"Sorry for the delay in the next chapter, had some long days and didn't have time to write the next one. I hope you enjoy this one. I'm also moving this week so not sure when I can get the next one up.
Allie watched Nathan's face as he read the letter over again. She was trying to figure out what he was thinking. She hadn't seen this expression on his face before. Was it good news? Bad news? He just finished reading it and set it down on his desk, he tilted his head eyes gazing out the window deep in thought. "What is it Dad?" Allie asked concern sounding from her voice. Her green eyes searching for answers. Nathan snapped out of thoughts, he knew he had to tell Allie but he didn't know how she would react to the news. Last year he got a promotion span class="Apple-converted-space" /span(which he turned down) and Allie was very upset at the thought of leaving Hope Valley. He decided he should tell her now and not delay. "It's from the Mounties headquarters. I just received a new posting at Bragg Creek." Nathan span class="Apple-converted-space" /spanwatched her face closely hoping to pick up on her feelings and thoughts. "Wow, that's good right? I think that change would be nice. Yeah, I'm going to miss all my friends. But isn't Bragg Creek bigger than Hope Valley?" Nathan was glad to hear that Allie was up for some change because he definitely knew that he could use it. "Umm yeah it's a tad bit bigger but not as big as Union City." Allie nodded slightly "When do we have to leave?" She questioned. Nathan cleared his throat. "By the new year. But we can stay for Christmas if you want." The last part Nathan decided to add because he wasn't sure just how Allie would react to that news since the new year was fast approaching. They had just celebrated Thanksgiving and Nathan knew that Allie always looks forward to Christmas. Before Allie could give an answer Fiona came running in.
"Constable! You are needed at the saloon, a fight broke out." Nathan stood up quickly and grabbed his Stetson. He gave Allie a hug on way out and said "We'll finish talking about this tonight." Nathan was glad to have some work to do but the saloon was the last place he wanted to be right now. Nathan entered the saloon and was surprised to find it in shambles. Tables were turned chairs were flipped. Bottles were broken glass askew and the whole place smelled like beer. For how big of a mess there was Nathan was surprised to find it so quiet now. Jesse sat up from the ground he looked like he had been roughed up, his shirt was torn on his left shoulder down to his elbow. And he had a pretty nasty looking gash on his head. Jesse groaned and rubbed his head. Nathan quickly made his way over to him. "Jesse, what happened?" Nathan grabbed his a cloth napkin on a table and held it on Jesse's head. "Ouch!" Jesses pulled back his head as Nathan applies a small pressure to his wound. "It all happened so fast, Mike and I were just playing a game of cards when 3 men came in and were asking a bunch of questions. Mike and I just kept playing. And then all of sudden they were breaking bottles and turning over tables and chairs, Mike and I stepped in and well here we are." Mike sat up looking very groggy. "What happened?" Nathan went over to check on Mike. "I think we better get you guys over to the infirmary." Nathan helped Mike up and walked them over to the infirmary. "Jesse, I have one more question for you. Have you seen the 3 men in town before today?" Nathan asked. Jesse thought about it. "No I haven't seen them in town before, but I had heard that we had Pinkertons coming." Nathan's clenched his jaw. "It was the pinkertons? Can you give a description of any of them?" Nathan turned to Jesse waiting for his answer. "Well... one of them was for sure a Pinkerton I don't know about the others. They were all tall dark hair guys nothing really stood out to me... except their fists." "Thanks Jesse, hope you and Mike feel better soon. I'll go get Clara for you." Nathan started walking over to the cafe to go get Clara. Then he knew he had some more investigating to do, which would include questioning Lucas which he was not prepared for.