Elizabeth busied herself preparing for her dinner guests that evening. She was both nervous and excited. Jack's friends had a glimpse into his life that she didn't. She longed to know what his final year had been like. It was a life she largely didn't understand because she'd never experienced it. Gabe and Nathan were Mounties who knew how that life worked.

Realizing she didn't have all the necessary ingredients for apple pie, Elizabeth decided to make a trip into town. She felt like clearing her head anyway, and a walk always seemed to help with that. She'd been avoiding her unsettling reaction to Nathan Grant. Maybe now was time to sort through it.

She couldn't deny he was an attractive man. They seemed to share an instant connection. But he was married and she was grieving. Perhaps the connection was nothing more than a link to Jack. They both missed him. Elizabeth resolved to be a friend to Nathan, to share memories of Jack and let him talk through his as well. They would always share a bond because of him.

Briefly, Elizabeth wondered why she didn't feel the same connection to Gabe. She liked him, and it was becoming increasingly clear that he was an excellent Mountie and a good man. But she never felt drawn to him the way she had felt drawn to Nathan from the moment she saw him.

The realization only confused her more. She pushed it away with a sigh. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to ponder her thoughts.

Laughter from the direction of the Mountie office caught her attention. She turned to see Gabe standing with a woman. They were chatting easily, both wearing happy expressions. The woman placed a hand on Gabe's arm, standing close to him in a way that could only be described as familiar. He wore a soft look in his eyes as he reached up to move a strand of loose hair from her face. They laughed again after he said something. The woman turned slightly, giving Elizabeth a better view of her face.

She gasped.

It was Colleen. Elizabeth's stomach clenched as she watched Nathan's wife openly and publicly flirt with his best friend. A sick feeling filled her. How would Nathan feel if he saw what was transpiring on the steps of the Mountie office?

"Hey, Elizabeth."

As if summoned by her thoughts, Nathan came up beside her, holding his daughter in his arms. He wore an easy smile, oblivious to the scene playing out before him.

"Hi," she said, managing not to choke on the word. She smiled at the little girl he carried. "Who might this be?"

The child laid her head against Nathan's shoulder, regarding the stranger next to her curiously. Nathan smiled. "This is Allie. Allie, can you say hi to Miss Thatcher?"

Allie lifted a chubby arm, opening and closing her fist in greeting. Elizabeth smiled again, momentarily forgetting about Colleen and Gabe. "Hi, Allie." She looked up at Nathan. "She's precious."

He grinned proudly. "Isn't she?" He kissed Allie's cheek. "She is the light of my life." His head lifted and he glanced around. Elizabeth's heart nearly stopped as she saw his eyes linger on his wife and Gabe. She wasn't sure what his reaction would be, but it wasn't what she saw.

He chuckled, bouncing Allie in his arms. "Looks like Mama and Uncle Gabe are having a nice chat, huh, Allie-girl?"

Allie squealed, seeing her mother. "Mama!"

Colleen smiled and waved from her spot on the steps, but she stayed where she was. If anything, Elizabeth thought she moved slightly closer to Gabe as he said something. She threw her head back and let out a hearty chuckle, placing a hand familiarly on his arm once again.

Mortified, Elizabeth looked up at Nathan. Her jaw dropped as she took in the smile on his face as he watched Colleen and Gabe. Sensing her perusal, he looked down at her. "It's nice to see Colleen so happy," he said. "She's had a rough go of life lately."

Confused by his words, Elizabeth looked between him and his wife. "You don't mind how close she is to Gabe?"

Nathan shook his head. "Not at all. They've known each other just as long as Gabe and I have. They've always shared a closeness with each other." He was quiet for a moment. "Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if she married him instead."

Elizabeth felt more confused by the second. What was he talking about? Did he not have a good relationship with Colleen? "You…do?"

He nodded. "There was an understanding between them once. Gabe was in love with her, but she only saw him as a friend. He even asked her to marry him. She said no, thinking things would be better if they just remained friends." He was quiet for a moment. "I don't think Gabe has ever stopped loving her."

Elizabeth eyed the pair. She certainly didn't act like that around her male friends. Perhaps Colleen thought differently, but Elizabeth could swear she saw something sparking between them. She looked back at Nathan, baffled by his reaction. "You don't have a problem with that?"

His brow furrowed. "Why would I? I trust Gabe with my life. He would take good care of her. I always thought they'd make a good pair, to be honest." He smiled, watching them for a few moments. "Wouldn't they make a striking couple?"

