In the small town of Hope Valley, there was nothing that brought as much excitement to the school children then a fresh, glittering blanket of snow. Such a blessing was especially rare in the late fall. The former coal mining town was nestled between the mountains just east of Vancouver, Canada.

Elizabeth Thornton, the town's steadfast teacher, stood warmly bundled up on the steps of the school house watching the children as they enjoyed their after lunch recess. Snowpeople were being built as well as forts and snow angels. With the cold breeze in the air, she tightened her light blue jacket around her, and adjusted her white hat over her brown wavy locks.

So much had changed in the past few months. Not just for Elizabeth, but for the whole town. Everyone was waiting on pins and needles for more information regarding some suspicious real estate purchases throughout the valley. Then there was the talk of a large factory potentially being built nearby that could cause a great upheaval to nearly everyone in Hope Valley, including their little school.

Personally for Elizabeth, there was one change in particular that caused her heart to flutter at the simplest thought. Let alone the sight. She was just looking out from her perch on the steps as he was approaching, making her breath catch in her chest and her heart drum rapidly.

Lucas Bouchard, a tall, dark and handsome entrepreneur slowly made his way down the path to the school. His dimpled grin was cast downward to Elizabeth's adorable little, blue-eyed boy, Jack. Jack had one little mittened hand in Lucas's and the other holding tightly to a string that pulled a little wooden dog that plowed through the snow behind them.

"Well, if it isn't my two favorite men in all of Hope Valley!" Elizabeth beamed as she made her way down to meet them.

"What a coincidence, you're our favorite person as well." Lucas leaned in giving Elizabeth a sweet little kiss on her cheek. "We have had quite the morning. We played with trains, visited the horse, Sergeant and Cesar at the livery and then went home for lunch."

"That sounds exciting," she said smiling at her son.

"I thought so! What about you, Jack?" The little boy stuck out his tongue as he smiled and nodded his head. "Now we thought we'd take a little walk to come see you. Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." She shrunk down to her son's level. "What did you have for lunch, my sweet boy?"

"Gur cheese," little Jack said with a smile.

"Yummy, your favorite!" She kissed his forehead.

"Yes," Lucas laughed. "And thankfully it's one of the few things I can manage in the kitchen."

"Oh I don't know. I think you've improved quite a bit in the last month or so," Elizabeth giggled.

"Indeed," Lucas smiled brightly at her. "I believe I nearly caught your row house on fire only once."

"Well that's better than I did when I first came to Hope Valley. Did I ever tell you about the old teacherage we used to have?"

"Hope Valley had a teacherage?"

"Mhmm. Until I got here and well, it's a long story."

"I look forward to hearing it," he laughed, then leaned forward to kiss Elizabeth's cheek, letting his lips linger there this time. When he pulled back, he noticed they were being watched by one student in particular. "How is Allie holding up?" he whispered.

Elizabeth sighed. "I'm not sure. One moment she's fine and the next…"

"I'm sorry." The concern was etched into Lucas's handsome face. "Perhaps I should visit during the day."

"No, that's not necessary. I just wish there had been a way for us to move forward without hurting anyone. Especially Allie. Though I suppose that's too much to ask, given how I behaved and…"

"No, Beth," Lucas interrupted. "Give yourself grace. Hasn't Nathan even told you himself that he holds no anger against you?"

"Yes. You and he are much more forgiving than I am when it comes to my behavior."

"That doesn't come as any surprise. Does it, Jack?" Lucas tickled the boy's cheek, making him squirm and giggle. "Now, I believe Jack and I have a busy afternoon of books and puzzles planned for us at the library. Join us at the cafe after school?"

"I can't wait." She knelt down again to embrace her son. "Bye, my sweet boy."

"Bye, Mama."

Lucas beamed at them. The bond he witnessed between mother and son was incredibly deep and in many ways vastly different from what he'd grown up with. He admired Elizabeth for the mother she was.

Lucas took Jack's hand and walked back down the path towards Main Street. He looked back when he heard Elizabeth's cowbell ringing, announcing the end of recess. The students hurried back inside to the warm classroom to finish out their day.

"What shall we do first Jack? A puzzle or book?"

"Snack."

….

Once everyone was settled back in their seats, Elizabeth began passing out the next assignment.

"What are these, Mrs. Thornton?" Timmy asked. He held up the small brown notebook she'd just placed before him.

