Chapter Four
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A Dream to Remember

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Referring to his list again, Nathan decided to join Allie in her room to decide the fate of some of her old childhood toys. At supper they had decided on three categories for the toys. Keep, donate to the Brookfield orphanage, and throw away. Nathan needed to help with the decision-making for that first category. Just like Colleen, Allie kept many things for sentimental reasons. If you took them away, she wouldn't miss them. If she saw them, even after years of them being hidden, suddenly Allie needed to keep them. "Okay Sweetheart. Here we go!" Nathan grinned as he sat cross-legged on the floor before the overflowing toy box.

He lifted out stuffed animals one by one and was proud that all but two would go to Brookfield.

Next was the dolls. As there were only three, and in various stages of being well-loved, that was an easy decision, so to Brookfield they would go. The baseball went into the box to keep, along with a set of dominoes and a toy flute. A purple cape, fairy-godmother wand and broken tambourine were ready to say farewell, but a marionette was carefully wrapped and headed to Brookfield. Before an hour was passed, the decisions were made and Nathan carried a large box of donations to wait beside the front door. Constable Gabe Kinslow had promised to visit and he would arrange for the donations to make their way to their new home in Brookfield.

Allie sorted through her books, keeping a few classics while tossing some particularly worn volumes. All art supplies were kept and although she was ready to toss old drawings, it was Nathan that didn't have the heart to dispose of those, so they joined the other artwork in Colleen's trunk.
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The night before the movers came to collect the Grant's belongings, Nathan awoke in the dark with the remnants of a beautiful dream teasing him awake. What he could remember was looking over the shoulder of a brown-haired woman holding a beautiful blue-eyed baby girl. He knew in the dream that it was his wife… and his daughter. The edges of the dream picture were hazy and blurred, but he sensed Allie might have been there and maybe someone else? The woman and baby were dressed in pure white and the rest of the room was golden, then darkened around the edges. The focus was his wife and baby. But who was his wife? Nathan tried mentally to reach for more, tried to hold on to the dream, the image… He hadn't opened his eyes because he wanted to keep the picture and memorize it. Even if it was only a dream, it was beautiful... But the dream picture faded although he remembered his words, his description… 'His wife and daughter in white…' It wasn't enough…

Eventually Nathan did open his eyes and noted the moonlight streaming into the bedroom. He rose and went to the window, circumnavigating the stacks of moving crates. He looked out into the moonlit sky and thought how similar to the dream. The bright white moonlight, darkening to haze where the clouds surrounded the moon… Nathan sighed.

He padded down the stairs in his sock-clad feet, careful to avoid the creaky spots, and stood at the base of the stairs. As he surveyed the room, memories assailed him. Happy times like sharing Christmas and sad times like trying to explain his Dad's behavior to Allie. He remembered frying fish and washing the dishes together, reading aloud to each other, singing, laughing, playing chess, decorating the Christmas tree, dinners with Bill, visits from his father and later from his mother… A life lived and celebrated within these four walls, roof and floor.

He stepped to quietly open the front door, peeking out and looking both ways, up and down the lane. He shivered with the night's chill and stepped back inside. Going to the back window he leaned against the sink and peered out, remembering Allie playing in the back yard, planting vegetables. and many times when he chopped wood… It was a melancholy tour around the house and down memory lane and Nathan knew he would miss this place in spite of his challenges with certain people.

Nathan returned to the front window looking over the meadow towards the white schoolhouse shining in the distance. 'Lord? I pray I am doing the right thing… not in moving, that I am certain has been ordained by You. The right thing with Elizabeth. I hope my explanation is sufficient and kind and not distressing. She'll be shocked, but… Not my dreams, but Yours be done. Amen.'

Nathan had read that part of a prayer some time ago and it resonated with him. Praying for God's will to be done was the language oft used. But praying for God's dreams to be done? 'I have turned it over to You, Lord, the situation with Elizabeth. So many times… I had my dreams, but they were not to be, so I turned over my dreams to You too, Lord. You know best…'

Nathan had tears fill his eyes. 'I thank you for your many blessings here in Hope Valley. Thank you for a new opportunity for Allie and I… Help us as only You can.' Nathan turned to head back to bed. He didn't close his prayer because he knew this prayer would be open-ended for a few more days…
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The mover's came very early in the morning and loaded a truck and a wagon to take to the train. Furniture was covered with sheets and tarps while crates were piled and tied. Nathan had arranged for the stationmaster to oversee the items going into the baggage car and had given him a list yesterday morning.

He was grateful that Miss Collins's fiancé had agreed to oversee the unloading and moving in Regina. Nathan was thankful he didn't need to manage that now. The furniture and belongings would be in the Collins's cottage when Allie and he arrived and Nathan's list was shrinking considerably. Allie and he had brought the luggage downstairs and it awaited pick-up on Saturday morning. Their suitcases were ready to take with them this evening for their overnight at the Coulters home.

Nathan and Allie laundered their sheets and towels and hung them on the clothesline in the back yard. Once dry they could pack them in one of the suitcases they had kept reserved for them. Allie and he dusted the windows and swept the floors in the empty upstairs rooms and down. He didn't want to depend on Rosemary for everything.
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Using his satchel, Nathan brought the gifts and letters to Bill's office. "Good morning, Bill. I have a few things for you as I mentioned previously." Nathan unloaded the satchel and sorted the envelopes and gifts, keeping the ones for Gabe and the transfer request for Allie. Nathan held out Allie's and his personal letters to Elizabeth, with a request to hold onto them until he felt Elizabeth was ready to receive them, pointing out that his letter was not sealed. Bill accepted the items that he would deliver and stored everything out-of-sight in a cabinet drawer. Nathan then sat with Bill to share a cup of coffee and let Bill read the letter regarding his promotion and new position.

