Hello, everyone! Thanks for the positive reviews and patience! Just a reminder that I am starting teaching again, so I will not be updating as often.

Chapter 21

Prelude to a Wedding

If there had been an influx of people in Hope Valley due to the town's growth, the article, and the Christmas Festival, the amount of people waiting at the train station two days later was surely a record breaker. Elizabeth had telephoned her father to let them know that Hargraves had been arrested and they could bring the trunks of the Hope Valley families. Grace and Julie absolutely wouldn't be left behind again.

In addition to all of this, Lucas had more deliveries for the festival each day. Constable Monroe was the Mountie at the station that day.

"Where's Constable Grant?" William Thatcher asked loudly as he looked around and noticed who was missing.

"He's being checked on by Dr. Carter and Dr. Sheppard," Elizabeth said.

William raised an eyebrow.

"They're determining if he is fit to ride," Elizabeth explained.

"That is the most important doctor evaluation of his life, then," William said with a teasing smile.

Elizabeth giggled and nodded.

As the families of Hope Valley were collecting trunks and clearing out of the train station with happy faces and content smiles, the Thatchers were being shown around by Elizabeth and Jack.

They saw Nathan approaching Newton with a happy smile.

"You can gallop!" Elizabeth said happily.

"I can, officially, gallop," Nathan confirmed.

"Not that that stopped you from riding anyway," Dr. Sheppard said with a frowning look at Nathan.

Nathan just shrugged and blushed.

"Do you mind a riding partner?" Elizabeth asked.

"Thought you would never ask," Nathan said with a wink. He had had Robert saddle Sergeant.

Elizabeth looked at her family. Grace was busy looking around and nodded her approval. She could meet Nathan officially later. Elizabeth was beaming as she was finally able to go on a horse ride with Nathan without the fear of a threat. Nathan rode them up to the land he had bought from Bill.

"This is truly beautiful, Nathan," Elizabeth said.

Nathan nodded in agreement. But Elizabeth noticed he looked nervous.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.

Nathan explained what Commissioner Collins wanted him to do and how he was struggling with it.

"It sounds like a good deal," Elizabeth pointed out.

"I'm not a teacher, though," Nathan protested.

"Mhúin tú dúinn conas Gaeilge a labhairt!" Elizabeth countered in Irish.

"That level of learning was all Dad," Nathan protested.

"You started the basics," Elizabeth pointed out.

Nathan looked at her with a glare.

"Look, all any teaching is, is giving feedback for them to improve. Like you did with our Irish lessons, which you do with Allie's riding lessons, which you did with Allie's reading, writing, and homework, and fishing! It sounds like the thing that scares you about teaching is the group setting. But I imagine that your recruits will be small sized groups," Elizabeth pointed out.

Nathan nodded at that point.

"Besides, you will have a certified teacher to help you with anything you struggle with," Elizabeth gave him a look across the horses. "If you need help with lesson planning, or curriculum building, I can help!"

"You sound like you're eager for me to take the position," Nathan said.

"I do think it's an exciting adventure for you! What else would you do if you don't take it?" Elizabeth asked.

Nathan shrugged.

"I don't know. But the reasons I became a Mountie no longer fit me as a person," Nathan said.

"Your dad?" Elizabeth asked softly.

Nathan nodded.

"You could have easily stopped being a Mountie ages ago with that reason," Elizabeth said. "Why have you stayed being a Mountie?"

Nathan quietly looked down and petted Newton's head as he tried to form his answer.

"I grew to love it," Nathan admitted.

"Is there anything you can do, or build towards that you love just as much?" Elizabeth asked.

Nathan thought about it honestly.

"Before all of this happened, no. But it's hard to trust and put pride into your work, when the people who surround you are such cads," Nathan admitted softly.

"Which is why Collins is asking you to take the trainer position. He trusts your instincts and skills as a Mountie to be able to restore the love and pride we are supposed to have in our flawed system," Elizabeth pointed out.

Nathan nodded.

"Are you okay with me being a Mountie?" Nathan asked with some hesitancy.

Elizabeth nodded.

