It had been twelve days. Twelve long, tortuous days of tracking the man who'd brutally and unrepentantly killed innocent people like Sarah. Nathan felt like he was barely holding himself together. The longer time went on with Controni free, the closer to snapping he felt.

Superintendent O'Reilly warned him that could happen. Before he'd approved Nathan's temporary reinstatement, the older man made a point of cautioning him.

"This man caused you immense pain, Grant," he said, looking Nathan straight in the eyes. "I need you to keep your head while you track. You might find the chase will get to you, especially if we don't find him immediately."

"Yes, sir," Nathan replied. He'd hoped O'Reilly had worried needlessly. Now, as he and Gabe prepared for another night under the stars, he understood why his supervisor said what he had.

"You alright?" Gabe asked, eying him over the fire.

Nathan shook his head. "No. I haven't been alright since I found out Controni was on the loose." He scrubbed a hand against his face, letting out a sigh. "The only consolation in this mess is that he has no clue where I am."

Gabe leaned against a tree, raising a brow. "The only consolation?" He placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "And here I thought my presence was doing something."

That pulled a smile from Nathan's lips. "How do you always know what to say?"

His friend heaved a sigh, gazing up at the sky. "It's a blessing and a curse, Nathan, to be naturally gifted like I am."

That comment made Nathan laugh for the first time in days. Gabe grinned. "There it is! I've been trying to make you laugh all week. You've been rather solemn, you know."

"I know," Nathan replied. "I'm sorry, Gabe. This whole situation is getting to me."

"Understandably so," Gabe said. "I can't even imagine what you're going through right now. Knowing that man is out there somewhere must be eating you inside."

"It is," Nathan admitted. "I just want this to be over. Every day, I hope someone finds him. This needs to end."

Gabe studied him. "Are you telling me you'd be fine not being the one to capture him again?"

Nathan nodded firmly. "Honestly, I hope it isn't me. I don't want to see Controni again. When we first got to Union City, I did want to be the one to bring him to justice. Now, I just want him to be caught." He let out a frustrated breath. "We're so close. All the signs point to him being nearby. But none of us can find him." He tossed a stick into the fire.

"We'll get him," Gabe said, his voice both quiet and confident. "He won't escape justice, Nathan. We won't stop until he's found."

Nathan turned toward his friend. "I don't say it often enough, but I'm glad to have a friend like you, Gabe. You've been my rock from the time we were kids. You're the best friend a guy could ask for." His lips twitched. "And you're a pretty decent brother-in-law too."

Gabe laughed. "Pretty decent, am I? Your sister might have something to say about that." His smile softened. "But in all seriousness, I'm thankful for your friendship as well. We've both been there for each other through good times and bad. We'll get through this together too." He leaned against a tree. "Just think, in no time this will be behind us and you'll be a married man. Are you excited for the wedding?"

Nathan knew Gabe was trying to distract him from his own thoughts. He appreciated the gesture. He relaxed against his own tree and brought Elizabeth's face to mind. "Yes, I'm excited for the wedding. I can't think of anything I've looked forward to more. I'd marry Elizabeth tomorrow if I could." He chuckled. "Though I think her family might object to that. Did I tell you her father wants to take me fishing before the wedding?"

Gabe's brows shot up. "Fishing with Mr. Thatcher? Oh, I would pay good money to see how that turns out!"

Laughing, Nathan shook his head. "That makes one of us. I'm nervous as can be. The man is going to be my father-in-law. What if he doesn't like me?"

"Then Elizabeth will marry you anyway," Gabe replied. "She loves you, Nathan. Nothing is going to stand in the way of you two spending the rest of your lives together."

Nathan smiled. His love for Elizabeth momentarily banished his anxiety over Controni. "I can't wait to marry her."

"I'd say the feeling is mutual," Gabe responded with a grin. "She lights up around you. It's a stark contrast to how she looked when I first moved to Hope Valley. The light was gone after Jack died. You helped restore it."

"She did the same for me," Nathan said. Feeling more relaxed, he tilted his head to rest it against the tree. "How are you feeling about my sister's pregnancy?"

Gabe shook his head. "It feels like we just went through this," he said, chuckling. "Sometimes I can't believe it's been over a year since we discovered she was pregnant with Daisy. Now she's months away from delivering another baby." He sighed happily. "I'm telling you, Nathan, I've never been happier. I finally got to marry the love of my life, gained two daughters, and get to welcome another child soon." His grin grew. "Or two."

That made Nathan sit up straight. "Two?" He eyed his friend. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Gabe's eyes danced with amusement. "I keep teasing Colleen about having twins. She brushes it off, but I would swear she's carrying bigger in this pregnancy than in the last one. Last time you could barely tell she was pregnant. This time, it's obvious. At most, she's five months along." He settled his hands over his stomach. "I predict we are going to have twins."

