FRIDAY

Elizabeth woke up excited for the wonderful evening planned for the town. She couldn't wait until the new name for the Queen of Hearts was revealed, and she was anxious to look at the memory wall Rosemary and Fiona had designed commemorating the Miners and Coal Valley History. She was a bit nervous because Abigail had asked her to make an opening speech for the weekend and the reveal of the Wall of Heroes. But now she was facing something else that terrified her, but she knew it would ultimately test her resolve to be with Nathan. As they hurried to the infirmary, she realized that instead of wanting to run away, she was running to him. Inwardly the confidence grew that she was fully involved and ready to move forward with Nathan when he was. She knew there was no way that she could ever walk away from the Grants ever again.

When Elizabeth and Allie arrived, Faith was almost finished stitching up Nathan's wound. Elizabeth was frozen at the sight of Nathan sitting up as Faith worked diligently. Gabe watched with a smirk as Elizabeth stood there staring at his best friend, who was oblivious to everything but Allie. He sighed and thought, Nathan, if you only could see what I'm seeing right now, you would be over the moon.

"Dad! What happened? Are you going to be okay?" Allie said, running over to look at his arm where Faith had just finished up the last stitch.

"I'll be fine, Allie, right, Dr. Faith?" Nathan said, trying to reassure Allie.

Elizabeth joined Allie by the bed to add her reassurances but was suddenly having trouble focusing on the conversation. She became fixated on Nathan's well-defined bicep and how his Henley strained across his broad, muscular chest as he moved his arm to embrace Allie once more. Suddenly she had a vision of Nathan wearing his Henley and chopping wood outside her back door. The image so enthralled her in her head that she was unaware she was staring. Elizabeth was brought out of her reverie by Faith calling her name, clearly amused.

I'm sorry, I was, um, thinking of the events for tonight," Elizabeth said quickly, trying to recover. But a pretty blush stole across her cheeks, revealing that her thoughts were definitely not on the events of the evening. Gabe and Faith looked at her with amused glances, brows raised, letting her know they were not fooled at all.

"Is there anything anyone here could help you with," Gabe teased? Her blush deepened when Faith Laughed and winked while Nathan and Allie, thankfully, were distracted.

At that point, Nathan looked up and asked, "Are you okay, Lisbeth?" concern was evident, which only made things worse. Faith broke out into laughter while Gabe snorted.

"I'm fine, Nathan," Elizabeth said, catching Gabe's eye with a stern look.

"So Nathan," Faith said, amused by the undercurrents in the room. It was hard to keep from laughing because he was unaware of them. "You must keep the wound clean and dry, check the dressings and change the bandage once more tonight and twice a day tomorrow. Then I will want to see you on Sunday unless new symptoms appear. No lifting anything over 5 pounds, and no Mountie work."

"Well, I better head over to the café," Elizabeth said. "Rosemary will already be up in arms that I'm late. But I needed to be sure you and Allie were okay." She turned reluctantly, not wanting to leave at all but knowing she had to. Before opening the door, she turned quickly to Nathan. "Will I see you later, Nathan?" Elizabeth asked softly, then adding, "And of course, you too, Allie, sweetheart,"

"We can't wait, Mrs. Thornton," Ali said slyly with a smile. She had been picking up on the undercurrents passing between the couple, and she was beginning to let herself hope that maybe the family she desperately wanted was in her grasp. She and Jack had even discussed a few ideas. Elizabeth nodded and then left without another word.

The rest of the day, Nathan rested at home under the watchful eye of Allie. Elizabeth had stopped by briefly to check on them before leaving for the day. After she left, Allie turned to Nathan and said, "Dad, can we talk about something?"

"Sure, Allie. What is it you want to talk about?" Nathan said nervously, getting an inkling what the topic of conversation would be.

"You and Mrs. Thornton," Allie said flatly. "Is there any possibility that you might decide to court?"

"I don't know, Allie, but if I did decide to ask her to court, would it be something you would be okay with?" Nathan asked.

"I would because she is not the same person she was when she hurt us. I like this Mrs. Thornton, and all the kids say that this is who she was before Mountie Jack died. I would go so far as to say I love the real Mrs. Thornton even more than the one when we came to Hope Valley."

"I'm glad you and Mrs. Thornton have restored your relationship. For now, whatever happens between Mrs. Thornton and me will remain between the adults where it belongs. However, your feelings on the matter have been duly noted."

