As soon as Gabriel and Lillian had joined her in the Royal Brookfield, Sofia had apologized for just dropping in like she had. The female architect admitted that job offers that put her degree to use could not be called frequent. She had done several projects in San Francisco, which she had brought photographs of, but that their offer was the only one she'd had in the last couple of months. As she had been simply waiting tables to earn some money in between architect jobs, she had been more than happy to come talk to them in person about their project.
After a brief conversation, Lillian had invited Sofia out to the orphanage for super that night before saying that she needed to go collect the children from the schoolhouse. As Gabriel was picking up Billy, Sofia was turned over to Grace so that she could get settled at the hotel.
The day after arriving, Gabriel escorted Sofia out to new Hope Orphanage while the children were at school. Sofia had been given a tour of the inside of the building the night before. Today the architect had a chance to survey the building from the outside. By the time Sofia left that day, she was officially hired for the project.
While Grace took on the bulk of the responsibility of getting the younger Sophia ready for her trip to England, Lillian and Gabriel spent time with the elder Sofia making plans for their apartment addition to the orphanage. As it would be his home as well, Billy was included in the planning discussions.
Judge Avery came to Brookfield the day before young Sophia's chaperone was set to arrive to escort her to England. He had the paperwork necessary for not only the chaperone to take temporary custody of Sophia, but also for the adoption. Lillian and Grace would sign the papers that needed their signatures. Papers that required Mr. Larson's signatures would be sent with the Chaperone. The gentleman would sign the papers and then mail them back to Judge Avery.
Having seen the plans Sofia was drawing up for the house addition, Chuck had approached Sofia about drawing up the plans for his and Grace's home. Sofia was more than happy to get the additional project. The young female architect also got approached by a couple of ranchers about improvement projects, including Tess Stewart who was thinking it might be time to upgrade the bunkhouse for her hands, though the two homes for the two couples would take priority.
The chaperone arrived and papers were signed. A going away part was held for the younger Sophia. Her classmates were invited out to the orphanage and Lillian was thankful for the help from Gabriel, Chuck, Bill and the elder Sofia. The following day, young Sophia and her chaperone boarded the stage to Clearwater to catch the train out east. Sophia was ecstatic at the adventure that lay before her. She promised to write letters to Lillian for her to share with the others telling about her journey to England. As happy as she was about the travel though, Sophia was also thrilled that Helen would be waiting at the end of the journey for her and that she would finally have a sister.
As the stage carrying Sophia disappeared from view, Lillian hid her face against Gabriel's shoulder. The Mountie immediately responded by wrapping her in a hug and simply holding her. He knew that despite Lillian's joy of one of the children going off to a family of their own, that letting them go was hard on her as well.
Gabriel held her quietly for a few moments until Lillian spoke.
"The orphanage is going to seem empty tonight. I do not think we have only just had three children there," Lillian lamented. "I should be happy that the children have found permanent homes, and I am, but I am also sad too. I know I am being silly."
"You are not being silly at all, Lillian," Gabriel said, placing a kiss on the top of her head. Not far away Chuck was comforting Grace as well. Thankfully, the other children were currently in school and did not require the young women's attention. It was clear both Lillian and Grace needed time to express their own feelings. "You have cared for these children for quite awhile. I know they take a piece of your heart with them, but you've done your best to make sure they will have good homes."
Lillian nodded her acknowledgment of the words.
"You still have three children at the orphanage that still needs you, and unfortunately, there will probably be more. These children need you and Grace, even if it is only for a part of their lives. All children eventually go off on their own," Gabriel told her.
"I know," Lillian admitted.
"By the time we have children of our own you will have plenty of practice at sending them off into the world," Gabriel said, trying to lighten the mood. Lifting her head, Lilian just shot him a look. "Not helpful?" he asked, not really needing an answer. "I'm sorry," he added holding her gaze. "However, the one thing I can promise you is that I will never choose to leave you for more than a few weeks for the rest of our lives."
Lillian managed a small smile "I like the sound of that promise," she told him.
As they were still standing on the boardwalk of the Royal Brookfield, Gabriel placed a kiss on her forehead before making his next suggestion.
"What do you say we get a coffee and a slice of cake at Pearl's? We can see if Chuck and Grace can join us. It might be better if you wait to go home until after picking the children up at school."
"Will you split a piece of chocolate cake with me?" Lillian asked.
"I will never say no to chocolate or spending time with you," Gabriel told her.
Keeping one arm around her, Gabriel led Lillian over to where Grace and Chuck were standing. Grace was wiping her eyes with a handkerchief as they joined them. Chuck and Grace agreed to the suggestion of getting something at the bakery.
Once the plans for the two new homes were set, it simply became a matter of waiting for the snow to finally melt so that the building process could commence. As part of the deal struck was for Sofia to supervise the construction process, she elected to stay in the area rather than travel back to San Francisco until the construction could start, hopefully in early April. Sofia volunteered to handle making the lumber arrangements with Lee as she planned on using the opportunity of being so close to visit with Rosemary for a bit.
New Hope Orphanage did seem strangely quiet and empty following Sophia's departure for England. Grace had even spent one night in the bedroom with Mary Louise to ease the girl into the transition of being the only one in the room. As with all the previous arrivals and departures, a new normal was established. Being the only girl Mary Louise gravitated to spending more of her free time with Eleanor. The older woman appreciated both the help and the company of the young girl.
