Chapter Forty-Nine

One of the things Nathan liked most about his job, was that you never knew what a day would bring.

Now, the bank robbers, Nathan could have predicted. Had that scenario been thrown out to him, he would have agreed, "'Yes, that could very possibly be part of my day today."

But this? This was pretty far-fetched, although he had to admit, he now understood the real reason Packer Johnston had traveled all the way to Hope Valley to kill Lucas Bouchard. Mr. Bouchard had married his daughter, and obviously Packer had been none too happy about that revelation. Hence the attempted murder.

Nathan had never thought Lucas's explanation had been complete, and now it was.

Nathan turned to warn Bill to step back; he was literally two steps behind Sophie and him.

"Are you kidding, I'm not about to miss a second of this!" uttered Bill with pure glee on his face.

Nathan just rolled his eyes and kept on escorting his charge to the Saloon.

"Mrs. Bouchard.."

"I told you, it's Sophie, Constable!"

"My apologies, Sophie. May I ask if your Husband is expecting you?"

"Oh, no! This is a total surprise. Between us, I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know we're married. I mean we are in love, and he knows he asked me and I said yes, but then…Oh, it's nothing bad or anything…Well, maybe we can explain it better to you together. My Lucas is a wonderful man, but when he drinks champagne, he doesn't even know where he is or who he is for that matter!" she laughed. "But he hides it very well, and then it hits. Me, I never touch the stuff. I just don't like all those bubbles!"

Nathan noticed her laugh seemed authentic enough, not practiced, or controlled like a woman of society.

"No explanation necessary, Sophie."

"Constable, has he ever mentioned me to you?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, he did. He said you were very beautiful if I recall correctly."

"Oh, that makes me so happy! I've missed him so much. It means everything to me to finally be able to be here and be a real married couple. We haven't lived together yet, you know. Daddy would never have allowed it. Actually, I had to leave our Wedding night, because Daddy found out we had married and had an absolute conniption. I was afraid he was going to kill my Lucas, so I just did what any wife would do to protect her Husband. But now Daddy can't hurt him, he's gone away you know. And I've waited long enough. So, I just decided to come to Hope Valley so we could be together here. It's a tiny little place, isn't it? Do you think I'll be able to open my Millinery Boutique?"

The Constable was feeling more uncomfortable by the minute, but one thing you quickly learn as a Mountie, if a person wants to talk, let them, and listen.

"I think the town is always ready for a new shop," answered Nathan in global terms, giving her a smile and trying to sound encouraging.

"Oh, my goodness, is this the Saloon. 'The Queen of Hearts!' Lucas named his business after me! He always called me the 'Queen of his Heart!' Oh, how sweet is this? Do I look alright? I know I must look a fright after all that traveling. Do you suppose there might be a place I could freshen up a bit before I see him? I hadn't even thought of that, but look at me. It's the very last favor I'll ask, Constable. Please?"

"Let's take her to the Café, Nathan. It's not fancy Mrs. Bouchard, but there's soap and water and a mirror that you're welcome to use," offered Bill.

"Sophie, this is Judge Bill Avery, he also owns the Café. It's just around the corner."

"Hello, I'm Sophie," and she offered her hand along with a brilliant smile to Bill, who apparently was already smitten. "So very nice to meet you, Judge! How gentlemanly of you to help a young lady in need."

"The pleasure's all mine, Sophie."

When they entered the Café, Bill directed Sophie to the very back and drew a basin of hot water for her. He then brought her a washcloth and towel, along with some lavender soap, and placed it all in front of the mirror on the back wall of a nook off the kitchen.

Where Bill got that lavender soap, Nathan would never know and didn't really wish to know.

"Oh, it's worse than I thought!" cried Sophie, looking into the mirror. "I look worse than a fright!"

And she looked like she was going to cry.

"Nah, it's not that bad, here I'll hold your hat while you straighten your hair."

Nathan rolled his eyes, yet again. Bill was on a smitten roll!

Sophie spent a good twenty minutes freshening up in Bill's nook off his kitchen, with him still holding her huge hat!

Nathan wished he had a camera to capture Bill standing there with that monstrosity! It definitely would have been something to hold over his head at some future date.

"I think this is as good as I can do!"

The water in the basin Sophie had used was a murky brown from all the dust she had on her.

But at least her face looked cleaner, and she acted like she felt at least a bit refreshed.

Nathan turned to leave, but Sophie was just now beginning to put on her makeup. First powder, then rouge, and then lipstick. Oh, no, then powder again.

Nathan looked at his timepiece. She had just spent ten more minutes. And now she was taking down her hair.

Nathan walked out to the Dining Area. He had had enough. "Clara, could I have a cup of Coffee, please. Make it black, and very strong!"

This was worse than catching the bank robbers! At least Bill was enjoying it.

"Who is that?" whispered Clara.

"You'll know soon enough. Wish I could tell you, but not my story to tell."

