Following the Sunday midday meal Viola started helping Elizabeth clearing the table and doing the dishes. Nathan set Jack and Margaret up on a blanket in one corner of the kitchen with Jack's Lincoln Logs before joining Dylan and Ally in the room he used as his office. Dylan and Ally were already in the room. Ally was sitting on the settee in front of the fireplace while his brother-in-law had retrieved the chair from the desk and was sitting with his back to the fireplace. Nathan noted that neither of them was talking.

Closing the door softly behind him, Nathan spoke as he walked toward the settee. "I am glad you could join us for the service this morning, Dylan," he commented, trying to keep his voice casual as he sat down next to Ally. His niece slid over to sit closer to him and Nathan put his hand around her shoulder. If she needed his comfort then he would freely give it.

"Once I started allowing myself to see all the mistakes I made, Colleen's words about God being ready to forgive me when I was ready to ask came back to me," Dylan replied. "I started reading the Bible she had given me while up North. While in Saskatchewan, I tried a few different churches but never felt at ease in any of them."

"I would venture to say you still do not," Nathan said.

"Is that obvious?" Dylan asked.

Nathan shrugged his shoulders. "I am a Mountie. It is my job to be observant. The important thing is that you keep trying, Dylan. God knows we are not perfect. Keep turning your troubles over to God daily, Dylan, and he will help you."

"Sometimes I do not think daily is sufficient."

Nathan smiled. "I have had days where I have a constant line of communication open with God to keep asking him to keep me from doing something I would regret later."

Dylan eyed his brother-in-law skeptically. "You have always seemed like you had everything in control to me."

Nathan shook his head. "Hardly. I had a lot of anger as a teen, a lot of it directed at my father. The youth group leader helped keep me out of a lot of trouble back then but even so I could not manage the one thing I was told constantly that I needed to do. I could not forgive my father and turn that burden over to God. Even though I prayed constantly, I stubbornly held onto that burden. The Mounties helped me learn self-discipline and how to control my anger. I was able to push the anger at my father aside and not let it dictate my life. When you skipped out on Ally, I did the same thing. I pushed my feelings toward you aside and just went on with life for Ally's sake."

Nathan felt Ally's hand grasp his and give it a squeeze. He looked down at her and gave her smile. "Despite all of the struggles that came with it, Ally has been a gift in my life. Elizabeth is another gift, and it was through her compassion that I was finally able to forgive my father." Nathan paused for a moment as he looked across at Dylan. "Learning to forgive my father is the only reason I think I am able to forgive you Dylan. Elizabeth's love and compassion made me stronger in my faith in ways that no one else before her could accomplish."

Dylan was looking at him with an expression of understanding. "I get it, Nathan. I do. Colleen has been gone for almost ten years now, but it is her love and faith in me that gives me the strength to keep battling my demons. It just took Ave doing what I should have done all those years prior to show me how weak I had been."

Dylan shifted his gaze from Nathan to Ally. "You are the one who paid the price for that weakness, Ally. I am sorry and I know I can never make up for all the pain and hurt that I put you through. I am grateful that Nathan was able to be the father that you deserve and know that I know I can never take his place. He is your father. Elizabeth is your mother. I signed the paper Judge Avery asked me to that will expedite her adoption of you. I would like to get to know you better though. Whatever parts of your life you would like to share with me Ally, I would be thankful to hear about."

Ally glanced up at Nathan.

"It is your story to tell, Sweetheart. Whatever you want to share and in whatever order you want to tell it."

Ally nodded and without letting go of Nathan's hand, looked back at Dylan. "I do not remember a lot of about Mom. There are a few vague memories. I have a picture of her so I can remember what she looks like. The only recollection I have of you is that you left and not understanding what I had done to make you leave."

Nathan saw the pained expression on Dylan's face at those words. "It was not you, Ally. You were a wonderful child even then. The problem was I and the fact that the only way I knew how to deal with a problem is to run or hide, usually in a bottle."

"Dad said much the same thing," Ally replied. "It helps to actually hear you say it though," the girl admitted. "For so long, it was just Uncle Nathan and I. He was my world. I went with him from posting to posting. Other people in my life changed but he was my one constant. The months he had to go serve in the Northern Territories were the longest time we were away from each other. It felt like forever for me. I was so relieved when he came back and he got his posting at Fort Clay. It wasn't until we came here to Hope Valley that I really started to gain other special people in my life. They have made my life richer but Dad is still the most important person in my life."

