"Do you guys actually train for things like this?" Lucas asked from his spot behind Gabriel. He held the length of rope that Nathan had tied around his waist in two hands, as he tried to figure out if this action was one of bravery or pure insanity.

"We do," Gabriel replied. He also held the rope as Nathan removed his gun and boots. What he didn't add was that the river had not been this strong during their training session. "Just do what I tell you to do," he said, throwing a glance over his shoulder at the saloon owner.

"Got it," Lucas replied, trying to sound confident. The expression on his face told Gabriel that the saloon owner was totally out of his element but for now, Lucas was the only help he had.

Gabriel looked back toward Nathan who was standing near the bank, his gaze focused on Opal in the distance.

"Ready whenever you are," Gabriel called out to him.

As Nathan entered the river, Gabriel addressed Lucas. "Right now it's important that there is slack in the rope. We don't want to hinder his attempt to reach Opal. However, be ready to put tension on the rope at a moments notice."

"Understood," Lucas replied.

Nathan was in the water now. The bright red of his jacket allowed Gabriel to keep him in sight easily. As he fed out rope, Gabriel hoped this would work without complications. Though he couldn't spare a check for Opal, Gabriel assumed the little girl was still clinging to the tree branches as Robert hadn't given them any updates.

Out in the river, Nathan was making progress to crossing the river. Gabriel knew his goal was to simply reach the tree that Opal was clinging to. If he could get a hold of the branches of that tree, Nathan could use them to reach the girl.

Green in the water made Gabriel realize that a broken branch was making its way down the river.

"Nathan, debris," Gabriel yelled out.

Whether Nathan didn't hear the warning or he just didn't have time to move out of the way, Gabriel wasn't sure. However, the red and green in the churning water mixed for a moment. Gabriel tensed, prepared to pull Nathan back to shore if he seemed to be in trouble. However, the green leaves kept moving down the river pas the red spot that was Nathan and Nathan continued to cross the river.

"Constable Grant reached the tree!" Robert called out in relief.

Gabriel didn't respond to the teen's comment though he shared Robert's relief. One stage of the rescue was over. Nathan had grabbed a hold of the tree closer to the bank than Opal was. Gabriel knew he wouldn't feel totally at ease until Nathan had a hold of the little girl. There was still too much that could go wrong with this rescue for his liking.

Even as he heard the sounds of more approaching people, Gabriel still kept his focus on the splash of red against the green leaves in the distance. He couldn't afford to lose track of Nathan at this point.

"I want everyone to be prepared to help pull them in when its time but for now just stay out of the way," Bill said somewhere behind Gabriel, addressing the newcomers. "Curt when the wagon gets here make sure we have blankets ready for both of them when we get them insure."

"You got it, Bill."

Out in the river, Gabriel was still watching the red spot that was Nathan. His friend had moved closer to Opal. Gabriel found himself holding his breath. He was so close to having her as long as the little girl's grip on the tree didn't let loose.

And then Nathan was waving to him in the distance, and Gabriel could see the splotch of brown against the red tunic. Nathan had a hold of the little girl.

"Lucas, start pulling," Gabriel instructed even as he planted his feet and started pulling the rope in.

After a couple of pulls, it got easier as the other men found places on the rope behind Gabriel to help.

"We've got this, Gabriel," Bill said from directly behind the Mountie. "Be ready to help them out of the river," the judge added.

Though he didn't acknowledge Bill's instructions with words, Gabriel did let go of the rope. Walking toward the river bank, he still kept a close eye on the red serge. As Nathan got closer to the river bank, and the water got shallower, he struggled to his feet. Nathan had one arm securely around the child clinging to him, and the rope with the other.

As Gabriel grabbed Nathan's arm, he could hear he could hear Opal's whimpering even over his friend's coughing. He was concerned for them both, especially as he could tell Nathan was barely on his feet.

"Oh, thank God you got her," Mr. Weise said as he rushed toward them, reaching out for his daughter.

With a little persuasion, Opal released her grip on Nathan's neck and went to her father. Dr. Shepherd, who had been right behind Mr. Wise, draped a blanket around Opal as he led father and daughter in the direction of the Weise's wagon.

As another coughing fit came over Nathan, Gabriel put an arm around his friend's waist. When Nathan's knees buckled, Gabriel tried to control the descent even as Nathan coughed up some water.

"That's it. Cough it up," Gabriel said kneeling next to Nathan.

"Here, wrap this around him," Lucas said approaching with a blanket.

Gabriel moved his arm from around Nathan long enough for Lucas to drape the blanket around Nathan's shoulders. "Get the water out of your lungs," Gabriel encouraged as he placed his arm across Nathan's back again.

Lucas knelt down beside Nathan opposite of Gabriel, untying the rope still looped around Nathan's waist before reaching out to help support him. Nearby, Bill stood, looking worried even as he glanced over to where Dr. Shepherd was with the Weiss'. Catching his eye, Gabriel shook his head. He knew Nathan wouldn't go along with them taking the doctor away from the little girl if he was needed there. He also knew that Carson would come check on Nathan as soon as he was sure Opal would be okay.

