Chapter 7: The Seesaw
As Nathan and Elizabeth rounded the bend, the forest gave way to a small clearing, where the towering mountain faces rose sharply above them. Neither took for granted the tapestry of natural beauty that surrounded Hope Valley. Though familiar, experiencing this majestic location together for the first time felt symbolic, like the start of something new, with vast terrain and untold adventures ahead.
For the last hour, their conversation mirrored the ups and downs and twists and turns of the trail, as they navigated their conflicting emotions around Elizabeth's pivotal Union City date. Now, on the sunny side of resolution, Nathan smiled at the memory of Elizabeth's words, still echoing in his mind—words that had settled deep within him. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at just how loving I can be."
No longer was Nathan sitting at the base of a seesaw, grounding Elizabeth while she obliviously flitted about in the air, unaware that what kept her afloat was his commitment to remain seated in that critical position. When Elizabeth's gaze eventually cleared and she caught Nathan's worry before his medals speech and then bravely took his hand at the train station and later even baked his favorite dessert, the balance began to shift, and Nathan finally felt himself lifting.
To stay off the ground, Nathan needed Elizabeth. He'd hardly known what the view could be anywhere other than the ground looking up, ever filling the role of the safety net. It's where he'd always been, selflessly anchoring those closest to him, enabling them to reach heights they'd otherwise miss on their own. But, experiencing any rise at all had opened his eyes to a love he'd never imagined. So, in those flickering moments of perfect harmony, where Elizabeth's selfless actions met his, he'd experienced a sacred connection beyond his wildest dreams.
Newly aware that even for him this balance was possible, Nathan felt driven to preserve that equilibrium, longing to hold onto the only position on the seesaw where he and Elizabeth could equally see the love in each others' hearts through the windows of their eyes.
The humility, growth, and love that Elizabeth had poured into her apology about accompanying Lucas to Union City steadied them in a way nothing had since she'd stunned him with, "Friends don't look at friends this way."
Though Nathan hadn't been thrilled to dive into a conversation tied to Lucas in the first minutes of their date, he was grateful to see how it aligned their focus toward the future, lowering Elizabeth's eyes to his on that metaphorical seesaw. Her emotional proximity through shared understanding fired in him the need to hold Elizabeth, to feel that she really was his and was not only there for him in word, but physically, too, holding him up just as much as he was holding her.
It may not be the same for everyone, Nathan reasoned, but in peeling back the protective layers around his heart, he felt an undeniable need for the anchor of physical affection. When he needed Elizabeth in his heart, he needed her in body, too, in a handhold, in a kiss, and eventually in complete unity.
It was as though even the simplest acts of affection helped ground him, reaffirming the trust he was beginning to rebuild. The emotional exposure, though powerful, required the balance of tenderness and intimacy to feel fully supported and safe, reminding him that love, in its truest form, is both seen and felt, not just in words, but in touch.
So, after spending an hour buried deep in weighty conversation, the physical distance between them had never felt so tangible. Now, as they arrived at the clearing, with the soft rustling of the trees marking a pause in their journey, the timing couldn't have been more perfect to connect beyond the words just spoken.
"We're gonna stop here first," Nathan announced, eyeing Elizabeth and Sergeant with a nod and a warm smile.
As soon as Newton's nose crossed into the clearing, Nathan dismounted with a quick, purposeful stride toward Sergeant. By the time Elizabeth slid from the saddle, Nathan's feet were rooted beneath her. Finally, they were within reach. Nathan enveloped her in his arms, sighing once the familiar feel of her body met his.
Every other conversation they'd had in the past since becoming a couple had been within close proximity. There'd been an opportunity for a handhold, a brush to the cheek, an arm around the shoulder, even a shoulder bump, or, in some cases, an abundance of kisses. Without those familiar touches, this moment left them both craving the comfort only their physical connection could provide.
In a rare moment, rather than launching into kisses, they first held each other, melting into an embrace, a quiet communion that said everything in the language of touch and shared breath.
