A/N:

Sorry this is a little shorter chapter, I've been really busy with work. This begins the intense section – hopefully you enjoy it. I'll be bringing a bit more pain and hurt to Hope Valley before it gets better, so hang in there. Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven: The Vote

Henry cleared his throat and began: "Its not what you think, Nathan. And you're right, it's not a burglar alarm. The truth is," he stopped and sighed. "Like I told Abigail, I've been taking on a few extra jobs lately. One of them is testing inventions for the Pinkertons. I have connections there, if you remember."

Nathan nodded. "Continue."

"The thing that I was testing last night is part of a bigger project, one that's happening close to here. I'm not exactly sure what's going on, but I know that the Pinkertons wanted me to test this. It works, quite well actually, as you saw."

"So the Pinkertons want a burglar alarm?" Nathan questioned. "What are they trying to guard?"

"I don't know, but they have a lot of them. This is only one of many."

"Henry told me all this, and asked me to help." Abigail spoke now. "I don't know what he's getting himself into."

"What else do the Pinkertons want?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.

Henry sighed, looked away, then looked back. "I…I shouldn't say."

"Henry." Nathan spoke firmly.

"They want to clear out the forest. They're building something out there."

"And they're guarding whatever they're building with your alarms." Nathan guessed.

"Right."

"But they don't own the forest. How can they build on it?" Abigail questioned.

"Yes, they do. They now own the land rights, except for what Lee owns. And they want that part too."

"Does this have anything to do with Wyman Walden?"

"I'm sure it does. But I don't know specifically."

"So what's your role in this?" Nathan asked.

"I was supposed to help them…for a price." Henry began slowly.

"What price?" Nathan raised his eyebrow again. He wasn't sure what to believe anymore.

"That they wouldn't disrupt either the oil business or the café." Henry answered.

"Well they didn't keep that one," Nathan murmured, thinking of the vandalism at the oil rig. "Fine." He said aloud. "I'll be keeping an eye on everything, and you too, if you continue with this." Henry nodded. "You can go now. Thank you for talking to me."

Henry nodded. "Good day Nathan, Abigail." Then he opened the door and was gone.

Nathan turned to Abigail. "Oh boy." He said.

"Now Nathan, whatever you're thinking, I can promise you that Henry is on our side." Abigail began.

"I'm not sure of that."

"He is. Didn't you notice what he said? He said supposed. That means that he's not actually going to work for them." Abigail noted.

"True. I just hope we can trust him. Please don't tell anyone about this." Nathan requested. "I have to go for my rounds now."

"I won't." Abigail promised. "I'd better get back to the Café too."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Coulter, Mrs. Coulter." Wyman Walden entered Lee and Rosemary's office.

"Afternoon." Lee and Rosemary responded at the same time.

"Mr. Coulter, can I speak to you outside?"

"Of course." Lee rose from his seat and followed Mr. Walden outside. "What can I do for you?" Lee asked, buttoning up his coat.

"I was wondering about your land up in the forest. Would you ever consider selling it?"

"No, of course not." Lee was surprised at the offer. "It would destroy my business."

"Not for any price?"

"No. There's no way." Lee shook his head emphatically.

"Alright then. I'd better be going." Mr. Walden turned and abruptly left.

Lee stared after the man for a moment, then rushed back inside.

"What did that creep want?" Rosemary questioned as soon as Lee was back inside.

"He's not a creep," Lee protested. "It was strange; he asked about my land in the forest."

"For the mill?"

"Yeah. He asked me if I'd ever sell it."

"Well of course you wouldn't. That'd be the end of your business. It'd be ridiculous for you to do that; so he's creepy and dumb now?" Rosemary said quickly.

Lee didn't chuckle because he was still thinking about what Mr. Walden had said. "That's exactly what I told him."

"Hmm. That is weird." Rosemary continued typing away. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"Do?"

"You know, since you're mayor."

"Rosie, I don't do things like that."

"Well you should."

"Now you sound like Jesse." Lee sighed. "And that's not helpful at all. There is nothing I can do."

"Hmph. What are you going to do about Christmas?" Rosemary changed the subject.

"Christmas?" Lee looked up, confused.