"I am so glad that you have that bond with him, Ally. Cherish it," Dylan told her. "Can you tell me about your life here in Hope Valley?"

Ally smiled. Nathan knew that telling people about Hope Valley was something she enjoyed doing. "Well, Dad came here alone. I spent a few extra days on Fort Simpson with one of the other Mountie's wife while he came to look his new posting over. He always did that. He said he always wanted to make sure he had a proper place for me to stay before I came to join him at a new posting."

"A very wise thing to do."

"My train was early, so instead of waiting at the station like I was supposed to, I got directions to the Mounted Police Office. Uncle Bill was the first person I introduced myself to though when I first met him, I would not have anticipated ever referring to him as an uncle," Ally said, going on to tell about the 'sort of nice' comment she had made to the man that was then Sherif and about skipping school.

Leaning back against the settee, Ally's hand still holding his, Nathan relaxed. Though he had done some talking to get the conversation started, he truly wanted this conversation to be between Ally and Dylan. He was simply here for moral support.

Rachel stared at Tyler's back as he looked through her closet on Wednesday morning. She had been intending to simply wear the dress she had worn the day before. It wasn't like she was doing anything these days that would really get the dress soiled. Tyler, who was now helping her change clothes both morning and night, had shook his head no at the choice. The reaction had perplexed her but she remained silent as he had hung the dress up in her closet and searched through the other clothes. She only had a few maternity dresses.

"Here we go," Tyler said, pulling out a dress. "Wear this one today," he instructed, turning from the closet with the dress she had worn for their wedding ceremony.

"It is a little fancy for just sitting around the house," Rachel commented.

"I have a feeling you are going to want to feel a little dressed up today," Tyler replied, taking the dress off the hangar. Placing the hangar back in the closet, her husband closed the door and walked over to her with the dress in hand.

"Is there something you are not telling me?" Rachel asked her curiosity piqued.

Tyler shrugged his shoulders. "I just thought dressing up a bit might break up the monotony of your day," he said casually.

Rachel looked at him skeptically and received an innocent smile in return. "What can it hurt?" she said giving in.

Tyler's innocent smile turned to one of happiness as he laid the dress on the bed beside her and went about getting the rest of her garments. Though she would be happy when she could dress herself without help, she was thankful for the help she was receiving from everyone. Allowing Tyler to help her change meant that the others did not have to arrive as early in the morning or stay as late at night. She was sure that first night he had helped her into her nightgown, her face had been red, she realized that it was natural for husband and wife to see each other this way. That as she had promised Tyler they could try for more children in the future that at one point he would see her in a state of undress. The tinge of pink she had seen in Tyler's complexion that first night, had helped set her at ease a little more.

Once she was dressed, Tyler helped her with her hair. Though that was something she could have managed alone still, there was something comforting about him doing it for her. Like when she was young and her mother would brush her hair while they chatted about the problems of girlhood.

Autumn came in as Tyler was finishing, her own hairbrush and ribbons in hand so her mother could do her hair. Placing Rachel's hair brush on the dresser, he kissed both of them on the top of the head before leaving the room. A knock on the front door told Rachel that her 'companion' for the day had arrived.

"How long until the baby comes, Mama?" Autumn asked.

"Well, the baby is not due until the beginning of August but it could come sooner," Rachel told her daughter.

"But sooner isn't a good thing, is it?"the girls asked as Rachel brushed her hair out. The question told Rachel that Autumn had picked up on the worry of the adults around her despite their efforts to shield them.

"If the baby comes too soon, it might not be able to survive outside of my body," Rachel said, hoping the explanation would satisfy Autumn's curiosity. "So we want the baby to stay inside me for as long as possible."

"Is that why you need to stay in bed?"

"Yes," Rachel told her as she started to put a French braid in her daughter's hair. "Too much activity could make the baby come too early."

"Robert said there was worry about his baby sister before she was born. His mother did not feel the baby move much. His sister is three now. She was all right and my baby sister or brother is going to be all right too."

Rachel smiled. The innocent faith of a child. Somehow, it soothed her worries a little. After all, her baby was active. Carson and Faith both said everything seemed fine despite the early contractions.

"Yes, sweetie, we need to believe that this baby is going to be just fine. I plan on doing just what Dr. Carter and Dr. Shepherd tell me to do to ensure that."

"Those are words I like to hear from my patients," Carson said now standing in the doorway.

"Hello, Dr. Shepherd," Autumn greeted.

"Hello, Autumn," Carson replied. "That bouquet of flowers on the table looks really pretty. I heart you picked them."

