William looked around the Queen of Hearts, taking in the people dining, others playing poker and darts, and those just standing around. He caught the eye of Bill Avery sitting at a table across the room. When the judge started to rise, William subtly shook his head, not wanting his identity revealed yet. Bill nodded and steered Mike Hickam away as he too started to greet Elizabeth's father. It was several minutes before he was finally approached by a well-dressed but clearly annoyed gentleman.

"I'm sorry about the late arrival," William said. "My business in Union City went a little longer than planned." What he was not going to mention to anyone in Hope Valley was that his "business" had included meeting with their former Constable.

"It's alright," the saloon owner replied, though his tone seemed to imply otherwise. "Are you just passing through, or do you intend to stay in Hope Valley awhile?"

"I'm here on business."

"Personal or professional?" Lucas perked up a bit. With little prompting, he explained that he was planning to broach a new business opportunity to his soon to be father-in-law. "It's sure to make us both very wealthy."

"Why have you never brought it up before?" William asked, truly curious about what sort of business they could possibly share. "You say you've never even spoken to him? Not even to ask for his daughter's hand?"

"He's a busy man," Lucas replied, unconcerned. "I'm sure he understands. Besides, my fiancée has been married before, so it's not as though I need her father's permission."

William shook his head. "I would never approve of my daughter marrying a man who didn't at least introduce himself to me."

Lucas shrugged, unconcerned. "Once we start this business venture, we'll have plenty to talk about." He handed over the key and directed the new guest to his room. "And what name should I put on the register?"

"William Thatcher," the older man replied smugly as he started up the stairs.

Across the room, Bill was clearly amused by Lucas's stupefied expression of horror. "Well, this just got a whole lot more interesting."

William waited until after breakfast the next morning to surprise Elizabeth and young Jack, not wishing to disturb them too early on a Saturday. His daughter was thrilled to see him, but worried about his real motive for visiting. With Jack settled on the floor playing with his new train set, William commented on the extravagant ring on his daughter's hand.

"It's beautiful, but it is certainly much more…ostentatious than you previously preferred. It seems more like something your mother or Viola would wear."

Elizabeth started to defend Lucas's choice, saying that the ring seemed to mean a lot to him.

"Is it a family heirloom?"

"Perhaps," she replied, shrugging. "He never really said why it was important."

"And will he be joining us today?" William asked. "I would certainly like to hear the story behind such a unique piece, not to mention finally get to know my perspective son-in-law."

Elizabeth sighed, frowning again. "No, he has a meeting with a potential investor for the oil company, and then he has to go over the books for the saloon."

William studied his daughter. She was obviously unhappy with the situation but seemed resigned to it. "I have to wonder," he said quietly. "With so much going on, how he managed to find the time to court you?"

A few days later, William placed a call to Nathan, inquiring about any updates on the case and deliberately not mentioning that he was in Hope Valley. He learned that all the pieces from the stolen set had been recovered except for one ring.

"It's a very distinct piece," Nathan explained. "A large diamond in the center, surrounded by emeralds. It was meant to be a gift for some American businessman's new wife. He's furious that it hasn't been found yet." He held off sharing that the last set of jewels they'd recovered had been in a shipment of goods going to Hope Valley—to the Queen of Hearts. He didn't feel the need to cause Mr. Thatcher any more reason to worry about Elizabeth and Jack. Some of the men on his team were already heading there to watch for the shipment, and to see how Bouchard reacted when the jewels weren't included.

William sat, stunned, for a moment before he responded. "I think I know where it is."

"How?" Nathan wondered. "I have my best men working on this case, and they've found no trace of it."

"I believe I saw it today," William replied cryptically. "I am tied up with personal business right now. Can we meet this weekend? I don't feel comfortable discussing it over the phone."

Nathan agreed, arranging to meet Mr. Thatcher at his hotel on Saturday rather than having him come into the NWMP office. While he was eager to solve this case, he did not want to cause any undue harm to Mr. Thatcher's reputation or his company's. More importantly, he liked and respected the man, actually looking forward to sitting down and talking with him again. He and his team would concentrate on the other pieces in the meantime and try to narrow down their list of suspects.

It took some coercing before Elizabeth agreed to accompany her father to Union City. She explained that she had lessons to prepare and papers to grade, but William finally convinced her that a few days away would be good for her, and that Rosemary would be more than willing to help out at the school. "Your mother will never forgive me if I don't get you and Jack whatever your hearts desire."

"I'm not sure my heart knows what it wants anymore," she replied absently.

"All the more reason to get away for a couple of days," her father insisted cheerfully. "A nice hotel, some shopping, perhaps a trip to the park or the children's museum with Jack…"

What he didn't tell her was that he wanted both her and her son out of town when the police questioned—and hopefully arrested—her fiancé. He also failed to mention that they would be seeing Nathan while they were in the city, nor did he intend to warn the Inspector that Elizabeth and Jack were coming. It seemed that forcing them together was going to be the only way to get his headstrong daughter and the stubborn Mountie to talk.

Lucas hardly said a word when Elizabeth told him she was going to Union City with her father. He was still cowering after his undignified introduction to William and bitter at the lost opportunity to bring the other man into his business arrangements. When he insisted he had so much work he would barely realize she was gone, Elizabeth was grateful for the reprieve.