"These, children, are blank notebooks for a very special project I have for you all."

The children immediately picked theirs up from their desks and started flipping through the pages.

"Mrs. Thornton," Opal spoke with her hand raised in the air. "These pages don't have any lines. Are they for drawing?"

"That's one option, yes! As you know, we will be taking a break from school soon for the month of December, but that doesn't mean I want you to stop learning."

The class broke out into a chorus of giggles and groans.

"Today as a class we will come up with a list of prompts, or ideas of what you can write or draw about in these journals. The ideas can be anything at all. For example…"

Elizabeth moved back around her desk to the chalk board and wrote the words "journaling prompts" in big letters and then underlined them. She drew a line going up from that and wrote a sentence.

If I were an animal, I would be a…

The students laughed and began shouting their answers.

"I'd be a horse so I could run real fast!"

"I want to be a owl so I can stay up late!"

"I think I'd be a bear! They just look so cuddly!"

Elizabeth smiled. "Those are all great ideas. What other prompts can we come up with?"

….

Later that afternoon Lucas sat in one of the new rocking chairs that he'd purchased from a man in town for the library. He rocked steadily in front of the wood stove. One hand holding his book, the other holding a sleeping little Jack. The little one was almost getting to the point where he'd be too big to hold like this. That thought only made Lucas hold Jack a little tighter.

Lucas had always known he wanted a family and even though they weren't an official and legal family yet, he treasured these moments with his whole heart. Grateful to have the chance to make memories with Jack now, with many more to come in the future.

Jack let out a big yawn and stretched his little body as he began to wake.

"Well, hello there," Lucas chuckled softly. "How was your trip to Neverland?"

"Good," Jack answered, rubbing his eyes. "I saw doggies."

"What fun! Can you tell me what the dogs looked like?"

Jack thought hard, trying to remember. "Big. Brown and white."

"Sounds perfect. Want to draw them for me? We can bring the picture home to Mommy."

Jack nodded and scurried off Lucas's lap to the rug by the stove where Lucas had set up a wooden box with crayons and paper.

Lucas got out of the rocking chair and placed Jack's little stuffed felt dog down beside him before going over to sorting and shelving books. There was much to be done. He hadn't been able to spend much time there as he used to. Not with so much of his time at work being divided between the saloon and the oil business. Then of course he was cutting his evening hours down to a minimum to make himself more available for Elizabeth and little Jack. He had no regrets. In fact, he was thoroughly enjoying his day off from all of it. If Laura hadn't needed the day off for her studies, Lucas wouldn't have had the chance to experience the simple joys of "parenthood."

With a loud creek, the door to the library opened and in walked a white haired man with a very unnerving smile.

"Why hello, again," the man said, removing his boiler hat. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Mr. Walden." Lucas tried his best to remain polite. "I didn't expect to see you back in our town."

"Let's just say my business isn't complete quite yet."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

"Nice little place." Mr. Walden began looking around the small room. "May I ask who owns this?"

"This library belongs to the people of Hope Valley."

"Yes, of course. Allow me to rephrase. Who financially backs the town's library?"

Lucas felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Not trusting Walden, Lucas shifted his stance so he was standing between him and Jack, who seemed much more interested in his coloring than in Mr. Walden. He didn't feel as though Jack was in danger, but felt strongly that the less exposure he had, the better.

"Mr. Bouchard, I can't help but feel we may have ended things on the wrong foot before. I only want what's best for you and this town."

"Forgive me, Mr. Walden, but your actions with the Flynn family and Ms. Miller suggest otherwise."

"What can I say? The young Flynn man was quite green when it came to financial matters. I'm sure he's told you that I refunded his money out of the goodness of my heart."

"And who might have you swindled in order to do that?"

Mr. Walden took a step back in surprise.

"I'm a businessman, Mr. Walden, as you know. However the difference between you and I is I value honesty and straightforwardness above profit."

"You find me dishonest?"

"I find you misleading. Which many would argue is the same thing."

"Mr. Bouchard, this town you live in is wonderful, but you have to realize that change is coming. Perhaps you should put some thought into whether you want to grow with it, or be left behind. Think of your son, there." He moved closer to Jack.

Lucas quickly stepped in front of the man, staring him in the eyes. Every fiber of his being was ablaze with the desire to protect this little boy.