Autumn nodded. "I did. Those too," she added pointing toward a vase on the night stand.

"Also very pretty. A good way to help cheer your mother up."

"I told her I would pick more when those start to wilt."

"What a lucky lady," Carson replied.

Rachel finished with the braid and tied a dark green ribbon, matching the dress Autumn was wearing, at the end of the braid.

"Autumn, would you like to come help me saddle Icarus?" Tyler asked standing near the door as well.

"Yes, Papa Tyler," the girl said excitedly, hoping down from the bed and going to the man.

As Autumn and Tyler left, Carson came into the room. Grabbing the chair from near the wall, he brought it over closer to the bedside so that he could face Rachel.

"So, how are you feeling?" Carson asked.

"Tired of being in bed but the baby has been active and I have had no contractions," Rachel told him. The fact that Carson and Faith were keeping such good tabs on her made her very thankful that she had come to Hope Valley. She knew she could not ask for two more attentive and caring doctors.

It was midmorning when Tyler walked from the Mounted Police Office to the Queen of Hearts. He had been meaning to have a talk with Lucas since marrying Rachel but had not yet found the time. Things were slow today so Tyler decided to take a few minutes to talk to the man before making sure Bill was in his office so he could do rounds. On the off chance of a fire breaking out, as there was a prisoner in the cell someone nearby should have a key to the cell. It was why someone was on duty during the night. Bill had the duplicate key to the cell and had been serving as backup during the day so Tyler could do rounds of the area.

Walking into the Queen of Hearts, he inquired with the staff if Lucas was in. Tyler was pointed in the direction of Lucas office. Reaching the room, he found the door open. Lucas was seated at his desk, a ledger book open in front of him. Reaching out, Tyler knocked on the open door.

Lucas looked up. "Constable Randall, hello," the man greeted easily. "Come on in."

Tyler stepped into the office, choosing to close the door behind him.

"I hope this is not a professional call?" Lucas remarked.

"It is, but not professional on the account of my job," Tyler told him. "I wanted to come by and pay the rent on the cabin. I appreciate you waiving the rent for Rachel's sake, but as I am living there now too, Rachel and I are in agreement that it is no longer necessary for you to do so."

"Well, I was not going to come collecting the rent but I will not argue the point with you either," Lucas replied, looking up as Tyler was now standing in front of the desk.

"I know the rent is purposely lower on the cabin as well. I am willing to start paying a more reasonable rent for the cabin," Tyler added.

Lucas shook his head. "Rachel and I reached an agreement on the amount and that amount is in a binding contract. The rent will remain the same until such time as Rachel decides to vacate the property."

"Are you sure?" Tyler asked.

"I am," Lucas told him without hesitation. "I realize that little cabin is not going to accommodate a family of four for too long. Especially if the coming child turns out to be a boy. Put the extra money aside now for a future home, whether that is here or somewhere else if your job requires it."

"I appreciate the consideration," Tyler said, knowing that arguing was not going to change the business man's mind. As much as the man seemed to like to flaunt his affluence with the way he dressed, Lucas Bouchard apparently wasn't all about the bottom line.

Tyler paid the current rent due and then left to head out on rounds. He wasn't sure who had been leading Rachel's actions when she had left Landsdale, but he knew she could not have ended up in a more caring town than Hope Valley.

Rachel stared at the photograph she had taken from between the pages of her Bible. She did not have many photographs and this one had become even more special to her. It had been taken on the day she had married Gilbert. Her neighbor, Lisa, had stood with that day and stood on her right. On Gilbert's left was Tyler, who had been her husband's best man.

She had been so happy that day. Rachel had gone to Landsdale just simply trying to hide from her bad choice. Instead, she had found happiness. Gilbert had taught her what true love really was. He had been a father to Autumn.

James had robbed her of that happiness. He had taken an innocent man's life simply to hurt her. Her ex-husband had destroyed the life they had created and bragged about it. The man had no remorse.

How could she have ever fallen for James?

This picture was how she wanted to remember Gilbert - happy and smiling. In the days after the assault she had looked at it often, trying to banish the memory of Gilbert's tear stained face as he sat slumped in the chair after she had been raped. Her husband would have protected her if he could. She knew that he would not regret giving his life for her.

Now she had a second man in her life that would give his life for her. Rachel prayed that it would never come to that. She also prayed that Gilbert knew that there had been nothing between her and Tyler when he was alive. The ease with which she seemed to be falling for Tyler sometimes scared her. Were the feelings always there? Would they have come up even if Gilbert had not died?