Elizabeth's mouth fell open. She stared first at Nathan, then at Colleen and Gabe, and back at Nathan again. She was at a loss for words. Nathan glanced at her, and his eyes widened in alarm. Tucking Allie into the crook of his arm, he reached out to grip Elizabeth's shoulder. "Elizabeth? Are you alright?"

She shook her head, still unable to speak.

Nathan frowned. "Please tell me what's wrong. You look very upset."

She finally found her voice. "I don't understand how you can be so calm about this!" she sputtered. "Your best friend and your wife are flirting with each other in broad daylight, and you look pleased about the situation!" She stared at him, fighting the urge to smack his chest. "How can you be okay with that?"

Nathan blinked. It was his turn to stare. "My wife?" he repeated, sounding stupefied. "What wife?"

"Col-leen," Elizabeth said, enunciating both syllables. "Honestly, Nathan! It's not like you have more than one wife waiting in the wings." She eyed him, not quite willing to throw out the possibility after his reaction. "You don't, do you?"

"No!" he exclaimed, staring at her like she had two heads. "I don't even have one!" He shook his head, looking thoroughly confused. "Why in the world did you think I was married?"

Elizabeth shook with embarrassment, an embarrassment that loosened her tongue. "Because!" she exclaimed. "You said 'we' were moving into a new home, you told me Colleen was pregnant, you were acting like a concerned father, and no one said anything to the contrary!" By the time she was finished, her voice had risen several octaves. Her cheeks flushed crimson when she saw that Gabe and Colleen had paused their conversation and were watching the exchange curiously.

Nathan let out a laugh of disbelief. "So you just assumed Colleen was my wife?"

She deflated slightly. "It's a logical assumption," she said weakly, not daring to meet his eyes.

Nathan reached out, lifting her chin with his finger. "Elizabeth," he said, waiting for her to look at him. "Colleen is my sister. Her husband died a few months ago, so I asked her to come to Hope Valley with me so neither of us would be alone." He exhaled slowly. "I'm not married. I've never been married. And I don't plan on ever getting married."

Something inside of her broke at his declaration. It sounded so final. "Why not?" she whispered.

His eyes shadowed, walls going up immediately. "It's complicated," he said finally. His tone indicated that the subject was closed. He wasn't going to open up about it.

Elizabeth was saddened at the realization, though she understood. She was a stranger to him. They had only met yesterday. She had just made an unjust accusation against him and his sister and his best friend.

"I'm sorry," she said, looking at the ground. "Truly I am."

He nodded, shifting his niece in his arms. "Thank you for the apology."

They stood in awkward silence for another minute before Elizabeth backed away. "I need a few ingredients for the meal tonight," she said, looking toward the mercantile. Hesitating, she glanced at Nathan. "If I didn't just ruin our relationship so badly you don't want to come any more."

A crooked smile tugged at his lips. "I won't say no to a home-cooked meal," he said, his words an offer of forgiveness.

She found herself smiling back, responding to his. "Then I'll see you at six."

He nodded. "See you then, Elizabeth."

Gabe howled with laughter, bent nearly in half. Nathan glared at his friend. "I fail to find the reason for such hearty amusement," he said dryly. He was starting to debate the wisdom of having told Gabe about his exchange with Elizabeth in the street.

Standing, Gabe wiped at his eyes, flicking away moisture. "Do you?" he asked. "Seems obvious to me." Still chuckling, he sat in the chair behind his desk. "She thought you were married to Colleen. That's a good one."

"Hilarious," Nathan deadpanned.

"Oh, come on, Nathan," Gabe said. "She made an incorrect assumption, but you have to admit it did look like you had a wife and child. Can you blame her for thinking that?"

"No," Nathan admitted. "But I don't like it." In fact, he really didn't like it, with an intensity that surprised him. Had Elizabeth Thatcher really gotten under his skin that quickly? The notion worried him. He couldn't afford that. She had recently lost the love of her life, and he wasn't looking for a relationship. He folded his arms over his chest, eying his friend and turning his mind to other things. "Actually, Elizabeth brought up an interesting point."

"What's that?" Gabe asked, shuffling through some papers.

Nathan watched his friend carefully. "She thought you and Colleen were flirting. Were you?"

Gabe's blush said everything Nathan needed to know. He raised a brow. "You're still in love with my sister, aren't you?"

Silence descended on the Mountie office. Gabe's mouth worked with no sound coming forth. Finally, he sighed, resting his head in his hands. "My love for Colleen has always been a hopeless love," he mumbled. "She's never felt the same way about me. For crying out loud, she married Dylan Parks instead of me!"

Nathan sighed. "Dylan swept her off her feet," he said. "He knew exactly how to charm her. Once he got what he wanted, his true colors showed."

