Author's Note: Thank all of you that are still following and the new reviewers we've picked up. NOW we can finally start to breathe a little easier since our Hope Valley contingent are all together and will be back home where they belong in just a few days. What challenges they run into and what joys remains to be seen. For TN, I'm glad this story is helping to heal the divide a bit. That was partially what I intended this story to be (along with being a Lucabeth favorable story). Thank you to Sindie, lynnkersting, Nole, Saseli777, Rockshelle, metacaroliner, LJD21690, Paula R Chester, HollyElvira, wcthlcr2014,KarenPearson, MamaBethany, HopeValleyOwl, ETLB, Donna Barr Krolewski, and guests for your feedback on recent chapters. Again...I LOVE hearing from those who are reading this story. Would love to hear from more of the ~300 readers who are still with me and those who have dropped off. And now, I leave you to our next chapter as the Hope Valley gang begins to see light at the end of the (train) tunnel.

PS - The Fanfiction site messed up yesterday, so some of you may not have seen that Chapter 19 was published. If you have not read it, please read that one before proceeding. Thank you.

The rumbling of the passenger train as it glided across the tracks was a soothing backdrop for what had been an otherwise harrowing week. Nobody in the group realized how much stress they were under until sweet relief came and they were all together, happy, safe and on their way home.

Lucas wasted no time making his way back to the men's cabin where he changed into a navy pair of trousers, dress shirt, vest and tie, remnants of what he had left behind at the hospital. It was amazing how just the change in apparel made him feel so much more like himself. Even his hair, which he smoothed back behind his ears with some pomade, didn't bother the usually fastidious Bouchard. He knew he'd made the right decision and was too happy to be back with Elizabeth to care about anything other than her.

While he sat on the bed continuing getting ready to meet Elizabeth in the drawing room on the train, he couldn't help but notice Nathan getting cleaned up as well. He smirked slightly as he watched how nervous the Mountie appeared.

"You're rather dressed up." he said, as he slipped a sock over his foot. "Have special plans?'

"Yeah. Emily and I are having an early dinner in about twenty minutes." Nathan replied, fumbling with his tie.

"You wearin' that?" Joseph asked of Nathan's dapper light grey suit, vest, dress shirt and tie.

Nathan stopped. "Yeah. What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing. Just never seen you in anything so formal, that's all." Joseph responded.

"It isn't that formal. I figured we could celebrate a successful trip. Besides, the only other thing I have clean, other than a few jackets, is a plaid cotton shirt and some blue denim pants." Grant said as he returned to tying the tie - loop over loop, tail through the hole, somehow being unable to accomplish a task he had done dozens of times before.

Finally, Bouchard had seen enough of the painful display.

"Allow me."

"What?"

"The tie." He said, holding out his hand.

Nathan looked at him briefly then huffed, slipping the tie off his neck and handing it to Lucas before returning to the mirror and reaching for a comb. "We thought we'd go early, before the dinner crowd arrives and it gets really busy. I don't want to be late."

"Have you made any plans for how you want your date to go?" Lucas asked, as he untangled the tie.

"Who said this was a date?" Nathan asked.

Lucas and Joseph both stopped what they were doing and stared at him blankly.

"Alright, fine. I have no plans. Just thought we'd have dinner and see how it goes."

"See how it goes?" Lucas said, raising his eyebrows then handing him the finished tie.

Nathan grabbed it and slipped it over his head then tightened the knot Lucas had made. "Yeah. Play it by ear. Sit and talk."

He looked at a stray patch of hair he couldn't get to lay down and reached for Lucas's pomade. "Should I?" he asked.

"Um…no." Lucas said, reaching for his own shoe.

"What are you plannin' to talk about?" Joseph asked.

"Planning? I don't know, just things." Nathan said before spotting a speck of toothpaste on his lapel. "OH! dag blast it! Sorry, pastor." He ripped off the jacket and threw it to the side then went to the closet to retrieve another.

"What sort of things?" Lucas asked, tying his shoe.