Soon their love flowed into the subtlest of motions, Elizabeth stroking Nathan's back, Nathan cradling her head as his fingers threaded gently into her chestnut hair. While Elizabeth rested her cheek firmly against Nathan's chest, she felt steadied by his every heartbeat. Taking advantage of every possible touch, Nathan lowered his head to softly settle his against hers. After breathing into the support he felt through Elizabeth's tangible love, Nathan's words flowed freely, shifting from his typical frugal few.
"'Lizabeth, I know I already apologized years ago, but I'm so sorry I took out my anger on you. It really was about so much more than going after Emily, just as you said. I'm truly sorry. I didn't know how to manage what I was feeling at the time."
"You're always so quick to make amends, Nathan. It really is me who should apologize to you, at least a hundred times more." Elizabeth pulled him even closer, seeking a union of their hearts. "I never should've gone to Union City. It was selfish. Then, I had the gall to be snippy at you, telling you not to shut me out …"
Elizabeth lightly shook her head in self-disgust, which unintentionally removed her from the sound of his reliable heartbeat. Once she settled her head again and both felt and heard the comforting cadence, she took a deep breath, matching the rise and fall of her chest to Nathan's. Aligned again in heart and body, she felt complete.
"Well," Nathan began in self reflection, "You were right." He lowered his head even more, nuzzling into hers until he felt her soft skin against his own cheek, at which point he sighed and closed his eyes. He needed this. He needed her.
This is how these conversations were meant to be shared—heart to heart, wrapped up in each other's arms, and even skin to skin, in whatever way possible. As a stoic Mountie, Nathan was leveled by how much he needed Elizabeth. She pushed him to be honest with himself—and with her—while pouring her love into every tender touch.
"I was shutting you out," Nathan admitted, remembering his defiance when she confronted him about the way he'd reacted at the cabin. "I fell into my usual coping patterns of pushing aside emotion and moving forward to survive."
Realizing what Elizabeth's feisty actions had really meant that day, he pulled her close and whispered, "I do believe, Elizabeth Thornton, that you were fighting for our love even then." He then poked at her playfully. "After all, it was that stern lecture," he humbly acknowledged, "along with some reassurance from Bill, that eventually led me to your doorstep."
"Bill?" Elizabeth asked, drawing back in surprise, searching for understanding in Nathan's eyes.
"Yes," Nathan chuckled. "Good ol' Bill. He's been fighting for our love, too, since that very weekend you went to Union City, actually." They may have only talked about baseball and chopped wood, but Nathan knew the moment Bill interrupted his therapeutic chore what his real intentions were. And, ultimately, Nathan appreciated the gesture of support.
"No wonder he felt justified in adding his two cents…" Elizabeth murmured, smiling at the thought of the curmudgeonly law man who just happened to have one of the biggest hearts. Then, in a turn of reflection, she teased, "I don't think we're slow as molasses any more."
Nathan's face lit up at the memory of his conversation with Bill. His shoulders shook with laughter, and his eyes crinkled with happiness as they settled on Elizabeth's. "Quite the opposite, as it turns out," he whispered, his voice low and inviting.
As so often happened, the chemistry between Nathan and Elizabeth flashed from flirty to fiery with one single spark. Following one of the shortest eye-to-lip staring sessions in their history, their mouths met in a sudden fury, starved of the intimacy they'd craved while riding separately and sharing their most vulnerable thoughts. The rest of their bodies soon gave way to more open expression, seeking fulfilling touch at every possible point of connection.
Nathan dropped his hand to the one curve he'd once allowed himself to hold, Elizabeth permitting, of course. She gasped at the feel of his hand below her waist, but then responded by deepening her kiss as her focused fingers fell to the buttons of his navy coat.
Fortunately, the hunger brewing in Newton's belly after his long haul took the reins, steering Nathan and Elizabeth away from where their instincts were otherwise leading them.
To Nathan, Newton's first "neigh" barely registered, figuring his highly trained horse was simply annoyed by some circling flies. After the second nicker, however, Nathan became well aware that Newton was keen on making a point. From past experience, this Mountie knew well that ignoring Newton's grumbling would only lead to one thing: the horse sauntering over and making himself known.
Nathan begrudgingly took the cue, slowing their kisses and resting his forehead lightly against Elizabeth's. With a soft groan, he pulled away, lingering in the touch of her handhold until the very last second.
