CHAPTER SIX

Morning came particularly early for Nathan this Monday, especially for him, as he had always been an early riser anyway.

It was still very dark out, and there hadn't been much sleep. However, there was much to do today, and though Nathan had dreaded it, there was a part of him that just wanted to get on with it and get it behind him.

Nathan had gone to the Livery earlier and saddled Newton, bringing him back to his row house.

Inside Nathan's clothes were already packed for an overnight stay, and he was now writing a note for Allie. He had told her he'd leave it tacked on to the front door for her to stop by after school to get it.

It was a tradition of theirs, something he had done since the first time he had had to leave her. When she was very small and couldn't read, he would always draw pictures on his note and leave her a new little toy he had carved for her out of wood, along beside it. This gave Allie something to feel connected to him while he was away, as well as a little something to look forward to instead of only dreading him leaving her. In his mind at least, it was a promise of sorts that he would do his very best to come back to her. She had always been utmost in his mind, while with her or away from her.

Allie had been his sister's child, and now, through a tragic loss for both of them, she was his child and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Opal's mother had volunteered for Allie to stay with them yet again, and he was so very grateful to her. It warmed his heart that both Opal and her Mother always seemed delighted to have Allie.

He was so glad Allie had friends like that. 'This was a first for her,' thought Nathan, feeling a little guilty that his job had cost Allie so much.

His job had also cost him, although he would never admit that, even to himself. Allie had been his only concern. As much as he loved his job, he loved Allie more.

But now it seemed they were finally home. And Nathan didn't have to worry about leaving her in the care of Mrs. Weise. Nathan knew Allie still missed him when he had to go, but she was always happy when she was with Opal, and Mrs. Weise cared for her as though she were her own.

Elizabeth was continually checking in on Allie, too. And Nathan had noticed at Sunday's lunch that Allie and Mrs. Coulter were thick as thieves, talking and giggling during the whole meal. The day in Buxton had definitely done them all good.

Nathan tacked the note for Allie to the front door, reached back through the door to get his satchel, closed and locked the door, and headed out to Newton. Instead of riding him into town, Nathan led Newton straight toward Elizabeth's.

No matter how much he protested, she had insisted that she would be up to see him off. He felt so guilty, causing her to lose sleep, but he was beginning to understand that Elizabeth could not be swayed on some things. So, he finally had agreed, although reluctantly.

But in the night, with the cold air and the dark sky above, Nathan was warmed by the thought of seeing her one last time before he left town.

As he looked through the darkness, he felt her presence and realized she was already standing on her front porch waiting for him. He stepped a little faster with Newton matching his pace, and then he loosely tied Newton in front of her row house.

"Elizabeth," his soft calling of her name was like music to her ears. No one said her name like Nathan, and she had always been overcome with the lyrical sound of it. "Did you get any sleep at all?"

"Not much," Elizabeth admitted, "but seeing you makes it worth a little lost sleep." And under the glow of the lantern on her porch, Nathan could see her beautiful, smiling face.

He stepped up just a single step and reached out his arms from there, wrapping them tightly around her waist. Elizabeth's face was directly in front of Nathan's, and she was able to enclose her arms lovingly around his neck, now that his height was no longer a disadvantage to her.

They stayed that way till Nathan pulled her down to him, then looked down directly into her eyes.

"Promise me you won't worry. Just say a prayer that Constable Latham and I will know the right words to say to the Crawford family. I do have to spend the night to take care of some paperwork and testimony the next morning. But I'll come back as soon as I can. And there's nothing at all to worry over. It's not a dangerous job Elizabeth, just a difficult one."

"Still, Nathan, promise me, you'll be careful." He could see her eyes pleading.

He hugged her again and whispered, "Always." into her ear. He then released her from the hug reaching down to her forehead, where he left a kiss, then one on each cheek, and finally one on each hand. He took both her hands, placing them over his heart, giving her one last smile, then turned to mount Newton.

Elizabeth stepped forward, "Nathan, you know you matter to me, so very much!" and as Nathan nodded and smiled softly on top of Newton, she placed her hand on Newton's neck and simply said, "Newton, keep your Master safe. Do that for me, promise?"

And as if on cue, Newton turned his head toward her and gave a slight neigh as though he knew exactly what she was asking.

