Elizabeth was just gathering her things when she heard footsteps coming into the school house. Looking up, she spotted Ally walking back in alone.
"He hasn't shown up yet," Ally stated.
Elizabeth knew she was talking about her uncle. Nathan had said he would meet them at the schoolhouse after school. From there the plan was for them to go to her house, relieve Laura and then Elizabeth and Ally were going to go shopping. After a brief conversation with Rosemary that morning, Elizabeth had decided to buy a new dress for the dance the following week. As Rosemary had pointed out, it was the first dance she was actually going to with someone since Jack had passed away. It seemed like a special enough occasion to buy a new dress.
"I'm sure there is nothing to be concerned about," Elizabeth told the girl, as she put on her coat. "We'll wait a bit longer for him before we head into town to look for him," she said, picking up her basket.
Ally nodded her agreement as Elizabeth came around her desk and off the raised platform in the front of the room. Together, they had back toward the door. As they stepped onto the steps, Elizabeth caught sight of a splash of red in the distance. It wasn't long before she was sure it was Nathan on horseback and he was coming there way.
"There he is," Elizabeth told Ally, pointing in Nathan's direction.
Elizabeth and Ally walked down the steps to the schoolhouse and waited for Nathan. A few minutes later, Nathan was reigning in Newton and dismounting.
"Sorry about running late. I got called out to the Crandall place," Nathan said, as he held onto Newton's reigns.
"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asked.
Eliza Crandall lived with just her three children since her husband had died of an illness four years ago. The Crandall's home was close to a forty-five minute ride on horseback outside of Hope Valley. When Harold Crandall had passed away, Bill and Abigail had tried to talk Eliza Crandall into moving into town with the children. She had refused. Though Elizabeth tried to get out on occasion to get educational materials to the children, she realized that she hadn't made the ride in quite some time.
"Eliza Crandall sent her son Abe into town earlier today to ask me to come out. A couple of chickens went missing overnight and while she realized it could've been a wild animal she asked me to come out and look around some," Nathan told her.
"And was it a wild animal?"
Nathan shook his head. "I don't think so. I found some footprints near the coop that were too large to be made by Eliza or any of her kids. However, other than a few soft spots, the ground was too hard to leave continuous tracks. There wasn't enough to track. I did however, scout the area around her home and didn't see any indication of anyone camping nearby. I offered to come back out tonight to keep watch but she declined."
"That sounds like Eliza," Elizabeth commented remembering the argument she had with the lady when she first wanted to provide educational material for the children. It hadn't been that Eliza was against education as much as she didn't want to accept charity. Elizabeth had finally convinced her to accept the books as it wasn't practical to send the children into town for school every day.
"I plan on reporting the incident to headquarters this afternoon and I plan on spending most of tomorrow out of town. I'll check in with the Crandall's to make sure there were no further incidents and then check with some of the others on the outskirts of town to see if anyone else has noticed anything suspicious. If it's someone just passing through, it may just prove to be wasted time but if someone is hanging around the area, I want to know."
"So does that change our plans for tonight?" Ally asked, looking disappointed.
"Other than that I need a little bit of time to put a call into headquarters and take care of Newton, no it does not," Nathan told her. "It does mean I'll be gone most of tomorrow though."
"Mrs. Weise was going to give me another sewing lesson. I'm sure it'll be okay if I stay there beyond that though."
"Good," Nathan replied. Though he knew Ally was getting to be old enough to be on her own during the day, he felt more at ease when he knew she was with someone.
"How about Ally and I go get Little Jack, and we'll meet you in town," Elizabeth suggested.
"You don't mind?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth shook her head. "Not at all. Ally and I have to go into town to shop anyway."
"Okay," Nathan said. "I'll see you soon then," he told them both.
Nathan placed a quick kiss on Elizabeth's cheek, gave his niece a quick hug and then turned to lead Newton toward town.
Elizabeth looked down at Ally. "You ready?" she asked.
Ally nodded and the two headed in the direction of Elizabeth's home.
"This actually works out," Elizabeth commented. "Now I can let you in on a secret a little early."
"What secret?" Ally asked, looking at her teacher with an expression of curiosity.
"I want your help with picking out a dress for myself," Elizabeth told her. "Rosemary convinced me that the dance next Friday is a special enough occasion to buy a new dress for. You can't tell your uncle though. I want to surprise him."
Ally grinned. "And you want me to help you pick it out?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said. "I value your opinion, Ally."
"This is going to be so much fun," Ally replied. "Oh, and if you're wondering, Uncle Nathan's favorite color is green."
"Definitely something to keep in mind while looking at dresses," Elizabeth replied, happy that Ally had volunteered the information. She had been wondering how she could ask about that without being too obvious.
