Chapter 45

That Monday was very bittersweet because it was Julie's last day in Hope Valley. She had stayed a week but knew that it was time for her to go home. Elizabeth and the children planned a special day for their aunt. They started the day with breakfast with Nathan at the café before going dress shopping at Dottie's. It wasn't like the dress shops in Hamilton but they each found a new dress. Clara was customizing one for Julie that Rosemary designed. Elizabeth would take it to her on their trip. Then they had a picnic by the pond. After that Elizabeth and Julie took a ride out to the build site. Julie was hoping to come for Christmas or New Years. They continued their ride for about an hour before heading back to town.

They dressed for dinner that night at the saloon. Gustav was preparing a special meal in honor of Julie. The Grants would be joined by the Coultiers, and Judge Avery that evening. Allie and little Jack stayed with Laura that night. Elizabeth knew that Allie probably was old enough to babysit but felt better knowing Laura would be there to help. The children would get to see their aunt in the morning before she left so tonight was just for the adults.

Elizabeth was going to miss her sister. Julie was her favorite. Viola was too serious and stuck in her ways. It was all about appearances and social status with her. Julie was fun and free-spirited. It did get them into trouble a lot in the past but now that Elizabeth was a mother Julie tamed down the recklessness when in Hope Valley Elizabeth knew Nathan would soon find out about some the dangers the Thornton sisters had earlier in Hope Valley. He knew some but he didn't know about her working in the coal mine, or the whole story with Nate Tolliver. She did have to be saved by Jack a few times. Though the more that Elizabeth thought about it, she didn't need Julie to get herself in trouble. Nathan had had to save her a couple times already.

Dinner was spectacular, Gustav had prepared an array of food fit for a queen. It was a bit more Hamilton than Hope Valley but everyone enjoyed it. Elizabeth skipped the wine again because she had felt sick the day after she had too much champagne. She had no tolerance for spirits anymore. The dinner conversation was lively and there was so much laughter.

Nathan decided to ask Julie about Nate Tolliver, his curiosity had been piqued two nights before, "So Julie, I hear that you knew Nate Tolliver, may I ask about that?" Julie laughed as she recalled how she had fallen for the man's charms and put herself and her sister in harm's way. Julie was quite embarrassed that she had been so gullible and answered Nathan, "It was my first time in Hope Valley and my father sent me with a Mountie escort. Like he did with Elizabeth but he didn't tell her that he had a Mountie assigned to Hope Valley to watch over her. I lied to my escort about needing to go to the bathroom while we were out for a ride and I came across a cabin. I found an injured man inside, he said he was hurt in a hunting accident so I tended to his wounds. I promised to come back the next day to check on him, long story short is that he wasn't getting better so I brought him back to town and cared for him. When he started to get better, he convinced me that he was a good guy and I started to fall for him. My Mountie escort was Jack's replacement because he was reassigned to Cape Fullerton after requesting the transfer over a year prior. Though by then he didn't want to leave. Back to Nate, when he was well enough to ride, he asked me for directions to the cabin I had found him in and he rode out to get his things. While he was gone the rest of his gang came looking for him. They discovered that Elizabeth and I had been caring for him and they kidnapped us so we would take them to him. Jack had found out about the gang being in the area from another Mountie patrol and rushed back to town. When he got back, they hatched a plan using red tablecloths, chairs and a few extra horses to convince the gang that they were surrounded by Mounties. Jack got them to surrender peacefully and saved Elizabeth and I. It felt good to slap Nate when they were being transferred out of town. After that Jack got to stay in Hope Valley, got a commendation, and donated the reward money to build the school. I have to say that it wasn't my finest hour but those other stories are for another visit". They all laughed and Elizabeth recalled other instances where Julie hadn't used good judgment.

The conversation flowed freely throughout dessert which was a choice of cherry cobbler or chocolate mousse. Both looked and tasted scrumptious. Elizabeth had the cherry cobbler but had shared some of Nathan's chocolate mousse. She thought that the chocolate and cherries had been a tasty combination. After dessert, everyone finished their coffee and started the walk home. Julie had wanted to finish packing so she would have more time in the morning for her goodbyes.

The next morning, Lee offered to drive the bags to the train station. He was going drive Allie and little Jack there too to wave their aunt off. Rosemary, Julie, and Elizabeth were going to walk. Nathan planned on meeting them there because he had already left for work. Little Jack and Allie showered their aunt with hugs and kisses before giving her the art projects they made for her before they got into the car with Lee. The ladies started the trek to the train station slowly. It had been a whirlwind trip and no one wanted it to end. Elizabeth knew she would see her sister in a month but saying goodbye was never easy.

At the train station, Lee had helped the porter with Julie's bags. Nathan had arrived already and had little Jack in his arms while they waited for the ladies. Nathan heard the laughter and knew that they were close. When the conductor called, "all aboard", everyone gave Julie one last hug before she stepped up onto the train. They waved goodbye until the train was out of sight. Before they left Elizabeth went to the ticket counter to inquire about tickets for their trip. She knew that if the tickets were purchased then there was no way that they wouldn't go.

Nathan saw Elizabeth purchase the tickets and knew that he was going to have to tell her about his mother. He didn't know how she would react but in true Elizabeth fashion he suspected that his mother wouldn't get the upper hand. His mother had sent a telegram back asking for the dates that they would be there but Nathan hadn't replied yet. Now he was going to make definite plans. He would have to talk to Elizabeth as well because they would have to decide where to stay. Would they stay at a hotel, her parents, or with his mother? He hoped she wouldn't pick his mother. He could probably handle staying at Elizabeth's childhood home because he knew Julie would be there as a buffer.