On a hilltop, not too far from town, I create a sketch of the breathless sunset. Sun-burnt clouds touch eachother with longing like outstretched arms, and onyx crows flick from branches into the sky. The lack of color on the page, stokes a desire within me to learn how to paint in the future. I hold back thoughts of last night with much effort; the second I distract myself with something else, the embarrassment creeps back up my neck. What other thoughts am I to have after what Jude divulged to me?

"You've got to be kidding me!" A massive dark stroke all but obliterates the entire picture, and when I erase most of the scar away, it leaves the landscape maimed. Frustration simmers into my clumsy fingers, and I scribble over the sketch. I probably look like a mad-woman, and to further prove the point, I dash the drawing supplies onto a nearby rock, snapping pencils in the process. Head in my hands, the beauty of songbirds tunes into hollow silence. The fact that that Jude is the reason I'm here is not what bothers me...alright, it does, but the fact he also disappeared without giving a chance to finally get answers...I am not even certain why I am upset, because I love Hope Valley. I could not dream of letting him take me away from here. My dream is in this town, and I hear the dream calling my heart. The next question is why he did it in the first place, and why on earth he found it necessary to have me do that stupid ritual in the bathroom to get me here.

School is dismissed, and I notice Elizabeth standing on the stairs, wishing the children a good rest of their day. Allie is bonding with a group of girls. What if Jude were to scoop me out of this world, and I were never able to explore it? If I were to live and marry here, there is no guarantee I would die here. The majority of my time in Hope Valley has been spent working a job, and going with the flow. I need to take some control, and walk forward. In addition, it might be best if I were to avoid romance all together. It protects everyone involved, and if I am taken, I won't leave a broken heart behind. Now to implement this plan...it won't be easy.

Collecting the scattered supplies, I walk to Yost's Store to replace the broken pencils. I really need to be more careful with them. I catch a glimpse of Nathan just before I enter the store.

Chuck the plan.

The aisles have been restocked, and I find the pencils in ample supply. Allie, picks up a jar of sour gumballs, and I notice the sadness in her eyes as she puts it back down. Elizabeth comes up behind me, and the two of us share a look.

"Hi Allie," Elizabeth smiles, "You look a little confused."

"Uncle Nathan gave me a dollar to buy food for the sleepover." The young girl twists her nose in disappointment.

"And all you're buying is candy?" The teacher asks.

"When Opal had a sleepover, her mom helped us make taffy apples." Allie shifts her eyes toward me, and I put a hand in her shoulder gently.

I give a loving smile and state, "I take it you would like to do something special too." Allie nods with fervor, and I actually can't recall what Elizabeth offered to help her make in the show, so I say whatever pops into my head. "What about cinnamon rolls or cupcakes?" The girl's eyes flicker to life, "Or you could make sugar cookies and decorate them with frosting. I feel like those can be enjoyed all year long, not just at Christmas."

"They all sound awesome, but I think cupcakes sound like the best!" The grin from ear to ear on her face shows that I said the right thing, but she deflates once again, and Elizabeth and I are confused. "But I don't know how to make them."

"I have an idea," I chirp, finding my opportunity to take things into my own hands, always wishing I could have been at Allie's sleepover. I also understand that the girls may want to just have fun amongst themselves. They may not want a boring adult interfering. "What if the two of us help you make them?" I offer.

"We could bake them at my house, "Elizabeth adds.

"And I can drop them off at yours tonight so you and your friends can decorate them."

"That's even better than taffy apples." I think Allie might swoon, and I chortle at her enthusiasm for life.

Elizabeth guides the girl to the baking section, "Now, then, we are going to need flour and sugar and coco powder, and lots of butter for the icing."

When we clop out the entrance of the store, an older gentleman turns to the sound of Allie requesting pink frosting. Elizabeth replies with the simple answer of needing to add a little beet-juice to get that color. I recognize him as the young girl's grandfather. " You're the spitting image of your mother."

"May I help you sir?" Elizabeth steps forward, halfway covering Allie from his view.

"Are you Nathan's wife?"

"No, I am Allie's school teacher, Elizabeth Thornton, and you are?"

"You knew my mother?" Allie pipes up, and I watch her, in full empathy of her thirst for hearing about her mother. I would give anything to hear about my mom's past before I came into the world, and what I remember. And I don't remember much.

"As well as any person could know another person." His eyes shift toward me, "What about you? Are you Nathan's wife?"

A pang settles into my chest, and I shake my head, not able to find the formation of the word "no." Lucas passes by, carrying a crate. It must be the new shipment of an expensive honey. He mentioned it would arrive today. I should not focus on work, or Lucas, but guilt wilts the determination to get over the man. I care too much, and I feel like he should not have given me a day off. "I work at the Saloon; My name is Nyrah Sutton." When I say that, I see red in my peripheral vision.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan is not pleased.

