Christmas Hearts Chapter 1

Elizabeth followed her students out of the schoolhouse, waving good-bye to them as they all dispersed or stopped to chat with their friends before heading home for the 2 week Christmas break. She could hear their excited chatter about the break. The only homework had been to enjoy their vacation time from school with their families.

Elizabeth stood at the bottom of the steps, letting their excitement drift her back to her own childhood in Hamilton. Christmas' in Hamilton was always a very special time. The city would be hustling and bustling with people and at every turn there was an elaborate window display of snowy Christmas scenes that would light up the eyes of every child, old and young. Boughs of green garland wrapped every lamp pole in the city with carolers and bell ringers on every corner, the snow glistening off of their silver bells as they rang them for the passer-bys.

She doubted the kids in Hope Valley would ever experience such a spectacle, but they had so much more wrapped up in the joy of their families and community. It was a different kind of fun with the focus being more on the things that mattered from the heart than what they would get material wise. Laughter from sleigh rides, fort building, and snowball fights would soon fill the air and Christmas gatherings with games and singing would soon bring an abundance of wonderful memories.

"Lizabeth," Elizabeth was startled from her thoughts as she immediately looked up to meet the deep, shining blue eyes that matched the voice of the man she knew had called her name. Nathan Grant stood in front of her wearing dark blue pants and a brown wool coat that was easily filled out by his lanky, but muscular frame. His gloved hands were shoved into his pockets as he stared at Elizabeth with a hint of a smile spreading across his face and a spark of amusement in his bright blue eyes that always stole Elizabeth's breath away when she dared to look into them.

Nathan watched as a shade of pink washed over her features at being caught daydreaming. She quickly cleared her throat, "Nathan," she responded while folding her hands in front of her and meeting his smile, "What are you doing here?"

She mentally winced on the inside at the silly question. Of course he was there to pick up Allie from school. She didn't understand how this man could make her feel so many different emotions all at once. Their relationship over the past few months, since her break-up with Lucas, had been getting better. They were back to the familiar ease and banter between them that Elizabeth loved indulging in. She had come to terms with her deepening feelings for him, feelings that she had run from for far too long out of fear, but were now allowing herself to finally freely feel. She knew it was what Jack would have wanted for her, to find a love that she could eventually give her whole heart to. Lucas had not been that person. He had been the safe person, but it took Nathan confronting her and a heart to heart talk with Rosemary for her to realize what she was running from and it wasn't fair to anyone involved, Lucas, Nathan, or herself.

She had not expressed any of this to Nathan yet. She had been nervous to approach the subject with him since they had just righted their friendship and deepened it. Besides Rosemary, no one knew her better than Nathan and it scared her to know that someone could read so deeply into her thoughts.

"Well, I came to pick Allie up today. I thought I would surprise her and we could go get our tree this afternoon," answered Nathan.

Elizabeth smiled at him, "I think she would love that. I haven't even had time to think about the tree, but Jack just asked about it yesterday."

Nathan thought about it for a minute and then reverting back into that shy boyish charm of his that was so endearing to Eizabeth he asked, "Well, why don't you and Jack come with us? I can help you cut a tree down at the same time we get ours and we can kill two birds with one stone."

Elizabeth quickly responded, "Oh, I couldn't interrupt your time with Allie."

"You won't be. Allie would love to have you and Jack come along…. and so would I," he added while locking eyes with Elizabeth with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat. They were practically pleading with her to say yes and he knew she would not be able to say no to him.

"Well, if you're sure you don't mind. I don't want to intrude on your outing."

"I'm sure," he responded with tenderness. She nodded at him, "Great, it's a date then."

She watched his face as his eyes suddenly widened at his words. He had said them without even a second thought, "I mean….."

Elizabeth interrupted his babbling before he could correct himself, "I'll go get Jack and meet you at the stable."

She watched as a wide smile spread across his face, reaching his eyes as they lit up, "Ok then. I'll see you in about 15 minutes." He turned towards where Allie had been waiting with her friends, "Allie," he called to her, "are you ready to go? We need to get a move on to beat the daylight."

"Ok dad, I'm ready." Allie came running over to him. "Mrs. Thornton, why don't you and Jack come with us?"

Nathan's eyebrows raised up with a twinkle in his eyes as if to say, see I told you. Elizabeth smiled back at him, suddenly feeling more confident with her decision. "I think that's a great idea, don't you Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth laughed at him, "I'll see you in 15 minutes." Nathan watched the swishing of her skirt as she turned and walked back inside to grab her things and then head home to pick up Jack.

He turned to see Allie carefully watching him, "You should just tell her dad."

Nathan sheepishly looked at his daughter, pretending to not know what she was talking about, "Tell her what?"

"That you love her," Allie watched as her dad's face turned a bright shade of red.

Nathan's mind reverted back to the day by the log when Eliabeth told him that she couldn't love him. He had sensed things changing, but he still wasn't sure where she stood on things with him and their growing friendship was not something he was currently willing to risk. "It's complicated, Allie."

She sighed and rolled her eyes, "I will never understand adults."

Nathan shook his head at her with a slight smirk, "Come on, let's go. Mrs Thornton and Jack will be waiting for us." With that they both turned and headed for the stable.

TBC…..