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Chapter Seventy

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Time to Talk

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Early Tuesday morning, Wes walked into the office to collect a file and stood in front of Nathan's desk. "Lunch today, my friend?"

Nathan chuckled and looked up from his open manual, keeping his finger on his place. "Uh, sure. You are not letting me get out of telling you all the details are you?"

"You've got that right. I spent a good part of last evening trying to guess where you are going with all this. I'll grab sandwiches and all and bring them back here. We will lock the door and get right to it!"

"Locking me in, sounds a little like forcing a witness to talk, Wes…" Nathan raised his eyebrow, but kept his smile.

"If that's what it takes!" Wes laughed, his eyes teasing, but dead serious about wanting all the details. "Noon!" Donning his cap he departed the office again, laughing.

Nathan grinned, then sighed. So he would have to call Bill in the evening now that his lunch was scheduled!


Lifting the ringing telephone, Nathan heard the Chief Superintendent's voice. "Good morning, Nathan. Could you stop by for a few moments? It won't take long."

"Hello, Tim. Sure, give me a couple moments to mark my place and jot a note so I don't forget then I'll be right there."

"Good. See you shortly."


Entering the outer office, Nathan notified one of the secretaries that Tim had called to see him.

"He told me to have you go right in, Sergeant." The man motioned to the door and Nathan entered.

"Hello again, Tim." Nathan saluted and took the seat as Tim pointed.

"Thanks for coming by, Nathan. I was approached by Drill Sergeant Maxon about permission to have you continue to introduce the funeral exercises from now on. I agreed. You did a fine job last week and I know Maxon was pleased. Are you comfortable continuing?"

"I was happy to do it and, as long as you and Peter, Maxon and Wes were satisfied, I am as well. Especially since it is infrequent so it shouldn't impinge on my other responsibilities." Nathan added. "Was there anything you would like me to incorporate that I may have missed?"

"Not really. To be honest, and just between us, I felt some surprising emotions rise myself, so was grateful for your encouraging words that prepared me. It was actually seeing you on your horse that reminded me of Hank, a dear friend I lost in the Northern Territories. I think there were so many funerals during those difficult months that I never took the time to concentrate on grieving his loss. Hank was tall and lanky like you and also handled his horse as if he had been riding since he was a child." Tim gazed at Nathan. "When did you begin to ride?"

"Being raised on a ranch meant that I started bareback, holding on for dear life! I was about two."

"Seriously? That explains why you ride so smoothly and look as though you and your horse are one!" Tim paused. "Two, huh? Destined to be a Mountie!"

"Maybe…" Nathan replied. "Tim, do you want to tell me about your friend?"

Immediately Tim's eyes glossed over and he looked up at the ceiling. Rather than answer Nathan's question he just began to share how he had grown up with Hank, went through training together, served in Fort Clay together and been best men in each other's weddings. Nathan listened attentively then, when Tim seemed to have ended his story, Nathan asked quietly. "Did he leave behind a wife and family?"

"He did. A wife, daughter and two sons. They are all grown now and his wife remarried a pastor a year ago. They live in Toronto." Tim searched Nathan's face. "We never lost our connection, you know? No matter how many months we weren't in touch, we would see each other and it was as if we had just met for coffee that morning. Never needed to explain our distance, we just picked up in the middle of our conversation. I think that is rare."

"I agree. I do have a friend like that, maybe two even? I think there are a couple men here who could become like that as the years go by." Nathan paused. "Do you remember the last time you saw each other?"

As a tear escaped, Tim hurriedly wiped it away. Speaking hoarsely, Tim responded. "I do. Hank had returned here to Depot to lead another troop north and we met for dinner." Tim gulped. "He said he would retire when he returned the next time. Hank didn't have the stamina nor the heart for combat like that. Like you, he was sensitive… It was so unfair, Nathan. He never came back."

"I am sorry, Tim." Nathan waited praying silently. Knowing this was a bold move with his commanding officer, Nathan nevertheless felt strongly he should offer. "Would you like me to pray with you right now, Tim?"

Not seeming to notice the difference in rank, Tim just nodded and whispered, "Please."

Nathan got up and turned the key in the office door, then returning to his chair, closed his eyes, bowed his head and led in a prayer giving thanks for Hank's life and for the gift of friendship and brotherhood that the two men had enjoyed. He prayed that even as Tim mourned he would find joy in his memories of his friend, then asked for the Lord's comfort to surround him. Nathan prayed for Tim to feel God's presence and to remember the Lord's promise, Emmanuel, God-with-us. He then asked for healing and peace and closed by giving thanks again.

As Nathan said "Amen," he heard Tim cough. Opening his eyes, he watched Tim and just said, "Do not be embarrassed, Tim. To grieve is proof of our love for that person. That grief may surprise us at any time, just as a sweet memory of that dear one will cause us to smile and feel the love again."

"Thank you, Nathan." Tim raised his gaze with watery eyes.