"I'm sorry," Nathan said, "I have to…"
"Yeah, no, I know," Elizabeth responded, sympathetic to Newton's needs. Still, she watched Nathan's every move, completely captivated, incapable of taking her eyes off this man who held her in thrall, body and soul.
Turning his attention to his loyal horse, Nathan said with fondness in his voice, "I think what you were saying, Newton, is that you'd like your snack, please. Is that right?"
After receiving a one-whinny response, Nathan chuckled. As he walked toward Newton, the horse began whinnying as if explaining himself, telling Nathan how he had, in fact, applied some restraint and allowed the two to carry on a while before casually reminding them of his presence as well as his need for sustenance.
"Sorry, boy. You were patient, I know, especially since there won't even be any races today. But, I did bring you extra snacks," he added, hoping to compensate the two horses in one way or another for their cumbersome load. Then, leaning in, he whispered only for Newton's ears, "Thanks, Newt. I owe you one. I know that whinny wasn't just about food. Your instincts saved me from following mine."
Nathan gently glided his hand down the length of Newton's flank until he reached the saddlebag. As he pulled out an apple, two carrots, and a peppermint, it was Elizabeth's horse this time who spoke up. "Don't worry, Sergeant. I brought some for you, too," he promised.
"I can take Sergeant's," Elizabeth offered, soon standing beside Nathan. "That'd be great," he said, handing over the spread of snacks. As Nathan withdrew his hand, it brushed along Elizabeth's, igniting a surge of electricity between them, rekindling the unforgettable moment in the library years back when their physical connection had first taken hold.
Although their eyes met and spoke of the deep passion that had only intensified over the years, this time they resisted the magnetic pull between them, knowing they'd otherwise be drawn too quickly to the edges of their boundaries once again. Instead, they tended to their horses for the moment.
While the hungry horses audibly munched away, Elizabeth felt a corresponding twinge in her own stomach. "Anything for us humans, perchance?" she said, glancing Nathan's way.
Seeing that he'd just tethered Newton and was nearing Sergeant to do the same, a sudden realization washed over her—what she'd thought was merely a snack break was, in fact, the beginning of something more.
"Carrots and apples as well?" he teased, referencing the horses' snack as well as the themed dinner she'd brought to the schoolhouse for their last date. Elizabeth's eyes twinkled in amusement, but before she could respond, he nodded toward Newton's saddlebag. "I actually picked up your favorite muffins at Minnie's this morning."
Her smile softened, a warmth in her gaze as she stepped closer, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You know me too well," she replied, her voice playful yet full of affection. While making her way to Newton, she asked with high hopes, "Any coffee, Constable?"
Nathan chuckled, the corners of his mouth lifting as he reached into his coat pocket. "I thought you might ask," he said, pulling out a small flask, as he joined her beside Newton. He unscrewed the cap and offered it to her with an apologetic lopsided smile. "But don't expect it to be as good as Minnie's muffins."
She took a few grateful sips, savoring the warmth, before passing the flask back to Nathan. As she reached for the small sack of muffins in the saddlebag, her heart fluttered, watching him take a slow, thoughtful sip of the coffee. It felt almost silly to her, but she couldn't help the way she melted at the thought—how close they were now, sharing something as simple as coffee, their lips having touched the same mouthpiece just moments apart, an unspoken intimacy that just felt right.
Making quick work of the muffins, Nathan returned to his task of tethering Sergeant. Without realizing it, Elizabeth's eyes never left Nathan. Once he'd tied off Sergeant's lead rope, she noticed him rifling through a couple of the bags attached to her horse. He soon emerged holding two perfectly looped ropes of different sizes in one hand, and two leather helmets in the other, headgear much like what she'd worn in the mine years ago.
Adventuring, Elizabeth thought, with some hesitation, now viewing the rock wall before her in a new light. Though her heart quickened at the implied activity, her nervousness nearly evaporated, replaced by an irresistible attraction to this man beneath the serge, so at ease in the great outdoors.
As Nathan observed Elizabeth's eyes widen the moment she discovered the fixed rope dangling from the lowest crag, he gave her a reassuring smile before eventually settling back beside her.
