Robert Wolf waited outside of the Jack Thornton School House for Allie Grant to take her lunch-time break, eager to talk to her about the job he had just signed on for at the new textile factory being constructed at the end of town. At seventeen years of age, Robert knew he would soon be out on his own and felt he needed a more lucrative and 'manly' occupation than that of being Mrs. Thornton's babysitter. Since the awkwardness between her adopted father, Nathan, and Elizabeth Thornton had largely subsided and he knew that Allie was looking for ways to make additional money since Christmas was coming, he thought he would let her know that the position would soon be open. At least, that was his excuse. In reality, he hadn't had a chance to talk to her in two or three days and needed a reason to give her his gift.

At precisely eleven-thirty the school bell rang and within seconds children of various ages came streaming out of the school. Soon, Allie exited with Emily Montgomery, Anna Hayford and Angela Canfield and the four girls made their way out towards a bench at the side of the school. Robert made a 'psst' sound from the back of the school, capturing their attention. Allie smiled and said something to Emily then left their company to go see what he wanted.

"Hi, Robert! Fancy seeing you here today." she said. "I thought' you'd be watching little Jack."

Robert smiled and ducked his head. "No. Laura Campbell stopped by and talked to Mrs. Thornton and she had the time so Mrs. Thornton gave me the day off."

"Oh, I see."

He looked down. "Say, speaking of missing someone, I missed you at church yesterday. I hope all is well."

"Yes, everything is fine. Truthfully, uncle Nathan had to go check on something someone had reported and I kind of overslept."

"Ah. Well, I'm glad you weren't sick or anything. I um, also wanted to let you know that I got a new job."

Allie raised her eyebrows. "Really? You're not going to babysit little Jack anymore? Does Mrs. Thornton know?"

"Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first. I knew you have been looking for ways to make a little extra money."

Allie shut her mouth and lowered her chin. "Uh…thanks. But, the Yosts have agreed to increase my hours and I don't know…I sort of feel funny being there."

Robert looked over at her as they walked. "Oh. I thought things got better there."

"They did. Mr. Bouchard and uncle Nathan get along okay and he sees Mrs. Thornton all the time because of the school. So, everyone's on speaking terms and everything. But it's still hard for uncle Nathan to be around them when they're together – not that he resents them being happy, but because I'm growing up and he wants a family of his own someday."

Robert paused for a moment. "I see. Well, I guess that makes sense. I know he and Dr. Carter seemed to be friendly there for a while."

Allie shook her head. "They're just friends. She was good to be around when Mr. Bouchard and Mrs. Thornton really started getting serious. I think they brought each other some comfort since Dr. Shepherd left around the same time."

"Well, I hope that he finds someone some time soon. Constable Grant is a really fine man and he deserves to be happy."

She smiled. "I agree. Is that all you came out here to talk to me about?"

Robert tilted his head and rubbed his hands on his pant leg. "Actually. No. It's not. I…" he reached into his pocket and retrieved the hair comb which by this point in time he had wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper adorned with vibrant red roses and bits of gold leaf. "I was at the mercantile today and I saw something that I thought maybe you would like." He said, handing her the package.

Allie looked surprised. "For me?" she said as a huge grin appeared on her face. Taking the package, she quickly unwrapped it and pulled out the comb. "It's…it's lovely! Thank you, Robert!" she gushed, handing him the wrapping paper so that she could remove the ribbon that was holding back her hair and replace it with the comb. Robert swallowed as her long locks came tumbling down and made himself busy folding the paper and placing it in his pocket. When he looked up again she had the hair comb placed neatly in her hair and the sweetest smile on her face. "How do you like it?" she asked.

Robert smiled shyly. "It looks really pretty. I'm…I'm glad you like it."

"Oh, I do." She replied. "It's…"

Just then, the school bell rang and Mrs. Thornton called all of the children back inside from their break. Allie turned to Robert. "Oh…I'm sorry. I have to go now."

"That's okay. We can talk more later." Robert said taking a step backward and watching her move toward the building.

Allie smiled and walked a few steps then turned around. "Say, Robert…"

"Yes?"

"If you're not busy after school, maybe you can stop by and walk me home?"

Robert's heart skipped a beat. "Really? I…I mean, sure. I can do that."

Allie smiled. "See you then."

Robert tripped over a rock as he walked backwards watching her as she returned to the school house. He was thankful she didn't see.

