Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“We had better be going—Lee, would you get Goldie while I help Elizabeth clean up a little?” Rosemary quickly sat up in her chair and began grabbing her and Lee’s plate from Elizabeth’s table, which was surprisingly bare of food—everyone enjoyed most of Elizabeth’s dinner.

“I will help, too,” Minnie rang out, beginning to sweep her and Joseph’s plate off the table as well.  She and Rosemary walked to the sink with their dishes and began scraping what was left of dinner off of their plates.  Lee excused himself, left the table, and went upstairs to Little Jack’s room, where Goldie was asleep in Little Jack’s old crib.

Joseph, who was sitting next to Nathan, leaned in closer so that only Nathan could hear what he whispered to him.  “Nathan, you were awfully quiet tonight—I hope you know my door is always open—any time, day or night.”  He put his hand on Nathan’s shoulder and gave a reassuring smile.

Nathan did a slight nod of acknowledgment but was in a daze—here he was, sitting with three wonderful couples for dinner, and yet he was alone—again.  What seemed so easy for everyone around him didn’t seem so easy for him.  He began to think of Faith, her golden curls, how beautiful they looked in the sunlight, and her radiant smile when they went out for their rounds together and saw that gorgeous piece of land.  But when they danced to the music that roared from the radio a few days before, he couldn’t help but feel they were precisely where both of them needed to be.  

It was weird for Nathan to admit, considering he had tried hard to make it work.  Yet he couldn’t help but remember gazing over at Mei a few times during that dance, as Mei was busy watching over Goldie as Lee and Rosemary danced together.  

“Nathan, you hardly ate—do you want me to package some of this up for you to take home?  Maybe a slice of the banana bread?” said Elizabeth, with a wink and a joyous smile.  Her face began to soften when she realized Nathan didn’t even seem to hear her and he just stared down at the table.  He was still thinking about Mei.

“You know, she makes amazing banana bread,” Lucas said, taking Elizabeth’s dinner plate before her and walking it over to the sink where Rosemary and Minnie were still helping clean up.

“Yes, I would like that… thank you,” Nathan finally said, snapping back to reality and mustering a small smile.  He was watching little Jack now, playing with the wooden Mountie toy, laughing.  He was amazed at how good Little Jack was at tonight’s dinner—he sat and entertained himself while the adults talked and ate.  The older kids—Angela, Cooper, and Allie—were having a small game night at the Canfield residence while they were there.

Joseph pushed out his chair from the table, made his way to the coat rack, and reached for both of their coats.  “Dinner was wonderful, Elizabeth; thank you again,” he said as he helped Minnie into her jacket.  “Next time, it’s on us!  Next week?  We’re wondering what we’re walking into at our house, so we better get going.  We’ll see if the kids attempted to make some snacks,” he finished with a wink.  He knew there was talk of Angela and Allie wanting to make a cake. 

“Nathan, take your time; I am sure Allie wouldn’t mind helping to make an edible cake,” said Minnie, buttoning her coat.

The Canfields made their way out Elizabeth’s door and down the street to their row house.  On the way there, they discussed how wonderful Hope Valley had been to them—entirely welcoming and where they truly belonged.

“Elizabeth, you really have come a long way in your cooking,” said Rosemary, returning to the table and gazing at Elizabeth, who was now cutting a generous piece of her banana bread for Nathan to take home.

“I always thought it was good,” Lucas chimed in from the floor, where he was sitting with Little Jack, playing with some wooden logs.

“Well,” Rosemary quipped, slapping her hands together, “once upon a time, before you strolled into Hope Valley, Mr. Bouchard, we couldn’t tell her pork from chicken and her chicken from pork!”

She laughed, and even Elizabeth couldn’t stifle a chuckle after rolling her eyes.  

She did come a long way, far beyond her cooking abilities.  She took a deep look around at her little row house.  Although not much had changed in the years she lived there, there was one difference that meant far beyond what Elizabeth could ever express: Mountie Jack’s pictures were now in Little Jack’s room.  Elizabeth had made that change just hours before she hosted this small dinner, and she took a few seconds to remember what occurred hours before.  

Elizabeth woke this beautiful Saturday morning with a burning desire—with a burning need—to visit Mountie Jack’s grave.  It was her first thought, and she knew it was far from a coincidence.  She had visited Jack’s grave a few times since he was buried, but she knew this time would be different; she just didn’t know how or why.  