"I'm sorry that you ever felt that your job was something I couldn't get over. I'm sorry that I thought I couldn't get over it myself. But you are meant to do good in this world, Nathan Grant, and the best way to do good is for you to be a Mountie," Elizabeth said firmly as she reached out her hand to hold his.

Nathan just took it into his own.

"You're really okay with this?" Nathan asked one last time.

"Yes, I am," Elizabeth said firmly as she met his look.

Nathan finally looked away to gaze at the land.

"I love you," Elizabeth whispered.

"Tá mé i ngrá leat freisin," Nathan whispered back.

Elizabeth blushed but beamed up at him.

"Any idea on when your house is going to be built?" Elizabeth asked.

"Spring thaw," Nathan said.

Elizabeth looked around at the snow covered ground.

"That is a long time off," she said with disappointment.

Nathan nodded in agreement, "but it will go by quickly with the investigations, and the trials, you teaching."

Elizabeth nodded at that in agreement.

"I will miss you when you're away, but I won't shut you out again," Elizabeth promised.

"I would hope not," Nathan said with a teasing wink. "Part of the reason I brought you up here is to give you an early Christmas gift."

Elizabeth looked at him in surprise and with anticipation.

Nathan reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a thin box.

Elizabeth saw the box and opened the cloth wrapping. The box was nicely carved with her favorite things. She opened the inside. On the inside, Nathan had painted the words, 'Ní féidir liom mo thodhchaí a shamhlú gan tú a chur ann. Is tú cúis mo dhóchais agus freagra mo bhrionglóidí. An bpósfaidh tú mé?'

Nathan watched as Elizabeth was struggling to read the message and translate it.

"I understand pieces of this, but I'm not sure what it says," Elizabeth admitted.

"Elizabeth, I can't imagine my future without you in it. You are the reason for my hopes and the answer to my dreams. Will you marry me?" Nathan whispered in English.

Elizabeth looked at him in hope and surprise, but didn't even need to think about her answer.

"Yes," she said before pulling him to her and kissing him soundly.

Once they needed to separate for air, Nathan showed her the ring he had gotten for her, hidden behind a sliding compartment in the box. Elizabeth looked at the claddagh ring and fell in love with it at first sight. She held out her hand for him to put the ring on, and then kissed him soundly again once he had.

"Spring is way too far away," Elizabeth said firmly as she pulled back and looked at the snow covered land.

"I agree, but it does seem like the best time to build a house," Nathan said.

"But we don't necessarily have to wait to have the new house built before we are married, right?" Elizabeth said with a look.

"When are you wanting to be married?" Nathan asked flatly, knowing that this is where she was going with this.

Elizabeth gave him a look, but she seemed hesitant to mention when she wanted the wedding to be.

"Alright, don't think I'm crazy, but…" Elizabeth went into the long explanation of her reasons for her ideal wedding date.

Nathan just shook his head, because he couldn't counter many of her points except that it was VERY close to the date now, and it is hard to plan a wedding.

"Whenever you want, my love, but I don't know how we will get the others involved to agree to it," Nathan said.

Elizabeth beamed.

"Are you kidding? Rosemary's been on standby since I admitted to her that I would have agreed to marry you before our first date," Elizabeth teased.

Nathan just gave her a look.

"I knew it would take time, but no sense in wasting it," Elizabeth said.

Nathan just smiled and led them back into town.

"YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!" Rosemary shrieked and enveloped Elizabeth into her arms as Elizabeth dismounted Sergeant and Rosemary saw the new jewelry.

Everyone who had been walking in town for various reasons all looked towards Nathan and Elizabeth. Both blushed but smiled a loving smile at each other. The town began clapping to that news.

"When's the wedding?" Florence asked.

"They just got engaged, I highly doubt they have talked about a date yet," Bill said though he was looking at them proudly.

The others nodded in agreement.

"Actually, we have discussed a date. We want it to be Saturday," Elizabeth said

"Saturday?!" the people of Hope Valley all gasped.

Elizabeth nodded.

"Most everyone we love and want to be here, is already here, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are already special with their own special occasions," Elizabeth said in explanation.

