I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 1 of Choose Love. I began writing this story the summer following the When Calls the Heart Season 8 Finale. My heart was breaking. We were all trying to come to terms with what had happened. I made a new friend during this time and as we talked through our disappointment we speculated how to get Elizabeth and Nathan back together. We then realized that we had just written our very own fan fiction! We just needed to get it down on paper. When I began writing this out there were no promos or anything yet. This story contains characters and other things as we knew them at the end of Season 8. I have added a few new characters for story development.

Carla

Chapter 2

"This here's a fine lookin' little town isn't Lonzo? The younger man named Cole proclaimed. "Yes sir. I think I'm gonna like living here. I bet there's some fine lookin' women here too!" Cole added. " I think you need to be more worried about your job Cole. That's why we're here don't forget. You don't want to give Mr. Walden a reason to let you go before you've even gotten started working for him. And thinking about girls will get you into trouble every time!" "Awe shucks Lonzo a man's gotta have a little fun! Cole whined. What are we even supposed to be doing for that Mr. Walden anyway Lonz?" "Don't you worry 'bout that. You just do whatever Mr. Walden tells you to do and keep your trap shut. Remember?" "Yeah yeah," Cole agreed.

" Say Lonzo, I got some right powerful hunger pains kickin in and look just up there. A sign for a Café." "Son, how much money do you have?" Alonzo questioned his young friend. "How much money do you think I have? We haven't any money for fine dinin'! Until Mr. Walden gives us that advance on our pay we're scavengers, ya hear!" Alonzo harshly admonished. But softened a bit as they approached Yost's Mercantile. Alonzo and Cole exchanged knowing grins. "Now remember, Cole we're just two normal customers. Don't do anything to draw attention to yourself, or us...hear." "Right!" Cole agreed. "Best behavior."

"Hello Mrs. Yost." "Oh hello Allie! You're just in time. I've already sent Mr. Yost home to rest. He over did it earlier today during the Saturday morning rush!" Florence rolled her eyes at Allie and smiled making Allie giggle out loud. Now if you want to watch the switchboard for me I can help customers and then get things ready to close up later." "Sure thing Mrs. Yost." As Allie made her way to the switchboard she heard Florence tell her to help herself to a soda, her treat. "Thanks Mrs. Yost." Allie called back. Florence smiled to herself, happy to have the help this afternoon.

"OK, remember grab what you can as fast as you can but don't do nothin' to draw any attention to us...got that Cole?" Alonzo stated firmly, trying to pound the advice into the kids head as best he could. "I got it chief." Cole answered, knowing it would irk the older man. Cole could see that Alonzo was so mad he was about ready to spit and it made him chuckle inside. He knew how Lonzo hated the moniker. The men no more than crossed the threshold before they were greeted by Florence. "Good afternoon! Is there anything I can help you find today?" "No mam, but thank ya kindly. I think we will just look around a bit if that's ok." "Certainly. Just let me know if you need any help." Florence offered as the two men set off to peruse the shelves of goods. "Hey didn't I tell you there'd be pretty ladies in this here town?" Cole reminded Alonzo. "You mean the store clerk who greeted us?" Alonzo asked. Cole nodded in the affirmative. "Yeah she's purty, but a right long in the tooth for you son...wouldn't you say?" "Well maybe, but she's right pretty to me. "Say, Cole did you see that little gal over by the soda cooler when we came in?". "Yeah I spotted that one too. She's reeeal pretty." "And a site more your age too wouldn't you say? Say how old are you anyway Cole?" "Seventeen I think. I kinda forgot to keep proper track once I left sixth grade. You know Lonzo I am a might thirsty. Think I'll wander that way, a cold soda pop sounds mighty good right about now!" Cole smiled a crooked grin as he made his way in that direction.

Nathan sat at his desk catching up on all of the paperwork that the Mountie office required. Not his favorite part of the job by any means. He'd much rather be out making rounds high a top Newton's back taking in the scenery. He loved checking in on the elderly, the shut-ins, the poor, and the infirm. It gave him a chance to get to know everyone in his jurisdiction. He loved to hear the old tales from days long long ago. To sit down and break bread with those who nearly had bread to break. Nathan loved to lend a hand. He would often help with chores or tasks that had become too hard for these subjects to complete anymore on their own. Fixing this, or fixing that. Chopping and shoring up wood for the winter, and bringing things from town.

There was a quiet knock on the half open door of the Mountie office, causing Nathan to look up. "Fiona?" Nathan spoke. "Everything okay?" Nathan asked, concerned by the look on Fiona's face. "I'm sorry Nathan, I probably should not be bothering you but...no I'm sure it's probably nothing. I should go." "No no Fiona, don't leave. Please tell me. You look worried. What's wrong? "Well it's just that I was about to go into the mercantile and I saw that there were two men in the store. I mean I know this sounds silly, but they didn't look right." "Didn't look right?" Nathan repeated in a inquisitive tone. "How so Fiona?" "Well they just looked a little worse for wear if you know what I mean. And they really didn't seem to be buying anything. Just looking around, ducking in between the shelves. I've never seen them around here before either, and I know Florence sent Ned home early because of his... "Oh No that means Allie and Florence are in the store by themselves!" Nathan surmised. In a blur Nathan tore past Fiona so fast that Fiona nearly lost her balance. Fiona watched from the open door as Nathan tore across town trying to reach the Mercantile as fast as he could.