"You are welcome. Would you like some time alone now?" As Tim nodded, Nathan stood and explained. "I'll ask your secretary to hold calls and tell him that you are not to be disturbed for a half hour then. I will be praying for you, Tim."


Having prayed silently for Tim as he walked the hallway returning to his office, Nathan sat at his desk. Picking up where he had left off earlier, Nathan was engrossed in his work when Wes opened the door. He carried a tray and set it on his desk then returned, hung his coat and locked the door.

Chuckling, Nathan looked up from his work and said. "You were serious!"

"You doubted me, Nathan? Are you at a stopping point?" Wes glanced at Nathan's covered desk. "How about you come to my desk since so much is spread out on yours?" Wes circled behind his desk and began to unload the tray.

"Okay, I'm ready, I think!" Nathan grinned as he sat in the chair between their desks and swiveled to face Wes. "You praying?"

"You bet!" Wes grinned, but led a serious prayer of thanks along with a request for Nathan to be able to unburden himself.

Opening the ginger soda, Nathan commented, "Where to start!"

"Anywhere. I can always stop you and ask you to fill in more details." Wes poured the soup from a carafe into two bowls, then opened his sandwich and took a bite as Nathan watched him.

"Okay…" Nathan began to fill in the backstory about his arrival in Hope Valley and growing appreciation for Elizabeth Thornton and her baby son. He explained how, as Allie's teacher, Elizabeth had helped Allie open up and make friends, guiding her through the early days of Allie finding her place in Hope Valley. Nathan gave examples of some special moments like assisting with making cupcakes for a girl's overnight.

When Nathan blushed, Wes put up his hand. "And what happened that has you blushing?"

Exasperated that his coloring gave him away, Nathan looked aside briefly before describing Elizabeth swiping icing on his nose.

Wes only said, "Ummm hmmm. Go on."

My father had arrived in Hope Valley at that time and I wanted to prevent Allie from meeting him and spare her the pain of broken promises. Elizabeth encouraged me to give him a second chance and I'll forever be grateful." Nathan sipped some soup before sharing about his father's visit, arrest, release and departure. "That was when I saw that Dad had truly changed."

"Anyway…" Nathan shared about the Christmas tree find and decorating evening, then his promotion offer and Allie's and Elizabeth's response. "There was a spark of hope lit in me, although Elizabeth's delivery left a lot to be desired. Still, combined with the possibility of a relationship with her and Allie having settled so well in Hope Valley, I declined that offer."

"I can't go into a lot of detail, but Elizabeth and I had many interactions that, although confusing at times, still allowed the flame of hope to burn in me."

As Nathan munched a bite of his sandwich, Wes asked, "Why confusing?"

"Elizabeth's hot and cold behavior, her egging me on in spite of her growing friendship with the Saloon owner, who became my competition for her favor and time." Pain crossed Nathan's face before he continued, telling Wes about the failed prisoner transfer and the epic hug. "I had asked her to accompany me to dinner and when she hesitated, told her to give me her answer when I returned from accompanying the prisoner. I thought the hug was her agreement to the date, but it wasn't that to her."

"After some weeks Elizabeth began to go out with Lucas, the suave Saloon owner, and before I departed Hope Valley she had just become engaged to him. It was when that event transpired that I realized I had lost Elizabeth, although I knew she loved me."

"Loved you?" Wes inquired. "How did you know?"

"She told me she loved me, but wasn't in love with me."

"You told me yesterday that you didn't care for boldness in a woman, yet this Elizabeth confessed her love for you? Out of the blue?"

"Not really. I confessed my love for her some months before, but she only said she couldn't and took off on her horse. So, she didn't initiate the profession of love. I did." Nathan toyed with his spoon, slowly stirring his soup.

"Okay. So she got engaged and you departed? How did you leave it with her then? Especially since her father came and you have a letter from her? It seems odd that she would write to you while making wedding plans with another man."

Nathan explained Elizabeth's breakdown, break up with Lucas and the process of recovery she had been working through, before sharing that her letter was a detailed apology. "Elizabeth wrote, asking for forgiveness, plus she confessed her heart had been mine all along."

"Wow! That is a lot to process." Wes paused and took the final bite of his sandwich. "So Mr. Thatcher obviously knows his daughter's heart, and yours as well, Nathan. How do you feel about that?"

"Having met and spent time with William, I…"

Wes interrupted. "William? You are on a first name basis with the man who is probably the most wealthy man in Canada?" Wes chuckled. "How do you do it? The Commissioner, the Chief Superintendent and now William Thatcher?" Wes shook his head.

"I know." Wes's comment allowed Nathan to smile light-heartedly as he shrugged. "They ask me, I certainly never asked any of them!"

"Still amazing. The rest of us at Depot can only hope our reputation precedes us as does yours, Nathan." Wes shook his head, but was smiling.

"Wes…"

"I'm serious. Now tell me about your time with Mr. T. and how it went meeting Allie?" Wes emptied his soup bowl and filled his and Nathan's mug with hot coffee from the second carafe. "Then I need the details on the arrest you mentioned yesterday."