Everyone looked at Elizabeth and Nathan in shock, but once they realized that they had discussed this rationally and those points were true, they all realized that Elizabeth and Nathan would get married with or without their support, and of course everyone was thrilled for them.

So, the entire town began to commune in the saloon to talk about what exactly was needed for a wedding to be planned in five days.

"Bill, I know that Pastor Canfield is technically the pastor now, and is usually in charge of the service, but we would be honored if you are our officiator," Nathan asked Bill quietly as they were trying to get their wedding parties set up.

Bill looked at him in surprise.

"I am truly honored; yes, of course I will," Bill agreed softly.

Nathan shook his hand with a smile.

"Rosemary and Julie have agreed to be my matron of honor, and my bridesmaid," Elizabeth said proudly as she joined Nathan a little while later.

Nathan smiled at her.

"Bill agreed to officiate," he said as he kissed her head.

Elizabeth smiled widely.

"Elizabeth! We need you over here," Rosemary said firmly as she gestured to where a large group of Hope Valley women were standing with Grace and Julie Thatcher, and Charlotte Thornton on the outskirts.

Elizabeth gave Nathan one last kiss and walked to where the group was and was immediately swarmed.

Nathan took a step back to observe the people in the room around them. His eyes finally found their target and found Gabe Kinslow showing Opal a coin trick. Nathan made his way over to the group.

"Hi, Mountie Nathan," the girls all chorused.

Nathan smiled kindly at them.

"Mountie Gabe is showing us a coin trick," Opal said.

"How do you get it to go so fast?" Anna asked from behind her.

"Practice," he replied.

"Do you mind if I steal you away from your adoring fans?" Nathan asked as he looked his friend in the eye..

"Not at all," Gabe smiled.

Gabe let Nathan pick the direction, and they walked outside in the cold winter air.

"I know that this will put you even later to going back to Brookfield, but will you be my best man?" Nathan asked.

"Nathan, nothing will keep me away from that role, and I will fight anyone else you try to give it to for it," Gabe said with a smile. "I'm very glad that you finally found someone to spend your life with."

Nathan smiled.

"I hope that everything you've done here hasn't put you finding someone special out of your reach," Nathan said honestly.

"I haven't had much time to speak with Lillian, but she hasn't spent much time with Sam, either, from what the others have said," Gabe said honestly. "Perhaps, I will get time to speak honestly about my intentions when I get back."

Nathan smiled in encouragement back.

"So, have you spoke to Collins about your new position yet?" Gabe asked as they walked down the boardwalk.

Nathan looked at him.

"I haven't decided yet," Nathan said stiffly.

Gabe gave him a look.

"Okay, what's holding you up?" Gabe asked.

"I don't teach," Nathan said.

Gabe gave him a look and sighed heavily in frustration, but then just nodded towards where Allie and Robert were standing with their friends. Allie was holding Newton's reins.

"Allie, show us what you know," her friends said.

Allie sighed but nodded in agreement. But she hadn't ever tried mounting on snow and ice before and was going to make them both slip if she tried.

"Allie!" Nathan said as he rushed over. "That's the best way to land on your head, and to hurt Newton in these conditions."

Allie and the group all flinched but nodded and then listened attentively as he showed them how to successfully get on a horse in snow and ice.

"Now you try," Nathan said to Allie.

Allie beamed and confidently mounted Newton safely.

"Well done! Slowly walk him around the street," Nathan instructed softly. Allie gave a small nudge and Newton started walking. Her group of friends all walked with her.

The adults in the saloon were soon all brought outside by the noise from the students and saw Allie on Newton in these conditions and all cheered her on.

Gabe Kinslow was looking between Allie and Nathan with his head shaking.

"What?" Nathan said.

"Not a teacher my ass!" Gabe hissed in Nathan's ear.

Nathan blushed in response.

"Nathan, who is your groomsman? We can't have an uneven number, and we need to know who it is so colors don't clash," Rosemary demanded once everyone had gone back inside the saloon.

"I haven't discussed it with them yet," Nathan said.

"Do IT!" Rosemary demanded.

