Elizabeth woke first.

The curtains were fully closed, but she could tell that the sun had just come up, and it was finally unhindered by the snow gray skies. The fact that the sun was shining on a relentlessly white world simply made it brighter outside.

Nathan was still asleep, exhausted from his long and very physical day yesterday, and Elizabeth didn't want to stir just in case she awakened him. His even breathing next to her ear was as much a comfort to her as the warm quilts that enveloped them both.

They had fallen asleep with Nathan holding her, and it seemed that neither of them had moved. His right arm lay across her shoulder and it was near enough that she could feel the soft dark hairs on his forearm tickling her cheek.

From the first night of their marriage, she'd never stopped being grateful for Nathan's presence, safe and warm in their bed. This peace, this normalcy, hadn't been a part of her time with Jack after the first few days. For that short span of her marriage to Jack, it had seemed that they were always stealing time, somehow in a race against fate.

Elizabeth closed her eyes again, though she knew she wouldn't go back to sleep. But she selfishly didn't want this feeling to end. For now, she had Nathan all to herself. He didn't have to save the town, or do all the things that needed to be done around the farm now that it had stopped snowing. He was hers, and hers alone, though she knew the household would wake soon.

Soon came even sooner than she thought.

Chester began crowing from inside the barn, which then started Lizzie mooing, which then unsettled the horses, which started the chickens clucking. It was only a matter of time before Nathan heard them. Elizabeth silently willed them to be quiet.

The chickens were making noise because they were unhappy. Chickens don't like snow, but they love to go outside during the day, romping when the sun is up. So they wanted to go out in the sun, but the moment they put their little feet on the snow-covered ramp, they would turn and go back inside.

Elizabeth knew from her Farmer's Almanac that someone needed to go out and clear their ramp and also open up a space for them so they could scratch the ground. Otherwise they would simply stay inside, feel cooped up, and would resort to scratching each other in frustration.

And Lizzie was probably mooing because she needed to be milked, but there was no path cleared from the house to the barn so that Allie could milk her.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth and Nathan couldn't expect the life of the farm to stop just because they'd gotten to sleep very late and were tired.

And now, another voice was needing attention. Jack, awakened by Chester, Lizzie, and the other menagerie members, was now calling out. Mama. Dad. Alleeee. Bumpa. Always one to cast a wide net, Jack would take anyone who would open his door and welcome him to the world for the day.

Then whispers in the hall as sweet Allie tried to get Jack quieted so they could sleep. Then Archie whispering... and inevitably, Nathan stirred. But instead of moving toward getting up, he pulled Elizabeth closer and snuggled his face into her curls.

"You do realize we've never had a honeymoon..." he mumbled softly.

Elizabeth giggled and whispered back, "Funny that should come to your mind right now."

"Fiona had some circulars she was showing around the other day for Orcas Island. A train to Vancouver, then a boat, and we're in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but seagulls and dolphins and whales and ocean as far as the eye can see," he said softly. He reached up and moved the hair away from Elizabeth's neck and kissed her there, making her shiver.

Elizabeth sighed. "No roosters, or chickens, or horses, or children? Just us?" She pulled his arm closer around her and smiled. "What on earth would we do all day?"

"Mmmm," he said into her neck, "We'd think of something."

Now the phone was ringing, and they both rolled over and lay on their backs, laughing softly. Nathan reached for his watch on the side table and sighed loudly. "Eight-fifteen," he said.

Then the expected soft knock on the door. "Dad, sorry," Allie said. "It's Carson. He's got a problem and needs to talk to you."

Nathan put his arms over his eyes and consciously removed any impatience from his voice. It was never Allie's fault that she loved to answer the telephone. Don't shoot the messenger. "Thanks, Allie. Can you tell him I'll call him back in about ten minutes, please?"

"Will do," Allie said, her footsteps echoing back down the hall.

Elizabeth turned and snuggled under Nathan's arm. "You could always become a farmer, you know? No responsibilities beyond your chickens, your children, and Lizzie. And me, of course."

