CHAPTER 5

(October 1918 Hope Valley)

It was early afternoon when he stepped from the stagecoach. His heart had sunk a little as they entered town "Not for much longer" he said to himself.

He would need to call in at the mercantile before Ned closed for the day, pick up some groceries and collect any mail, Ned had agreed to hold any that came for him while he was away. On the way back to the row house he encountered a few locals and exchanged polite "Hello's".

As he opened the front door, he felt the welcome the little house always gave him. Allie and he had quickly made it their home, it held many happy memories, he would be sad to leave it. "Time to move on, and we will always carry those memories with us," he thought.

Having dropped his bag, he headed back into town. The livery was his first port of call, check on his trusted companion, he had missed riding every day. Newton had welcomed him as always; they had such a connection. All seemed well.

"Don't fret my friend, I will be back early in the morning, and we can head off out and stretch our legs before our working day starts".

Closing the stall, he looked around the livery, even this place held memories. Shaking his head as if to dismiss them he walked down the main street to the jail, would Bill be about?

He found Bill up to his elbows in paperwork. Bill looked up and smiled.

"You are back, thank goodness for that, I have to say that whilst I thought it was the best idea for you to get away you have been missed. Welcome back Mountie ", he said smiling.

"Thanks, Bill "Nathan laughed. "How have things been?"

"Not much to report really, Waldon and the Pinkerton's seem to have gone into hiding. I have put out a few feelers to see if I can find out what is going on there. As yet nothing has come to light. Just have to keep an eye out for now."

"Did getting away help, oh and how is Allie doing?"

"It did help Bill yes; I have a plan or two. My head is much clearer. Allie has not come back with me, she is going to stay with my Mum and start school there. It made sense rather than return here and …. "He stopped there knowing he really would need to talk with Bill.

"You look busy there?"

"

Yes, just some legal stuff I am trying to figure out for a case I am hearing next week."

"Well, I will let you get on, I will be back on duty in the morning. I need to catch Ned or Florence before the mercantile closes. Are you free later Bill? I need to talk to you about something?"

Bill looked up, he did not like the sound of that.

"I have no plans, how about I call by later tonight. I would have said meet you in the saloon, but that has closed, forgot to tell you that bit".

"What! When did that happen?"

"Last weekend the closed signs went up, and the place was emptied. From what we can gather Lucas is selling the place. No one has seen him since then and Elizabeth is saying nothing."

"That won't have gone down well with the townsfolk."

"No, it hasn't, nothing we can do about it, just keep an eye on the situation. I will come by later, shall I?"

"That's great Bill. Thanks again for doing this and see you later."

Ned and Florence were both still working and to say they were pleased to see him was a bit of an understatement.

"Constable Grant what a sight for sore eyes" Florence gushed, "we have been so worried about you and Allie, it is lovely to have you home."

Nathan explained that while he was back Allie would not be coming home at the moment.

"That is a shame, but understandable I guess, it wouldn't be easy for her with ..."

At this point Ned gave her such a look, she knew what it meant and did not finish what she was going to say.

"I need to pick up a few things oh and did I have any mail, Ned?"

"There are a couple of letters Nathan, I will get them for you."

Having picked up what he needed he thanked them both again and headed home.

Having lit the stove, he set a pot of coffee going, took his bag upstairs, and started to empty it. Everything was clean, Mum had seen to that, so it was just to place it away. It had been so good seeing her, he should go more often really but finding the time was so hard. He had organised for a telephone to be installed in the house so he could contact her and Allie regularly, which made him feel a bit lighter. As he went to fold and stash the bag away a little piece of paper fell on the floor. He picked it up and unfolded it

"Love you Uncle Nathan" was all it said. He felt that wonderful warm glow, what a treasure his little Allie was. She was the biggest blessing in his life without a doubt, for a minute he wondered if he did the right thing letting her stay behind, the house would be empty without her. Look to the future he thought, it was the right thing. Suddenly he remembered the letters Allie has entrusted to him, he would drop those off in the morning. He pulled them out of his jacket pocket and took them downstairs, left them on the table so he would not forget them. His serge and hat were hanging on the stand by the door, so he gave those a quick once over. Having left in such a hurry he could not remember if they needed cleaning. He would sort his boots later, coffee now he thought, and maybe a sandwich, that would do him for today.

It was a beautiful autumn evening, the sun was just setting, Nathan was sat on the steps shining his boots when Bill came. He sat down, "Nights like this make you glad to be alive"

"Yes, it is a beauty, Bill. Can I get you a coffee, or do you fancy something stronger? I have whisky if you fancy one?"

"Go on then, my work is done for the day."

Nathan came back outside with two glasses, "Cheers Bill, and thanks again for standing in for me."

