Chapter Three

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A Hidden Packet, Packing and Parting Notes

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Constable Paul Martin arrived by mid-day on Tuesday, so Nathan and he walked the town, then did rounds together to familiarize Paul with the farms and farmers. By then Nathan had notified the families of Allie's closest friends, as well as the outlying farmers and had received heartfelt thank you messages.

On Wednesday morning Nathan suggested that Constable Paul do the rounds while Nathan finished some office-related things. In privacy, Nathan opened every desk drawer and each file drawer, looking and feeling towards the back of each. He didn't want to leave any personal item behind. Satisfied with the desk, Nathan took the keys and opened the gun cabinet. Reaching in, he found the loose piece of wood, lifted it and extracted a small folded packet which he slipped into his pocket. This had been a safer place to store this item than at home. Allie might have discovered it when putting away laundry and that had been a chance that Nathan could not take. He was grateful this piece of jewelry had never been discovered even though it had been kept in the office for a couple of years. He would leave Hope Valley with no one the wiser.

Bill opened the door to the jail just as Nathan was returning the keys to the drawer. "Hey, Bill. What can I do for you?"

Bill eyed Nathan. "I came to remind you of something."

"Oh? And…?"

Bill remained quiet trying to think of a tactful way to broach the subject. Finally he decided to just blurt it out. Bill stood, went to the door and locked it, before returning to sit across from Nathan.

Nathan watched with a bemused expression. He was mentally checking items off his list.

"I don't know how to ask this, so I'll just say it. Have you remembered to collect the ring from the gun cabinet yet?"

Nathan's jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. There was no stoic Mountie expression at this moment. Nathan patted his pocket as he questioned his friend. "How do you know anything about a ring, Bill?"

"I discovered it once when I was covering for you and needed to bring a rifle on rounds." Bill grinned at Nathan's expression. "You thought no one knew, eh?" Bill chuckled. "Well, I did!"

"You bet I thought no one knew. How long ago did you discover it?"

"About a year and a half ago. Why? How long has it been there?"

"About two years. Did you look at it?"

"I did. It was an unlabeled packet and I needed to know what it was. May I see it again?"

Nathan withdrew the packet, unfolded the paper and lifted out a beautiful diamond ring holding it in two fingers. A larger centered diamond was flanked with a smaller diamond on either side. He stared at it, then handed it to Bill.

"It's a beautiful ring, Nathan. Where did you buy it?"

"I had it made. In Union City."

"For Elizabeth?"

"I thought so at the time." There were no tears, but Bill saw guarded pain in his friend's eyes. He handed the ring back and watched as Nathan refolded the paper using the same creases as before. Nathan placed it back in his pocket.

Taking a deep breath, Nathan then asked his friend. "You thought I might forget it?"

"Not really." Bill paused then plunged ahead, saying what needed to be said. "I wanted you to know that I knew, Nathan. And that I am very, very sorry things played out as they did. You deserved better, Son. And you would have made her happy. If Jack could have handpicked a husband for her and a father for Little Jack, it would have been you. I'm certain of it."

Nathan was silent and looked up at the ceiling, though saw nothing.

"I'll continue to pray for you, Nathan, and ask for God to bring someone worthy of you who can gratefully wear that ring because she loves you above all else." Bill stood. "I'll be going now. See you later…" He unlatched the door, looking back as he stepped onto the porch, then closed the door and walked towards the Café, head lowered in prayer.

Nathan sat still as stone for a long time. Constable Paul found him there upon his return. Not picking up on the atmosphere in the office, the Constable sat and began to report his rounds to Nathan.

Blinking out of a daze, Nathan took in the young man before him. "Paul? There is no need to tell me. What you do need to do is write your findings in the log book. Let me get out of your way."

Nathan stood and headed towards the back storeroom. "I'll be checking some files in here for one final time, Paul, so just make believe I am not even here." Nathan disappeared into the back room.
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Allie and Nathan had completed the kitchen packing. They kept a spatula, spoon, two plates and two bowls, silverware for two, frying pan and a saucepan. Two glasses and two mugs completed the items left on the counter. Everything else was carefully packed, wrapped in linens and towels, in labeled crates.

