Bill's Reaction – Chapter 32
Nathan couldn't stop smiling after he hung up from Elizabeth. For the first time, she agreed to go out with him and answered him in a timely fashion – no hesitation at all. He was happy about that. He didn't want there to be any misunderstandings.
There was precious little privacy in the Mountie barracks. Fortunately, since this was Saturday most of the other officers had either left for the weekend or had chosen to go out and explore the Hamilton nightlife. He had certainly been invited, but politely declined.
Nathan had no regrets about staying behind as there would be privacy in the barracks. He would do some planning for the date tomorrow, however, first he wanted to call Hope Valley. He needed to check on the town, including Lucas' disappearance. More important than that, he wanted to talk to Allie. He calculated it would be mid afternoon in Hope Valley. He placed the call.
"Hope Valley Central," came the cheery voice of Florence Yost.
"Hello, Florence. This is Nathan Gra–"
Before Nathan could finish, an excited Florence was quickly peppering him with questions about his mysterious assignment that took him away from Hope Valley.
Nathan held the earphone away from his ear for a moment at the intense volume of Florence's voice. He finally interjected , "Florence, it is nice to speak to you too, but I would like to speak with Bill. Will you please connect us?"
Florence returned to being the efficient telephone operator and transferred the call.
Since it was Saturday afternoon, Florence first tried the café, but Clara said Bill was at his office. Things were quiet at the café, so he had gone there to complete some overdue paperwork.
"Hello Nathan!" Bill greeted, "How is everything in Hamilton?"
Nathan disregarded the emphasis on the word "everything" and replied, "So far, so good, Bill. I'm only checking in to see how things are in Hope Valley? Has there been any news on Lucas?"
Bill turned all business-like and replied, "He was found in Calgary. He was left on a park bench. The Mounties initially thought he was a vagrant, until they got a closer look at him. Once they saw his face, they recognized him from the missing persons sketch you wired to all the Mountie Stations. He was roughed up a bit, but nothing serious. The Mounties cleaned him up, took his statement and sent him back to Hope Valley on the stage coach. Actually that's one reason I'm here working on a Saturday – finishing off the paperwork to close the case."
Bill paused and shook his head before continuing, "I don't like the man or what he stood for, but no one deserves the treatment he got".
Nathan whistled, "That must have shaken him up!"
"Yeah," Bill replied, before continuing, "Well I thought so too. So," he drew out the word, "I decided to set aside my personal feelings about the man and be nice for a change. I met him at the stage and helped him get settled back into the saloon."
Bill paused to gather his thoughts. "He wasn't appreciative. I thought he'd warm up after a bit but — nah, he wasn't interested in talking to me at all; he wouldn't even tell me his side of the story. All he did was sneer and mumble something about 'his affairs being none of my business'. He put the saloon up for sale and left Hope Valley the next day with two trunks in the back of his car – I assume he's gone for good. He didn't even take time to see Gustav. I checked. Apparently, Gustav wasn't surprised. He said – and I quote – 'Mr. Bouchard was pleasant only when he got his way. If not, then, voilà, Mr. Tyrant who is a boor!" End of quote."
Nathan rubbed his lip while his mind visualized Bill's story. "Well," he replied soberly, "I guess none of that really surprises me. There was no love lost between the three of us, especially since we're sworn to enforce the law he refuses to heed. Even if he wanted to accept help, I doubt his pride would allow it. I am surprised he didn't at least check on Gustav." Nathan paused in thought and finally raised his eyebrows and admitted aloud, "Well, Bill, I'm glad I wasn't there to see it. That would have been awkward."
"Yeah, you left me to do your dirty work." Bill just muttered dryly.
Nathan smirked as he heard the comment, but seized the opportunity to change the topic.
"How are Newton and Sargeant?" He knew they were getting the attention they needed. After all, he had left two Mountie-trained horses in the care of a former Mountie! Nathan smiled to himself.
"I've been wondering how the three of you are all getting along." Nathan laughed, "since you three are Hope Valley's only hope for peace and security while I'm gone."