He pulled her into his arms. "At this moment, that's very tempting," he said. Then he exhaled and said into her hair, "But then I think how much luckier I am right now than John Sutherland, and getting out of bed doesn't seem that difficult."

Elizabeth pulled back and smiled at him. "You're a good man, Nathan Grant. I love that answer."

"I love you," he said, kissing her quickly on the cheek. He gathered all his strength to let go of her and put his feet on the floor.

He dressed quickly while she watched him from the bed with soft eyes and with her hair curling around her face the way he loved it. He turned to her and whispered, trying to be stern, "Stop it." Then he smiled and kissed her and opened the bedroom door as she fell back on the pillow, laughing softly.

"Hey, Carson," Nathan said, running his hands through his hair to comb it. Archie was just getting the fires started again and Nathan wished he had remembered to put on his slippers.

"Sorry to bother you, Nathan. Just wondering if I can get some help here." Carson lowered his voice. "We can't save John's foot, and if we let it go much longer we'll be looking at gangrene moving up his leg."

Nathan took a deep breath. "And he says no."

"Yes," Carson said. "I can give him morphine and just do it if I have to, but I really don't want to do that. Bill is heading up with Molly to bring Mary down while Molly stays with the children, but I'm wondering if there's any way you can try to convince John that it has to be done. He knows you better than he knows me. He actually asked for you. I think your opinion would matter."

Nathan rubbed his hand across his face and sighed. "Sure," he said. "I need to get dressed." He started to say goodbye and then said, "Carson? In what capacity do you think he was asking for me?"

Carson knew exactly what Nathan was asking. "As his friend. No uniform."

"Thanks. I'll see you as soon as I can," Nathan said, softly.

He hung up the receiver and sat down heavily on the sofa. Elizabeth came into the room with his slippers and put them on the floor next to his bare feet. He squeezed her hand gratefully, and she sat down next to him. "Trouble?" she said softly, smoothing back his hair.

Nathan exhaled. "I need to try to convince a man with four children and a wife, who all depend on his work as a trapper, that he should allow Carson to amputate his foot, which will make it impossible for him to continue to do his work. And I need to do that as his friend." He put his head in his hands and leaned forward.

Elizabeth rested her head on his back. She knew there was no easy answer, and that Nathan wasn't expecting one. She put her arms around him and sighed. "You'll know what to say. Just remember that this is Hope Valley. John is a hard worker and a smart man. There are other things he can do besides trapping. Someone will give him a chance. And Mary will probably be much happier."

Nathan turned to her slowly and smiled. He kissed her gently on the cheek. "Those are all very good thoughts. And just so you know, that's another Elizabeth voice." Moving a curl from her face, he said, "That's the voice of the woman at my side, my partner in life, the one who lifts me up when things look dark."

"And all of the Elizabeths love you," she said softly. "Do you want breakfast before you go?"

Nathan nodded. "Just coffee, please. I'll get something in town."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "If you get one of Gustav's chocolate croissants, can you bring one back for me? I think it's one of my cravings, because I can't stop thinking about them."

He kissed her quickly and stood up. "I'll get you a whole bag of them."

She laughed, standing up too. "No! I already can't fit into my clothes." She raised her eyebrows as he started toward the bedroom. "Then again, I could just get my maternity clothes out of storage and I won't have to worry about what I eat."

Nathan's voice came from down the hall. "A whole bag it is..."

A half hour later, Nathan rode Bear to town. Archie was shoveling the path to the chicken coop and the barn, and Allie and Jack were running back and forth from the house to the main church road tamping down the snow to make a walking path. In typical Tom Sawyer fashion, Allie had caught the eye of Anna and Robert while their mothers shopped and now all four were running back and forth, laughing and shouting joyfully.

Elizabeth had bread in the oven and while it was baking, she went out back to clear the ramp for the chickens so that she could collect their eggs.

"Thanks, Archie," she said, watching as he cleared the path to the barn.

"Oh, I love shoveling snow. Very satisfying," he said, looking up. "I'll be in the barn for a while. You let me know if there's anything you need me to do with Nathan gone."