Colleen's trunk had been packed with treasured oil paintings leaving the house's walls bare. Nathan's carvings had been stowed along with other non-breakables like pots and pans. Years ago Nathan had made a wooden file in which he kept ledgers, personal files and special letters, family memorabilia and drawings to keep. The hinged lid had a leather handle and leather straps encircled the box, belted with brass buckles. But the best part was that he had found a perfectly sized lock with a key that he kept hidden in his wallet. Nathan decided to carry the box with them on the train.

While Allie was spending a day with Opal, Nathan sorted through his workshop, packing his carving tools, supplies and wood-scraps. He added another layer of wax and polished a few plaques he would leave behind as gifts for a couple special people; Bill, Gabe, Joseph and the Coulters. He planned to wrap them and label them, tucking Gabe's in his saddle bag when he visited and leaving the others on office desks.

Nathan carefully wrapped his typewriter in a bath towel inside its travel case and wrapped his guitar in the same manner. His list was finally showing more things accomplished than new things added. This was good news as he wanted time to have a promised private lunch with Bill, and one with his old friend, Gabe, as well.

Sitting at his desk, Nathan withdrew the stationery and fountain pen from the otherwise empty drawer. He laid them beside the two envelopes he had brought back from Regina. He sipped his mug of coffee as he pondered how to begin.

'Dear Bill,
This letter is insufficient to recognize the debt of gratitude I owe you…'

Nathan leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes more than once as he composed his epistle. Finally he drew it to a close.

'I am trusting Him with tomorrow and endeavoring to look ahead, with the lessons learned in my back pocket.
I pray God's very best for you, Bill, and will be forever grateful for you.
Faithfully yours,
Nathan'

Nathan closed his eyes and prayed for Bill, giving thanks for all he had alluded to and so much more. When he opened them, he carefully folded the letter and sealed it in an envelope. Reaching for the next paper he began another letter.

'Dear Joseph…'

Once that letter was completed, he sealed it in an envelope and set it aside, ready to begin his note to Rosemary and Lee. That envelope he left open as he found the thank you note he had prepared for publication in the Village Voice. Satisfied as he reread his words, Nathan tucked it into the Coulter's letter and sealed it.

A letter to Gabe was next. Nathan knew their relationship had weathered the storms of Mountie assignments, family situations and broken hearts. They could correspond going forward and not affect the longevity of their friendship, but Nathan wanted to express his gratitufe for Gabe's support and ocassional assistantance in arresting criminals who were on the run.

Nathan took in a fortifying breath. Now it was time. It was regrettable, yet inevitable that Nathan must address his intentions regarding Allie's education to her teacher. He opened the request from St. Anne's Academy and laid it before him as he decided just how much to say. He chose a formal address and began.

'Dear Mrs. Thornton,
Please accept this request to transfer all records for Allison M. Grant to St. Anne's Academy for Girls in Regina, Saskatchewan, at your earliest convenience. Allie has been accepted and will begin her assigned course of study on Wednesday, the fifteenth of September. Please find the formal request and address from the Headmistress enclosed.
Thank you for teaching Allie for these past few years. Under your tutelage Allie has learned important and memorable lessons here in Hope Valley.
Sincerely,
Nathan Grant'

Nathan tucked the Academy's formal request into his own and enveloped them. He knew he would have to reread his letter to be certain the tone was right, but for now he had another note to compose. This was not from a parent to a teacher but from a former friend.

Satisfied for the time being, Nathan gathered his missives and tied them with a ribbon. He added the formal transfer letter from the Commissioner to the stack as he intended to show it to Bill when he delivered a few of these envelopes. Tapping the desk lightly he rose and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water before meeting Allie at Opal's house.

Allie had waited until the final days in Hope Valley to share news of her departure with a few close friends. They were sworn to secrecy as Allie did not want Mrs. Thornton to know anything until she was gone. Hope Valley school classes were set to begin a couple days after the Grants departed and Allie and Nathan were counting on that helping to keep their privacy.
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Late in the afternoon, Nathan answered the row house door to find Robert Wolf standing there shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Robert! Hello. Please come in." Nathan stepped back and motioned for Robert to enter. "How may I help you?"