Bill replied, "Did you just put me in the same category as the horses?"
Nathan laughed out loud, "Well, if the shoe fits!"
"I guess that's true," said Bill, and they both shared a chuckle.
"Hey Bill," Nathan suggested, "Don't be shy about asking Allie to help you with the horses. She's getting more independent with the stable chores and the tack and the feed. I really don't want her riding without me there, though. For that, she'll need to wait until I get home."
"Yeah, I'll do that. Allie's already missing you, Nathan. She's been doing her shifts at the mercantile but I imagine adding the stable chores will keep her busier and her mind off missing you while you're away. You're a great dad to her, Nathan. She's a fortunate girl indeed."
Bill cleared his throat and suddenly remembered to ask, "Hey, I almost forgot, do you know why you were called to Hamilton?"
Nathan replied, "Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I can't discuss it yet. But if I know you, you've probably connected some of the dots already."
"Yes, I believe I have," Bill replied knowingly.
"Well, I should let you go.' Nathan said, "I want to talk to Allie next. Would you be able to transfer this call back to Florence?"
Bill replied, "Sure, but hey, I have one last question. Have you, uh, made contact with Elizabeth yet?"
Nathan looked down and pressed his lips together; he thought he had managed to avoid that question. It wasn't that he wanted to keep Bill in the dark, but he wanted to keep their date a special time between he and Elizabeth.
He opted to answer vaguely, "Yes. I gave her a call and let her know I was in Hamilton on Mountie business. She was surprised, but knew better than to ask the details of the case. Both she and Little Jack are enjoying their time here."
Bill smiled broadly with joy. He knew he shouldn't push Nathan, but couldn't resist saying, in a teasing tone, "Well, when you see them, please be sure to say hello from me."
Bill laughed out loud when Nathan neither confirmed nor denied plans to meet up with Elizabeth. He was happy they were meeting up and hopefully this would be the step they needed to move forward with their relationship.
An embarrassed Nathan had no words. All he could do was merely restate his initial question – could Bill transfer this call back to Florence.
Happy to have got one up on Nathan, he sent the call back to Florence at the main switchboard.
Florence was only too happy to transfer the call to the Coulter's.
"Hello, Rosemary? I have Nathan on the line for Allie."
After hearing a squeal from Rosemary, the call was transferred.
Nathan briefly chatted with Rosemary, who treated him the same as Florence initially had. Nathan gently reminded Rosemary that he was calling long distance.
"Oh yes, of course, of course! Just a moment." Rosemary exuberantly handed the phone to Allie.
"Uncle Nathan! Can you hear me?" she screamed into the phone. She hadn't had much opportunity to use the phone herself.
Nathan laughed and said, "Allie-girl, I can hear you just fine. You don't have to yell." He quickly asked, "How are you doing? Are you settling in with Mr. & Mrs. Coulter?"
"Oh sure, Uncle Nathan. Of course, I miss you and can't wait to see you again. Mrs. Coulter told me if I keep busy, the time will seem to fly by faster, and before I know it, you will be home with me again. Even in the short while you've been gone, Mrs. Coulter has taught me some new simple meals to cook. They turned out pretty good. We're even making a recipe book, so I will have a copy of each recipe I make so I can make it over again." Allie sounded so happy and excited, "Even when you come back, Mrs. Coulter said she'd be happy to teach me how to bake and sew, too. Isn't that great?"
Nathan beamed with fatherly pride. He was also extremely grateful to Rosemary for doing something for Allie that he could not. He realized perhaps he should have sought her help sooner.
"That is really great, Allie. Now you are remembering to thank Mrs. Coulter for her time and efforts, right?"
"Oh, Uncle Nathan," Nathan knew she was rolling her eyes, "Of course I am." Allie continued with, "So, do you know what your assignment is yet or how long you'll be gone?"
"Yes," Nathan replied, "I know why I am here, but unfortunately I can't share the details. As for when I will be back home, well, it will be just as soon as I can. I miss you and I'm anxious to see you."