"Yeah, Christmas. Winter holiday, three weeks away. You are mayor – you'd better have some ideas of what this town is going to do."

Lee sighed again. "Christmas is that close? I don't know, sweetheart. I don't have the time to do that this year, and I don't really feel like it either."

"Lee! Someone has to do it! And you are the mayor: that makes you prime candidate."

"Why don't you do it?"

"I'm much too busy."

"I'll get Abigail to help." Lee decided.

Rosemary stood. "I'm going back to the house now to get supper going. Will you be home soon?"

"I'll be there in about forty minutes." Lee promised with a smile.

"Okay." Rosemary buttoned up her coat, wrapped up her scarf, and headed out into the cold. As she walked down the steps, she noticed a young man walking towards her whom she didn't recognize. "Hello there." She said cheerfully. "I don't believe I've seen you before. Are you new in town?"

The young man stopped. "Jacob Harper, pleasure to meet you."

"Rosemary Coulter."

"The mayor's wife?" At Rosemary's nod, he continued. "I'm in town on some business, but I'll be staying a while."

"Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy it here." Rosemary said with a smile. "Excuse me, I'd better be going."

"For sure. Have a good evening." He nodded, then continued on his way.

Rosemary continued walking out of town. Seems like a nice young man, she thought to herself. I wonder if Lee's met him yet.

Jacob walked across town and into the Mercantile. The bell tinkled above him as he walked in, and Florence looked up. "How can I help you?" She asked.

"I'd like to make a phone call." He requested.

"Of course. Where do you want me to place it to?"

"Hamilton, the Pinkerton Headquarters."

"One second." Florence plugged in the wires, then nodded. "Go ahead."

"Hello, this is Jacob Harper." Jacob began. "Yes sir, I am. Yes, I did. Yes. Well, no, I hadn't…I could if…I will. We'll be waiting. You too." He put the phone down. "Thank you."

"No problem."

Then he turned and left the Mercantile quickly, heading back to Mr. Walden's building. He had to tell Mr. Walden what he had found out. And he had just met Rosemary Coulter – a very interesting person. He had a couple ideas of how to put the council meeting off without a hitch.

The week passed quickly, and Thursday night was at hand before Lee even had a chance to sit down and think. That evening, it was snowing again and he and Rosemary were sitting in their living room, each working on their separate projects. Rosemary was editing her articles, Lee was processing his plan for the morning's vote, and the only noise was the rustling of Rosemary's papers. Lee looked up from his thought process and spoke aloud. "Are you coming tomorrow morning?"

Rosemary looked up, surprised. "Of course I am." She said indignantly. "Where else would I be?"

"I don't know. Good. I'm glad you're coming."

"Are you ready?" Rosemary asked pointedly. She knew Lee well enough to know that he was asking her what he really wanted to be asked.

"I sure hope so." Lee replied. He had guessed what Rosemary had guessed. "I'm just worried that the whole thing is going to be one big flop."

"Well, do you want Wyman Walden in town?"

"No. I'll be voting against it too."

"You can trust them. They will all come through." Rosemary said softly.

"I sure hope so." Lee nodded. But the fears still nagged at him. "I don't want to destroy this town."

Rosemary smiled, not in sarcasm but in love. "I'm sure you'll do the most wonderful job, and everyone will agree, and I'll be there to capture it all. And anyways, it doesn't matter what they say, I trust you in every way. You'll do fine, sweetheart."

Lee smiled back at her. "Thanks. You always know what to say."

"I try." Rosemary shrugged happily.

"I am ready for tomorrow." Lee announced, pulling his shoulder back and taking a deep breath. "Barring any major or unforeseen events, hopefully this vote will go through."

"There you go. You've got it." Rosemary encouraged.

Lee felt less encouraged when he woke up the next morning. As he ate breakfast, he could barely concentrate. Rosemary saw this but said nothing. She just hoped that everything would go according to plan. "I'm going to head into town early," Lee said, pushing back his chair.

"Okay." Rosemary nodded. "I'll probably be in town in about an hour or so."

"Sounds good." Lee gave her a quick kiss and then grabbed his coat. There was a fresh coat of snow on the ground and the air was cool and crisp. He started the car and drove into town.

