Chapter 7

Elizabeth became more nervous as her appointment with Lucas drew near. Their last encounter over the library had not exactly gone well. She started the walk from her hotel to the Capital taking her time as it was a beautiful winter day. Surely Lucas would see reason she thought happily to herself. Yes, of course, he would. With these thoughts in her head, she sped up her pace anxious to get to her meeting.

"Good afternoon." She said pleasantly to Lucas's secretary. "I'm Elizabeth Thornton, I'm here to see Governor Bouchard."

"Yes, of course. Please have a seat." Joanna told her as she left her desk to let Lucas know his next appointment was here.

Joanna walked down the hall to Lucas's office and knocked on his open door. "Sir, your 2 o'clock appointment is here." She told him.

Lucas looked up at his secretary. "Thank you, Joanna. Please send her in." Lucas said calmly as he stood to wait for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth walked into his office. "Elizabeth, welcome. Please have a seat. What brings you to Capital City?" Lucas asked with no emotion, his countenance unreadable.

Elizabeth closed the door behind her and walked towards his desk. "How are you doing?" She asked brightly.

"I'm fine and yourself?" He asked, emotionless. Elizabeth stared at him for a long moment. He was clearly not fine. He looked exhausted. She then glanced at the cane next to his desk, as she wondered for a brief moment what this job was doing to him.

"I'm fine, thank you." She said, questioning once again if coming was a good idea.

"Elizabeth, why don't you just tell me why you're here. I'm sure you didn't come all this way for a social visit." Lucas said coldly.

"No. I don't suppose I have. Alright, we will dispense with any further pleasantries." She told him knowing now that it had indeed been a mistake to come. "I wanted to ask you to reconsider the closing of the Mountie post in Hope Valley." She told him determinedly.

"I can't do that. If that is your only reason for coming, I'm sorry you have wasted your time." He told her.

"Lucas, I think you're just being vindicative." Elizabeth said as she raised her voice slightly.

Lucas gave a soft chuckle. "First, I didn't choose which posts to close. There's no reason for me to go against the recommendation of the committee. Lee, as mayor, has the opportunity to appeal and to my knowledge he has not. So, I don't see how you view this as my being vindicative. What would I have to be vindicative about?" He asked curious as to her answer.

"Lucas, you're doing this to separate me and Nathan. Please. I'm begging you…" Elizabeth trailed off as she saw a flash of anger cross his face.

"Elizabeth, if you love Nathan then you will move to Edmonton. If you don't, then Nathan has to choose to go alone with just Allie or he resigns from the Mountie's to stay in Hope Valley with you. If neither of you are willing to do that for the other, than my opinion would be that you don't truly love each other. Either way, none of this is my concern. And as far as you thinking that this is me being vindicative tells me you never knew me at all." Lucas said with a ragged edge to his voice.

"Lucas, please you are the only one who can fix this." Elizabeth told him with a pleading tone.

"Funny, a little over a year ago I was near death because I ran for governor to save the town that you love. When I opened my eyes and I saw you sitting by my bedside, I thought it meant that you loved me after all. But I quickly learned that you were only there out of guilt. You wanted to make sure that I lived long enough to save Hope Valley. And now you've come to Capital City a second time, not out of love for me but to ask me to do something for you…again." He told her disgusted.

"Lucas, please I…" she paused not sure what to say next.

"You want a favor, plain and simple, Elizabeth. A favor for your current suitor, the one with whom you were lusting after while you were engaged to me." Elizabeth opened her eyes wide in shock. "I guess you didn't think that I knew about the talk that Nathan had with you right before we were to leave for Capital City. It's a small-town, Elizabeth, people talk." He told her coldly.

"Lucas, you have it all wrong. I never meant to hurt you. Truly I didn't, I just needed…" She stopped herself knowing that her words would hurt him.

