Granting a Family - Chapter 4: Brewing Storms

Snow was coming down faster by the minute, and Newton was getting agitated. “Just a little further, boy,” Nathan encouraged his trusty partner. He knew a hunting cabin was just ahead where he could wait out the storm and stay warm.

Nathan could see smoke coming from the hunting cabin, but he would have to stop anyway and make the best of it with whoever else was using the cabin for shelter. He tied up Newton, and did a quick perimeter check, though he could barely see through the heavy snowfall. “I’ll be back out to check on you soon,” Nathan said, stroking Newton to help keep him calm. 

Nathan stepped inside the cabin cautiously, but it ended up being empty for the moment. He was grateful a fire was already blazing and ready to warm him up. He took off his gloves and started unbuttoning his serge. He had brought in his saddle bag with a canteen and food he had packed for the day. As he opened the bag, a letter he had held onto for a while, but never opened, fell out onto the floor. He picked up the letter and ran his thumb over his name, written in perfect feminine handwriting. As he contemplated opening the letter, the door flew open and in walked Julius Spurlock and his two sidekicks.

“Well, well, well, Constable, we meet again,” Spurlock sneered. 

“Are you ready to tell me who you are working for?” Nathan asked. “Or what you’re doing all the way out here?”

“Who we answer to will remain anonymous, and we were checking on some investment property near here when the storm got too bad to continue. We just came to put out the fire before we checked on things back at the main cabin, then head back to town. But since you are here, we’ll let you warm up and put it out before you go.” Spurlock nodded to his men and they started to leave. “Be careful out there, Constable. We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“Are you threatening me, Agent Spurlock?” Nathan challenged him. “Trust me, you don’t want to do that.”

“As much as I would like to stay and chat, we have work to do. Goodbye.” All three men left the cabin and disappeared into the winter storm and out of sight. Nathan couldn’t shake the feeling that Spurlock had a personal vendetta against someone, but hadn’t quite pieced things together. He should talk to Rosemary, since she knew everything about everyone and had her newspaper contacts.

Nathan decided to eat, and hoped within the hour the storm would calm down enough for him to finish rounds before school was out. As he walked over to stoke the fire, he noticed a paper stuck behind the pile of logs. He crouched down and picked it up. Nathan scanned the document and thought, Is this part of the Bill of Sale for the Saloon? He looked in the fireplace and noticed remnants of what looked like a large stack of paper. It appeared the fire was more than just to keep the Pinkertons warm, but why would they be burning documents all the way out here? Nathan folded up the paper he had found, and put it in his saddlebag to show to Bill later.

A loud growl from his stomach reminded Nathan what he had been doing before he got distracted. As he unpacked his lunch, the letter taunted him and begged to be read. It was probably best he read it when he was alone and away from town, so now seemed like a good time. Elizabeth had slipped it under his door a few days after the wood chopping incident. Things did not go the way he had planned in that conversation. He had mentally prepared what he was going to say the next time he saw her, but his emotions got the better of him and he blurted things out without thinking, just like the time he told her he was in love with her. Why did he let her get to him like that?

He held the letter and stared at it for several minutes. This was just part of the process of moving on from what might have been. “Just bite the bullet and read it,” Nathan told himself. He opened the envelope and pulled out the letter, smoothing out the page.

Nathan,

Where do I begin? There are so many words I want to say, and feelings I’m not sure how to express. These past weeks have felt so empty without you in my life. I know I made a choice to be with Lucas, but I didn’t think that meant I would lose your friendship. The way I chose to handle things was wrong. I see that now, but what’s done is done and I can’t take back the way I hurt you. 

I understand why we can’t be friends right now, and why you do your best to avoid me. I want you and Allie to be happy. Most days I still feel lost. Rosemary told me I would find my way, but how can I when I still haven’t been brave enough to face my fears? I was selfish and didn’t appreciate what you sacrificed for me. Comparing you to Jack wasn’t fair to you or him. I hope one day you can forgive me. Thank you for everything.

Elizabeth

Nathan ran his fingers through his unruly hair and sighed. He was glad he had waited to read it after some time had passed and his emotions had calmed down. He put the letter back inside the envelope and into the saddle bag, along with the remaining remnants of his lunch he had been eating while reading the letter. 

Nathan buttoned his serge back up, put on his gloves and hat, and went to check on Newton. Luckily, the storm had weakened enough that he thought it best he finish his rounds and get back to town as quickly as possible. “Hey buddy, should we get back to work?” he asked, giving him a carrot he had saved from his lunch. “Let me put out the fire, and we’ll be on our way.”

They rode out to the new housing development. Nathan didn’t like the feeling he got from the people who stared him down and glared. These weren’t the friendly people he was used to in Hope Valley. Surprisingly, the factory construction had already started, even in the freezing cold.

