Nathan stepped off the train in Edmonton and just stood for a moment, trying to get his bearings. It had been a long time since he'd been in a big city and the energy vibrating all around him was more than a little disorienting.
The crowds that rushed everywhere he looked reminded Nathan that the choices he'd made were the right ones. People in Hope Valley smiled as they passed each other. As he watched, very seldom did people here even make eye contact. He turned around a few times, trying to find the signs for the exit.
"May I assist you, Constable?" Nathan turned to see a very familiar and welcome sight. Another red serge.
He put out his hand. "Constable Nathan Grant, Hope Valley."
"Constable Samuel Hughes, Western Edmonton," the man replied, shaking Nathan's hand. "Sam is fine," he said, smiling, "And you're a ways from home."
"Glad to meet you, Sam, and this is lucky because Western Edmonton is where I'm headed. I'm hoping to borrow a mount to ride to Spruce Grove for an investigation."
Sam nodded. "Shouldn't be a problem. I'm headed that way. Just came in from Calgary. Any way we can help you in the investigation, Nathan?"
They were walking now, and Nathan followed Sam out to the front of the station. "Missing person," Nathan said. "I appreciate the offer of help, and I might take you up on that. I understand it's about fifteen miles to Spruce Grove?"
"Yep. Easy ride on good roads. Shouldn't take you more than a couple of hours," Sam said.
Sam looked to be about the same age as Nathan, just as tall, with sandy hair and freckles that gave him a very open, accessible look. Nathan imagined he'd be very good at questioning people. It was hard not to like and trust him on sight.
Nathan smiled. "Glad to run into you, Sam."
"You too, Nathan. That's our ride," Sam said, steering Nathan toward the waiting streetcar. They boarded and paid, and heard the hum of electricity above their heads as it lurched on the rails.
Nathan exhaled, peering out of the window. "I spent a year in Calgary about ten years ago," he said, looking around at the clogged streets and the coughing automobiles. "Since then, it's been small towns for me."
Sam laughed. "And I grew up in Montreal, so this is a small town, and Calgary even smaller. It's all relative, I guess."
"Montreal. I can't even imagine," Nathan said, removing his hat and placing it on his lap. "So, I'm assuming there's a telephone I can use at the office?"
Sam looked at him, his eyebrows raised. "A number of them," he said, smiling. "Hope Valley is small, isn't it?"
Nodding, Nathan said, "Just got a phone at the house a couple of months ago, and that's only because the Town Council said I had to. My wife has been less than pleased about it."
Sam's eyes went wide. "A married Mountie? This is lucky. I may need to bend your ear a little on that subject, Nathan. I've got a girl but I can't bring myself to marry her, and I've a feeling she's just about ready to call it quits."
Nathan smiled and looked out the window. "I'd highly recommend it, Sam. Marry her."
Sam laughed. "From the look in your eyes, your wife is a lucky woman." Sam looked closer. "And you're a lucky man. How does she deal with it? You being gone – the danger?"
"I can't lie. She doesn't like it," Nathan said, looking at Sam. "But she's the bravest woman I know."
"How long have you been married?" Sam asked.
"A little over three months. But we've known each other for nearly two years."
Sam reached into his pouch and pulled out a photo. "Marie," he said. "We grew up together."
Nathan nodded and reached into his own pouch. "Elizabeth. And this is Allie, and Jack."
Sam frowned a little, thinking. Nathan smiled and said, "It's complicated." But then he heard himself and shook his head. "Actually, it's not complicated. Allie is my sister's girl, and I've been raising her since she lost her mom. Jack is Elizabeth's. She was a widow."
"Ah..." Sam said, nodding. A light dawned in his eyes. "You're Nathan Grant. I knew I recognized the name. Of course. You married Elizabeth Thornton." He looked at the picture again closely. "Jack is their Christmas baby."
Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Wow. I'd heard the stories too, before I met Elizabeth. But I had no idea they updated so quickly. What have you heard?"
Sam exhaled. "I guess in my mind, it's even more of a story of hope now. Tragedy, and then another Mountie? It's one of the reasons I've been a little closer to asking Marie. If your Elizabeth could try again, why wouldn't my girl try once?"
Nathan was left a little speechless. He hadn't really expected to become a part of the lore, but of course it would happen.