"I've listened to you because of what you once meant to me. I didn't think it was possible for you to hurt me more but I was wrong. You want a favor but you have no reason, other than a selfish one. I thought, hoped, that perhaps you would finally tell me why you used me. How foolish I've been to still hold out hope that we could fix whatever was wrong, or at the very least find a way to be friends. This meeting is over." He told her as he stood up.

Elizabeth stared at him; not sure what else she could say. He obviously was still hurting over their breakup. He wasn't going to help her, she realized. "Is there anything I can say or do to make you change your mind?" Elizabeth asked dejected.

Lucas gazed at her, but he could no longer see the woman that held his heart. "No, there's nothing you can say. If Lee wants to make an appeal in writing, he has a few days left. That is the best I can do for you. I didn't agree to the closures lightly and the closure of the Hope Valley post had absolutely nothing to do with you or Nathan. And I resent you suggesting otherwise. Have a safe trip home. Please say hello to Jack for me." Lucas told her with the first hint of warmth she heard in his voice at the mention of her son's name.

"I appreciate you seeing me. I never meant to hurt you, but I had to follow my heart." She told him trying to make him understand.

"You could have followed your heart without destroying mine in the process. But instead, you choose to use me and my love for you as some kind of shield to protect your own heart. You gave no thought to what it would do to me when you dismissed me so easily with a two-minute speech about not loving me with your whole heart. You never fought for us; you lied when you said you tried. You were so infatuated with Nathan and the fact that he's a Mountie just like your dead husband, that my hopes and dreams were never a consideration." He told her, no longer holding back the hurt he was feeling so deeply.

"I can see now my coming here was a mistake. You've left me no choice. I'll be moving to Edmonton with Nathan, because I love him that much." She told him with the sole purpose of hurting him she knew.

Lucas steeled his countenance once again. "Good luck in your new city. Goodbye Elizabeth." He said as he took his cane and walked over to his office door to open it for her. She stood up and walked towards him stopping for a moment to breath in his scent and stare one last time into his beautiful brown eyes.

"I am sorry, Lucas. Goodbye." She said as she lowered her gaze and walked out the door. Lucas gently shut and locked the door behind her. As he heard her footsteps walk away, he leaned against the door, angry with her for coming and angry with himself for still loving her.

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Lucas sighed heavily as he thought of another lonely holiday season that stretched out before him. His second as governor and his second without Elizabeth and Jack in his life. His health was better this holiday season which he knew meant he was expected to fully participate in the normal holiday festivities that the governor of the province was to attend. He'd been able to beg off of last year's festivities due to recovering from his assassination attempt.

This year he would preside over the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the park. As he strolled into the park, he looked at all the happy families that had gathered to enjoy this tradition. It was a beautiful night with moderate temperatures. He schooled his countenance as he reached the huge Christmas tree in the center of the park. As he got up on the platform, he smiled and gave a small speech welcoming everyone but inside his heart was breaking. For a moment, he imagined Elizabeth and Jack with him and what fun this event would have been. The lights on the tree were lit and the audience erupted into applause. Once his part was done, he quickly left the park to return to the governor's mansion alone.

The following weekend was the annual Governor's Christmas Gala at the mansion. "Lucas, you need a date for the gala. Have you invited anyone yet?" Edwin asked perturbed by Lucas's lack of interest in this matter.

"Edwin, I've told you, I will be hosting the event solo. I have invited my parents. I had hoped that would satisfy you." Lucas told him exasperated.

"Lucas, having your parents here is a nice touch but it's not going to replace you having a date." Edwin told him firmly.

"Sorry Edwin, that is the best I'm offering." Lucas told him. The only woman that Lucas could possibly think to invite was Edie Martell but she was in Benson Hills. Edwin was about to speak again when Lucas gave him a look. Edwin knew the conversation was over.

Despite his not having a date for the gala, it was a massive success. Helen and Martin mingled nicely with the crowd in attendance. Lucas even waltzed with his mother twice which at least seemed to please Edwin slightly. Although he hosted the event alone, there was certainly not a shortage of beautiful young women who would have loved to dance with him but he couldn't bring himself to ask any of them.