Rachel continued to stare at the photograph. It was Gilbert that stared back at her, not Tyler. She had not consciously even realized that Tyler was in this picture until recently. He had simply been Gilbert's best friend, nothing more.

A soft knock on the door broke through Rachel's thoughts.

"Come in," she called out looking up from the photograph as she did so.

The door open and Elizabeth peeked inside. Rachel could tell her new friend could see her troubled thoughts.

"We'll be a few minutes," Elizabeth said to someone in the main room before coming into the room. "You looked troubled?" the woman inquired, coming to sit on the bed.

"Just trying to sort out my feelings," Rachel said. "I know that moving on with my life does not have to mean forgetting Gilbert. That nothing can take away from the love I shared with him. But I still feel guilty for having feelings for another man."

"So, you do feel something for Tyler?" Elizabeth inquired.

Rachel nodded. "In a different situation, I would never have agreed to marry him at this point but I do have feelings for him. I kissed him on the lips the other day. Just the briefest, softest of kisses. I liked it, Elizabeth and part of me wants to kiss him again. Another part of me wonders if the reason I can fall for Tyler so easily because there was something there before."

Rachel held out the photograph she held.

"Tyler was Gilbert's best man?" Elizabeth asked, looking at the picture.

"He was," Rachel said. "Tyler took the posting in Landsdale around the time I moved there. He and Gilbert were friends even before Gilbert had asked me out on our first date. Once Gilbert and I got married, Tyler was a part of holiday and birthday celebrations. He had no other family to celebrate with and Gilbert asked if I minded including him in our celebrations. I didn't and Autumn enjoyed being with him."

"That is why Autumn has such an easy relationship with him."

"It is," Rachel agreed. "If we have feelings for one another now what if Gilbert was still alive?"

Elizabeth returned the picture and gave Rachel a sympathetic look. "I think if Gilbert was still alive, you would still only have eyes for him. Nor do I think that Tyler is the kind of man that would try to move in on a friend's wife. But Gilbert is no longer here. The dynamics have changed. I would also like to think that Gilbert would be happy that the two of you could find happiness together in his absence. Let yourself be open to these feelings, Rachel. Fighting them only brings heartache. I know that first hand. Let yourself be happy, Rachel. That is what Gilbert would want."

Rachel nodded, knowing there was truth in her friend's words. Elizabeth opened her arms to her and Rachel leaned in for a hug. For a moment, she just rested in her friend's embrace, thankful for having someone in her life who truly understood what she was going through.

After a few moments, the two women sat back.

"I wasn't expecting you today?" Rachel commented, looking at her friend curiously.

Elizabeth smiled. "We wanted it to be a surprise. I arranged a tea party for you. Faith, Rosemary, Florence, Abigail, Viola and Molly are getting everything set up. Carson plans on walking you out to the settee so you can put your feet up while enjoying tea, cucumber sandwiches and scones and then leaving us ladies to chat."

Rachel sighed. This was exactly what she had been longing for. "How did you know I was longing for something like this?"

"Tyler said something to me after church on Sunday," Elizabeth told her, wanting to be sure the thoughtful man got the proper credit.

"Bless him," Rachel said. "This is why he wanted me to wear this dress today," Tyler's earlier actions finally making sense.

"He's a special one for sure," Elizabeth told her. "Are you ready to come join us?"

"Could you just get me a wet washcloth to wipe my face first?" Rachel asked as she tucked the picture back into her Bible.

"I would be happy to," Elizabeth said getting to her feet.

Returning with the wet cloth, Rachel wiped her face in case there were tear stains. She then leaned on Carson as the doctor walked her out to the main room and helped get her settled. After kissing Faith's cheek, the man headed out the door leaving the women to their tea party.

"Where is Autumn?" Rachel asked, realizing that her daughter was not around.

"At the Grant's," Rosemary replied. "Lee, Nathan and Bill have all the children over there keeping an eye on them so we can have our tea party. I am not sure they know what they were getting into," she said, getting a chuckle from everyone gathered.

Elizabeth then took a little time to introduce Viola to those she had not met yet as tea was poured and plates were filled. Rachel glanced around at those gathered. She had not known them for long but she felt closer to these ladies than she had any of her neighbors in Landsdale.

Yes, if they needed to relocate for Tyler's job, she would happily go with him as promised but Rachel hoped that for at least for a little while they could remain right here in Hope Valley.