Part 1: Chapter 40: 1888: Red Deer, Alberta,

An Agreement is Made

Once James' superiors left, the family all started cheering and giving their congratulations. They all went back inside, and Edith was planning a congratulations dessert as they were all in the Normandeau parlor.

"Good job, Uncle James," Colleen said as she hugged him tightly after he had sat down next to Edith.

"Thank you," James whispered before she ran off to the other children.

"We're very proud of you," Edith said, her own pride showing in her eyes.

They all nodded. James blushed.

"I didn't do it alone," James added.

"But you were in charge, and it was your plan they followed," Edith said.

"You saved us again," Ophelia added.

Archie nodded in agreement.

"With your leadership skills and creative thinking, they couldn't have done anything else," Regina added haughtily, but proudly.

"Actually, they could have seen where I mis-stepped and fired me," James replied.

Every adult in the room rolled their eyes at this comment.

"No, Ms. Regina is right. They could only have promoted you," Rachel added as they brought in James' favorite finger desserts with tea.

James shook his head.

"How is that you're so humble at one moment, and yet can be the proud and arrogant Society man in the next? Edith how do you live with that?" Regina asked in frustration.

"It can be annoying, but that is one of the things I love about him," Edith said with affection as she caressed his face. James just met her eyes and leaned into her touch.

The others just smiled at the couple who still loved each other fiercely.


Archie walked Colleen to school the next morning, while Nate, Ophelia, and Sirius were staying in their home. James was in his new insignia, sitting on General standing post outside of the school yard. The families of the town all clapped and thanked James for rescuing the town. General was standing proudly. James just nodded his head as they made the comments.

When Ms. Fletcher opened the school door to let her class inside, Archie said a quick good-bye to Colleen. James and Archie waited for the doors to close before James dismounted and walked next to Archie leading them all to the fort where they would be having the meeting with Archie's boss.

James led Archie into his office. Regina's lawyer was waiting.

"Do ya need to talk with him before?" Archie asked as he half stepped into the room expecting him to have to leave.

"No, he's your representative today," James said.

Archie gave him a surprised look, but they couldn't say much more as the Mountie escorted his boss into the office and handed James a file.

Archie's boss sat down across the table from Archie and Regina's lawyer.

James was sitting at the head of the rectangle table.

"We're here because Mr. Croft has used coercion and blackmail against Mr. Grant in order to stay employed at Red Deer Loan and Bank," James stated firmly from his position.

"This is a criminal offense and can lead up to 5 years in Medicine Hat prison should the case go to trial."

Mr. Croft flinched.

"Mr. Croft, I am here to represent my client Mr. Grant in hopes that we can settle this case so that no one needs to go to prison," Regina's lawyer said smoothly.

"What are you asking for, exactly?" Mr. Croft said.

"I've had the forethought to write up this contract between you and Mr. Grant. It basically says that you will wash his time owed as time served, that you will not require gambling of any kind to be part of your employees' job requirements, and that you will not seek retribution from any Grant now or in the future. I would suggest reading through the document thoroughly for the finer details, and you may want your own lawyer to give it a look," Regina's lawyer said as he handed over one of the copies.

Mr. Croft took it.

"I will have my lawyer go over it, for certain. How long do I have to make this decision?" Mr. Croft asked.

"A week," James replied, "if you don't decide by then, charges will be pressed."

Mr. Croft nodded.

"Constable Wiggins, please escort Mr. Croft back to his business," James asked the Mountie in the room. The man nodded and then followed his orders.

"Thank ya both," Archie said with gratitude. "I was worried about having the awkwardness of working for him still."

"I thought you might," James agreed.

"Major," Regina's lawyer said.

James didn't respond.

"Major?" the lawyer said louder.

"Hmm?" James said again, realizing that that was his title now. Archie smiled at him across the table.

"I have an update on Regina's money," the man admitted.

James raised an eyebrow.

"Richard Wainscott has his own copy of their agreement. His parents also put a lot of their fortune into Regina's trust. Regina doesn't know. Richard didn't know, until recently. But their instructions say that the money they put into Regina's funds are ONLY supposed to go to Regina and Harris," her lawyer explained.

"So, what does this mean?" James asked.

"Richard can't touch their money so long as one of them is alive," the lawyer said.

James and Archie both looked at each other in horror. Both had seen how quickly Regina's health was deteriorating. And Harris had always been a ticking bomb.

"Can she change her will to say somethin' similar?" Archie asked.

"What do you mean?" the lawyer asked back.

"Split up her money between people we know will live long lives," Archie suggested looking at James.