Nathan was given a long hard look of reprimand from Rosemary as he was standing inside the doorway.

"I will later," Nathan said, knowing that the other person he wanted standing with him would surprise and shock the traditionalists of the room, but he didn't want anyone else standing with him.

Rosemary gave him one last glare.

Nathan wasn't moving, though.

The amount of planning for the wedding was surprisingly fast with a lot of volunteers. Elizabeth would be wearing a dress her mother had brought from Calgary. Fashionable, but sophisticated and simple. The colors would be red and green as the town was already flush with Christmas decorations. The ceremony would take place outside in the street, and the reception would be split between the saloon and the cafe.

The next morning, Nathan woke Allie up early and showed her two new fishing poles he had made. Allie looked up at him in excitement and immediately put on her coat and boots.

"Is Grandpa coming?" Allie asked as she looked back at the room where her grandparents were sleeping.

"No. It's been awhile since we've had time together, just us. Is that okay with you?" Nathan said as he led them out of the saloon doors.

Allie nodded in happiness.

"I like spending time with Grandma and Grandpa, but I also miss spending time alone with you," Allie admitted.

Nathan smiled.

"Me too," Nathan put his arm around her shoulders and let her chat all the way up to the fishing hole.

"Mrs. Thornton said that I'm a natural on a horse," Allie said.

Nathan raised an eyebrow.

"She saw you get lessons," Nathan said.

"Not my teacher-Jack's grandma," Allie explained.

"Oh," Nathan replied.

"But they both said I am good with a horse," Allie admitted.

Nathan nodded and smiled.

"Is this your not so subtle way of asking for one?" Nathan asked as they cast out into the lake.

Allie nodded with a grin.

"I don't know if I can afford it this year," Nathan said.

"You say that every year," Allie protested.

"And it's still true," Nathan replied.

"But you know more people who can," Allie argued.

Nathan gave her a long look.

"Allie, if you really want a horse, you should save your money like Robert is, by working jobs," Nathan said with a look.

"But will you let me work?" Allie asked in shock.

"If it's for a purpose. School still comes first," Nathan said with a firm look.

Allie beamed at him, but nodded.

"Thanks, Dad," Allie said.

Nathan just gave a nod.

They fished quietly for a few minutes.

"Allie, are you okay with how quickly Mrs. Thornton and I are getting married?" Nathan asked.

Allie looked over at him.

"Dad, I have wanted the two of you married for a few YEARS. There is nothing fast about you getting married. And I am glad that she realized how wonderful you are, and is not afraid of it anymore. But I do have some questions," Allie stated.

"You always do. What are they?" Nathan asked.

Allie smiled.

"What am I supposed to call Mrs. Thornton after you're married? In class it will be Mrs. Grant, but at home? Is she supposed to be Aunt Elizabeth?" Allie asked.

Nathan looked at her.

"Is there something you're comfortable calling her?" Nathan asked.

Allie looked down.

"Aunt Elizabeth seems to be the best, but then I think about the explaining we will have to do if I call her Aunt and you're my Dad," Allie said.

Nathan nodded.

"I think this is a conversation you will need to have with her," Nathan said, "but I cannot imagine Elizabeth minding what you call her, so long as it is respectful and you are comfortable with it."

Allie nodded.

"I heard yesterday, that Jack is going to be a ring bearer again. Am I supposed to be a flower girl? Because I feel a little too old for that title," Allie said with a wrinkled nose.

"You are not a flower girl," Nathan said.

Allie sighed with relief.

"So, do I do anything for the wedding, then?" Allie asked. She knew that the wedding parties were intentionally small, and that the other roles had been taken. "Am I an usher?"

Nathan gave her a look.

"You would never be given such a trite role in my wedding, Allie," Nathan reprimanded.

"Well, what am I doing then?" Allie asked back.

Nathan reeled in his fishing line. Allie followed his example.

"I want you to be my groomswoman," Nathan said after he had her complete attention.

Allie's eyes widened in shock, and then filled with tears as she processed that statement.

"Really?" Allie asked with bated breath.

Nathan nodded.

