Nathan sat there, reeling from what Elizabeth was telling him. "So, you and the other women were in the mine when the mine was unsafe?" Nathan asked. "All because the mining company was forcing these women out to make room for new miners?"

Jack wasn't any happier than you were when we went in. They were given two weeks to clear and retimber the shaft. I wasn't there as long as the others were. I entered the mine when there were only a few days left. Abigail and the other 11 widows went every day and worked all day clearing and retimbering it. It was awful, Nathan, hearing all those creaks and groans; like any minute, the shaft would collapse on us. Abigail told us that Noah called them the ghosts in the attic. The only light we had was a few lanterns and the mining hat. We had a canary that we had to monitor to ensure it was singing. Herbert told us that if it stopped, we had to get out fast because it meant the air was unsafe and explosive. In the end, all of the able women in town went into that mine to help the widows secure their homes. We worked round-the-clock shifts because we feared being sabotaged while we weren't there because it had been done before. The ones who couldn't work set up an assembly line with the children to provide for us."

"I don't get how someone could stand by knowing men were essentially working in a death trap. Then to send women into the same mine where the men died is beyond me." Nathan said.

Then at the trial, the Company lawyer tried everything, including bribing the judge and the safety inspector to falsify the report. But at the last minute, Samantha produced Clara, whom Peter had sent the original Superintendents' copy of the report for safekeeping. It proved that the mine was unsafe and was even signed by the same inspector they paid off to say it wasn't. After that, the judge had no other option but to declare the mine unsafe and permanently shut it down immediately. He also awarded damages to be paid to the widows, and he even gave Abigail the bribe the lawyer had paid him to add to it on the side.

"Wow, now I can see why this hits home for all of you," Nathan said. "It's also why your feeling guilty about not seeing Lucas for what he is?"

Elizabeth shouldn't have been so surprised that he picked up on it. He had always been able to see what others didn't, so rather than deny it, she nodded. Nathan just slipped an arm around her shoulder in a side hug in comfort. Elizabeth signed and leaned her head on his shoulder. They sat in companionable silence for a bit before mounting their horses and heading home. Any awkwardness between them was erased during their time by the stream.

As they were unsaddling the horses, Elizabeth asked about Allie. "I think that slow and steady will be the best course as we advance. I'll talk to her tonight about our discussion at dinner. I need to officially let her know that Faith and I are just friends and will make it clear to her that is what we are too."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement and said, "Maybe just let her know that we have begun to repair our friendship and that I want to repair her relationship with me as well. Tell her that I will be waiting whenever she is ready to talk. Letting her decide when, where, and how we do that will make her feel more secure. It will be easier for her in the long run."

"That sounds like an excellent plan to me, Elizabeth," Nathan said. "One reminiscent of our early days,"

Elizabeth smiled and said teasingly, "Thank you for going riding with me, Constable,"

Nathan winked and said, "My pleasure, Mrs. Thornton. Have a good day," Then, with a tip of his hat and a wink, he was gone. Elizabeth giggled and headed for home.

Nathan couldn't stop smiling as he headed to the Infirmary. He wanted to tell Faith that he had told Elizabeth the truth about them.

Faith looked up from her desk as he entered. "Well, someone is in a good mood," Faith teased.

"I wanted to stop by and let you know that Elizabeth knows the truth about us. You were right about her being understanding about focusing on friendship."

Faith raised a brow, "Yes, I did leave a door open to the possibility of more down the road."

"That's great, Nathan," Faith said happily, getting up to hug him. "Now that we have you settled, we need to do something about me."

Nathan chuckled and said, "I agree. But to do that, I have to know what you want. I assume you have feelings for Gabe?"

Faith blushed and nodded, "Does that bother you, Nathan?"

"Not at all," Nathan said. "Does it bother you that I have feelings for Elizabeth?"

"No." Faith said firmly. I'm happy for you both." Faith said with a smile, realizing the point that he was trying to make. Then a bit nervously, she asked, "Do you think that Gabe might like me?"

Recalling his conversation with Gabe not long ago, he said, "Let's say that I see possibilities, and maybe you should reach out to say hello. Then let him take it from there." Before Faith could ask him to clarify, he was heading towards the rowhouses.

Bill had returned from doing rounds shortly before Elizabeth and Nathan had returned. He saw Nathan pass with a smile and knew that the conversation between Elizabeth and Nathan had gone well. Bill was given a chance to find out when Elizabeth stopped by to talk to him.

"Bill, I just wanted to stop by and make sure that you were okay with me bringing in Samantha," Elizabeth said, taking the seat across from his.

"I'm completely fine with it, Elizabeth, and I meant every word I said. Having the attorney of record in on the case and acquiring her as our attorney was a shrewd move. They could have used your strategic skills in the North Elizabeth." Bill replied. "No wonder you're a master at playing chess."

Elizabeth blushed. "Thank you, Bill. I appreciate your kind words. I actually think it's my Father I have to thank. He and I always played chess many times over the years, as well as at school. Speaking of my father, I wanted to ask you first, but I thought I would call him and see what he can find out about the investors. He has channels that he can go through that won't set off alarm bells as an official one would. If he turns up anything, we can always do an official one. What do you think about that?"

"I think it would be a good idea. Why don't we call him from here and collaborate? Then I will buy you dinner at the café?"

