"Two Very Different Dinners"

Nathan thought about borrowing a horse to take a ride as Superintendent Hargraves suggested, but instead he decided to walk around the Headquarters complex, have some lunch, check in on the recruit training and write letters to both Allie and Laura.

His walk took him by the field where the recruits were honing their riding skills. The recruits already knew how to ride a horse, but they needed to learn evasive tactics and maneuvering while riding at high speeds and in difficult terrain. Nathan saw Gabe standing on the side of the field while another instructor was shouting orders to the recruits.

"Gabe, how are things going?" asked Nathan.

"Actually, quite well. All the recruits are good riders. They are catching on quickly with some of the more difficult maneuvers. Some of them are already talking about becoming members of the Musical Ride. They heard that the team would re-form once the war is over and the troops come home from France. I've heard the team is considering training again here in Regina."

"That's pretty ambitious for recruits," answered Nathan.

"That's exactly what I told them. It's an honor to serve on the Musical Ride. They may have to get a little more seasoned before they can do that."

"Well, you just never know, do you? Can we have dinner together tonight? I'd like to tell you about my conversation with Hargraves. Also, don't make any plans for the morning. We're going to church."

"Sure. I'm free for dinner. We should be finishing up here by 3 o'clock. It gets dark so early now. I'll be interested in hearing what you have to say about Hargraves. I was hoping he'd ease up on you here, now that you're a three-time hero," said Gabe.

"Yeah, something like that. We'll talk later. I'm going to get some lunch, go to the sutler to buy a tablet and head to the barracks. I thought I would write letters to Allie and Laura. You know, just to let them know I arrived safely."

"Yeah, that's a good idea." Gabe chuckled. He knew that the letter to Laura was more than letting her know that Nathan had arrived safely. "Go write your letters. We'll talk later."

Nathan walked to the dining hall, had a quick lunch, bought his tablet and walked back to the barracks. Headquarters was fairly quiet that afternoon. Nathan imagined that everyone who wasn't involved in training the recruits was probably on leave. There was good fishing and hunting in the area. There was also a small town nearby with a restaurant, hotel and several small businesses. Nathan thought the Mounties on leave might be enjoying just being off-post for a while. As much as Nathan loved being a Mountie, he also enjoyed his time off spent fishing with Allie and now with Laura too.

Nathan sat down at the desk in his room and first wrote a letter home to Allie, telling her about the long stagecoach ride to Regina and how he met up with Gabe Kinslow at the first stop. He told Allie to be sure to do all her school work, check on their row house every couple of days and visit Newton for him. Bill had promised Nathan that he would exercise Newton regularly. Nathan's horse liked apples, and Allie had promised to bring him one every couples of days. He also let her know that he would probably be in Regina about a week before heading home. He tore the pages out of his tablet, put his letter in an envelope and addressed it.

He returned to his tablet and wrote to Laura.

Dear Laura,

I made it to Regina. At the first stop Gabe Kinslow boarded the stagecoach, so I had a friend to travel the long distance with. I was able to do some reading on the stage, but mostly Gabe and I told each other stories of our escapades in the NWMP. Gabe and Lillian, who is from the orphanage in Brookfield, are courting. You haven't met Lillian yet, but she was the one who arranged for Lee and Rosemary to adopt Patrick. I know you will like her when you meet.

I had an interesting meeting with Superintendent Hargraves this morning. He asked if he could make amends with me for the charges he brought up against me in Hope Valley last year. I'm not one to hold a grudge, no matter the circumstances, so we shook hands. If I could forgive my father for his transgressions, I could forgive Hargraves for his. He told me that I could have my choice of assignments as a reward for the arrests in the land scheme. I told him I would like to stay in Hope Valley. I'm confident that will happen.

I also met with the crown prosecutor this morning about the trial, which begins on Monday morning. Hargraves said he could also use my help with the recruits here in Regina when I'm not in court. I think I would enjoy that, and I would be working with Gabe. Right now they are perfecting their riding skills in difficult terrain and learning defensive tactics. Bill said that Headquarters told him they want Mounties to learn to drive cars. I hadn't heard that here, but I'm happy with riding Newton. I don't need a car.