James and the lawyer looked at each other.

"It could work," the lawyer admitted.

The men quickly found Regina.

Regina got a satisfied smirk when she realized that she could out maneuver her husband.

"Well, I know exactly who it is going to then," Regina said softly as she looked at the picture of Harris, Nate, and Colleen over the summer.

The biggest problem that they discussed between James and her lawyer was that they didn't want anyone to attack Colleen or Nate unnecessarily.

"I want the house in Winnipeg to go to Harris. The staffing will be paid for. Then I want you and Edith to take it on," Regina asked her brother.

James nodded his agreement.

"Everything else will be put into a trust for Harris (if he lives that long), Colleen, and Nate. I hope they won't mind, but I also don't want them to get it until Richard has actually died. That man would stoop to no low in trying to get it from them," Regina glowered.

"I don't think it will matter to them," James admitted.

Regina gave a nod and then coughed heavily.

James escorted her back to her bed. Regina didn't even protest, which made everyone in the house that much more worried about her.


"Uncle James!" Colleen gave an enthusiastic hug when she came running out of the school house and saw only him.

James picked her up and twirled her about.

"Where's Mama?" Colleen asked happily in his arms.

"It's too cold for her and Nate to be walking so far. Auntie Edith and I are watching you until your dad is off work to take you home," James explained to her.

Colleen beamed at him.

"How was school?" James asked as he turned General around in the street to walk with them.

"Normal. Actually, I have some homework I need help with. Is Auntie Edith well enough today to help?" Colleen asked in her normal volume, loud.

James turned a look back at Ms. Fletcher who was glaring at Colleen.

"She's always well enough to help," James replied louder than normal so that Ms. Fletcher could hear.

"Good!" Colleen said. Then she went on a story about a squirrel they had watched at lunch.

The people of Red Deer were astonished that someone who could intimidate so fiercely was completely at ease holding a child. Not many of them had seen him interact with children when not on duty. So, they weren't aware of how good James was with them.

James only put Colleen down when they reached the edge of the porch. He watched her walk inside, making sure that Molly saw her come in, and then walked back to the barn with General. General was taking his absence from Nate hard again. General glared at him throughout his brushing.

"It's not my fault," James defended himself.

General gave him a look saying that he didn't believe it for one second, knowing that Nate had been around while the town was under restrictions, and he wasn't around after restrictions had lifted. General knew that is was his tall person who was in charge; therefore, his tall person was the reason his little person wasn't around as much.

"We'll make sure to stop at the Grant house in order to see him on rounds tomorrow," James said.

General gave a huff.

Edith had time to help Colleen with her homework and teach her an art lesson by the time Archie got off of work and came to pick her up. Not wanting Archie to ride in cold temperatures with wet hair, James met him outside with a bundled-up Colleen.

"How was work?" James asked.

"Mr. Croft secluded himself in his office," Archie admitted, "don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing at this point."

James nodded in agreement.

"Safe travels," James said as he put Colleen in Archie's lap.

"Thanks," Archie tipped his hat as they rode out of the yard. Both were quiet on the trip home as both were too cold to say much. But both were also smiling at the warmth of the lighted house and the smell of dinner when they got home.

Ophelia was bundled up, but in the kitchen making potato soup. Nate and Sirius were playing inside.

Archie let Colleen down at the back door and told her to go inside. She just nodded in agreement. Then went inside.

"How was school, Colleen?" Ophelia asked as she unwound her daughter.

"Okay. Auntie Edith helped with my homework," Colleen said with happiness.

Everyone smiled at her. Colleen joined Nate and Sirius who were playing in the living room. Sirius still couldn't walk well. But he was doing better and could play so long as his playmates didn't venture too far too quickly. So, Nate was the perfect playmate for him at this point. Nate and Sirius were currently playing hide and seek. Sirius was the finder and his eyes were closed with one paw over them. After some time had passed, Sirius put down his paw and opened his eye, then he stood carefully, sniffed around, and found Nate under a pile of towels on the couch.

"Good boy!" Nate said as he scratched Sirius' ears. Sirius was smiling smugly.

"Can I play?" Colleen asked.

Nate nodded. Then Colleen and Sirius both went into a hiding spot as Nate started counting with his eyes closed. Archie entered the back door just as Nate had found Colleen and Sirius.

The family ate their meal with their usual conversations. After dinner, Colleen helped with the dishes. Archie played with Nate and Sirius until the others came back to the living room. Then they went about their normal bed time. Sirius was still being housed in the living room due to his injury. Even though he gave his best pleading dog eyes to both Archie and Ophelia (although Ophelia seemed to be immune to it). Archie didn't want to have to carry him up and down the stairs all the time.