After throwing a small shall over her shoulders and walking downstairs, cautiously stepping carefully not to wake Little Jack, she picked up her telephone and called Rosemary.  Rosemary heard the urgency in her voice and agreed to come over with haste.  With that task finished, Elizabeth wandered up the stairs into Little Jack’s room, where he was just waking up.  After helping him dress, she threw on her riding slacks and went downstairs again.  Rosemary was already downstairs waiting for her, getting some paper and crayons together to keep Little Jack busy that morning.

“Thank you for coming over so quickly,” she said as she grabbed Rosemary’s hands and held them in her own, and the two locked eyes for a good few seconds.  “I won’t be long.”  

Rosemary’s grip on Elizabeth’s hands grew slightly stronger before she spoke.  “You take as long as you need.  I’m going to make Little Jack some breakfast.”

Elizabeth made her way out the row house doors and towards the stable.  She was surprised Rosemary didn’t comment on her slacks.  Rosemary was so excited when Elizabeth asked her to help make them for her—and they were a lot easier to ride in, that’s for sure.  They were “all the rage!” she remembered Rosemary telling her, and she wouldn’t take no for an answer as she used her seamstress tape to take Elizabeth’s measurements a few weeks ago.

The ride to the cemetery would take an hour, even for as fast as Sergeant was.  The black hair of his long mane contrasted beautifully with the greenery as they raced past the fields of wildflowers and tall grasses.  

The ride was peaceful—it was a gorgeous day.  The air was crisp, but the sun was warm; summer was beginning to lose its fight with fall, but the leaves had not changed colors yet.  A jacket wasn’t needed, as a long-sleeve shirt was perfect.  The hour-long journey to the gravesite was often filled with thinking about the past and the joyous memories she had with Jack—but this trip was different in that she couldn’t help but also think of the present and future.  The glorious memories she was making right now with Lucas filled her thoughts, and eventually, she began daydreaming about their future wedding and their honeymoon.

As they neared the graveyard, she was surprised to see another horse was hitched to the hitching post.  Every previous time Elizabeth made her way here, she enjoyed the solace of being alone— just her and Jack.  She was a little disappointed that wouldn’t be the case this time, but at the same time, she couldn’t fault someone for wanting to spend time with their loved one either.

She jumped off of Sergeant and attached his lead to the hitching post.  The brown horse that was already there made his way towards her and nuzzled her, and she realized it was another horse from Hope Valley’s livery.

She turned toward the graves and put her hand up to try and block the intensity of the sun’s glare, but all she could see ahead of her was a man standing, too far away to make out who.  All she could tell was he appeared to be wearing pinstripe brown slacks held up by brown suspenders and a light long-sleeve shirt.  As she made her way toward Jack’s grave, she realized the man was standing awfully close to the same spot she intended to stand, which annoyed her slightly.  She didn’t mind sharing the cemetery, but did she have to share the same gravesite?  It wasn’t until she was within a hundred feet or so of her late husband’s grave that she realized why.

“Lucas!” she cried out, half exasperated from the heat of the sun and the ride and half from amazement and bewilderment.  “What—”

“Elizabeth—” Lucas replied, taking a few steps towards her.  He was bewildered and caught off guard, believing he would spend a few moments alone here, as he always did.  “I didn’t want—how’d you know—”

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” she said, reaching him and her late husband’s grave.  Her eyes were locked on Jack’s gravestone, and she traced the letters with her eyes. 

CONSTABLE JACK THORNTON.  N.W.M.P. LOVING HUSBAND, HERO, FRIEND.

Lucas sighed.  He never expected Elizabeth to see him there, but now that she had, he needed to explain why he was standing at her late husband’s grave.

“I haven’t come here a lot.  I would be lying if I said I haven’t been here before,” Lucas said, in as light and gentle of a tone he could muster.  

The two stood side by side, silently for a moment, staring at the grave before them.  Elizabeth saw that Lucas had brought a single rose and had laid it near the stone.

“I don’t understand why—” she managed to cry out.  She was bewildered.  Until this moment, she wasn’t even sure how Lucas knew where he was buried, and she certainly did not understand why he was here today or why he apparently visited on other occasions, too.  