In all of his training missions, they'd only ever used a simple waist loop. But, for added security, he'd already created a makeshift harness for Elizabeth, something he'd seen another Mountie do once on an especially high climb, a Swiss seat it was called.
Nathan separated the bundle, hanging one loop over his arm, and handing the other to Elizabeth. "This is yours," he said, placing it in her hands. "I'll help you put it on."
Since Elizabeth was rather distracted with the idea of Nathan helping her put anything on, her mind had not yet considered what she was holding and what exactly they'd be doing. Nathan bent down on one knee, a viewpoint Elizabeth did not mind in the least, while he instructed her to lean on him and put one leg through each smaller loop below the larger loop.
Elizabeth followed his directions, steadied by resting a hand on his muscular shoulder. Now, with her feet planted, separated in the two loops, Nathan first pulled up the waist loop, and then began to pull the lower circle of rope up along her one leg to demonstrate. "So," he directed, as he stood, "just wriggle up the harness here until the two leg loops reach just beneath your…hips."
His anatomical word choice of "hips" wasn't quite correct. If he'd been teaching new recruits, he would've said, "just below the groin," or "around your upper thighs," or if he was really shooting for physiological accuracy, "beneath your pubic bone." But the idea of speaking any of those aloud to Elizabeth in this surprisingly intimate moment felt scandalous. The warmth in his cheeks told him he was already blushing. Still, considering the positioning in fitting her in this safety equipment, he was trying to remain professional.
Elizabeth followed Nathan's instructions, but soon found herself struggling. As she managed to lift one leg loop over her knee, the other strap slipped down, making it difficult to raise both at once.
"Am I doing this right?" she asked, looking over at Nathan with the bewildered look of a novice. Only Nathan didn't respond. Instead, his eyes were still fixed on the ropes she gripped in her hands that were slowly moving up the length of her legs.
"Nathan," she said, this time in a sing-song voice. The unexpected change of pitches suddenly snapped Nathan out of the distraction and into the present.
"Uh, sorry," he said, a guilty smile settling in. Stepping in right beside her, he offered, "Here, I can help you…" Having never used a harness before himself, he wasn't familiar with the challenges of securing it, especially along the curves of a woman's body. As Mounties they only ever used the simple single loop. But knowing Elizabeth would feel safer in a harness setup that he understood more serious mountain climbers were starting to use, he'd opted for that instead.
As Elizabeth successfully tugged one loop just below her bottom, which settled the top strap at her waist, Nathan held the other leg loop that had been falling behind and lifted it to follow. Soon, he passed the responsibility to cover the remaining distance over to Elizabeth, though not before his hand momentarily brushed against both her hand and upper thigh simultaneously. If the touch of their fingers in the library had been a spark, this interaction was dynamite.
His eyes never left hers as he took a stabilizing step back. "You wriggle your hips beautifully," Nathan said with admiration, surprising himself with his candor. "Hnh?" Elizabeth asked, raising her eyebrows, much like Nathan did in response to Elizabeth's request to remove his serge years ago. Having been focused on the ropes, she questioned whether she'd heard him correctly. But, his affected response told her she had.
"I'm sorry, 'Lizabeth," Nathan chuckled, holding his hands up in the air in self defense. With his eyes dancing between her curves and her face, he admitted, "I've just never had such a pleasant experience roping up. I'm soaking it all in."
Feeling cute and confident in her riding outfit, Elizabeth struck a different pose, though she still felt shy in the spotlight as she rotated her hips out of necessity until the roped harness was finally situated just below the curves of her bottom.
At this point Nathan's heart was racing. "You're proving my point perfectly, 'Lizbeth," he smiled, brushing a brief admiring kiss across her lips before whispering, "It just isn't this fun with other Mounties."
"I'd hope not," Elizabeth teased, slightly scandalized though also clearly adoring the romance that two loops of rope had ironically brought to this interaction.
"What's next?" she asked, hoping somehow the harnessing was the adventure.
"Now, we have to cinch the ropes." Nathan said matter-of-factly.
Elizabeth wasn't sure what that meant but if Nathan was involved, she knew she'd like whatever it is.