Only light dustings of snow fell on Brookfield as March slowly crept on. Along with Christian and Vincent, Billy had also gotten to be good friends with Timmy Mendleson. On some afternoons, rather than stay with Maggie at the infirmary, Billy would go home with Timmy. Ben's wife, Mary, always had cookies and milk ready for the two boys. Ben reported that though Billy seemed wary of him still, the boy was always polite. On the afternoons he spent with the Mendleson's, Ben told Gabriel that Billy always helped Timmy out with his chores.
Despite the time the boys spent together, Gabriel was still surprised when Billy asked to spend a Friday night with Timmy. Remembering the overnight at the orphanage, Gabriel wondered if Billy would be able to make it through the night in a different place. However, he also knew he needed to encourage Billy trying things outside of his comfort zone. After a brief chat with Ben, who assured Gabriel he would come get the Mountie if there were any issues, Gabriel gave Billy his permission.
As he walked away from the Mendleson's home that night, Gabriel still wrestled with the mixed feelings he had about the arrangement. He was glad that Billy was making connections with the kids he went to school with. Billy and Timmy, though spending quite a bit of time still with Christian and Vincent, seemed to be forming the type of bond that the latter two did. Spending time with friends was a part of growing up, and Gabriel wanted Billy to feel like a normal kid. However, he couldn't ignore the fact that two months ago, Billy had been a run away. While he hadn't made an attempt to run away since then, Gabriel feared that if something went wrong in the strange place that could very well be the lad's first instinct.
However, when Billy had run from school, he had sought out Gabriel. Gabriel knew that he had to trust that if Billy did feel the need to flee the Mendleson's home that he would run home. The fact that the two dwellings were close to one another was a benefit.
Before leaving, Ben had assured him that he would keep a close eye on the boys. The feed store owner had pointed out that they only minutes away from him and reminded Gabriel that he had been a father much longer than Gabriel had. The last point was one in which Gabriel hadn't been able to argue against.
As he walked into the Mounted Police office, Gabriel had managed to convince himself that everything was going to be okay. That the worst that would happen was that he wouldn't be able to sleep because he had gotten use to having Billy around. He was starting to understand exactly what Lillian had meant about the orphanage feeling empty after Ellie and Sophia's departure.
Gabriel spent a little time finishing some paperwork in his office, stalling going into the empty rooms behind the jail. When it was done, he locked the office door, tended to the stove, and then put out the lights. Opening the door leading back to his apartment, Gabriel stepped through intending to make himself something simple for dinner. He made his way toward the small table where the lamp sat.
About half way between the door and the table, Gabriel felt his arms being seized from either side. His mind had barely had time to register the danger when he felt a strong arm loop around his neck pinning him against the third person who had grabbed him. The arm against his neck kept him from calling out as he struggled to even draw in a breath. Gabriel tried to no avail to pull his arms free and break the hold of the man behind him.
A lamp came on, casting light on the room and causing Gabriel to blink at the brightness. When his eyes adjusted, the Mountie noticed another man standing in front of him. The man wore a hat pulled low in the front and had a bandana covering his nose and mouth. Silently, the man removed Gabriel's pistol from his holster and then Gabriel found himself staring down the barrel of his own gun. He felt an icy feeling go done his spine.
"Now, my friend there is going to release the pressure on your neck, but if you try to call out for help it will be the last thing you do," the man holding his gun informed him.
The man before him gave a slight nod and Gabriel felt the pressure on his neck disappear. Instinctively, Gabriel drew in a deep breath.
"Get the chloroform," the man instructed, still holding the gun on Gabriel.
The man behind Gabriel withdrew his hold completely as he moved away. However, the fact that his arms remained in firm grips, told Gabriel that he was still being restrained by two other men. That made at least four. Way too many to try to fight and hope to actually win, even without the man holding a gun on him.
"Realizing you are outnumbered, Constable," the man in front of him commented. "Don't worry. We don't necessarily want you dead, though believe me, I will pull this trigger if you give me a reason. However, we do need you out of our way tomorrow so you will be held somewhere out of the way. If you are found in time after we leave the area, you'll live. If not . . ."
The man paused, giving Gabriel time to process the implications of those words.
"Well, believe me, none of us will lose any sleep over that outcome," the man finished.
Footsteps behind him told him that the other man had returned from his task. Pressure applied to the back of his knees caused Gabriel's legs to buckle. The men on either side of him maintained a hold on his arms, and kept him upright as he fell to his knees. Pressure on his calves kept him from being able to try to get back to his feet.
The next thing Gabriel was aware of was a medical mask being held over his mouth and nose. The sweet smell told him that it had been doused in chloroform. Gabriel struggled to pull away from the mask but the hand holding the mask pinned his head back against the man now directly behind him once again.
"You can struggle and try not to breathe it in, but face it, Constable, even without this gun, you are outnumbered," the man in front of him taunted.
Gabriel knew the man was right. He knew his struggles against the three men restraining him would amount to nothing. However, it was not in his nature to just give up and so Gabriel put up what struggle he could until slowly the darkness moved in on him.