Allie had just popped the top of her soda bottle when she looked up and noticed the teenage boy approaching her. "Hello Pretty lady, whatcha drinkin there?" Cole greeted trying to impress Allie. Allie unable to hide her chagrin, rolled her eyes and answered. "Just a cola. And my name is Allie...not pretty lady!" "My apologies Miss. It's nice to meet you Allie. My name is Cole." Nice to meet you...Cole. Allie returned the greeting. "But I have to get to work now on the switchboard." Allie turned to enter the small room where the switchboard was located. Cole who was feeling rather brave placed his hand on top of Allie's shoulder in an effort to keep her from entering the small room. Cole was about to ask Allie to stay and talk to him when he felt a much stronger hand land firmly upon his shoulder! Cole felt himself being forcefully spun around. When he opened his eyes, and looked up he caught the fastest flash of red and then two big blue eyes, cold as ice and full of fury staring down at him!

Alonzo crouched down between the shelves hoping the Mountie wouldn't notice him. He would have to make a run for it, but how? He would have to pay close attention to every move this Mountie made in order to make a clean get away. Still holding onto Cole and not taking his eyes off of him Nathan ask Florence if she were ok. "I'm fine Constable." Florence affirmed. "Good. Allie I want you to go now with Mrs. Yost. Go. Now." Florence quickly stepped up and reach for Allie. The two women were able to make it out of the building unscathed as Alonzo continued to keep a close watch on Constable Grant. "What's this all about Constable?" Cole began questioning Nathan. "I ain't done nothin wrong 'cept talk to a pretty gal. "Oh yeah, well that's not what I heard, and that pretty gal you were talking to just happens to be my daughter!" Nathan scolded. If he had any supper to lose Cole felt like he just may lose it right now! The Constable's daughter! "Of all the gol darn bad luck! I'm really in for it this time!" Cole cried to himself. Taking Cole by the elbow Nathan began leading them both to the front of the store. "So where's your partner? I know there were two of you that came in here." Nathan ask as he tried to scan the store and keep a grip on Cole. "Partner, I don't have a..."

Like a wild cat Alonzo made his move. He sprung out from the shelves, tackling Nathan to the ground. "Get over here kid!" Alonzo yelled to Cole. Help me hold him down. Once Cole had a good grip on Nathan Alonzo stood up. "Now keep a good tight grip on our Constable here while I grab some rope." Alonzo demanded as he headed off to find the item. When he returned he began to tie Nathan's hands behind his back. "You don't want to do this! Nathan informed the two. "I don't know what you did earlier but now you are commiting a crime by assaulting a law enforcement officer! The charges could be significant. Are you sure that's what you want? Untie me and let's talk about what happened here today." "Nothing happened here today Mountie!" Alonzo then pulled back his right leg and landed a hard kick to Nathan's mid-section, knocking the wind out of him. Alonzo didn't even notice Nathan gasping for air before he wound up again and landed another swift kick to Nathan's abdomen just for good measure. Cole exchanged a terrified look with Alonzo and bolted as fast as he could out the door. Alonzo right on Cole's heels.

Hearing the commotion coming from the mercantile a small crowd had began to form outside. When Nathan's form appeared in the doorway of the Mercantile there was an audible gasp. As Nathan began to navigate the steps down Bill came rushing to his aid and demanding an explanation. "There's no time for that Bill!" Nathan Exclaimed. "Just untie me. Which way did they go." Nathan implored the crowd. "They went that way, heading out of town. And on foot!" Fiona answered. Before the ropes from Nathan's wrists even hit the ground he was on Newton and heading out of town, kicking up clods of mud behind them. Bill Avery threw his arms in the air and grumbled something to himself about Nathan as he turned and headed toward the livery. He knew Nathan was out numbered and the quicker he could get to the livery, the quicker he could get Hero saddled up and catch up to Nathan.

Elizabeth was just bringing Sergeant in from a pleasant afternoon ride when a frantic Bill came running into the livery. Hurriedly grabbing tack from where it hung on the wall. "What's going on Bill?" Elizabeth asked. Quiet concern in her voice. She knew something must be wrong. "Nathan has two suspects fleeing town. He's outnumbered. I've got to catch up to him as soon as I can, to help him bring them in. "Oh no!" Bill looked up to meet Elizabeth's concerned face and realized that Sergeant was still saddled up and ready to ride. Cautiously but swiftly Bill broached the subject. "Do you think Elizabeth...Bill stammered. "Do you think I could put Sarg back into service, just this one time. I wouldn't ask if time was not of the essence." "I know that Bill." Elizabeth answered, knowing what she had to do and handed off the horse's reins to her friend. To Jack's friend. Watching Bill take off on Sergeant brought tears to her eyes. "Please keep Sarg safe. He's not a young horse anymore." Elizabeth prayed. As Elizabeth watched Bill and Sergeant ride out of sight she knew that if anything happened to Sergeant it would be like loosing Jack all over again. But what if she hadn't let Bill take Sarg and he didn't make it to Nathan in time. What if something happened to Nathan because she selfishly held on to her memories of Jack too tightly?