CHAPTER 5-NEW CONSTABLE ARRIVES IN HOPE VALLEY

Nathan arrived in Hope Valley to become the new town Constable the day before he was due. He came a day early but did not introduce himself so he could get a feel for the town and its people. People always revealed their true nature when unaware of being observed. He also wanted to ease into revealing he was the replacement for Jack Thornton. Nathan knew that it would be especially hard for Mrs. Thornton, and he wanted to respect her feelings. Then there were those who were close to her and Jack. He planned to go in tomorrow and report officially with Sheriff Avery. Jack Thornton had appointed him before he left for the Northern Territories. Ironically, he was at a nearby table playing poker. He was well respected so Nathan did not feel like there would be any issues. As he looked around, he saw that most of the people seemed like good honest people. He was impressed that the Saloon ran orderly. That gave him some relief from the concerns he had about it. But as he watched the owner there was something about him made him uneasy. He would have to remember to ask Bill about him. He decided he would keep an eye on this man. He was able to get his name, Lucas Bouchard, from the waitress Clara when she brought his dinner. Nathan had met and seen men like him before. They were exceptionally smooth and polished when they interacted with others. But they were usually up to no good and had ulterior motives. Nathan also had to keep in mind not to allow his distaste for gambling establishments due to his father be part of his observation.

Unfortunately, his plan for waiting until in the morning to reveal who he was fell by the wayside. He had just finished dinner and was drinking a beer and observing everyone. Because suddenly a man threw a punch at Bouchard because he thought the man was making advances at his lady. Nathan intercepted the punch himself when he attempted to stop the fight. Sheriff Bill Avery came over and arrested Nathan and the man who threw the punch. He kept trying to explain to the sheriff who he was, but he would not listen. As Bill threw him in a cell, he told Nathan that from now on leave the law and order to him. So, Nathan had to explain he could not because he was the new Mountie assigned to Hope Valley. Nathan could tell that Bill was caught off guard and a little embarrassed when he realized who he had arrested. Bill could not believe that Headquarters would not give him a heads up so he could prepare Elizabeth. It was not the best first impression for a new town Mountie to make. He could tell that Bill was caught off guard when he revealed who he was. You could see it on his face as he unlocked the cell. He went and sat down at the desk to talk with Bill and found out that Jack was like a son to him. When Bill apologized for arresting him Nathan excused him telling him it was an honest mistake since he was not in uniform. As Nathan got up from the chair, he put out his hand in friendship which Bill accepted. They both agreed to put it all behind them and then he went to his room.

The next morning Nathan got up and donned his uniform before heading to Abigail's Café for breakfast. He hadn't yet met Jack Thornton's widow, but he needed to get settled both in the office and home before their furniture arrived at the row house later that day. Then he would try to find Mrs. Thornton to introduce himself. He also needed to speak with her about Ally before she arrived tomorrow. As he walked about, he did have to admit to it was a little intimidating. It was obvious the town folk were not easily trusting and would look at him and whisper. He figured it would be a little awkward at first, so he was prepared. In fact, it was one of the reasons he did not want Ally coming with him. It was going to be hard enough for her to transfer to a new school without seeing how the townsfolk reacted to him. Nathan's thoughts then turned to Ally his niece who was more like a daughter. Nathan knew Ally was worried about him when he came home from work and said they were moving in a few days to a new posting. He could understand why since they had only been at Fort Simpson about a year. She commented on how he had changed from being fun loving Uncle to being serious and sad.

He knew she had correctly concluded it had to do with Fort Clay. Even though she was only 10 she was very mature in putting things together. He just was not up to talking about it and she was perceptive enough to know it and not ask questions. There were times that the situation was reversed, and he had to wait for her to be ready to talk. They were so alike in that they had to process something before they spoke. At times it seemed like she was much wiser than he was. She always tried to put on a brave face whenever he had to leave but he knew because they knew each other too well. In fact, besides his mother, she was the only one that did know him and could read him like a book. Allie would always try to put his needs before hers as he tried to do for her. So, he had to read between the lines of what she said to find her true feelings if it concerned him. However, he was so glad they were together because she was the one bright spot in his life. She was a remembrance of his sister not only by looks but personality. Ally was his best friend and was a great fishing buddy that usually caught more than he did. He loved coming home to her every day because she was always ready with a hug on a dreadful day. She was just as protective of him as he was her and her mother was the same way. They took care of each other, but Ally never crossed the line and still knew he was the parent. In fact, secretly he would love to adopt her. But he wanted it to be her choice and not feel forced, so he never brought it up. He hoped that someday she would want it as much as he already did. Life with her was never boring but at times she could be a handful though. Sometimes he wished he had a woman to help with those moments especially as she approached womanhood.

