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Chapter 6

"That little scamp," Rosemary said after closing the door of the Coulter home.

"Are you referring to Jack Junior?" Lee asked, taking off his jacket and placing it on a hook. "I'm sure he didn't mean to punch you. He's just an infant."

"I'm talking about Miss Betsy Grant, not little Jack." She flexed her jaw and shrugged.

"She's only guilty of mispronouncing our name," he soothed. "I'm sure it wasn't intentional."

"For someone who's only been in town for a few hours, she's got some mighty big ideas in that child-sized head of hers."

"Because she wants to be a teacher?" Lee scratched his own head.

"She's matchmaking! Are you really that oblivious?"

"I'm sorry, did we just hear the same conversation?"

"Mark my words, she's trying to match up her uncle and Elizabeth."

"Heavens to Bets… Sorry. I'm afraid you're quite mistaken."

"Am I? Would you care to place a wager?" Rosemary's eyes twinkled.

He grinned his typical Lee grin. "Yes. I'll bet you that little girl is not trying to spark a romance between Elizabeth and the Mountie."

"And I'll bet she is — whether she actually succeeds or not."

"And how do you plan to prove she tried if she doesn't succeed?"

"We women have our ways."

"Don't forget that Betsy's a 'woman,' if only a pint-sized one."

"I have a few years of experience on her, thank heaven," Rosemary assured.

"That you do, angel." Lee sighed. "So what do I gain when I win our bet?"

"We can settle on the terms tomorrow. But for now, I want to try to listen in on our neighbors."

"No fair sleuthing for an advantage."

"Honestly, Lee. You must know I'm much more concerned with Elizabeth's well-being than I am about winning a silly bet."

"Of course you are," he said. "Don't stay up too late."

"I won't, dear. After all, even this scamp of a child must surely have a sensible bedtime."

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"Betsy, you agreed very quickly," Elizabeth said gently, after returning from putting Jack to bed. "Are you absolutely sure you want to stay with me and Jack Junior?"

"Yes, ma'am. My uncle won't be far away, and Mr. Coulter is next door. I don't feel safe around those people at the saloon. It's quieter here."

"You may change your mind when you hear little Jack put up a ruckus in the middle of the night," Elizabeth said.

Nathan smiled. "I think you made the right choice, sweetheart. There are many nights when sleep is hard to come by in the noisy saloon."

"My husband felt the same way," Elizabeth said. "He eventually moved to the jailhouse. Of course, he also had a dog."

"A dog?" Betsy's eyes lit up. "Do you still have him?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Elizabeth said regretfully. "Good old Rip is no longer with us. We have a horse — Jack's noble steed, Sergeant. But he's hardly a pet. Maybe we could get a kitten?"

She looked at Nathan, who was shaking his head.

"I'm sure you ladies will have more than enough to keep you busy," he said. "Let's see how everyone likes this arrangement before you think about adding yet another body under your roof."

"I'm sure you're right, constable. I just want Betsy to feel comfortable while she's here."

"Simply being out of the saloon will be comfort enough," he said. "We are very grateful for your offer. Aren't we, Betsy?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Thornton." Betsy smiled.

"I'm sure it's past your bedtime, sweetheart, since it's past mine." Elizabeth laughed. "We'll be up bright and early for church tomorrow. And after church, I'm sure your Uncle Nathan looks forward to spending The Lord's Day with you. There's a lot of beautiful countryside to explore."

"Mrs. Thornton, do you pray before bed?" the child asked.

"Yes, dear. We can say our prayers together, if you'd like."

"Can we say them now, while Uncle Nathan's here? God might not be able to hear him in the saloon," she said seriously.

Nathan and Elizabeth shared a smile.

"Let's do that," Elizabeth agreed. "It will be the very best way to begin your new season in Hope Valley."

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After they prayed, Betsy asked Elizabeth, "Can my mommy and daddy hear my prayers, and can little Jack's daddy hear yours?"

Nathan started to answer, but Elizabeth jumped in first.

"I don't know, Betsy," she said. "But if they can't, I always ask God to let Jack know I love him and that we're all right — that we're surrounded by friends and lots of people who love us."

Betsy immediately closed her eyes. "Dear God, please tell Mommy and Daddy I love them, and I miss them, and I'm glad Uncle Nathan is taking care of me. Can you tell them that even when Grandma told me not to pray, I prayed anyway, just like they taught me? Thank you, God. Amen."

"Your grandmother doesn't believe in prayer?" Elizabeth looked stunned. "Surely you misunderstood her."

"No, Betsy's correct," Nathan confirmed, putting an arm around his niece's shoulder.

"But …" Elizabeth sputtered. "Of course, there are people who don't pray — who don't believe. But to instruct a child not to do so is cruel, especially when the child's parents have raised her to find strength and comfort in faith."

Nathan contemplated for a moment. "If you were wondering how a mere uncle came to be awarded custody over her maternal grandmother, this is why. My brother was an attorney, and they were believers. He crafted their wills to leave no question about who would care for Betsy if anything happened to them."