With a wave and a tip of his hat, Nathan rode off toward town. But Elizabeth couldn't help watching after him until he was no longer in her sight, then she turned slowly and went in to check on Little Jack and try to get back to sleep.

Nathan reached the Saloon and waited for Constable Aaron Latham, the surviving partner of the Transport Team assigned to transport Elias O'Rourke.

They planned to go directly to the Crawford Family's home, and as gently as they could, deliver the horrific news of their son's death.

It was the worst of all the tasks a Mountie could be assigned. It was excruciating, and the reactions always included shock but also ranged the gamut of emotions.

And truthfully, what could you say to encourage those left behind when they were experiencing those first searing pangs of anguish in finding out their loved one wasn't coming home.

It had been Nathan's experience over time that it was best to simply be respectful, say very little, and instead sit quietly with them, cry with them and listen attentively to them with your whole heart. He prayed that God would give Aaron and him the strength today to do just that.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Nathan noticed an even darker shadow in the dark, moving in quickly next to the Saloon's far wall.

Nathan shushed Newton, and quietly jumped down from his saddle and pulled his gun.

Something was very wrong. Nathan could feel it.

No one from town that he knew would be scurrying around in the dark like this. Not at this time of night. Suddenly there was the sound of glass breaking. It was then that he saw the flash of metal in the person's hand, and he squarely placed his gun on the perpetrator's back. "Drop it, drop it now!" He spoke evenly and forcefully without even raising his voice.

Placing his foot on the dropped gun, he quickly secured both of the man's arms behind his back. Nathan stretched, picked up the gun from the ground, and began marching the man toward the front of the saloon.

Constable Latham was finally coming out of the Saloon's front door, and when he saw what was happening, he ran to assist Nathan. Although by that time no help was needed, Nathan appreciated it anyway.

Neither Constable had yet had a chance to look at the perpetrator's face.

But when they did, they both realized precisely with whom they were dealing. The perpetrator's name was Packer Johnston, and they had a cold-blooded killer on their hands.

"Let's get him locked up. After we do that, go wake up Judge Avery. He needs to be there to witness that everything is being done by the book."

Nathan knew from memory Johnston was wanted for at least 16 murders, and who knew how many others. "What was he doing here in Hope Valley," wondered Nathan. And with a sinking feeling, "What was he doing breaking into the saloon."

Nathan now knew he had not walked in on a robbery at all like he initially thought. He had instead intercepted what most certainly would have been a murder.

"Whose was the next question?" thought Nathan, though he knew he wasn't going to like the answer at all because deep down, he already knew whose.

"Good grief! What are we now? San Francisco? We've seen more action since last Friday than Bay City's even thought about on a weekend. And I'm sure of that!" exclaimed Bill as he ran into the office.

"And here comes the Judge," yelled their prisoner, tauntingly.

Immediately, Bill turned around toward the cell, with eyes of steel, he stared the prisoner down as only Bill could do.

"Handcuff him to the bars, Nathan." And Bill pulled out his pistol as Constable Latham opened the jail door, and Nathan reached in to do exactly as he had been told to do.

"Secured, Judge." Nathan closed the door, and Constable Latham, Aaron, locked it.

"Boys, I know you have a job to do today, but that's all changed now. I need both of you here, and I'm wiring for reinforcements now. We'll place a couple of calls, too, as soon as the office is open."

Both Constables knew precisely what Bill was saying. The news would get out quickly that they had Johnston, and Hope Valley would soon be swarming with all the seedy members of his gang. They weren't going to take their leader's capture lightly.

Nathan reached across his desk and quickly scribbled on a pad there and passed it to Bill.

Bill looked at Nathan, realizing Nathan was ahead of him.

The town had to be placed on lockdown. It had to happen now, and their prisoner could not know what they were doing. Bill and Nathan needed to talk, and it had to be out of the prisoner's hearing.

Gruffly, Bill said, "Latham, pull your gun on Johnston and keep it there. We'll be just outside the door."

Outside in low voices, Bill whispered, "And just exactly where did you apprehend him?"