Jack’s grave was a sacred spot for Elizabeth, and a part of her wished she didn’t have to share it, especially today, but she felt compelled to ride straight here for a reason, and perhaps she needed to listen to Lucas’ words.

“It was a beautiful morning, and I knew it was destined to be a beautiful day, and something told me to come,” he whispered, shuffling awkwardly.  He was gazing at her now.  He couldn’t tell if his actions hurt her or she was just bewildered.  

Lucas looked down at the grave of the man he knew Elizabeth loved so much.  

Elizabeth knew precisely how Lucas felt in the deepest part of her heart because she also felt that same urge this morning.

“I came here because something told me to come this morning.  That is true.  But I also came because I needed help and guidance.  I want nothing more than to be a good father to Little Jack and a good husband to you.  Little Jack’s been asking about his father—I want to ensure I’m good enough to talk to him about Jack.  The last time I doubted I was good enough, I came here—granted, it was a lot easier in my car than on horseback,” he said, his words getting a little bit lighter as Elizabeth started to crack a smile at his words.

“The last time I came here was the day after I almost sold the saloon—the day I almost left town.  It’s interesting—Bill happened to tell me in conversation one day where the majority of Hope Valley’s graves were, as I was looking for land in this area when I first came here.  When I was driving away from Hope Valley for what I thought was the last time—on that day, I was so sure I didn’t have your heart—I saw the sign for the cemetery.  Something told me to stop.  I probably sat there for a few minutes before I decided to come.”

Lucas’ gaze passed over a few headstones, marking the places of eternal rest for previous citizens of Hope Valley and the nearby towns.  He gazed at the names and saw some familiar names—Wolfe, Yost, Blakeley, Montgomery, Sullivan—the latter being the graves of the men lost in the mine.  Seeing the dates of so many men lost, some younger than himself, Lucas couldn’t help but wonder what legacy he would leave behind when he passed—if any at all.

When his saloon nearly went up in flames a few months prior, it fueled the questions that seemed to burn Lucas’ heart and mind recently.  His eyes focused back on Elizabeth—the love of his life—and he continued.

“When I found his grave, Jack and I talked long.  I am sure I bored him with stories about my life, how I got here, and the choices in front of me.  I was sure he would want you with another Mountie, but beyond that, I wasn’t sure I was good enough, and leaving town would have been in your best interest.”  

Lucas chuckled at admitting that, at one point, he thought Nathan was better suited for her.

“But then something amazing happened that changed the trajectory of my life, and I knew exactly what I needed to do.”

Elizabeth was intrigued now, and her gaze met Lucas’ eyes.  She had a feeling what he was about to say meant much to him, and maybe this was why they were both summoned here by something out of their control.

“Do you remember our discussion right before we got engaged?  When Little Jack was filling our pockets with pebbles?  I told you I collected four-leaf clovers, and you told me you collected—”

“Feathers,” Elizabeth answered, nodding.  She was intrigued by where this conversation was going.

“Right.  Well, the day I nearly left town, I was so sure I would never be the object of your affection.  I did truly feel at home here, but the home I pictured here always included you.  I couldn’t have only part of it.  The words just seemed to pour out of me, and I began asking questions aloud—if I was a man worthy of your affection and worthy of being a father to Little Jack.  I asked if I could be half the man Jack was to this town and to you, especially—if I could even be half as good as him.”

Elizabeth let out a small cry as he poured his heart out, and she reached for his hand closest to her, grasping it tightly.  

“So, for the amazing thing,” he said, shuffling on his feet again, thankful for Elizabeth’s support by holding his hand.

“A feather fell from the heavens—a red and brown-hued one—a cardinal, I assume.  The feather gently made its way through the air and landed practically right at my feet.  I stared at it for quite a while, and the more I stared, the fewer questions I had.  Eventually, I had no questions at all.  I had my answer, and I practically ran back to the car and rushed to the bridge—”

“Where I was waiting,” Elizabeth finished. 

“I didn’t even know at the time that you collected feathers, but I still saw it as a sign that I needed to return to town.  Something told me to get to that bridge, that if I didn’t, I would be making the biggest mistake of my life.  Hope is truly the thing with feathers,” he stated, gently rubbing her hand.  

