Vivian ate lunch hurriedly too. She was sitting at the table, and Rosemary just kept giving her pancakes. After her fourth, Rosemary sat down next to her. "That's enough for now," she said. "I don't want you getting a stomachache. Now, how bout you tell me where you came from?"

Vivian shook her head.

"It's okay. You can tell me. Did you run away from something?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"A big house."

"Why did you run away?"

"I didn't want to stay." Vivian wrapped her arms around herself.

"Why didn't you want to stay?"

"I was scared."

Rosemary leaned back. "Are you scared of me?" She asked quietly.

"No," Vivian put her hand on Rosemary's arm. "I like you."

"I like you too." Rosemary smiled.

Nathan was walking along the main road. He had just finished his rounds and now he was heading back to his office to warm up. He rubbed his hands together. It was certainly cold and winter was here to stay. As he came closer to his office, he saw a familiar person in red serge. Once he got close, he knew exactly who it was. "Gabe!" He called, jogging forward to meet his friend.

Gabe Kinslow turned to face Nathan, a big smile on his face. "Nathan!" He hugged his friend.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm searching for a little girl. She ran away from the orphanage and was headed this way."

"Do you want some coffee first? It's pretty cold out."

"That'd be wonderful." Gabe nodded.

"Come in then." Nathan invited, opening the door to the office. He and Gabe stepped inside. "How long have you been looking for?" He asked once the coffee was poured.

"Since yesterday morning. When Grace and Lillian woke up, she wasn't there."

"Do you know why she left?"

"I have no idea, but I followed her here. Hopefully she hasn't gone further."

"How old is she?"

"Eight." Gabe replied. They continued drinking coffee and catching up until finally, Gabe stood. "I really should get going."

"Do you want some help?"

"Sure. I was going to start at the Café and just ask people if they've seen her."

"Alright. I'll start at the mill and then I'll go out to the rowhouses." Nathan stood too, and they walked outside together. Gabe got on his horse and trotted over to the Café, and Nathan walked across the street to the mill.

On his way inside, he nearly ran into Lee, who was leaving. "Sorry, didn't see you there," he apologized, stepping aside.

"Is there something I can do for you, Nathan?"

"I was wondering if you'd seen a little girl around. She's about eight, wearing a blanket, and her name is Vivian. She ran away from the orphanage at Brookfield and Gabe came to look for her."

"I don't think so," Lee began, but then he remembered. "Oh, maybe I have. Rosemary found a girl on the porch last night. You know what, it probably is."

"I'll go tell Gabe."

"Okay. I'll go first and warn Rosemary. She's probably not going to take this too well."

"Alright, we'll meet you there." Nathan headed down the steps and Lee walked towards his car. He started it and drove off towards the rowhouses as Nathan walked into the café.

Lee stopped the car in front of his house and opened the door. Inside, Vivian was lying on the settee and Rosemary was working in the kitchen, humming softly to herself. She looked up in surprise when she saw Lee walking towards her. "What are you doing home?"

"Sweetheart, I think you should sit down."

"Lee Coulter. What's going on?" Rosemary spoke quietly.

Lee led her over to a chair and pulled it out. "Sit down."

"I'm sitting. Now what is it?"

Lee sat down opposite her. "I know where Vivian came from." Rosemary opened her mouth to say something, but Lee stopped her. "Wait. Just let me say everything. Gabe is in town, looking for a little girl who ran away from the Brookfield orphanage. Her name is Vivian."

Rosemary looked over at the peacefully sleeping child and her face fell. "Oh. Is Gabe in town?"

"Yes. Nathan is bringing him here. They should be right over." Lee spoke just as the door opened and Nathan and Gabe walked in.

"Rosemary. Lee." Nathan nodded at them. They both stood.

Gabe walked over to Vivian and looked down at her. "Yeah, that's her."

"Are you going to take her back right away?" Rosemary couldn't resist asking. Lee slipped his arm around her waist.

Gabe looked from Vivian to Rosemary, to Nathan and then back at Rosemary again. "I'm going to go send a telegram to Lillian to let her know. Why don't you keep Vivian for the afternoon and then I'll take her back around supper time?"

"I have a better idea." Rosemary stepped forward. "It's going to take you too long to get back now. Send the telegram, spend the afternoon with Nathan and the two of you plus Allie, Elizabeth, and Little Jack can have supper with us tonight. If you need a place to stay, you can stay here and then head out in the morning."

Gabe looked at Nathan. "I guess that'd be okay," he answered slowly. "Is that okay with you, Nathan?"

"Absolutely. Are you sure about dinner, Rosemary?"

"Of course. I love to entertain!"

"Okay then. I'd better go send that telegram." Gabe tipped his hat and then turned to leave. He and Nathan walked out and Lee closed the door behind them.

He turned back to Rosemary. "What are you doing, sweetheart?" He crossed over to her again.

Rosemary looked over at Vivian. "I just want her to stay for as long as possible."

"Rosie, you know that she has to go home in the morning." Lee gently put his arm around her and pulled her towards him.

"I know." She nodded and sighed. "I know."

The afternoon flew by too fast for Rosemary's liking. Vivian woke up after Lee left, and Rosemary tried to entertain her for the afternoon with stories and games. They also made a quick trip over to Elizabeth's to invite them for supper. When they got back, Rosemary made supper while Vivian played. Lee made it back home, and just before five-thirty, there was a knock on the door. "Can you get that?" Rosemary asked Lee as she transferred a pot from the stove to the table.

