Once again, I'm astonished by the positive feedback. Another rant I have in annoyance with this season: It should be 1919 in their timeline. The Spanish Flu should be running rampant across the globe with its second wave, much like COVID did. I understand that the filming was impacted, and the stories were altered somewhat due to restrictions, but for heaven's sake all they had to do is to mention that the kids should be home and everyone wears an old mask and all of a sudden it's period appropriate! I had hoped they would at least acknowledge outside world events, but they don't... Hope Valley exists in a bubble.

Chapter 3

Well, There's Something Very Familiar About Her

Nathan and Allie had peeped out of their house a few days later and both were eager to be outside of town limits. They had attempted fishing first, but they couldn't due to a lack of citronella oil, and had an awkward encounter with Elizabeth in the Mercantile. She looked like she was going to say something, but, for once, managed to hold her tongue.

Then Nathan decided to teach Allie how to ride a horse, and while on the paths in the woods, had another awkward encounter with Elizabeth on her way to where they had seen Bouchard stop his car for a picnic.

"Uncle Nathan, next time you fall in love, please don't fall in love with one of my teacher's. It makes everything REALLY awkward," Allie said as they rode away from where Elizabeth had passed them.

"I think I can do that, but that comment assumes that we would leave Hope Valley," Nathan replied as he gave Allie a tentative look.

Allie looked back at him in pain.

"I know I've said I want to stay, and I do love my friends, and being outside, and being able to hang out with you, but neither of us can escape seeing Mrs. Thornton everywhere," Allie said as she trailed off.

"Do you want to move?" Nathan asked her.

Allie thought about the idea.

"I don't know," Allie admitted.

"I think that's fair, and fine. It's been hard to be around her all the time for me too," Nathan admitted. "But I also think we should stick this out for a bit. See if it gets better. It might just be the newness of the fallout."

Allie nodded in agreement, although she secretly had her doubts. But she definitely wanted to stay until at least her adoption was finalized.

"Have you thought about who you want to invite to your adoption ceremony?" Nathan asked.

Allie nodded.

"I know that they can't be here in person, but is it okay if I send an invitation to Grandma and Grandpa?" Allie asked eagerly.

Nathan smiled at her as they rode back into town and dismounted.

"I think they would both be very happy that you would want them there," Nathan said with love.

"We'll do that tonight then," Allie stated firmly.

"Oh, we will?" Nathan teased. "I feel like that is something you should do."

Allie just rolled her eyes at him.

Later that night, after dinner had been eaten and cleaned up, Allie was working on personalizing invitations for each of her grandparents while Nathan was working on addressing their mailing labels. Nathan posted the mail first thing the next morning, before heading to the Mountie Office to have the privacy for the phone calls he was going to make.

"Hope Valley Central, how may I place your call?" Florence said through the earpiece.

"I have two phone calls to make, Florence," Nathan said.

"To whom is the first call to be placed?" Florence asked.

"Ruth Grant in Calgary," Nathan said.

Florence paused in surprise.

"Yes, she's my mother, please place the call," Nathan said knowing the surprise of it.

Florence then placed the call.

"Nathan, you're calling! What's wrong?" His mother's aging voice came over the line.

"Hi, Ma! Nice to hear from you, too!" Nathan said sarcastically.

"I noticed you didn't say you were doing well in that comment, which means you aren't. You don't call! Now tell me what this is about before I worry even more," Ruth said firmly.

"It's nothing bad," Nathan tried to reassure her.

The silent reprimand was felt all the way into Nathan's toes. He could almost see his mother's glare of impatience with a toe tapping and a hand on one hip.

"I'm finally able to adopt Allie. She's inviting you, even though we know you can't be here. But I thought I would call you to let you know, so that you have time to send her something," Nathan said.

Ruth smiled with pride through the phone.

"Oh, THAT makes me happy for the both of you! To not have to worry about anyone taking her away from you is the best news I've heard in quite a long time! Of course, I'll send something. What does she want? What do you want?" Ruth asked through tears of happiness.