Allie flung herself into Nathan's arms to hug him.

"I take it you're okay with that role?" Nathan asked teasingly.

"Beyond okay with it! Does this mean I get to wear a suit?" Allie asked in excitement. "Because let's face it, Dad, dresses are uncomfortable, and I prefer pants."

Nathan couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm pretty sure we don't want to have Florence go into real shock at the sight of you standing with me in a suit," Nathan said as they started the walk back home.

"That's true. But Mrs. Thornton wears pants all the time," Allie pointed out.

Nathan had to think about who she was referring to.

"Jack's grandmother. The best thing about your wedding is going to be to not have any confusion on which Mrs. Thornton we are referring to," Allie said.

Nathan laughed and nodded in agreement.

They walked happily chatting back and forth back to Hope Valley.

Most everyone was up and moving about.

"Nathan, have you discussed it with your groomsman?" Rosemary called out from the door of the Valley Voice.

"Groomswoman," Gabe Kinslow corrected.

Everyone looked at him standing in front of the Mountie Office.

"Huh?"

"His groomswoman is Allie," Gabe said as if that should be obvious.

Rosemary looked back to Nathan and Allie and both were smiling widely.

"Well you are wearing a dress, young miss! Can't have Florence Yost die of a heart attack when she sees you standing with the men," Rosemary said firmly.

"I've already been told that," Allie acknowledged.

Rosemary gave them both a look of approval and went about her business.

"Gabe, we need to discuss some things as best man and matron of honor," Rosemary turned her attention to Kinslow. Gabe gave Nathan a look that clearly said, 'you owe me,' before being whisked away by Rosemary on wedding business.

Elizabeth ended up needing Allie for her measurements. Nathan was just people watching in the street as everyone else bustled around.

"I completely understand if the two of you want just family and friends at your ceremony and reception. I'm not related to either of you, and I don't want to be under foot. But I would like to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas here," Charlotte said to Nathan as she walked up to him.

Nathan looked at her in surprise.

"We haven't really discussed a firm guest list, but I'm quite certain you're on it," Nathan said as he looked at her.

"Are you sure? Your friends and family are more important than some crazy old woman," Charlotte said with a self-deprecating smile.

"Yes, I'm sure. You impressed me with how you helped Allie in Calgary. I haven't really had time to thank you for being there for her in support," Nathan said softly.

Charlotte rolled her eyes at the memory.

"Well someone had to do something. They were being idiots," Charlotte added. "And she impressed me with her own candor and manner. Allie is a treasure."

"I know," Nathan said.

Charlotte smiled.

"Yes, you do. Why did you take her?" Charlotte asked.

Nathan raised an eyebrow in question.

"You could have given her up. Sent her to an orphanage. Why didn't you?" Charlotte asked again.

Nathan looked at her.

"To be honest, that thought never even crossed my mind. It never has," Nathan said as he looked at Allie inside the dress shop. "She's mine. She has always been mine. Letting her go isn't an option."

Charlotte smiled knowingly at him.

"What?" Nathan asked.

"You have just proved what I told Allie about how much you love her. You're a good man, and you're a good father, and I am glad that Jack Jr. is going to be loved and cared for by someone who puts family first, and by a man who loves his children no matter where they came from," Charlotte admitted.

Nathan smiled in response.

"I've grown to care for Allie; is it alright if I get her a present?" Charlotte asked with hesitation in her voice. A first for him to hear.

"We both look forward to it," Nathan said with a reassuring smile.

Charlotte smiled back before walking away and looking at the different items being sold. Constable Nelson and Constable Monroe were standing guard over the Mounties who had been arrested and were working to clear and rebuild the livery.

The bachelor party for Nathan Grant was one that many of the men of Hope Valley would remember quite well. Gabe Kinslow was firm about it NOT happening in the saloon.

"Nathan doesn't play poker! What are we going to do, have a darts tournament?" Gabe would roll his eyes and glare at anyone who had suggested that location (which was many of the men attending).

Nathan really understood his intent, though. He knew Archie was struggling living over the games at night. Archie hadn't cracked yet, but Gabe wasn't going to give him any more temptations than was absolutely necessary, and he didn't want Archie to feel left out of the bachelor party.

