Lee tossed and turned all night. Actually, this was nothing new. After a couple of weeks of being home, the dreams and memories from being in Europe wouldn't stop coming back. Every night he'd wake up in a cold sweat. But this time he shouted and woke Rosemary up.

"Lee!" She said with a start. She sat up and looked at him, worried. She reached over and gently patted his shoulder.

"I-I-" Lee sat up groggy, yet breathless. He took a few deep breaths. He looked at Rosemary. "I'm sorry."

"Are you all right?" She asked with concern. She laid back down. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Yes, yes." He said. He smelled Rosemary's hair which smelled like lavender. He gently rubbed her arm. He felt safe with her. But he couldn't worry her. She had worried enough when he was declared missing. But Lee was home now. He couldn't let her worry about him anymore.

The next morning, Lee woke up to the smell of pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. He smiled. Since coming home, Rosemary had been cooking all of his favorite meals and his waist was starting to thank him for it. Lee got ready for the day and headed downstairs. Rosemary made eye contact with Lee as he walked into the kitchen.

"Papa!" Oliver said. "Sit next to me!"

"Oh, good! You're up! I was just about to wake you," Rosemary said.

"Good morning, sweetheart." He kissed Rosemary on the cheek. "This looks delightful." Rosemary handed him his plate.

"Mummy makes the best pancakes. But Auntie Abigail makes the best chocolate chip pancakes," Oliver said to Lee as he sat down. "Today, I'm gonna play with my train, then I'm gonna play outside. Will you play catch with me? And can we go fishin'?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Lee laughed. "How about we play catch a little later. I have to go to the sawmill this morning."

Oliver's face dropped before perking back up. "Can I come?"

Lee thought a moment. He wasn't working. He just needed to check on a couple of things. "Sure! Why not?"

Rosemary placed Oliver's plate in front of him and sat down. Lee said grace and they became to eat.

"Are you all right, Lee?" Rosemary asked again. The worry never left her face.

"Hm? Oh yes, of course. You don't need to worry about me."

Rosemary looked sideways at Oliver. Now was not the time to voice her concern in front of their son. Oliver chattered throughout breakfast and Rosemary was unusually quiet. Lee definitely noticed.

"Oliver, now that you're done, why don't you go into the living room and play with your trains," Rosemary said.

"Okay!" Oliver skipped out of the kitchen. Rosemary watched him and then turned to Lee. She put her hand on his.

"I'm worried about you."

"There's nothing to be worried about. I'm fine." Lee stuffed another bite of his pancake into his mouth.

"No. You're not," Rosemary said.

"Rosie."

Rosemary bit her lip. "I'm your wife, Leland Coulter. Whatever it is, let me help."

Lee sat back. "I'm not ready to talk about it."

Rosemary sighed. She wanted to push back and make him talk to her. "Fine." She stood up and collected the empty breakfast plates. "But, Lee."

"Yes?"

"Whatever it is, we can handle this together."

Lee was quiet. "I appreciate that. I do." He stood. "Let me help you with the dishes." Rosemary stepped aside and Lee washed the dishes and set them on the make shift drying rack, while Rosemary wiped down the counter.

"I'm just going to stop by the Mill and check a couple of things." He kissed her on the cheek. "Show Ollie around the Mill too."

"Be safe. Love you."

Rosemary heard Lee telling Oliver to get ready to go and he heard the door open. She walked to the front window and watched them walk down the path. Oliver seemed to bounce as he walked and Lee looked as though he were enjoying every minute with his boy. She walked back into the living room and started picking up Oliver's toys. It really bothered her that Lee would not tell her what was bothering him, although, she had a good idea. Several times a week, she'd wake up to Lee mumbling and tossing and turning in his sleep. No doubt he was having a flashback from his time in Europe. She knew the plane he was in crashed and that he was the sole survivor. But she had no idea what the circumstances were that involved the crash. She knew that he had stayed with a Swiss couple, but had no idea what else occurred in that time. Rosemary also knew that Lee had rescued Jack, but did not know any of the circumstances that surrounded that time either. And while she knew Lee was happy and grateful to be home, she couldn't help but notice times that he would zone out. As though things were triggering his memory and he was trying so hard to forget.

Rosemary found her way to town. She couldn't just sit and dwell on her thoughts. She needed to get out. See a friendly face. Maybe eavesdrop on some town gossip and start up the Ask Mary Rose column again. Rosemary wandered into Abigail's cafe. It was fairly empty as it was past breakfast but too early for lunch. Abigail came in at the sound of the door opening.

"Hi, Rosemary! Can I get you a cup of tea?"

"No. Sure. I don't know." Rosemary plopped down on a chair. Abigail cocked her head, wiped her hands and sat in the chair in front of her. Rosemary looked as though she were about to burst into tears. And as soon as they made eye contact, Rosemary did.