Nathan had stopped coughing, though he was breathing hard, trying to catch his breath.

"Let's sit you down," Gabriel said, trying to ease Nathan into a sitting position. Still kneeling on the ground, Gabriel leaned his friend against him, wrapping the blanket tighter around his even as he noticed that Nathan had his eyes closed.

Still nearby, Lucas unfolded another blanket and placed it over Nathan's legs and torso.

"How's he doing?" Dr. Shepherd asked, hurrying over to them.

"He just coughed up quite a bit of water," Gabriel replied, "but he seems better now."

"How's Opal?" Nathan asked, opening his eyes.

"She seems okay. Her lungs are clear. Her parents are taking her home to get her dry and warm. I'll go check in on her again after I examine you," Carson replied, putting the end of his stethoscope into his ears.

Reaching into the blanket, the doctor reached around and placed the other end against Nathan's back. The Mountie winced at the touch. Noticing it, Carson paused. "Did that hurt?" he asked Nathan.

"I hit something in the river, or something hit me. I'm not sure which."

"It was probably a tree branch," Gabriel supplied.

Carson nodded his acknowledgement of the information. "Describe the pain for me."

"It's just an ache really, though anything touching the area hurts," Nathan replied.

"Nothing sharp or piercing?"

"No," Nathan replied, leaning his head back against Gabriel as he closed his eyes again.

"Any numbness or tingling in your arms or legs?"

"I'm just cold in general," Nathan replied.

"Okay. I want to listen to your lungs so this might hurt a bit," Carson warned him, again placing the circular end of the stethoscope to Nathan's back in several different places.

"Your lungs sound clear," Carson said. "Hopefully, you've coughed up all the water you swallowed." Carson looked up from his patient. "Do we have another blanket?" he asked addressing the bystanders.

"Yeah. There is another one in the wagon," Jesse spoke up having joined the group.

"Get it," Carson told him. "We'll use it to carry him. I don't want to jar him too much until I can get a better idea of his injuries."

Jesse nodded, hurrying to the wagon.

"Gabe, I want you to tell Ally what's going on," Nathan said, opening his eyes to look up at his friend.

Gabe nodded. "I'll go just as soon as we get you to the wagon," he told his friend. As much as he didn't want to leave Nathan, he knew his friend was in good hands with Carson. Like Nathan, Gabe would rather he told Ally what was going on rather than her find out another way. "And if you're not back on your feet by Monday, I'm not going anywhere. So don't concern yourself about that either," he assured his friend.

"Thanks," Nathan murmured.

Jesse returned with the blanket. Follow Carson's instructions, Gabriel and Lucas helped to get the blanket underneath Nathan, while keeping him covered with the other two blankets. Then under the doctor's guidance, the group of men got Nathan into the wagon Jesse had brought.

Lucas stood silently watching Jesse drive the wagon away. He felt numb and he hadn't been the one to go into the cold water. This wasn't the first time he had seen Nathan Grant, or a Mountie in general, in action. He knew it took a certain kind of man to do the job. He knew they were brave men, but he had always figured he was just as brave as them. He like to think that put into the same situation he would react the same way he had seen them react.

Lucas turned and looked at the churning waters of the swollen river. He may have helped rescue Opal from those waters but Nathan had been the one that had gone in there to reach her. Without hesitation, the man had entered those churning waters.

Would he have done the same thing?

As much as he wanted to answer otherwise, the truth was that Lucas doubted that he would have the courage to act that selflessly.

Perhaps there was a reason that Nathan Grant had become a Mountie while he ran a saloon, gambled and tried to impress people with magic tricks. Perhaps whatever that difference was, it was the same thing that made Elizabeth fall for Nathan Grant rather than be persuaded by all his charms.

"I'll take care of Newton before heading to the house," Bill said, cutting through Lucas' thoughts.

"Okay," Gabriel said. "I'm not sure how long I'll be. I want to make sure Ally's fairly calm before I bring her to the house. If she's upset, it'll only give Nathan something to worry about and I'd like to avoid that."

"Probably a good idea," Bill replied.

"I'll take care of Newton for you, Bill," Lucas said, taking a few steps toward the only other two men left by the riverbank. Lucas hadn't even been aware of the others leaving.

"Are you sure?" Bill asked.

"Yes," Lucas replied. "I have to take my own horse to the livery anyway." ~Also, it's not like anyone is expecting me to be hanging around concerned about Nathan's condition, ~ Lucas thought to himself.

"Okay. Thanks," Bill replied, the rope they had used, now coiled in his hands.

Gabriel had retrieved the belongings Nathan had removed before entering the water and now walked up to Lucas.

"Thanks for tagging along, Lucas," Gabriel told him. "Your help was appreciated and needed."

"I just did what anyone would have done, right," Lucas said, trying to brush off the praise. He knew who the real hero was out here today and it wasn't him.

Lucas headed toward the horses. Being uncomfortable with a conversation wasn't a normal feeling for him but it was how he felt right now. Perhaps some time alone, caring for the horses was exactly what he needed to settle his jumbled emotions.