"At the far side of the Saloon. Johnston had broken out a window. But Bill this wasn't a robbery, it was an attempted murder, and whose, the key question we both can probably answer. The Saloon has got to be watched around the clock. And the children simply can't go to school today. They would be sitting ducks to be used as hostages. How do we get the word to Elizabeth and all the others? And how do we protect their intended target, with just three men? Does the town have an emergency signal that everyone would recognize?" Nathan's eyes were searching Bill's face.

"You know, when the mine collapse occurred, we rang the bell, and everyone came running. But that's exactly what we don't want. Any ideas?"

"I think everyone's safer inside their homes, and the only thing I know to do is notify Lee and have him deputize as many men as he can and get the message out that there is to be no business or school today, and everyone must stay inside till the all-clear is given. I'll patrol the streets, while you send your wires and make your calls. Do you think you could get Gabe here? He could get here pretty quickly. Can you spare Aaron to come with me, so we can split up and patrol a larger area?"

Bill nodded in agreement.

Nathan continued, "Bill, I figure we have about twenty-four hours till the word spreads, and we've got to use that time to turn Hope Valley into a fortress. I'd rather get Johnston out of here, but I think it's too dangerous. We don't want another ambush, and these would be professional criminals we would be dealing with, not Jennie. That's a whole different ballgame. Especially since our last encounter didn't turn out so well in my book."

He continued, "We've got to get ammunition spread to strategic spots throughout the town and station the men accordingly. The homes that lay further out of town that have phones need to be told what's going on, and if each of them can spread the info to their neighbors, I think we can get everyone clued in as to what's happening and have them prepared. We have a better chance that way, Bill, and I am not about to lose a Hope Valley citizen on my watch. Have I overlooked anything?"

Bill studied his serious face and gave him the highest compliment he could in the limited amount of time they had, "Not a thing, Nathan! You haven't forgotten a thing. I couldn't have thought of a better plan myself. Let's get started."

Then Bill turned to go back into the office, but quickly turned back, realizing Nathan was supposed to be out of town today and would have made plans for Allie. "Where's Allie, Nathan?" he whispered.

"She's at Opal's, Bill. With all this going on, I'd rather her be with Elizabeth, but…"

"No buts, Nathan, family comes first. She's already like my family too, and I'm pretty sure that's going to be official soon. So, you head right over to the Weises' now and have them help you spread the word. Take that girl to Elizabeth and make sure Elizabeth understands what's going on. She'll be alright if she's in the know. She just can't take the unknown. Jack never gave her enough detail, and that drove her crazy. Go now, Nathan, and I'll see you back in your office when you're done."

'Hmm,' Nathan shook his head, 'that was the first time Bill had called it his office.' Nathan grabbed Newton and headed off to the Weises' house to get Allie and take her to Elizabeth's.

The Weises entirely understood that Nathan needed to have Allie help Elizabeth with Little Jack. And they truly appreciated Nathan coming personally to explain to them what was happening. They would get the word out to their neighbors and have them pass it along.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Weise, still in their nightclothes, called out after him "Stay safe Constable!" He nodded and smiled in thanks to them as he lifted Allie onto Newton in front of him, so he could hold her more securely.

"Allie, you do know everything is going to be okay, don't you? I just thought it would be better for you and Mrs. Thornton to be together. I really don't want her alone with Little Jack. Allie, can you play grown-up today for me and help Mrs. Thornton take care of Little Jack?"

"Yes, Sir! But be careful, Uncle Nathan. Promise me you'll be careful."

"Always, Sweetheart, always."

Elizabeth was wrapped in her robe when he knocked on her door.

"Nathan, I thought you were gone…" Then, she saw Allie and the serious look in his eyes.

"Elizabeth, I only have a few minutes, and I'm going to tell you everything I can so you will know exactly what is happening. I brought Allie to stay with you today if that's okay. There's no school today Elizabeth, and no businesses open either. The entire town is going to have to stay indoors for at least today, maybe a bit longer."

A concerned and puzzled look came across her face.

Nathan continued, "When I left you and was waiting outside the Saloon for Constable Latham, I saw a shadow moving in the darkness. As it turns out, I got the guy, but he's not just any guy. He's Packer Johnston, a well-known murderer."

Her eyes widened at the name. She had heard Jack mention him to Bill.