Allie chimes in immediately, "Uncle Nathan, this man says he knew my mom."

"Allie, go home." Nathan glares at his father, and the man appears to be let down, "Come on, son, is that any way to treat your old man?"

Elizabeth is slack-jawed, and I am not surprised at all.

"Grandpa?" Allie begins to rush forward, but I stop her with my arm. Nathan nods at me, grateful, but his father stretches out his hand, offering it to the school teacher. "Archie Grant," he says.

"It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

"Okay. Time to go." Nate motions in the opposite direction with clipped syllables. Allie protests, "But Uncle Nathan..."

"I can walk you home, sweety." My hand rests on her upper back, and I can tell Elizabeth was going to offer the same thing. Allie, clearly upset with the situation, speaks her mind further. "But he's my grandpa."

"It's alright, honey. We'll talk later. Right now, do what your uncle Nathan says." The old man raises his eyebrows as if bargaining with the girl. "Come on, let's go." I urge her, while still remaining gentle. "I'll see you at your place, Elizabeth." She nods.

This is new and foreign to me. Elizabeth was meant to do this, not me. I was overcome with the obligation to speak up and offer to walk her home. Maybe I think I'm the best one to encourage her. I am an orphan, and I know what she is going through. I may not have other relatives to speak of, or a loving uncle who raised me, but I am thankful that Allie does. The young one's shoulders slump in defeat. "Why does Uncle Nathan hate him?"

"I don't think he hates your grandpa. It's just-"

She finishes the sentence for me, "Complicated. That is all uncle Nathan ever says."

"I don't think he is lying; your uncle loves you very much, Allie, and he works very hard to protect you. He never does something without a good reason."

I adjust the basket on my arm, and listen to her thoughts; she kicks the dirt. "I know, but my grandpa is my mom's dad too. What about her? He could tell me so much about her. Things I have never heard before. Things that uncle Nathan can't share." I wait a few seconds, hoping the correct words will come to mind. I decide to simply speak my heart. "You know, I grew up an orphan." She interest is piqued, and our steps slow. We are almost to her house.

"You did?" The curiosity in her eyes, and the hunger for a person to understand prompts me to cherish this moment. I want to recall the sweet moments of my life in case Jude were ever to change his mind and rip me from this town. From my family. A man is reparing a car nearby, and the street noises soften as we pass the water tower. Rosemary and Florence are clucking and raving about ideas for Jesse and Clara's wedding. "Yes, " I continue, "I was four years old when my home burned down. I lost both my parents, and my brother and sister. I don't remember much about my mother, only that she was kind, and always protected me when I needed it most."

"Then you know why I want to see my grandpa," Allie insists. I link both our arms together, as I would with my best friend. "Of course I do; I would give anything to have a grandpa to share things about my parents with me too, but we both need to respect your uncle's decision. As I said before, he always has a good reason." We approach the door, and the glum air needs to be lifted.

"I don't know if I wanna do this sleepover."

"I think a night with your friends is exactly what you need, and not to mention the scrumptious cupcakes with pink frosting..." I gaze into the sky, happy and dreaming of their sugary existence landing on my tongue, but Allie laughs at me. Lifting a brow at the girl, I escort her inside before making my way to Elizabeth's house.

This day off is amazing. Elizabeth and I are laughing over the smallest of things as we bake the cupcakes, and the aroma can certainly be caught through the open windows. I dab a little flour on my finger and shock the woman by ensuring her nose is very white. "Nyrah, what was that for?" I snort at her, putting some flour on my own nose. I say nothing as she dusts it off, but I do it again when she isn't paying attention. "What is wrong with you today?" She brushes the powder away once again.

I cackle this time, triumphant and basking in memories. "My brother and sister would bake with me as a child before they died. Lily always chased me around the kitchen, trying to pat flour on my nose, saying it was required for all bakers involved in the project. I hated her for it, but I wish I had enjoyed it more. There are many things I wish I could change." I mix the butter into the bowl for the icing. "Now, every time I bake, I put flour on my nose to remember them." Elizabeth falters, but upon seeing my content smile, she dips her pinky into the white sack, replacing the flour she wiped away.

"I am glad to remember them with you."

"Don't get sappy on me now." I roll my eyes, sampling the little concoction before me. The cloudy texture is pure bliss. Elizabeth chortles, pouring another batch into cupcake jackets filling the pan, before sliding them into the oven. The first batch is cooled enough, and I transfer them into a lidded tin.

Another chapter!!! I tried to get more Nyrah, Nathan. and Allie time in there for you all, and in the next chapter, we will see some more of that. Thank you for the continued support.