"The whole thing's just weird if you ask me!" she whispered again with a frown on her face.

"Oh, it's weird, alright!" agreed Nathan. "Bill and I had to meet the stagecoach and that's how we got roped into this."

"Yeah, but he seems to be enjoying it..." whispered Clara in a wary tone.

Before Nathan could finish his Coffee, Bill and Sophie came into the Dining Room, announcing they were ready, "Hurry it up, Nathan!"

Nathan left his money along with a nice tip for Clara on the table, while lagging behind, hoping Sophie would take Bill's arm instead of his. But as Nathan's luck would have it, Sophie was waiting for him.

He offered his arm, as only a polite gentleman can do, and hoped this whole fiasco would soon be over.

They walked briskly, as Sophie was now ready to meet her Husband, and she was becoming giddy with excitement.

Nathan opened the door to 'The Queen of Hearts' and glanced around for Lucas, who was about to get the surprise of his life.

But Lucas was nowhere to be seen.

Nathan turned to tell Sophie, but she saw Mr. Bouchard at the top of the stairs and ran straight toward him, calling, "Lucas, my Honey Lamb!"

Nathan watched as Lucas's eyes got wide and his face went pale. Then horror of horrors, Lucas tripped and rolled down the staircase, all the way to the bottom! He ended up in an undignified heap at Sophie's expensively-shod feet.

Nathan ran to help Lucas, but the whole time Sophie was talking to him, and all Lucas could do was make unintelligible sounds, like he couldn't string two syllables together to make a word to save his life.

Nathan had to push his way past Sophie to lift Lucas off the floor and get him back on his feet. But when he did that, Lucas couldn't stand and Nathan had to halfway carry him, placing his left arm under Lucas's arms and his right arm around his waist, so he could get him to the closest chair. Once Lucas was sitting, his color started to come back, but he still couldn't talk, and Nathan was getting concerned.

The man wasn't even coherent.

"Sophie, I think we may need to give Lucas a moment. This is quite a shock after all," quickly adding, "and I'm sure he's very excited to see you."

Finally, Sophie stopped talking and realized Lucas was really having difficulty getting his bearings. But she insisted on holding his hand.

Nathan glanced around the Saloon. At least it wasn't a very busy time. So, that was something to be thankful for, he supposed. But if Lucas was having this much difficulty just seeing Sophie, what was he going to do when she told him they were married?

"Gustav, can you get us some water, please?"

But when Nathan glanced back at the couple, Sophie had obviously already told Lucas her news, and from where Nathan was standing, it looked like Lucas had fainted in his chair.

This was not good.

"Lucas, I think we need to go into your Office for a moment. Sophie, would you please excuse us? You just make yourself comfortable."

Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan saw Bill coming over to console Sophie.

Nathan had to literally set Lucas in his chair in order for him to sit behind his desk.

"Lucas, pull yourself together! Relax first, then pull yourself together."

"Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. That's it. Keep breathing…deep breaths."

"Nathan, wh...wh...wha...what am I go...go..going to do?"

"You're going to sit here and calm down. Then together we're going to figure this mess out."

"You know...who she is, do...don't you?" asked Lucas.

"Yes, I do."

"Nathan, she told me we're m…m…mmar.."

"Yes, I know that, too. Do you love her?"

Lucas shook his head, yes, and finally, he was able to get out, "I've always...I've always...lo...loved her. But her Dad will k...kill me!"

"Lucas, her Dad is not ever going to be released from prison. I don't think you have to worry about that."

"Nathan, I didn't know. I didn't...know...that...we..."

"I know you didn't. Are you sure it's true? That you're both really married? Legally married?"

"Yes, she...she has the pa...papers. We...we both signed them. And I remember it...now. I just didn't remember it...before. We were at a huge society ball, and we had danced the entire night away, along with me drinking champagne...endlessly. I wanted to marry her. We already had the license, and we...we were dressed to the nines. There was a Justice of the Peace there...who was willing to do it. What better time for a Wedding? I remember all that. But, I was so...so hungover when I woke up that next morning, I just...just couldn't remember if we...we had actually...done it. If we had gone through...with it. And when Sophie wasn't there, I thought...I thought we had...chickened out, and then her Dad...her Dad started threatening me, that I would never have her. So, I assumed nothing had...had happened. I just knew it would never be...so I just put it all out of my mind...and I made myself...forget her because...we could never be together. Her Father made that clear. I was scared, scared for my life, Nathan. I was more scared than I've ever been. That's why I came here. And I was scared...for her too. She had to live with the man. And he was totally irrational, especially where Sophie was concerned. But I couldn't do anything about that. I didn't know what he...he did, but I knew...I knew he was corrupt and very shady. Although I didn't know what he was actually capable of doing until...you told me...I did have my suspicions."

"Do you love her now?"

"Yes."

"Are you in love with her now?"

"Yes."

"Then what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know...what to do about it. What would you do?"

