? Because he likes you a lot. You make him happy. I like seeing him that way and I like you and Little Jack."
Elizabeth gently squeezed the hands she still held. "Allie, I don't want you to get your hopes up just yet because I don't want to see you hurt if things don't work out in that manner for your uncle and I. However, I do like your uncle, and you, a whole lot but I'm scared too. Scared about falling in love and losing a piece of my heart again if something happens like with Little Jack's Father."
"Kind of like I was afraid to make friends when I first came to Hope Valley because I was scared we would move on again and I would just need to leave them behind?"
"A lot like that. It can be hard to let ourselves feel again after a loss, something that you and a lot of the kids in this community have learned way too young. However, I am trying to not let that fear control my choices any more but I don't know where things will go with your uncle and I."
"Do you like Mr. Bouchard too?"
"Mr. Bouchard is simply a friend," Elizabeth told her. "And no matter what happens, I want your uncle to remain my friend and you will always be my student. You can always come to me for anything, no matter what happens between me and your uncle. Do you understand?"
Allie nodded. "I still hope you and Uncle Nathan can figure things out. Uncle Nathan tries his best, but. . ."
The girl's words trailed off as she looked down at her shoes. Without looking up, Allie continued. "It isn't the same. There are some things he just can't be for me. Things ..." The girl's voice trailed off and after a short paused she added in a whisper, "a mother could." There was a slight pause before the next words came out quickly. "Not that you would be a mother but you would be my aunt, and that is kind of like a mother just like Uncle Nathan is the closest thing to a father that I have."
Oh if only we kept seeing things as simply as children do, Elizabeth thought. "You keep hoping then," she told the girl, knowing that she shared Allie's hope. If Nathan still felt the way he did at the pond, then it was only her fears keeping that vision from coming true. "And no matter what happens, any time there is something you feel your uncle won't understand because he is a guy, you can come to me. Not matter what happens between your uncle and me."
There was an expression of surprise on Allie's face as the girl looked up again. "Really?"
Elizabeth nodded and offered her a smile. "Really. Every girl should have a mother figure to confide in," she told her. "Just like I hope Mr. Coulter and your uncle can step in to be the father figure Little Jack is going to need. There will be things that I can't help him with as he gets older."
Allie reached out and gave Elizabeth a quick hug. "Thank you," she murmured, the words muffled against the fabric of Elizabeth's blouse.
Elizabeth held the girl until she pulled away. Looking Allie in the eyes she suggested, "in the meanwhile, how about you join Laura, Little Jack and myself for lunch at the cafe and then you can go to work. If you stay busy, time will pass quicker than sitting here staring at the building and worrying."
Allie cast the judge's office one last long look. Elizabeth could feel for the girl. The not knowing what was going on was always the worst. She was about to prod Allie into going to the cafe when the girl nodded her head and stood up.
With her basket in one hand, Elizabeth put her other arm around Allie's shoulders as the two of them headed down the steps and toward the cafe. Elizabeth hoped that the inquiry was a short one and not just for Allie's sake. She had sensed Bill was worried about it as well, which meant that there was something unusual about it. She was glad the judge was at Nathan's side. Like Allie, she wanted to be there as well but she knew it would be frowned upon. At least Nathan wasn't in there alone.
