Gabe sat with a cup of coffee in his new rocker. He'd commissioned Nathan to make it only a few days ago, and his friend had finished the chair quickly. Gabe had a feeling it was because Nathan hadn't officially opened his shop yet. He was busily creating some pieces to place in the display room before he opened to the public. Gabe half wondered if his friend had something else on his mind. Nathan had thrown himself into his work with a vigor that meant he was running from something. Gabe meant to find out what that something was.

After his morning coffee.

He sipped the hot brew slowly, surveying his new town from his vantage point on the Mountie steps. It was a quiet morning, the kind Gabe liked. Uneventful days were good days.

A stomping on the boardwalk caught his attention. Bill was headed toward him, staring down at a piece of paper. At the rate he was going, he would run straight into Gabe's legs, which were propped up on the railing. Bill looked up right before he would hit Gabe. He stopped abruptly and stared. "What in the world is that?" he demanded.

Gabe smirked. He recognized Bill's gruff nature as a cover. The man might growl like a bear, but he had a heart of gold, with a fierce loyalty to those he let in. Gabe aimed to be in that group.

He looked up nonchalantly. "It's a rocker."

Bill snorted. "I can see that, but why is it here? What are you doing?"

Laughing, Gabe lifted his mug. "I'm having my coffee, Dad."

Bill frowned. "Don't call me Dad."

Gabe grinned, amused at his ability to rile the older man with a single word. "Don't take my chair in the office," he returned.

Bill made a sound that was close to a grunt. "It was my chair first," he muttered.

Taking another sip of coffee, Gabe shrugged. "That was only while there was no Mountie in town. That office is mine, and so is the chair." He eyed Bill. "You need your own office."

Bill cleared his throat, leaning against the porch rail. "Uhh," he grunted. It was a surprisingly gentle grunt. If Gabe didn't know better, he'd think the sheriff was unnerved. That piqued his curiosity. "What is it?"

Rather than answer, Bill shoved the piece of paper in his hand toward Gabe. Brows rising, Gabe accepted it. He opened the small note. His jaw dropped as he read the words on the page. He looked up at Bill with wide eyes.

"A judge?" he asked. "Seriously?"

"Apparently," Bill said dryly. "They ought to know this is a highly unusual request. I can't stand judges, politicians, or lawyers."

Gabe chuckled. "That doesn't surprise me." He handed the paper back and took another casual sip of coffee. "So have you accepted yet?"

Bill sputtered. "What? I just told you I can stand judges! And they want me to be one? Ha!"

Gabe grinned. "You know, if you're a judge, you'd have your own office."

Sparing a glare at Gabe, Bill grunted. "That's one perk," he muttered.

Placing his coffee mug on the table beside his rocker, Gabe stood, suddenly serious. "Bill," he said, looking the older man directly in the eyes. "There is a critical need for fair and honest judges in this country. You would be both. We need men like you holding positions of power. You won't abuse it and you will see to it that justice is done." He nodded at the paper. "I think you should seriously consider taking it."

Bill stared at him for several long moments. A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. "You do, do you?"

Gabe nodded, unwavering. "Absolutely." He picked up his mug again, sensing that it would be best to let Bill think over his decision for a time. "If you need to talk more later, let me know. I'm heading out on rounds."

Bill barely acknowledged Gabe's statement with a nod. He was too busy staring at the paper in his hands. As Gabe walked down the steps and mounted Apollo, he bit back a laugh as he saw Bill sink into the rocker and begin rocking back and forth with a vengeance. He doubted the man even realized what he was doing.

Gabe rode through town. He paused when he noticed Newton saddled outside of Nathan's workshop. Remembering his friend's workaholic tendencies of late, Gabe reigned in Apollo. In addition to working too hard, Nathan had been exhibiting a new moodiness that baffled Gabe. His friend wasn't always forthcoming, but he was rarely moody. Over the last week, he had been both. Gabe hoped he could get Nathan to talk. Perhaps that would help. Before he could dismount, Nathan came out the door.

"Just the man I wanted to see," Gabe said, resting his arms comfortably against Apollo's saddle horn.

Nathan looked up and blinked. "You're out and about early."

Gabe raised a brow. "So are you. The difference being I'm the town Mountie and have to make sure said town is safe." He eyed Nathan. There was a new restlessness to him. Gabe sat up straight, an idea springing to mind. "Why don't you come on rounds with me? Horseback riding always seemed to clear your head."

Nathan frowned. "Why do you think I need to clear my head?"

"Do you?" Gabe asked, a challenge in his voice. He knew his friend well. Nathan obviously had something on his mind, something he would rather not think about. If he was avoiding it, Gabe knew it would eat at him until he burst.

Nathan looked like he was wrestling with himself, but finally he nodded. "Alright. It might be nice to go on rounds again." He smiled, swinging himself onto Newton. "Even if I'm just along for the ride."

The two set off. Neither said much. Gabe kept tabs on Nathan throughout the ride. Once they were on the path out of town, he spoke. "What's going on, Nathan? You've been working like crazy for the last few weeks. What are you avoiding?"