Gabe had stayed mum about the plans. All anyone knew was that it wasn't in the saloon, and that it would be more fun than what Jesse's and Ned's were.

Nathan knew that his idea of fun wasn't quite up to par with the other men in the town, which is why people were worried. Fishing in December is cold and bound to lead to frostbite if done too long.

The afternoon of the bachelor and bachelorette parties arrived with a lot of hugging, smiles, slaps on the back, hand shaking, and a lot of well wishes. Allie was staying with Elizabeth and the women. Jack, due to his age, was being watched after by the girls in the row houses, while their parents were at the celebrations. The women were using the parlor of the saloon while the men were in jackets and looking hesitant about Kinslow's plans.

Elizabeth was smirking at the men as she said goodbye to Nathan.

"Tá rud éigin ar eolas agat?" Nathan said in Irish as she came to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"I do, but it's a surprise. Don't worry you'll like it," Elizabeth said with a smile.

Nathan just shook his head and then followed Gabe Kinslow to a hunting cabin in the woods.

"That is not going to fit all of us, Kinslow," Jesse said as they approached the cabin.

"I'm aware. Tonight's party is a challenge. This is considered a Red Cross Cabin here," Gabe said as the men of the town, Archie, William Thatcher, Gabe Montgomery, and their other male visitors all stood outside the cabin.

Kinslow waited until everyone was watching and listening to him.

"Tonight we are challenging Nathan's skills as a tracker. The goal is to make it back to Hope Valley without being caught by him. Rules: you are working in teams. If Nathan catches up to your team, you lose. Once you are out of the running, you are a part of those of us who are being a base team for warm beverages and providing blankets in other cabins like this one," Gabe pointed behind him.

"What do we get if we win?" Jesse asked smugly.

"Bragging rights, of course. But Rosemary, Clara, and Elizabeth have also worked on a prize for anyone who manages to beat Nathan," Gabe said in response.

They all looked at each other.

"Have you picked our teams, or do we get to decide if we freeze?" William Thatcher asked.

"I figured it would be best if we picked our own teams, with your own comfort levels. That being said, I also believe that one Mountie, or former Mountie, should be present as part of the safety for that team," Gabe said.

"Any rules on methods of getting around?" William asked again.

"No. Many of us will be on our horses, but I wouldn't suggest a car, either," Gabe answered.

William raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"It's the easiest to track," Archie explained.

"Ah," William said. "Apparently, I'm not well versed in this."

"That's alright, while Nathan will be doing the actual tracking; the team that is meant to bring hot beverages and blankets, will be watching him and keeping track of his movements. You can be on that team if you feel like it," Kinslow explained.

"I want that team," William agreed.

Archie nodded.

"I'm not exactly a spring chicken. There's no way that I would win this," Archie said as he pointed to himself, and then stepped next to William.

Ned Yost and Henry both were on that team for similar reasons. .

Jesse, Lee, and Mike were one team, and Jesse had shrugged off the Mountie team member saying that he had experience evading Mounties. His team would be fine and they would win.

Lucas, Gustave, Gabe Montgomery, and Joseph were the next team.

Bill, Kevin, Richard, and Curt were another team. They thought that with Bill as their Mountie equivalent, that they were sure to win.

Kinslow, Monroe, and Nelson were watching the progress of the teams and helping where needed.

"Alright, feel free to get where you are going. Nathan is going to be taken to his starting point, blindfolded in ten minutes to give you extra time," Kinslow explained.

"We don't need the extra time," Jesse bragged.

"Yeah, you will," Kinslow said matter-of-factly.

"My money's on Nathan," William whispered into Archie's ear. Archie nodded in agreement.

Kinslow, Monroe, and Nelson led Nathan blindfolded to his spot with Newton. Then the groups started their plan of attack and those who hadn't done this before were given a long lecture by their expert about staying low, staying light, and staying still.

Then each group went in different directions.

Archie, William, Ned, and Henry all were inside the cabin looking out.

