Author's Note: Thank you again for such positive support. I love hearing your feedback and hope that you continue enjoying this story as it progresses. In answer to one review, yes 'part one' is now complete. We see a shift. And yes, Team Nathan there's some goodness for you up ahead. Stay tuned and let me know what you think! Janine. P.S. I cried as I wrote this chapter. It may just be because I hate goodbyes but we'll see if it hits you at all the same way. On to our story.
A weary Nathan Grant walked through the front door of his house an hour later than he told Allie he'd be home. It had been a busy day, busier than most, with the transfer of three prisoners to the Calgary Police and the transport of a fourth back and forth to Judge Avery's courtroom that afternoon. Two days earlier, Dr. Bernard Luison was arrested at Lucas Bouchard's home and today he stood in front the judge for a preliminary hearing. The charges were simple -willful endangerment, practicing medicine without a license, dispensing medication without a license, and practicing medicine while under the influence. And, unlike the marauders who were facing extradition to the United States, Luison's crimes were considered local. He would therefore face local justice.
Good luck getting an impartial jury. Nathan thought.
But the trial went quickly, much more quickly than anyone expected, as Luison plead guilty in exchange for transfer to a sanitarium in Vancouver where he could be treated for his own addiction before serving a sentence for everything he had done. Peter and Helen Bouchard stood watch on the side of the prosecution. Helen was mortified that her actions and blind loyalty to the family doctor had nearly cost Lucas his life and both Bouchards were eager to see justice for their son. But they were not vengeful. They only wanted to ensure that Luison never harmed another soul again. So, when Bill dismissed the case with the stipulation that his conviction would be laid bare before the American Board (a move that would surely revoke his licensure in the states), they were satisfied. The family had been through so much already. A protracted trial would do nothing to undo the damage done. And so, it was over.
Nathan took Luison back to the jail where he would be picked up in the morning and the strangest feeling overtook him. Lucas's parents didn't seem angry (probably too shaken to feel much of anything), but Nathan was. In the matter of a week the quiet burg of Hope Valley had been turned upside down and people he cared about had seen darkness descend on them like an avalanche – unexpected and so very destructive. It was his job to protect them, but in each and every case he felt helpless to do a thing while chaos reigned supreme. It all happened so fast and in such quick succession he had hardly had time to absorb the impact upon him personally.
Twice in one week he had almost lost his daughter. Twice she was rescued – once by Lucas and once by himself and a team of men. But it could have gone so much differently. He could be burying her rather than coming home to see her, one hour late. He had so much to be thankful for.
Taking off his serge, Nathan quietly hung it up and walked past the kitchen where Allie had prepared a simple dinner which had long gone cold. He smiled when he noticed the centerpiece at the table consisting of a 'bouquet' of autumn leaves tied together with one of her hairbows and flanked by two candles – her attempt to make their simple dinner a bit more elegant. She was growing up much too quickly.
Walking a little further, he arrived at her bedroom and knocked on the door only once before opening it a crack. She was awake and sitting on her bed. She appeared to be writing.
"Hey. I'm home. Sorry about dinner." He said, poking his head into the room.
Allie shrugged. "That's okay. I kind of didn't expect you home early anyway, with everything going on in town." Then, she said with dramatic flair. "I do have to say, though, you missed out on an ambrosial delight."
Nathan smirked. "Let me guess. Rosemary Coulter taught class again today?"
Allie smiled. "You've got it. I'm not really sure why she can't just say 'the food is good'. Seems like a waste of words. But yeah. She was filling in for Mrs. Thornton the first part of the day while Mrs. Thornton visited Mr. Bouchard."
"I see." Nathan said, pensively.
Allie recognized his shift in tone. Ever since Elizabeth confessed to Nathan that she 'loved him' but was 'not in love with him,' Allie had determined that keeping her uncle from reflecting too much on Lucas and Elizabeth's blossoming romance was one of her primary jobs. Her adoptive father was a good man who she knew in her heart would find a woman someday that was good for him that would love him unconditionally and without reservation. And, she hated to admit it but what applied to Lucas also applied to Nathan. Love would come. He just had to be patient. But tonight, she just needed to switch subjects.
"Did you get rid of the kidnappers?" Allie asked.
Nathan leaned against her doorframe and nodded. "Yes. Calgary Office sent a small contingent of Mounties to pick them up today. They are going to send them to the States."