"Sure." Lee put down his newspaper and opened the door. Nathan, Elizabeth, Allie, Little Jack, and Gabe were all standing there. "Come on in."

"Thanks for having us," Nathan said.

Elizabeth made her way over to Rosemary, Allie took Little Jack to Vivian, and the men sat down in the living room. "Can I help with anything?" Elizabeth asked.

"Do you mind putting these pots on the table?" Rosemary asked as she opened the oven door.

"Absolutely." Elizabeth reached for the pots. "Looks like quite a spread," she commented.

"It is." Rosemary shut the oven door again. "And it's ready." She stood up straight and looked over at the living room. She carried the last pot over to the table and stood beside Elizabeth. "Oh look at them," she grasped her friends arm. "Allie is playing so well with Little Jack and Vivian is too. Oh and the men are just talking, watching the kids. Isn't it beautiful?"

Elizabeth smiled. The contented look on Rosemary's face was something she hadn't seen in while. "It is beautiful." She turned to look fully at her friend. "It's Vivian, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. How can a child make such a difference in such a short time?" Rosemary sighed. "And why does she have to leave so soon?" She murmured, mostly to herself. Then she smiled again. "It'll be okay. Supper!" She called in a loud voice.

Everyone came and gathered around the table, chatting as they found their spots. "Looks delicious, sweetheart," Lee said as he sat down next to Rosemary.

"Thank you."

Conversation flowed around the table as they ate. Before they knew it, their plates were finished and the kitchen required cleaning. Rosemary, Elizabeth, and Allie took care of the kitchen and then they came back to the guys and talked with them. They kept talking, even as Little Jack fell asleep on Nathan and Vivian was slumped against Rosemary. Finally, when Allie's eyes started to close, Elizabeth changed the conversation. "We really should be going now."

"Are you sure?" Rosemary looked up.

"Yeah. It's late, and most of the kids are asleep." Elizabeth chuckled as she looked over at Little Jack and Vivian.

"True. I'd give you a hug, but I can't move right now." Rosemary shrugged.

"It's okay." Elizabeth stood and turned to take Little Jack from Nathan.

"I've got him," Nathan assured her.

"Alright then." She smiled up at him. "Goodnight," she said as they walked to the door.

"Good night." Rosemary said softly.

"Goodnight." Lee said as he closed the door behind them. He turned back to Rosemary and smiled. "You look comfortable."

"I am, but I think we should still put her to bed." Rosemary tried to get up without waking Vivian.

"Whoa, whoa, here, let me help." Lee lifted Vivian gently.

"You got her?"

"I've got her." He turned and walked towards the stairs. Rosemary followed behind, and she opened the door to the guest room for him. He laid Vivian in the middle of the bed. She stirred, but went immediately back to sleep when Rosemary covered her with the blankets. Rosemary just stood there, watching her. "We have to give her back tomorrow," Lee reminded her as he backed up to stand beside her.

"I wish we didn't have to." Rosemary said as they turned to leave the room. She smiled once more before closing the door softly.

"Me too."

"I'll bring her over to Nathan's in the morning."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come too?"

"No, it's fine. You have to work." Rosemary had a plan.

"I don't have to if you don't want me to."

"I'll be okay." Rosemary put her hand on his shoulder. "It'll be okay."

"Alright." Lee kissed her forehead.

After Lee left for work the next morning, Rosemary turned to Vivian. "Did you eat enough?"

"Yeah. I'm full."

"Okay," Rosemary took a deep breath. "Let's get ready to go."

"Where are we going?"

"Remember, I told you that Mountie Kinslow is taking you back this morning." Rosemary knelt to Vivian's level.

"I don't want to go." Vivian shook her head. "I want to stay here. With you."

"I know sweetheart, but you have to go." Rosemary fought against the tears coming to her eyes.

"Will you come visit me?"

"Of course we will." Rosemary stood and offered Vivian her hand. "Now come on, let's go. I'm sorry I don't have a coat for you, but this blanket will just have to do." She put on her own coat and wrapped the blanket around Vivian. Together, they walked into town and to the jail.

"Good morning, Rosemary." Nathan stood when they entered.

"Good morning Nathan, Gabe. Here's Vivian."

"Good morning, Vivian." Gabe turned to her. "Are you ready to go?"

Vivian looked up at Rosemary. "Do I have to?" She whispered quietly.

Rosemary knelt down. "Yes, sweetheart, you do." She gave Vivian a big hug and then stepped back.

"I'm ready." Vivian let go of Rosemary's hand.

"Okay, let's go then." Gabe led the way outside. He got up on his horse, then Nathan handed Vivian to him.

"Bye! We'll come to visit." Rosemary waved after the horse. Gabe and Vivian turned around and both waved. Then they kept going. Rosemary turned to Nathan, unsure of what to do now. She felt like running away and crying, but she forced a smile onto her face. "I'd better go find Lee." She turned and walked back down the street. She walked right past the office and then kept going down the road, trying to ignore the tears that kept falling down her face. She made it inside and upstairs, then fell across her bed. She knew she was being over dramatic, but she couldn't help it. She remembered Lee's words about visiting Carson and she knew he was right. She would visit Carson…and then she fell asleep again.