Later that evening, everyone entered the saloon, which had been closed for the past three days as preparation for the weekend were being made. Lee took the podium to welcome everyone to the opening night of Remembrance weekend.

"The events will comprise of tonight, the graveside ceremony tomorrow afternoon, and then a dance and potluck tomorrow celebrating the end of the war and return of our hometown heroes. To kick off the weekend, I have asked the person who thought up this wonderful weekend Elizabeth Thornton to start us off with an opening speech."

After hugging Lee, Elizabeth came up on the stage and began. "I arrived in this town three months after Coal Valley suffered the horrible mining tragedy. I saw many devastated people slowly rebuild by honoring their loved ones but still looking ahead. I experienced that strength and compassion when I was embraced upon my own loss and then supported as I faced a future of a single mother. Recently as you know, we had to fight again for the town when attempts were made to reopen the mine. Thanks to Samantha Madison, once again, we were victorious. We just received the final judgment that ensures that mine can't be reopened under any condition. Numerous people have examined it to ensure that no loophole exists and that the language within the order makes it clear." Everyone clapped, and cheers erupted.

When news of the war ending and our victory regarding the mine came, I was happy. But it awakened feelings I didn't even know I had been carrying. A wise and dear friend helped me see that sharing memories connect us and unexpectedly provides comfort unlike any other. For example, my husband Jack never met his son, but his memory is alive for our son through the people who loved and knew him. They share stories about his papa that help comfort him. Our son provides comfort to those who knew his father. As they see him grow and be happy, resembling his father more, it comforts them."

But now we have new hope with an end to a terrible war where others can begin to rebuild because of the sacrifices some in our town made. Before we go any further, I would like you to join me in welcoming home safe and sound from the front James Fremont, Gabe Montgomery, and Bradley Ramsey." Once again, applause erupted as the boys stood nearby and accepted the good wishes of their hometown and standing. Cat and Dottie stood nearby as proud mothers watching it all. Abigail stood next to James Fremont since his family was no longer living. Eventually, the applause died down, and all focus returned to Elizabeth.

"All of these events made me realize that somewhere along the way, we lost sight of something essential. We must remember and honor our past to appreciate the present and future! This weekend is about rediscovering our past with honor and joy instead of pain and regret. As well as celebrating the heroes in our lives known and unknown. I want to say thank you to everyone who contributed and made these next few days possible."

Elizabeth then turned the podium over to Abigail and Lee. As she stepped down, she was embraced by her three students.

"Elizabeth said we were able to win against the mine. We recently celebrated the departure of Lucas Bouchard and the investors as well. Some changes have been made to honor where we came from and create a place to honor those who helped Hope Valley get where we are today. First, the Queen of Hearts Saloon will be renamed The Miners Haven and run by Gustav." Lee then had Hickam and Rosemary reveal the sign which had been painted over the Queen of Hearts one. The Oil Company will be known as Hope Valley Oil and managed by Fiona Miller and Mike Hickam."

The applause grew, and cheers erupted as everyone was relieved that they wouldn't have to worry about another Lucas situation moving in.

Before we move on, there's one last thing that I need to point out. If I can direct your attention to the back where Bill and Mike are standing, you'll notice that there is a canvas covering the wall. The Miner's Haven will be forever the home of Hope Valley's Wall of Heroes." Just then, they tugged on the canvas and revealed a collection of photos. In the center was a beautifully carved plaque featuring the names of all the miners that had died that day in the mine. Centered above it was the plaque that had been found that day, along with a photo of all the miners. But what surprised the ladies was that there were photos of them when they had been working in the mine covered in coal dust. There were pictures of Jack on Sargent, standing post outside his office, and a photo of him getting an award. There were candid photos of him and Elizabeth during the parade and even when they worked together for the town. But what was touching was a photo of Elizabeth and her first class, and she was standing with the three boys, but then Rosemary had arranged for a current photo of them to be put next to it.

"Abigail," Herbert Ansvil, who had been the superintendent after Noah approached. "That picture had been taken three days before the explosion. I don't know if you were aware, but we would take a photo every year and send it off to Pacific Northwest Mining. I never sent it off, and Henry found it among some things and sent it to me as a surprise. As for the pictures of you ladies, Jack and I had done that, meaning to surprise you, but we forgot about them."

"Ok, Herbert, that is such a lovely surprise," Abigail said. "I also want to thank you for coming back for the ceremony."

"I wouldn't miss it," Herbert said. "I wanted to tell you Congratulations, Abigail, and you to Bill," as Bill came up beside them.