"And no chance they will get out?" Allie asked with slight apprehension.
Nathan walked forward, sensing fear. "No chance at all." He replied. "With what they've done, they're each facing prison for life. You'll never see them again."
"Whew!" Allie said, breathing a sigh of relief.
Nathan looked down at her bed and saw that what he thought was homework was actually two drawings. One was of a man with dark hair, a beard and a suit. The other was of a man with curly brown hair dressed in a plaid shirt, suspenders and brown trousers. Though he knew immediately who they represented, Nathan was curious as to what she was doing.
"You drawing those for class?" he asked.
She looked up at him with her expressive brown eyes and appeared a little uncomfortable.
"No. They are thank you cards." She replied. "They are for Mr. Bouchard and for Robert, to thank them for saving my life."
Nathan nodded. "I'm sure they will like them very much. Maybe you can personally deliver them to Lucas and Robert in the next few days."
"Do you think Mr. Bouchard will be up to it?" she asked.
"Yes. I stopped by the infirmary a little earlier today and Lucas was awake and sitting up."
"Then I'll plan on doing so, before he leaves." She replied, not asking if he'd seen Mrs. Thornton. "He's always been nice to me. I hate that he got hurt so badly."
Nathan nodded. "It has been tough. But he will be okay. Lucas is strong and he has Elizabeth."
"Do you think Robert will like it?" she asked, quickly.
Nathan smiled softly. "I'm sure he will. And you don't have to keep doing that."
"Do what?"
"Change the subject when the subject of Lucas and Elizabeth comes up. I know what you're doing, but really, I'm okay. I'm happy she's happy and Lucas is a good man. Once he gets through this period, I know he'll love and take care of her which is all I really want."
"But I'm sure you still care." She replied.
Nathan paused, thinking back to conversation that he had with his daughter when he was teaching her how to ride a horse. "Yeah, a little." He echoed her words, but unlike Allie and Robert, he knew in his heart that his chances with Elizabeth were over and he'd truly made peace with that fact. "Hey, do you know what time it is?" he asked.
"Bed time?" she said, twisting her mouth to one side.
"Bed time. Morning comes early, kiddo. Better turn out the lights and get some sleep."
She picked up her cards and set them to the side then reached up and hugged Nathan around the neck, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Goodnight, unc…Dad." She said.
Nathan smiled. "Goodnight, Allie."
Helen and Peter Bouchard stood just outside the entrance to the infirmary door waiting for Dr. Carter to come get them. It was now the third day and while Lucas was sore, most of the drugs were now out of his system and he was fully aware of everything that was going. Accordingly, Faith decided to take that moment to do a full physical exam of her patient which entailed not only examination of his shoulder but an in depth probing of his damaged leg. She was livid when she heard that Luison had directed Lucas to walk on the stump and had done a cursory examination of his incision when he came in. Such activity would take weeks before it could be attempted and then only after special care and preparation. But now, she was getting an opportunity to look at it in depth to see how the leg was healing and since Lucas was awake and cognizant of what was going on, she was also going to be able to give him a full forecast of things to come.
"I'm going to roll the screen in front of you so you can undress." She said.
"Un-dress?" Lucas's mouth dropped open and his eyes grew wide. He looked to his parents for help.
"Is this really necessary?" Helen asked. "Being a woman…"
"Mrs. Bouchard." She interrupted. "In medical school we were shown every part of the human anatomy both inside and out. I can assure you that Lucas doesn't have anything I've not seen already."
"It's already seen and the fact of the matter still stands that he's a man and you're a woman and..."
Peter Bouchard stepped forward and moved Helen to his side. "Dr. Carter. What my wife is trying to say is that Lucas…he's a modest young man and, well…he's not injured anywhere but his shoulder and leg. I had to help him with his bath, so I can attest to that."
Lucas closed his eyes, covering his face with his hand in embarrassment.
Faith looked over at Lucas and it was all she could do not to laugh.
"Alright. I'll meet you half way." She said. "Disrobe from the waist up and roll up your pant leg. I'll be back in five minutes." She said.
Lucas looked at his father and sighed, giving the same heart-melting look he'd give as a child when he was relieved over something, then shooed the two of them out of the room while he obeyed his doctor.