The two continued to chat while they walked to Elizabeth's home. Once there, Elizabeth had a short conversation with Laura about how the day went while Ally made herself comfortable on the floor near Jack and joined in with the toddler's play. As she talked with Laura, Elizabeth found herself smiling at the sight. She knew that if her relationship with Nathan was going to go anywhere it was important that the two kids get along.
"So, I'll see you on Monday then," Laura finally said, getting ready to go.
"Okay, Laura," Elizabeth said. "Enjoy your weekend."
"You too, Mrs. Thornton," Laura said as she left the house.
"Can we head into town now?" Ally asked from her spot on the floor with Jack.
Elizabeth laughed. She admired the girl's enthusiasm.
"Yes, we can head into town now," Elizabeth replied, heading over to them. Reaching down she picked Little Jack up from the floor. "What do you say, Jack?" Elizabeth asked. "Are you ready to go spend some time with Nathan while Mama and Ally do some shopping?"
"Na'tan!" Jack said excitedly, clapping him hands.
"That sounds like a yes to me," Ally commented as she gathered Jack's toys off the floor. Not sure where they went, she placed them on the settee.
"Thank-you, Ally," Elizabeth said, figuring she could take care of the toys when they got back. At least no one would trip on them later.
Elizabeth put Jack's coat and hat on, and then she and Ally stepped outside. Not knowing how long Nathan would be on the telephone with Mountie headquarters, Elizabeth set a leisurely pace. As they walked, Elizabeth asked Ally about her sewing lessons with Mrs. Weise. As with other things she had been excited about, Ally needed little encouragement once she got to talking about it.
As the two reached the buildings of their little town, their progress was slowed more by friendly greetings. Eventually though, Elizabeth and Ally were standing out front of the Mounted Police office. Ally opened and held the door for Elizabeth.
"Thank-you," Elizabeth said, as she walked through the door. She stood quietly just inside the doorway when she noticed Nathan on the phone.
Stepping into the office herself, Ally took her cue from Elizabeth and remained quiet. Other than Jack's baby babble as he played with Elizabeth's hair, the only sounds were from Nathan's side of the conversation. Nathan looked up, acknowledged their presence with a nod but continued his conversation. It wasn't long before he was ending the call and hanging the ear piece back on its hook.
Nathan got to his feet and came around his desk. "So, I guess you two ladies are ready to get your shopping started," he commented as he walked toward Elizabeth.
"I can keep Little Jack for a while if you want to change first," Elizabeth suggested.
Nathan shook his head. "It's not necessary," he told her reaching out for Little Jack.
"Na'tan!" Jack said happily reaching out for Nathan.
"Hey, Little Man," Nathan said, taking Little Jack. He raised the little boy over his head, getting a giggle from the toddler, before settling him against him.
Turning his attention to Elizabeth he said, "I'm going to drop in on Bill for a bit and then I'll probably take Jack up to my house. You and Ally take your time with your outing."
"Thank-you," Elizabeth said, glad that she wouldn't have to rush any decisions.
Holding Little Jack with one arm, Nathan used his free hand to reach into the pouch on his belt. Taking out some bills, he handed it to Ally. "Don't lose the money," he warned her.
"I won't," Ally replied, taking the bills from her uncle. "Can we go?" she asked, looking to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth smiled at the girl's excitement. "Lead the way," she told Ally. With a final wave to Nathan and her son, Elizabeth followed Ally out of the police office and to the dress shop.
Nathan watched Elizabeth and his niece disappear and then looked down at the little boy in his arms. "What do you say, Jack? You want to go say hello to your god father, Uncle Bill?"
"'ill," Jack said, looking at Nathan curiously.
Nathan smiled. As far as he knew it was the first time Little Jack had even attempted Bill's name. "Close. Say, Uncle Bill," Nathan told him, pronouncing the name slowly for the toddler
"Unc, Bill," Jack tried, still looking up at Nathan expectantly.
Nathan smiled. "There you go!" he told Little Jack excitedly. "Let's go see your Uncle Bill," he said again, walking toward the door with Jack.
As he walked by the hooks on the wall, Nathan grabbed his Stetson. Out of habit he went to put it on his head until Little Jack grabbed a hold of it. "You want to hold the hat for a while?" Nathan asked the toddler.
Little Jack giggled as he nodded his head, his fingers tightly gripping the brim of the hat.
"Don't drop it," Nathan told him as he headed through the door.
It didn't take Nathan long to traverse the distance between his office and Bill's. During that time, Little Jack had reached up and placed the Stetson awkwardly on Nathan's head. As he reached the Office of the Judge, Nathan noticed a piece of paper attached to the door. Looking at the paper, he identified the handwriting as Bill's.
