Nathan crossed his arms, looking at Genevieve as she sat in a jail cell. The young woman's face was haggard and she refused to look at either Nathan or Gabe. She wouldn't talk. Silent rivulets of tears streamed down her cheeks as she sat on the small bed, holding herself tightly with crossed arms. Small sobs occasionally escaped her, even though she was clearly trying to hold them back. Her soft whimpers smote Nathan's heart. He sensed there was a tragic story behind Genevieve becoming a thief, and he wondered what it was. She was so young, and there was an innocence in her eyes despite her criminal activity.

Normally he didn't care what a criminal's backstory was. He'd become hardened to their behavior through the years because of his father, and he went after bad guys with a steely determination to make sure justice prevailed. So why was he so concerned about one wisp of a woman with large, tear stained eyes?

Gabe tapped his fingers on the desk, also studying Genevieve. "There's a story there," he said, keeping his voice too low for their prisoner to hear.

Nathan nodded. "I agree."

Gabe leaned back, crossing his arms. "So what do we do? Her fate is going to have to be determined by a judge, and the nearest one is…" He glanced at a map, a slow smile crossing his face as he looked back up at Nathan. "Judge Bill Avery."

"Really?" Nathan said, looking at the map.

Gabe nodded. "This could be a good thing, Nathan," he said. "Maybe you can find out what happened on your way back to Hope Valley. I'll lend you a horse for her to ride, tethered of course." He glanced at Genevieve, sorrow in his eyes. "Something happened to her, drove her to this life. She looked completely defeated when we caught her. No one has ever given up that easily before. She's been broken in the past, and now she is again." He shook his head. "I don't think a long jail sentence is what she needs."

"Maybe not," Nathan concurred. "But in order for leniency, we need to know her story. And she's not talking." He eyed her, seeing that she was still looking at the ground. "I get the feeling she doesn't trust us."

"You too?" Gabe asked, smiling ruefully. "Glad I'm not the only one with that impression." He raised his brows. "So? Will you take her to Hope Valley with you? I have a feeling Bill is the judge she needs, not some random judge who won't even ask to hear her story."

Nathan chuckled. "What makes you think Bill is going to be willing to listen?"

Gabe grinned at him. "Because you are going to talk to him. He'll listen to you."

"Maybe," Nathan said, doubtful. "Bill is pretty tough." He considered Gabe's request. Gabe let him have the time he needed to think it over. Finally, Nathan nodded.

"Alright. I'll take her to Hope Valley."

Gabe stood. "Excellent. I'll make the preparations." He reached out, clasping Nathan's hand in his. "Thanks for coming to help on this case, Nathan. I really appreciate it. I owe you one."

Nathan smirked. "Yeah, you do."

Gabe slapped him on the back, grinning. "Now, let's get all the arrangements made so you can get home to your family."

Elizabeth sat on the settee, Allie on one side and Jack on the other. It had been several days since Nathan went to Brookfield, and Elizabeth was doing everything she could to keep herself busy. She knew the chances of him coming home to her were good, but the slight fear of the unknown kept her up at night.

"Who wants to read a bedtime story?" she asked, forcing a brightness into her voice that she didn't feel.

Both children seemed to pick up on her mood. Jack crawled into her lap, framing her face in his little hands. "When Daddy coming home?" he asked, his blue eyes wide and innocent. "I want Daddy."

Elizabeth blinked back tears, wrapping her son in a hug. "Me too, sweetie."

"You miss him a lot, don't you?" Allie asked, her own eyes slightly sad. "I never like it when he has to go out of town."

"I know," Elizabeth said, drawing Allie to her with her other arm. "We just have to keep praying that he'll be back home again soon, safe and sound."

"Did someone say safe and sound?"

Elizabeth thought she was hearing things, but Jack and Allie both squealed in their excitement and ran to Nathan as he came through the front door. He swung Jack up into his arms, then hugged Allie close to his side. "I missed you both so much," he said, pressing a kiss first to Allie's forehead, then to Jack's cheek. "How are my favorite kids?"

"Better now that you're home," Allie said, not wanting to let him go.

