Chapter 9 Who is Wyman Walden?

"Mr. Walden, it's a pleasure. Please let's go to my office." The gentlemen shook hands.

They walked in and Lucas offered him a drink which he gladly accepted. Then he closed the door behind him and motioned to Gustav not to be disturbed.

"Lucas, I must say you have taken longer to think about my offer than I had expected."

"I had been very busy this week and have not had a chance to meet with you. I have thought about your offer and although it is a more than fair price for the saloon I am going to respectfully decline. Hope Valley is my home. These people are my family." He told him.

"That seems like a very sentimental reason for a businessman like yourself who has been more than eager to buy businesses and sell quickly just to move on to the next adventure." Walden's mouth turned upward.

"Well, well, well, Mr. Walden. I see you have been checking up on me. Not a bad idea when you are going to do business with someone. I only hope you are not trying to use this information to stiff arm me into selling. I am a businessman too, remember. I had some very important people check up on you too. Let me just say I find some of what they told me to be a bit disturbing."

"Would you be tempted then to invest in the incoming railroad?" Walden asked.

"Intriguing! Do go on. Think of how much more revenue, you could help bring to the town by bringing the railroad closer to town. It would completely benefit your oil company and make shipments faster and easier saving you on freight and increasing your revenue." Walden told him.

"I am not sure that Hope Valley is ready for that kind of change. One of the perks to living here is the slower life. It has a peaceful nature about it making it a perfect place to settle down. Bringing the railroad here will cause panic and expansion. Yes while it would bring revenue, it would also change the atmosphere of the community, which is one of Hope Valley's perks. If you would like to leave me your proposal, I would be more than happy to look it over and let you know at a later time."

"I will leave it with you. So you have definitely set your sights on staying here hugh? Walden scoffed.

"I have, this is my home now, and my moving days are over. I have outgrown that life. It is time for a new adventure. I want an adventure that includes something much deeper." Lucas replied.

Walden laid the proposal on the desk and Lucas saw him to the door. Escorting him out Lucas shut the door behind him. He had seen many men like Walden in his business travels and new exactly what he was up to. He was not the only one that had powerful people in his corner. Lucas had been in situations like this before. So the feeling of being bullied didn't bother him. Lucas never went into any new business without first consulting his father. He picked up the phone and called his parents. The click sounded from the other end.

"Lucas is that you?" Helen said.

"Yes, mother! Is father around?"

"Actually he is. Hold on just a moment. Jonathan your son is on the phone."

"Lucas, Son how are you doing?"

"I am great father! I was wondering if you and mother could clear your schedules and come to Hope Valley for awhile. You can stay with me while you're here and use my home office. There is a phone for you to take care of any business matters you may have. Some big things are coming to Hope Valley and I am uncertain about the changes. It would be great to get your take on the matter."

"I think we can manage that. It would be great to spend some time with my only son. I think I can clear things up and we should be able to be there in a couple of weeks."

"Great, I will see you then. Give mother my love!"

It was late but Lucas wanted to talk with Elizabeth. He knew Julie would be there and he didn't want to deal with her this evening. He finished his drink, put on his coat and headed for her house. He softly knocked on the door waiting for an answer. She opened surprised to see him.

"Lucas! Do you want to come in?"

"Actually, No! I was hoping with Julie here you would go with me to the library to talk?"

"It's late, give me a minute to change and tell Julie where I am going.

Lucas helped Elizabeth into her coat and took her arm as he led her over to the library. He opened the door for her and escorted her inside locking the door behind them. He wrapped his arms around her and slowly made his way to her neck. Slowly he began moving his way to her lips. The heat was rising to her face. He had such an affect on her. It was impossible for her to resist him. She thought of him as dangerous when they were alone together. The thought excited her, but terrified her all at the same time.

"Lucas what are you doing?"

"I have wanted to be alone with you all day!" He whispered as he continued his assault on her neck and her lips.

"I am not sure us being alone is a good thing." She laughed.

He pulled back to get control of his breathing. He knew he had reached his limit of affection.

"Please have a seat. I wanted to let you know that I told Walden, I was not selling the saloon and this is my home. I also wanted to let you know that they are looking to bring the railroad here to Hope valley and want me to invest in the railroad."

"Lucas that would change the whole dynamic of Hope Valley!"

"I know this Elizabeth! I have asked my parents to come here. They will be here in a couple of weeks. I am not sure about Walden's motives and if any one can get to the bottom of it, my father can!"

"How nice your parents are coming!" She said excitedly.

"Yes, it has been awhile since I have seen my father. Five years to be exact. We have spoken on the phone, but it is not the same. I am hoping they will stay until after the holidays. I have some big plans for this Christmas and what are families to share in those plans!"

"Lucas, thank you for talking this through with me. Will you be at church tomorrow?"

"I will and since we both have to get up early, I should get you home." He walked her back to her house to the door and pulled her in for a deep goodnight kiss.

"I long for the day when I will not have to leave you my love! Goodnight and sweet dreams!"

"I know exactly who will be in my dreams!" She laughed as she kissed him one more time.

"Touché!" He winked and headed back to town. He went up to his suite and fell asleep to thoughts of their sweet kisses.