CHAPTER 29 IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS
The ladies retired to the parlor to wait for dinner. Wynn gestured to Elizabeth to follow him while Henry went in to join his wife. As Elizabeth followed Wynn into Henry's study, she saw the concern on his face.
"What's wrong, Wynn?" Elizabeth asked.
"Sweetheart, Henry and I are going to see Sam Collins after dinner. I would normally wait, but unfortunately, he won't be there in the morning, and he needs some important information before the Inquiry happens in Hope Valley."
"Hope Valley isn't that where Beth lives?" she said.
"It is," he said. "Remember how you always wanted to see it?"
"Yes! Why?"
"Well, tomorrow you need to pack because we will be accompanying her when she returns," Wynn told his wife.
"Really! That is so wonderful." I'll get to see Beth's son too." Elizabeth said. "Does Beth know? Wait a minute, is this why she came?"
"Yes, sweetheart, visiting is not the only reason, unfortunately. Jack Thornton's record has been tarnished, and so has the local Mountie's."
"I don't understand, Wynn. How can that be? You, Sam, and Patrick picked him to be there as well as the new one right?" she asked, a bit confused.
"Yes, we did. But there are some discrepancies I need to look at, and Henry and I will be attending that Inquiry while you visit." Before she could say anything more, dinner was announced.
Meanwhile, in Hope Valley, Abigail locked the door, finally ready to relax. She smiled as she thought of how Jack lit up when he saw their Mountie. It was love at first sight for the man and Child. Briefly, she imagined that it had been Jack picking up his son, but she didn't allow the picture for too long. She learned long ago how the what-ifs and the if-onlys could be more hurtful than comfort.
Nathan was taking him to Bill, who was staying at Elizabeth's until she returned tomorrow evening. She didn't know who was enjoying it more, the little boy or the men who watched over him. Then, of course, there was sweet Allie, whom he also adored. As she thought of the potential sweet family, she knew that Jack would have been thrilled that a man like Nathan would raise his son. She knew that Elizabeth would be a wonderful loving mother to Allie. Now they just had to deal with Andrew Hargraves and that irritating saloon owner Lucas Bouchard. Elizabeth had made everyone promise to leave Lucas Bouchard to her. Everyone was waiting for that conversation because news of his actions spread like wildfire. She noticed that there wasn't an issue of noise anymore. Lee mentioned that business had slacked off quite a bit. Abigail just smiled at that.
Meanwhile, Nathan was walking towards the rowhouses carrying Jack. He enjoyed his chatter and looked forward to the day that they could openly court and look forward to including the children in that. He smiled at the knowledge that he had won the heart of the woman he loved. She was at that moment in Union City to fight for the men she loved. He couldn't wait to be able to tell Allie, his mom, and Gabe. He had influential people on his side, and he was about to deal with Hargraves once and for all.
"I would ask what that smile is about, but I think we already know," Bill said, watching Nathan smiling with a dreamy look in his eyes.
"I'm pretty sure that your thinking of Elizabeth right now," Lee said.
"Allie is doing her homework, and dinner is ready," Bill said, heading back into Elizabeth's house.
"Thanks, Bill; I appreciate you watching over Allie for me while I picked up this little guy." Nathan had been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't realized that Jack had fallen asleep. Smiling, he whispered to Bill, "Why don't I go tuck him in, and I'll be right down."
"I'll go with you," Lee said. "I know where everything is and how she puts him down."
Bill watched them go up the stairs and couldn't help smiling at the thought that Nathan could become very familiar with it one day. Turning, he went back to the kitchen and checked on the food. A few minutes later, Allie finished her homework, and after putting her book away, she went over to ask if he wanted her to set the table.
"That would be nice, Allie." Bill said, "Did you finish all your homework?"
"I did," Allie said, "Mr. Avery, where is Mrs. Thornton?"
"She is visiting some friends and will be back tomorrow, Allie," Bill answered.
"I'm glad because I really love Mrs. Thornton. She is the best teacher I have ever had. I'm so glad that we moved to Hope Valley."
"So am I, Allie," Nathan said, coming down the stairs. "It feels like we are finally home, doesn't it?"
"That's the feeling that I have, but until now, I couldn't put a name to it. But your right, Uncle Nathan, it does feel like I have a home now. Whenever you have to go somewhere, I won't be alone because I'll have Mrs. Thornton, who will know exactly what I am feeling." Nathan could feel Bill and Lee looking at him, but he couldn't bring himself to tell Allie just yet.
Luckily Bill changed the subject before it became awkward. "Well, dinner is ready, and thanks to Allie's help, it's on the table.
"Thank you for helping Judge Avery, honey; I'm so proud of you," Nathan said.
Allie blushed and smiled big at the words. It always meant a lot to her whenever she made him proud, and Nathan knew it. Thanks to her former teacher Allie had become insecure and unworthy. Just thinking of it made him angry all over again. What kind of person would ever make a child believe their worth was based on their usefulness? He thanked God every day he just happened to walk in and caught Alice tormenting her.
"But I'm proud of you anyway, even if you hadn't helped," Nathan added.
"Allie, if it's all right with your uncle, would you be willing to call me Uncle Bill?"
"Really?" Allie said, a huge smile on her face.
