James Dowland's return to Candleford sent the town rumor mill into high gear. From the day he'd boldly ridden his steed to the Golden Lion Hotel and, without a word or glance at anyone, dismounted and headed into his former business establishment, the townspeople had clamored for information.

Why was he back? Where had he been? Was he recovered from his riding injury? Had he returned to claim his son, Sydney?

What would he say about Dorcas, once the object of his desire, having married Gabriel Cochrane?

For her part, Dorcas had quietly continued going about her business at the Post Office each day, helping Sydney with his schoolwork and having him handle the small postal tasks he so loved. Gabriel was teaching the boy basics about forge work, which Sydney found fascinating. But knowing that James had come back left Dorcas concerned. He'd not even stopped in to see his son, a fact she both resented and yet, strangely enough, appreciated.

"Ma?" Sydney asked one night as Dorcas tucked him into bed, "Is my father here to take me away?" The boy was clearly afraid and, though she tried to assuage his fears, she was terrified that James would demand his son.

"Oh, Sydney," she said, concern etched in the lines of her face, "I wish I knew. But your father has always only wanted the best for you and, since he allowed me to raise you as my son, I can't imagine that… he would change things now."

Then she hugged her boy tight, kissed his cheek and told him not to worry.

"I believe things will work out for all of us," she said. "You must not fear your father. I know that he means well."

"But Gabriel is my pa now," Sydney pointed out, "and you are my ma. I don't want to go away."

Dorcas again clasped the boy to her breast.

"Then we will do our best to keep that from ever happening. But let us have faith in your father, hmm?"

…

Gingerly strolling down the lane from the Golden Lion towards the Post Office, James surveyed Candleford's main street. Still a small, bustling town. But nothing like what he'd once dreamed of making it. Perhaps it was for the best.

When he reached the forge, he saw a dark-haired man studying him. The man's brown eyes were serene and his manner was mild. But James knew this man had a deep, inner strength.

He also knew the man was Dorcas' husband.

Walking right up to where the man stood, James flashed him a confident grin, stuck out his hand in greeting and said, "You must be Gabriel Cochrane. I am James Dowland."

Gabriel stopped his work and, taking up a towel, endeavored to clean his hands before shaking Dowland's.

"Mr. Dowland. It is good indeed to finally meet you. Dorcas has told me about your time here in Candleford." He paused briefly before continuing. "Sydney is well and would no doubt wish to see you."

Now James looked down, a sadness creeping over his handsome features.

"I hope so," he told Gabriel. "But I am not sure."

Gabriel offered Dowland a kind smile.

"Sydney, like Dorcas," Gabriel told him, "is full of surprises. I think you'll find him glad to see his father has returned.

…

The men made their way into the house, finding Dorcas and Sydney busy with postal work. Upon seeing them, Gabriel noted that James seemed terribly uncomfortable, as if at a loss for how to handle the situation.

"Dorcas? Sydney? Mr. Dowland - forgive me - James - pays us a visit now."

Dorcas smiled at James, truly offering him a most tender look. Sydney initially appeared afraid but, seeing Gabriel with his father, took a deep breath and considered James with a nod that told his father the boy was mature well beyond his years.

"Mr. Dowland," Dorcas began. Then, catching herself, she said, "James. Please join us for tea. Sydney, your father has come to visit."

"Hello… Father," Sydney said, clearly unsure of what to do or say in James' presence.

James could only offer Dorcas and his son a tired, sad half-smile. For once, his tendency towards formality deserted him. He spoke plainly.

"I am sorry if my return worries you both," James told them, his voice weary. "That was not my intention at all. I would never disturb things here. I only wanted to make sure everything was well since I've been… away… for so long. Obviously, I need not have worried." And then, noting the quiet fear in Dorcas' and Sydney's faces, he added, "And I should not have come back."

At this, Dorcas frowned slightly; she felt sorry for James, who seemed so out of place.

"James, that is not so," she said. "Let's have some tea, hmm? And you can tell us of your travels if you'd like."

Sydney, taking a cue from Gabriel, who stood at James' shoulder, quickly piped up.

"Yes," he said, "I would like to hear if you've had any adventures!"

"Sydney enjoys any and all adventures," Gabriel told James. "Those involving snake captures are among his favorites."

James smiled warmly.

"Snake captures?"

Dorcas shuddered as she set a pot of water to boiling.

"Must we relive that day?"

Now James laughed.

"If Dorcas is taken aback by such an event, it must indeed be worth hearing of. Sydney, will you enlighten me?"

Gabriel smiled, nodding towards the boy. Sydney perked up, adjusting his spectacles as he prepared to tell the tale of the day they'd all sought out the "devil serpent" Thomas Brown had encountered in the woods. Dorcas, standing at the stove, gave the trio a mildly dismissive glare. But she knew Sydney cherished the memory of hunting the snake with Gabriel and the townspeople, mostly men.