"Sam," Nathan said tentatively, "I don't suppose we could just keep this between us? The person who's missing is my father, and I'd rather focus on that while I'm here."
Sam nodded. "You got it, Constable. I understand. I've never been famous myself, but I've known a few here in town and some in Montreal and I know it can be a little oppressive." He reached over and shook Nathan's hand again. "We'll get you your horse and send you on your way quietly." He looked out of the streetcar window. "This is our stop."
And before Nathan knew it, he was in a small room with a telephone. Sam had been as good as his word. There was a horse named Chestnut saddled and ready to go outside the window, and he would get to Spruce Grove right about the time the sun went down.
"Hope Valley operator."
"Florence," Nathan said, as he was transported immediately and very happily back to the town.
"Oh, good, Nathan! So glad you made it safely to Edmonton! She's been waiting for your call. Everything's okay?" Florence said, unable to restrain herself from joining the conversation, as usual.
Nathan laughed softly. "Yes, thank you, Florence. I'm anxious to talk with my wife," he said.
"Awww," Florence said, "You two. Elizabeth has checked with me three times to make sure the line was working correctly..."
"Florence...?" Nathan said, laughing.
Suddenly all business, Florence said, "Yes, of course! One moment, please, and I'll connect your call."
"Nathan?" Elizabeth's voice was just about the sweetest thing he could think of hearing right now.
"Elizabeth," he said softly, "You sound so good. I'm here in Edmonton, ready to ride out to Spruce Grove."
"How was your trip? Long, I imagine," she said.
"Not too bad. I slept some," his voice went lower, "Dreamed a little. Is it ridiculous that I already miss you?"
"If it is, then we're both ridiculous. I keep expecting you to walk through the door."
Nathan's voice was soft, "I promise you I'll wrap this up as quickly as possible and then I will walk back through the door. What did I miss today?"
Elizabeth laughed. "Which do you want first? That Rosemary completely changed the orientation of their house right before the foundation was poured? Or that Allie now wants a dog after having spent the afternoon out at the Sutters' farm with their sheepdog? A sheepdog! Can you imagine? The thing is like a small horse! It's much bigger than Jack..."
As Elizabeth talked, Nathan laughed and let it all wash over him. No matter where he was, he knew it was all there waiting for him to come home. Hope Valley would continue to be the place he longed for. Had he ever lived anywhere else?
Once she took a breath, Nathan jumped in, "Lee better put his foot down pretty soon, or they won't get that house finished before the snow falls."
Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, and are you ready to tell Rosemary? Lee was hiding in his office all day!"
"And a dog isn't a bad idea for Allie, you know. But not a sheepdog. We'd be buried under the hair in a week!" Nathan said.
Elizabeth's voice faltered a little, "Oh, Nathan, it's so good to hear your voice. I'm trying to be a proper Mountie's wife, but I've been spoiled. I'm used to having you home."
"The good news is that I don't think this will happen very often." Nathan sighed. "This city is so big, with so many people, but they don't talk to each other much from what I can see. All I want is to sit in that swing with you and watch the sun go down."
"Then that's what we'll do tonight," Elizabeth said softly. "I'll sit out there and wherever you are, close your eyes and we'll be there together."
"It's a date." Nathan paused. "I love you so much, Elizabeth. Make a face at Jack and say it's from me. Hug Allie. Tell them I love them. I'll call you tomorrow from the Mountie office in Spruce Grove, but I won't be able to tell you this." Nathan's voice was very soft and low in Elizabeth's ear. "My bed will be very cold tonight, and I can't imagine not waking up to you, holding you, seeing your curls on the pillow, your smile..." His voice trailed off as he exhaled.
Elizabeth said, "I feel the same. Isn't it strange that we slept alone for so long, and now, I reach for you in the middle of the night without thinking it's ever been any different."
They were silent for a moment. They couldn't know that they had both closed their eyes, transporting to the warmth of their soft, warm bed.
Nathan sighed deeply. "I don't want to, but I have to go. I need to get riding if I'm going to make it to Spruce Grove before dark."
Sitting up, Elizabeth said, "Yes, then you should go. I don't want you riding in the dark. Remember to think of us at sunset, Nathan," she said quickly.
Nathan laughed. "At sunset, before sunset, after sunset, after dark, all night... I hardly stop thinking of us, angel."
