Deciding that Ally could use some alone time with Nathan, Elizabeth headed for the door of the bedroom as Ally settled on the bed next to her uncle, book in hand. As she did so, Elizabeth noticed a guitar sitting in the corner. It felt like she was learning about another aspect of Nathan. She knew he had a wonderful voice from hearing him sing in church but she hadn't known he possessed any other musical talent. She filed the bit of information away as something to ask him about at a later time.

Reaching the doorway, Elizabeth paused and looked back. Ally had retrieved Alice and Wonderland and was sitting against the headboard next to Nathan. Nathan had closed his eyes, though the smile on his face told Elizabeth that he was listening to his niece's voice. It was a touching scene and one she wanted to hold in her memory.

After a few moments, Elizabeth slipped into the hallway and made her way down the steps. She could hear Bill downstairs trying to coax Little Jack to say "uncle Bill." She felt bad for her friend, but she knew her son would say his god father's name when he was ready. Just like Little Jack had said mama long after she felt he should have. When he had finally said it on Christmas morning, it had been a most precious gift.

"How's Nathan?" Bill asked, hearing Elizabeth's footsteps.

"In good spirits," Elizabeth replied.

"Good," Bill replied. "And how are you doing?"

Elizabeth walked over to the chair facing the one Bill was sitting in and rested her hands on the back of it. Looking across the table at the older man she contemplated the answer.

"Numb," Elizabeth finally replied. "Does that make sense?"

"It does," Bill replied with a nod. "You've had two close calls with Nathan in the last couple of weeks. Add to that the fact that you're probably dealing with memories of Jack, and I think anyone would be feeling numb. Just remember that you're strong, and you have friends that care about you if you need someone to lean on. Don't go running from love just because life can be scary loving that person. Life is scary any time you choose to live it."

Elizabeth smiled, thinking of the conversation she'd just had with Nathan about her early adventures with coming out west. If she wanted safe, she should have stayed in Hamilton. However, that wasn't the type of life she had wanted. It wasn't then and it certainly wasn't now. Yes, her outing to Union City had been pleasant, but it was because it had been a break from the ordinary. A treat so to say. She had been more than happy to return to Hope Valley the following day.

"Nathan's job might put him in more dangerous situations than if he wasn't a Mountie, but it also means that he's been trained to deal with those situations," Bill added when Elizabeth had remained quiet.

"I'm not going anywhere, Bill, if that's what you're trying to say. I love Nathan and that means through the good times and the bad times. Part of me wished we were further along in our relationship so I could've put my arms around him and let him hold me like he did Ally."

"Why didn't you? At least this time you would've only maybe had an audience of one."

Elizabeth gave Bill an exasperated look.

Still smiling, Bill got to his feet, Little Jack in his one arm. Walking around the table, he reached out with his free arm and pulled Elizabeth close to him. She didn't resist as she leaned against him. Elizabeth felt safe in Bill's fatherly embrace.

"This is Hope Valley not Hamilton, Elizabeth," Bill said quietly after a few moments. "Life and love are a little bit more messy out here than in the high society you grew up in. With that being said, do what you're comfortable with. Just know that no one is judging you for your display of emotion the other week."

"Thanks, Bill. I needed to hear that," Elizabeth told him though she made no effort to move from his embrace.

"Mama," Little Jack said quietly, as he reached out and brushed a hand lightly over Elizabeth's hair.

The action caused both Elizabeth and Bill to laugh lightly.

"I feel so loved," Elizabeth said, her head still resting against Bill's shoulder as she reached out a hand to her son.

"You are," Bill told her. "By every person currently in this house," he added.

Elizabeth smiled up at him, knowing exactly what that comment was suppose to mean.

A knock on the door interrupted the moment.

"I'll get the door," Elizabeth said, slipping out of Bill's embrace.

Going to the door, Elizabeth reached for the door knob. She wasn't sure who she was expecting but opening the door revealed the last person she would expect to see on Nathan's doorstep.

