Elizabeth had everything packed before leaving for school, so all she had to do before they left for Brookfield was for her to feed little Jack. Thankfully Rosemary had stopped by during the lunch hour so Elizabeth could feed Jack. Charlotte was looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing Gabe once again. When she arrived at the rowhouse, Rosie was already there with Henry's car and was putting their things in the back.
"Good Elizabeth, you're here. Charlotte is just changing Jack, and then we can be off." Rosemary said.
"I should probably feed him really quick before we go," Elizabeth replied. "I'd rather not have to do it while we are on our way there."
"Charlotte went ahead and used the extra bottle you left, so he already ate just a short time ago. We should get going so we get there before dinner."
"That's fine then, Rosemary," Elizabeth said. Let me grab a few things and check to ensure we don't forget anything."
"Elizabeth Thornton, Charlotte will be here momentarily, and you'll be able to get your fill of him on the way there. She will be here in a few minutes, so why don't you get settled in the back, so you're ready to take him when she does." Rosemary said with an eyebrow raised. Elizabeth knew that she had been caught and did as Rosemary said. No sooner had she settled than Charlotte came out carrying a very happy Jack.
"I'm glad you came out when you did, Charlotte, because I don't think Elizabeth would have been able to stand not seeing Jack much longer."
"I figured as much, "Charlotte said as she handed him over to his mother. "I'm surprised she didn't come in looking for him."
"I tried, but I was ordered to wait and get in the back seat," Elizabeth said, looking over at Rosemary, a bit annoyed.
"That's right, I did, and I'm not apologizing for it either," Rosemary smirked. They all laughed as they headed out of town.
"Rosie, did you and Lee get a new car? This one looks bigger than the one you had last time I visited." Charlotte asked.
"Oh, this is Henry Gowan's car, and when he found out what we were doing, he offered it up so we would be more comfortable," Rosemary answered. I think it was because he knew we were bringing Jack. You know what a soft spot he has for him. Elizabeth."
Elizabeth laughed. "That's not all he has a soft spot for if you ask me."
"I know; I wonder if he will ever get the courage to ask her to dinner?" Rosemary asked.
"Wait, isn't Henry Gowan, that guy that used to be the mayor and ran the coalmines?" Charlotte said.
"Yep, that is him, but he has completely changed his tune," Elizabeth said.
"Really?" Charlotte asked. "I don't know if I could trust a man that had pulled as much as he has."
"He is an exemplary employee, and Lee trusts him and heavily relies on him in the office. Someone came and tried to put the company out of business and asked Henry to steal his client list. Henry refused and turned the tables on them, saving the company. She offered him a high position in the new company and more salary too." Rosemary explained.
"Abigail actually went to his trial and spoke on his behalf. Then he helped her save the town when the bank was going under." Elizabeth said. "It was funny, too, because she spoke on his behalf for the defense while Bill testified for the prosecution. I would not have wanted to be in that stagecoach with the two of them that day."
"So, how do he and Bill get along?" Charlotte asked.
"I think I would describe it as they enjoy an adversarial truce. I think it's because they don't want to risk facing the wrath of Abigail." Rosemary answered. "What is your opinion of it, Elizabeth?"
"I would have to say that I agree with you," Elizabeth said. "I think a big part is that they have a long history of bad blood even before Coal Valley."
"You are talking about Nora, I assume?" Charlotte said.
"Yes, apparently Henry loved her, but then Bill married her," Elizabeth said. "Anyway, I think that feelings have slowly evolved and that something may be brewing under the surface between henry and Abigail. But after what happened with Bill, then Frank, I think she keeps a distance for self-preservation."
"I can't blame her there; I tend to do the same," Charlotte said with a snort.
The ladies sat in silence, enjoying the countryside, and before long, they arrived at the orphanage. Rosemary gave a toot of the horn, and Grace and Lillian greeted them.
"Elizabeth! Rosemary! it's so good to see you." Lillian said, coming down the steps to the car.
"Lillian, Grace let me introduce you to my mother-in-law Charlotte," Elizabeth said after hugging the two ladies. Charlotte had stepped up just as she did.