Back in town, Nathan Grant entered the saloon just as Lucas and town mayor, Lee Coulter, were discussing a variance that Lucas wanted to apply for in order to expand drilling at Gowen Petroleum. For well over a year, the company had barely met payroll but with Mike Hickam managing the asset had finally gained enough revenue that they could drill in another spot, as Lucas knew they must if they were ever to become profitable. The two men were just wrapping up their conversation when the constable entered the room.

"Speaking of trouble." Lee joked. "Wonder what kind the town constable is bringing with him."

Nathan smiled slightly as he approached the men where they were sitting. "The kind we unfortunately don't want in our area. We've got trouble in the area and I'm just warning the business owners so they can be on the lookout."

"What kind of trouble?" Lucas asked, curiously.

Nathan handed him some paperwork he had received from headquarters. "Bootleggers – or at least that's what they were when they crossed over the border. Headquarters thinks they have upped their game. Guy named Davey Tyler is their leader and if you see him, he's generally accompanied by a very tall man, about six-eight, six-nine."

"They were just around here yesterday." Lee said. "Saw them stop by the mercantile."

"Did you see which way they went?" Nathan asked.

"Yes. They left took the road past the Blacksmith's. Seemed to be heading into the woods."

"Okay. That's good to know. How about you, Bouchard? Have you seen anything?"

Lucas shook his head. "No. I believe I'd remember if a six-foot eight man were in this establishment. However, I was out for a bit yesterday and this morning. I can inquire of Gustave to see if he saw or heard anything."

"I would appreciate that." He said. "I have a bad feeling about these guys. Can't put my finger on it. But the quicker we get rid of them the better."

Lucas nodded. "I'll let you know right away if they cross my path."

"Thank you, Lucas."

Having returned from the mercantile, Rosemary Coulter spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon busy at work constructing the next edition of The Valley Voice. She had made a phone-call to a journalist she had met at a conference earlier in the year in Edmonton and that individual had put her in contact with a friend of hers, Charles Booth, who worked for the New York Post. Requesting a call back, Rosemary had explained to the receptionist that she was looking for information on a J. Morgan Hiatt as this person had recently had some connections inside of Hope Valley. Booth quickly called Rosemary back when he got the message.

"Valley Voice." She said, answering the call.

"Yes, my name is Charles Booth. I work for the New York Post and would like to speak with your editor in chief."

"This is she." Rosemary said. "I'm Rosemary Coulter."

"Ah, Mrs. Coulter. Charles Booth. I was told by the front desk that you were interested in a J. Morgan Hiatt."

"Yes. That's correct. Have you heard of him?"

"Her." Booth replied.

"Excuse me?"
"J. Morgan Hiatt is the estranged daughter of a gun manufacturer in Belmont by the name of Henry Hiatt and she's what we would say around here is bad news. She took off a couple of years with a gangster named Gyp Lombardi who used to work for her father. Lombardi took part in a string of bank robberies and it was thought, but never proven, that Morgan could have been involved. You may have heard of the one in Rochester? The bank manager was killed."

"Oh, my! I do remember hearing something about that." Rosemary said. "When were they last seen?"

"About six to eight months ago. Authorities wired that they were in Chicago and heading west. Are you saying that they are in your parts?"

"I have information that says they may be." Rosemary replied. "But don't print anything just yet. I'm sure our Constable Grant will want to check it out and verify that it's them."

"You'll let me know if they find them?" he asked.

"Absolutely. You'll be the first one to know – after, of course, the Voice breaks the story."

"Of course."

"Okay, children. For homework, I need you to read the next two chapters. There will be quiz over what you have read tomorrow. Class dismissed." Elizabeth Thornton said to her students at the end of their school day. Over the last year she had witnessed some growth in the size of her class but not the hundred that the Board of Education and Mr. Landis had predicted, so thus far, she had been able to stave off the advances towards her school and her education of a blind student. But this was mainly due to a delay in construction on the new factory at the edge of town which promised to bring many families to Hope Valley. Lucas had spent a good deal of time and money working with various business contacts and had secured the services of an excellent attorney, Shelby Blakemore, to advocate for Elizabeth and the school should it come down to it. But for now, things were peaceful as the threat had been kept at bay.

As the students filed out of the building, Elizabeth was surprised when she turned around from cleaning the chalk board and discovered Allie had stayed behind.

"Oh! I didn't know you were still here." She said. "Did you need something, Allie?"

Allie bit the corner of her lower lip and slowly approached her teacher's desk. "Um…yeah, sort of. I…I wanted to ask you a question."

Elizabeth took a seat at her desk noting the seriousness in Allie's tone. "Certain. What did you want to ask me?"