"First, grow up and be a man, the man Sophie needs."

"Then, what?"

"Well, you could give her that big engagement ring you were going to give Elizabeth, for starters."

Nathan watched as Lucas's face blanched, then quickly recovered.

"I wasn't going to give Elizabeth an engagement ring," he lied swiftly and without a stutter.

"Your Grandmama's huge diamond engagement ring, Lucas. The one in your desk drawer at your Oil Office. The one you told your Mother you were giving Elizabeth for Christmas."

His face blanched again, and not knowing what to do since Nathan had cornered him with the truth, he fell back on his standby of lying, again, to try to gain control.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Nathan was across the desk in seconds with his hands gripping and jerking Lucas's lapels in one fell motion, bringing him within an inch of his own face. His eyes changed to fiery steel right before Lucas's eyes and the stronghold he had on Lucas was one of iron. He could have snapped his neck if he wanted to and even in his shock, Lucas knew it.

"New rules for our friendship: #1. Don't you ever lie to me again. #2. You even think about Elizabeth in that way ever again, this serge comes off, and trust me, you'll never think it a second time. Are we perfectly crystal clear?"

They stayed in that position until Lucas nodded his head.

Nathan tightened his hold, and literally spit out, "Say it."

"Yes," Lucas could barely eek the word out.

Nathan released his grip with utter disgust written all over his face. He was done and he turned to leave.

"Nathan, no! Don't leave. Please...please don't...don't leave. Please, Nathan!"

Nathan turned half-way but didn't sit.

"I'm sorry, Nathan. I misjudged you and I lied, more than once I lied, but I give you my word, such as it is, I'll never, ever do that again. I don't have a friend, Nathan. I need you. I need you…as my friend. Please, Nathan!"

For once Nathan saw the truth in Lucas's eyes. "Only under the new terms."

"Absolutely, only under the new terms. I'll never lie and I'll never disrespect Elizabeth or you again. You have my word as a Gentleman."

Nathan's face remained unchanged, void of emotion. But he sat down.

"Then let's clean up your mess," stated Nathan matter-of-factly.

And then he continued, "I like Sophie, Lucas. She's been through a lot, but she still has a kind heart. I don't see how you could ever do any better, especially if you're in love with her like you say you are. Be yourself, Lucas. You're the King of Romance, go romance her."

"I don't even know how, where Sophie's concerned, Nathan. I really love her. She's the only woman I've ever really loved. I've been a player all my life and I know how to play with the best of them, but I don't know how to love."

"Then you start all over. You ask Sophie to marry you and you give her that engagement ring. Then you let Elizabeth and me plan the biggest Holiday Wedding for the two of you this town has ever seen."

"You would do that for us?"

"We would."

"But we don't even have anybody to stand up with us."

"We would stand up with you."

And Lucas was truly overcome. The polish was gone, this was a new Lucas, a vulnerable one, and Nathan clearly could see the difference.

"What about the townspeople? They'll hate us because of her Father."

"They'll come around, and the ones who don't, well, you don't need them anyway. Sophie shouldn't have to pay for the sins of her Father. You can't allow that to happen to her. Be a man, Lucas. The man Sophie needs."

"You make it all sound so easy."

"It is easy, Lucas when you are your authentic self, whatever that self is."

"How did you get to be so wise?"

"How did you get to be so suave?"

They both laughed.

"Lucas, you have a beautiful woman out there who is in love with you, and she's traveled for miles and miles to move here and be with you. Right now, she needs a room, a relaxing bath, and food. Go see that she has it. Then make her trip worth her while. Let her know you love her and need her. That's all any woman wants. And Sophie deserves that. Go give it to her. You're the only one who can do that."

"Nathan, can I tell you something?"

"Anything."

"I never knew my Father. He died when I was too young to remember. I lied about that, too. I realize now, you didn't have much of a Father either. But you didn't lie about it. The difference is, I've never had a male friend that I could talk to, get advice from, or just be around. You've had your Mountie brothers. I've had pretty girls who came and went. The truth is you're the first real friend I've had. And I know I was horrible to you. But I want you to know your friendship means the world to me. I won't betray our relationship again. I did before, but I won't this time. I give you my word on that. But more importantly, I'll prove my word to you. You'll see. Thank you, Nathan, for giving me this chance, for being my friend. My only friend."

Lucas got up to leave, and Nathan offered his hand. They shook, then Nathan hit Lucas on the shoulder as guys do. Lucas smiled, and Nathan motioned him toward Sophie.

Sophie had been crying and when Lucas realized that, it broke his heart and he ran to her and folded his arms around her. He lifted her from her chair and they both stood together in the middle of the Saloon. Then Lucas lowered his head the slightest bit to offer his lips in the passionate kiss Sophie had desired from the moment she had seen him.

Nathan quietly slipped past the couple and put his arm around Bil's shoulder as they walked out the door of the "The Queen of Hearts" together.