“I love you, Elizabeth, and I will love you until I take my last breath.  I promise I will strive to make Jack proud by being nothing less than the man I know I am destined to be.  I promise you will never have to silence Jack’s name around me or your son.  Jack gave me a great gift, showing me how wrong I was to think I wasn’t worthy.  I will always strive to be worthy.”

Elizabeth turned to face Lucas, her cheeks wet with a few tears that had managed to escape.  “Lucas, I don’t know how you continue to make me feel more for you each and every day.  Every day, I think my heart is so full of love for you that I worry it will burst, and yet every day, I grow more in love with you.  You are more than worthy,” she finished, making sure he looked directly into her eyes when she made her ending statement, eventually enveloping him within her arms.

As Aunt Agatha told her before she had to leave Hope Valley, Elizabeth knew she had been given a second chance to find happiness, and she would hold onto it with everything she had.  Elizabeth’s grip on him became tighter, and she closed her eyes and focused on his heartbeat.  He rested his chin on her head, letting her take all the time she needed, the gentle breeze filling his nostrils with the scent of her perfume.

They held each other for a few minutes, him wiping away her tears now and then before he pressed his head to hers and began to speak.

“I am going to ride back home.  I will let you two have your moment alone, and I will see you tonight.  I hope you don’t mind if I come over a little earlier to help you prepare.”  

Elizabeth nodded.  Lucas brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed the top of her hand before he began to walk away.

Elizabeth walked towards Jack’s headstone, placed her hand on it, and closed her eyes.  She knew Jack could feel the gratitude she held in her heart for him and would always.

“Wait, Lucas,” she called out, turning towards him again and walking briskly towards him.  “Let’s ride back together.”  

Elizabeth was certain of the reason she was pulled to the graveyard today, and she was certain of the reason Lucas was, too.  The ensuing conversation made her more confident of the actions she would need to take when she returned home.

Upon returning home, Elizabeth opened the door to her rowhouse.  She glanced at Rosemary, who was busily editing one of her stories that would appear in the next edition of The Valley Voice, at her kitchen table.  Little Jack was playing with marbles on the floor, laughing and as giddy as ever.  She closed the door, took off her coat, and sat next to Rosemary, who became aware that Elizabeth was crying—not currently, but obviously at the gravesite—yet smiling.

“Can you stay for a little while longer?  There is something I need your help doing,” Elizabeth said, grabbing her friend’s hand.  Rosemary nodded.  Lee was at home next door watching Goldie, and she knew he loved his father-daughter time with her.

“We need to take the picture Jack drew me down—the one on the stair landing.  It will need to go to Little Jack’s room.  He will never question the love his mother and father had for each other or him, but the love his soon-to-be stepfather has for him needs to be front and center in this house.  This rowhouse is Lucas’ home as much as mine.  Our home.  We also need to change my room.”

Rosemary’s expression didn’t change as Elizabeth told her all of this because Elizabeth said her words with such conviction that Rosemary also believed every one of them.

“Little Jack will stay in his room, but the other two rooms upstairs must be switched.  It’s time for a change; I recognize that now.  My wedding is weeks away,” Elizabeth finished.

“Big changes,” Rosemary said, her fingers loosely clasped in front of her.  She wasn’t going to lie; she wanted the details of the need for these sudden changes and what happened at the cemetery, but she also recognized that now wasn’t the time to ask about them.  For now, she just needed to be there and help Elizabeth as much as she could, as any friend should.  Rosemary reached for Elizabeth’s hand, and the two smiled.

“Very big changes,” returned Elizabeth, with a warm voice.  She felt calm and at peace.

Although only a few hours had passed since waking up, she felt she was not the same woman.  She was more sure of herself, more confident, more loving.  As she said at the grave site, her heart was so full it could burst.  Not just for Lucas, although he was the most significant part of it, but for her life here and the friends—her family—she had made the last decade here.  Elizabeth gripped Rosemary’s hand a little tighter, and both women felt the immense love they shared as friends, mothers, neighbors, and family.

Rosemary stood up, her bright red shirt and gown catching the light beautifully.  Her golden curls bounced as she clapped her hands together, eager to get to work.  “Well, then, let’s get to it!”

Little Jack giggled as the two women pranced around the house.

Lee descended the stairs, cradling Goldie in his arms.  “Still sound asleep,” he whispered as Rosemary walked over to his side.  Both parents beamed at this little life they had so perfectly created.  