"It's so nice to meet you, Charlotte," Lillian said with a smile. "I'm Lillian, and this is my sister Grace. We run the New Hope Orphanage. This is our Housekeeper, Eleanor Winters."
"It's nice to meet you ladies," Charlotte said, returning their smiles though she knew their attention had turned to her grandson in her arms.
"Elizabeth, I can't get over how much he has grown since Christmas," Lillian said.
"I know. He has grown so, so so much! Haven't you, my precious boy," Elizabeth cooed and was rewarded with a giggle for her effort.
"Would you like to hold him?" Charlotte asked Lillian looking at Elizabeth for permission.
"You bet I would," Lillian said, taking him into her arms. Like his father, he quickly charmed everyone in sight.
"I need to go into town and wire Bill that we arrived and wanted to check in with Gabe after I feed Jack." When she was finished feeding him, she turned him back over to Lillian. "Do you mind if I borrow your horse?" Elizabeth asked Lillian, seeing that Charlotte and Rosemary were occupied by the other children present. "He has already eaten, but Charlotte or Rosemary can handle anything if he needs something."
"Of course, you know where he is," Lillian said. "Take your time Elizabeth; I'm sure Gabe will be happy to see you."
After letting Charlotte and Rosemary know where they were going, she rode out for town.
Nathan and Gabe had been looking over the information on Sinclair. It was evident that he could be a dangerous capture. "I'm going to run over and pick up dinner for us and see if there's any word from Headquarters, Nathan. Do you need anything?" Gabe asked.
"Some idea of where I'm going for the next posting would be nice," Nathan muttered.
"I wish I could help you with that man," Gabe said. "I know how nerve-wracking that can be for a single man, let alone a single parent. Well, I'll be right back."
Elizabeth approached the office, trying to keep her presence quiet expecting to surprise Gabe. But as luck would have it, she was the one surprised. Instead of Gabe sitting at the desk, there was another Mountie.
"Hello," Elizabeth said.
The Mountie looked up and said, "Ma'am?" the two of them just stood there, unable to speak as their gazes held. Finally, Elizabeth managed to regroup as his brow raised in silent question, and a smile began to appear.
"Um…. I'm Elizabeth Thornton," she managed to get out, although a bit, breathlessly feeling her heart flutter as she gazed into his blue eyes. "I'm looking for Gabe Kinslow."
Nathan sat there frozen for a moment looking at the beautiful woman standing there looking back at him. He felt a strange fluttering in his heart and struggled to catch his breath. But then he awkwardly stood up and greeted her. As she raised her own brow and flashed an amused smile of her own, Nathan realized he hadn't responded to her inquiry. "Gabe…. Um…. He went to get dinner and wire; I mean to see if we had any wires from Headquarters." 'Real smooth, Nathan. She probably thinks you're stupid,"
"It's nice to meet you, Constable?" She asked, giggling in amusement at his stuttering.
"Oh! Sorry," Nathan shook his head and laughed. "I'm Nathan Grant." Before he could say anything else, the door opened, and Gabe came in.
Elizabeth turned and said, "There you are, Gabe!"
"Elizabeth! How are you, and how long are you here for?" Gabe said, gathering her in his arms for a bear hug, "I see you met Nathan already."
Elizabeth just laughed and said, "Yes, I did. I'm doing well; to answer your other questions - we are here until Sunday. Lillian has some children struggling in school and wants me to test them to see if I can find out why."
"We?" Gabe asked.
"Yes, we." She teased. "I obviously have Jack, but Rosemary and Charlotte are with me too. Charlotte came to visit me in Hope Valley to help me transition back to teaching again. I have to send a wire to Bill, letting him know we made it safely. But I was hoping you could come to the orphanage tomorrow for dinner, and we could catch up. You are certainly welcome to come as well, Constable Grant." Elizabeth said.
"I can't wait to see you all. I haven't seen everyone since the funeral. I can't wait to meet Jack." Gabe said.