Nelson, Monroe, and Kinslow soon came back down the road they had led Nathan up.

"Nathan is giving them time to get flushed out," Kinslow explained.

"I don't understand it myself, but he seems confident," Nelson said.

"Watch and learn," Kinslow said.

They all waited for Nathan to ride back down to the path.

Nathan and Newton were riding quickly but expertly down the path. They were in sync with each other. Nathan saw the others in the cabin. He gave them a smile, and a head tip before following Jesse's path down into the forest. Jesse, Lee, and Mike were doing what they could to be quiet and not be noticed. But the Coulters were loud people. And Mike was heavy footed.

Nathan found them first just as they were getting their horses out of the main road again.

"I hear all of you," Nathan said loudly, as he stopped above where they had hidden.

Lee and Mike both looked at him in awe, and Jesse looked annoyed at first, but tipped his head in recognition of him being the better man.

They all made their way back to the cabin.

The Mounties and the team of older men all looked surprised when Nathan escorted them back so soon after he had started tracking. They got Lee, Mike, and Jesse inside to warm up first. Nathan then went tracking Lucas, Gustave, Gabe Montgomery, and Joseph next.

He followed their tracks expertly as well. Gabe Montgomery must have had some training in how to cover their tracks, but Nathan knew it was a cover and was easily able to follow them.

"You're under the bridge," Nathan said as he saw them all holding absolutely still.

Lucas and Joseph both popped their heads up in surprise. Gabe looked at him as if he had expected this.

Nathan led them back to the cabin as well.

Then he quickly found the last team's trail and went down that path. The Mounties in the cabin all started to take down the materials.

"Last team. We will meet him in Hope Valley," Kinslow explained as everyone else gave him confused looks.

The men all helped and were soon traveling back into Hope Valley.

They came upon Nathan looking intently at the ground and judging where the different trails went. He focused on something, found what he needed, clicked Newton's sides and watched them take off down a deer trail.

Eventually, Curt was seen on his horse, watching as Nathan and Newton both continued on the path.

"We stumbled, and Bill said to split up," Curt explained why he wasn't with Richard, Kevin, or Bill.

Gabe smiled. This was going to be fun to watch.

Eventually, they caught up with Kevin, then Richard.

"This is going to be a race between Bill and Nathan," Lucas pointed out as they got closer to the town proper. No one saw either man, or their horses.

"Where did they go?" William asked in a whisper as they peered around.

Bill finally emerged from his hiding spot, but he didn't have Hero as the horse he was riding. Bill was having his horse run as fast as he dared in the winter conditions.

Nathan finally revealed himself as well. Nathan had just positioned himself on the outskirts of the town and stepped into Bill's path.

Bill pulled on the reign and was laughing heartily.

"Well played, Nathan," Bill said once he got down.

Nathan was just smiling.

The women of Hope Valley finally saw that Nathan had bested all of the men he had been tracking. The men finally made it to the boardwalk and went towards their women. Elizabeth immediately found Nathan and hugged him with pride.

"Nathan, your prize is to pledge yourself to Elizabeth in two days," Rosemary said.

"That's not a prize," Timmy protested.

"Yes, it is," Nathan said as he smiled at Elizabeth. Elizabeth beamed back.

They held onto each other, just enjoying their company and peace.

"What was the prize if one of us won?" Jesse asked.

Clara and Rosemary both rolled their eyes at him.

"There is no way any of you were beating Nathan. We didn't take the time to make anything," Rosemary stated.

Jesse started to interrupt, but Clara silenced him with a glare.

It had always been the intention to have the two parties merge into one large one, hence why Gabe and Rosemary had needed to talk. But by that time, the cards had been locked away. So that Archie could participate without the temptation to gamble.

"How have things been?" Nathan asked as they went inside behind their guests. He was looking to where Charlotte Thornton was sitting with Ruth and Allie, and listening to Grace and Julie Thatcher discuss the last theater program they had been to.

"I'm surprised that Charlotte has stayed here tonight. The last time she was at a wedding here, she went to the bachelor's party and cleaned them out," Elizabeth whispered.

Nathan couldn't help but laugh.