"I told you it is the least I could do, now what is it you want to tell me, I have to admit I am a little concerned about what is coming."

Nathan half-smiled, he and Bill had got to know each other well over the last few years. They thought alike, maybe that was a Mountie thing, if he could trust anyone here in Hope Valley it was this man, he was sharing a drink with.

Nathan smiled. "OK judge Avery what do you think I am going to tell you?"

"Well, I know what I am hoping you aren't going to say "

"And that is?"

"That you are going to leave Hope Valley, but I am right aren't I."

"Non the wonder you were one of the best inspectors we had, you are right Bill. I have thought long and hard about it. As much as I love this place it holds far too many memories. To move on I need to try and forget, that won't be easy, but I can do it just not here where everywhere I turn is steeped in them. You know Bill when I came here 3 years ago, I left the real me behind, I was carrying such guilt, I set myself a mission, it was the least I could do. The man I was before Fort Clay seemed to fade away. These last couple of weeks has helped me see that. With all that has happened, I need to get away and find that person again. After telling Elizabeth, he found it hard even just to mention her name, what had happened I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, for a couple of short days I thought old me was back. He vanished awful quick though. No Bill I need to get away from here. I plan on contacting Head Quarters tomorrow and see how the land lies. My hope is I can get another posting, if that isn't the case I am going to quit. Either way, I will sadly be saying goodbye to this place and all the friends I have made here".

Bill took a long drink. From the day Nathan had left he had thought about what he would do in this situation. To love someone as much, to see them around the town with another man, to have constant reminders, to be in the position where you could pick up and move on. Yup if truth be known this was the solution he would have chosen, so he was not at all surprised.

"I can see where you are coming from, are those the only options you can see?"

"Those are they, Bill, a lot will depend on what HQ have to say."

"I may have a third one, will you hear me out?"

"Go ahead Bill, I raked my brain and only came up with the two."

"I will be honest, I had a feeling you would come back and have something like this planned, totally understand that. I put my thinking cap on and remembered you telling me about Gabe up in Brookfield being a bit disillusioned with the quiet life up there. Wanting a change of pace. I had an idea and ran it past him, didn't say why mind, then I had a word with an old friend at HQ to see if what I was thinking would be possible."

"OK, explain, "said Nathan.

"My idea was you could swap placements for six months. You have been up there before; you know the area and people. Gabe has never been here fair enough, but you could show him around before you go, and I would be here if he needed any help."

"Was he up for it?"

"Nearly bit my hand off" Bill laughed. "Pinkerton's and property deals, he has been far too sheltered up there. It would only be temporary as I say, six months would be the most HQ would allow. "

"So, they said it would be possible?"

"Well, it isn't done very often but yes they would give it the go-ahead. They do not want to lose one let alone two of the best Mounties they have. If you see it as a solution, we could get the ball rolling tomorrow. I guess you will want to have a word with Gabe and think about it. Six months would give you both the change you need, hopefully by the time that is up you will have moved on enough to see you can stay here."

"You know no one here wants to lose you, Nathan, the last two weeks have been bad enough. People care for you, they trust you and look up to you, you are their Mountie. Think on it tonight, I will drop by after your rounds in the morning." At that, he finished his drink and headed back into town.

Nathan picked up his boots and went back inside. His head was spinning once again, but differently. Six months would give him time to heal, he did know the people of Brookfield, he did like the area, yes it was quiet compared with Hope Valley with all its comings and goings but there would be enough to keep him occupied. After the time was up, he could see how he felt, if his thinking had not changed then he could still try for a permanent transfer or leave. He kept mulling things over, in the morning he would telephone and speak to Gabe, they had become great friends, could speak openly to each other, depending on what he said, if he were happy with everything then yes, he would do it.

As he climbed into bed that night, he felt hope for the first time in three weeks. Bill may well have come up with the answer. As he drifted into the space between awake and sleep, he heard her.

Tonight, was the first time since hearing her voice at the cabin that he had not tried to summon it again. He had even planned on riding to the cabin in the morning when he took Newton out, maybe there he would be able to summon her again. Was he going crazy, was it just his imagination, he had no idea? What he did know was that in all this madness this female voice was his comfort. He would cling to that.

"One step at a time, take your time, don't rush and all will be well". He heard again. He sat up in bed, hoping he would see something, even better someone, but no, there was no one to been seen. He lay back down, turned on his side, thanked whoever, whatever, and knew now where the next 6 months lay.

Three weeks later as November arrived, he found himself in the room behind the jail in Brookfield, home for the next six months. He was filled with hope that this step was better than the leap of leaving Hope Valley and maybe the Mounties for good.