February was unusually mild and Nathan took advantage of it to get started on the house. He, Sarah, Allie and Archie did a proper ground breaking the week after returning from Gabe and Lillian's wedding as soon as the lumber had arrived. Nathan let Allie turn the first scoop of dirt and she stood proudly holding her shovel. Now that the month was almost over the house was taking shape. The foundation was in and the first floor framing was completed so now they had a better idea of Nathan's vision for the main floor. True to the ideas he had shared with Sarah the house was open between the kitchen, dining and living rooms. There was an office originally dedicated to Nathan but he'd added on to it to make room for a desk for Sarah knowing she would bring work home on occasion and he wanted her to have her own space as well. The most exciting part for Allie was the bathroom that was going on the first floor. All the bedrooms were to be upstairs along with a small water closet. Nathan had been putting many spare hours into the house and Archie helped supervise the men that were hired to work when Nathan couldn't be there. Nathan hoped to have the second floor framed by the middle of March so they could get the roof on before the spring rains came.
Nathan was fully immersed in his new position and working side by side with Steven Andrews had proven a good dynamic. Steven was feeling much more comfortable in his role as Constable and thankful that Nathan was still there to guide him through some of the challenges he encountered. The article Rosemary had run recently in the Valley Voice introduced him to the community and once everyone understood that Nathan wasn't leaving Hope Valley they welcomed Steven with open arms. The new factory had started production earlier in the month and outside of a few barroom brawls involving some of the workers all seemed to be going smoothly. Nathan wondered why he still saw Tom Hastings around town. He assumed he would be going back to Buxton once the factory was up and running.
Spotting Tom having lunch at the café one day, Nathan decided now was the time to ask him what his plans were. "Do you mind if I sit with you Mr. Hastings?"
Tom looked up from his newspaper and was surprised to see Nathan towering over him in his new Deputy Inspector uniform that, though similar to his Constable red serge, had several more bars and medals attached to it and was even more intimidating. "Please Inspector Grant, have a seat." Tom's demeanor had certainly changed since the last time they'd spoken. "What can I do for you?"
"I was just wondering how your business with the factory is going now that it has started production." Nathan looked at Tom with questioning eyes.
"Most of my business with the factory has been completed but while I've been here my firm has been retained by Lucas Bouchard to manage some legal matters for him." Tom was mindful of attorney client privilege and wasn't going to reveal more than that.
Nathan wasn't satisfied with Tom's answer. "What kind of legal matters? Are they for the saloon or the oil business?"
"Inspector, you know I'm not at liberty to answer your questions. Just suffice it to say I will be here for a while longer while I work with him." Tom wanted to add that he couldn't wait to get back to Buxton after his extended stay in Hope Valley.
Nathan's conversation with Tom did nothing more than pique his curiosity about the relationship between him and Lucas. Nathan had enough dealings with Lucas to make trusting him impossible. "Very well, if there's anything I can help you with during your stay please let me know." Tom thanked him and shook Nathan's hand before he left.
Leaving the café Nathan made his way to the dress shop to see Sarah. She had been closed for the week making some changes to the store. He found her moving several displays around and offered to help. "Why Inspector, I didn't realize this was part of your duties." Sarah loved calling Nathan inspector.
"Why are you moving these heavy displays around by yourself?" Nathan didn't want her to get hurt and she was bound to if she insisted on doing it on her own.
"Anna has the day off and Clara can't lift anything given her pregnancy. I just want to make some adjustments for the new lines I'm getting in before the re-opening." Sarah had decided to have a ribbon cutting to re-open the store to show off the changes she'd made. She was finally adding a men's line, though limited, and a young lady's line inspired by Allie.
"Well, next time please call me so I can help you. I don't want you to get hurt." Nathan knew Sarah could be stubborn and would rather do things on her own instead of asking for help.
"Nathan, between your work and the house you are busy enough. You don't need to worry yourself with me." Sarah replied.
"That's what husbands do, we worry about our wives." Nathan gave her a quick kiss.
"Well, I'm not your wife yet so you don't need to worry about me."
"You will be soon enough so I'm practicing."
The two finished the moving and Sarah gave Nathan a thank you kiss. "Miss Crawford, if you kiss me every time I help you I may come in just to find things to do."
Sarah laughed at him. "Well I have several more things to get done before the re-opening so I've hired Robert and a couple of his friends to help me. They are very eager to earn some extra money."
"I think that sounds like a good idea. Those boys are hard workers. I would just ask you to keep an eye out if Allie shows up with them. She seems to be talking a lot about Robert these days and I'm thinking she's a bit sweet on him." Nathan couldn't believe he was talking about Allie and boys in the same sentence.
Sarah promised she would watch for her. It would be her first foray into raising a teen-aged daughter.
Nathan made his way to Bill's office. He wanted to talk to him about his conversation with Tom Hastings. "Hey Bill, do you have a minute? I want to run something by you."