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. Was that for your wedding to Jack?" Nathan asked.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"Lee and Rosemary's wedding. She couldn't be here for my wedding to Jack. She injured herself," Elizabeth explained in a whisper.

Nathan looked at her in surprise, and then gave Charlotte another long look. That must have been why she had been hesitant to attend theirs. She hadn't been able to attend her own son's wedding. She must think that Elizabeth must hold some anger and resentment for not showing up then.

"She's trying to make it up to you now," Nathan whispered even lower.

Elizabeth looked at him in confusion. Then she observed Charlotte and really began to dissect what had happened in the past and the past few months.

"You're right. I need to speak with her about it," Elizabeth said.

"Do I need to make a distraction now or later?" Nathan asked back with seriousness.

"Later," Elizabeth gave him a fond and loving look and caressed his face.

They joined their family happily and everyone was talking about how quickly Nathan had caught up with them.

"I'm glad that criminal activity has never been my life choice. Nathan proved how poorly I would be at it," Lee said as he sat next to Rosemary.

"Same," many of the other men nodded in agreement.

"I've never truly been able to understand why people make those choices to begin with," Molly added firmly.

The room went silent in an awkward pause, as there were several people in the room who had.

"In my experience, it's because you feel trapped. Like, it's the only way to get what you need to live and survive. That people don't give you a shot when they know nothing about you, so you have to take what's there," Jesse tried to explain.

"And once you have a record, it's hard to find a job that will hire you, so it's a damnable cycle," Archie added with shame as he looked down.

Everyone looked down at their laps for ousting Nathan's father, unintentionally.

"This is what you're struggling with?" Grace asked kindly.

"No. Somewhat. My gambling caused my problems to begin with. I was a banker in Beaumont for a long while. But I gambled what I had and what I didn't have. I soon stole from my bank to pay off loan sharks. At the time, I thought I was going to pay it back, but they caught me, and I went away for longer than I wanted. When I got back from my prison sentence, no one would hire me. So I started stealing in order to feed my family. It was wrong. I should have done something else. I got caught again and was put away for a much longer time," Archie admitted his regret at how he had treated his family was very apparent.

Everyone went quiet.

"I will understand if you don't want me around anymore," Archie added in a whisper.

Ned and Florence gave each other a long look before putting their hands out to him to shake.

"You're good with us," Ned said.

"How high up did you go at the bank?" William asked.

Archie gave him a questioning look back, but answered anyway, "Assistant Manager."

"You're good with numbers then. Are you still good with them?" William asked.

Archie nodded.

William started quizzing him on some figures and numbers. Archie got them all correct.

"What's with the 100 questions, William Thatcher?" Grace glared.

"I'm opening up a shipping house on the west coast in the next year. If you feel up to it, the job as head accountant is yours," William said.

Everyone looked at them in surprise.

"You don't know anything about me," Archie said.

"No, but your family loves you, and that says the most about a man," William pointed to where Ruth, Allie, and Nathan were all sitting.

"We'll need to discuss it," Archie said.

"Of course, take your time," William said with his business smile.

With everyone back on track with the parties, Fiona decided to shock everyone by having them play the game she had intended to try with Florence's party, but they had been interrupted by Cat about the break in.

Elizabeth, as the bride, went first. Everyone intentionally placed her as far away from Nathan as possible. She barely held her hands over each man's before finding Nathan's. She squeezed them affectionately.

"Nathan," she said with absolute certainty.

Everyone smiled when Nathan just bent down and kissed her blind folded. Nathan gently took it off once he pulled back. She was beaming as he did so. Elizabeth passed the blindfold to Julie.

"Do you really think my soulmate is here in Hope Valley?" Julie said with a teasing look as she turned around to let Elizabeth and Rosemary put the blind fold over her eyes.

"You never know," Elizabeth said back.

The men were all switched, sans Nathan who was standing with Allie on the side.

Julie may have been teasing about the soulmate question, but she was definitely searching for a particular man's hands, and she found them after going up and down the line several times.

"Lucas Bouchard," Julie said.

Lucas smiled at her as she had guessed correctly.