"Well, I better go so I can get back. It will be time for Jack's bath and bedtime." Elizabeth said, then saying a quick goodbye; she was gone. Not long after, they saw her ride off and headed back toward the orphanage.
Gabe noticed that Nathan seemed subdued over their dinner. "Penny, for your thoughts."
"I'm just thinking about Fort Clay and how awkward meeting Jack Thornton's widow and son is. I don't think I can do it, Gabe."
"Nathan, you have been carrying around that burden for too long. Maybe the fact that you are here, and they are too, is providence. It creates a way for you to unburden yourself. Somehow, I don't think she will ever blame you for what happened to Jack. So, you are going to that dinner, and if you don't tell them, I will because you don't deserve to carry this around." Gabe said. "You are my best friend and brother, Nathan, so I know that if I were in your place, you would be telling me the same."
Nathan just nodded and began eating his dinner and praying for the right words to come tomorrow night. He knew Gabe was right and began wondering how it would feel to face that hurdle. He couldn't help but recall how Elizabeth Thornton had affected him. He couldn't remember any time he had ever had that reaction before. When he looked into her eyes, he felt a connection to her. Which made no sense considering the secret he was keeping about Fort Clay.
Elizabeth rode back to the Orphanage after sending the wire. After a quick dinner, she was sitting on the porch talking with Lillian. "So, what's happening with you and Gabe?" Elizabeth asked her slyly.
Lillian smiled shyly. "I don't know, really,"
"How do you feel about him?" Elizabeth asked. "I think Gabe is very handsome,"
"So do I, if I'm being honest," Lillian said. "Did you ask him to come to dinner?"
"Yes, I did. I met the other Constable and invited him too," Elizabeth said, trying to be nonchalant about it.
"Oh, you mean Nathan?" Lillian said, noticing Elizabeth's reaction.
"Isn't he handsome!" Grace said, coming out on the porch to join them. "Not as handsome as Chuck, but still very good-looking."
"I didn't notice," Elizabeth said quickly, but too quickly to fool the two sisters. Both women looked at each other and then at her.
"Sure, you didn't notice, Elizabeth," Lillian said, causing her to blush. The three women giggled a bit before changing the subject to the two children that Elizabeth would be testing in the morning. The following day Elizabeth ate breakfast and told Lillian that she wanted to meet with the teacher first before beginning with the children.
Elizabeth was on her way into town when she spotted a Mountie heading in the same direction. She knew it wasn't Gabe by the horse he rode. Drawing closer, she saw that it was Nathan riding a beautiful brown horse with a black mane. She giggled a bit because the man and beast had a mane that was similar in color and disarray.
"Constable Grant, good morning," she said, smiling, pleased to see him.
He returned her smile with a crooked one tipped up on one side. "Good morning to you as well, Mrs. Thornton." She was having trouble focusing because of the butterflies currently taking up residence in her stomach.
"You boys are coming back from rounds, I assume?" Elizabeth said, eyes twinkling.
Nathan chuckled, "We are at that." He replied, clearly pleased by her words. It wasn't very often that people considered Newton as his partner and not just transportation.
"What is his name?" Elizabeth asked as they approached the Jail.
"Newton," Nathan said, giving him a scratch behind the ear.
"She had dismounted and came over to run her fingers through his mane and rub his nose. "Well, Newton, you are a very handsome boy! Actually, it makes me miss my sweet Sargent." Nathan had never felt more jealous of a horse than right now. But realizing where his thoughts had gone, he quickly tamped them down.
"Sargent?" Nathan asked.
"Oh, he is or was, I guess I should say, my husband's horse. The Mounties gave him to me when Jack was killed in a Landslide at Fort Clay. Jack taught me how to ride a horse on Sargent, so there's a bond between us.
"I'm so sorry for your loss Mrs. Thornton."
"Please call me Elizabeth like Gabe," she said, "and thank you for your kind words." Before he could reply, Gabe stepped out on the porch.
"What's going on out here?" Gabe teased.