Elizabeth smiled gratefully at him. "I'm not sure what we ever did without you," she said.

Archie just gave her a quick tip of his hat and bent back down to his shoveling.

The bread had a few more minutes and while she waited, Elizabeth walked out on the front porch. She could see that Archie had already shoveled it. Saying another silent thank you, she leaned on the railing and watched the children, shading her eyes from the bright sun and smiling at their infectious laughter. Jack wasn't really helping much, but he was definitely having fun.

Elizabeth raised her face and allowed the warmth to wash over her. After the worry and gloom of yesterday, it was like a brand new world.

As Elizabeth looked out to the town beyond, she could see Hickam pulling the plow behind Lee's wagon, running it back and forth to clear the main street for wagons and cars to get moving again.

Hope Valley was digging out.

Elizabeth turned to her right and looked at the school. After Hickam finished the town, he would drive the horses up and back on the path and the school would be accessible, so that meant she would be teaching tomorrow.

She smiled, knowing that the children would all have snow stories. They would talk about their families and how they coped, and would share tales of being inside baking cookies, reading books, playing games and sitting by the fire together. Elizabeth loved the school days after heavy snows, for although being stuck at home can be hard, it also forces families to stop all the busyness of their lives and simply enjoy each other.

Thanks to Allie, Anna, and Robert, there was now a very clear path of packed snow up to the porch. And since they obviously still had energy to spare, Elizabeth called out, "Allie! Can you do the Coulters' as well?"

She pointed to her left and Allie nodded enthusiastically. Allie took Jack's hand and all four children jumped through the deep snow like rabbits. Before long there was a fork in the path leading to Lee and Rosemary's house.

Elizabeth sighed. Did she ever feel that energetic? She remembered her bread in the oven and walked quickly back inside to take it out. By the time she came back out to check on the children, she could see Lee and Rosemary leading Sergeant back up the path. Lee was holding Violet, and she was watching the other children, listening to their laughter, completely fascinated.

"We just saw Nathan in town," Rosemary called out. She lifted her hand and held up a bag. "Gustav's chocolate croissants."

Lee pointed to the path to their house which was now almost completely flat. He laughed. "Very creative use of children as snowplows, Elizabeth. No wonder you're Hope Valley's schoolteacher."

Elizabeth laughed and gave Lee a small curtsey. "Almost unlimited energy," she said. "Archie's out back if you want to take Sergeant around. Please tell Allie to bring Jack in if he gets fussy or cold." Lee nodded and handed Violet to Rosemary.

"I'm so glad Nathan and Bill got back safely," Rosemary said, climbing the porch steps. "But poor John Sutherland!"

"Did you have a chance to talk to Nathan?" Elizabeth asked.

Rosemary nodded solemnly. "Your wonderful husband, Elizabeth. John asked him to stay and sit with him until Mary could get into town with Bill." She and Elizabeth went through the front door and after Elizabeth removed her coat and gloves, Rosemary handed Violet to her so she could do the same. "I don't know what it is about Nathan, but he's like a rock in times like these. Always so... steady."

"I know," Elizabeth said, getting a quilt to lay on the floor for Violet by the warmth of the living room fire.

Rosemary sighed. "Bill and Mary got there right as we were going through town, and Nathan said to tell you he'd be home soon for lunch." She sat down and helped Elizabeth remove Violet's heavy sweater. "He had a phone call he needed to take in his office."

Elizabeth didn't even ask if Rosemary wanted tea; she just put the water on. The smell of fresh-baked bread permeated the entire house, but Elizabeth was very much looking forward to her chocolate croissant. She opened the bag and closed her eyes as the aroma of rich chocolate and creamy butter reached her.

When she looked up, she was surprised to see Nathan at the front door. Tilting her head, she thought how unusual that was. When he rode Bear he always came through the mudroom in back.

She knew that look. Something had happened, and he was trying to decide how to tell her. But he wasn't looking at Elizabeth, he was gazing at Rosemary and Violet as he hung his coat on the rack.