"I don't need anything, Ma. But Allie's been trying to connect with a female and is missing Colleen something awful. Do you have anything of hers?" Nathan asked.

Ruth had been surprised with the female comment. Both Allie and Nathan had spoken of Elizabeth Thornton as a potential hope for that role. So, something must have happened to that relationship.

But Ruth decided not to comment on that.

"Of course. I have just the thing to send for her. And I think, I'm getting you both a large surprise gift as well," Ruth said with happiness, already thinking about the logistics.

"Ma, really, I don't…" Nathan started to protest.

"You hush now. This is a big deal for BOTH of you. So, you're both getting a present," Ruth said firmly. "When's the ceremony?"

Nathan told her the time and date.

"I will make sure to get everything sent off in time. I love you, my boy," Ruth said with love and pride.

"Love you, too, Ma," Nathan said. He heard her click of good-bye.

Nathan took a moment to compose himself. His mother had to suspect that something was wrong, but his mother was also the type to give him the time to think and process things. When he was composed enough he had Florence place a similar phone call to Archie. He had been just as excited and even more thankful that they were thinking of him during this special time for the two of them.

He had also promised to send something.

After another week had passed, and Nathan was officially back on duty, Allie had been able to be somewhat distracted by her friends and playing with them, but there were always numerous encounters with Elizabeth and oftentimes she was with Lucas Bouchard.

Allie was getting especially good at ducking behind big things to hide from them, but her friends were getting annoyed with this behavior.

"Get me outta' here, I'm innocent!" Allie said as she rattled the bars and ran the cup back and forth across the bars.

"Hey, pipe down in there," Nathan teased back as he was looking over the guest list for the ceremony. "Is this everyone?"

Nathan crossed over to Allie's cell.

Allie nodded.

"Why aren't you out playing with your friends?" Nathan asked as he heard Opal's and Emily's laughter in the road.

"Because whenever we go out somewhere, Mrs. Thornton shows up," Allie explained sadly.

"Surely it's not that bad?" Nathan said, trying to encourage her outside to play.

Allie just gave him a look.

"Hello, Mrs. Thornton!" the girls all chorused with a wave.

"Hello, girls! Are you enjoying your summer?" Elizabeth's voice rang through the street.

"We are," they repeated with a giggle.

Allie gave him an exasperated look and rolled her eyes.

"I figured that we needed space, and this is the one place they won't come to, unless it's an emergency," Allie said.

Nathan nodded at her deduction.

"Well, you're welcome to your own personal cell until a criminal comes through, or I have to arrest somebody," Nathan said with a small smile, and he reached through the bars to pat her hand.

"Thanks, Uncle Nathan," Allie said as he went back to work, by standing watch on the boardwalk, and she went back to reading. The same book she had been reading and had reread quite a lot to avoid running into Bouchard or Elizabeth in the library.

Nathan sighed in frustration.

'This is getting ridiculous,' he thought as he watched Lucas and Elizabeth exchange conversation in the street.

It was at that moment that Ned Yost came out beaming, or at least Nathan assumed he was beaming, one couldn't really see his facial expression behind the bee hat, but Ned's tone of voice suggested his happiness. Or at least until he clutched his stomach and fell down the Mercantile steps.

Nathan rushed over to Ned, but Carson got there first. Nathan helped Carson carry Ned into the infirmary to get settled. He then let Carson and Faith do their jobs, and watched as everyone stood and was there for Florence and Ned.

Feeling the wind picking up, Nathan knew that a significant downpour would happen shortly. He walked Allie to Opal's and left her in the Weisses care. Nathan walked back into town and was gestured by Bill to follow him. Bill was carrying a large envelope.

"Is that?" Nathan asked.

"Allie's adoption paperwork," Bill confirmed. "I thought we could do the last bits here. Feels like we should be close on hand."

Bill had given him a look and gestured towards the infirmary.

