Elizabeth was glad the weather was so nice. Even in February, Hamilton was temperate this year and the snow hadn't fallen the entire time they'd been staying at her parents' home. That meant that Jack could spend time outdoors and run off some of the two-year-old energy that seemed never-ending.
And where ever Jack was, Buttercup was sure to follow. Which meant that Cora was outside too. She and Elizabeth spent many happy hours sitting on the pillow-covered wrought-iron bench out in the gardens, watching the children as they played together around the fountain and at hide-and-seek in the bushes.
The scene inside was a little less happy, as Viola and Grace stood watching with their after-breakfast tea to gape at the spectacle going on outside.
"Don't worry, darling, you'll go back to England and your sweet little Buttercup will forget all about these wild times," Grace said, sipping her tea at the window.
Viola seemed to have a look of horror permanently stamped on her face. "But Mother, she keeps taking her shoes off. I can't keep them on her." Sighing, Viola said, "And I do thank you for Cora, but that girl has no skills in discipline at all. I get the feeling she enjoys being around that unrestrained little boy." Frowning, she turned to her mother. "And whatever kind of name is Jack? Is it short for something? John, perhaps? Calling a small child Jack is so... cowboyish."
Grace smiled to herself and wandered back to the sofa. "Well, dear, they do live in the west, very close to the frontier. One can only expect..."
Grace's attempt at understanding all things western was interrupted by the entrance of the man that Grace and Viola could only call "Elizabeth's Mountie." Of course they knew his name, but he was such an enigma to both of them, they couldn't seem to use it unless he was present. Like now.
"Ah, Nathan, did you sleep well?" Grace looked discreetly at the grandfather clock in the corner. It was well past ten o'clock. She raised an eyebrow toward Viola. They must sleep later in the west as well.
Nathan smiled and reached for a gingersnap from the china plate on the table. "Oh, I've been up for hours. I was in the kitchen having breakfast with Peter... um, Mr. Collins. He's quite the woodworker. We were sharing techniques for beveled edges."
There were so many parts to that astonishing sentence that needed processing, that Viola and Grace simply stood there blinking with their teacups in mid-air and their mouths open.
"Oh. Well, that's lovely," Grace finally managed to say. Nathan was on his second gingersnap and seemed not inclined to sit down and enjoy it.
"I imagine Elizabeth and Jack are out back?" He looked at Viola and grinned. "Your daughter is such a great girl, Viola. She and Jack seem to have really hit it off."
He narrowed his eyes a little at the two of them. It wasn't often that Nathan got to feel like the chattiest person in the room. "Okay, well... I guess I'll go see what they're up to..."
Grabbing another cookie for the road, Nathan smiled and made an awkward little bow, and then escaped down the hall.
Viola said softly, "Great girl... my Buttercup? They've hit it off." She turned with pleading eyes toward Grace. "Mother...?"
Grace had a strange look on her face. She tilted her head and walked back over to the window. Nathan had pulled Elizabeth up from the bench and had her in what could only be described as a bear hug. Then, right there in front of Cora and the children, he kissed her. And then, more startlingly, he leaned his head down to Elizabeth's stomach and put his ear there, making her throw her head back and laugh.
Grace found herself smiling as she sighed. She had memories. William wasn't always as he is now. There was a time...
"Mother, are you listening?" Viola said, coming closer.
Grace spoke softly. "Do you think Elizabeth is happy?" she asked.
Viola frowned, looking outside at them. "What does happy have to do with it? It's a marriage, Mother. They don't always have to be happy."
Nodding, Grace said, "No. But I think this one is." She turned back to Viola and said, "Do you ever regret choosing Sir Lionel?"
"Oh, Lord, not you too?" Viola said, her eyes wide. "I thought we were leaving the introspection up to Elizabeth." Exhaling, Viola said, "It's not perfect. But you really need to come to London, Mother. The balls and the charity luncheons and cotillions. And there's always a chance that King George might..." Viola looked at her mother. "Are you even listening to me?"
Grace was smiling. "I know you may not believe this, but I think I like him. Nathan. He has a certain charm, doesn't he? Primitive charm, to be sure, but I know that he'd never let anything happen to Elizabeth. He absolutely adores her, and she so clearly loves him." Grace thought for a moment. "I would never say this to her, but I think she may love him more than Jack. She's not the naïve girl she was six years ago. She knows what she wants now..."
Viola looked at her mother, bewildered. "What are you talking about?"
Grace looked at Viola for a moment and then laughed her social laugh, the one that sounded like a bell. "Nothing, darling. Just the musings of a woman of a certain age." She hooked her arm through Viola's and walked her back to the sofa. "So, tell me, what was it like meeting the King? Did he speak to you?"
Viola had barely opened her mouth when Julie came in with Lucas, both of them laughing. "They're out back?" Julie said, her eyes bright.
"Yes, darling, but won't you sit down and have some breakfast? I'll have Maisie set it up in the dining room..."
