"One more chapter, please!" Ally pleaded, as Nathan closed the book the two of them were currently reading together.
"No," Nathan replied, smiling down at Ally. "I already read an extra chapter. It's time for you to get some sleep."
Ally let out a long sigh. "Okay," she relented, clearly not happy with the situation but knowing better than to continue the pleading. "Can I ask you something?"
"You know you can ask me anything," Nathan replied, placing the book on the night stand next to Ally's bed. "What's on your mind?"
"You really don't like being around a lot of people at one time, do you?"
Nathan smiled at Ally's question. "Am I that obvious?" he asked.
"Sort of," Ally said. "Or maybe I just notice it because I'm around you all the time but you keep to yourself more when there is a group of people and you clearly weren't happy last year with the crowds from Christmas festival."
Nathan had to chuckle at that. Lucas had pointed out the same thing to him last year. The comment from Lucas had bothered him then, but the memory of the conversation didn't. It was just who he was. He needed to accept that and it others couldn't, then they didn't really care about him.
"No, I don't like crowds. I never have," Nathan admitted. "However, your mother flourished in crowds. The more people around the happier she was. Kind of like you," he told her.
Ally smiled at the thought of being like her mother. Though there was still something else on her mind. "Does that mean that if you were to get married you wouldn't want more kids?" she asked.
"I have to get married first," Nathan told her.
"It'll happen," Ally said. "I know it will and after today, I realized how fun it would be to have younger siblings, even if they are quite a bit younger. Though, I guess technically they would be my cousins."
"I think you're over thinking this way too much," Nathan replied. "A trait that Gabriel would be sure to point out is all my fault."
"I don't mind being like you in some ways," Ally assured him.
"Good to know," Nathan said. "However, as you're legally my daughter now, if Mrs. Thornton and I got married, little Jack would become your stepbrother. Any children that we might have would be half-siblings."
Ally's expression was serious as she contemplated that. "I think I like the sound of that better," she finally ventured. "I'm sure having cousins is fine, but I like the sound of being a big sister better. Just like Mom was."
"And you'll make a wonderful big sister someday," Nathan told her.
"Someday soon I hope!" Ally replied excitedly.
Nathan smiled. Part of him wanted to bring Ally in on his secret. He knew if she promised to keep the ring to herself that she would. He also knew that she would be eager to know when he would ask Elizabeth the question. He preferred not to have that added pressure.
"Things will happen when they're meant to happen," Nathan told her instead, repeating words that he had told her numerous times before.
"Okay," Ally replied. "I'll hope quietly so I don't pressure you."
Nathan laughed. "You're getting to be one bright young lady," he told her.
"That's because of who raised me," Ally replied, sitting up and throwing her arms around Nathan. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too," Nathan replied, holding her tight for a few moments. "Now, it's time for you to go to sleep,' he repeated, releasing her.
Ally laid her head back against the pillow.
"I've got something to do tomorrow afternoon. It won't take long, but I want you to mind Miss Lillian and Miss Grace while I'm gone."
"Okay," Ally replied. "Are we still having dinner with Mr. Gabe tomorrow evening?"
"Yes," Nathan replied. "We're going to eat at the hotel. Just the three of us."
"Good. I've enjoyed the activity here and spending time with the children, but I'd like to spend some time with just Mr. Gabe while we're here."
"Well, we're doing just that tomorrow evening," Nathan told her as her tucked the blanket up around her. "Good night, Ally," he told her, leaning over and kissing her forehead.
"Good night, Dad," Ally replied.
Nathan stood up and after turning out the lamp, walked out of the room. In the hallway, he pulled the door shut, leaving it open only a crack. Turning to the right, he started toward the room that Grace had shown him earlier that day. It was normally Grace's but she was going to bunk with her sister during their stay. Footsteps behind him caused him to turn.
"Hello," Grace greeted softly as she came down the hallway toward him. "I was just telling the children their bedtime stories."
"Telling? As in making them up?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah," Grace replied with a shrug. "They're nothing fancy but the children enjoy them."
"I'm impressed," Nathan told her. "Though I think I'll stick to reading to Ally a story someone else has already made up."
Grace chuckled. "I've always enjoyed being the one making the stories up. It gave me something to do when I felt alone growing up," she said. Catching Nathan's expression, the young woman continued on. "Oh, don't feel sorry for me. I may not have had the cheeriest of childhoods, but I was cared for and now I have Lillian and I'm doing something to make sure other children have a happier childhood than I did. Life has a way of preparing us for what we need to do in the future."
"Well, I'm glad you found the happiness now that was missing while you were growing up."
"Oh, I have!" Grace assured him. "Being reunited with my sister, and taking care of these children make me happy. I love the sounds and activity of a big house like this. Though I get the feeling, you feel otherwise."
Nathan smiled at his hostess. "I guess the fact that I don't care for crowds is obvious," he said, thinking of his earlier conversation with Ally. "Please know that it has nothing to do with your hospitality."
"I know," Grace assured him. "Some people like having a lot of people around and others don't. We enjoy having you here, just the same. Goodnight, Constable Grant."
"Good night, Grace," Nathan replied.
Grace continued down the hallway to Lillian's room as Nathan walked into the room he was staying.
After lunch the following day, Lee walked Rosemary and the girls back to the hotel before heading back to the hospital himself. While they planned on taking the girls back to visit with their brother some more later in the afternoon, Lee wanted a chance to talk to Constable Peterson alone. He had planned to do so earlier, but the young Mountie looked pale and tired when they had come back to pick up the girls after the morning visit. Deciding that it could wait, he and Rosemary had escorted the girls out and took them out to lunch.
Reaching the hospital, Lee made his way to Constable Peterson's room. Knocking on the door, he received a 'come in' in response. Pushing the door open, Lee stepped into the room.