"I agree," Nathan said as he followed Bill inside the saloon. Bill led them to a table, and they sat down. Just as they got settled the downpour exploded a rush of heavy wind and rain.

"I'm so glad, I don't have to be anywhere. This is just going to get worse," Bill said as he looked outside.

Nathan gave him a look of annoyance, knowing that Bill was commenting on the fact that Nathan had rounds he would need to complete.

"Shall we get started?" Bill asked with a smirk.

Nathan nodded.

Bill went into the explanation of the paperwork.

"Just sign here, here, and here, and you're good to go," Bill finally said.

Nathan signed in all of those places.

"I can't tell you how glad I am to have your help through all of this, Bill. I don't know how to repay you," Nathan said with a genuine smile.

"Just pay my bill," Bill replied dryly.

Nathan looked at him in confusion.

"No, this one's on the house," Bill said with a genuine smile as well.

Nathan stood and started to gather his things.

"Thanks. You're a generous man, Bill. Perhaps you would like to do my rounds for me as well?" Nathan teased.

"That would be too generous," Bill replied as he sat back.

Nathan was pulling together his buttons on his serge as he passed by where Elizabeth, and formerly Lucas, had been waiting on news.

He hesitated, but felt he needed to ask.

"I take it there's no news on Ned?" Nathan said as he looked at her.

Elizabeth showed her surprise at Nathan approaching her. She seemed happy to have even this small conversation.

"No. I don't think Faith and Carson even have a diagnosis yet," Elizabeth said in response.

Nathan nodded just before turning and finishing putting on his outerwear. This was going to be cold and wet. Nathan stepped out into the cold of the deluge. He went about his normal rounds, a bit slower than normal due to the weather and the fact that those he was checking on kept bringing him inside for warm beverages.

By the time Nathan got back to Hope Valley it was very late. Elizabeth was sitting post outside the infirmary, shivering in the cold night air.

'What a stubborn woman,' Nathan thought as he sighed internally.

She looked up when she heard him leading Newton through main street, and then looked down quickly.

Nathan stopped Newton and untucked the Mountie blanket on his saddle.

Elizabeth looked at him in surprise when he approached.

"Use it or don't. But you look cold," Nathan said as he set the blanket on the bench next to Elizabeth.

She smiled in thanks but didn't grab it.

Nathan had a lot of questions about Ned and Florence, and why exactly Elizabeth was here and not Florence, but since they weren't friends anymore, he figured this was something he could learn later.

But Elizabeth could read him like an open book. She always had.

"Ned is still in danger. It took all of my power to convince Florence to leave and go home to rest, but it was only after I promised to stay in this exact spot," Elizabeth said as she patted the bench.

Nathan nodded.

"I'm glad that Allie is having so many friends come to her adoption. It seems like her friends are all very excited and having competitions about who they think is more deserving to be closest to her," Elizabeth said kindly.

Nathan narrowed his eyes at her.

"That has nothing to do with me as a teacher, but as her teacher it makes me happy that she has a big support group now. She's grown a lot," Elizabeth replied.

Nathan nodded at that comment.

"I will leave you to your post. Good-night, Mrs. Thornton," Nathan said as he took Newton's reins and led him to the livery.

Elizabeth watched his retreating back with hurt and pain.

The next morning there was an influx of activity. Ned had woken up and that made everyone grateful to the doctors in their small town.

There was an atmosphere of celebration where Allie and Nathan were concerned. Allie had handed out her invitations that morning and everyone who got one was showing it off like they had won a prize. She was playing with her friends under the watchful eye of Cat Montgomery, while Nathan was doing his morning duties on the other side of town. As the stage coach approached town, no one was expecting anyone to visit so there weren't many people hanging about the stage platform. It always stopped, just in case of picking up new passengers, although no one expected that today. So, the townspeople were surprised when the stage stopped, and the driver jumped down to open the door. Lucas and Elizabeth had been watching the street and watched together as an old, shaking hand popped out of the stage.

Lucas was a gentleman, and being a gentleman saw that his assistance was needed, and quickly crossed the street to the stage platform. He helped the driver with his passenger.