As the boy eagerly told of making his net, heading out on the hunt and how, eventually, Alf Arless captured the beast during the church bazaar, Dorcas and Gabriel shared a private look, both knowing Sydney was thrilled at having the chance to speak with his father about something so important to him. James, both of them could see, was proud of his son's boldness and impressed with his intelligence.

But Dorcas, turning back to the now-whistling kettle, couldn't help fearing that James would take her son from her. And she wondered if Gabriel understood just how devastated she'd be if that happened.

…

Pearl Pratt, worn down from another long day of shopkeeping, was understandably aggrieved at the knock at The Stores' main entrance just after she'd posted the "CLOSED" sign in the window.

Ruby was around the corner, helping Daniel with some newspaper fuss and bother, so Pearl found herself left with the task of telling whomever had the nerve to bang on her door that they would have to return the next day.

Wholly frustrated as the knocking continued, Pearl unlocked the door and, flinging it open, scowled at the face before her. Then, seeing who stood there, she was truly surprised.

"Mr. Dowland?"

"Miss Pearl," Dowland said, smiling. "I hope I'm not disturbing you. I see that you are closed, so… perhaps I should return tomorrow and…"

Pearl offered him a rather shy grin.

"Oh, please come in! It's been far too long since I've - since Ruby and I have had the pleasure of your company."

…..

"Pearl," James said, his voice suddenly husky, "I've thought about you while I've traveled about."

"Me?"

"Yes. I've missed your strength, your courage…"

"Mr. Dowland…"

"James."

"James. Why would you think of me as…?"

"A lover?"

Pearl's eyes opened as wide as they ever had. Her breath caught in her throat, hearing the words come from James' mouth.

"Mr. Dowland… I …."

James smiled tenderly at her.

"You are such a fine, brave woman," he said, gently approaching Pearl. He placed his hand on her forearm. She seemed afraid. "You show your sister utmost care, love and devotion. You work tirelessly to sustain your business."

He gazed into her eyes.

"And although you err, sometimes, with regard to your … suppositions… about people, you never fail to realize that you're the better for overcoming your judgments and seeing those around you as they truly are."

James paused, tenderly caressing her arm.

"I admire that."

Pearl, wholly shocked at his words and far too touched to speak, turned away. Tears welled up in her eyes. No man, not even the Constable, had ever dared tell her such kind, intimate things about herself. No one.

"I am … not so worthy of your… praise, Mr. Dowland," she said, trying her best to fix her gaze on a display she and Ruby had recently set up in their storefront window. "I have been cowardly, crass and selfish in my dealings with friends and neighbors. Worse yet, I've treated my dear Ruby as if she were my pawn; she has ever only wanted to find love and I've done my best to deny her that pleasure so that I would never be alone."

Turning back to face James, Pearl said, "What kind of sister does that, I ask you? Not someone who loves, but who fears happiness - for myself and for those closest to me!"

Then she fixed him with a truly questioning gaze.

"You loved Miss Lane - Dorcas - did you not? What has changed?"

Now James smiled at her, his eyes gently taking in the details of her face, her clothing, her physique. She was a daunting woman for certain, but one he wished to have as an ally and companion.

"Dorcas could never be my lady," he admitted. "She's far too headstrong. I seek a woman who understands that, quite honestly, a man needs a helpmate - a lady who complements him, who challenges him but who ultimately wishes to be his love as well as his champion."

James reached out, stroking Pearl's cheek with his index finger.

"You are that woman, Pearl."

For the first time in her life, Pearl Pratt felt completely unafraid and bold.

"I am, James," she replied, a confident grin on her lips.

James Dowland desired her. In fact, he loved her.

"But... " Pearl began, hesitantly, "what of Sydney? Your son adores Dorcas. And Gabriel has become his father in all but name. You - we - should not…"

Nodding, eyes closed, James let her know he agreed with whatever she was about to say.

"Sydney is Dorcas' son now. And Gabriel's. I will always offer my support for him and he will always have my love, but I want only what is best for him. That is his life at the Post Office. Never will I take him from that."

Pearl smiled tenderly at him. James took her in his arms.

"He is a fine boy. You have done well by him," she said. "Dorcas would be inconsolable without him, as would Gabriel."

"Yes," James said, not just a bit saddened at the thought of his son being raised by others, even if he knew it was truly for the best.

"He knows you are his father and he loves you for having the courage to let him be with those who can offer him the best life," Pearl told him. "Dorcas and Gabriel cherish you for the chance to raise Sydney as their son, don't you know?"

James smiled.

"I do now," he said, pulling Pearl into his arms.

"We shall always be here for Sydney," she told him. "He does love you. I know. I love you, too, James."

Dowland smiled one of his rare, bright grins.

"Then I have no worries," he told Pearl.