Nathan deftly changed the subject, "Allie, do you think you could help Judge Avery take care of Newton and Sargeant?"
Allie countered back to her dad with, "If I help in the livery and Judge Avery agrees, may I go riding on Sargeant?"
Nathan grimaced at that thought. "I'm afraid not, Allie. For now you can only ride Sargeant with me. When I get home and settle in, I will be happy to go riding with you. I'm very proud of you for remembering your promise not to ride alone."
Nathan cleared his throat and told Allie he loved her and asked to speak with Rosemary, again. Once she had returned on the line, Nathan thanked her again for all she was doing for Allie.
"Rosemary, Allie and I will always remember the many kindnesses you're showing her."
Rosemary made sure Allie was out of hearing before she replied with, "Nathan, it has been my pleasure. The first day you left was hard on her. I just did what my mother used to do and kept her busy. Ironically, that's how I learned a lot of my life skills, not to mention my love of acting. My mother kept me busy when I got to missing my father. He used to go away a lot on Mountie business, so I truly do understand what Allie is going through."
Nathan was stunned. "Rosemary, your father is a Mountie? How is it that in all these years I never knew that?"
The usually flamboyant Rosemary softly replied, "I-I guess I just never thought to tell you, until Allie was staying here with us. Seeing how much Allie missed you, brought some memories back. Nathan, my father was a Mountie. He was in and out of our lives so much. When he was home, we cherished the time. When he was gone again, we missed him every minute."
Rosemary paused and softly inhaled before continuing, "Then, he returned for the final time. He had literally given his life to the Mounties. We were left behind and were tasked with moving on without him. You know, Nathan, you are unique. I have never encountered a Mountie who puts his family first like you do. I commend you for that. Allie will certainly reap the benefits of your choices."
At a loss for words with this new information, and a little embarrassed by her praise, in soft, gentle tones Nathan expressed his condolences for her childhood loss and thanked Rosemary for both the compliment on his parenting and for her kindnesses. He promised to call again, whenever he could.
Thatcher Mansion
After disconnecting from Nathan, Elizabeth was in a joyous mood. Not only did she have an actual date with Nathan the very next evening, but she had helped her friend reconnect with life.
As she stood up from her father's desk, she twirled around the office in her own private moment of joy, before rejoining her parents and son in the family room.
She had a few things to plan for tomorrow's date, but she could wait until after the Thatcher family dinner to speak to the household staff about the next evening. She wanted to prepare the meal herself – or at least help. She had already learned the staff preferred her not to enter the kitchen, but her first date with Nathan was a very special event. Far too special to let her parents' equivalent of Gustav prepare some fancy dish with a fancy name. She wasn't sure what she was going to serve for dinner – yet - but even if it was as simple as Shepherd's Pie with ice cream for dessert, it would help Nathan feel comfortable.
Her joy was short-lived. She heard the phone in the main part of the house ring and was surprised when a member of household staff announced the phone was for her.
"Hello, this is Elizabeth Thornton." She spoke into the phone.
"Hello, Mrs. Thornton. This is Constable Stephen Michaels speaking."
"Yes, Constable? How may I help you?" Elizabeth gingerly asked.
"Ma'am, I have been requested to advise you that the Mounties will be conducting a formal inquiry into the actions of Superintendent Andrew Hargraves. The inquiry is scheduled to commence on August 15th at 10 a.m. at the Mountie HQ in the large courtroom. As you are currently in Hamilton, the Mounties wanted to extend to you every opportunity to attend the inquiry, at your discretion." He briefly paused, before continuing with, "If you have any questions, Mrs. Thornton, Chief Superintendent Collins will be pleased to answer them.. You may call him directly at…"
Elizabeth interjected, "Thank you, Constable Michaels. I have the chief's direct line."
With that, the call ended and Elizabeth was left to consider what type of 'Mountie business' Nathan was in town for and why didn't he tell her before?
Special thanks to Mamabethany - as always, I look forward to your ongoing input into this story.