"Did you do it?" Mr. Walden asked as Jacob came back into the office.

"I…did." He answered, panting. "Are you sure this is a wise idea?"

"Don't doubt me. I know what I'm doing."

"But what if it backfires and hurts people?"

"And you're worried? After all you've already done?" Mr. Walden scoffed. "Just remember, I hold the strings here. If you slip, I'm not afraid to spill what I know."

"I know, I know." Jacob sighed. "I'm just worried is all."

"Why? We're one step closer to taking care of this town." Mr. Walden smiled. "What time is it?"

"It's twenty after nine." Jacob checked his watch.

"Ten minutes."

Lee parked his car in front of his office and hurried inside. Just as he entered the office, the phone rang. "Coulter Lumber."

"Lee…Lee…" Rosemary was on the other end, and she sounded excited.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Lee wondered. What could have happened in the short time since he had left home.

"You need to come back home right away!" Rosemary said quickly.

"Why?"

"I…I don't have time to explain…I-" Rosemary's voice got cut off and Lee heard something dropping. Then the connection was gone.

"Rosie?" Lee didn't waste a second. He dropped the phone and dashed right back out of the office. He nearly ran into Jesse, who was coming up the steps.

"What is it?" Jesse asked.

"I have to get home. Rosie called and something is wrong!" Lee said breathlessly.

"Do you need help?"

"I don't know. But I have to go." Lee jumped in the car and spun the tires as he skidded down Main Street. He didn't notice that the whole town was extremely quiet, or even that most of the businesses were closed. He had to get back to Rosie as fast as possible.

"This is absolutely ridiculous." Rosemary fumed angrily in the corner, glaring up at the man standing in front of her. "What did you have to do this for? I can't believe the nerve of you! When Lee finds out what happened, he's going to kick you out for this town for good and it will serve you right."

"Be quiet. No one cares." The man said. His gaze swept over the whole room. "Same for all of you."

Rosemary glanced over the room. Nearly everyone in town was there, sitting in the freezing cold schoolhouse. The plan to help Lee had gone awry quickly.

Fifteen Minutes Earlier:

The phone rang in the rowhouse and Rosemary dashed to pick it up. "Rosemary Coulter," she answered.

"Rosemary? What are you still doing home?"

"I'm just cleaning up breakfast. Lee just left." Rosemary said, puzzled.

"Well, aren't you going to the schoolhouse?" Florence asked.

"The schoolhouse?" Rosemary repeated.

"Yes. Most of the town is going there before the vote to support Lee."

"He doesn't know?"

"No. Aren't you going?"

"I guess so. I'll be right over."

Present:

Lee slammed on the brakes, turned the car off, and dashed into the house. "Rosie?" He called into the empty house. He tore up the stairs. "Rosie!" She wasn't there. Where was she?! He checked his pocket watch, which read nine-thirty. He could call Nathan, or Elizabeth, or Abigail! He picked up the phone. "Hello, Florence?" He asked, but there was no answer.

Where was everyone? Where was Rosie? He had to find her!
Then there was the boom.

Lee dashed back outside and stood in the snow, looking around. When he saw the cloud of smoke rising from the forest, his heart sank. Why now? Why? He stood, rooted to the spot for a few seconds, debating on what he should do. Should he find Rosie, should he go to the smoke cloud? Maybe Rosie was at the smoke cloud…there was only one way to find out.

"What was that loud noise? When are you going to let us go, you insolent clod?" Rosemary fired back.

"That loud noise was none of your business, ma'am," the man returned sarcastically. "We'll let you leave in a little while, once we get things settled.

"Where's Lee?"

"He's occupied."

Rosemary huffed angrily. She was too angry to even be scared. That darn Wyman Walden! I'll bet this is all his fault – it has creepy written all over it. She looked over at everyone there with her. I have to do something. What has gotten into our town lately?

Mr. Walden leaned over the papers in the mayor's office. "Let these records show that I have officially been allowed to lease that land." He said happily.

"This is ridiculous." Bill grunted from the sideline. "I knew you were up to no good."

"And there is nothing you can do to prove it." Mr. Walden returned triumphantly. "For all anyone knows, I have nothing to do with it. That's why you get goons – rookie mistake, Judge Avery."