Rosemary glanced at the top of the stairwell where the picture of Jack and Elizabeth used to be, her eyes gazing at the outline of the paint that had faded underneath it, making it obvious something had been moved from the space.  The two women had worked for a few hours earlier, completing all of the tasks Elizabeth had in mind.  In truth, Rosemary was exhausted, and she was looking forward to sleeping—if only Goldie would remain asleep for a few more hours.

Lucas and Elizabeth followed Lee and Rosemary to the door.

“We had a great time,” Lee said, still whispering.  He waited for Rosemary to open the door before he gently stepped outside.  Rosemary beamed at her husband for a second before looking back to Elizabeth and Lucas and then to Little Jack, who was still busy building a house out of wooden logs on the floor.

“Almost Jack’s bedtime!” Rosemary said, throwing her voice towards the kitchen table as she looked behind the two hosts to where Nathan was still sitting.  Nathan shuffled in his seat, aware of the apparent cue for him that he, too, should be leaving soon.

“Maybe you should take Little Jack to bed,” Rosemary added quickly, her gaze returning to Elizabeth and Lucas before her but ending the statement focusing directly on Lucas.  Rosemary was good at making things happen, albeit very forward about it.

“I think I will,” returned Lucas as he rolled up his sleeves and walked over to Little Jack.  “Let’s get you to bed, buddy.”

“Bed, buddy!” repeated Little Jack as Lucas scooped him in his arms.  “Story, buddy!” he shouted as they ascended the stairs.  It didn’t take long for them to reach the landing, and Lucas realized the picture of Jack and Elizabeth was gone, and he paused momentarily in disbelief. 

As he continued up the stairs with Little Jack in his arms, he realized the upstairs looked different, too—the rooms appeared switched, and he saw that most of the pictures of Mountie Jack that once were downstairs were now in Little Jack’s room.  He suddenly knew why Rosemary wanted him to go upstairs.

As Lucas picked out a story to read to Little Jack, he heard Lee and Rosemary leave and the rowhouse door shut.  He didn’t hear Nathan’s chair move, but he wasn’t worried.  Nathan was quiet at dinner, and Lucas understood that he needed to talk to Elizabeth about something on his mind.  

Elizabeth was always very good at helping her friends pour their hearts out, and it was undeniable that Nathan’s heart needed some pouring.  More than ever, he was completely secure with her love, especially after their morning graveyard talk and seeing the changes Elizabeth laid out to her home—their home—in the previous hours.

Elizabeth sat down at her kitchen table and looked at Nathan.  Why did he seem so sullen when he seemed so happy dancing with Faith at the Queen of Hearts the other night?  His demeanor tonight looked so different from the Nathan she was familiar with—the confident, joyful, and collected Nathan.  Tonight, his thoughts looked like they were in shambles.  

She knew she would need to initiate this conversation.  Nathan sensed she would begin to speak and looked at her.

“I—I saw you dancing with Faith.  You two seemed really happy at the radio reveal.”

Nathan stared at her.   He knew he needed this conversation but wasn’t sure he was ready for it.

“Yeah, uh—” he paused, gesturing as if he needed it to pull the words out.  “She broke things off—just before that dance, actually.”

“Oh, Nathan,” she responded, her face glowing with concern.  She moved her hands from the table to her lap.  “I’m so sorry.”

“No, it’s alright,” he said, trying to convince himself.  “Yeah, it’s okay, it’s—” he paused.  

He honestly felt like he was on the verge of tears and didn’t know why.  

He took a deep breath.  “You know, I don’t think I’m very good at this thing.”  

He chuckled lightly because he would drown in his sadness if he didn’t use humor to mask his absolute disappointment and the fear he felt in his heart.

“Maybe I’m not meant to be that kinda guy.”

Elizabeth pursed her lips as she gazed at her good friend, the friend who constantly fought for her affection years ago and didn’t seem like a man who would give up on anything.

“You’re done with love?” she asked, her eyes squinting as if she was challenging him.

Nathan chuckled again, his cheeks flushing red with embarrassment.  “Maybe I should be.”

The pit he felt in his stomach grew more prominent.  His fear that he would forever be the one in their friend circle sitting alone at the table—returning home to his house alone while everyone else walked hand-in-hand with their loved one—made him almost breathless.  

