CHAPTER 13

Bea had spent a lovely afternoon exploring the outskirts of the town. She had taken Hero with her, just on a lunge lead, she wanted to check him over before she started riding. If he hadn't been far of late it was the safest thing to do. He seemed to love being out, Bea spoke to him all the time as she did to all animals.

"Just go steady big lad, let's see what is what first. I promise we will be off exploring soon; you can show me this beautiful place."

They walked up past the schoolhouse. Chills ran down her spine as they drew close. How had she seen this place, more to the point why? Then another voice in her head answered, "this is one of those you just can't answer." Maybe she would find some kind of answer, maybe not. One thing she did know was that this was the perfect place to spend a few weeks.

She walked out into the middle of the meadow and slowly let Hero have more of the lead. She worked him as she would when training a horse, he loved it. With the lead at full length, she got him up to a trot, he was raring to go.

"That's enough for today I think, if we do a bit more every day then we can start our adventures can't we boy."

She nuzzled her face into his, how she had missed doing this. Animals had always been her life. She thought of Lunar back at Bramble and hoped he was behaving himself. Then her thoughts turned to her beautiful saviour Skye. How she missed him. He gave his life for hers. He was getting old and less mobile but wouldn't let Bea out on her own. That day of her accident he had raced back to the yard, then led the men to where she was and back again. Stan had told her he was exhausted that night. He had lain in front of the big fire, his favourite spot. That is where he had found him the following morning.

Teary-eyed she turned back to town.

Having stabled Hero, she headed back to the saloon. It was a beautiful evening, so she decided to sit outside for a while.

"Evening Bea" it was Molly and yet another rather good-looking older man.

"Oh, sorry Molly I was miles away there, back home in thought."

"Are you feeling homesick, I hope not?"

"It was just a sad memory that sprung to mind while I had Hero out this afternoon, threw me back, I will be fine."

The gentleman coughed, "Sorry Bill, let me introduce you to Bea, the lady I was telling you about earlier."

"That's why my ears were burning" Bea laughed

Molly looked embarrassed, but the gentleman saved her blushes

"Bill Avery," he said, extending a hand. "Molly has indeed been singing your praises. I hope you are enjoying your stay."

"I am indeed Mr. Avery"

Please just Bill is fine. I would love to hear more about this life of yours, so out of the ordinary, remarkable even."

"Not really, I am one of the first I guess but more will follow. I won't lie it was tough at first, then as I proved myself everyone just accepted the fact, I was a good vet."

"Have you eaten yet Bea?"

"I haven't. I was thinking about just getting a sandwich and taking it to my room."

"Nonsense, please join Molly and me, then we can quiz you all night"

"Yes, please do Bea."

"Well thank you, that would be lovely."

With Molly on one arm, he offered Bea the other and the 3 of them went into the saloon laughing.

"Bill, Molly!" a female voice was calling. Bea turned and saw an attractive woman, who she guessed was around her age, maybe a bit older, waving at them beckoning them over.

"Rosemary, Lee evening, look at me with two lovely ladies tonight, aren't I a lucky man."

Molly and Bea both laughed.

"You are, indeed, Molly we know, and I am guessing this is the overseas visitor that is causing quite a stir."

I am?" said Bea "I hope not."

"Don't worry Bea" said Bill "nothing bad, quite the opposite."

"Why don't you join us for dinner then we can all quiz you" Lee laughed. "By the way I am Lee, and this is Rosemary, my wife."

"Pleased to meet you," Bea replied.

Bea had a lovely evening chatting and being quizzed by the four of them. The awkward question was of course the "What brought you to Hope Valley?" one, but she stuck to the story of looking around the place for her uncle.

"I knew your name sounded familiar Lee, Coulter Timber, is that your company?"

"It is indeed, why do you ask?"

"The article I was telling you about it mentions your company."

"What Rosemary!" said, "Lee, you never told me."

"That will be because I have no idea about it."

"It would have been published in late November last year, I have the copy uncle Charles bought with me. I will gladly let you read it, I will dig it out my case tomorrow and let you have a loan if you would like to see it. It is a particularly good article."

"We would appreciate that; free advertising, and we didn't even know."

They ate a lovely dinner and were having a drink when Rosemary asked Bill if he had heard from Nathan, was he back yet.

"On his way, it could be late tonight or tomorrow if he camps up overnight. Must admit it will be good to see him. I just hope this time away has changed his mind about leaving."

"I think we all hope for that," Lee agreed. "At least Elizabeth seems to be keeping a low profile at the moment, and as for Lucas, does anyone know where he is?"

"Well, I heard he is in Union City but not sure."

"That would explain where Elizabeth has been vanishing every weekend," Rosemary said.

We'll let us all hope Nathan comes back with a different outlook to the one he left with."

When Bill and Lee got up to go to the bar again Bea had to ask.

"Rosemary forgive me I don't mean to be nosey, but everyone seems so concerned for this Nathan. I know he is your Mountie, am I right in thinking he left for romantic reasons?"

"You are Bea, it was such a shock to everyone especially him, I would say it nearly broke him, would you agree Molly?"

"Indeed, I would, poor man was heartbroken, everyone could see."

Well, Molly we just have to make sure he knows how much everyone wants him back here to stay."

"We do Rosemary, we do."

Bea finished her drink, thanked them all for their company then wished them goodnight. On her way up to her room, she spoke to Clara and asked her to charge the meals to her bill.

After she left the four of them of course started to talk about her, they all agreed what a breath of fresh air she had brought to the town. This was reiterated when Lee went to pay for the bill only to find it had already been paid.

Bea fell into bed exhausted, maybe she had done a bit too much today. Her leg ached, please no cramp tonight she prayed as she fell asleep.