"Hi, Daddy," Jack said, nestling his head against Nathan's shoulder. "Bedtime stowey?"

"Mom was about to read to us," Allie explained.

Nathan looked at Elizabeth, and she about melted at the look in his eyes. "Tell you what, why don't you both get your pajamas on, and then I'll read you a story and put you to bed?" he suggested, his eyes twinkling. "I need to give your mama a hello kiss."

"Yuck!" Allie exclaimed, taking Jack by the hand and pulling him toward his room. "Come on, Jack, I'll help you with your pajamas. They're about to get all mushy."

Nathan chuckled, walking purposefully toward Elizabeth. She met him halfway and snuggled into his arms. His warm, solid presence comforted her, and she pressed closer to him. "You're home," she breathed, taking in the scent of pine that always accompanied him. His familiar smell, his familiar hold soothed her mind, and in a rush all her anxiety over the past few days vanished. She let out a sigh, feeling safe and secure in Nathan's arms.

"I'm home," he repeated, running a hand up and down her back. "I missed you," he whispered, pulling back enough to smile into her eyes. He bent to kiss her, keeping it gentle. Elizabeth wanted to deepen the kiss, but she heard Jack and Allie's voices and knew they would be back soon. She reluctantly pulled away, and Nathan ran a hand down her cheek. "Later," he said softly, a promise in his eyes. Elizabeth drew in a deep breath as he gently let her go, heading for Jack's room to read the kids a story.

Elizabeth busied herself with making tea for the two of them. She wanted to know how his trip had gone. If he was back, that must mean they had caught the thief. She wondered how dangerous it had been, and how close she might have come to losing him. Pushing the thoughts away, Elizabeth focused on the tea. Once it was steeping, she brought both mugs to the living room and placed them on the coffee table as she curled up on the settee, waiting for Nathan.

When he finally reappeared, Elizabeth pressed close to him again. No words were needed for several minutes. She just wanted to be close to her husband. Four days was the longest they had been apart, and now she needed to make up for lost time.

She sighed softly, dreading the answer to her question but needing to know. "Were you safe, Nathan?"

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then looked into her eyes. "Yes, Elizabeth, I was safe. That was the easiest arrest of my career. She didn't even put up a fight."

"She?" Elizabeth asked, sitting upright. "The thief was a woman?"

Nathan nodded. "Her name is Genevieve Elliott. She was a maid at the Brookfield Hotel. That's all I know about her. She's not talking otherwise. We needed a judge to figure out what to do with her, so she's currently sitting in our Hope Valley jail until I can talk to Bill about…"

"Our jail?" Elizabeth interrupted, confused. "Why is she in our jail? Shouldn't she be in Brookfield?"

"Bill is the nearest judge," Nathan said with a shrug. "Gabe asked if she could come here."

Elizabeth studied him. "What aren't you telling me, Nathan?"

He sighed. "I don't know how to explain it, Elizabeth, but she doesn't strike me as a heartless thief. She looked utterly defeated when we caught her, and she gave herself up without a fight. She had the look of a broken woman. Gabe and I talked, and we wanted her to go somewhere she would have a fighting chance of getting back on her feet again after justice is served. Hope Valley felt like the right place for that." He hesitated. "I have a favor to ask you, Elizabeth."

She raised her brows. "What's that?"

"Genevieve wouldn't talk to me and she wouldn't talk to Gabe. I doubt she'll talk to Bill. But you…" He smiled. "You have a way of getting past people's defenses, and she might be willing to talk to another woman. Would you mind trying to find out her story?"

Elizabeth smiled, touching a hand to Nathan's cheek. "Of course I will, sweetheart." Her heart was touched just by the little he'd told her. What trials must this poor woman have been through to turn to theft? "I'll come with you to work tomorrow morning and see if she'll tell me anything." She smiled. "Maybe we can stop by Abigail's first to see if Clara will fix a nice, homemade breakfast for Genevieve."

