As planned, Nathan got up before the sun the following morning. Climbing from bed, he quickly got dressed before heading across the hallway to his niece's room. His original plan was for Ally to stay with the Weise's last night. Ally however had other ideas, and had begged not only to be at home but for him to wake her up before he left. She said that if he was going to be gone most of the day that she at least wanted to have breakfast with him.
Walking into his niece's room, Nathan found her still sleeping peacefully. He paused just inside the doorway and watched her for a moment. Many times these days, he couldn't believe how fast Ally was growing up. Right now though, he still saw the little girl that he had been raising these last eight years.
Moving to the bed, Nathan reached out and touched his niece's shoulder. "Ally," he called out.
His niece opened her eyes groggily, looking up at him.
"If you still want to have breakfast together, you need to get up," Nathan told her.
Ally sighed but threw the blanket off to the side.
"I'm going to go start breakfast," Nathan told her, as Ally sat up on the side of the bed. "If you want to just put your robe on, I'll let you slide on the 'get dressed before sitting down to breakfast' rule."
Ally just nodded sleepily even as she reached up to rub her eyes.
Leaving his niece's room, Nathan headed downstairs, determined that if his niece didn't make an appearance he wouldn't wake her up again but simply leave her a note. Downstairs, Nathan started the coffee first and then went about preparing a breakfast of bacon and eggs.
About eighteen miles north west of Hope Valley, in the small town of Silver Fox, another Mountie was also starting his day. Trying to move quietly in his room at the Thyme Bed and Breakfast, Edward Montclair gathered his few possessions.
Edward had been out on the trail more than two weeks now. Keme Fortier had been gone a few days before his mother Melinda had reported his disappearance. A good friend of his wife, Rebecca, Edward knew that Melinda had not had an easy last few years. Her husband had been killed shortly before he had taken the post at Cold Water Lake while out on his trapline. The previous Mountie posted there had ruled his death an accident, but Melinda, and many of the town folk, weren't convinced. They felt Wematin had been killed because of his Cree heritage. The varying view points had been a point of contention between folks, including with the posted Mountie and so Headquarters had felt it was time for a change.
In the three years he had been in Cold Water Lake, Edward had been able to gain the trust of the people there, including Melinda. Wematin's death had remained listed as an accident as no new evidence had presented itself to the contrary. Melinda and Wematin's son, Keme, missed his father. Despite his mother's wish that he remain in school, he had gotten a job with the local blacksmith to help support himself and his mother. When Melinda had remarried five months ago, Keme hadn't been happy. He had refused to go back to school and had numerous arguments with his new stepfather, a newcomer to town, who though seemed to be a good worker also liked the bottle.
Melinda hadn't worried too much when Keme first disappeared. There had been a huge argument between Keme and his stepfather. Melinda figured her son was just cooling off and would be back. When he hadn't come back after two nights and failed to show up for work, Melinda had come to Edward. After filing a missing person report with headquarters, and hearing about an incident of missing food from a mercantile in a town west of Cold Water, Edward had set out looking for Keme. Though he wasn't even sure, the string of thefts he was following was Keme, Edward didn't have any other clues to follow and the last thing he wanted to do was return to Cold Water Lake without Melinda's son.
Edward had been west of Silver Fox yesterday when he had met up with another Mountie, Constable Michael Larson, who was working on solving the string of petty thefts. Larson had gotten word that a couple of chickens had gone missing from a home outside of Hope Valley. Now, both Edward and Larson were heading for Hope Valley.
His belongings tucked safely back into his bag, Edward slipped from his room, just as Larson stepped from his room a couple of doors down. Quietly, trying not to disturb the Bed and Breakfast's other occupants, the two Mounties headed downstairs. As they stepped down onto the first floor, Mrs. Green, the owner of the Bed and Breakfast came from the kitchen.
"Come eat something before, you leave," Mrs. Green told the two Mounties.
"We weren't expecting you to feed us this early ma'am," Larson replied.
"Nonsense. You're guests and officers of the law. I don't care what time you're leaving, you get fed breakfast in my establishment," the woman told them. "Now come on," she said, motioning to them as she headed back for the kitchen. "I've got the table in the kitchen set for you and the food is waiting."
Edward looked over at his traveling companion. Larson shrugged his shoulders and then motioned Edward in the direction their hostess had disappeared in.
Back in Hope Valley, Nathan and Ally were finishing their breakfast. More awake now, Ally had kept up a constant chatter during the meal. Nathan had to admit that it was much more pleasant than eating alone.
"I'll take care of the dishes," Ally told him as Nathan put his fork down on the empty plate.
"Thank-you," Nathan told her. "When are you heading over to Opal's?" Nathan asked her.
"Mrs. Weise is expecting me at ten for the sewing lesson," Ally told him. "Before that, I think I'm taking a nap and doing schoolwork."
Nathan smiled. "Sounds like a good plan," he told her. "Remember-"
"Don't go into the woods, near the river or near the pond by myself. If I'm anywhere other than home or the Weise's leave you a note and when I'm alone, stay in sight of the townsfolk," Ally said repeating the rules she had heard from her uncle numerous times.
Nathan smiled. "Correct," he said. He knew his niece was responsible but that didn't mean he didn't worry about leaving her alone all day.
"I'll be okay. Just be careful."
"I will," Nathan assured her. "I'm also going to have Judge Avery with me today, so don't worry."
Ally gave her uncle a disbelieving look.
"Yeah, I know. That isn't going to happen for either one of us," Nathan told her. "Do I get a hug?"