"Your brother and sister-in-law were clearly confident that you would be a faithful example for her," Elizabeth said.

He nodded. "My family is not wealthy, but we were comfortable enough that I had my choice of professions open to me. But I chose to become a Mountie, even though the dangers concerned them."

He stopped when a shadow came over her eyes.

"Go on," she said after a moment.

"They were concerned, but when I told them I believed it was my calling, they embraced my decision wholeheartedly, because they trusted God — just like we do." He squeezed Betsy's shoulder.

"When we go through hard times, it's comforting to believe there's a purpose behind them," Elizabeth affirmed. "Prayer doesn't necessarily stop the worst from happening, but it puts our problems in the hands of the One who can comfort us — no matter what happens."

She looked into Nathan's eyes and saw that he agreed with her assessment.

"So, prayers have been said, and I'm confident God heard every word," Nathan addressed his niece jovially. "I'll be on my way, now. Tomorrow, I'll stop by for you on the way to church, and we'll spend the day together." He looked at Elizabeth. "What type of outing would you suggest for a Sunday afternoon? If we take my horse we can go almost anywhere."

"A picnic among the wildflowers is always fun," she suggested.

"I love flowers," Betsy enthused. "And you can show me how to ride your horse."

"That sounds like fun," Nathan said indulgently, and his smile convinced her that gathering wildflowers with an eight-year-old would be the delight of his week.

He's a good uncle, she thought.

"Can you give us directions?" he asked.

"Of course. Take the main road east about half a mile to a side road, and you'll see them. They're spectacular this time of year, and the mountains and waterfalls in the background make for a breathtaking view. As for a picnic, the café can pack everything you'll need, and I have a picnic blanket you can borrow. Just stop by after church. Betsy will need to change out of her Sunday clothes, anyway."

"But what if we get lost and miss the flowers?" Betsy sounded worried.

"There's no chance of that happening," Elizabeth assured.

"Maybe you and Little Jack should come with us," the child suggested, all too obviously.

"Next time, perhaps." Elizabeth exchanged a knowing look with Nathan. "This is a time for you and your uncle to spend together. Now, say goodnight to him, and I'll help you take your bags upstairs."

"G'night, Uncle Nathan," Betsy said, waiting for him to stand so she could give him a proper hug. "I'm happy to be in Hope Valley with you."

"I'm happy, too, little one," he said, bending and wrapping his long arms around her. "I've been marking the days until you could join me here."

"Constable, I'd like a word if you can wait a moment while I'll get Betsy settled."

"Of course."

He returned to his seat in the armchair, which gave him an opportunity to look around the home where his niece would be living.

It's not grandiose, like her grandmother's, he observed. And it's not upscale, like her own home was. But this is a place where she's been accepted, and maybe even loved.

He would have said they'd lucked out, but he knew better. He smiled and looked heavenward. "Thank you," he whispered.

"Did you say something?" Elizabeth asked as she descended the staircase.

"Just one last prayer of thanks." He stood and waited for her to tell him what was on her mind.

"Constable."

She stopped when she saw his lips curve down in slight impatience.

"As my niece is staying with you, I'd hoped you might be able to call me 'Nathan,'" he said.

"How about a compromise," Elizabeth said. "Perhaps I could call you 'Uncle Nathan' when we're alone with Betsy, since that's how she refers to you."

"I guess that's close enough." He laughed. "And may I call you …?"

"It's still 'Mrs. Thornton,' I'm afraid. I'm simply not comfortable with anything else — for now."

He nodded. "Mrs. Thornton, did you have something to tell me before I go?"

"I don't quite know how to say this," she began. "When Betsy suggested I go along on your picnic, did you get the feeling that …"

"That she was trying to pair us up?" He ran a hand through his hair awkwardly.

"Yes. You saw it, too?"

"I did. Let me assure you, I'm not looking for a relationship. My vocation and being Betsy's guardian — that's where I'll be expending my efforts for the foreseeable future."

"I feel as you do. My son and my job are all I can cope with."

"We've added one more complication to your life, I'm afraid," he said regretfully.

"Don't give it another thought," she said. "Ensuring that Betsy is safe is very much within my sphere of responsibilities."

"It looks like our personal and professional callings are well defined, so our paths will intersect only where Betsy's concerned." He looked relieved, but then seemed to have second thoughts. "Although …"

"Yes?" She straightened her posture, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"I don't have many friends here yet."

"We are friends, constable."

He opened his mouth to correct her, but she answered before he could say a word.

"Uncle Nathan." She laughed. "I'm sorry, that sounds ridiculous when Betsy isn't in the room."

"You'll get used to it." He picked up his hat and placed it on his head. "But try not to slip up when we're out in public. Tongues will wag."

"In Hope Valley, you can be sure they will."

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See Chapter 7

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Thank you to all who have offered enthusiastic reviews of my story!

My heart goes out to those who prefer to read stories about Elizabeth and Jack.

I know that his loss will forever be felt.

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If you enjoyed this story, please check out my fan fiction about "Chesapeake Shores."

Search fanfiction . net for writer "Annette Zoaps"

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