"Oh, dear." Abigail stood up. "Come on. Let's go to the back." Rosemary stood up and followed Abigail to the back living area. They sat on the sofa and Abigail let Rosemary cry for a moment. "What's going on?"

"It's Lee." Rosemary turned and face Abigail. "I'm worried about him Abigail. He won't talk to me."

"Did you quarrel?"

"No, no. Nothing like that at all." Rosemary sniffled. "He won't talk to me about what's bothering him. I know it has to do with the war and I am assuming he's having nightmares about it. But he won't open up."

"Oh," Abigail said. "I'm sorry, Rosemary. That's hard."

"I'm not trying to be a busybody in his life, I swear. I just thought that maybe I could help." Rosemary said.

"I know." Abigail was quiet for a moment. "He may be trying to protect you."

"I don't know why he'd feel that way."

"Men can be funny. I know this is a different situation and circumstance, but I remember Noah used to act that way when the issues with the mining company started. He wouldn't open up."

"What'd you do?"

"I tried to get him to open up. But that led to an argument. So I just had to wait."

"What if he doesn't open up. Lee is," Rosemary paused. "He's an internal processor."

"Noah was like that too. But I had to gently remind him that I was there for him no matter what. I had to learn to ask the right questions and at the right time. I couldn't bombard him. I had to slowly coax it out of him. And he eventually told me everything. I learned that he didn't tell me anything about the problems with the mine because he didn't want me to worry. And he didn't want to burden me." Abigail said. Rosemary sighed. Abigail continued as she put her arm around Rosemary. "It's okay that he wants to protect you. Just trust that he'll come to you at the right time."

"I'm scared, Abigail," Rosemary whispered. It was hard speaking those words and she felt so vulnerable. "I almost lost him once. I don't want to fully lose my husband."

"You won't lose him. Just give him time."


"Hey, Mr. Coulter!" Jesse came jogging over to the little office at the mill. "We are almost done clearing that piece of land ten miles east of here and have started planting the new pine."

"Great, that's good to hear," Lee said.

"Wow!" Oliver said in awe looking at the map that spread over Lee's desk. Lee picked him up and put him on the chair so he could see better. Lee pointed to Hope Valley.

"This is where we are. And see these little X's? That's where we are cutting down trees for lumber."

"Can we go see them cut down trees?" Oliver asked.

"Not today, son. It's a little dangerous out there. But tell you what. How about we find a piece of scrap wood and I'll whittle you another train to go with your set?"

"Okay!" Oliver jumped off the chair and they went back outside.

"Oliver, you must stay with me. No running off, you understand? This is not a playground." Lee said sternly.

"Yes, sir." They took a walk around the other side of the office and found a barrel of scrap wood. As the rummaged through the pile, the noise seemed to grow louder and louder. Then he heard a loud cracking noise which sounded all too familiar.

He was in France. The sound of the grenade came closer. closer. closer. Then—

"Oliver!" Lee yelled a little too sharply. Oliver dropped the block of wood he was holding.

"Mr. Coulter! You all right?" Jesse had just turned the corner to see Lee's face pale. Oliver stood there nervously, shaken up.

"Yes." Lee snapped out of his thoughts. Color had drained back into his face. "I'm sorry Oliver. I—"
"Your pop thought that he saw a snake." Jesse finished for him. "But he didn't. That branch over there looked like one though." Jesse had a feeling Lee was struggling with something. Perhaps pertaining to the war. Jesse had gone through the same spell. Any noise, creak or crack made him jumpy for the longest time. However, he knew that Lee had gone through far worse. No sense worrying his little boy. Jesse shrugged.

"Yes. I didn't mean to frighten you." Lee said, still a bit uneasy. He nodded at Jesse signifying his gratitude and picked up the block of wood Oliver had dropped. "This is a good size. Let's go home and show your mum."


As they walked home, Lee couldn't shake the feeling of fear. Like something or someone would attack him. He just needed to get home.

"Can we stop at the mercantile and get some candy?" Oliver asked.

"Um, not today, son. Maybe another time." Then Lee spotted something intriguing. Jed Campbell had a litter of puppies in a wheelbarrow. "Hey, Oliver, let's check out Mr. Campbell's puppies." Lee waved at Jed and he and Oliver jogged over to him.

"Hey, Jed." Lee shook his hand. "Whatcha got here?"

"Misty and Duke had puppies and I need to get rid of 'em," Jed said. "I already gave one to Doc Shepherd."

"You're giving them away?"

"Yeah, I just need to get rid of em."

"Oliver, how'd you like a puppy?"

Oliver's eyes grew wide. "Really!"

"You sure about that Lee? Don't ya need to consult the missus?" Jed laughed. "I don't want to find Rosemary on my doorstep."