"I'll keep that in mind. Now, I will respectfully ask you to leave."

"Of course," Mr. Walden said, grinning again. "I'll just go check into the hotel."

"My apologies, I believe we're completely booked." Lucas lied. Which didn't sit well with him. He couldn't be sure but he guessed they did have a room or two available. Still, he wanted this man as far away as possible from this town and the people he loved.

"Of course, but if you don't mind I'll go see for myself. Good day, Mr. Bouchard."

With that Mr. Walden placed his hat back on his head and left, making his way down towards the saloon. Lucas watched out the open door, a scowl on his face.

"Careful," a friendly voice said from the street. "With a look like that I might need to arrest you for assault."

Lucas shook his head and let out a small laugh. "Do you have a minute?"

Nathan Grant, dressed in his red serge, nodded. He dismounted his horse, tied his lead to the post then joined Lucas inside the library, closing the door behind them.

"Perhaps you'll forgive me when you know who that look was for."

"Would it happen to be for Wyman Walden?" Lucas nodded. "Yeah, I saw him drive back into town. Any idea what he wants this time?"

Lucas shook his head. "Though whatever it is, I think it's safe to say Hope Valley will be better off without him."

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Nathan looked down at Jack. "Hey, nice drawing there. Is that a dog?"

Jack nodded, but kept his focus on his picture.

"Nathan, I'm not too familiar with the law when it comes to matters like this, but do I have any ability to keep Walden out of the hotel and saloon? He was on his way to book a room and frankly, I don't want his business."

"I honestly don't know. If he does something I can arrest him for, I'll be glad to do it but as far as whether or not you can refuse service, I'd have to ask Bill."

Lucas nodded and then watched Jack some more.

It didn't go unnoticed to Nathan how Lucas gazed at the boy. It wasn't that long ago that Nathan had so hoped to be in the position Lucas found himself in in regards to Elizabeth and Jack. Looking at him now, he couldn't deny Lucas' heart.

"Tell you what, I'll talk to Bill and let you know what your options are. In the meantime, you let me worry about Walden. You just keep focusing on this rascal."

Lucas smiled and accepted the hand Nathan offered. "I will, thank you."

"Don't mention it."

….

Elizabeth stood outside the door of the school, bidding her students a good evening. Allie tried to hurry her way out the doors on the opposite side of the frame.

"Allie, would you mind waiting one moment?" Elizabeth asked sweetly.

"Um, sure. But then I've gotta go to the mercantile to help Mrs. Blakey. I mean, Mrs. Yost."

"Alright then, I'll make it quick. Just one moment."

Once everyone was on their way, Elizabeth and Allie went back inside, taking seats in the back row closest to the stove.

"Did I do something wrong?" Allie asked nervously.

"Do you think you've done something wrong?" Elizabeth retorted with a smile.

"No, but I don't know why you wanted to see me." Allie looked down, playing with the blue knitted mittens she held in her hands. "I'm not really your problem."

"Oh, Allie, I'm so sorry you feel that way. It's not true. I care deeply for you, and all our students."

"Yeah, I know." She sighed. "I guess, I don't know. I wanted more, you know?"

"I do. I'm sorry we didn't protect you enough from the consequences of all that transpired between your Uncle and I."

"I'm not mad at you or Uncle Nathan. I guess I was just looking forward to having a woman to talk to, you know? Uncle Nathan's great at a lot of things but girl problems are not one of them!"

"I see," Elizabeth chuckled. She covered Allie's hands with hers. "As long as it's alright with your Uncle, you can always come to me. Big or small. There's always Mrs. Yost, and Mrs. Coulter too."

"I don't know," Allie laughed. Her smile finally made it's beautiful appearance. "Something tells me Mrs. Coulter and I are VERY different people."

"True," Elizabeth laughed. "But she does tend to have unique perspectives. Tell you what, ask your Uncle if you and I can go for a ride together soon. You can talk my ear off about anything you want."

"Even," Allie looked around nervously. " T?" she spelled out.

"Yes, even him."

"And Mr. Bouchard won't mind?" Allie said with a hint of sarcasm and a smirk.

"No, I think he will be just fine. He worries about you too, you know."

"Yeah, I guess he's not so bad."

"No," Elizabeth laughed. "He's not at all."

….