Allie sat down in the very front row and turned around, looking to the back of the room to make sure that the two of them would not be overheard. Satisfied that they were alone, she continued. "Um…I had some questions about, um…about…"

"Yes?"

"About boys." She finally, said.

Elizabeth swallowed, not having anticipated that this would be the nature of Allie's chat. "Okay. What about them?"

"Well, I don't really feel comfortable talking to uncle Nathan about this because he's a…you know, a man…but, because you're a girl…I was wondering…if you know a guy likes you and you like that guy and that guy wants to spend time with you…how should you behave when you're around him… I mean… what kinds of things are…um…appropriate behavior."

Elizabeth bit down slightly on her lower lip and folded her hands in front of her, happy that Allie felt comfortable enough with her to have such a conversation but nervous at the same time as she was not the girl's parent or guardian.

"Well, Allie. I think that's a normal and good thing that you're asking about, particularly as you're getting older and going from being a girl to becoming a young woman. No doubt you have seen your body is changing and you're probably feeling a little confused by some of the things you're feeling."

Allie shook her head affirmatively. "You've got that right!"

Elizabeth smiled. "Well, I think the thing you need to know right now is that as much change as you see in yourself – the same is happening in boys around your age and it can make them feel things and express things in ways that are not really…appropriate. At least not in this context."

"Context?"

"Yes. Outside of, you know…marriage."

"I see. How do you know when a guy is the guy you want to marry?" Allie asked. "And how do you act in the meantime?"

"Well, you're not going to like this answer but the only thing I can say is – you'll know. When he's the right man for you, you will know. But Allie, right now, you're fifteen years old and I would say that if there is a boy that you like who you think likes you, just take time to get to know him as a person. You don't have to be or act or do anything differently than you do normally. Behave like you do today – like the sweet young lady you are and find out what kinds of things you might have in common and whether or not you are compatible. You may find he does things that you just can't deal with."

"Like?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Oh, I don't know – chew his fingernails and spit the pieces all over the place."

"Ewww!"

"Yes. I had a friend, who was a boy, when I was about your age in Hamilton that did that. Needless to say, he was not the one."

Allie giggled.

"Or, he may want to rush you and not respect your boundaries and he may want to do things before you're ready."

"Like kiss?" she asked.

"Yes, he may want to kiss you. But you really are a part of that decision and in terms of physical affection, I would advise you to go very slow. You have all the time in the world for that kind of thing later on and there is so much more to relationships than physical love. Truthfully, at your age it's probably the least important thing. If he's the quality of a man you want for him to be, he'll be willing to wait. Does that make sense?"

Allie smiled shyly. "Yeah. It does. Just be myself and don't worry about doing anything else."

"That's right. Just be yourself." Elizabeth replied.

"Thank you, Mrs. Thornton. You've been a big help."

"I'm here any time, Allie."

Allie stood up and walked through the schoolhouse entrance and down the stairs. Looking around, she spotted Robert at the edge of the road waiting patiently for her to arrive. She smiled and joined him and the two began walking back toward town.

"Were you talking to Mrs. Thornton? I was afraid you had forgotten me." Robert said.

Allie shook her head. "Yeah. We were discussing, you know…girl things. How was your day?"

Robert stood a little taller. "It was good. I don't often take a day off but I began at the Mercantile and then saw you at lunchtime then I delivered some mail to Mrs. Coulter. She wasn't in, so I took a walk and just enjoyed the day."

She glanced at him. "So, you like taking walks and being outdoors?"

"Love it." He replied. "And, at fall time the colors are so beautiful in all of the trees."

"I love fall time too. For the same reason." She replied as they continued to walk toward the edge of town.

.

A few minutes later she stopped.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"No. Nothing's wrong. I was just enjoying the walk so much…I mean, the weather is so nice it'd be a shame not to enjoy it…"

He looked confused. "Yes. It would."

"Want to take the long way home and take a walk through the woods?"

Robert considered it for a moment then shook his head. "Sure. We could do that. Lead the way?"

After hanging up the phone, Rosemary Coulter made her way over to Constable Grant who was busy talking with headquarters about Tyler. Seemed that a town about twenty miles away had apprehended Davey for getting into a fight but let him go before they realized who he was. How much trouble he could have avoided if they had only done their job, he thought. Hanging up the phone, he looked up at Rosemary who appeared anxious to speak with him.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Coulter. How can I help you?"

Rosemary walked up to him and pulled out her notebook.

"Well, I'm coming because I may have a tip as to some criminals who could be in the area."

Nathan sat up in his seat. "Criminals?"

"Yes. Bank robbers." She said. "I can't divulge my sources, but I have information that a J. Morgan Hiatt received a heavy package this week here in Hope Valley."