"Hello, Ma'am," Lucas said. "Welcome to Hope Valley. Do you have any bags?"

She just shook her head.

"Where would you like to go?" Lucas asked. "We have a lovely cafe, or a saloon if you're hungry."

"I would like to sit outside the Mountie Office, please," the woman said.

"Oh, do you need me to get our constable? I can rush to go get him," Lucas offered.

"No, no. I just need to sit. I like to observe things. Mountie Offices tend to be placed in a good place to do that," the woman said.

Lucas smiled as he got her settled into the chair that Nathan often sat in. Then walked back to his saloon.

"Who is that, Lucas?" Rosemary asked.

"She didn't give her name," Lucas said.

"Well, there's something very familiar about her," Rosemary said as she gave the woman a longer look.

And that was what ended up being floated around town as she spent the morning watching people.

But that was suddenly forgotten when someone they did recognize came into town on the train from Calgary and with more luggage than they had thought he had. Archie had hired some of the boys to take the luggage to the saloon and then followed the car on foot.

He heard the whispers at his surprise arrival, but no one had tried to stop him.

"Mr. Grant," Gustav greeted him when he walked to the bar.

"Hello, Gustav," Archie said kindly with a large smile.

"I need to rent a room from ya," Archie said.

"How long are you staying?" Gustav asked, pulling the room rental book out and opening it.

"I'm not sure, exactly," Archie admitted. "At least three nights."

"I will put you down for at least three nights, maybe longer," Gustav said as he wrote down the important information. He gave Archie his key. Archie took it and led the boys to the room he had rented.

Archie got his things settled and pulled out Allie's gifts. He opened his window, which looked out onto main street.

"Who's that at the Mountie Office?"

"Does she need help?"

Were the whispers as the morning continued.

Some of the school children started a fight, which Elizabeth interfered with.

"Now both of you saw you're sorry," Elizabeth lectured sternly.

The woman had watched the exchange quite diligently.

Elizabeth turned as she sensed the woman's look.

The woman didn't flinch. She didn't look away. To Elizabeth, it seemed as if the woman was assessing her in this glance, and her actions from this morning, and that the woman didn't like what she saw. Elizabeth was the first to turn away.

It wasn't until Allie and her friends were running into town on a race that Allie was winning that the town got the woman's identity. Allie had been flying by as she turned the corner. Robert right on her heels. When Allie saw the woman sitting outside of her uncle's office. it took her a few seconds to process it, but when she did, she stopped in her tracks, and the collision between her and her friends was loud and hard.

The woman gave her a look, as if saying that she shouldn't be doing something as dangerous as skidding down the street when she had a ceremony coming up.

Allie's beaming face of happiness couldn't be properly lectured though.

"GRANDMA! YOU'RE HERE!" Allie said with surprise and happiness.

The woman smiled brightly back, with a very familiar crooked smile.

Allie got up and ran into her grandmother's long arms.

With the comment from Allie, it soon became more clear that the woman was familiar because Nathan took after her in his face and mannerisms.

"Uncle Nathan didn't say anything," Allie said once she could talk.

"We're surprising him too," she whispered into Allie's ear.

"We?" Allie looked up in confusion.

"Your grandfather is here," she said as she pointed to Archie.

Archie was standing on the upper decking of the saloon smiling at them.

"Grandpa! This is the best!" Allie said happily.

Archie smiled and waved before we walked down the stairs to approach them. He was a few feet away, and hadn't said anything of explanation yet, when Allie wrapped herself around him. He just smiled and held her tightly.

The town's people were all smiling and some were crying at the fact that her grandparents had made a special trip to Hope Valley just to be with Allie and Nathan on such a big day.

The growing crowd in the middle of the street, made Nathan nervous, so he had adjusted his normal route to check it out. What he saw truly shocked and surprised him.

Both of his parents had one of Allie's hands, and she was beaming at them both. His mother was still sitting in the chair, which didn't surprise him, her mobility had been limited eight years ago, let alone now.