"He's secure, Elizabeth, and behind bars. In fact, Bill had me handcuff him to the bars. But our problem is we can't transport him, and we know that his gang will come after him when they figure out that he's been apprehended. We figure we've got about 24 hours before they get here. In the meantime, we've got reinforcements coming from everywhere. And Lee is deputizing the men so we can patrol the streets and get ammunition placed strategically throughout the town. Are you okay, Elizabeth?"

She turned to Allie across the room, "Allie, can you please go check on Little Jack in his room and stay with him there?"

"Yes, Ma'am, Mrs. Thornton."

She waited till Allie was out of earshot and quietly said, "So he was at the Saloon, breaking in to murder someone."

Elizabeth was quick, Nathan would give her that. And he could see by the look in her eyes that she surmised who that someone was.

"Elizabeth, none of that is important now. We'll get to the bottom of that later. Right now, I just want the entire town safe, and most of all, Elizabeth, I want you, Allie and Little Jack safe. You promise me that under no circumstances do you leave this house?" It was more of an order than a request, and she took it as one, nodding her head in agreement.

"Elizabeth, you do have a gun, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Can you please get it for me to check?"

She reached for a key, gave it to him, and pointed him to the kitchen's highest cabinet in her kitchen. He unlocked the door, took out the steel case that held the gun and ammunition. After carefully inspecting the gun and ensuring it was fully loaded, he placed everything back in the steel case.

"You know how to use it?"

Again, she could only nod, yes.

"Keep it out of the children's reach, of course, but place it somewhere you can reach it easily. And Elizabeth, if anyone comes to your door other than Bill or me, you use it, do you understand?"

"Yes, Nathan, I do." And a stifled sob escaped as she moved closer to him and fell into his chest, holding onto him for dear life.

"Suddenly, your trip doesn't seem so bad, compared to this, that is."

"I know, Darling. But as you know, that's the life of a Mountie. You never know what's going to happen next or when it's going to happen."

He then looked directly into her eyes, "Elizabeth, I give you my word, I will do my level best to stay safe. I have more now than I ever have had in my life to fight for, and I don't intend to lose any of it. I don't intend to lose you. I just need to know you won't be worrying any more than you have to. That's all I ask."

She nodded again, "I promise to do my very best. I don't want you distracted worrying about us. We'll be fine."

And although it was not at all the way either of them had dreamt or wanted it to happen, their lips came together in an intense explosion of unity, as they held on to each other as though their lives depended on it. To say there was electricity would be an understatement. This, their first kiss, was deliberate on both parts, filled with passion and primal desire. It was a kiss of certainty, invoking each and every one of the senses. Neither had ever experienced anything like it before and they made the kiss last for every stolen moment they possibly could. Neither even knew how long it lasted, and neither wanted it to ever stop. But the reality was that Nathan had much urgent work to do, and neither was going to leave the other and later regret not doing what was already in their hearts.

There would be no regrets in this relationship, wherever it took them together.

"I love you, Darling," Nathan said brusquely as he nestled his face into her hair.

"I love you, Darling," she whispered back with the tears from her eyes falling on his red serge.

They finally parted, and both knew this was it. Forget "the first date," forget "courtship." Those things would come later. In the depths of their hearts, they knew they would be together for life, and even after. They both realized at that moment that each of them was already part of the other. And nothing in this world could change that.

He finally turned to walk away, but only because duty called.

"Elizabeth, bolt the door and watch it closely. No one but Bill or me enters," his tall frame walked through the door and jumped down the porch steps. In one quick gliding motion, he mounted Newton, and with love written all over his face and a tip of his hat, he was gone.

While she was standing there, a shudder went through Elizabeth. She suddenly realized that had Nathan left for his trip just a few moments earlier, before apprehending this murderer, a Hope Valley citizen would now be dead.

"And who knows what else could have happened to the rest of us," she whispered aloud.

Somehow, she instantly knew that Nathan, Bill, and Lee would be safe, as they protected those they loved. And remarkably, a deep peace came to her heart and her mind.

"Thank You, God, for this gift of peace, Thank You. You knew just what I so desperately needed." she looked at the hazy sky above her, still dark before sunrise, and then entered her home, closing the door behind her and bolting it tightly.