"Who?"

"J. Morgan Hiatt. She is the daughter of a wealthy gun manufacturer in New York who ran away with a gangster named…Gyp Lombardi. Have you heard of him?"

Nathan thought. "Isn't he a bank robber?"

"Yes. Robbed a bank in Rochester and killed the manager. Anyway, with such a noted criminal possibly being around, I thought you might like to know."

Nathan stood. "Yes. I most certainly do. Thank you."

"Anything to help law enforcement!" she replied with a smile. "Now, I have to return to my labors or there won't be a Valley Voice this week. Give Allie my regards."

Nathan furrowed his brow wondering what she had to do with Allie but just nodded his head.

So, the Tyler gang and notorious bank robbers were both reported to be in the area at the same time? It was too much to be a coincidence. He needed to speak with Bill Avery.

The woods near Hope Valley were known to be both beautiful and dangerous. With one wrong turn a person could fall into a gulley or find oneself lost – that's why unless you were very familiar with the terrain, it was advised that people avoid them – especially children. Thankfully, Allie had a tendency to wander out into the woods a lot and knew the basics of where she was; however, rather than go her normal route home, she decided to prolong her time with Robert and take them just a little further out of the way. Making a left instead of a right at a specific turn the two felt the temperature drop a bit as they went deeper into the trees.

"Are you sure we are on the right path?" Robert asked, becoming a little concerned as the forest became darker.

"Yeah. We're fine." She replied. "Don't worry. I know exactly where we are."

A few minutes later, she wasn't quite as sure and she stopped, looking left and then right. Robert looked at her wide-eyed. "Still know where we are?"

This time, she hesitated only slightly, taking hold of his arm and then motioning with her head. "To the right. I think."

Robert swallowed and the two continued to walk. About five minutes later they could hear the sound of a road nearby and knew they had to be close to town. Robert appeared visibly relieved while Allie fluffed it off as if she knew where they were all along. They travelled toward the sound. About five hundred feet from the edge of the woods, however, they both heard the sound of a door shutting in the woods. Stopping Allie looked through the trees and spotted a makeshift shack a little deeper into the woods at the edge of town.

"What on earth is that?" she asked.

Robert shrugged then looked befuddled as Allie began moving toward the shack.

"Allie?" he said.

"Come on. Let's check it out." She replied.

Against his better judgment, Robert followed her and soon found himself on the side of the shack looking at the inside through a crack. Two men were inside working with some sort of a machine.

"What is it?" Allie asked.

Robert squinted. "I don't know. Kinda looks like Mrs. Coulter's printing press."

"Out in the woods? What on earth would they be printing?" she asked, leaning forward then suddenly losing her footing and falling into the side of the shack.

"What the heck was that?" one of the men inside said having heard the thump.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." The other replied.

Robert's eyes grew wide and he pulled Allie up by the hand. "Come on! Let's get out of here!"

The two took off running as one of the men came around the corner and spotted them. "Kids! Get back here!" He began to run after them. Joining him a few seconds later was a very tall man who outpaced him. Robert deliberately turned to the left and directed Allie toward the right, toward town.

"Let's split up. Call the Constable. Get help!"

He looked behind him seeing the tall man catching up. The other man continued chasing Allie toward the edge and out of the woods which was the last thing Robert saw before a giant hand overcame him, knocking him to the ground and then picking him up, carrying him back to the shack.

Allie glanced behind her and ran as fast as she could towards the saloon which was the first building she came upon. Bounding through the doors, she immediately ran behind the bar and wrapped her arms around the waist of a startled Lucas Bouchard who was taking inventory in his completely empty saloon.

"Allie? What is it?"

"He's after me! He's after me! And, they've got Robert!" she cried.

"Who's…?" but before he could say another word, the bandit came barreling into the room.

"Where is she?" he asked.

Lucas placed a hand behind him, attempting to keep Allie hidden. "Where is who? Are you looking for someone specific?"

"The girl." The man said. "I saw her come in here, so don't think you're going to get by with hiding her."

He pulled out a pistol and Allie whimpered when she heard him pull back the hammer.

Lucas began moving slightly toward the bar to where he had a gun hidden and motioned with his other hand for her to get down on the floor.

"Stop right there!" the bandit said. "Both hands where I can see them. And don't do anything stupid."