Elizabeth saw him frown and then he turned to her. There was a sadness in his eyes, and Elizabeth knew it didn't have to do with John Sutherland. "Is Lee out back?" he asked.

"Yes," she said softly. "He's taking Sergeant to the barn." Elizabeth stole a glance at Rosemary, but she was completely engrossed in Violet. Her daughter. Looking back at Nathan, Elizabeth's face fell and she pleaded with him with her eyes. Don't do this.

He took a deep breath and looked back at her. I have to. It's my job.

Elizabeth sighed deeply and said, "I'll get Lee." She went through the mudroom and headed toward the barn.

"Oh, hi, Nathan!" Rosemary said. "How's John?"

Nathan forced a smile. "He's doing as well as can be expected. Mary is with him."

"Good," Rosemary said, looking back at Violet.

Elizabeth had tried to be noncommittal with Lee, but she wasn't very good at it. When Lee came through the door, it was as if he already knew.

Nathan took a deep breath. "I need to talk with both of you," he said. Now Rosemary looked up at the sound of his voice, all of her maternal antennae on high alert. She picked up Violet protectively and went to Lee. The two of them stood together, their eyes riveted on Nathan.

Elizabeth already felt tears beginning, so she stepped back further into the kitchen.

Nathan looked at both of them, his heart breaking. Better to just say it, and then see where it all leads. He spoke softly, but clearly.

"Gabe says that Violet's grandfather came into town. He's the one who put her on the doorstep. His daughter is nineteen and unmarried, and she says she wants Violet back."

Rosemary gasped, holding Violet tighter. Elizabeth didn't think there was any force of nature that could get her to release that little girl right now.

Lee was as still as a sphinx, his eyes focused forward on Nathan.

Nathan walked toward them. "Look, this is a family in severe circumstances, extremely poor. They live in the hills outside of Brookfield in terrible conditions. There is no judge in the world who would put Violet into that house in the winter. Gabe says it's not even a house. It's more like a shack."

Elizabeth didn't think either Lee or Rosemary had taken a breath yet. They were frozen, and little Violet, so empathic, was simply staring up at Nathan with soulful eyes.

Nathan stood next to them now, and he put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Gabe sent them back home. They have no idea Violet is with you or where you live. We're letting the world take a turn, okay?"

Lee finally found his voice. "The grandfather left her on the porch, without his daughter's consent?"

"That's right," Nathan said. "Gabe says he's a reasonable man and he knows theirs isn't a life for a child. They tried for six months, but his daughter was at the end of her rope and so was he. Winter was coming and he was afraid the baby would become ill."

"Come, sit down," Nathan said, leading Rosemary to the harvest table. Lee sat down at the head of the table and Elizabeth sat next to him. Before she realized it, she had taken Lee's hand in hers, and he was holding it tightly.

"The good news is that in this situation, a child would be put with foster parents in the interim until the case is decided. You are the foster parents, so she stays with you until a verdict is handed down by a judge," Nathan said softly.

"What judge?" Lee asked woodenly.

Nathan nodded. "There is no judge in Brookfield, so Bill is eligible. He's talking to Gabe right now about how he can put his name in for the case."

Nathan looked from one to the other. "I know how hard this is to hear, but I didn't think you would want me to keep all of this from you," he said. "What's important for you to remember is that nothing is set in stone. Violet's grandfather is actually on our side, but his daughter is old enough to bring a case on her own, so we need to tread carefully."

Lee said evenly, "Thank you, Nathan, for telling us. For being the one to tell us. We knew this might happen and we'll just have to take it one day at a time." He turned to Rosemary and put his hand on her face. "Right, Rosie?"

Rosemary's eyes were wider than Elizabeth had ever seen them, and the fact that she had been absolutely silent through all of this told everyone that she was probably in shock.

Suddenly she turned to Elizabeth and said softly, "You remember that little piece of my heart that I said I was keeping safe?" She looked into Elizabeth's eyes and a tear finally fell. "I don't know where it is."