Archie and Ophelia in the evenings would come back downstairs to enjoy the last of the fire and for any nighttime chores to be done.

"How did it go today?" Ophelia asked as she mended a shirt.

"Alright, I guess," Archie said as he wiped his eyes. Then he summarized what had happened that morning.

"Do you think you will need to find another job?" Ophelia asked.

"I don't know. There isn't much around here that I could do," Archie admitted. Ophelia nodded.

The couple soon went to bed themselves, falling asleep fairly quickly.

Only to be woken up by Sirius whining at the bottom of the staircase. Knowing how intuitive he was, both adults went to check on him.

"Sirius, what do ya want?" Archie whispered as he turned up the lamp.

Sirius kept whining and looking up the stairs.

Archie walked down and pick him up and put him on the top of the staircase gently. Sirius pawed his way into Colleen and Nate's bedroom. The parents followed. Colleen was in Nate's bed as Nate was writhing around in silent terror.

"Mama, Nate's having a real bad dream. I can't wake him up," Colleen said with fear.

Ophelia and Archie both looked at each other. Archie grabbed Colleen. Ophelia took her spot in Nate's bed. Even with her gentle touches and sweat whispers, Nate didn't wake up. Sirius had crawled towards the bed. He put his head next to Nate's hand and gave him a soft lick. Nate's hand popped back in surprise. Nate's eyes were finally focusing on his surroundings.

"Mama," Nate whispered as he cried softly.

"Shhhh, my darling. You're okay," Ophelia whispered as she held him and kissed his head.

"I was taken," Nate said as he clung to his mother more tightly.

"You weren't. Sirius was able to save you," Ophelia said. Nate looked at the dog at the end of his bed.

"Mama, can Sirius stay with us?" Colleen asked.

Archie and Ophelia looked at each other.

Nate and Sirius were keeping eye contact. Sirius gently put his head on Nate's leg. Nate petted his head, slowly, soothingly. Petting Sirius was having a calming effect on Nate.

"Sure," Archie agreed.

"Nate, do you want to sleep here, or in our room?" Ophelia asked softly.

Nate just put his arms around his mother's neck in response. Ophelia stood up with Nate. Archie and Colleen followed with blankets and stuffed animals. Sirius followed slowly after them, limping. Ophelia got Nate and Colleen settled into the bed.

"Can Sirius come up?" Colleen asked with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Just this once," Archie said as he helped the dog up. Sirius walked across the bed, making Colleen giggle. Archie managed to get in before Sirius took his spot. With the entire family, plus one Huskey, the bed was quite crowded and also quite warm.

"Sirius, where were you when we didn't have proper blankets?" Colleen asked jokingly. Sirius just stretched out across all of their feet. Archie and Ophelia just gave each other one last look before sleep took them again.


The next day was bitterly cold and windy. Archie decided that it wasn't worth the trouble of trying to get anywhere today, so Colleen and he stayed home. The children and Sirius had slept well. Ophelia and he had not. Archie was in the barn taking care of their animals for the day, when James bundled up on General approached.

"Bit cold to be out, don't ya think?" Archie asked as James rode General up beside him.

James shrugged.

"It's cold, yes. But I've been in worse. I've fought in worse," James admitted with it just being the two of them.

Archie gave him a long look.

"We have to go out in all weather. It's part of keeping people safe," James said.

"Which is just one more reason that I couldn't do what ya do," Archie admitted with a twinkle in his eyes.

James laughed.

"It's also a reason why I didn't want to start me own farm," Archie added as he stroked General's nose.

"Oh?" James asked.

"I enjoy having a roof over me head too much. In Ireland it rains, and rains, and rains, and rains, and rains, and some sun for a minute, then it rains again," Archie explained. "I got tired being sopping wet all the time."

"And you came to Canada where you traded the rain for snow, snow, snow, blizzards, and sub-zero temperatures," James teased.

"Something I failed to take into account, since we were near same latitudes. It took me a lot longer than I thought it would to get used to this climate," Archie admitted with a self-deprecating smile.

James just shook his head.

"Well, I'm obviously on my rounds. General doesn't like not seeing Nate every day. So, I don't think even a blizzard could keep him away. Or at least make him not angry at me," James said fondly.

"James, I do have a bit of a personal question for ya, if ya don't mind?" Archie rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

James just rose on eyebrow.

"With everything you've seen and experienced as a soldier, how do you deal with the bad memories when they come on ya?" Archie asked.