"Uh, Const… I'm sorry, Sergeant Grant, I was wondering if… If I could take Allie for a walk before dinner? Please? I kind of want to say goodbye…" Robert's eyes registered fear as he pleaded his cause. When Nathan surprised him with his reaction, Robert's demeanor was one of relief.

"Of course you have my permission, but you'll need to ask Allie." Nathan turned towards the kitchen to see Allie leaning on the doorjamb. "Allie? You have a visitor."

"Hi Allie. Would you take a walk with me to the pond? I'll make sure you return before dinner."

"I would be happy to, Robert." Allie accepted the jacket that Nathan held open for her, then lifted her blushing face to her father. "See you later, Dad."

As Nathan closed the door on the departing teenagers, he was grateful for the conversations he had had with each one of them individually. He wanted them to remain friends, but make no commitments at their young age. He believed he could trust them both.

At dinner, Allie seemed anxious to talk. "Dad?" She began shyly. "Robert promised to write during his training time. He understands the rules at the Academy. He said you had explained them when you told the Wolfs about our move."

"That I did. I didn't want any surprises, nor to jeopardize his prospects of becoming a Mountie. He will have plenty to focus on during his training and the lessons hold importance for life or death decision-making in his future."

"Robert seemed different today. More serious." Allie looked at her father. "He held my hand on the way back, Dad." She looked at her hand and twisted it around for a moment, before raising it to her cheek. "And he kissed me on my cheek when we were at the door. I hope that was okay?"

"Allie-girl, it is okay. It is actually very sweet that a young man appreciates and respects my daughter." Nathan reached his hand over hers to cup the side of her face. Enjoy your youth, Sweetheart, and pray for God's will to be done. Actually, pray for God's dreams for you to be realized because God only wants the very best for you, dear Daughter."

"Thanks, Dad." Allie looked satisfied, tilting her head into Nathan's hand before returning to the meal Aunt Rosemary had provided for them. "This is really good."

"It is! We are going to miss the good cooking of the townspeople and the Café. But I am hoping Mrs. Collins might be able to give you some cooking lessons after school. You would like that wouldn't you?"

"I would. I'd like to learn some new recipes! Is there a pond nearby where we can fish, Dad?"

"Now, that is a question we'll have to ask! By the way, I haven't told you yet, but at your Academy they have a class called Home Economics. They teach various skills it is good for you to know. Sewing, cooking, household hints, budgeting, first aid… It sounds good. I wish I had had that training before I left home!"

"Well, I can teach you what I learn in that class then, okay?"

"Sounds like a good idea to try." Nathan set down his fork. "Have you said all your goodbyes, Allie?"

"Almost. I still want to say goodbye to Dr. Faith and Miss Fiona. They have always been so kind to me. How about you? Are you finished yet?"

"I think I have said my in-person farewells and today I wrote my final letters. Have you finished those yet? To Uncle Bill and…"

"To Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Lee and Uncle Bill, yes. To my classmates, yes. But to Mrs. Thornton? No. I don't really know what to say. I don't want to be rude and leave without leaving a note, but…" Allie looked imploringly at her dad, yet hesitantly. "Would you… would you be willing to help me?"

"Of course, Honey. Why don't we wash the dishes and sit down while we eat our cookies?"

Allie bounced ideas off of Nathan, and he coached her on the best way to say what was on her mind. She thanked her teacher for helping her get settled and make friends in Hope Valley and for the help with the sleepover. Allie also thanked Mrs. Thornton for making class interesting and not boring. She also explained what she was looking forward to in Regina and that she was grateful her Dad and she would share this adventure. Allie wrote out a first draft, but when she copied it over she added a couple sentences she did not show to her father. 'I forgive you for breaking your promises to my dad and to me, Mrs. Thornton. I will miss you and Hope Valley.' She signed the note. 'Sincerely, Allie Grant'