"Wow." Nathan considered that for a few moments. A smile tugged at his lips. "I like that thought. Maybe you'll have two boys to even out the numbers."

"Maybe," Gabe said. His smile didn't fade as he closed his eyes. "Twins or no, I'm ready for the ride of having another child in the family. It's exciting." He pointed at Nathan, eyes still closed. "Just you wait, my friend. Your turn is coming."

Instead of panicking at the thought, Nathan felt a shot of excitement. He still had his doubts about being a good father, but those doubts were slowly fading as time went on. More and more, he realized his own father's choices didn't predetermine his. Gabe pointed that out nearly every day. So did Elizabeth and Colleen. With their support, Nathan was finding his way out of the prison he'd long locked himself in.

"It's late," Gabe said. "We should probably get some rest. We have to meet the others early tomorrow morning for the status report."

"Right," Nathan replied. "Why don't you sleep first? I'll keep watch."

Gabe nodded. "Alright. Wake me in a couple hours."

"Will do."

They rose before the sun the next morning. Nathan felt a strange uneasiness wash over him as they saddled their horses and set off. He hadn't felt like this since …

He drew in a sudden, sharp breath. Gabe glanced at him, instantly on alert. "What is it?"

Nathan's neck tingled. It was as if someone was staring at him. He looked around, but all was quiet and calm. "Do you remember that bad feeling I had right before the ambush in the North?"

Gabe's face tightened. "I do. Did you have another one?"

Nathan nodded. His unease grew. "I want to check the area," he said.

"Good idea," Gabe replied.

They methodically made their way around a large perimeter. There was no sign of trouble, no disturbances in the brush. Nothing besides a nebulous feeling that wouldn't leave Nathan alone. They continued on their way. The two men were largely quiet, both keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

"I don't like this," Nathan muttered. "The feeling is too familiar, Gabe, and there was nothing good attached to it the last time."

"We'll keep an eye out." Gabe scanned the area again. Nathan followed suit. The rest of the ride to the meeting point felt tense. He couldn't get it out of his head that something bad was about to happen.

They reached their unit without mishap. Even so, Nathan couldn't relax. He observed the other Mounties. None of them seemed concerned. They were laughing and joking, though he noticed they kept alert. One of them spotted Nathan and Gabe. "They're here," he called. "Gather round, men!"

The unit consisted of eight men. They were tracking two by two, each pair assigned to one of the four directions. Gabe and Nathan had been tracking the southern region.

"Report," Constable Jefferson said, looking at Nathan.

"Yes, sir," Nathan replied. "We haven't seen any sign of Controni for the past four days. I thought we found something two days ago, but if it was him, he managed to vanish." The words stuck in his throat. "We have nothing further to report."

Jefferson shook his head. "That's the consensus, it seems," he said. "None of us have been able to discern his whereabouts. We pick up a trail only to lose it." He rubbed a hand over his chin. "It's almost like he's playing with us."

A chill crept over Nathan's spine. That sounded exactly like something Controni would do. The men began planning their next move. Nathan tried to focus, but the feeling of being watched intensified until he thought he might jump out of his own skin. His attention snagged on something over a hill in the distance. He squinted, brow furrowing. Turning to Gabe, he pointed. "Is that smoke?"

Gabe frowned. "Sure looks like it. The kind that comes from a campfire."

The other Mounties looked in that direction as well. Jefferson took charge. "Spread out," he ordered. "I want two men approaching in each direction. Stay out of sight until I give the command."

Gabe put a hand on Nathan's shoulder as they began walking. "It might be nothing more than a hobo in the woods," he said quietly.

"Maybe so," Nathan replied. He hoped his friend was right.

They approached cautiously and quietly. The other Mounties fanned out. As they made their way around the hill, the campsite came into view. The remains of a fire could be seen. Wisps of smoke curled into the air, disappearing in a gray haze. A tent was fashioned between two trees. It looked like a hobo's campsite.

Nathan felt a small sense of relief. Glancing around, he could see no sign of another person. The camp was empty. Perhaps the hobo had gone hunting after banking his fire.

But why was there a fire in the first place? And where had the camp come from? If the Mounties had been searching for signs of Controni, surely someone would have mentioned coming across this place. Yet none of them had said anything. Everyone looked surprised by the smoke.

Something wasn't adding up.

A low whistle caught Nathan's attention. He searched until he spotted Jefferson waving from his spot behind a tree. He motioned at Gabe and Nathan, then at the camp.

"I think we're being assigned scouting duty," Gabe said.

Nathan nodded, drawing his weapon. "I'll go first. Cover my back."