Understandably, Nathan hadn't realized just how intimate this first step to their climbing would be since he'd never personally worked with harnesses before, and certainly not with a woman. He moved positions for improved proximity now hovering near her left hip. As he pressed his left hand against the rope on her thigh, his right hand gave several short pulls on the open end to pull the loop taught around her upper thigh.
"Cinching," Nathan said succinctly, repeating the word, suddenly feeling the need to justify his hand placement. But the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth suggested he very much liked cinching.
Highly affected by the location of Nathan's fingers, Elizabeth turned to humor to distract herself, "Are there any ulterior motives you'd like to admit to, Constable, in deciding this particular activity?"
"Perhaps…" Nathan voiced simply, a sly grin filling his rugged face. He readily admitted that her roping up was not a strictly professional endeavor. "…though, as you can imagine, I'd never thought about just how intimate a harness could be."
His blue eyes never left Elizabeth's as he gave the rope three final sharp tugs, pulling her toward him in sporadic successive movements that left Elizabeth in giggles.
"Or not," she objected, finding the yanking anything but romantic.
Nathan chuckled at her point of disagreement. "Normally, we just use single loops around the waist," Nathan explained, "so this is fairly new to me, too."
"So why the harness?" Elizabeth asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
Expecting a coy remark, Nathan's response instead tugged at the most tender parts of her heart. "I want you to be safe." As he caught the layered meaning to his words, and witnessed Elizabeth melting before his eyes, he bagged the idea of professionalism, cradled her head in his hands, and gave her two heart-stopping kisses.
Although the proximity cinching required was naturally pleasurable, on a deeper, more symbolic level even, Nathan held high hopes for how close they'd become through this upcoming experience of trusting each other. He'd learned through the Mounties how shared challenges and adventures don't just test commitment, grit, and endurance, they weave an unspoken bond between those involved, connecting hearts in ways that comfort and ease never could.
That's why there was such a strong sense of brotherhood among the Mounties. They relied on each other, sometimes finding themselves in need of support, and other times stepping up to lead and lift. But, like the seesaw, it was unheard of to find a Mountie grounded on one end as another flew high. The only way they survived was by keeping the balance between need and support as steady as possible. On the ride that day, Elizabeth's promise to be loving filled him with hope that they could find a similar balance.
Now that Elizabeth's harness was fastened securely, Nathan led her to the rock face, her hand growing more sweaty by the second. He squeezed his love and support into her hand. Her nerves didn't surprise him. That was normal. Still, he appreciated her willingness to tackle this new experience with him. Compared to leaping off a balcony to escape being held at gunpoint, this thirty-five foot climb would be easy as pie.
Once below the craggy cliff, Elizabeth laid on the sarcasm. "You don't go easy on a girl, do you?" leaning wholeheartedly into the unusual nature of this date activity.
Placing a reassuring arm around her shoulder, Nathan responded with a playful smile, "You can't make it too easy, right?"
Elizabeth cast a knowing look sideways at Nathan, quickly clueing in to their inside joke. She remembered well scolding Nathan Grant for literally setting expectations too high as they were hiding Easter eggs.
With wary eyes, Elizabeth scanned the height. "This looks anything but easy, Nathan."
"It's not as high as it looks, I promise. You'll be done in no time."
When Elizabeth's eyes revealed her doubt, Nathan offered encouraging words. He assured her that he'd climbed this wall himself, that it was he who fixed the rope; and then he explained to her what the term belaying meant in top-rope climbing.
To demonstrate, he expertly roped up and showed her how a special knot called the Munter Hitch allowed him to manage the slack in the rope through control and friction. So, with even the slightest slip, he was ready with his brake hand to instantly pull the rope taut, arresting any fall so only a matter of inches might be lost. Nathan finished off with some basic instruction on rock climbing, including the importance of using the strength of her legs as her foundation.
More at ease after Nathan's display of expertise, Elizabeth eyed the wall again, this time with a hesitant, but hopeful glance. What Elizabeth didn't know was that Nathan's heart was pounding just as fiercely as hers, filled with compassion and appreciation for the leap of faith she was taking—though this time, her destination would require dozens of intentional, hard-earned steps upward, instead of one single jump down.
The moment Nathan saw a brief flicker of nervousness in Elizabeth's clear blue eyes, he gently squeezed her arms. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said, "This is just for fun, my love," before pressing a tender kiss to her lips. "You've got this."