James looked surprised by this question but took a moment to answer.

"Edith helps, as much as she can, of course. Brushing General also can calm my bad nights. Doing something with my hands helps. I tend to repair or build things in my barn. Usually only functional, nothing pretty, I'm not good at carving into wood for decoration, but if I can give myself a task and focus on it, I can usually wear myself out," James said.

"Do ya talk to anyone about yer experiences?" Archie asked.

"Do you talk to anyone about yours?" James asked back.

Archie shook his head.

"Same here. We're told to suck it up and take it like a man. Not sure how much help it actually is, but it seems like that kind of lesson is hard to overcome," James said.

Archie nodded.

"Nate had a bad nightmare last night," Archie started.

James' eyes finally showed his understanding of the problem.

"And you're not sure how to help?" James concluded.

Archie nodded.

"Tell me what exactly happened," James asked.

Archie summarized the events.

"Soldiers and Mounties can still be soothed by sensory details. Petting soft things can help. It sounds like something Nate likes. Let Nate pet the animals that he wants when he is having a moment," James said before he was interrupted by Nate coming out side in his winter clothes with two hands full of the last of the carrots.

"General!" Nate said as he shoved his hand up. General whinnied and took the carrots carefully from each hand. Nate was stroking General's long nose.

"Like that," James pointed to the two of them.

Archie shook his head.

"Nate, ya need to greet everyone present," Archie reminded him.

"Hi, Uncle James," Nate said with a small smile.

"It's alright. I know I'm chopped liver when you are around each other," James winked.

Nate wrinkled his nose at the liver comment. That was definitely something he didn't like men let Nate take the comfort he needed from the horse. It was only when he started shivering that the men decided it was time to say goodbye.

"Any news?" Archie asked as he picked up Nate.

"Not yet," James admitted as he pulled on General's reins and directed them away from the Grant house. "Give everyone our love."

Archie nodded.

"Bye, Uncle James. Bye, General," Nate waved with a gloved hand.


Mr. Croft waited until the very end of his time frame before requesting another meeting in Normandeau's office. This time his lawyer was present and looking annoyed.

"My client would like to accept your settlement agreement," Mr. Croft's lawyer said.

"He's aware of the terms and conditions of the binding of the agreement?" James asked.

"My client is aware of everything. We went over it in detail. He knows the consequences to his actions. He is aware what will happen to him if he breaks the terms," the lawyer said.

"Then why don't we start signing these and put this unpleasantness behind us," Regina's lawyer said, pulling out several copies of the contract and an ink pen.

Archie, Mr. Croft, the two lawyers, and James all signed each copy.

Mr. Croft's lawyer left in a hurry, needing to catch the next train out of town.

"Archie, no hard feelings. I'm sorry," Mr. Croft said as he held out his hand.

Archie looked surprised by the gesture but shook it without replying. Then Mr. Croft left.

"I don't trust him," James said as he glared at the door where Mr. Croft had been.

Archie turned to look at him.

"Why not?" Archie asked.

"For one, he didn't say what he was sorry for. And if he were truly sorry for his treatment of you, he would forgive the loan, or pay you for your weekends and nights away. I think his lawyer told him to make peace with you so that he can keep his best worker. But I don't believe for one second that he isn't feeling hard feelings, or that he is sorry for how he acted," James explained.

Archie nodded in agreement.

"James, will ya keep my copy for me?" Archie asked as he pointed to his copy of the contract.

James nodded and put it on his desk to take home later.

"Archie, let me know if he does anything?" James asked.

Archie nodded, then left so that he could go to work himself. James worked in his office for a while, working on the ever-increasing piles of paperwork (his piles doubled with his promotion). It was the afternoon before he was disturbed by the men in the fort.

He had heard the voices of the conversations between soldiers, Mounties, and whomever they were talking to through his wall and doors. It sounded like it wasn't going well. James stood up and opened his door to check it out.

His men were blocking someone's path to his door and telling him to come back at a later time with an appointment.

James realized he recognized the man.

"James! Good to see you!" he raised a hand in greeting and smiled his charming smile.

James glared even further.

"To be honest, Richard, if I had never had to see you again in my life it would be too soon," James growled out.


Sorry, this took so long to update! I had trouble with my inspiration for this, so when I had the time to write, I wrote other pieces. Then I got stupid busy with both jobs. But some good news, my school district was informed last week that we were getting the first round of the COVID vaccine this week. Due to the potential for unpleasant side effects the first few days, we got to work from home the rest of the week. This is why I am able to finish the chapter and post. Thanks for the positive feedback!