A half our later, Faith Carter joined the Bouchards on the porch for what she thought was a private conversation. Molly Sullivan had returned to Hope Valley the day before and made her way into the infirmary to check on Lucas and catch up on what all had gone on. While there, she opened a window just a crack, as she was apt to do just to 'air out the infirmary'. Her thought was that it 'let out the germs.' Whether that was true or not was questionable but what was not questionable is that it allowed Lucas the opportunity to hear everything the doctor said.
"How is he?" Helen said, as she and Peter stood the moment Faith appeared.
"Better than I thought he'd be when he came in." she said. "Three days ago, I looked at his wound where Dr. Luison had him stand and saw some separation where his incision was. There was also some seepage. Since infections are very common in both a post-operative environment as well as due to rubbing and irritation with a prosthesis, I was fearful of what I was going to find when we removed his bandages today. Thankfully, the antiseptic that I used, a relatively new solution from a man named Henry Dakin, appears to have done its job."
"Thank goodness." Helen said. "But are you saying that once he heals, this may not be over? That there may be other surgeries to come?"
Faith nodded her head. "A large percentage of amputees have difficulties throughout their lives due to wounds not healing correctly or infection that develops later on. At times, a more extensive amputation becomes necessary which can be stressful not only on the patient but also on those around him. You and Elizabeth need to be prepared for the fact that the road ahead is not necessarily going to be an easy one. It may be filled with expensive surgeries and setbacks. But Lucas is strong and was healthy prior to this so I see no reason that with the proper care that he can't live a protective, full and happy life."
Lucas was very quiet the rest of the day as he digested what Faith had said and what that could mean for his future – particularly, his future with Elizabeth.
Lee, Rosemary and Elizabeth gathered together in the Coulter's house planning "A Hero's Sendoff" for Lucas, to take place in two days. Carson had explained that he would be away through the end of January which meant he would miss Christmas and New Years and little Jack's birthday as well. So, they pulled together and planned an event which would incorporate them all – an event to show Lucas Bouchard that not only was he loved but that he was considered a part of the Hope Valley family – and, everyone knew that Hope Valley citizens always took care of their family.
Keeping the party a surprise was the biggest challenge. After four days in the hospital Lucas was feeling a bit confined and was expressing some of that 'broodish' behavior that his father had warned Elizabeth about. He tried to keep it contained while she was around, knowing how hard it was for her to see him in that condition. But occasionally, he would snap at her over the way he was sitting or complain in an unfriendly manner that his leg was aching, or simply shut down and not want to speak at all. So, in order to boost his outlook, the Bouchards brought him his wheel chair and, with a blanket hiding his surgery, Faith let him spend several hours sitting out on the porch of the infirmary and watching Hope Valley traffic go back and forth. The warm autumn sunshine was just the salve his aching soul needed.
While he was sitting outside, various townspeople visited him. Florence and Ned stopped by and brought him some cookies to snack on and a warm pot of tea. They didn't understand when he explained to them that he'd probably never touch the stuff again, so they brought him a soda. Mike stopped by and talked to him a bit about the Oil business and mentioned that he'd received a letter from Henry saying that he would be visiting soon and would be bringing a surprise. After talking with Elizabeth, Lucas had a good idea of just what, or who, that surprise would be.
But the highlight of his day was when he was visited by Allie.
The moment the bell rang, she made her way out of the schoolhouse and walked straight into town, stopping for no one. She expected to see Bouchard laying in a hospital bed in the infirmary but when she saw him sitting in the sunshine looking healthy and dapper in his jacket, vest and tie, her mind was put greatly at ease. But, as she approached and saw the wheel chair, she felt a little unsure.
Walking slowly up to him, she noted that his eyes were closed as if he were taking a nap.
Perhaps I can just leave it in his lap and he'll find it when he wakes up. she thought.
Reaching forth an unsteady hand, she dropped the card onto his legs then stepped back when he jumped in surprise.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" she responded, pathetically. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
At the time, Nathan had just returned his horse to its stall and was walking back to his office when he heard Allie's voice. Lucas quickly assured her that he wasn't hurt at all but she had just surprised him.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Allie said, placing her hand over her heart. "I was afraid!"
"Don't be." Lucas said, sensing her nervousness. "What is this?" he asked, picking up the card.
"Oh. It's just a thank you card. A thank you for saving my life." She said.
Lucas opened it and was touched by her craftsmanship and the care she had taken in making the card. "Well, thank you." he said. "Did you make this?"
"Yeah." She said. "I know it isn't much given everything that happened to you. But, I wanted to do something. You've always been so kind to me. In truth, when Uncle Nath…when my dad and I came to Hope Valley, you were kind of my first friend."