Elizabeth inhaled deeply and slowly released her breath. "I've got this," she murmured to herself, sizing up the rock wall.
Nathan followed Elizabeth's example and took a deep breath, only for a different reason. With her sporty look and harness snugly in place, Elizabeth's long legs were impossible to miss. She carried herself with the effortless grace of someone who could've stepped off the cover of an equestrian magazine, a stark reminder of the divide between their social classes.
Still, here they were. The son of a thief and the daughter of a gentleman. Elizabeth had spoken of their love story being written in the stars. Beyond the idea of fate, however, Nathan felt increasingly convinced that their enduring love was not related to a mere cosmological alignment, but rather directly linked to a loving, merciful God, who knew their hearts, and just how much they needed each other.
As if on cue, Elizabeth's eyes met Nathan's, lingering as though waiting for his signal.
"Go ahead and start whenever you feel ready, 'Lizabeth. Just remember, I'm here for you."
Nathan stepped his left leg forward to settle into a strong brace stance. His heart swelled with pride as he watched Elizabeth mentally prepare for the challenge, facing the natural fears anyone feels when stepping into something new and challenging. There would be plenty more of that in their future together, Nathan imagined, as those elements had always been a constant in the years since they first met.
Although Nathan understood Elizabeth was naturally nervous to be making this climb, all the stretching and strength it required, both mentally and physically, he had no qualms sending the love of his life into the sky above. He'd spent years training for moments like this. And in all honesty, top-rope climbing, like they'd be doing, was far safer than the lead climbing he'd done earlier with Bill on belay to fix the rope for this climb.
Before he and Elizabeth had even approached this granite wall, Nathan had tested the rope, scouted routes, and even climbed the crag several times over. He'd done all in his power to increase the odds of her reaching the top. The rest was up to her.
Elizabeth took one final glance at Nathan before she began. All it took was meeting his steady gaze to remember how he'd been there for her through the tumult of emotions she'd faced when Higgins came to town, and how he'd rescued her from the harrowing hostage situation. She processed Nathan's tall, muscular frame, and those steely blue eyes with newfound confidence, trusting in his training and in his love.
As Nathan sensed Elizabeth's readiness, he bent his back knee, lowering his center of gravity. "Belay on," he murmured quietly to himself.
Looking at the granite wall, Elizabeth reached for what she'd deemed to be the first optimal handhold. As she began to climb, she whispered the following words to herself, "One step at a time. You've got this. You're safe." On repeat. Her body's movements fell into a pattern as well. Handhold, foothold, foothold, handhold. And just like that, she'd already covered eight feet of the climb.
"Nathan!" Elizabeth called down in a triumphant voice. "I'm doing it!"
"'Lizbeth, I'm so proud of you!" he shouted up to her, his booming voice carrying not only his words but his expansive love and support. His heart meant every single word.
Nathan knew Elizabeth would be hesitant—who wouldn't be with a first climb of nearly a forty foot cliff? But he viewed the adventure as an opportunity to strengthen their trust, a chance to reaffirm their reliance on each other. Still, as gutsy as Elizabeth was proving to be, once she released each hold or shifted a foot, he could easily see the nervous tremble in her body.
At the beginning of the climb, here, Nathan kept the rope fairly tensioned, knowing Elizabeth would initially feel less confident and appreciate feeling closely bound to the rope as her safety net.
As Elizabeth began her climbing pattern again—hand, foot, foot, hand—the resonance of Nathan's encouraging words echoed in her heart. She focused intently on placement, whispering aloud to herself, "One step at a time. You've got this. You're safe."
Though Nathan couldn't hear her, he saw her mouth moving. Once she was finished, he couldn't wait to ask how her spoken words had helped her through the climb.
As he watched from below, he'd tried to count how many times he'd been in this same position, belaying a new recruit. It was at least in the hundreds. Keeping his brake hand steady, Nathan smiled at how much he preferred this view to that of another Mountie. There was no need in this exercise to remind himself to stay focused. He was deeply grateful for a compelling reason to keep his eyes glued on Elizabeth's striking curves.