With the sun having set across the valley, Elizabeth and Lucas enjoyed what had become a routine for them. After making sure all was well at the saloon, Lucas joined Elizabeth and Jack at the rowhouse for dinner. Some nights, he'd even try to help in the kitchen. Though he wasn't convinced his efforts did much besides cause a bigger mess. Which he would clean up after.

Once dinner was over and the kitchen cleaned, they'd snuggle on the couch, little Jack between them or on Elizabeth's lap, and enjoy a good book.

Jack was accustomed to sitting still at the end of a long day and listening to his mother's soft voice. It added greatly to his amusement listening to Lucas read aloud as well.

Tonight's book was Treasure Island, a childhood favorite of Lucas', sent by his mother. Jack reclined back against his mother's chest, felt puppy and blanket in hand. He giggled with delight every time Lucas made his best pirate voice. When the chapter was over, Lucas placed the book on the table and glanced over at the little boy.

"Is he out?" Elizabeth asked with a whisper.

"He is. Do you think I bored him to sleep?"

"Hardly. It's more likely you tired him out with all your fun today."

"It was a great day. What would you think of me taking a day or so each week to spend with Jack?"

Elizabeth's eyes glistened as a few tears began to form.

"You'd like that?"

"I'd love it. If it's alright with you, of course."

"It is," she whispered. Her heart flowed with deep enduring love for this man. "Let me tuck Jack into bed and we can have some time, just the two of us."

Lucas nodded, then kissed the sleeping boy on the head. As Elizabeth stood and made her way to the stairs, Lucas watched, taking in every bit of her beauty. He was a lucky man and he knew it.

There was a soft knock on the door. Lucas stood to answer.

"Hi," Nathan said somewhat awkwardly. "I saw your car out front so I figured I'd um, stop by to tell you what I learned from Bill."

"Of course. Would you care to come inside?"

"You know, I think I'll stay outside."

Lucas nodded. He hoped one day they could more easily converse, but it would take time.

"So according to Bill, unless Wyman Walden breaks a law or causes a disturbance of some kind at the saloon, he is entitled to service. Does he pay his tab and room fees in a timely manner?"

"Yes, in fact he usually pays upfront."

"Figures." Both men sighed. "I'll keep an eye on him. And let me know if the Pinkertons show up. They seem to be tied to whatever Walden's agenda is."

"Of course. Thank you, Nathan."

"Yeah. Don't mention it."

Just as Lucas turned to go back inside, he noticed the curtains in the front window of Lee and Rosemary's house move as a figure disappeared into the dark house.

"What do you suppose she's up to?" Nathan said with a laugh.

"I'm learning that when it comes to Rosemary, you never can tell. Let's just say I won't be surprised if Wyman Walden and the Pinkertons are front page news this week."

"That paper," Nathan shook his head. "Have a good night."

"You too." Lucas turned back to go inside, but first called out, "Goodnight, Rosemary."

"Night, Lucas," her faint voice called from the closed window.

Back inside, Elizabeth stood in front of the stove waiting for the kettle to heat.

"Where'd you go?" she asked.

"Nathan was here. He was looking into something for me in regards to Mr. Walden."

"I heard that man was back. What does he want now?"

"Not sure. Come here." He reached out his hand which she gladly took, then allowed herself to be pulled into his strong embrace.

"I thought of you today."

"Did you now?" she flirted. "How so?"

"I thought about doing this…" he leaned in, kissing the right side of her neck. "And this…" He kissed her left cheek.

"Anything else?" she asked, breathless. But before he could answer, Elizabeth covered his lips with hers.

There they stood, getting lost in their new love and affection. Without breaking their connection, Lucas reached behind Elizabeth to turn off the burner beneath the kettle.

Finally out of breath, they stood with their foreheads together.

"I'm deeply, and madly in love with you," Lucas whispered against her lips.

"How serendipitous, I'm madly, and deeply in love with you."

Lucas kissed her breathless yet again then pulled back, holding her hand. "I should be going. Before the neighbors worry I'm taking advantage."

"By neighbors, do you mean Rosemary?"

"Mostly, yes." They laughed. "See you tomorrow?"

"I look forward to it."

He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly.

"Goodnight, my love."

The house felt empty the moment the door shut behind him. Elizabeth made herself a cup of tea and then made her way to her bed. Every day she spent with Lucas, the more she wanted to promise a lifetime to each other. Time would tell, but for now, the future held as much promise as the stars in the sky.