"Ma! Dad! You're here. Both of you! At the same time!" Nathan said in shock and apprehension as he approached.

"We'll explain in a bit," his mother said.

Nathan bent over to give her a hug.

"It's good to see you," his mother whispered in his ear.

"Always, but where are you staying?" Nathan asked knowing that Hope Valley would be a challenge with his mother's mobility.

"I figured I would just be in your row house as much as possible," his mother looked at him.

"Ma, the row houses are a bit of a walk," Nathan said.

His mother just gave him the same stubborn look as she always did when discussing her health.

Nathan shook his head.

"Are you all hungry? The cafe has really good food," Nathan asked, turning to look at the rest of their family.

They all agreed.

Nathan stood next to his mother, and helped support her weight as she struggled to stand. Once she was up, they walked slowly behind Archie and Allie who had walked ahead on their way to the cafe.

"She's getting so tall!" Ruth whispered as she watched her granddaughter's retreating figure.

"Yeah…" Nathan said deadpanned.

Ruth smirked at her son.

"I think she may already be where Colleen stopped growing," Ruth said in a comment.

Nathan just nodded.

He was the tallest in his family, and everyone had always marked their heights to where they came up to when near him. Oh, I'm at Nathan's shoulder. Well, I'm at Nathan's neck, had been common phrases once he had stopped growing.

Colleen had always made sure to check up against him, but she had stopped at his shoulder. Allie was already taller than her, which simultaneously made him feel old and useless.

Ruth smiled knowingly at her son.

"She'll always need you," Ruth said softly.

Nathan gave her a glare.

"You're doing a wonderful job with her," Ruth said.

"Sometimes, it doesn't feel like it," Nathan admitted.

"Every parent thinks that way, Nathan. She's got a solid support person in you, no matter what, and she is growing into an exceptional young woman," Ruth said firmly as they climbed the stairs.

Nathan just shrugged.

"She's very smart as well," Ruth added as they watched Allie tell Archie about her math program for next year. Archie looked like what she was saying was all above his skill levels, despite having used math everyday at the bank, and as a cashier at his work.

"That's thanks to her mother and teachers," Nathan said in self-deprecation.

Ruth glared at him.

"Colleen was smart, but she didn't have the chance to teach her and help with her homework. Allie's level of skill is also partially on you and your emphasis on the importance of school," Ruth said firmly.

Nathan shook his head.

"Nathan, you either agree with me on this, or I tell the whole town that you like to read poetry. Romantic poetry," Ruth threatened.

Nathan looked at his mother.

"Ma, are you really threatening me?" Nathan asked in surprise.

"All the Romantics," Ruth said.

"Okay, first of all, that particular writing movement didn't just write about love, there were a lot of other feelings involved, and I only like many of them because of the nature aspects of those particular works," Nathan argued.

"And the people of this town are educated enough to know the difference?" Ruth said smugly.

"You would be surprised at how educated the people here are, but not all of them," Nathan admitted with a blush.

"You've proven my point, though," Ruth said as she smiled with a twinkly in her eyes.

Neither of them said anything more as they had finally caught up to the others. Nathan helped his mom into her chair before sitting in his own.

Clara quickly got their order. Bill was the one who came back with their food.

"Clara said you had surprise guests," Bill said as he set down each plate carefully.

"Yup, they're both here!" Allie said excitedly.

"Bill, you know my dad, Archie, but this is my mother, Ruth Grant," Nathan introduced.

Bill nodded in greeting to Archie. Then turned his gaze to Ruth.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Grant. We're very proud of your son and granddaughter. They've become close to a lot of us," Bill said honestly.

"Thank you for saying that, Mr…." Ruth trailed off.

"Judge Bill Avery, but please just call me Bill," Bill smiled.

"Ruth," she replied.

"Anyway, I will let you all catch up," Bill returned to the kitchen.

The family had mild conversation, but nothing overly personal was said so that the crowds wouldn't be able to hear.