"Lucas!" Elizabeth said, sure the surprise in her voice was echoed in her expression. "What brings you by?" she asked, hoping that her surprise didn't hurt Lucas' feelings.

"Well, first," Lucas replied holding up a Stetson, "Nathan's hat was still on Newton's saddle when I bedded him down. Also, I know that Nathan and Gabriel never did get to eat the meal they ordered so I had Gustov put together some food," he said indicating the box he had under one arm. "I wasn't sure how many people would be here, so I hope there is enough for everyone."

"That was very thoughtful of you, Lucas," Elizabeth said, reaching out for the box and the hat.

"How is, Nathan?" Lucas asked.

"He's doing okay. A little banged up but Carson seems to think a few days of rest and he'll be up and about."

"Glad to hear it," Lucas said. He paused a moment as he took in Elizabeth's expression which conveyed a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "I am," Lucas said a little defensively. "Granted, I didn't make a good first impression on our fine constable, and I have spent the past year viewing him as the competition, but I do respect him on a professional level. Besides that, I never wanted to see anything happen to him."

"I know," Elizabeth said, feeling a little guilty. Though Lucas may have let Nathan say or do something embarrassing, like the comment she had overhead during the planning of the bachelor party, the competition had never been mean spirited. "Perhaps there is hope for the two of you to be friends, yet."

"Now I think you might be expecting a little too much," Lucas told her. "Seriously though, tell Nathan I wish him a quick recovery and I hope everyone enjoys the food."

"I will," Elizabeth said. "Thank-you again for the food delivery," she said.

As Lucas stepped away from the door, Elizabeth backed into the house. Using her foot, she pushed the door shut.

"I'd help, but I've got a kid," Bill commented.

Elizabeth smiled. "I've got it," she told him, carrying the box over to the table. "I think I'm just going to put together a couple of servings and take it upstairs. If I ask if they're hungry, they'll likely say no."

"Sounds like a good plan, except for one thing."

"Oh?"

"Get three servings and you join them," Bill told her. "I'll make sure this one gets fed and keep something warm for Gabriel when he comes back."

Not having a good argument against Bill's suggestion, Elizabeth went about getting things ready without responding.

"Constable Kinslow," Mr. Wolf said, opening the door and finding Gabriel standing on his doorstep. "What brings you out here?"

"I was hoping to speak with, Robert," Gabriel replied.

"If this is about playing down by the river with the water up like it is, I've already spoken to him of the dangers," Mr. Wolf replied.

"I'm glad to hear it," Gabriel replied. "However, I was going to talk to him more along the lines of helping us out. Robert kept Opal in sight after she went in. If he hadn't done that, today could have very likely had a different outcome."

Mr. Wolf nodded as he stepped aside, motioning for Gabriel to come in.

"Have a seat. I'll go get Robert," Mr. Wolf said as he shut the door behind Gabriel.

Hat in his hands, Gabriel walked over to one of the arm chairs in the living area of the house and sat down while Mr. Wolf headed upstairs. He had only to wait a few moments before Robert made an appearance.

"Constable Kinslow, how's Opal and Constable Grant?" the teen asked as he came into the room.

"Dr. Shepherd says they're both doing fine," Gabriel told him, deciding against even alluding to the concerns the doctor had for Nathan. "Some of that has to do with you staying calm in a very difficult situation."

"Opal wouldn't have even been by the river if I hadn't suggested it," Robert admitted looking at his feet. "The whole situation was my fault to begin with."

"Can you sit down for a minute, Robert?" Gabriel said, indicating the other arm chair in the room.

Robert did as asked. He sat with his hands folded in his lap and kept his gaze focused on his folded hands.

"Granted, going down to the river following the rains we've had was not a good idea. However, don't be too hard on yourself. You didn't plan on Opal falling in. You were just being kids, and kids tend to use bad judgement sometimes. Adults do too sometimes, for the matter. That's part of the learning process."

