As she flipped a pancake, Elizabeth glanced over at her son. Little Jack still seemed content with his building logs, though he wasn't really creating anything that was recognizable. Elizabeth was sure that would come all too soon.

Elizabeth was just finishing up the pancakes when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She looked in that direction as Ally made her appearance.

"Good morning, Ally," Elizabeth greeted her young house guest. "You're just in time for breakfast."

"Good morning, Mrs. Thornton," Ally said. "Those smell delicious."

"I put blueberries in them this morning," Elizabeth told her.

Elizabeth and Ally worked together to get the final touches ready for breakfast. After saying a quick grace, the two put pancakes on their plates. Elizabeth cut up some pancake for Jack and put it in front of him. She had a feeling more would end up places other than his mouth but it would keep him occupied for a little while.

As she ate her own breakfast, Elizabeth thought over how to bring up the subject that she wanted to discuss with Ally. While doing some more grading the night before she had come across Ally's essay. What the girl wrote had her concerned. While, Ally hadn't followed the assignment, she had at least written down a reason for not completing the assignment. For the first time in her teaching career, Elizabeth hadn't been sure what to do about the grading.

"Ally," Elizabeth finally ventured, putting down her fork. "I got to your essay last night."

"Oh," Ally said, her smile fading as she looked down at her plate. She stabbed a square of pancake and moved it around her plate.

"You didn't complete the assignment."

"I know," Ally admitted.

"Technically, I should fail you on the assignment. However, I'm a little hesitant to do that. I know sometimes our wishes can be personal, and I don't want to force you to share them if you don't want to, but certainly you could've come up with something that you would have felt comfortable sharing."

"I could've made up something but that felt a little bit like lying. Uncle Nathan would have been disappointed in me if he found out I lied. I've already got that lecture more than once."

Elizabeth nodded. She could hardly tell the girl it was okay to make something else if she felt it went against her Uncle's teachings. That was kind of counterproductive.

"Are you sure you can't share with me what your wishes are?" Elizabeth said.

Ally shook her head.

"Is it because they involve me?" Elizabeth asked, having a feeling she knew what kind of things Ally might wish for.

Ally nodded, still staring at her plate.

"Then how about we modify the assignment," Elizabeth told her. "Instead of an essay about what you would wish for, I want you to write a story about a girl who finds a wishing lamp and write what the girl's three wishes would be. As it's a story, you can write whatever you want and it won't be a lie. I'll need it Monday morning though. Are you willing to do that?"

Ally finally looked up. "I can do that," she said, giving Elizabeth a smile.

"Very well then," Elizabeth said, happy with the solution that she had come up with for the issue. "How about after breakfast I braid your hair for you," she added, remembering Ally's comment to Jack the evening before. "I could even teach you how to do it yourself, though that might take a few sessions."

Ally smiled. "I'd like that, Mrs. Thornton."

"Okay then," Elizabeth said as they both returned to their breakfast.

Later that day, Elizabeth made her way to the livery pushing Jack in his stroller. She had spotted Nathan and Gabe riding into town when she had been at the Mercantile. Wanting to see Nathan, and figuring it was best to give him the bad news about having to back out of their supper date sooner rather than later, she had decided to put off her shopping trip.

As she walked into the livery, both Nathan and Gabe were taking care of their horses. Apollo and Newton had stalls next to each other and the two friends were talking easily together.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," Elizabeth said, wanting to let her presence known.

"Hello, Elizabeth," Gabriel said. "This certainly is the prettiest welcome committee I've ever had."

Elizabeth found herself blushing at the compliment even as her eyes found Nathan's.

"Hello," Nathan said, gazing at her intently. "Why do I get the feeling though that you didn't just come here to welcome me home?"

"I didn't," Elizabeth admitted. "Laura sent word that she woke up with a sore throat. It doesn't seem to be anything serious but she should rest and I don't want to expose Little Jack to anything. With Rosemary out of town, I'm not sure who else I could ask to watch him on such short notice for our dinner tonight."

Nathan nodded, digesting the news. He was about to respond when Gabe spoke up behind him.

"I could watch him tonight," Gabe suggested. "I was already going to spend the time with Ally. We can just incorporate Little Jack into our evening."

"I don't know," Elizabeth said, a little hesitant to leave her son with someone she just met. However, Gabriel was Nathan's friend and Nathan trusted him with Ally. She had also seen how he interacted with Jack on Saturday evening. It had been clear that Gabriel had experience with young children.

"I have looked after young children before," Gabriel informed her. "I enjoy being around children. I know exactly where you are if something comes up and if it's the fact that you don't trust someone you barely know in your house, I can watch the kids at Nathan's."

Elizabeth laughed, Gabriel's words making her realize how silly she was being. "You're a Mountie and Nathan's friend, trust is not an issue," she told him. "I guess I'm just being an over protective mother," she admitted. "However, I would appreciate it if you could watch Jack tonight. I've been looking forward to supper with Nathan tonight."