Nathan laughed softly, framing Elizabeth's face in his hands. "That's one of the reasons I love you," he said tenderly. "You have such a heart for others." He pressed his lips to hers, softly at first, but four days of being apart soon drove them to passion. Their kisses became fervent. Elizabeth held tightly to Nathan, unable to get close enough. He let his lips trail to her cheek, pressing soft kisses there. "You have no idea how much I've missed you," he breathed, running his hand through her hair.

"Show me?" she whispered, pressing her lips to his neck.

Nathan's eyes heated, and he nodded, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to their room, where he proceeded to show her exactly how much he had missed her.

The next morning, Elizabeth and Nathan stopped by the cafe on their way to the jail. "Hi, Clara," Elizabeth said when she reached the counter as Nathan went to talk to Bill in the kitchen. "How are you today?"

Clara gave her a strained smile. "Tired. Working two jobs is really starting to wear on me. I wish Bill could find someone to help out at the cafe, but there just isn't anyone. I'd like to go full time at the dress shop." She shook her head, stopping herself. "Sorry, didn't mean to rant."

Elizabeth gave her a sympathetic smile. "I understand. Being overworked is not fun."

Clara shook her head, smiling back. "No, it's not. But it is what it is. Now, what can I get you?"

"The breakfast special, please," Elizabeth answered. "With a blueberry scone and some coffee."

Clara raised her brows. "Of course. You normally eat a light breakfast, though. Is the baby growing?" she asked with a smile.

Elizabeth laughed. "Probably, but the breakfast isn't for me. It's for a prisoner."

"Ah," Clara said, an understanding look in her eyes. "I heard about her." She smiled. "Glad to see you think she should be treated like a human being."

Elizabeth smiled back. "Nathan thinks there's more to her story than meets the eye. He wants me to talk to her. I figured a nice breakfast might help with that."

Within five minutes, the food was packaged up and they were carrying it to the jail. Nathan smiled at Elizabeth, wrapping an arm around her. "I appreciate you doing this," he said. "I can't explain why this is important, but I think it is."

"That's all I need to know," Elizabeth said. "I trust your instincts, Nathan."

"Thank you," he said simply, holding open the door to the jail for her. Elizabeth stepped in, placing the food and coffee on Nathan's desk. She looked at the cell, taking in the young woman sitting there. Her blonde hair was long and tangled, tear stains on her cheeks. She looked up briefly, and Elizabeth saw a pair of large, soulful brown eyes that spoke of deep sadness and pain. Genevieve lowered her eyes quickly, but not before Elizabeth saw a hint of curiosity in their depths.

She put a hand on Nathan's arm. "Can I talk to her alone?"

He nodded, heading for the door. Elizabeth chewed her lip, debating her next question. "Nathan?"

He turned. "Yes?"

She went to him, whispering. "Can I let her out of her cell so she can eat at the desk?"

His brows shot up in surprise, but he didn't say no. Instead, a small smile appeared on his face. "The keys are hanging on that hook," he said, motioning toward it. "And I'll be right outside if you need anything."

She nodded. "Thank you, sweetheart."

He kissed her cheek, smiling at her before going out the door.

Elizabeth turned to the cell. She got the keys and unlocked the paddock. Genevieve looked up with a start, surprise in her eyes. She scooted back against the wall as if Elizabeth was an intruder bent on harming her. Trying not to show shock at her reaction, Elizabeth smiled gently. "Hello, Genevieve. My name is Elizabeth. I brought you some breakfast. Are you hungry?"

Genevieve's eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently.

Elizabeth tilted her head. "Are you sure? Constable Grant told me you haven't eaten anything since leaving Brookfield yesterday. You must be famished." She motioned to the desk. "You can eat out here."

Genevieve blinked, clearly not expecting that. She moved hesitatingly toward the edge of the bed, placing her feet on the floor and studying Elizabeth. Elizabeth stood still, thinking the slightest movement might spook this woman who looked like a scared deer. Genevieve tentatively stood, her arms crossed tightly over her body. "Out there?" she asked, looking at the desk and then looking at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded, her smile soft. "Yes, out there. The food is warm, and I can personally vouch for it being delicious. Abigail's Cafe has the best food in town." She gestured for Genevieve to follow her and went to sit in one of the chairs by Nathan's desk.