There was one holiday event that did bring some joy to his heart, one that he actually looked forward to. On Christmas Eve, he hosted the children from St. Mary's Orphanage at the mansion. There were gifts for the children with a visit from St. Nicholas himself. He read two stories to the children, "The Night Before Christmas" and "The Nativity Story." When he was done reading to the children, he couldn't help but think of all the stories he had read to Jack. His heart ached when he thought that it was now Nathan reading to the boy at night.

He had specifically told Edwin no press at this event. He wasn't hosting the children for a publicity stunt but yet he saw camera's go off a few times. He was upset that Edwin had invited the press but an idea came to him of how they could actually do some good. Lucas went over to the photographers and asked them to take a picture of each child with St. Nicholas. He told the photographers that he would pay for the pictures. He would gift the picture to each child an he hoped the picture would be something that each child could cherish.

Once all the children had left, he went to the library for a night cap. He'd been able to keep Jack Thornton from his mind for most of the evening but it was Jack's 6th birthday. He had sent him a baseball glove and bat for his birthday and a model airplane for Christmas. He didn't know if Elizabeth would give the gifts to Jack or even say they were from him. No matter, it made him feel connected to the little boy that he loved but whom he had lost. He felt much like the orphans that he had hosted. He wasn't sure why he continued to allow himself to think of them. He knew that his relationship with Elizabeth was over and by extension with Jack as well. He knew that they weren't thinking of him on this night. He just wished his heart would catch up with his brain where they were concerned. He swallowed down his drink and made his way to bed.

Finally, it was New Year's Eve, the last event of the holiday season in which he had to be present and appear to be enjoying himself.

"Lucas, please tell me you have asked someone to attend the New Year's Eve Gala with you." Edwin asked hopefully.

Edwin, haven't we already had this conversation. I won't lead on some young lady for publicity purposes or my constituents for that matter." Lucas said emphatically.

Lucas knew that many of his constituents were intrigued by his marital status. Although most were aware that he had suffered a broken engagement a little over a year ago and, of course, all the bad press about his long-ago relationship with Jeanette Aucoin. All his constituents cared about now was that at 32 years old he was single and they wanted their governor married and settled.

He arrived at the Regis Hotel for the gala alone. He set about to make his presence known and hopefully leave well before midnight. He made the rounds of conversation with members of the legislature but the evening was dragging on. Edwin had come up to him several times encouraging him to ask at least one of the many beautiful women in attendance to dance. He laughed at Edwin; he had to admire the man's persistence.

Lucas was speaking to his Minister of Interior when a woman caught his eye. He watched as she swirled around the dance floor, coming very close to him at one point. She had auburn hair that was in an updo with tendrils cascading down along the sides of her face. She was tall for a woman and quite beautiful. She had on an emerald-colored gown that brought out the green in her eyes. She was fair skinned with a spatting of freckles that gave off a sweet demeanor about her. He watched her glide effortlessly around the dance floor with her partner. He found himself mesmerized by her in that moment, unable to look away.

Finally, he forced himself to turned his attention back to Arthur Abbott. He then surprised himself by pointing the woman out to Arthur and asking if he knew who she was. Unfortunately, he did not. They continued their conversation, although he found himself distracted by the woman. A few minutes later Arthur's wife came over to ask her husband to dance.

"Governor, you don't mind if I steal my husband away, do you? It's almost midnight and I would like to dance at least once with him before the new year." Mrs. Abbott told him with a hopeful smile.

"Of course, Mrs. Abbott. Enjoy the dance." He told them. His gaze followed them on to the dance floor, but he no longer saw the woman that had captivated him just a few minutes before.