"Then it's settled," Gabriel said, a grin coming to his face. "The kids and I are going to have fun, while the two of you enjoy a little romance."

"Gabe," Nathan said in a warning tone, a hint of color coming to his cheeks.

Elizabeth smiled at the exchange despite feeling the heat rise in her own cheeks.

Having come out of Apollo's stall, Gabriel knelt down and peered at Jack in the stroller. The little boy giggled in delight at the sight of him, and reached up for the brim of the hat.

"Hey their little man," Gabriel said to Jack. "We're going to have fun tonight, right?"

Jack giggled again as if in response to the question. He had gotten a hold of Gabriel's hat and pulled it down a little in the front.

"He likes the hat," Nathan commented.

"I can see that," Gabriel said, as he stood back up.

"Thanks for volunteer to watch the kids tonight, Gabe," Nathan said.

"It's not a problem," Gabriel told them. "Although I'll have to figure out a second supper. I don't think the recipe I got off of Gustov is Toddler approved."

Elizabeth smiled. "I'll have something ready for Jack's supper," she assured him. "Something I'm sure he'll like as he sometimes gets fussy about eating when I'm not around."

"Thanks," Gabriel replied.

"Well, I'll let the two of you finish what you're doing. Ally is with Opal right now having a sewing lesson. She said she had talked to you about doing it."

"She did," Nathan replied. "I'll stop by the Weise's in a bit even if it's just to say hello."

Elizabeth nodded. "I've got a few things to pick up at the Mercantile. I'll see you tonight."

"Bye, Elizabeth," Nathan said, softly.

"Bye, Nathan," Elizabeth echoed softly. She held his gaze for a moment before looking over at Gabriel. "Have a good afternoon and thanks again for tonight."

"No problem," Gabriel told her. "Enjoy you afternoon."

Elizabeth left with Jack leaving the two Mounties alone in the livery. Gabriel walked over to Newton's stall, and leaned an arm on the top railing.

"You should've come out of the stall and kissed her," Gabriel teased his friend.

Reaching out, Nathan pulled the brim of Gabriel's hat forward. "Don't start," he told his friend even as he went back to brushing out Newton.

Chuckling, Gabriel fixed his hat once again and returned to Apollo's stall.

"That should be everything," Ally said, as she handed Gabriel the last ingredient listed on the recipe.

"Okay, then," Gabriel said, taking the jar and putting it in the basket. "We're ready then. All we need is for Nathan to find his way downstairs."

"I've never seen him take this long to get ready," Ally commented.

"Yeah, well give it a year or two and you'll understand," Gabriel told her.

Ally didn't respond, even as she looked toward the stairs. A few moments later, Nathan finally made his way down the steps. He was wearing his dress shoes, slacks, a dark blue shirt and a tie.

"No suit jacket?" Gabriel asked, a smirk on his face.

"It's supper at the café not the Yorkton," Nathan replied. "I think a suit jacket would be too much." He glanced down at his outfit. "Actually, this might be too much."

"No. It's perfect," Ally told her uncle.

"You can hardly argue with the only lady in the room," Gabriel replied.

Nathan smiled. "You make a good point," he commented, stepping off the stairs.

Making his way over to Ally, he gave his niece a hug. As he let her go, he told her, "you know, I'm not sure I care for the new hair style," he commented.

"Why not," Ally, said looking up at him with a bit of a frown.

"Because I can't muss your hair without worrying about messing up the braid," Nathan told her. "Not to mention, it makes you look more grown up."

Ally smiled up at her uncle even as Gabe reached out and gave the braid a playful tug.

"Mr. Gabe!" Ally exclaimed.

"What?" Gabriel replied, trying to look innocent.

"You know what," Ally told him.

Nathan chuckled. "If you two are ready, let's grab our coats and head down to Elizabeth's. I don't want to be late for our first official date."

"I think she would forgive you," Gabriel commented with a smirk. "However, it is wrong to keep a lady waiting. Besides, Ally and I are looking forward to trying this dish. We might even save you some."

"Uh huh," Nathan said, moving toward the door.

The trio got their coats. While Gabriel retrieved the basket of food, Nathan grabbed a lantern. Giving the way the clouds had been clouding up over the past few hours, Nathan figured they'd need it to light their way sooner rather than later.

Rejoining Nathan and Ally at the door, Gabriel grabbed the umbrella from its place in the corner.

"You'll probably need this to keep the lady dry on the way home," Gabriel said, handing it to Nathan.

Nathan took the umbrella from Gabriel. "When did you become a weather forecaster?"

"Since I got shot," Gabriel replied. "Don't ask me to explain it, but when the shoulder starts aching a certain way it usually rains or snows, within a few hours."

Nathan looked closely at his friend, trying to decide if Gabriel was messing with him or not. The sincere look in Gabe's eyes told him that his friend wasn't joking. Reaching out, he took the umbrella from him.

"Thanks," Nathan said, before opening the door and holding it for his niece and friend.