Nathan tilted his head a little more as he listened.
"I was ten years old and had just come in off the train and my uncle Nathan, then he was uncle Nathan, he walked me to school. But I told him I wanted to go into the school myself and have my own private moment. He believed me and the minute he turned his back, I ran as fast as I could and went to enjoy the day. I saw a pond and went back into town to go get some thread to see if I could make a fishing pole out of a branch and when I did, uncle Nathan was standing right around the corner, so I ducked into the saloon."
"I remember." Lucas said. "You didn't want to go to school because you had trouble making friends."
"Right." She smiled. "And, you said that you had trouble making friends too when you were my age and that you were a bit of a loner. Do you remember that?"
"Yes. I do." He replied.
"Then, you said that you figured out a way you could make friends was to dazzle them and you taught me that card trick."
"Only after you insisted that I do so as a condition of you returning to school." He recalled.
"Which, by the way I didn't do that day." She said, guiltily.
"Allie Grant! Are you confessing to hoodwinking me?" he teased.
Nathan grinned as he recalled that day.
"Yeah, sort of. But don't worry. I got in trouble with uncle Nathan when he found out I skipped school."
Lucas smiled, "And I got into trouble with Mrs. Thornton when she found out that I was the one that had taught you the card trick."
"You did?" she asked, quizzically.
"Yes. She informed me in no uncertain terms that I was not allowed to council truant children any more and that if it happened again that I was to bring you back to school and allow her to handle it."
"Oh, gosh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to get you in trouble too." she said.
"That's alright." He replied. "Mrs. Thornton is rather adorable when she's angry."
Nathan ducked his head and left them to their conversation.
Crossing the street in front of where the saloon once stood, he was headed to his office when he ran into Lee Coulter who was standing next to Jesse and a couple of men having a rather involved conversation.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor." Nathan said to Lee.
"Hey, Nathan! You're just the man I wanted to see." He said.
"Sure. What do you need?" Nathan asked.
Lee leaned forward and looked toward the infirmary porch to make sure that Lucas wasn't watching then he put his hand on Nathan's shoulder and began walking with him toward the jail.
"Lucas is going to be going to Baltimore in a couple of days and several of the folks in town want to give him a surprise party to kind of, as Rosie says, 'wish him Godspeed until we meet again.'" He replied.
"Oh, that's nice." Nathan said, a little uncomfortably, not knowing where this was going.
Lee continued. "I was kind of wondering if maybe you could give him a mounted escort out of town – just until you meet the main road on the way to the train station. He's going to be all alone because his parents have decided to go to their Quebec estate right before he leaves and it's kind of a way to tell him we appreciate him.
I mean, he's only been here a few years and he's always been so generous with the community – you know, saving the refinery and all those jobs and starting our annual Christmas Festival. For a man with his means, he's been the type to give back and given all that's happened, we think now's the time to give back to him."
Nathan immediately recalled how readily Lucas loaned him a thousand dollars in order to pay Allie's biological father, Dillon Park's, extortion demands without question. He even asked Nathan if he was sure it was enough. Because of Lucas, Allie's future was secure. And that wasn't the only time that Lucas factored into his daughter's happiness. When Nathan was trying to win Elizabeth's hand, Lucas had both calmed Allie's worries and reminded Nathan that whatever steps he was taking toward Elizabeth, he needed to consider that Allie would be affected as well. Nathan didn't appreciate it at the time, but in retrospect, Lucas was right. Allie's tender heart was broken along with his own due to unfulfilled expectations that he had allowed to fester when he should have recognized that a child wouldn't yet have perspective that experience brings when things don't go as planned.
"I'll be happy to escort him." Nathan replied. "It's the least I can do."
The day of Lucas's departure was approaching more quickly than anyone had imagined and Elizabeth spent every waking moment by his side, talking to him, holding him, and showing her love toward him in every tangible way. Lucas absorbed her love like a sponge or like a thirsty man who was journeying across a desert wasteland just to find water - and he committed to memory every aspect of her being that he could in those precious moments together on the day before he was to leave - from the twinkle in her eye to her beautiful smile and the adoring look she would give to him whenever he would say something insightful; to the tears of joy she shed when little Jack visited him that last day and he read to him and the soft way she said his name as only she could. Her smell. The taste of her lips against his. Her warmth and the way she felt in his arms as he embrace her – these were all things that Lucas tried to hold on to so that he'd never forget the love that they shared once they had parted.