Aware of Nathan's attentive gaze, figuring it was for safety alone, Elizabeth still recognized that up there on the rock wall it was she who controlled her "one step at a time." But what gave her strength and made her feel brave was trusting in Nathan's confidence that she could do this and relying on his impeccable skills to keep her safe. After all, he'd come to Hope Valley to protect her. He'd only ever suggest she climb a craggy mountain if he could assure her safety.
Emboldened by Nathan's presence below her, Elizabeth's next steps were both swift and strategic. Soon, her heightened focus allowed in more details as she grew more comfortable with her expanding skills. Though the air felt cold, she was warmed by the exercise, and by the exhilaration of succeeding within Nathan's watchful eyes. The scent of earth and stone mixed with the faint breeze that gently ruffled her hair.
Below, Nathan expertly fed the rope with his guide hand, providing more slack to accommodate Elizabeth's quickening movements.
She progressed through several rounds of new positions without uttering the words she thought she'd need to reach the top. As she placed a hand here and a foot there, Elizabeth felt almost graceful, as if following the steps of a dance that she'd breezed through at one of her many Hamilton parties.
With her fear dissipating, she became more aware of the heightened sensitivity in her hands—the rough, cool texture of the gray rock—and how her eyes now swiftly read the surface, mapping out each hold and crevice.
Nathan didn't expect to get emotional. It's rock climbing after all. He'd watched dozens of recruits traverse rock walls. But this was Elizabeth. His Elizabeth. Her growing confidence was palpable, evident in the way she navigated each position. A surge of tenderness welled up in him, witnessing firsthand how she was pushing forward with such strength and grace.
He released his first sigh of relief when he realized she was more than halfway to the top. However, it was often at this critical point—twenty feet in the air—when heights became especially daunting. Nathan's eyes widened as he remembered a tip he'd forgotten to share before she began her ascent.
"Look down or not, my love. Do whatever will work best for you to reach the top."
Currently in a steady place, Elizabeth surprised herself as she comfortably glanced below, meeting Nathan's watchful gaze. "If I look down, it will only be to find you, sweetheart."
Nathan immediately grinned like a gobsmacked fool, readily owning the truth of the moment. He didn't mind in the least, thoroughly smitten by the woman calling down to him. Clearly, Nathan had nothing to worry about. Elizabeth was managing to flirt with him from twenty feet up on her first climb, and it made his heart swell with pride and affection.
He continued to be impressed with Elizabeth's resilience. It gave him immeasurable assurance for the ways they'd be there for each other as a married couple, and who they'd grow together to be as a result. The possibilities were limitless.
Nathan's heart lifted, accepting with awe and gratitude that he was no longer in an anchored position, grounding the seesaw. Elizabeth may be lighter by weight, but through her steady support and intentional positioning, he could feel their balance improving.
On the rock wall, as Elizabeth neared the trickiest stretch, Nathan shouted up in anticipation, "These holds coming up will take the longest, 'Lizbeth. So trust yourself and trust me, and take your time."
With hours of training experience under his belt, he was careful to avoid triggering words like "challenging," or especially "scary." Climbing was a mental game. This section of the climb demanded patience and focus, not speed. The rock composition changed, too. Where there were once rough ledges and outcroppings, easy to spot and secure to grip, there were now an abundance of crimps and edges, which required a balanced, precise touch.
Nathan's gaze focused on Elizabeth's hands, grateful to see she was taking the time for proper positioning. High on the wall, she was executing even the most minute details of his instruction, remembering that her legs were her foundation, rather than relying excessively on arm strength.
Then, as each step naturally took longer, Elizabeth glanced down at him, feeling both the mental and physical strain of her slowed movement. Instantly, she registered her dizzying distance from the ground, a wave of fear settling into her chest.
Nathan sensed the subtle shift in her demeanor, the tension in her body, as she grappled with this obstacle. She'd spent years conquering far greater mountains of fear. Yet, in her panic, she made a move that would be difficult to support.
"You've got this, 'Lizbeth," Nathan shouted, his encouragement echoing in her heart.