"Nothing," Nathan said. His tone couldn't have been more unconvincing.

Gabe shook his head. "This is me you're talking to," he reminded his friend. "We've known each other forever. I can tell when something is wrong."

Nathan sighed, looking off into the distance. "I'm trying to get a business started, Gabe. My sister is pregnant. She's often depressed. I'm doing what I can to care for her and Allie." He shook his head. "And I'm…" He cut himself off suddenly, clearing his throat. "I'm just tired."

Gabe didn't believe him for a second. The "tired" comment wasn't what he'd been about to say. He shook his head, opting for a light route. "You know what you need? A nice woman who will sweep you off your feet and love you wholeheartedly until the end of your days."

Nathan's face turned stoic. "No!" he growled. He pinned Gabe with a look. "I do not need a woman in my life. I am not looking for love and I am not getting married, ever." His words never elevated much more than a whisper, but the conviction in them shocked Gabe.

He frowned again, trying to figure out why his innocent comment had set Nathan off. "Is this about Sarah? Is she the reason you refuse to love again?"

His friend's face darkened. He pressed his lips together. "That's none of your business."

Gabe stared at Nathan. Despite their close friendship, they did not necessarily share every single detail about their lives - Nathan was especially prone to keeping things to himself for long periods of time. This moodiness, however, was foreign. Nathan had never told Gabe to mind his own business. The words were like a slap to his face.

"What did she do to you?" he asked, the shock clear in his voice. He'd long wondered what Nathan's story was. He'd received letters while in the Northern Territories, in which Nathan told him of the woman he'd fallen in love with, and then his plans to ask Sarah to be his wife. Gabe had been glad, looking forward to the day he could meet the woman who had captured Nathan's heart. Then the letters stopped. When Nathan joined the fight in the Northern Territories, Gabe asked him once about Sarah. Nathan's entire countenance changed. He'd softly but in no uncertain terms told Gabe he didn't want to talk about it. Gabe let it be, but he long wondered what had happened between Nathan and Sarah, especially since Nathan suddenly began proclaiming he would never marry.

His friend's face became a rigid mask. "She didn't do anything," he said. "It was me."

Gaping, Gabe reigned in Apollo. "You broke up with her?" he asked, incredulous.

Nathan looked down. "No."

Gabe frowned. The pieces weren't connecting. "Then what do you mean?"

A heavy sigh left Nathan's lips. "I don't want to talk about it, Gabe," he said. "Some things are better left in the past."

Gabe studied his friend. Nathan's face was carefully blank. With a start, Gabe realized Nathan had been keeping this pain to himself for almost two years. "You haven't told anyone what happened between you and Sarah, have you?"

Nathan's throat convulsed. He looked to the side. "Let it be, Gabriel."

Gabriel. Nathan's use of his full name told Gabe just how serious he was. Pushing would do nothing but contribute to Nathan further shutting down.

Sighing quietly, Gabe let the matter rest. For now. He knew Nathan needed to talk about his pent-up emotions. Burying them wouldn't be good for him. He might even break down one day if they got too strong. Gabe didn't want to see that happen. He'd already witnessed Nathan's breakdown after Joshua's death. It had nearly broken his own heart to see his best friend suffer so badly. Whatever had happened with Sarah, it left an equal yet different mark on Nathan's heart.

They rode in silence for nearly ten minutes. They crested a hill, coming to an open patch of land with a breathtaking view of the valley over a ridge. Gabe drew in a deep breath of air, amazed at the beauty before him. He'd never seen this area before.

"This is magnificent," he said, awed. He glanced around the empty land. "I wonder if anyone owns it."

Nathan smiled, finally coming out of his thoughts. "You thinking of putting down roots, Kinslow?"

Gabe breathed another sigh of relief to hear Nathan talking in a normal and teasing manner. "Perhaps," he said easily. He smiled grimly. "I'm still hoping to convince your sister to marry me."

Nathan looked at him fully for the first time that morning. "She just needs some time," he said quietly. "Keep doing what you're doing, Gabe. Walking her home every evening shows her you are being a friend and allows her to feel safe. The frequent daisies are a good idea too."

Gabe bit his lip. He dismounted Apollo, tying him to a tree. Nathan followed suit with Newton. "I've been thinking about taking her to a show in the city," he admitted. "I saw that The Taming of the Shrew is playing in Union City. I know it's her favorite." He kicked a small rock, uncertainty filling him. "Do you think she'd go with me?"

A genuine smile crossed Nathan's face. "I think she would be happy to go," he said. "She likes you, Gabe. She struggles with the idea of you loving her – probably because it scares her silly – but she doesn't want to lose your friendship. Give her some time. I think she'll come around. But those tickets are a good place to start."

Gabe found it rather ironic that his friend spoke of Colleen struggling with love because it scared her. He had a sinking feeling Nathan was running from love for the very same reason. He shook his head, snorting softly. How ironic that both Grant siblings were facing the same problem. Hopefully they could both experience healing from their pain.