"I don't know. Just whatever comes up, I guess." Nathan stopped and held up two jackets. "Which one?"

Lucas looked at him then pointed to the one on the right – Joseph, the one to the left. Nathan looked at both jackets then rehung the jacket on the right and went back to the mirror, putting on the jacket on the left.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Sounds exhilarating."

"Listen, we've already talked a lot about our backgrounds, our childhoods, what jobs we've had, some of our travels, a little about our family. Figured the big stuff is out of the way and we can just relax."

"What are her interests?" Lucas asked.

"Interests?"

"Yes. Hobbies. Things she enjoys. Does she collect anything? Does she have any dreams?"

Nathan shrugged. "She enjoys fishing."

"That's a good start. Anything else?" Lucas asked.

"I don't know. I never thought to ask."

"When courting a woman, you can't think like a man. Most of the time we don't think to ask these things. My father always told me to think of the woman's needs before your own. If she sees that you care, she's more likely to care about you in return." Bouchard said, standing up from the bed.

"Lucas." Nathan said, turning around. "With all due respect, I don't need dating advice, especially from you. But thank you."

"Suit yourself." Lucas replied. "Joseph and I were just trying to help. Enjoy your date." He said, as he left the cabin.

Nathan chuckled and shook his head.

"Now mind Miss Allie and be a good boy. Mommy will be back soon." Elizabeth stated as she set down her son by his babysitter.

"M'kay. Mama." Jack said, immediately walking over to one of his toys.

"Allie, dog is in his suitcase if he decides he needs a nap and there are some raisins and animal crackers in the suitcase if he needs a snack."

"Okay."

"But, not too many." she said. "Don't want him to spoil his dinner."

"I've got it Mrs. Thornton." Allie said. "Just go have fun with Mr. Bouchard."

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you, Allie. Remember, I'm just three cars down if you should have any trouble."

"We'll be fine. Tell Mr. Bouchard I said hi." she smiled.

"I will."

Elizabeth walked along the corridor of the train, through the dining room and to the drawing room where she'd asked Lucas to meet her. Stepping through the door, she caught her breath at the sight of her love, sitting in his three-piece suit looking very much like she'd seen him look for so many years, save a few pounds. And, despite the fact that it was more difficult than it used to be, he immediately stood in her presence. Stepping forward, cane in hand, he walked to a table to offer her a seat.

"I was happy to have received your note. Another private reading?" he said, pulling out a chair.

She stopped. "Yes." She replied. "And, actually, if it's no trouble, do you mind if we sit over there?" she asked, pointing to a settee by the window.

Lucas turned his head to see where she was pointing to then grinned back at her. "As you wish. Ladies first."

Elizabeth sat then Lucas sat down beside her, immediately taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."

She touched his face. "Not as much as I've missed you. Promise me you'll never leave me again."

He caressed her face with the back of his fingers, taking in the sight of her. "I am yours forever. I'll stay with you as long as you'll have me."

"Then we're going to be together a very long time." She giggled. He studied her adoringly.

"Where is Annabelle?" she asked.

"They have her at the back of the train in a storage area. I'm actually surprised they let us bring her on board." he said. "I'm guessing the Bouchard name may have had something to do with that. My father and mother have travelled these tracks often." If they only knew. was his unspoken thought.

"She's cute." she said. "I can't wait for little Jack to meet her."

"Yes." he said. "Every dog needs a boy."

"Isn't that every boy needs a dog?" she asked.

"They both need each other." Lucas replied.

"Just like us, I need you." she responded.

Lucas grew a bit more serious though still looked happy as he reached up and brushed the hair out of her face. "You don't need me, Elizabeth. You are a strong and independent woman and fully capable of taking care of yourself and little Jack. But the fact that you still want me, after all that has happened and after what I have done, it astounds me."

"Lucas, there is far more to human need than physical provisioning. There is the need to love and to be loved and not only do I still want you, I still need you and your love. You are the most noble, handsome, kind, generous, and thoughtful man I know, and while I understand why you ran, it hurts me that somehow you think that it diminishes your worthiness as a man or as a human being."