Brian Peterson was lying in bed. Near the bed, his lunch tray still remained. Glancing at it, Lee saw that the meal was only half eaten.
"You weren't that hungry, I see," Lee commented.
"Some of the meals are more appetizing than others," Brian replied, as he started to sit up in the bed.
"Just relax," Lee told him, seeing the action. "I won't stay long but I wanted to talk to you alone."
"Is there a problem or something?" Brian asked.
"No," Lee said, shaking his head. "Nothing like that," he assured the young Mountie. "Bridget and Ivy are a joy to have around, and we'll bring them back later like we planned."
Brian let out a sigh of relief as he relaxed back against the pillows.
"Have you made any plans for when they release you?" Lee asked.
"Not really," Brian replied. "I have a feeling I won't be able to return to work right away. If the complications from the head injury don't go away, I may not be able to continue being a Mountie. If that's the case, I'm not sure what I'll do."
"I'm sure you'll figure something out when the time comes," Lee replied. "However, Rosemary and I were talking, and if you want, you're welcome to come stay with us for a while when the doctors release you."
"You've already done so much by looking out for my sisters. I don't want to further inconvenience you and your wife."
"There are two things wrong with that statement," Lee replied. "First, having Bridget and Ivy with us has not been an inconvenience. They make the house seem more filled. I know Rosemary has enjoyed having them and I look forward to hearing about their school day when I come home from work. The second thing is, you staying with us wouldn't be an inconvenience either. I think the more people in the house, the happier my wife is. She loves to entertain in whatever form she is able to."
"Well, in that case then, I would be happy to accept the offer. It might actually convince the doctor's to release me earlier. I don't think they liked the idea of releasing me and me being on my own."
"There you go then. You can tell them you have a place to stay. I know your sisters will enjoy having you there and it will give you a chance to figure things out. You have some tough decisions ahead of you."
"I realize that," Brian replied. "Sometimes I think staying in the hospital is better because no one is expecting me to make those decisions while I'm here."
"Look, I know you barely know me, and I don't claim to know you well, though your sisters have talked about you over the last few weeks. However, I want you to know, that no one is expecting you have all the answers the moment you're out of here. You've gone through a tragedy that most people can't even comprehend. Take the time you need to heal, physically and emotionally before you start making the choices that will affect the rest of your life. You don't want to make a choice you'll regret a few years down the road, and then not know how to fix things. You owe your sisters that. You owe yourself that."
"Sounds like you're talking from experience."
"I am," Lee said. "I made a bad choice when I was eighteen that haunted me for years. It took an accident to force me to find the courage to try to fix things. Thankfully, it wasn't too late but it could have been. Take the time to weigh everything before you make any decisions."
"I will, Mr. Coulter," Brian replied.
"Call me Lee, please."
Brian nodded slightly in acknowledgement to the request.
"Now, let me leave and let you get some rest. I'll bring the girls back over in a couple of hours."
"Thank-you Mr. . . . Lee," Brian said, correcting himself.
With a nod and a smile, Lee left the hospital room, satisfied with how the offer of a place to stay and the offered advice had been received. He wanted the young man to know that he wasn't alone. Their paths may have crossed by chance, but Lee knew that no matter what happened from here on out, the Peterson children were a part of Rosemary and his lives in some way.
Following Grace's directions, Nathan found his way out to the Stewart ranch. Having been expecting his visit, Tess Stewart had been watching for him. She raised a hand in greeting as Nathan brought the horse he was riding to a stop and dismounted.
"Welcome, Constable Grant," Tess greeted.
"Thank-you, Mrs. Stewart," Nathan replied. "I understand you don't usually sell your horses, but I appreciate you making an exception."
"It's no problem," Tess replied. "Cattle are my business. Having good horses is essential to taking care of those cattle, so I raise some for use around the ranch. If the opportunity comes to sell a horse or two and I can spare them, then I'm open to that," she explained. "Chuck tells me you're looking for a horse for your niece."
"I am," Nathan said. "She's twelve years old. I think she's old enough to care for the horse and we're settled in Hope Valley right now. I think a horse will make a perfect Christmas gift for her this year."
"How experienced is she?"
"She's ridden quite a bit before this. However, I would still like an even-tempered horse for her. I get nervous with her on Newton sometimes because I know certain things will make him spook."
Tess nodded. "I think I have just the candidate for you," Tess told him as she led the way to the stables. "Midnight is four and a half years old. She's a very even tempered mare. I was thinking she would make a good mother with her disposition, but I'm willing to part with her to someone I know will take good care of her. You being a Mountie, I know she will be well cared for."
Tess took Nathan to Midnight's stall. After spending some time looking over the horse Tess spoke.
"Why don't you take her for a ride? It's the best way to get to know a horse, I think."
"You don't mind."
Tess shook her head. "Of course not. Even if you weren't a Mountie, you're Constable Kinslow's friend and I have a lot of respect for our Constable. Take a ride, and then if you think she'll be a good match for your niece, we'll talk. If not, there are a few other horses I would be willing to part with."
"Thank-you," Nathan replied.
Tess showed him where some extra tack was and then left to check on some other ranch business. Nathan found himself talking to Midnight as he saddled her, letting the horse get use to the sound of his voice.
Nathan knew Ally would be thrilled to have a horse of her own. He was also confident that she was responsible enough to learn to care for the horse by herself. When spring came, it would be nice to plan camping trips or take rides together and not have to worry about borrowing a horse. In his mind, Nathan could even see Elizabeth joining them for a ride. Little Jack would be old enough to ride with either him or Elizabeth.
With Midnight saddled, Nathan led her out of the stable.
"Let's see if you might fit into those plans, huh," Nathan told the horse, rubbing the mares neck before boosting himself into the saddle.