"I have a better idea. Why don't you come and join me at my house, and we call him there? I'll cook us dinner since Jack is staying with the Campbells tonight. That way, you won't have to think of an excuse to talk to me about Lucas or how my talk with Nathan went." Elizabeth said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Bill laughed and said, "I guess you caught me, Elizabeth. Let me lock up here, and I'll be all yours for the rest of the evening."

Nathan had been watching out the window for Allie and happened to catch Elizabeth and Bill walking toward her row house. He smiled as he saw the happiness the two shared at being together. Nathan loved seeing the easy way that they were talking and laughing together. It was balm to his heart, not only for his but theirs. He had seen how heartbroken Bill had been being estranged from the woman that was like a daughter. Seeing her now, he could also see how unhappy she had been over the past year.

As they walked in Elizabeth's door, the phone was ringing. She walked quickly over to her desk to answer. It was her father wanting to check on her and Jack.

"Father, it is so good that you called. Bill and I were just about to call you. Thanks to Lucas, we have a bit of a mess here and need your help." Elizabeth explained.

"Lucas, as in the man that your courting?" William asked.

"Not anymore, Father. I can fill you in on the details another time but for now, know that it is over. I ended it shortly after I arrived home." Elizabeth said.

"Beth, I can't tell you how happy that makes me though I hate that you got hurt," William said. "But I could tell when you were home that you weren't happy. So, what do you and Bill need my help with?"

"I'll let Bill explain everything first while I get dinner started. However, Father, please let him finish telling you everything before you ask questions, all right?"

"I can do that, Beth," William said with a chuckle. "I'm glad you are following your heart now, Elizabeth."

"Thanks, Father; I will come back on before we hang up," Elizabeth said before handing the phone to Bill. She indicated that he should take the chair by her desk.

Sitting down, he began filling William in on everything they had discovered about the investors and the need to conduct a discreet investigation into them.

Elizabeth came back a few minutes later to place a cup of coffee in front of Bill before returning to the stove. Elizabeth returned with a cup of tea and another chair for herself so they could sit together.

After Bill gave the names of the investors and the companies involved, William had a few questions.

"So, what is your plan, Beth?" William asked.

"I've hired the attorney of record from the original trial. She is already looking into the judgment and will seek a ruling to close any loopholes from the original decision. In the meantime, she will look for ways to prevent anything from happening until after we get what we need. She will be arriving in the next few days.

"We are hoping you can find something that may help us undo the deal or cause it to fall apart," Bill said.

"Abigail and Clara will be arriving in the next week too. We are trying to keep things quiet until all our pieces are in place, so they don't get wind and try to fight us." Elizabeth said.

"Well, it certainly sounds like you have your bases covered, Beth. You need a complete background into them but done in a way that won't tip them off. I can get that initiated before I come for a visit." William said, then added. "Don't worry; by the time we are through, they won't be able to touch the mine,"

"Father, you don't have to come here," Elizabeth said.

"With everything happening, yes, I do," William said. "But I will be coming alone, so no worries on that score. Before you argue anymore, put yourself in my shoes and Jack in yours."

She smiled and said, "We will see you in a few days, Father." Then after telling him, she loved him, Elizabeth disconnected the call.

"So, what is the plan for dinner, Elizabeth?" Bill asked.

"Rosemary stocked up the house for me as a surprise. I thought that we would do easy and have breakfast for dinner."

"That sounds good, but why don't you let me cook, and you can tell me about your conversation with Nathan," Bill said.

Elizabeth laughed and said, "Okay, that sounds like a plan."

"Before you do, why don't you start with what happened with you and Lucas?" Bill asked. "Is he the reason that you finally agreed to a phone?"

"He had that done while I was gone. Not that I should have been surprised by it because he never listened to what my wishes were. If he didn't like my answers, he would wheedle me until I gave in. I guess that was my fault for allowing it. But the time away in Hamilton allowed me to reflect, and I saw myself and the relationship, if you could call it that, through the eyes of others. It was not a pretty sight, and it was obvious that he really didn't have any interest in Jack. The final straw, though, was the balloon ride. As we walked to the church, I couldn't help thinking of the love I shared with Jack, so evident when I looked at the church. Then you add in what I found out from Henry. It was definitely the right thing to do. I'm embarrassed it took me so long to recognize how badly I acted."

"As for Nathan and the talk we had. He has said that friendship is the only thing on the table. But we talked about working on our friendship. He did tell me that he and Faith are not a couple anymore. He asked if he could take Jack on outings with him and Allie."

"What did you say?" Bill asked as he cracked eggs in the frying pan.

"I readily agreed, of course. I assured him that Jack and I weren't a package deal and that I wouldn't use him to further the relationship for Nathan and me." Elizabeth said. "I also asked him if I could make amends to Allie."

"What was his response?" Bill asked.

"We are leaving it up to Allie to decide when and where that happens. He is going to talk to her tonight at dinner." Elizabeth said. "Bill, I wanted to talk to you and Lee. Jack is starting to grow up and needs male attention. Do you think you could take him on outings?"

"I would be honored to Elizabeth. I'm glad you are willing to let Nathan be a part of his life. He loves that boy as if he were his own." Bill said as he put their plates on the table. After Bill led them in a quick prayer, they ate in companionable silence. The rest of the evening passed with them talking about what had happened over the past years, and they cleared the air. As Bill returned to his apartment, he was confident that the true Elizabeth was back permanently, and he couldn't be happier. As he passed the Saloon, he saw Lucas heading towards the front doors. He smiled as he thought about the rude awakening the man was about to receive, and he couldn't wait.