"Elizabeth, it's just a man needs to be able to provide for his f- for those he loves. Physically, financially and, sometimes, emotionally, I know it will be difficult for me to do that."

"You need to extend a little of that legendary patience – to yourself."

"I need to find out who I'm even supposed to be now." He replied. He looked up at her with sorrowful eyes. "It is difficult to see, right now, how the new me even fits in. I mean, not that I ever truly fit in anywhere. I've always been a bit of a vagabond, not quite a part of the larger group, but I was okay with that because that was what was most familiar to me. Even in Hope Valley, there have been times where I have definitely felt like a fifth wheel."

"I don't believe our community sees you this way." she replied. He lowered his eyes. "Lucas, people love you. When they found out what happened to you the whole town was heartbroken. When you were so sick, many turned to public prayer on your behalf. They even made food for me, which I didn't need, just so I could be with you when you were in the infirmary.

There are moments in our lives when all of us feel a little out of place and really don't know what our future holds. But make no mistake, you belong and you fit in. Hope Valley is your home and you are a part of our family and when you get home, you're going to see how truly loved and respected and needed you really are."

His expressive eyes shined up at her.

"I love you so much." he said. "You are simply the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Well, it's my intention to continue being by your side – as long as you'll have me." She smiled,

He leaned forward and kissed her. "Then we're going to be together a very long time."

She smiled and they kissed again.

Nathan didn't even see Elizabeth and Lucas on his way to the dining car because he was too busy rehearsing in his mind what he would say to Emily. It was no secret that when it came to things like this, he was often shy and a bit backward in his approach, having a tendency to say things that were awkward or personally embarrassing, such as when Elizabeth tried to engage in small talk at Founders Day and the best thing he could think to say to her was 'The founders would be proud.' Certainly not a romantic sentiment that knocked her off her feet.

Lucas was so much smoother in this area, seeming to always know what to say to touch Elizabeth's heart. But Nathan wasn't Lucas and Emily wasn't Elizabeth. Oh, she was just as intelligent and graceful, but she was a bit more down to earth. He felt comfortable around her and knew he didn't have to put on airs to impress her. Still, he wanted their date to go well and despite his earlier inclinations, decided to take the men's advice and at least have a plan as to what to say.

"Evenin' to you Nathan." she said as he met her in the rail car mid-way between their cabins.

Her blue eyes sparkled as did her smile and she nearly took his breath away as she walked up to join him with her blonde locks flowing down over her shoulders and her petite frame dressed in a beautiful beaded silk dress that skimmed her curves in a way that was flattering but not at all tawdry.

"Um…Hello, Emily." He said, his mouth suddenly going dry as he led her to their table. "That's a beautiful dress you're wearing. You look…beautiful."

"Thank you." she said with a blush. "You look very handsome tonight yourself."

Nathan smiled, shyly. "Thank you." He pulled out her seat for her and then sat across from her, mesmerized by her presence.

"Did you get settled in your room okay?" she asked.

Nathan took a drink from his glass of water then set it down. "Um, yeah. Everything is great. Lucas is doing better."

"And, I'm glad about that. But Lucas reminds me of work, so what do you say for just right now we don't talk about him. Let's talk about you. How are you?" she asked, leaning forward in her chair giving him all of her attention.

Nathan smiled, then swallowed. "I'm good. Really, good. Doing great."

Inwardly, he was suddenly a mess of nerves, chiding himself about how much he was blowing this and how stupid he was coming off. Why can't I just have a conversation with a pretty woman without falling apart? he thought.

An awkward silence filled their space for around forty-five seconds and Nathan looked around the dining car trying to think of something to say. Emily suddenly sat back in her chair, bringing a glass of ice water to her lips and then setting it down.

They both turned to one another and put on a smile.

"How is…"

They both said at the same time. She giggled.

"Please, you first." Nathan said like a gentleman.

"No, you go." She said. "It wasn't important."