"Humph," Gabe grunted, a mutinous look on his face. "I wish I could give that man a piece of my mind."

Nathan chuckled. "I've wished the same thing many times," he said. "Thankfully, Dylan can no longer hurt Colleen in any way. She's free of him." He paused. "Mostly."

Gabe's brow furrowed. "What do you mean, 'mostly'?" he asked.

Nathan pursed his lips. "She's having a baby, Gabe. Dylan managed to get her pregnant before he got himself killed."

"Pregnant?" Gabe gasped. "Is that why she was in the infirmary yesterday?"

Nathan nodded. His friend swallowed. "Does she need anything? Is she okay? How's she handling the news?"

"Slow down," Nathan said, holding up a hand. "Gabe, these are all questions you should ask Colleen. She could use a friend right now. She's always admired you and been comfortable around you. She hasn't been talking to me about her feelings. Maybe she'll talk to you."

Gabe considered his words. He stood, reaching for his hat. "Nathan, do you think Elizabeth would mind terribly if Colleen and I are late for dinner? I'd like to have this conversation as soon as possible, and I don't know how long it will last."

Nathan smiled. "I'm sure Elizabeth will be okay with it," he said. "You just might want to give her a heads up."

Glancing out the window, Gabe bolted upright. "There she is now!" He headed for the door. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all," Nathan said, speaking to his friend's retreating back. He chuckled, watching as Gabe intercepted Elizabeth in the street.

Gabriel Kinslow had it bad for Nathan's sister. And Nathan was glad. Colleen had never shown good judgment when it came to the men in her life. If she would just give Gabe a chance, Nathan was convinced she would finally discover what it was to be truly loved by a man.

A minute later, Gabe came back into the office. "Elizabeth said that was fine," he announced. "After my rounds, I'm going to find Colleen." He placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "You're my best friend, Nathan," he said, his voice serious. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Nathan faced his friend fully. "What are your intentions toward my sister?" he asked, knowing full well what Gabe would say.

Gabe straightened to his full height. "I love her," he said firmly. "When the time is right, I intend on asking her to marry me again."

Nathan raised a brow. "And Allie and the baby?"

"I'll love them as if they're my own," Gabe said fervently. "I already love Allie. She's the sweetest child. If Colleen is willing, I would adopt her as my own, along with the new little one when it's born. I'd give them my name, if that's what your sister wants."

Nathan smiled, placing both hands on Gabe's shoulders. "You have my blessing," he said. "I know you would treat Colleen well and love her the way she deserves to be loved. You'd make a good father for Allie and the baby." He smirked to lighten the mood. "If Colleen can't see how perfect you are for her, then she doesn't have the sense God gave to a duck."

Gabe gave a bark of surprised laughter at Nathan's final comment. Hope lit his eyes, but just as quickly it fizzled. "Colleen has always been swept up by charm and grand gestures," he said. "That's not who I am, Nathan. How am I to win her when she wants something I can't give?"

"Romance her, Gabe," Nathan said. "Every woman wants to experience the wonder of romance. Colleen might associate that with gestures and charm, so start there. But be yourself. Show her what it is to be genuine."

Gabe wore a look of confusion. Nathan chuckled. "Give her a romantic gesture, Gabe. You can use our rowhouse to cook her dinner. Fill it with candles and roses and soft music. Get her attention through the gesture itself, but capture her heart with substance. Speak to her heart with genuine words and sincerity. Be real about your feelings. Go deep. That is worth more than all the candles and roses in the world."

Gabe studied him for a moment. "Is that how you won Sarah's heart?" he asked quietly. "With substance?"

Nathan felt a pang grip him at the mention of the woman he'd loved. The woman he'd failed. He swallowed down the emotions that tried to rise to the surface. "Yes," he said simply.

Gabe bit his lip nervously, oblivious to Nathan's sudden interior struggle. "This seems to be going awfully fast," he said. "Colleen just lost Dylan. Maybe she's not ready for me to swoop in so suddenly."

"Or maybe that's exactly what she needs," Nathan countered, finding himself back on safe ground. "She was trapped in a loveless marriage for a long time. Maybe she's ready to figure out what real love looks like." He slapped Gabe's shoulder. "Just do your best, Gabe. Start with the talk this evening. Don't move too fast if you don't think she's ready or if you're not ready. Just let your heart lead you."

Gabe stared at him. "When did you become an expert in the ways of love?"

Nathan laughed. "I'm not. But I am an expert in the ways of my sister and my best friend." He looked Gabe in the eye. "You've got this, Kinslow. Go get the girl."