Mr. Thatcher waited until they were settled in their penthouse suite before telling Elizabeth his suspicions about her fiancé and the ring. She made a token protest, but soon admitted that she wasn't really surprised. Lucas had a long history of secrets and shady business deals. She was more hurt that he would involve her, and by default her child, in such a situation.

"The sooner I can turn it over to the police, the sooner we'll have some answers," she said, her smile a bit forced. "I just hope whoever is leading the investigation doesn't think I was involved."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about that, my dear," her father said confidently.

As arranged, Nathan arrived at the Union City Grand Regal Hotel to meet Mr. Thatcher. His uniform garnered more than a few looks as he made his way through the lobby and up the elevator, but he was alone in the hall when he knocked on the door of Thatcher's suite. William ushered him inside, though they barely had time for a greeting before an excited voice rang out.

"Na-tan!"

Nathan looked down in shock, dropping to his knees to catch Jack as he scrambled across the room.

"I misses you, Na-tan," the boy said, his arms wrapped tightly around the Mountie's neck.

Nathan rose to his feet, hugging Jack close and kissing the top of his head. "I've missed you too, buddy. How are you?"

"I want you to come back," Jack said sadly, his head resting on Nathan's shoulder. "When are you and Allie coming home?"

"Consta—Inspector Grant and Allie live here now, Jack."

Nathan looked up to see Elizabeth standing in the doorway of one of the bedrooms, clearly as surprised as he was. He gently placed Jack back on the floor, nodding towards her but not saying a word.

William saw a brief glimpse of longing and sorrow in Nathan's eyes, making him regret not warning the man about Elizabeth's presence. Then he watched him straighten up and pull his features into a professional mask.

Nathan briefly outlined the case to Elizabeth, explaining how the involvement of Thatcher Shipping had brought her father in and why the police suspected Lucas was entangled in it. He questioned her thoroughly about the ring. When did Lucas get it? Did she know where or who he got it from? Had he ever mentioned any matching pieces? When Elizabeth brought it out, it was in the original box from the jewelers.

"This is it," Nathan confirmed. "The jeweler always uses the same purple velvet lining. But it's curious that this is the only piece still in its box. All the other pieces taken from his shop were just wrapped in paper, bagged, and hidden in the shipping crates."

"It's possible Lucas actually purchased the ring," Elizabeth tried to defend. "Perhaps he didn't know it was stolen."

Nathan shrugged. "It's possible, just not probable. There is no bill of sale, and we intercepted a number of other pieces that were intended to go to the Queen of Hearts. Unless we find an indication that someone working for him is setting him up, Bouchard is going to be questioned and likely arrested."

Nathan stopped to give Jack another hug and then took his leave, the ring secured in his bag to be examined as evidence. When the door closed behind him, Elizabeth sank into a chair in relief. After a few minutes, she turned wary eyes on her father.

"Why didn't you tell me Nathan was involved in the case and that we were going to see him?"

"Would it have made a difference?" her father asked, looking at her directly. "Would you have come with me, or would you rather have stayed to witness Mr. Bouchard's arrest?"

Elizabeth looked away, her thoughts jumbled and confused. "It was good to see him," she admitted softly. "I'm glad he's doing well here. I hope Allie is settling in and making new friends."

"I am sorry about your engagement ring," William offered sincerely.

His daughter shook her head and laughed bitterly. "I'm not. That thing was awful. So big and gaudy. It was totally out of place for a town like Hope Valley, and definitely not good for teaching. Which makes sense, since Lucas intended for me to quit once we were married." At William's look of surprise, she continued. "Things with Lucas have been…..difficult lately. He gets mad every time I mention Jack and my life with him. He wants me to give up teaching and move here to Union City or back to Hamilton so he can make more 'society' friends. And his whole demeanor…it's like he became a completely different person once we were engaged."

"Why didn't you say anything?" William asked, taking a seat beside her and putting his arm around her. "You know your mother and I would have helped you with anything you needed."

"I know," she replied, leaning into him. "I just….didn't want to admit I'd been so wrong. I didn't know how to get out of it. Jack would never have loved the woman I've become since he died, and I'm ashamed that I let myself change so much. I've been trying to resign myself to the fact that I made my bed, so to speak, and I would just have to lie in it. Lots of people marry without love—look at Viola. I had a great love with Jack. I had the chance at a new love with Nathan but was too afraid to take it. Perhaps this is what I deserve."

"Are you sure?" William prodded softly. "About Nathan?"

Tears slid down her cheeks as she nodded. "I missed my chance. He was willing to wait for me, to give up his job for me….and I pushed him away. I've hurt him and Allie too much. They have a life here now. It's too late."

Mr. Thatcher watched his daughter carefully the rest of the day. When she admitted she wasn't up for going out, they ordered dinner in their suite. Elizabeth got Jack ready for bed and then turned in herself as soon as he was asleep, but William sat up for a while. He was determined to fix things for Elizabeth and Nathan, sure that with the right opportunities and a little push, they could find their way back to one another.

Perhaps it was time he called in a favor with his friend at the NWMP. He knew they had yet to permanently fill the position in Hope Valley. Maybe they could find a way to put Nathan's tracking and investigative skills to use overseeing cases from there…