He was so depressed over the occurrences over the past year.  He and Elizabeth were never meant to be, and he understood that now—especially after seeing how Elizabeth glowed when she was with Lucas—but he couldn’t shake the events between Mei and Faith and how both of them seemed repulsed by the idea of being with him now.  Perhaps he was just being dramatic?  But why did the pit in his stomach make him feel so breathless?  

Allie wanted so badly to have a woman in their life, a mother figure for her, which she so needed now that she was a teenager and beginning to ask questions about the opposite sex.  He was an excellent example of what type of a man Allie should strive to look for, and for that, he was proud, but Allie needed a woman to make her genuinely believe she was beautiful on the inside and to wipe her tears when discussing break-ups and life events and occurrences that she was too embarrassed to talk to her father about.

“Yeah, maybe I should be,” he reiterated.  His face was serious now, and Elizabeth noted it even as he gazed down at the table before them.  He began to believe it.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, and Nathan returned her gaze.

“Nathan.  I will not sit here and lie to you and tell you love is easy,” she started.  He kept her gaze.

“But I will tell you this: when Jack died, I never thought I would feel what I had felt for him ever again.  Then Little Jack was placed into my arms,” she smiled as she remembered the day of Jack’s birth.  “In a hunting cabin, in the middle of the woods, in the dead of winter.  It was so cold, but I felt the warmest I had ever felt with Little Jack in my arms.  It was a feeling so deep I couldn’t shake the heat.”

She paused.  “And then I felt even warmer, and I didn’t think it was humanly possible when I kissed Lucas for the first time and held him in my arms after thinking I had lost him forever.”

“I can believe that,” Nathan said.  In truth, he felt that same warmth when he held Allie in his arms for the first time when she was a newborn.  And although he sometimes hated admitting it still, he saw it in the way Lucas gazed at Elizabeth.  Nathan just wanted to gaze at someone the same way and for the gaze to be returned.  He wanted to know on his bad days as a Mountie that he had someone to come home to, share his fears with, and share his most intimate feelings with.  

Elizabeth continued.  “Nathan, the one thing I learned about love is that it can’t be measured, contained, or used up.  It can only grow.  The more you love, the more you can love.  I see your love for Allie, and she loves you so deeply in return.  I see that, and the women of Hope Valley see that.  I know you are not one to shy away from a challenge; well, love is the greatest challenge of all, but it’s also the greatest reward.”

Nathan took a sip of his apple juice.  “And the reward is worth these challenges?  The complete feeling of... I don’t even know how to express what I am feeling.  Just an unshakable sadness.”

“It’s worth that challenge and more,” she replied, her voice soothing and calm.  She reached her hand out and patted Nathan’s arm.

“You’re going to leave my house knowing you deserve someone and, more importantly, that someone deserves you.  You’re a great person, Nathan; don’t ever doubt that.  How you are talking to me right now—this is the part of you that a woman would be lucky to see and hear and even more lucky to have.  Remember, you are impeccable .”

Nathan smiled as the pit in his heart and stomach became softer.  He remembered how loved he had felt when Allie emerged into Bill’s office during his disposition and defended him using that exact word.

“Well, if it’s truly worth what I am feeling,” Nathan started, “then I guess I just have to be patient.”  

He took the last sip of his apple juice and pushed back his chair as he rose from the table.  He smiled at Elizabeth, feeling much better than he had all day. 

Elizabeth also stood up—perfect timing, too—because she heard Lucas’ footsteps begin to descend the stairs.

“Little Jack is finally asleep,” Lucas whispered, joining Elizabeth at her side and gently placing an arm around her waist.  “I’m going to grab my coat since it’s getting late, and I know you’re tired from prepping this delicious dinner for all of us and all the work and conversation today.”  He gently kissed her on the cheek before their eyes met, and without words, she knew how thankful he was for all of the changes he saw upstairs.  He was home.

Nathan joined him at the coat rack, and both men left at the same time, Lucas after giving Elizabeth a goodnight kiss at the door.

“Thanks for staying up there; I heard you stop reading to Little Jack what seems like ages ago,” Nathan said as he turned to Lucas, still buttoning his serge.  “I appreciate your trust, and I hope you know I wouldn’t do anything to ever lose that trust in me.”