He looked at his pocket watch, 11:45; time for him to go. He didn't want to be standing around alone at midnight. He once more glanced around the room but didn't see the woman in the emerald gown again. He felt his heart rate increase as he thought of her. It was silly, no doubt she was spoken for as she seemed entranced with the man she was dancing with. Lucas walked out of the ballroom to begin the new year alone once again.

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January 4, 1922

There was a knock at his office door. "Come in." Lucas called

He looked up from what he was working on and smiled. "Henry, welcome back. When did you get back in town?" He asked as he stood to shake Henry's hand.

"Last night." Henry told him

"I hope you enjoyed your time in Hope Valley." Lucas told him. "You didn't miss anything here. The legislature will be back in session next week and we need to get some traction on our water diversion bill. Perhaps you can find out what the holdup is."

"Sure, Lucas. I'll get right on that. Hmm…there's something I want to talk to you about first." Henry told him with a look of regret on his face.

"It looks serious. Did something happen?" Lucas asked concerned. "Are you ill?"

"No, it's nothing like that. I have some news that I think would be of interest to you. I'd rather you hear it from me." Henry told him as Lucas stared at him anxiously.

"Alright, what is it?" He asked nervously.

"Elizabeth resigned from the Jack Thornton School and moved to Edmonton with Nathan." Henry told him as he watched Lucas carefully.

Lucas swallowed hard. "Did they marry?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he leaned back in his chair.

"No and they're not engaged either, at least not officially. Elizabeth is renting an apartment in the city and was able to secure a job teaching at a city school." Henry said. "I know you didn't think she would leave with him, but rather you thought she was just trying to force your hand."

"That's not true, Henry. I really didn't know what she would do. But I guess now I have my answer. She really didn't love me just like she said. She was willing to give up her teaching position and leave the town she loves for apparently the man she truly loves. Contrary to what you may think, I didn't sign off on the Mountie closure in Hope Valley to hurt Elizabeth or Nathan. I signed off because it was the right thing to do. In doing so though, I have finally gotten the answer that I have wondered about for over a year now." He said as his eyes filled with sadness. "Henry, I appreciate you telling me. But if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone for a bit."

Henry observed his young friend unsure how to read the emotion etched on his face. "Sure. I'll see what I can find out about the water diversion bill. Lucas, for what it's worth, I'm sorry." Henry told him but he could see that Lucas was no longer listening and had retreated inside himself.

Henry stood and closed the door behind him as he left. He walked out to the reception area. "Joanna, cancel the Governor's appointments for the rest of the day. Don't go into his office. If any calls come in for the Governor, transfer them to me. I'll be back a little later to check on him." Henry told her.

"Is the Governor sick?" Joanna asked alarmed.

"No, he's not sick. I just had to deliver some bad news. He'll be fine tomorrow." Henry told her as he walked away.

Lucas sat at his desk with his head in his hands for the longest time. He thought he was prepared to hear what Henry told him, but he was wrong. Finally, he got up and walked over to his liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of bourbon. He poured himself a drink. When she ended things at the train station on that cold October night, he honestly never thought it was truly over. Yes, she started dating Nathan just weeks after he left town. But he thought if he was just patient enough, she would see that Nathan wasn't her next great love. That she would find her way back to him. Even when she looked him in the eye and said she was going to Edmonton with Nathan, there was still this tiny flicker that still burned. That flicker was now gone. How had he been so wrong? His thoughts were all jumbled and not making any sense. The only thing he knew for certain was that he needed to leave.

Lucas went out to the reception area. "Joanna, I'm going out for the rest of the day." Lucas said as he put on his suit jacket. "Please call Paul, I need a ride back to the Governor's mansion. I'll be waiting downstairs."

"Of course. Governor. Are you alright?" Joanna asked a bit frantic.

"I'm fine." He said as he walked away.

Once back at the Governor's mansion, Lucas changed his clothes. Grabbed his leather jacket and headed out the back door to the garage. He put on his jacket and goggles and hopped on his motorbike and peeled out of the driveway as his driver Paul watched helplessly as the Governor sped away.