"I have her things in me room in the saloon," Archie said as they were leaving.

"We'll have someone help me get them, once we get Ma into my row house," Nathan said. Ruth was leaning heavily on her son as they started the slow walk to the row houses.

Lee ended up coming up behind them in his car.

"Looks like you need a ride," Lee said as he stopped the car.

"We don't want to intrude on your time, Lee," Nathan said.

"Rosemary instructed me to get you to your house, and with how slowly you're moving I imagine that I will be passing you again on my way back. So, let me help you," Lee said as he opened the car door.

Ruth just nodded.

"Lee this is my mother, Ruth Grant; Ma, this is Lee Coulter," Nathan introduced.

They exchanged pleasantries. Then they helped Ruth get into the Coulter's car and drove the rest of the way to Nathan's house.

"Where's the bags?" Lee asked as they dropped Nathan and Ruth at the door.

"With my dad in the saloon," Nathan said.

"Alright, I will go get them, and bring them back," Lee said with a smile.

"Lee, are you sure about this? I can get them later," Nathan said.

"It's no problem! I will be back before you can walk back into town even with your normal tall man's pace," Lee said teasingly.

Nathan just shook his head and led his mother inside. He showed her where everything was on the first floor, and got her settled on his sofa before sitting down in the chair across from her.

"Ma?" Nathan asked.

"We're here to celebrate Allie being adopted, of course. But the tone in your voice suggested that something was wrong in your phone call. It worried both of us. I contacted your father, not long after he got off with you mind you, and we agreed that something IS wrong, and we're here to help. So, want to tell me what happened?" Ruth gave him the same look he would often give Allie.

Nathan sighed as he thought about how to phrase things. Then Nathan went into a long explanation of what had happened between him and Elizabeth since meeting her and ended with the parent-teacher conference conversation and running into her all the time.

Ruth looked at him in annoyance.

"Has she apologized to you for anything that she has done to hurt you?" Ruth asked in annoyance.

Nathan shook his head.

"Archie said that when he was around last year, she seemed that she had been encouraging a potential relationship with you, and even thought she was your wife when they first met," Ruth said.

Nathan looked surprised at the last comment.

"That was before I was about 3 inches away from a gun-barrel when it went off," Nathan said dryly. "She's afraid."

Ruth sighed heavily again.

"She's afraid of losing you physically and to your job. But she apparently has no qualms about losing your friendship because of her behavior," Ruth rolled her eyes.

Nathan gave her a look of reprimand.

"Yes, we all know she's hurting, yadda, yadda, yadda, but it's no excuse for hurting others. What's your opinion of the other guy involved?" Ruth said with crossed arms.

Nathan looked down at his hands, a trait when he thought about his answer.

"Lucas Bouchard is a gambler and a bit of a showman. He's always enjoyed the best of things, that is obvious. He isn't comfortable around children for long periods of time. But he's done a lot of good for the town between his two businesses. I think he's a good person, but we're too different to be friends," Nathan said.

Ruth sat there and processed everything.

"How is Allie handling not having the relationship she had prayed for with Mrs. Thornton?" Ruth asked.

"Not well."

Ruth nodded as if that was what she had expected.

"I'm letting Archie back into my apartment," Ruth said.

"MA!" Nathan said in shock and reprimand.

"I know I always swore I wouldn't again, but you trust him again," Ruth pointed out.

"Sort of," Nathan said begrudgingly.

"Enough. We agreed to sleep in separate rooms, but we are leaving the last one open for Allie. If she wants a long summer stay away from Hope Valley. It would give all of you time to reset. There are several new families in my apartment complex. There is a girl Allie's age. It could give her an idea if she wants to stay or leave Hope Valley," Ruth said.

"Thanks, but I don't know if Allie will even go for it. She loves it here," Nathan said.

"Even now?" Ruth asked pointedly.

Nathan shrugged.

"We'll ask if she wants to go," Nathan answered as they heard Lee's car rumbling down the street.

Ruth just smiled and nodded.