If you have a complaint, keep it until Monday.
Nathan smiled. That even sounded like Bill, and he had a feeling his friend hadn't had the best of days. As he didn't have any official business for the judge, Nathan reached out for the doorknob.
"I wasn't kidding with the note," Bill called out as Nathan entered the office, removing the hat from his head as he did so.
"I didn't think you were," Nathan replied, the response getting Bill to look up from the papers in front of him. "However, we have no complaints and perhaps my young companion can put you in a better mood."
"Sorry, Nathan," Bill commented. "Both you and Little Jack are always welcome."
"Have a rough day?"
"That's an understatement," Bill replied, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "Seems like today was the day of petty squabbles. Why can't people just use a little common sense and settle things between themselves? Days like today are exactly why I almost didn't take this job."
"But you did."
"Don't remind me," Bill muttered. "I almost wish I was back in the jail giving you a hard time."
"I like not sharing the office," Nathan told him. He was now standing directly in front of Bill's desk.
"Thanks," Bill told him.
Nathan smiled. Looking at Jack, Nathan asked, "Whose that?" in a normal voice before whispering "Uncle Bill" into Jack's ear.
"Unc' Bill!" Little Jack said happily.
"Did he just say my name?" Bill asked, getting to his feet. "I thought he was never going to say it."
"He was just saving the best for last," Nathan quipped.
"Nice try," Bill told him, even as he fastened his gaze on Little Jack. "Will you come to Uncle Bill?" he asked, holding out his hands.
Little Jack reached toward Bill. Nathan handed the boy over.
"Where's Elizabeth?" Bill asked as he settled his god son in his arms.
"She took Ally dress shopping," Nathan replied. "In return, I'm watching Jack and then the four of us are going to have dinner at Elizabeth's."
"Well, if Elizabeth would like a break from cooking, the four of you could come have dinner at my place. Clara is covering the café tonight and after the day I've had I don't really feel like eating alone or going to the saloon."
"Are you sure?" Nathan asked. "I have a feeling Ally is going to be talkative after her shopping trip."
Bill smiled. "Hearing about dress shopping will be a treat after what I had to put up with all day, which should tell you how my day was."
"The note gave me a pretty good idea how your day was," Nathan countered, with a nod toward the door.
Bill grunted as he gave a nod. "So, how was you day?"
Nathan hesitated. Bill's work seemed to be stressing the older man out as it was. He wasn't sure about adding something else for him to be worried about.
"Nathan," Bill said, a warning tone in the name.
Seeing that Bill wasn't going to let it go, Nathan repeated the information he had given headquarters and Elizabeth and Ally. He then included the added information that he had gotten from headquarters. "There have been a string of incidents in different areas between here and Cold Water Lake. Mostly missing food items, like the chickens. A fishing pole was stolen and then recovered at a river near the home it was taken from. The guy hasn't been seen by anyone, and hasn't hurt anyone. They believe it's a runaway from the Cold Water Lake area, Keme Fortier. The teen is sixteen, half Indian and French. The teen's mother is French and she recently remarried. Apparently Keme and his new step father didn't get along and the teen disappeared about three weeks ago. The trail had been leading the Mounties more west of Hope Valley, which was why headquarters didn't give me a heads up about the situation. Apparently, he hasn't been very easy to track."
"Think he'll hang around?"
Nathan shook his head. "Not if he keeps moving like he has been. Chances are that the incident at the Crandall's will be the only one in the area. The kid, or whoever is behind the thefts, is good at covering his tracks which isn't making tracking him easy. I only found a couple of footprints out at the Crandall's."
"Headquarters will update the current officers tracking him of this information when they check in. I plan on checking in with the Crandall's tomorrow to make sure whoever stole the chickens isn't still hanging around, just in case. I then plan on checking with some of the other people living on the outskirts of Hope Valley. I may not find anything, but I'd rather waste a day chasing a ghost then wait for something to happen."
"Want some company?" Bill offered.
"I won't turn down the company or an extra pair of eyes," Nathan replied.
"When did you want to leave?"
"I was planning on leaving at first light."
"I'll be ready," Bill replied.
Little Jack, who had been sitting quietly in Bill's arm chose that point to reach out his arms in Nathan's direction. Seeing that the boy was reaching toward his hat, Nathan turned it back over to Little Jack, who squealed in delight as he held the hat up.
Bill and Nathan laughed.
"I think I may need to see if I can get a two year old size Mountie hat for his birthday," Bill commented.
"Jack does like the hat," Nathan commented. "He kept taking Gabe's hat as well."
Bill and Nathan talked for a few more minutes. As Nathan and Little Jack left the office, Bill turned back to his desk and the paperwork there, in a much better mood after his godson's visit.