"Thank you, Herbert," Bill said, shaking his outstretched hand and hugging Abigail. After he left, Bill turned and said, "Are you ready for the Founders Day stuff."

"Question is Elizabeth ready?" Abigail said with a chuckle looking over to where Elizabeth, Gabe, and James were standing in front of the old Founders Day backdrop that Jack had painted. Gabe had a magnifying glass, and the three of them were bent over, looking at something and laughing.

Nathan and Gabe watched the trio and wondered what was so funny about the backdrop. Suddenly Gabe said, "Wait a minute, that must be the backdrop that Jack painted a miniature of them kissing on it."

"He did what?" Nathan said, turning to his friend.

"He painted a tiny picture of them kissing. Some of her students saw it when they were putting it away. I wonder if it was those boys judging by how they are teasing her." Gabe explained, chuckling. He said that she came over to the Jail telling him about it. He had the paints on the desk and quickly used his hat to cover them up. Told her that he needed to question her students." Nathan began laughing, picturing how Elizabeth probably wouldn't have appreciated that suggestion.

Their attention was drawn back to the podium as everyone was asked to take a seat. Abigail stepped up and said, "Before we close the presentation portion and allow everyone to examine the wall closer and visit, there was one last thing we would like to do. With the help of our very own Ms. Thatcher, now Mrs. Thornton. We wanted to talk about what we did in Coal Valley to celebrate what we called Founders Day.

"Elizabeth?" Abigail said with a mischievous smile. "I don't think any of us have as good of an experience as your first one. Would you come up and share?"

Elizabeth blushed and but good-naturedly came up at the behest of her Coal Valley friends. When Abigail went to leave, Elizabeth stopped her. "Oh no, Abigail, I'm not about to do this alone. Gabe, James, Bradley, and Rachel, will you come too?"

Then turning to the guests, she said, "When I came to Hope Valley eight years ago, the children would put on a play known as the Founders Day play. It was in celebration of the history of Coal Valley. I'll never forget the first one here. I remember how daunting it seemed. I even tried encouraging myself by saying, "You crossed a Prairie by yourself; for goodness sake, you can do this." Elizabeth paused and said, "It didn't work." Everyone laughed at the expression she used as she said that.

"So, Jack came along as I was talking to myself. He said that talking to yourself is" Not a good sign," more chuckles.

"Of course, I told him he had been eavesdropping, and it wasn't polite." Elizabeth chuckled.

"Jack had an answer for everything and, without missing a beat, said 'it's not eavesdropping when one is talking to oneself.'" Everyone laughed, and she said, "The jury is still out on that one."

"I told him I had just discovered that I had to put on this play. One that had been performed every year. They had costumes and music. Did I mention that Abigail and I were moving, and she was starting up the café?"

"That was definitely an interesting time,"

"Thankfully, Cat came to my rescue and found this sheet music. She jumped in and gave the kids a pep talk while giving me one. She reminded us of the tough year they had had and everything, and it just seemed less daunting.

Rachel piped up, "When we started giving her a hard time, Miss Thatcher said, "Now boys and girls, there is one thing I've learned about the people of coal valley. It's that they don't quit. Even when everything was against them, they refused to quit. She also told us we would do Founder's Day proud, and we did!"

Then, of course, Reverend Anderson had found the costumes that have been stored with the backdrop in the old church that had burned." Lots of groans.

Elizabeth's eyes softened. "But Jack had secretly painted another. I remember going into the saloon, and there it was hanging."

Gabe yelled, "Complete with Miss Thatcher and Mountie Jack kissing." Elizabeth blushed at that as everyone laughed. "James and I will be standing nearby with the magnifying glass if anyone wants to see it," he teased.

"Oh yes, there is that, too," Elizabeth said, blushing a bit.

Then there were the costumes that we had to make because the others were burned. We didn't have Rosemary with us. Let me say, Ladies, you don't know how embarrassing it was to be taught how to sew by the Town Mountie." Everyone laughed hard at that.

"When I asked him how he learned to sew, he showed me a huge scar on his knee where he had to stitch himself up. Close to the bone is how he described it. Of course, when I asked him what happened, he said, "it was nothing, then told me that the bear was still talking about it." Everyone laughed at that because it was so typical, Jack.

"One last thing that I want to say before I go is that during that time, there was one thing I learned that has held true year after year. Love truly does travel wherever you go, and home is wherever the heart is." A wonderful fun atmosphere was held throughout the rest of the evening.