"This is great, Nathan. Hold onto this as a wonderful memory and compliment to your accomplishments. Thanks for sharing it with me." Bill took a sip and eyed Nathan over his mug. "You know this is normally presented with some pomp and circumstance, Son. Somehow you have managed to get it to happen according to your preference of low-key or no celebrations! I can only hope they will acknowledge this at the Academy?"

Nathan chuckled. "I doubt it, but I didn't plan it this way! I admit though that I am grateful the Village Voice announcement will be published after I'm long gone."

"Don't count on it, Son. Rosemary probably has the edition written and ready for press now!"

"Well, at least she promised it won't be distributed until we depart!"

After some small talk, Nathan said farewell and departed. He had to pick up flowers he had ordered for Rosemary as a thank you for her hospitality these final two days and then meet Gabe.
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Rounding the corner, Constable Gabe Kinslow's red serge caught everyone's attention, Nathan's included.

"Grant!"

"Kinslow!"

Gabriel gracefully dismounted and opened his arms to his dear friend. Nathan opened his arms in response and they hugged and patted each other's backs. Those who knew Nathan well, realized the reason for the Constable from Brookfield visiting and rejoiced for Nathan to have some time with his friend.

"Uneventful ride, Gabe?"

"Fortunately, yes! Slightly warm though. I'd like to shed this serge as I am not on duty until I ride back tomorrow. Shall we go to the row house or the jail?" Gabe queried.

"Let's stop at the jail. You can meet the new Constable and change and then we can take care of your horse. I ordered sandwiches for a picnic, not thinking you have ridden for few hours already today." They headed towards the jail.

After making the introductions and changing into comfortable clothing, the friends headed to the livery to water and brush Gabe's horse.

"Here's the situation. The movers have taken all the furniture, so although cool and quiet, we'll have to sit on the floor at home. We could take Newton and Annie just to get out of town and find a quiet, shady spot to eat and catch up if you don't mind? Otherwise we can walk to the dock or the river?" Nathan offered. "Tonight we will eat with the Coulters as Allie and I are staying there overnight. They know, understand and will be fine with any discussion that arises. You remember them, right?"

"I do and if they don't mind another guest, I'd enjoy their company tonight. Of the lunch options, I vote for a ride to a quiet, shady spot! But before we do that, shouldn't I register for a room at the Saloon?"

"Already taken care of, my friend! Unless you want to stay with Bill? He offered his guest room to you."

"I'll thank him, but the Saloon is better as I'll be coming back late after dining with you and Allie, plus have more control over my departure time tomorrow. Shall we bring my satchel into my room?"
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After leaving Gabe's belongings in his room, they collected the packed lunch at the Café where they greeted Bill and Gabe declined, but thanked him for the offer of accommodation. Before heading out on their ride, Nathan collected the flowers at the Mercantile so he could leave them at the row house until later.

While there, Nathan showed Gabe the container of toys that needed to go to the orphanage. They decided to pack them in pillowcases and a blanket and tie them securely to the saddlebags in the morning. Now it was time to set off in search of a quiet spot for lunch.

Once settled, Gabe asked all the questions other friends had asked and Nathan explained how the promotion and the move happened, and happened so quickly. Then Gabe asked the questions only a very good friend could ask.

"How are things with Elizabeth now that she's engaged? Have you told her you're leaving? When will you tell her? How will you tell her? What do you expect her response to be? How is your relationship with her fiancé? Have you seen much of her son? Has he called you Daddy again? Who knows about your history with her? I don't mean the obvious-to-everyone-in-town history, I mean the personal interactions... Her teasing and tempting and her callous treatment of your heart. The private conversations… Who knows that history? How do you feel now you are leaving? Are you ready to put her, put it all behind you?"

Gabe's concern and piercing questions revealed his personal prejudice when it came to Elizabeth Thornton. For a long time, he had become increasingly less impressed with her and the past year had sealed his negative opinion. Gabe agreed she was beautiful to look at but Gabe was convinced she had deteriorated into a self-absorbed, entitled rich girl who no longer deserved the attention of his Mountie brother nor was she a good influence on his Goddaughter, Allie. Elizabeth was no longer kind, thoughtful or beautiful on the inside where it counts. Gabe continued his questions until Nathan shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't really have any more to say, Gabe. Thankfully, I don't have many interactions with her anymore. I just see her with Lucas, constantly kissing and fawning over each other in the street, oblivious to those who are around, including her students! I will be very happy to leave those things behind. It's not jealousy. Truly. I really don't like who she has become. It's just sickening to see this Elizabeth." Nathan shrugged again.

Gabe studied him for a few moments and when he was satisfied that Nathan was not mourning or pining for Elizabeth, he gladly changed the subject with a final comment. "I am sorry for your shattered dreams, Nathan. I am sorry for how she treated you and hurt you so badly. You deserve so much better than this and I will pray God brings you love and joy and makes your dreams come true."
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At dinner, Allie peppered Gabe with questions about the children at the orphanage. She wanted to know who her toys were going to and got very specific with her questions.

Gabe did his best to describe the children who lived there, Peggy, Eve, April, Christina, James, Timmy and Danny, plua a new little boy named Patrick. Concentrating on Allie, Gabe missed the raised eyebrows and sudden interest the Coulters had exhibited.

"I think Patrick will like your little doggie toy, Allie. We think he may have had a dog because he constantly drags the girl's dolls or sofa pillows or a ball of his clothing behind him! Your toy will keep him from being teased by the other children. They aren't poking fun with evil intent, but he is a very sensitive little fella. Cute as a button with golden hair and pale blue eyes." Gabe grinned. "Shall I write to you and tell you what little Patrick names your toy dog?"