"Thank you, Mother, but we had breakfast in the kitchen already. Elsa is sharing recipes with Lucas."
"You have one of the finest kitchens I've ever seen, Grace. Very impressive. And I'm certain Elsa's skill can't be rivaled in all of Hamilton," Lucas said.
"Thank you," Grace said tentatively. She'd received many compliments on her home, but this was the first she could remember that involved the downstairs staff and their facilities.
Lucas looked over at Julie as she put her arm around Viola's waist and walked over to look out the window. Julie was laughing about what they were seeing outside, and she seemed to be reassuring Viola that the world wasn't coming to an end.
Lucas stood a little taller and said, "Grace, I'm wondering if I might speak to Mr. Thatcher this evening when he arrives home from work." He raised his eyebrows. "I don't want to disturb your plans for dinner, but he is a man with a strong work ethic and it's not always easy to find the time..."
Grace sighed with a smile. "Yes, I do know that about him. Of course," she said, looking over at Julie. Her curiosity was piqued, but she was fairly sure she knew what this conversation would be about.
Grace liked Lucas. She thought he had just the right blend of sophistication and old-world charm for Julie. They clearly loved each other very much, and if Julie was set on Hope Valley, she doubted she could do better than Lucas.
Grace moved closer to Lucas and spoke softly. She put her arm through his and walked him over to the front window of the sitting room so they couldn't be heard.
"If I might offer a small piece of advice," she said, smiling up at him. "With William, it will be better for you to focus on your oil business than on the drinking establishment." She raised an eyebrow, "And any reference to gambling would, of course, not help your case."
Lucas smiled down at her and laughed softly. "Why, Grace, I believe you might be in favor of this match."
Grace sighed and shook her head, but she was smiling. "My two youngest daughters, much as I would like them to be, don't seem to be destined for Hamilton society. The days you've been here have already convinced me of that." She looked up at Lucas with a warning. "But William is not yet convinced."
"Ah," Lucas said, nodding. Then a line formed between his eyebrows. "Grace, you do know... that we would like his blessing... but..."
Grace laughed softly. "That you'll marry anyway? Yes." She looked up at Lucas. "You make Julie happy. And I believe you may be the only man in Hope Valley that can truly tame her." Raising her eyebrows, she said, "If you haven't noticed, she's a bit of a handful."
Lucas laughed. "Yes, I've noticed. I love that about her."
Grace smiled and patted his hand on her arm. "Then don't let William bully you. Best to let him lead and think it's his idea." She leaned and whispered, "That always works for me."
Lucas turned and looked at her with real affection in his eyes. "Thank you, Grace."
Julie turned just in time to see her mother lean up and kiss Lucas on the cheek. She shook her head, laughing softly. That man could charm the birds out of the trees.
Bill Avery sat in the Mountie office looking at the phone. The last thing he wanted to do was to worry Nathan while he was in Hamilton, but he knew this couldn't be helped.
Bill picked up the receiver. "Florence, can you get me the Thatcher home in Hamilton, please?"
The pause told him all he needed to know about Florence's curiosity. "Nothing earth-shattering, Florence. I just need to talk to Nathan about Mountie business."
Florence used her haughty voice. "Whatever do you mean, Judge Avery? I'm an employee of the telephone company. I don't get involved in..."
Although there was no one in the office, Bill waved his hand in the air. "Yes, yes, of course, Florence. Can you ring me through, please?"
A moment later, a formal voice came on the line. "Thatcher residence."
"Hello. This is Judge Bill Avery from Hope Valley. I need to speak with Nathan Grant."
"Certainly, sir. Just one moment, please." Bill listened for the click of Florence disconnecting the switchboard after ten seconds. He never spoke beyond pleasantries until he'd heard it. He didn't become a Judge by being careless.
Turns out he had plenty of time to wait. You'd think Nathan was miles away by the number of minutes that passed by.
Bill had never been to the Thatcher estate, but he'd certainly heard about it from Jack. Three stories, thirty rooms, a coach house, handyman's cottage, stables and a formal garden on five acres in the middle of an enormous city. How Elizabeth and Julie had ended up so level-headed was beyond him.
He leaned back in Nathan's chair as he formulated how best to tell him. Probably quick was best. Rip off the bandage.
"Bill?" Nathan's voice finally came on the phone and he sounded slightly out of breath, and as if he'd been laughing. Great. I'll put a stop to that, Bill thought miserably, taking a deep breath.
"I have some news, Nathan," Bill said cryptically.
As expected, the laughter stopped. "What's up, Bill? Mountie business or personal?"
Leave it to Nathan to cut right to the chase. It was one of the things that Bill liked and respected so much about his friend. No meandering.
"Unfortunately, it's personal. Charlie has had a heart attack. Rebecca called this morning from the hospital in Calgary. He's stable, but they want to keep him there for observation. Carson has already spoken with his doctor, and it seems likely there's some problem with an artery that would require an operation, but the success numbers aren't great."