And late that afternoon as they sat on the porch in contented peace, he considered her and the life that he could now give her. He watched from the porch as Lee climbed a ladder and hung a new sign advertising Rosemary's newspaper and he wondered if climbing a ladder would ever be something that he could do. He observed as the Wolf family all came to town to go shopping and as Robert's father chased after Robert's youngest sibling, trying to catch the child before he ran into the street – and he thought about how if that were little Jack, would he be able to reach him in time? And then he saw as Florence stood on the steps of the Mercantile, wrapping a scarf around Ned's neck and telling him to be careful on his business trip out of town.
"You shouldn't worry about me so much." He heard Ned say.
"Worrying is what a wife is supposed to do." She replied. "I won't even sleep until I know you're safe and well beside me once more."
Lucas lowered his eyes and watched as Elizabeth rested her head against his bosom and he considered her future and the life she would have with him and he determined what he had to do.
Upon returning to his house for one final night before his big trip, Lucas wheeled himself across his library floor to his desk. He was by himself now, his parents having gone, but some men had moved his bed downstairs and he could manage taking care of himself for just one night.
Reaching into his desk drawer, he pulled out a folder and several pieces of paper. One was the deed to his house. One his ownership stake in Gowen Petroleum. And the last item was his own personal stationary upon which he wrote a letter.
The next morning, bright and early, Lee Coulter came to pick him up in his car and upon helping him climb in and putting away his wheel chair he began to drive. When the vehicle stopped on the edge of town, Lucas reached into his pocket and retrieved an envelope. He held out his hand, asking Lee to stop before they entered the village.
"What is it?" Lee asked.
"There's something I need to give to you." Lucas replied, handing him the envelope. Lee started to open it.
"No. Don't open it just yet." Lucas said. "I want you to hold onto it until after the new year. Four months from today."
Lee looked at him with curiosity. "What is it?"
"Just some things I need to have done if I'm not back." He said. "I know you're the guy to handle it – that is, if you don't mind."
Lee lowered his head. "Of course, Lucas. I'll take care of whatever you need."
Lucas gave a slight smile and then nodded forward signaling that Lee could drive.
Arriving in town, Bouchard had the surprise of his life when the whole town was there. Banners and streamers and even a band had assembled to give him a hero's goodbye. There were Christmas decorations and food stands with sausages and sauerkraut just as he'd brought to town just two years prior. And there were Happy New Year signs and balloons as well.
He tried in vain to keep tears from overflowing when Elizabeth and Jack appeared with a gift in hand. Little Jack wore a birthday hat, though the child truthfully wasn't sure why. Lucas wrapped his arms around his love and kissed her openly and without shame in front of everyone as if they were the only two that were there. He then kissed little Jack who held out his arms and let him hold him for a brief moment before wanting down to go play with the other kids.
"Please be safe, my love." Elizabeth said, tears flowing down her cheeks. "You know that I couldn't live if anything ever happened to you."
Lucas smiled that dimpled smile and lowered his head. "A lot has already happened to me and you're still here. You're stronger than you know."
She shook her head. "That may be true, but I want you to know that I will be waiting for you – with love and…with patience - and I'll be watching for you every day longing for that moment when I can see your handsome face and kiss your lips and hold you once again."
Lucas answered her with a kiss and then raised his fingers to her hair, memorizing its softness and taking in her beauty as he said goodbye.
At long last, the stagecoach driver got down from his perch and opened the door and a line of people walked by him, hugging him and wishing him safe travels. Then, the moment arrived that he had to depart. Rolling up to the coach, he held on to Mike and Lee's arms as he stood on one leg in order to transfer to the coach. People gave him privacy so as to not make him feel uncomfortable as he boarded the vehicle. Once he was situated up in the seat he leaned down and kissed Elizabeth once more. She struggled to hold back tears as they pulled away and he held her hand until he could no longer. She took a step back and Rosemary immediately came up beside her and put one arm around her as she waited for him to go.
Lucas waved goodbye then reached his arm out in order to close the door behind him; but, he was stopped when another hand grabbed hold of the door and pulled it back open. Lucas looked up.
"Nathan. What are you - ?"
"Scoot over." Grant replied as he placed a suitcase on the back of the coach and strapped it in. "I'm going with you to Baltimore."