Face to face with this crag that suddenly seemed as slick as paper, Elizabeth recognized how the pattern of holds had changed to a patchwork of jagged holds and smooth surfaces. She brushed her sweaty hand across the flat rock, desperately searching out the familiar textured holds she'd grown accustomed to in the first half of her climb.
Immediately, she felt frightened, unprepared for this challenging section. Elizabeth called out in a wavering voice, "Nathan! What do I do?" He could sense her panic from the pitch, tone, and urgency of her voice, as well as the rigidity in her body.
As fast as a heartbeat, Nathan's mind raced, searching for the right words to reassure her. In a calm voice, he guided her next step in short, succinct phrases. "Look left, sweetheart, just inches above your head. The narrow ledge jutting out. That's your handhold."
Elizabeth spotted the tight crimp Nathan suggested, but thought its texture looked gritty and unforgiving. Scouting out other options, she noticed a large pocket only inches above the other ledge, where she could easily slip her hand for a secure grip that would give her the stability she needed for her next foothold. She settled on the easier of the two, pushed through her legs, and reached for the higher pocket.
When Nathan noticed her arm extend above the narrow ledge he'd advised, he called out, "'Lizbeth, that's not the one! It's the ledge below! Trust me, please!" Though obviously within earshot, her fingers slid into the pocket that appeared to require less effort.
Nathan shook his head in frustration, blowing off steam with a forceful exhale. Instead of the smaller reach he'd directed, Elizabeth stretched wide, driven by the need to cling to something more substantial. As tempting as that higher hold was, for good reason Nathan chose the narrow ledge. He'd given her specific instructions she chose to completely disregard.
Nathan knew the mechanics of climbing as a Mountie and the physics of positioning from his interest in science. Selecting the lower hold, though smaller, would've allowed for more torque and better overall balance, keeping her strength rooted in her legs. Instead, both of Elizabeth's arms were now overextended.
Nathan inwardly sighed and unbeknownst to Elizabeth, pulled the rope taut, anticipating her slip.
Repeatedly, she tried to lift herself by the strength of her arms, which were already outstretched like the letter "V." She anxiously scanned the rock wall, wondering how to get the leverage for her next foothold. In the meantime, Nathan noticed her arms begin to shake from the added weight she'd unnecessarily placed on them when she'd overreached to the higher handhold.
Since he couldn't physically move Elizabeth's body, all he could do from below was support her, and hopefully guide her to a more stable position…if she'd listen, that is. "I've got you, 'Lizbeth, I promise! You're doing great, sweetheart!" He could see her stamina waning. "I won't let you fall."
He said those last words slowly and deliberately, needing her to trust he'd be there for her.
Elizabeth was glued to the rock wall, no longer moving, only clinging.
Sensing her fear, Nathan kept talking, his voice steady and calm. "I'm holding your rope, 'Lizbeth. You're safe, okay? Just tired, I know. So, take a deep breath. Can you do that for me?"
After Elizabeth's quick nod, Nathan thought he detected a small rise and fall in her chest. "Now, take two more, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you!" Even from a distance, her body already looked more relaxed. "Now, I need you to find that small ledge, again, down to your left, do you see it?"
"I see it!" Elizabeth called out.
Nathan released a second sigh. Good, she's talking at least, he thought. That was a good sign. "On the count of three, I want you to put all your strength into your right handhold, and lower your left hand down to the ledge. Just remember, you're attached to a rope, and I'm holding that rope. I've got you, I promise."
After allowing a few seconds to pass for Elizabeth to ready herself, he announced, "Okay, 'Lizbeth, on the count of three. 1…2…"
"I can't, Nathan! I can't!" Elizabeth exclaimed, the panic rising in her voice as her arms wearied.
Quickly and firmly, Nathan shouted, "'Lizbeth, you can! Take your left leg—"
Instantly he yanked the already taut rope as Elizabeth lurched backward. Though out of instinct, her mouth had opened to scream, all that escaped was a gasp before Nathan's quick work arrested her fall. She'd dropped only a matter of inches, but, like with a seesaw, all it took was one person unexpectedly jumping off to precariously flip the balance.
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Author's Notes:
Read on to Chapter 8: The Rope, which is also a part of this multi-chapter release.
These characters are from Hallmark's When Calls the Heart. Phrases that are taken from past episodes are in italics.