Since Elizabeth and Nathan were courting and she would be part of his family, he said, "Well, something about you just resonated with me, and I've become fond of you," Bill said, a bit gruff.
"For that matter, Rosie and I are too and were going to ask if it would be all right if she called Uncle Lee and Aunt Rosie."
Seeing her eyes glistening along with the smile on her face, Nathan quickly agreed. "Is that something you would like, Allie?" At her nod, he turned to the men and said, "Welcome to our family, gentleman."
Allie went over and hugged both men, and when she was done, all of them had tears welled up. "This is so great, and my family has gotten bigger. Maybe Mrs. Thornton will let me call her Aunt Elizabeth when we aren't in school." Nathan, who had been drinking water at that moment, choked, making Bill and Lee laugh.
"Maybe she will, Allie." Nathan said but quickly added, "But you should wait for her to suggest that herself, sweetheart."
"I will, Uncle Nathan, but I hope she does," Allie said.
"I hope so too, honey, but she may not be ready yet," Nathan said, reaching over and squeezing her hand. "Bill, dinner is delicious, and thank you for inviting us."
"You are welcome, Nathan. I figured you might not be up to it with the inquiry starting Monday," Bill answered.
"Are you going to go to jail, Uncle Nathan?"
"No, sweetheart, they just need to examine the evidence and see what could be done differently," Bill said, jumping into the conversation.
"Oh, okay, that's good because I was worried that they could take you away from me too."
"I'm not going to let that happen, Allie and Mrs. Thornton won't either," Bill said.
"Neither will your Aunt Rosie, Aunt Abigail, or I, sweetheart," Lee told Allie. "Nathan, I hope you realize you are not alone."
"I did, but if I hadn't known it before, I do now. I can't tell you how much that means to the two of us. Don't we, Allie?"
"We sure do, Uncle Nathan. Thanks to Mrs. Thornton, I even have friends now." Allie replied.
After dinner, Lee told Nathan he would help Bill clean up so that he could get Allie home to bed. Nathan thanked them, Allie hugged them, and they headed home.
LATER UNION CITY AT THE HOME OF SAM COLLINS….
Sam was sitting at his desk when he heard a knock on his door. He heard his housekeeper answer, and shortly afterward, there was a knock on his office door.
"Sir, there are two gentlemen here that insist on speaking with you."
"Thank you, Helga; please send them in." He answered, wondering who would be stopping by at that time of day. He didn't have to wait long and was shocked to see Wynn and Henry Delaney. "Wynn, what brings you by this time of day?" Sam asked his long-time friend.
"Sam, I'm sorry for the lateness, but I have to ask, "Why didn't you tell me about this Inquiry I Hope Valley?"
"I don't know what you are talking about, Wynn?" Sam said, refusing to make eye contact.
"Oh yes, you do, Sam, and now I want to know why you just lied to me. In the many years that we have worked together, that is the first time. So, I am going to ask again. Why didn't you tell me about this Inquiry being conducted the day after tomorrow in Hope Valley?" Sam looked over at Henry, uncertain whether to speak in front of him or not.
"I know all about the Inquiry, sir, and that both Nathan Grant and Jack Thornton are basically being put on trial for Fort Clay," Henry said, crossing his arms.
"How in the world did the two of you find out.? No one is supposed to know about it. I've been trying to keep it quiet for Elizabeth's sake." Sam said.
"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you failed, sir. Because not only is she aware of it, but she is also here in Union City at my home. Beth was the one who told us what happened." Henry said, trying to control the anger he felt.
"While I appreciate what you were trying to do, you were wrong in keeping it from me. My niece was accosted at her deceased husband's grave. Andrew Hargraves was waiting for her to arrive with the sole purpose of giving her this." Wynn said, handing over the article. The anger was evident in his eyes, and his mouth was set in a grim line.
"Oh, Wynn," Sam said sadly as he looked at it, "I can only imagine what you and your family must think of me now. But I promise you that I only wanted to spare everyone from being hurt."
"That may be Sam," Wynn said softly, his anger abating somewhat, "But I'm letting you know that I will be in Hope Valley tomorrow. I intend to be part of the investigations and proceedings. As I am family to one of the Mounties, I will be representing Jack Thornton and, by extension Nathan Grant."
"I understand, and as the head of the Inquiry board, I grant your petition."
"Thank you," Wynn said. "I trust I will have access to ALL the information tomorrow when we arrive?"
"Yes, you will," Sam said, smiling for the first time. "I will also arrange for a meeting tomorrow evening so that you can meet the accuser,"
"I don't think that will be necessary under the circumstances. I like the element of surprise, and as of now, I should go now that I have delivered my petition." Wynn said with a smile. "Before I go, though, there is one last thing I want you to consider. If you truly want to protect and watch over Jack's family, then I think that it is time that you come clean with Beth. It will be the only way that she can truly heal and move on. For that matter, I think it is the only way for you to do that too, Sam." Wynn said, placing a hand on his shoulder. After a moment, Wynn and Henry left to prepare to catch the morning train. Sam sat there after they left, thinking about all that Wynn and Henry had said. He picked up the phone and called Patrick, and filled him in. Then he went to bed early to rest so he would be ready for what was coming.