Nathan took a deep breath. Mom, in Calgary. And Elizabeth, here. He felt suddenly as if one side of his heart was being pulled in one direction and the other held rooted in place in Hamilton.
Bill gave him room to process. It was another reason the two of them meshed so well. No need to fill uncomfortable silences.
"Why didn't Mom call here, Bill?" Nathan asked.
"She doesn't want you to worry. She wants you to concentrate on Elizabeth and the babies," Bill said softly.
"Of course she does," Nathan said, almost to himself.
Nathan had never stayed in one place long enough to find a friend like Bill, so it was a new experience to him to ask for guidance. He trusted Bill's good sense and straightforward way of speaking. You always knew what you were going to get with Bill. The truth, unvarnished and sensible.
"What would you do, Bill?" Nathan asked simply. There was a pause on the other end of the line, and what Nathan couldn't see was the smile that grew on Bill's face and the deep breath he needed to take before answering. Nathan didn't ask for help often, and when he did, Bill considered it a privilege.
"There's nothing you can do in Calgary, Nathan. But there's a lot you need to do in Hamilton. Rebecca understands that. She doesn't want you anywhere but where you are, even if the worst happens."
"She said that?" Nathan asked.
"Yes. She said exactly that to me this morning. She knows the odds." Bill paused again. It had been a difficult day, and no mistake. He took a deep breath. "Your mother is a strong woman, Nathan. You stay and take care of Elizabeth."
"You think I should call her?" Nathan asked.
"She doesn't want you to, just yet. She said she'd call you. She has your number," Bill said.
"Stubborn woman," Nathan muttered.
Bill laughed. "You're surrounded by them, my friend. You must like them."
Nathan laughed, despite himself. Bill could always find a way to make him laugh. "She knows I can just call the hospital in Calgary, right?"
"You could do that," Bill said. "But best to wait until she's ready, Nathan. She's stubborn, but she'll let you know when she needs you."
Nathan took a deep breath. "Thank you, Bill."
"Aww, well..." Bill said, rolling his eyes to the empty room.
"I'm glad it was you that told me," Nathan said evenly.
Bill smiled, a little flustered. "You just take care of business there." He leaned back again in relief, his bad news delivered. "How's it going? With the Thatchers? I've only met Elizabeth's father, but Jack had quite a bit to say about them."
Nathan laughed. "I bet he did." Nathan turned toward the wall and spoke softly. "They're not so bad, they just live in a completely different world. Lucas is having a better time communicating with them than I am..."
Bill laughed out loud. "Oh, I'm sure of that! Birds of a feather..."
Nathan laughed too, but added, "Lucas is running interference for me, and doing a fine job of it. I've misjudged him, Bill. He never would have been right for Elizabeth, but he's a good man."
Bill chuckled. "Just checking outside to see if there are any pigs flying by..."
Laughing, Nathan said, "I know. But we're probably going to be brothers-in-law, so it's a good thing I'm seeing his better qualities." Nathan looked around him in the foyer. "Keep that under your hat. Lucas is asking Mr. Thatcher for his blessing this evening."
"Not that it matters," Bill said.
Nodding, Nathan agreed. "No, not that it matters. He's giving the ring to Julie tonight regardless. But it would be nice."
Bill harrumphed. "I don't believe that the word nice and William Thatcher are spoken in the same sentence very often."
"Oh, c'mon Bill. We live in Hope Valley," Nathan said, smiling.
"Oh, man, you have gone soft on me," Bill said, laughing.
"Allie's okay? And Dad? I was planning on calling them tomorrow to give them Lucas and Julie's news."
"They're doing great. The two of them and Jessie go out riding just before sunset almost every evening. And Stella and Mike are an item, but you knew that."
"Yes, and I'm glad for both of them. So, no bank robberies or vicious outlaws coming through town?"
"Not a one. Annoyingly boring around here. The biggest case I've had to solve is where Margaret Cooper left her shopping basket. She was certain it had been stolen, but she'd left it on a shelf in the Mercantile. That gave us a little excitement to live on for a while."
Nathan laughed. "Thanks again, Bill, for covering for me. We'll have lots of stories to tell when we get back."
Bill snorted. "No, you'll be sleep-deprived and knee-high in diapers, but we'll be real glad to see you all."
Nathan paused for a moment and said, "Bill, it's likely that one of the twins will be a boy. We're naming him Nathan William. Elizabeth's father may think that's for him, but I want you to know that as far as I'm concerned, we're naming him after you."
Now there was a very long pause at the other end of the line, and Nathan let Bill have the time. It was so quiet that Nathan heard the familiar squeak of his chair in the Mountie office as Bill leaned forward on the desk. Then he heard him take a deep breath.
"Well, that would be my honor," Bill said, his voice breaking a little. "You just get those babies home safely and let this town get started on spoiling them rotten."
"You got it, Bill," Nathan said. He was surprised to find that his own voice was a little unsteady as well.