“I do,” said Lucas.  He meant it; he wasn’t a liar, and more importantly, he knew Nathan wasn’t either.  Lucas took pride in how well he could read people and understood the entirety of the dinner that Nathan needed to get something off of his chest, and he also knew Elizabeth was great at talking sense into people.

“Hey, you two!” said a voice from up ahead.  Mei was coming down the Canfield’s rowhouse steps with a pharmaceutical bag.

“Mei, what are you doing at the Canfields?” Nathan asked curiously, especially as her pharmacist’s bag included various chemicals, herbs, and concoctions for compounding medicine.  “I was about to head there and pick up Allie.”

“Allie is the reason I was there.  Now don’t worry,” Mei quickly added as Nathan’s face turned sour, wondering what trouble his daughter could have possibly come up with for the few hours he wasn’t with her.

“They were baking—well, trying—to bake a cake, and Allie burned herself slightly on the stove.  Nothing serious.  It will heal fine, and Allie didn’t even want to call me.  She said she had worse cuts and bruises.  Anyway, Angela called me over because Cooper isn’t good with wounds and gets a little queasy even with the small ones, and before you know it, he was feeling a bit ill.”  Mei gave a small laugh and continued, although she didn’t need to continue with that train of thought.

“Minnie wanted to come get you when she found out—when she made it home—but I told her I’d walk here and tell you myself since she was busy tending to Cooper.  I made a little burn ointment for Allie, and here, some for you to take home,” she stepped closer to Nathan and handed him a small bottle of ointment.  Nathan reached for the bottle and nodded to thank her for coming, if not much for Allie, for Cooper.  Nathan blushed slightly as his hand brushed Mei’s fingers as she placed the bottle in his hand.  

Mei was still wearing the same dress from earlier today, so she didn’t even get to go home yet—she was often at the pharmacy late into the night, compounding medicine or sampling a new flavor or two of ice cream.  Her dress was a beautiful emerald green, which helped her dark eyes and hair stand out.  Nathan thought for a second how stunning she was—not just her outward beauty, which he couldn’t deny—but how much passion she had for her job and how much she loved the town and the people who called it home.  The two hadn’t talked much or had much of a chance recently, but he suddenly wanted to spend more time with her.

“Hey, you know Mei, you should come to dinner next week at the Canfield’s,” Lucas said, breaking Nathan and Mei’s gaze at each other.  For a moment, they forgot he was there.  Lucas saw the same gaze Nathan had for Mei that he had with Elizabeth outside the Queen of Hearts when he wanted her to interview for the waitress position there—and look at where they are now.

“It’s just a few of us, but you do so much for this town.  We’d love to have you join us,” Lucas continued.  “Right?”  He looked directly at Nathan.

“Absolutely,” Nathan said with a slight smile.  “Yeah, that would be nice.”

“You know, Elizabeth invited me to tonight’s dinner, but I knew I’d be busy tonight compounding,” Mei returned, “but if I knew ahead of time, what day and place—”

“Next week, I think I’ll cook, actually,” interjected Nathan.  “Next Wednesday.  Allie would love to help, and I can have Bill do my rounds.  Yeah, it’ll be at my place.”  He was thinking this through, making sure it would work.

“Yeah, I can do Wednesday,” she smiled, blushing slightly.  “So I guess I will see you both then?”  The two men nodded, and she turned and began walking down the road of rowhouses back toward town—toward home, toward Abigail’s.  They watched as long as they could to ensure she returned home safely.

“Well, Nathan,” began Lucas, searching his pocket for his car key.  “I don’t quite know what your conversation with Elizabeth was, and I can’t tell you what to do, but if I were you, I’d consider sticking around.”

Nathan chuckled as he reached for Newton’s rein and mounted his horse.  “You know, a really wise man once said that.  Look how that turned out, so I guess I need to follow his advice.”  He nodded to Lucas goodnight and slowly beckoned Newton down the road.  

Look how that turned out, indeed.  Lucas turned around and peered at Elizabeth’s rowhouse, ensuring all was safe and sound.  All the lights were off now, and he knew Elizabeth had gone to bed.  

Soon, this would be his home, their home.  He crossed his arms and stared a while longer, reminiscing about his journey here in Hope Valley.  Deep within him, he couldn’t help but feel that bigger things were in store for him.