He turned his attention back to Nathan. "If she refuses to go with me, will you take her? I want her to see the play either way. I know how much she loves it."

Nathan's eyes softened. He placed a hand on Gabe's shoulder. "That right there tells me how much you love my sister," he said with a smile. "You want something for her because it would make her happy, whether it involves you or not." He let his hand drop to his side and nodded. "I think she'll say yes, but if she doesn't I promise you I'll take her."

Gabe smiled. "Thanks, Nathan. You're a good friend."

Nathan half-laughed. "Am I? I just about bit your head off not too long ago." He shuffled his foot, looking ashamed. "I'm sorry, Gabe. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"All is forgiven," Gabe said. It was his turn to place a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Just know that if you ever need a listening ear, my door is always open." He paused. "You can tell me anything."

Nathan was quiet for a few moments. "I know," he said finally. His voice was ragged. "I appreciate that, Gabe."

They stood together, enjoying the view, each wrapped in his own thoughts. Just as Gabe was about to suggest they get back to rounds, hoofbeats sounded in the distance. The men turned to see Elizabeth riding Sergeant at a gallop into the land. She hadn't yet seen them, but Gabe noticed immediately that tear stains marred her porcelain skin. Nathan inhaled softly beside him, the cadence telling Gabe he had noticed the tears as well.

Physically, Elizabeth must have fully recovered from her ankle sprain. It had taken two weeks for her ankle to fully heal, and another week before she felt comfortable riding a horse. Now she rode effortlessly. But emotionally, she seemed to be in the midst of a breakdown.

When she saw them, she froze. Slowly, she dismounted her horse, wrapping her arms around her body. Nathan started walking a split second before Gabe did. They made their way toward her quickly.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked, concern lacing his voice. "Did something happen?"

Elizabeth's face was pale. "Jack's land," she said, looking around. "He bought this a year after moving to Hope Valley. This is where we were supposed to build a life together." Tears streamed down her cheeks like rain. "Now it's gone. The bank officially claimed it since he's…dead." Her voice broke on the final word, ending in a wail.

Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder in a sign of support. Elizabeth turned into him without hesitation, wrapping her arms around his waist. Nathan held her quietly as she cried. He murmured softly to her as he leaned his head against hers.

Gabe fought to keep his mouth from dropping. In that unguarded moment, Nathan's heart was written all over his face. It appeared he was falling hard and fast for Jack's fiancée. They had known each other for only a month. Nathan had sworn off love. Yet as his friend stood there holding Elizabeth in his arms, Gabe saw clearly the connection between two hurting souls.

How had that happened? He knew Nathan was committed to forming a friendship with her because of his connection to Jack. He'd seen the two of them sharing lunch at the café on occasion. He'd even joined them at their insistence. Always, they talked about Jack. Nathan had never shown anything other than friendly interest in Elizabeth. He was polite, kind, and considerate, but Gabe wouldn't have guessed he was falling. The look on Nathan's face now, however, told a different story. Gabe had a sneaking suspicion Nathan didn't realize his own feelings. Or if he did, he was in serious denial.

Like a lightbulb turning on at the flick of a switch, Gabe suddenly realized exactly why Nathan had been working so feverishly over the past three weeks. He was running from his feelings for Elizabeth Thatcher.

Nathan glanced his way. He saw the look on Gabe's face. A momentary panic flashed over his features, as if he'd been caught in a crime. Elizabeth pulled back, looking up at Nathan in confusion. Gabe guessed his friend had tensed and Elizabeth had felt it. She looked uncertain. Tears were still wetting her cheeks. Gabe watched as Nathan quickly composed himself. He reached up to wipe away Elizabeth's tears, keeping one arm around her waist.

"It's okay to cry, Elizabeth," he said softly. "Take the time you need to grieve. Gabe and I are here if you need to talk."

She nodded, resting her cheek against his chest once more and closing her eyes. Nathan clearly made her feel safe and comforted.

Gabe was surprised at the obvious feelings his friends had for each other. He was sure neither of them were aware of the electricity bursting between them. Neither one was looking for love.

He felt a small smile creep over his lips. He was also surprised that he felt delighted at the idea of them eventually finding love together. As much as it pained him to admit, Jack wasn't coming back. Elizabeth was young and deserved to love again. So did Nathan. From what he knew of Elizabeth, she would be good for his best friend. And Nathan would be a catch for any woman with his protectiveness and tender heart.

Amused, Gabe mounted Apollo. Maybe he should give them some time to themselves. "I'm going to finish my rounds," he said casually, tipping his hat. "Elizabeth, if you need anything, you can always come talk to me." He surveyed the two of them, a smile forming without his permission. "Right now it looks like Nathan is the one you need."

Nathan shot him a look, while Elizabeth simply nodded without lifting her head from his chest. "Thank you, Gabe," she said, unaware of the silent war of thoughts between the two men. Nathan's look told Gabe they would have words later.

Gabe couldn't wait for that conversation. He had a feeling it would be enlightening.