"You got it," Gabe replied. His gun was nestled securely in his own hand. They made their way quickly but cautiously to the camp, Gabe hanging back to keep an eye out. Nathan searched the camp efficiently. Old clothes lay piled on one side of the tent while a rough blanket lined the other. Bits of food were tied up in a bag. He checked the fire. It had been recently banked. Glancing around once more, Nathan raised a hand to signal an all clear.

Something whizzed past his head, landing with a thump on the ground. It had come from above. Nathan looked up sharply toward the top of the hill, catching a glimpse of someone darting away. His fellow Mounties ran from their hiding places, shouting and waving their arms. He bent toward the object, then hissed out a breath.

Dynamite.

He began to run. Before he got far, the explosive went off. The blast sent him flying through the air. Landing hard, he felt something stab painfully against his chest before oblivion took him.

Elizabeth sat in the Kinslow's parlor, bouncing little Daisy on her lap. The baby squealed happily, clapping her hands to indicate her pleasure.

Colleen chuckled from her spot on the settee, where a sleeping Allie was nestled against her. "She loves horsey rides," she said. "Thank you for playing with her."

"It's my pleasure," Elizabeth replied, grinning at Daisy as she went through another round of bouncing. "Besides, it's good practice for when I have kids of my own."

"I love the thought of having a niece or nephew," Colleen said. "There was a part of me that thought it would never happen, not with Nathan's resistance to marriage for a time. I'm glad he's finally embraced the idea."

"Me too," Elizabeth said softly. She sighed. "I miss him."

Her friend was quiet. "I know what you mean," she murmured. "I wish he and Gabe would come home. It's been two weeks."

Two very long weeks. Elizabeth found herself thanking God nightly that Nathan was not actually in the force. She understood his reasons for asking to be reinstated, but she hoped Controni would be found soon so Nathan could come home and resume his woodworking. As each day went by without word, she grew more and more nervous.

It also had the effect of bringing back memories of Jack's various departures. She'd worried then much the way she was now. The feeling was familiar, but uncomfortable. She wasn't sure what she would do if something happened to Nathan.

The front door opened. Both women turned, expecting to see Bill. He'd been a frequent visitor while Gabe was away, making good on his promise to watch over Colleen and the girls. He checked on Elizabeth constantly as well. She sometimes felt smothered, but she knew he did it at Nathan's request.

But Bill wasn't at the door.

Colleen gasped. "Gabe!" She carefully laid Allie on the settee before rushing to her husband. She threw her arms around him, weeping in relief. "You're home!"

Elizabeth stood, looking behind him expectantly. Nathan must be close. She felt a rush of anticipation, excited to see her fiance. When he didn't appear, she frowned. She looked at Gabe for an explanation, then froze.

His face was haggard, his eyes troubled. Elizabeth faltered. "Gabe?" Her voice was weak.

Colleen was looking at her husband, fear written on her features. "Gabe, where's Nathan?"

He closed his eyes. Elizabeth collapsed onto the settee, clutching Daisy close. "No," she moaned. "No, no, no!"

Gabe tucked Colleen close to his side before coming to stand beside the settee. "He's alive," he said, his voice heavy. "But he was badly injured yesterday. Controni set up a trap. Nathan was on the receiving end of a stick of dynamite."

Elizabeth began to shake. Colleen cried out, clutching Gabe's arm. He continued speaking, but the pain at telling them what happened was obvious. "The dynamite itself didn't hurt him. He has some burns, but those will heal. The worst part was that the force of the explosion sent him flying, and he landed on a sharp rock. It gashed his chest pretty badly." He swallowed. "It's already showing signs of infection."

"No," Elizabeth whispered, stricken with horror. "Will he be alright?"

Gabe looked her fully in the eyes. "We don't know," he said. "That's why I'm here. I'm taking you and Colleen to Union City. Just in case …"

His words trailed off. Elizabeth didn't need to hear the rest. She knew what it was he wasn't saying. She rose on shaky legs. "Lee has a car. I'm sure he will let us use it."

Gabe nodded. "I already asked him. The car is outside. When can you be ready to leave?"

"Almost immediately," Elizabeth replied. Calm descended over her, though fear pulsed heavy inside. "I can help Colleen pack what's needed for the girls, and then we can stop by my house for a few clothes." She gripped Gabe's arm. "Please get us there as quickly as possible."

He nodded, a determined light in his eyes. "Of course." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know he wants you there, Elizabeth. He was calling your name during his surgery."

Her knees weakened again. "Surgery?" she asked faintly.

"I'll explain on the way," he said gently.

It didn't take long for them to pack. Before an hour was up, they were on their way to Union City. Elizabeth prayed silently as they drove out of town, begging God to spare Nathan. She wasn't sure she could handle losing another man she loved.