"I was just telling Newton how handsome he is," Elizabeth crooned. "Well, I better go; I will see you both later today for dinner. They both nodded, and she turned to go. She had only gone a few steps and turned back with a shy smile, eyes twinkling. "It was nice to see you again, Constable."
A couple of hours later, Charlotte strolled into town with Grace to see Gabe. She wanted to talk to him to see if he had any recommendations for a New Mountie in Hope Valley.
When she walked in, Gabe and Nathan sat at the desk, looking over a map of the area. "Well, it's good to see you actually work and not just sit around looking pretty like that horse of yours, Gabe!"
"Charlotte," Gabe said, laughing, going to the door to look out.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Jack always said that pigs would fly before you'd leave the ranch, so …."
She laughed and just pulled him into a hug. Nathan couldn't help but like the woman. She had a noticeable resemblance to Tess Stewart as well. He wondered what it would be like to see which one would be more formidable.
"You must be Constable Grant," Charlotte said, turning to Nathan and held out a hand. "Charlotte Thornton! Lizzie told me about meeting you. Is that brown horse outside yours?"
Nathan shook hands and said, "Please call me Nathan, and yes, that's Newton."
"Well, that is a fine mount you have there," Charlotte said. With a smirk, she added, "Lizzie was right about his mane, and your hair is identical, making the ladies swoon.
Nathan thanked her and blushed profusely at her words.
"So, what brings you by, Charlotte? Something in particular on your mind?" Gabe asked, enjoying his friends' discomfort.
"Actually, if you boys have some time, I would like to get your opinions on something," Charlotte said.
"Sure, come have a seat," Nathan said, slipping into Mountie mode.
"I want to talk to you about the Hope Valley posting," Charlotte said as she sat beside Gabe.
"Oh! Well, before we talk about your concern Charlotte, there is something else we need to talk about, too," Gabe said, looking at Nathan. Nathan looked at him for a moment, and Gabe just nodded reassuringly.
Nathan finally gave a subtle nod back in agreement and began. "Mrs. Thornton, I…. Um…. I need to tell you something about Fort Clay and Jack. I was at Fort Clay at the same time he was, but I never met him.
I was suspended then, and they sent Jack in my place."
"What were you suspended for?" Charlotte asked matter of factly.
"There were some cattle rustlers, and Superintendent Hargraves tasked me with following the cattle rustlers. I was only supposed to follow them, but they had two female hostages, and they were heading across the border. I knew I could safely apprehend them, so I did and saved the women. But my supervising officer said I disobeyed orders and suspended me."
"Seems to me that you did the right thing. I can't even believe that they would have allowed that suspension." Charlotte observed.
"They didn't, Charlotte," Gabe said. "In fact, it was reversed on appeal."
Turning to Nathan, Charlotte looked him in the eye and asked, "Do you think you are guilty of my son's death, Nathan?"
"I am Mrs. Thornton," Nathan said as tears filled his eyes. "I can't help thinking that if I had just let the rustlers go, Jack would be alive. But on the other hand, I know I did the right thing in saving those women. But there's something else too that I need you to know,"
"I'm listening," Charlotte said softly, feeling compassion for the young Mountie as she saw the weight of the guilt he was carrying in his eyes.
"I knew the conditions were not good for that mission and told my superior, but he didn't listen, and Jack went off without knowing the training area was unsafe."
"Gabe, is there anything he left out or misrepresented?" Charlotte asked, not needing it for herself but for the man in front of her. If Gabe vouched for his actions along with her, it would go a long way toward getting Nathan to believe it.
"Only thing he left out was that he led the recovery efforts and personally recovered and escorted Jack's body back to base until it reached Hope Valley," Gabe said.
"Son," Charlotte said, leaning over towards Nathan to see his eyes. "Look at me," Once he complied, she said, "You are not responsible for what happened to my son. As I said, you did your job honorably and need to forgive yourself, not that I think you need it. As a Mountie, you know we lose people as part of the job. Do you understand what I'm telling you, son? I want to thank you for caring for my Jack until he came home." Seeing the time, she quickly excused herself to think about what had happened. She needed to process what she had heard and think about her idea in response to her concerns about Hope Valley.