Lucas slowly raised both of his hands up into the air as the bandit began to move toward the bar in order to see if that was Allie's hiding place. Lucas's heart began to race the closer he got and he thought if he could only get to his gun. He needed a diversion. The flicker of a kerosene lamp caught his eye when the man was about five feet away and in a split-second he made the decision that this was their only hope. Lucas dropped his arms and swept the lantern across the top of the bar, shattering it on the floor in front of the man. The man discharged his weapon even as fire engulfed his leg. The searing heat of a bullet penetrated Lucas's jacket and lodged into his shoulder.

Allie screamed.

Lucas grabbed onto his shoulder and immediately retrieved his gun. "Allie, run! Out the back door!" he ordered. She stood up and began to run.

Gustave appeared at the kitchen door. "Monsieur Bouchard!"

Lucas looked over at Gustave "Get her out of here!" he cried even as another bullet came his way, narrowly missing him.

Gustave and Allie ran away.

Outside the saloon, Jesse Flynn was passing by and heard the sound of gunfire. Seconds later, Bill and Nathan heard his voice as he ran toward Bill's office.

"Help! Nathan! Judge Avery!" he cried, running into the room.

Both men stood. "What is it?" Bill asked.

"Just heard gunfire at the saloon and there's smoke. I think it's on fire."

Grabbing his gun, Bill and Nathan ran towards the saloon but were stopped when a hysterical Allie ran into her father's arms.

"Daddy! He shot Mr. Bouchard! He shot Mr. Bouchard!"

Nathan and Bill looked at one another and he asked Jesse, who by now had been joined by Clara, to watch over Allie while they went inside.

A little further down the street, Elizabeth was visiting with Rosemary when they heard the voice of someone outside say the words, "The saloon's on fire!"

Elizabeth gasped. "Lucas!" Before Rosemary could say another word, she ran toward the saloon.

Entering the building, Nathan and Bill were greeted by a sight they would never forget. With a structure made wholly of wood, the interior of the building had gone up like kindling and a thick smoke choked the air. Aside from the sound of crackling, however, everything was extremely quiet.

Walking toward the bar, they first encountered the body of the bandit whom Lucas had shot in self-defense. Bill checked for a pulse and shook his head looking up toward Nathan.

Nathan began to look around.

"Bouchard? Lucas! Where are you?"

Walking a few feet further, he was horrified when he saw Lucas's unconscious body crumpled on the ground, pinned down by a fallen beam.

"Bill! Over here!" he yelled.

Bill shielded his face with the cloth of his shirt and bent over to check Lucas's pulse then shook his head.

"We've got to get him out of here."

As the fire spread even further the two men worked even as Elizabeth arrived outside. Seeing the building in flames she began to run toward the doors but was stopped when Lee Coulter grabbed hold of her from behind.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" he shouted. "Nathan and Bill are already in there. You have to stay out here. It's too dangerous."

A weeping Allie finally caught her attention when she ran up to Elizabeth and began to cry. "I'm so sorry! Mrs. Thornton! I'm so sorry! It's all my fault!"

Elizabeth's bewildered eyes looked down at the sobbing girl but she couldn't find the will to say a word. Instead, she watched as flames began to billow out of the windows of Lucas's office and she saw Ned and Gustave ushering the last of the hotel guests down the fire escape towards the back.

Moments later they appeared. Nathan and Bill came rushing out of the building holding Lucas, who appeared to her as if he were dead.

Elizabeth fell faint into Lee's arms.

Laying Lucas down on the ground, Nathan began to gently slap the side of Bouchard's face, trying to rouse him.

"Bouchard! Wake up! Lucas! Can you hear me?"

Weakly, Lucas opened his eyes a sliver and then tried to focus. "Allie? Is she safe?"

Nathan shook his head. "Yes. She's safe."

Lucas closed his eyes in relief.

"Stay with us, Lucas." the Mountie said, seeing Bouchard's countenance begin to relax.

"Elizabeth?" Lucas asked.

Nathan paused for a moment and took a deep breath then looked to the side and saw Lee and Rosemary tending to Elizabeth whom they had carried to a bench near the Mercantile.

"She's okay too." Bill replied. "Just worry about yourself. Everyone else is okay."

Lucas did not respond.

Immediately, Dr. Faith Carter arrived at the scene and assessed his condition. Seeing his bleeding shoulder and mangled left leg she took a scarf off from around her neck and tied it around his thigh letting it act as a tourniquet.

"Get him over to the infirmary. I have to get his bleeding to stop." she said. "He's going into shock."

Meanwhile, Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked tearfully up at Rosemary, crying. "Not again, please…tell me, not again."

Rosemary held her hand and shook her head. "Lucas is going to be okay, Elizabeth. Just pray. He's going to be okay. He has to be."