"Hi Nathan, for you I do." Bill was glad Nathan still came to him for advice. He'd been out of the Mountie business for some time so it felt good to still feel needed. Bill listened with interest while Nathan gave him a rundown of his conversation with Tom Hastings and shared his questions about Lucas Bouchard. Bill shrugged. "I never trusted Lucas. Ever since all that business with Elizabeth he seems to have reverted to the Lucas he was when he arrived in Hope Valley. I understand the hurt, and you do more than anyone, but he seems to have made it an excuse to return to his shady ways."
Nathan agreed with Bill. "I'm going to do a background check on Tom Hastings and see if anything turns up on him. I doubt it will but I just want to confirm he's legitimate. Sarah knew him in Buxton and other than him not always having the most pleasant personality she doesn't think he's involved in anything illegal.
"What are the chances he would show up in Hope Valley?" Bill thought it seemed like too much of a coincidence. "I'd like to take a look at what turns up on Hastings."
Nathan confirmed he would share it with Bill. The two spent some time catching up with each other. Nathan knew Bill was dating Molly but Bill wouldn't elaborate other than to say that the gossip mill was working overtime in town. Nathan told Bill the house was progressing nicely. They were ahead of schedule and the second floor had been framed and they were close to getting the roof on and then it would really start to look like a house. Nathan also told Bill about Sarah's store and the changes she was making before her re-opening. "I hope you can make it Bill. It would mean a lot to Sarah, and to me." Bill assured Nathan he wouldn't miss it.
"Nathan, can I just tell you it's great to see you so excited about your life? I didn't even know this side of you existed." Bill wasn't much for smiling but he couldn't help it around Nathan.
Nathan laughed and told Bill it was good to finally feel free from all the pain of the past. He told Bill about the recent conversation between him and Elizabeth. "Bill, I don't know if you've seen her lately but, if not, you might want to look in on her. I asked Joseph to reach out to her but I'm not sure if he's been able to or not."
Bill admitted it had been several weeks since he'd seen Elizabeth and that she seemed to be lying low in town. "That coincides with the timing of her visit to you. I'm really sorry Nathan. If I'd have known what was going on months ago I would have said something to her but you both kept it under wraps. The whole Lucas phase was a debacle and I'm glad she finally came to her senses. Jack Thornton would have turned over in his grave if he knew his son was going to be raised by Lucas Bouchard. You would have been a good father to that boy. I'm sorry it didn't work out but you're happy now and that's all that matters."
"Thanks Bill, I am happy." Nathan needed to head back to the office and meet with Steven so said his goodbyes to Bill.
The Friday before Sarah's opening Nathan headed to her store with a gift. She had told him to stay away because she wanted to surprise him with the changes so he hadn't been there since the day he helped her move some displays. He knocked and Clara came to the door looking very pregnant. "Clara, how are you doing? Are you sure you shouldn't be sitting down?"
Clara laughed. "Believe it or not I feel better when I'm up and moving around. I rest when I need to. I assume you are here to see Sarah?"
Sarah came out from the back room and told Nathan it was okay for him to come in. She had wanted to show him the changes before tomorrow so the timing was perfect. Nathan stood in the middle of the store and looked around a bit awe struck by the transformation. He hadn't spent a lot of time in the store but it was enough to recognize the changes that had been made. An area had been set up to display several men's suits and shirts and another with dresses for young women Allie's age. The rest of the store had been rearranged to better display the clothing, fabrics and notions they carried.
"Sarah, this is incredible. You've completely changed the feel of the store. It's beautiful as are you." He leaned down and softly kissed Sarah's forehead. She asked him what he had with him and he pulled away the wrapping revealing a carving he had made that read Sarah's Dress Shop, est. 1919. "I thought you could put this just outside the door." Sarah's eyes teared up wondering when he'd had time to make it for her. It was beautiful and the perfect finishing touch for the store. They went out front and after choosing where it should be placed Nathan hung it for her. Nathan took Sarah in his arms pride shining in his eyes. "You are a truly remarkable woman."
"Thank you Nathan. I couldn't have done this without you."
The grand re-opening on Saturday drew a big crowd thanks to Rosemary's article in the Valley Voice announcing not only Sarah's purchase of the store but also the changes and additional clothing lines they were carrying. Looking out at the crowd that had gathered in front of the store Sarah was touched to see Rosemary and Lee, Bill and Molly, Florence and Ned, Clara's husband Jesse and Anna's husband Ben and quite a few others. Before cutting the ribbon Sarah said a few words to the crowd. "When I came to Hope Valley I didn't know anyone and you all welcomed me in and made me feel as though I have always been a part of the fabric of this town. Purchasing this store isn't just a business decision for me. It is also my commitment to always be a part of this community and do everything I can to make Hope Valley a stronger and a better place for all of us to live." Nathan, Allie and Archie stood proudly holding the red ribbon that Sarah cut officially opening the store. The doors were opened and Anna and Clara showed people around the store. By the end of the day they were all exhausted but agreed it had been a success. Sarah sent Anna and Clara home and locked up the store. She took one more look around and sent up a silent prayer of thanks to her dad in heaven who she was sure had been watching over her.