Genevieve hesitated for another minute, and for a moment Elizabeth thought she would refuse the meal. But then she started inching forward slowly until she made it to the desk, sitting stiffly in the chair next to Elizabeth.

Pushing the bag toward her, Elizabeth smiled. "The special this morning was a sausage and peppers omelette, hash browns, and a cup of fresh fruit, and there's a blueberry scone in there too. I've also got fresh coffee here." She handed Genevieve the steaming mug.

Genevieve looked overwhelmed. "All of this...for me?" she asked, her eyes wide. "What do I have to do for it?"

"Do for it?" Elizabeth said, her brow wrinkling. "Nothing. I was just hoping to ask you some questions, but even if you don't want to answer, the food is yours."

That seemed to be all the young woman needed to hear. She tore into the food with a hunger that made Elizabeth's heart ache. Clearly, she wasn't well fed. Her frame was small, too small for a woman her age. Elizabeth let her eat, not trying to talk while she shoveled food into her mouth.

More than halfway through her meal, Genevieve slowed down, glancing at Elizabeth as her pale cheeks bloomed pink. "I'm sorry," she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I'm not being very polite, am I?"

"Don't worry about it," Elizabeth said gently. "You're hungry."

Genevieve took a sip of coffee, giving a little sigh. "Do you know how long it's been since I had coffee?" she asked, staring into the cup. "It's a luxury I couldn't afford for a long time. This tastes like heaven."

That piqued Elizabeth's curiosity. "Genevieve, is that why you stole? Because you couldn't afford to eat?"

A lump appeared in the other woman's throat as tears filled her eyes. She nodded slowly, unable to meet Elizabeth's gaze.

Elizabeth's heart hurt for her, and she couldn't resist pulling Genevieve into a hug. Genevieve was stiff in her arms, but softened for a brief moment, unable to resist the comfort of human contact. Elizabeth wondered when she was last hugged or even touched with any kind of affection. They pulled back, and Genevieve gave her a timid smile before resuming her meal. By the time she was done, she gave a sigh of contentment and then sipped her coffee, savoring every drop. She glanced at Elizabeth. "You said you have questions," she stated.

Elizabeth nodded. "My husband asked me to talk to you, to see if you would share your story with me."

"Your husband?" Genevieve asked, her face blank.

Elizabeth nodded. "Constable Grant."

An iron curtain settled over Genevieve's face. "You're married to the man who arrested me?" she asked, eyes wide as she recoiled. "Why would you want to talk to me?"

"Constable Grant wants to help you," Elizabeth said quickly, fearing she was losing Genevieve. "He has to bring your case before the judge in town, and he wants to know your story so he can…"

"No!" Genevieve said, shaking her head wildly. "He can't be trusted!"

Elizabeth blinked. "You don't know him. Why would you think that?"

Genevieve's nose wrinkled, and she was unable to hide an angry look from her face. "He's a Mountie," she said, making it sound like a dirty word. "They can't be trusted."

In an instant, Elizabeth knew this woman had been deeply hurt by a Mountie, emotionally and maybe even physically. She leaned forward, wanting Genevieve to hear her. "You can trust Nathan," she said firmly. "I know my husband, and he is one of the most caring men around. He is a staunch advocate for justice. He wants to help you. Please, Genevieve, let him help you."

"He can't help me!" she cried, folding her arms around herself once more. "No one can help me! I'm past helping." She lowered her head, sobs choking her.

"No one is past helping," Elizabeth said, reaching out a hand to Genevieve's shoulder. "This is Hope Valley. Hope lives here, no matter who you are. Second chances, redemption, new beginnings...that's what this town is all about."

Genevieve looked up, tears making two lines down her cheeks. "Not for me," she said brokenly. "You don't know what I've done."

"What have you done?" Elizabeth asked. "Whatever it is, we can figure out a way past it."

Shaking her head, Genevieve buried her face in her hands. "The Mounties are looking for me. It's only a matter of time until Constable Grant realizes who I am." She sniffed, looking at Elizabeth with desperation in her eyes. Her next words made Elizabeth's mouth drop.

"I killed one of them."