"Ahh, she'll be fine." Lee waved his hand. "So, which one do you want?"

"This one!" Oliver had already scooped up the golden Labrador retriever. The puppy licked Oliver's face making him squeal and laugh.

"He looks great."

"He'll be a good fit. Not too energetic and very laid back." Jed said.

"Thanks, Jed."

"Thanks, Mr. Campbell!" Oliver and Lee headed off towards their house.

"So, What are you going to name him?"

"Leland." Oliver smirked. Lee looked down at his four-year-old son, who was much too witty for his own good.

"What! You can't name him after me!" Lee laughed.

"Then can I name 'em Rosemary?" Oliver asked, then laughed.

"You're being silly. Your mother would have a cow." Lee shook his head at Oliver's jovial joking. "Besides. He's a boy dog."

Oliver thought. "His name is Max."

"Why Max?" Lee asked as it was a very random name.

Oliver shrugged. "I dunno."

"Well, it's a good name." They reached the front porch steps of their house. As they climbed the steps, Lee started to open the door to the house. "Wait here," Lee told Oliver. Oliver set Max down and started to play with him on the veranda. "Rosie?"

"In the kitchen!" Rosemary called. Lee walked up to see Rosemary covered in flour.

"Rosie!" Lee said with a laugh. "What on earth?"

"I dropped the sack of flour on the table and didn't realize that the top of the bag wasn't properly tied off." Rosemary shrugged. "I know. I look ghostly." She laughed, wiping her face with her clean hand.

"I have a surprise for you."

Rosemary's eyes lit up. "For me?"

"Well, not really, but—" Lee took her arm and led her to the front porch. "Surprise!" Rosemary turned and saw Oliver. And a yellow fluff ball of a dog.

"A dog!?" Rosemary nearly shrieked. "Lee!"

"Mummy! Papa got me a puppy!"

"I know it's not what you were expecting."

"It was definitely NOT what I was expecting," Rosemary said. "Although, I don't know what I was expecting."

"But, I think it'll be good for us."

"Good for us? Lee—"

"Mummy! Look at Max!" Oliver had found a twig and was playing tug of war with the dog.

"Max!" Rosemary turned to Lee. "He already has a name!?" Lee ushered Rosemary back in the house. Far enough so Oliver couldn't hear, but close enough they could still see Oliver and Max through the bay windows. Rosemary crossed her arms. "We can't keep the dog."

"Why not?"

"Dogs. They're messy!"

"They're not that bad."

"They smell. You have to bathe them. Have you been around Rip and Darcy lately?"

"They're fine."

"Where is Max going to stay? Because he's not staying in the house."

"He can stay in the mudroom. I can build him a little kennel and that's where he can sleep."

Rosemary huffed, her arms still crossed. "I don't know Lee. I don't want a dog."

"Oliver already named the dog. We can't just give him back."

"You didn't even consult with me! This is a big decision!" Rosemary exclaimed. "Why on earth in your right mind would you get a dog!?"

Lee was quiet. Rosemary studied his face and her face started to soften. There was something more to this than just getting a puppy for Oliver for the heck of it.

"I had another episode."

"Episode? Lee." Rosemary reached out and touched his arm. She swallowed. "You don't need to tell me everything. But please. Let me into your world. Just a bit?"

Lee sighed. "I was at the mill and certain noises just made me jumpy. I just can't get away from the memories."

"You're home now. You're safe."

"I know." Lee rubbed his forehead. "It's hard to explain." He shook his head. "I just thought maybe a dog would be a good distraction. They have good senses. He could be a watchdog like Darcy is for Jack and Elizabeth. Protect the house. Maybe give me a little more peace about it all."

Rosemary was silent. She didn't realize how much Lee was truly struggling although she knew there was more. But she also knew him opening up to her about having an episode was also a big step for Lee.

"I suppose you're right," Rosemary said. "We can keep the dog— er— Max. But I wash my hands of this. He's your responsibility." Her voice perked back up. She shook her head. "I can't believe I'm saying this."

"Oliver will be thrilled." Lee kissed the top of Rosemary's forehead. He started to pull away from her, but she took his hands in hers. Her blue eyes gazed into Lee's hazel ones.

"Thank you for telling me," Rosemary said quietly. She wasn't talking about the dog. Lee gave her a half-smile and kissed her on the cheek. They walked back to the porch to see Max snuggled up next to Oliver.

"He's already sleeping. What kinda dog falls asleep after playing tug of war?" Oliver asked.

"You must have worn him out!" Lee said as he and Rosemary crouched to pet the dog.

"Do you like him, Mummy?"

"He's a very nice dog," Rosemary said petting the fluff ball of a puppy. She had to admit. Max was kind of cute... for a dog. He looked at Lee. "Still your responsibility."

Lee laughed. "Of course."