Nathan cleared his throat. "I was just going to ask how your cabin was. Nothing special."

"Oh, it's nice. As far as train cabins go. I've certainly seen worse. Allie seems to like it. She's was going on and on about it in our room with Elizabeth." she said, leaning forward again. At least they were talking. Inwardly she was questioning what had happened. They'd been able to talk so freely before. Was it Elizabeth? He had mentioned that Lucas and she used to both be vying for her attention. Was something still there?

"Allie was excited to go on this trip. Wishes she could have stayed in Baltimore a bit longer, but she's also excited to get back to Hope Valley. She misses her boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? Isn't she a bit young to have a boyfriend?"

"That's what I say. And, I guess they aren't actually boyfriend and girlfriend. At least not officially. But she like-likes him and he like-likes her. You know how it goes."

"And how does Allie's father feel about that?"

He paused and smiled uncomfortably. "Robert is a nice kid, so I guess I'm okay with it but he's now out of school and she has a few years left. So, yes. She's too young for a boyfriend. She should at least wait until she's thirty-five." he said.

Emily burst out laughing and Nathan felt happy to have made her smile. But the moment the laughter faded, he again felt hopeless to know what to say. Thankfully, the waiter came up in that moment to take their order.

"May I ask what you'd like?" the man said, holding a tablet and pen in his hands.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't really paying attention to the menu." Emily said. "How about you order for us, Nathan?"

Given that most of their conversations had occurred over the telephone or at a coffee shop this was a big gamble for Emily to take; and yet, Nathan liked the trust she put in him to get her meal right. He took only a moment. He wanted something not too heavy and yet elegant enough to serve on a first date, even though he hadn't officially called it that when the two of them agreed to dinner. Was this a date? Bouchard seemed to think so and so far, Nathan hated to admit, he hadn't been wrong.

"Do you like fish?" he asked then remembering she told him that she liked to fish he said under his breath, "of course you do. Stupid question. Uh…we'll start out with your Cape Cod oysters and after that the filet of sole with the artichokes and macaroni au gratin for the sides." He looked at her for her approval and she nodded.

"And to drink?"

He again looked at the menu. "Would you bring us a bottle of your La Croix Blanche wine?" Nathan wasn't much of a wine drinker but knowing that white wine went with fish and knowing the restrictions weren't the same on trains as they were in towns, he felt it was a good choice, until Emily advised him otherwise.

"I'm sorry, but I don't drink." She said.

He sucked in a breath. "Oh…okay…neither do I." he responded.

She furrowed her brow. "Then why did you just order wine?"

"Ummm…" he looked caught. "Be-cause I thought you might like it? I mean being from Ireland and all…"

"So, just because I'm from Ireland makes you think I'm a drunken sot?" she asked, taking her napkin off of her lap.

"Oh, no! No! Not at all!" he replied, wishing like anything that Lucas or Joseph were there to bail him out of this jam. "I thought it would go well with our meal and that you'd like it. But…clearly you don't…" he said dejectedly. "So…" he squinted. "Would you prefer we have…tea?"

"Water is fine." She replied, relaxing. "Though coffee will be nice later on, when we have dessert."

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief. "Which…if you don't mind, I'll let you order. I'm really not very good at this sort of thing."

Emily smiled. "You did fine." She said, reaching across the table and touching his hand.

Rosemary and Lee sat arm in arm in the observation car at the back of the train watching the scenery go by as they made their way to their first stop which was Chicago. The two hadn't the opportunity to have a lot of alone time since they had begun their journey to Baltimore and with Allie watching little Jack were just enjoying one another's company as they watched the sun begin to fade.

"This is nice." She said, hugging his arm. Lee pulled his arm from her grasp then wrapped it around her, pulling her to his side.

"It is." He replied. "We need more trips like this. Just the two of us."

She smiled, wistfully. "Yes, we do. But it has been nice having little Jack with us, hasn't it? Reminds me of old days."