"I've definitely learned the dangers of fast-moving water today," Robert commented.

"That's good," Gabriel told him. "Not accounting for how the situation came about, you handled yourself well today. You made the right call by not trying to go into the river to help Opal and just keeping her in sight instead. The fact that we knew where she was, that was the reason we were able to rescue her. You stayed calm and used good judgement. You should be proud of that."

"I didn't feel calm," Robert admitted, finally looking up.

"No one ever does," Gabriel told him. "It's not about not feeling the emotions. It's about controlling the emotions and not letting them dictate your actions. That's something you've already got a good grasp on."

"Thanks, Constable Kinslow," Robert said. "That makes me feel better."

"Good," Gabriel said, getting to his feet. "I want to go drop in on Parker briefly. I don't want a repeat of today."

Gabriel shook Robert's hand, gave a nod to Mr. Wolf who had been listening to the conversation from the doorway, and headed for the front door.

Later that evening, Gabriel stood at the window of Nathan's bedroom. Carson had brought a cot up from the infirmary, and was currently sleeping on it in the house's third, unfurnished, bedroom. So far, Nathan hadn't shown any signs of complications from his time in the river and Gabriel hoped it stayed that way.

Outside the window, the moon cast a dim glow on the little town. Hope Valley was a nice little town. Its people cared about one another. It had a serenity about it. He could understand why Nathan, and Ally, loved it so much.

Just like he loved Brookfield. The two towns were more similar than they were different even if Nathan did think Brookfield got quiet too early in the night.

As much as he missed Brookfield, Gabriel already knew that his return was going to be delayed. Even without any complications, Carson wasn't clearing Nathan for duty for the next few days at least. The last thing Gabriel wanted was Nathan to feel pressured to return to duty quickly. Gabriel knew that if he was keeping an eye on things, Nathan would be more cooperative with doctor's orders.

Brookfield could wait a few more days.

"Gabriel?"

At the window, Gabriel turned at the sound of his name to find Nathan awake. Stepping away from the window, he reclaimed the chair that he had placed by Nathan's bedside earlier.

"You should be sleeping," Gabriel commented.

"I could tell you the same thing," Nathan countered.

Gabriel smiled. "I'll get some sleep when Bill shows up."

Nathan nodded. Though he might not see the necessity of it, Carson had explained the arrangement and the reason for it while Gabriel had distracted Ally. It hadn't taken him long to figure out that any protests would fall on deaf ears.

"Thank-you," Nathan said simply. "How is Ally holding up?"

"She's doing fine," Gabe replied. "She actually fell asleep in here and has been asleep since I carried her to her room. Her dress is going to be totally wrinkled in the morning but that's not too hard of a fix."

"Says the guy who has only ever had to do laundry for one," Nathan countered.

"Okay, I'll give you that one," Gabriel conceded. "Elizabeth tried to talk Ally into going to church with her in the morning but Ally refused. Seems she doesn't want to go far from you right now."

"You can hardly blame her, after what she has lost," Nathan said, his heart aching for his niece. "Missing church isn't going to hurt her any. I'll save that argument for school on Monday."

Gabriel nodded. "Probably a wise choice. I've seen how stubborn that niece of yours can be."

"That's for sure," Nathan agreed.

"Elizabeth said she was going to come by after church with a casserole. We figured we could have Little Jack entertain you for a bit."

"Seeing him would definitely be entertaining."

"So, I guess this wasn't exactly how you were planning on getting Elizabeth into your bedroom, huh?" Gabriel teased.

Grabbing a pillow, Nathan threw it at Gabriel, wincing as he did so. "That might have not been such a good idea," he admitted.

Laughing, Gabriel told him, "Okay, no more jokes. At least not until you're feeling better."

"Yeah, we'll see how that works out," Nathan muttered. Despite everything though, he was glad Gabe was around. Jokes and all, having him around made it feel like a little weight was off his shoulder. Having back-up was always a good thing.