After dropping Newton off at the livery to get dry and warm, Nathan headed toward his office and noticed across the street the Saloon was buzzing. Whoever bought it was finally getting ready to open it back up, but he didn’t like the look of the people coming and going. He stepped into the office and to his surprise, Bill sat at his desk.

“I’m glad you’re back and didn’t get caught out in the storm. Did you have any run-ins today?” Bill asked. “The Pinkertons came into town a while ago and seem to be involved in running the Saloon.”

“Really?” Nathan asked thoughtfully. “I had a confrontation with them at a hunting cabin up the mountain. I think they were burning documents in the fireplace up there. This page of the Saloon Bill of Sale got caught between the fire logs and didn’t get burned. Tell me what you make of it.”

Bill looked over the document. “There seem to be inconsistencies here,” Bill said, confused. “Let me take this and read up on current real estate law and let you know what I find.”

“Thanks Bill, I knew you could help me get to the bottom of this.” Nathan shivered and realized the time. “I better go grab Allie from school and get home to dry off so I don’t catch a cold. Let’s get together tomorrow and strategize.”

“Get going,” Bill encouraged. “I’ll keep an eye on things across the street.”

Approaching the school to get Allie for the first time this school year made Nathan nervous, but it was a step in the right direction. He couldn’t hide anymore. He heard the bell, and kids scattered. They were all decked out in heavy coats, boots, hats, and gloves. Some kids made snow angels and others threw snowballs. 

“Dad!” he heard Allie yell, and he smiled at how hearing that never got old. He saw Elizabeth look in their direction, with a big understanding smile on her face. She knew how much the adoption had meant to both Nathan and Allie, and hearing the word ‘Dad’ to describe Nathan made her heart swell and break all at once.

“Give me just a minute, Allie. I need to talk to Mrs. Thornton.” Nathan bravely approached Elizabeth, holding his hat in both hands, and said, “I finally read your letter. Thank you. I didn’t handle myself right that day, and shouldn’t have unloaded on you the way I did.”

“Some things needed to be said, Nathan. I’m glad you read the letter, and that you finally came to get Allie today. All we can do is move forward.” Elizabeth inspected Nathan and added, “Now get home and get out of that wet serge before you catch a chill.”

“Trying to get me out of my serge again, are you?” Nathan joked.

Elizabeth’s face turned bright red, but she responded with her familiar sarcastic “Very funny.” They both smiled, grateful for a short break in the tension, but as Elizabeth looked up she got a guilty look on her face. Nathan turned around to see Lucas headed in their direction, and understood her quick change in mood.

“Dad, let’s go, I’m freezing!” Allie yelled. Nathan said a quick goodbye to Elizabeth, then started walking away, giving Lucas a nod as they passed one another. For the first time in a long time, Nathan felt in complete control of his emotions, and felt like he was ready to open his heart again to someone new...when the time came.

“Last one home has to make dinner,” Allie challenged him and started running off. Nathan quickly ran and grabbed her and gently tossed her into a pile of snow then started to run away. “Hey, that’s not fair,” Allie screamed through giggles. He laughed, then ran back to help her up and they walked home together hand in hand. 

Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile as she observed Allie and Nathan, but she also felt a slight twinge of sadness and regret. Lucas leaning in to kiss her brought her out of her thoughts, and she turned her head, causing him to kiss her ear. “I’m sorry Lucas, I have a lot on my mind right now.”

“Should I be worried that Nathan is coming around again?” he asked.

“Of course not,” she said, trying to reassure them both. “I have a lot of grading to do tonight, and paperwork from Mr. Landis to go over regarding the school expansion. I don’t think we can get together this evening.” Elizabeth couldn’t look Lucas in the face.

“I have paperwork to finish up tonight as well. Will you attend the Grand Opening of the new Saloon with me tomorrow night?” he asked.

“Oh, the new owners are finally ready to open? There are rumors it is being run by the Pinkertons, is that true?” Elizabeth asked curiously.

“I think the new owner is having the Pinkertons make sure everything stays under control once they open. Are you interested in going with me tomorrow or not?” Lucas was getting agitated. 

“Alright, as long as Laura is available. It’s kind of short notice,” Elizabeth answered nervously.

“Good day,” Lucas said as he turned around and walked away.

Elizabeth sighed, grabbed her things, and headed home. Things with Lucas weren’t turning out to be the fairytale she thought it would be, but she made a choice and had to try to make it work. As she approached her house, she saw Nathan throwing snowballs with a bunch of the neighborhood kids. Laughter and happy squeals filled the air, but Elizabeth didn’t want to be reminded of what she was missing out on, so she went inside quickly to shut the world out.