"Yes, it does. He's growing up so quickly. Going to be a young man soon." Lee replied. "And quite a gentleman if Lucas Bouchard has anything to say about his raising."

"Which I'm sure he will." She replied. "It's so good to see Elizabeth happy again. She really has the complete package."

Lee hugged her as the two of them grew quiet, each knowing the other's thoughts.

"A child is going to change Lucas's life quite a bit, but in a good way." He replied.

"Yes. He's good with little Jack. I'm sure that Jack would be pleased. Lucas will take good care of them both – and any other children that she should happen to give him." She said.

"Hold on a minute, they aren't even engaged yet." Lee said.

"But they will be." Rosemary said. "Florence and I believe he was about to propose marriage just before the incident at the saloon. He and Elizabeth will work things out and probably sooner rather than later I know he will ask for her hand. Just like I said, the total package."

"Does that bother you?" Lee asked.

"No. Not really." She replied. "Not for her, at least. I still want to give you a child, Lee. Someone to carry on your name who can be an expression of our love that will be here after we are gone."

"I would love for that as well, Rosie. But we're okay together. Aren't we?" he asked.

She looked up at her husband and kissed him. "We're more than okay, Lee Coulter. I couldn't be more in love with you if I tried. It's just I was thinking…maybe we should consider adoption."

Lee thought a moment. "Perhaps. What made you think about that?"

"In truth, Henry and Abigail."

"Henry?" he asked surprised. "Why Henry?"

"Because he spent all of those years working in various businesses and acquiring this and that – even paying a heavy price for some of his decisions - but he found out that what is worth having in life is really our relationships and what we make of them. Now, he finds himself in this beautiful extended family, what, with Christopher and Cody and Becky…"

"All of whom are adults, or at least not little children." Lee said.

"Yes. But they are a different kind of investment. You and I, we invest in our relationship and in our community. But don't you want to be able to pass something on when we're gone that isn't a business or something that will fade away soon after we're gone?"

"Your newspaper will carry on."

"Maybe." She replied. "But blots of ink on white paper is a poor substitution for the love of a child. I want more, Lee. And it's not that you haven't given me everything that I need to be happy – but I look toward our future. I look at Lucas and how quickly things can be stripped away."

"And you want someone who we can love that can carry our love to the future."

"Exactly." She replied.

"I'm okay with that." He replied.

"You are?" she asked

"Absolutely!" he responded.

"Oh, Lee!" She said, throwing her arms around him and thanking him with a kiss.

As they made their way back to Rosemary's car, they ran into Joseph who was all alone.

"Joseph. Have you eaten yet?" Lee asked.

"No. Not yet." He replied. "I just got back from the engine room where the railroad engineer was showing me how things operate. Amazing."

"Well, why don't you go get the others and we can have dinner together?" Rosemary suggested.

"Probably not going to happen." He said.

"Why not?" Lee asked.

"Well, Nathan and Emily went to dinner about two hours ago and they're still in there talking. Didn't even notice me when I walked by. Good thing because earlier he was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."

"And, Lucas and Elizabeth?" Rosemary asked.

"They're in the drawing room together, sleeping."

"They're sleeping?" Rosemary asked.

"Yeah. Poor guy, I think he's still tuckered out from before but he wanted to go see her. She invited him to a reading of her latest manuscript and I guess they both fell asleep. May not bode well for the manuscript. Nevertheless, he's in there with his legs propped up on a table and he's resting his head on her shoulder and she's resting her cheek on his head, just like a married couple."

Rosemary smiled. "Wish I had a camera."

"Yeah, me too." Joseph said. "But if you all don't mind an old country preacher joinin' you for dinner, I'd be happy to have the company seeing my roommates love lives are basically interrupting any manly fellowship we might otherwise have."

"We would love to have dinner with you, Joseph. And, maybe we can bring Allie and Little Jack out to sit with us."

"The more the merrier." Joseph said. "Just let me go change into something more dinner appropriate and I'll meet you at the dining car in about twenty minutes.

"Sounds wonderful! We'll see you there!" Rosemary replied.