After answering the questions Wes posed, Nathan looked out the window. "William placed orders of protection out of concern for Allie's and my safety and in hopes there is a future for Elizabeth and me."

"And is there? You said you wrote a return letter to her." Wes took a bite from an apple, watching Nathan closely.

Glancing out of the window, Nathan leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly polishing his apple on his chest. "Wes? I don't know. I took the opportunity to be very honest and tell her what I never had a chance to tell her in person. I just felt she finally needed to understand what she had done and how she had hurt both Allie and me. Now, I am praying I wasn't too harsh. My letter wasn't pretty and left a lot of open questions. To be in a relationship with her now is a huge risk."

"Well few men have a woman's heart laid bare to them while they contemplate whether to open theirs to her. If she is sincere, I say begin as friends and correspond. In the meantime, you went on a date with another woman, so you can explore and compare if you need to." To Wes it was a simple step forward! He glanced at the wall clock, calculating they had another ten minutes left on their lunch hour. "Now, tell me about Mr. T. wanting to discuss your poetry? How did that go?"

"Wes, it is amazing. God used my poems to convict and awaken him. God is transforming his family relationships too! He shared a couple specific poems that touched his heart, then had questions about a few others. Our discussion was encouraging and surprisingly deep. I really feel a connection with him, despite our divergent social status. He is very genuine."

"Nathan? The sum in your bank accounts is not the measure of your worth. Your character, your devotion, and how you walk out your faith is what has drawn him to you. Social status is an invention to make shallow people feel more important than others around them." Admonished Wes. "You know this!"

"I do. It is easy to forget when I think about his station in life though."

"Well, my guess is that he looks up to you, Nathan. And I am not talking about your height!" Wes laughed as he began to gather their dishes and fill the tray. "You've got my prayers, Brother."

"Thanks, Wes." Nathan smiled and stood to help clear the desk, then reached for his billfold to contribute to the lunch. "William is actually praying that Elizabeth and I get together!"

"Well, I will join him in that prayer even though miles away, Nathan." Wes promised. "Maybe this counts as two or three in agreement, even though we aren't gathered together. All of this could not be a coincidence. God must be involved!"


Before returning to his writing project, Nathan made his way to the office of Station Sergeant Isaac Best. Knocking, he listened for the words of welcome. Instead, the door opened to find Isaac standing before him. "Hello, Isaac! Do you have a couple minutes?"

"Hello, Nathan!" Isaac extended his hand to shake Nathan's offered one. "Of course. Please come in." Isaac motioned to a chair. "How may I assist you?"

"No assistance required. I have come to apologize for my delay in inviting you and your wife and daughter to dinner. I am so sorry to have promised 'soon' and been unable to deliver! For a couple weeks, Allie and I had a surprise visitor from our previous town, then time spent with my brother who is a Cadet here, then a spur of the moment extended weekend visit from my parents and the father of a friend from Hope Valley visiting this past weekend. Our lives have been full, but we haven't forgotten you!" Nathan looked hopeful. "I hope you haven't been hurt or wondered?"

"Hurt? Not at all, Nathan. People often extend invitations that don't come to pass. It is fine." Isaac reassured him. "We have actually found a group of people who worship in a rented hall and have been getting to know many of them, so those fellowship dinners have filled our schedule!"

"I am relieved to hear that for many reasons, Isaac. So you feel at home with this group?"

"We do. Plus there is even a Bajan woman who attends, so we have gotten together and made some hometown meals!"

"Well, as I promised, our menus are limited, but Allie and I wanted to extend an invitation to you to join us for dinner tomorrow night? I'm sorry it is short notice, but we can postpone to next Monday or Tuesday if you prefer. We have other commitments until then but didn't want to put off getting together any longer!" Nathan smiled warmly. "Could you check with Esther and call me later? We just need to know so we can make some preparations this evening."

"We would be delighted to come tomorrow. Esther would want to bring something though, so can you wait a moment for me to call her right now?" Isaac moved the telephone closer as Nathan nodded his yes.

"Hello, Essie. Nathan Grant is here inviting us to dinner tomorrow evening. I said yes, okay?"

Laughing, Esther replied. "That's lovely! How about I bring a dessert?"

Isaac laughed, "I just told him you would want to bring something! Let me check." Turning to Nathan, Isaac said, "We'll bring dessert, alright?"

"It's not necessary, but we love desserts, so yes!"

"Dessert it is, Sweetheart. I'll see you later."

After Esther said her goodbye, Isaac grinned. "She's a great cook, so you'll enjoy something delicious." He patted his stomach. "As you can see, I am a testimony to that!" As Nathan motioned to stand, Isaac said, "Thank you, Nathan. I look forward to getting to know you and Allie and I know Naomi will be thrilled!"

On the way home from work, Nathan made a quick stop at the butcher shop to purchase a chicken and, at the florist next door, to pick-up some flowers. He chuckled to himself as he headed home. 'The next guests at the Grant home will be International!'

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