He was worried how the move would affect Allie. Truth be told he would not have moved them if the reason was not so compelling. He knew she was tired of moving and hoped this would be a more permanent one. All the moving around they did make it hard for her to make friends. Partly because they did not stay in one place long enough. As a result, she would not bother getting to know anyone. This led to her becoming a loner that retreated into herself. Allie became socially awkward and anxious when meeting new people. In short, she was becoming a female version of him. He had not yet met Jack Thornton's widow, but he needed to get settled both in the office and home before their furniture arrived at the row house. Then he would try to find Mrs. Thornton to introduce himself. He also needed to speak with her about Ally before she arrived. The other teachers did not really try to help Ally with the issues she had. Instead, they just kept harping on him about needing a wife so she would have stability. A few offered themselves up for the position or had a daughter or other candidate which made it awkward. Nathan was glad that would not be an issue since Mrs. Thornton was the schoolteacher. Another benefit with her being Allie's teacher with her being the widow of a Mountie she would be understanding about Mountie life. He would be safe from matchmaking mothers and teachers with romantic agendas.

In fact, he never intended to take a wife since Mountie life was tough on a family. Having Allie was a fluke, and he had her only because no one else could take her when his sister died when she was 4. In about 5 more years she would be off to college and building a life of her own. Besides, he had never found a woman he was interested in enough to marry. He had dated off and on through the years but never seriously. that but he had never met a woman who interested him enough to want to marry. They all either did not want to accept Allie or they wanted him to leave the Mounties. He had really been surprised there even was a Mrs. Jack Thornton. From what he heard about Jack he himself was a career man and of the same line of thinking as Nathan. If the Mounties wanted you to have a wife, they would give you one. He was not going to marry or have children because it would too much for a woman to handle. But apparently when Jack met Elizabeth Thatcher, he changed his resolution about marriage. But he was going to stand firm and focus on Ally and his job. Hopefully, Mrs. Thornton could help him with Allie making friends too. He knew that she secretly wanted to able to have friends and settle down for once. Allie had already told him she hoped where they were going had kids and of course a great fishing spot. He himself did not have a lot of friends because he tended to be a loner as well. The only friend he had really besides Ally was fellow Mountie Gabe Kinslow. They were at the academy together and he was the Constable of Brookfield. One of the benefits of moving to Hope Valley was being so close to Brookfield. So, with mixed feelings they packed up and prepared for the move to Hope Valley. Nathan sent Ally to her grandmother while he went on to Hope Valley and got things in order. It was not something she was crazy about because she did not like being separated from him, but she agreed. He could not wait for her to come because he missed her. Nathan knew she lacked stability her whole life but especially since she had come to live with him. They both hated that he never knew when he could be called out of town. The times he did there was the last-minute scramble for Ally's care. In the past it was one of the few Mountie wives on the bases he was. Mrs. Thornton would know of a family willing to help Nathan with watching Ally if he had to go out of town. If she could not, then she may know a family that would.

He himself did not have a lot of friends because he tended to be a loner as well. The only friend he had really besides Allie was fellow Mountie Gabe Kinslow. They were at the academy together and he was the Constable of Brookfield. One of the benefits of moving to Hope Valley was being so close to Brookfield. He was headed to the Jail when the stage came in fast yelling they had been robbed. The man, Lee Coulter, who had his payroll stolen was talking with Bill when he arrived. Nathan listened in as the stagecoach driver told bill what happened. Bill sent him to where the robbery had taken place and Lee went with him to show him how to get there. Lee later offered to lend Nathan some maps of the area. When Nathan returned, they discussed what they each had found. Nathan also asked Bill when he was moving out of the office. Bill with a smirk informed him he came with the office. They quickly figured out how to divide the work in the office. Later Nathan and Bill headed back to Snake Canyon to reexamine the scene. After hearing the witnesses and examining of the evidence they felt like they were missing something. Suddenly they both realized exactly what happened and headed back to town to set their trap. Together they quickly caught the 2 thieves in the process of taking the money they hid in the stagecoach. Though the other would not admit it there was a friendship and mutual respect that began that day. Bill was surprised how quickly he began to like Nathan and enjoyed collaborating with him like he had Jack. Nathan found that he enjoyed working with Bill and it helped him feel more at ease. But it unfortunately served to let Mrs. Thornton know there was a new Mountie, her husband's replacement, in Hope Valley. Nathan was completely unaware of it and would have wished otherwise. He had asked Bill about Mrs. Thornton and let him know that she didn't know that anyone had been assigned to Jack's post yet. Abigail and he had decided to wait until they received confirmation on the expected date of arrival and the information on the Mountie. Bill told him to let him speak with Elizabeth tonight because he wanted to check on her since Bill was sure she already knew about Nathan's arrival.

"Nathan one thing I want to warn you about is that Hope Valley is a small town and all that it implies. Make no mistake but Hope Valley has a very efficient communications system and word gets around the entire town within an hour after it happens. If you need something to be communicated to the town, just tell Florence and Molly."

With that said Bill headed out to do rounds while Nathan headed over to meet the wagon regarding their household items. Bill suggested to Nathan they meet up later at the saloon for dinner to discuss Hope Valley. Nathan made a mental note to ask Bill about the saloon owner. Nathan had a feeling he and Allie were going to love Hope Valley.