"Me, too, my love," she said softly. "Ride safe."
"I will. I'll call you tomorrow. I love you," Nathan said.
"I love you."
The line clicked off, but Nathan held on to the phone for a minute longer. Then he took a deep breath, stood and gathered up his hat and his satchel.
He found Sam and thanked him again. "If you're ever near Hope Valley, Sam, please stop by. We'll show you a taste of small town life. You might find you like it." He shook Sam's hand and leaned in, smiling, "You and Marie."
Sam nodded enthusiastically. "I'll stay in touch, Nathan. And you let us know if we can be of any assistance with your work in Spruce Grove." He lowered his voice. "I wish you good luck in finding your father."
Nathan nodded. "I'm grateful, Sam. In any case, I'll hope to see you when I bring Chestnut back. Thanks again," Nathan said, heading toward the door.
As always, Nathan needed to adjust the stirrups on Chestnut to accommodate his long legs. He tied his bag behind the cantle and put his hat smartly on his head. Pulling himself up into the saddle, he oriented himself and rode out, following Sam's directions.
Before long, he'd left the traffic and exhaust fumes behind and was back in the trees where he could breathe again. His ears were ringing a little from the constant noise of the city, but out here on the dirt road there was only the occasional coach, wagon or automobile to contend with.
The sky was turning slightly orange in streaks across the clouds. Once he'd walked Chestnut for a while and they'd gotten used to each other, Nathan leaned down and ran his hand across her long neck. "What do you think, girl? You want to shake off the city and have a run?"
She had a sure step and was a good runner. Nathan thought she was enjoying being away from the noise and smoke as much as he was. When they'd both had their fill for a while, Nathan took her down to a trot and then a walk again, both of them breathing deeply of the clean air.
Now the sky was on fire, and Nathan came to a small clearing. He pulled Chestnut off and relaxed the reins so she could graze. He couldn't look directly at the sun but looking to the side, he could see it was blazing on the horizon.
Nathan closed his eyes. It wasn't hard to imagine being in the porch swing with Elizabeth. It was one of their favorite spots. She was leaning on his chest, her fingers idly threading through his as she told him about her day at school, about Jack's latest adventure, or Rosemary's newest project.
His other hand was curling through her thick hair as he listened, and his foot was pushing the swing in tiny circles.
The sun dipped down below the horizon and Nathan opened his eyes. "I have to go, Elizabeth," he said softly, gathering up the reins. He knew he had about twenty minutes left to Spruce Grove and only about fifteen minutes of real light.
Reluctantly, he turned Chestnut back to the road. She'd obviously rested enough, because without prompting she worked back up to a canter on her own. "Good girl," Nathan said, laughing, and it wasn't long before they passed a farm or two and then saw buildings in the distance.
Nathan thought he would start with the boarding house where Archie had last stayed, and it turned out they had a room available. It wasn't much, but it was warm and solid, and the bed wasn't bad. It had an actual wool mattress instead of the usual pine boughs covered in canvas, and Nathan settled in after a quick dinner in town.
The lamp on the chest of drawers next to the bed wasn't very bright, but Nathan had brought along his copy of Persuasion to read. He smiled, remembering Elizabeth's surprise at his Jane Austen collection in his room in Airdrie. She'd learned his secret of loving Austen's writing, but what he hadn't told her was that he had spent hours reading in his bedroom wondering if he would ever have his own Fanny Price or Anne Elliot, or best of all, Elizabeth Bennet.
Now he had all of them. The best of Austen's heroines all wrapped into his own Elizabeth. Courage, intelligence, wit, compassion, and of course, beauty.
He closed the book, unable to focus on the words. He looked to the right to the chest of drawers and there was a small piece of paper that had fallen behind it. Turning, he grabbed the corner, but it was stuck on a nail.
He sat up and turned the entire chest by twisting it. It was heavy, but would move, and he was able to retrieve the scrap of paper.
Stella, Spruce Café, 8a
It was written in strong neat letters. Frowning slightly, Nathan put the note on top of the dresser. There was something else that had caught his eye on the back of the chest, but he couldn't see it clearly. He stood and inched the chest around further, so the back was almost facing the bed.
Sitting again, he brought the lamp down closer to read what was carved very small and very neatly in the same lettering.
Archie was here.