Ally stood up and wrapped her arms around her uncle. Nathan hugged her back. "I'm really glad you were here to see me off this morning," Nathan told her, glad he had given into Ally's desires this time.
"Me too, Dad," Ally said, taking Gabriel's advice and not stopping herself from using the new title.
Nathan's breath caught at Ally's words. He knew how special that title was. It was one that he had told himself long ago that he would not try to assume on his own, no matter how much Ally was like a daughter to him. After Colleen's death and Jeff singing away his parental rights, Nathan had known that Ally was his girl. Nothing could change that, not even what she called him. He had to admit though, being called Dad was kind of nice.
Nathan held her a little longer than usual and then placed a kiss on the top of her head before he released her.
"I love you, Ally," Nathan told her as she stepped back. "I'll see you tonight."
With that said, Nathan grabbed his hat from its spot on the coatrack, picked up the pack he had packed the night before, and headed for the livery.
As the numbers on the paper in front of her started to appear to run together, Elizabeth put down her red pencil. Stretching her arms above her head, she tried to get rid of the stiffness in her shoulders. She had spent the morning grading papers and it was definitely time for a break.
Little Jack, who had been quietly playing with toys in his downstairs crib noticed the difference.
"Mama," Little Jack called out dropping his toy over the top bar of his enclosure.
Elizabeth laughed as she got to her feet. "You just want to make sure mama comes over there don't you," Elizabeth told him to which Little Jack giggled.
Reaching the crib, Elizabeth knelt down and picked up the toy. Standing up, she dropped the toy back into the crib and then reached down for her son.
"You really are starting to get heavy. You know that?" Elizabeth told her son, even as she settled him against her. Part of her wished he would stop growing while another part of her couldn't wait to see him become more independent. She wanted to see what kind of person he would become. She also found herself wondering if he would have any mannerisms that would remind her of his father.
Elizabeth looked out the window. The sun was shining brightly outside. Though she knew she needed to do laundry that afternoon, Elizabeth wasn't quite ready to tackle it yet. What she really wanted to do was take a walk and enjoy the day a little.
"What do you say, my sweet boy? Do you want to take a walk?"
"Walk!" Jack echoed happily.
Elizabeth wasn't sure if he knew what activity was associated with the word or it he was simply echoing her, but it was enough agreement for her.
Ten minutes later, Elizabeth was walking out her front door. Deciding to let Jack do a little walking, she placed him on the ground. Taking her son's hand, she let Little Jack pick the direction. Slowly, the little boy headed in the direction of the town.
The first part of their walk was slow going. Elizabeth patiently walked beside Little Jack though, letting him get his practice walking. When he decided he'd had enough walking, and sat down on the ground, Elizabeth picked him up. With him settled against her, she headed into town.
There was nothing that Elizabeth really needed in town. She knew both Nathan and Bill were out of town for today looking for leads. She didn't want to stop by the dress shop out of fear they would think she was anxious about the alterations on the dress she had selected. When she spotted Henry sitting on a bench with a newspaper in hand, Elizabeth headed in his direction. She hadn't really had a chance to talk with him much since he had come back to Hope Valley. The last time she had, he had still been trying to figure out what to do to make his way.
"Hello, Henry," Elizabeth said as she approached.
Henry looked up from his paper. He smiled when he saw her. "Hello Elizabeth. Hello Jack," the man replied.
"Do you mind if we join you?"
Henry nodded toward the empty spot on the bench beside him. "Be my guess," he replied.
Elizabeth sat down, settling Little Jack on her lap. "It's actually a relief to be able to sit him down," Elizabeth commented. "He's getting heavy."
"Kids tend to do that," Henry commented simply.
"Yeah, I guess they do," Elizabeth replied. "How are you, Henry?"
"Back to being the town pariah," he replied easily. "But then I'm use to that. Lee however was kind enough to give me a job with the lumber company again. At least I won't have to resort to charity to get by."
"I'm glad," Elizabeth said. "I missed you while you were gone."
"I think you're just being nice. From what I've seen, you've picked a gentleman to help occupy your time."
Elizabeth smiled. "It still doesn't mean I didn't miss you. You've been a part of this town since I came here. It isn't the same without you."
"Well, I appreciate that sentiment," Henry replied. He was about to say something else when he noticed two Mounties riding into town. "I wonder what that's about," he commented.
Elizabeth followed Henry's gaze. At the sight of the two Mounties, flashbacks of the Mountie coming into town to bring her news of Jack's death came to mind. Immediately, she worried that something had happened to Nathan.
~You're being silly, ~ Elizabeth scolded herself. ~Nathan is riding with, Bill. It would Bill who would bring news like that, not two Mounties.~
Seeing them come to a stop outside the Mounted Police office, Elizabeth got to her feet. "Excuse me, Henry. I'm going to go let them know that Nathan is out of town today," she told the older man.
"Of course. Thanks for checking in with me."
"Anytime, Henry," Elizabeth told him with a smile, before turning and heading in the direction of the Mounted Police Office.
As she approached, she realized that one of the Mounties had gone inside. The other one stood outside, standing next to the horses. Elizabeth thought there was something familiar about the Mountie who waited outside but couldn't quite place him.
"If you're looking for Constable Grant, his work took him out of town today," Elizabeth called out as she approached.
The waiting Mountie turned at her comment. When he did, Elizabeth recognized him instantly though she hadn't seen him since just after she had come to Coal Valley.
"Edward?" Elizabeth said. She could hear the disbelief in her own voice, even as a smile came to her old friend's face.
"Hello, Elizabeth," Edward replied, taking off his hat.