I'll be glad when this trial is over, and I can come home to Hope Valley. I miss everyone, especially you and Allie. I hope this letter reaches you before I return. I expect to be here for about a week, and I'll return on the stage. Will you consider having dinner with me when I get back? I trust you, Allie and everyone in Hope Valley is doing well. I'll write again in a couple of days.

Yours respectfully,

Nathan

Nathan read the letter over again and wondered if 'Yours respectfully, Nathan' was a proper closing for a letter to Laura. He knew he couldn't write 'Love, Nathan.' It was far too soon for that. He thought, 'Your friend, Nathan' might give Laura the wrong idea too. He finally decided that he was over-thinking it, and he sealed the letter in its envelope and addressed it.

The door to the barracks open, and Gabe walked in. "Nathan, it looks like you're finished writing your letters. Are you going to tell me what you wrote to Laura?" asked Gabe.

"I am finished, and no, I'm not going to tell you what I wrote to Laura. Come on. Let's get something to eat. I'm hungry. I hear that roast beef is on the menu tonight."

"You're really not going to tell me, are you?"

"No I'm not. Let's go."

It was dinner time in Hope Valley too. Laura told Mr. and Mrs. Weis that she would like to treat them and the girls to dinner at the Café for being so kind and welcoming to her. Mrs. Weis told Laura it wasn't necessary, but she did agree to it in the end.

It was an unusually cold evening, and Mr. Weis decided that they would take the wagon to town. Everyone bundled up and put warm blankets over themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Weis sat up front, and Mr. Weis drove. Laura insisted on sitting in the back of the wagon with Allie and Opal. Laura enjoyed the clear, cold evening, knowing that the ride home would gift them with a sky full of bright, beautiful stars. The full moon had passed, but the stars would help guide them safely home. Everyone sang "Wait for the Wagon," on the way to the Café.

Before Mr. Weis had the horse tied up, Opal and Allie threw off their blankets, bound up the stairs and ran into the Café laughing and out of breath.

"I am freezing!" announced Allie.

"Me too," said Opal.

Elizabeth was at the Café, and she was surprised to see Allie and Opal. "Girls, are you two here alone?" she asked.

"No, Mrs. Thornton. We're here with Mr. and Mrs. Weis and Miss Couture. Are you here with Mr. Bouchard?" asked Allie.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Laura is watching Little Jack tonight. We thought we'd come to the Café for a change. Isn't your Uncle Nathan with you, Allie?" asked Elizabeth.

"No, Mrs. Thornton. I thought you knew," responded Allie.

"Knew what?"

"That Uncle Nathan went to Mountie Headquarters in Regina. I think he's testifying, but I'm not quite sure," answered Allie.

"I heard there's a class of new recruits. Is he helping with training exercises?" Elizabeth asked anxiously.

"I don't know, Mrs. Thornton. Why?"

"Mrs. Thorton, we don't know what Mountie Nathan is doing. He didn't really tell us much. We just know that Allie, Miss Couture and I really, really miss him. Do you miss him too, Mrs. Thornton?" asked Opal.

"Well, yes. I hadn't seen him in a few days. I mean, I wasn't sure who was taking care of Hope Valley," responded Elizabeth.

"Judge Avery is. Don't worry, Mrs. Thornton. Judge Avery can take care of everything. You and Little Jack will be just fine until Mountie Nathan comes home," announced Opal. Opal was happy she could teach Mrs. Thornton something for a change. "Mama and papa are here, Mrs. Thornton. We're staying to eat dinner tonight. Miss Couture is treating us!"

"That's nice, girls. Mr. and Mrs. Weis, enjoy your dinner. It was lovely to see you both. Miss Couture, it's lovely to see you as well," responded Elizabeth.

"It's nice to see you too Mrs. Thornton," responded Laura.

"What was all that about?" asked Mrs. Weis.

Allie grabbed Laura's hand. "Heck if I know. Come on, Miss Couture. I'm starving. Let's eat," answered Allie.