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Dear readers,

Please be aware that my goal for my stories is ALWAYS to align with Hope Valley and "When Calls the Heart" values! Readers of my last chapter expressed the concern that this story might deviate from that — but nothing could be further from the truth! Please continue reading with my assurance that your morals — and Elizabeth's — will not be compromised!

Annette Zoaps

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Chapter 12

The Mountie visibly shuddered, and Bill felt guilty for spewing the news so harshly.

"I'm sorry," Bill said with true regret. "But you have almost a week to find a house for you and your niece."

Bill looked at Lee apologetically.

"We've been talking about my plan to build them one." Lee rustled some papers. "But even if we started today, we couldn't finish by this ridiculous deadline."

"I'm afraid it's out of my hands." Bill shrugged. "The grandmother made inquiries and spoke to an attorney. But I don't have to report on their living situation yet."

He looked at Nathan and wondered if the man might break his teeth from gritting them so hard.

"Here, you need to sit down." Bill pulled out a chair in front of Lee's desk.

"It'll break Betsy's heart," Nathan said with deadly calm, dropping into the seat and exuding defeat.

His ashen complexion convinced Bill it would break the Mountie's heart, too.

"What can we do, Lee?" Bill asked, suddenly ready to help. "You've got building plans there. Is it really impossible?"

"Without a doubt." Lee kicked the leg of his desk and shoved the blueprints in frustration. "It can't be done."

He looked heavenward, as if seeking inspiration or maybe a voice from on high.

"Wait a minute." Lee scanned the ceiling from east to west and back again. "Wait just one minute. Follow me!"

He jumped from his chair and dashed to the corner stairway, taking the steps two at a time.

"What are you waiting for?" Bill asked Nathan and followed Lee, with the Mountie close behind.

Once all three men were at the top of the stairs, Lee opened a door and stepped inside, revealing a long room that encompassed the entire attic.

"Yes," Lee said, taking in every detail of the room. "This will do. My men and I can have this habitable in a day — a day and a half at the most."

"I'll take it," Nathan said, as soon as Lee all but offered. "We'll take it."

"Don't you want to give it some thought?" Lee asked.

"I was about to ask if anyone had an enclosed barn to rent," Nathan said. "This is a mansion by comparison."

Lee looked throughout the space, clearly making mental calculations. "It's plenty long enough," he noted. "Two added walls will divide it into three rooms — two bedrooms and a little sitting room."

"But Lee, they can't cook up here," Bill pointed out.

"Read your orders again. I didn't hear anything about needing a house with a kitchen. 'Under the same roof.' That's what you said — that's what they'll get. Rosemary and I will feed them three meals a day if it means Betsy can stay!"

"But a dusty old attic?" Bill assessed the room. "For a little girl?"

"Just wait until my men fix it up and we let Rosie loose on the décor," Lee assured, turning to Nathan. "How do you feel about pastel purple curtains?"

"Purple is my new favorite color." He smiled.

Bill made a face. "I'm going to have to meet this niece of yours."

"Prepare to be absolutely delighted," Lee said with conviction.

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"Elizabeth! Finally, you're home."

Rosemary let herself in the front door just as Elizabeth was taking Jack Junior from Laura's arms.

"Master Jack was a perfect angel," Laura informed. "He took his bottles and naps without any fuss, and Betsy's upstairs changing into play clothes. She said Opal and Emily invited her to pick flowers in the field behind the church."

"Thank you very much, Laura," Elizabeth said. "We look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Thornton." Laura waved and set off toward home.

"Our favorite little girl and her flowers," Rosemary mused.

"I should plan a lesson on botany and see how many wildflowers we can identify here in town," Elizabeth suggested. "There seem to be so many more varieties this year. Especially purple ones."

"Purple is definitely the word of the day," Rosemary hinted.

"Will you hold little Jack while I make some notes?"

Elizabeth opened her satchel and took out a small book and a pencil. Rosemary joined her on the couch.

"I wonder how you and young Jack will get along once she's gone," Rosemary hinted harder.

Elizabeth looked up from her notepad. "Once who's gone?"

"It's the most exciting news since the telephone!" Rosemary gave a muted squeal.

"Please don't tell me Betsy's leaving town." Elizabeth put her hand to her heart in dismay.

"Oh, no, dear. They found a place to rent! Or should I say, they were forced to find a place."

"How is this possible? Is one of our Hope Valley residents moving away?"

"Here's what happened."

Rosemary whispered the short version about the grandmother's investigation, Bill's orders, and what would undoubtedly happen if Nathan and Betsy couldn't prove they were sharing a home by the end of the week.

"And Lee came to the rescue!" Rosemary beamed as she boasted of her husband's heroism.

"The Coulter Lumber Company attic!" Elizabeth enthused. "It sounds like the perfect blank slate to turn into a cozy little home for two."

"And I've been given the go-ahead to stitch up some darling purple curtains, and a sweet bed quilt to match."

"Won't her uncle love that." Elizabeth grinned.

"Actually, Lee said Nathan couldn't have been more excited."

"He loves her so much." Elizabeth sighed. "But you and I will miss her terribly."

"Oh, things won't change as much as you might imagine," Rosemary assured. "Once they move in, and even after Lee builds them a proper house, Betsy will still need watching after school and whenever Nathan has official business. And there's no kitchen in the attic, so we'll get to invite them over for meals as often as they can stand us. But hush now. Here she comes."

"Hello!" Betsy said, bounding down the stairs. "I'm going to pick flowers. I'll bring you some, Mrs. Coulter."

"I'd be so honored," she said sincerely. "But both Elizabeth and I still have vases full. Does your uncle need a bouquet to brighten up his room?"

"Yes! I'll pick some for him, too," she promised. "Do you have an extra vase?"

"I have the perfect one. It's purple," Rosemary added in a whisper.

"Weren't you proud of your uncle when he spoke to the class?" Elizabeth asked, changing the subject since Rosemary looked like she might spill the news any minute. "I thought he did very well."

"I'm always proud of him," Betsy declared. "But I know he was nervous."

"Perhaps a little," Elizabeth allowed.

"He doesn't like to act puffed up, like he's so important."

"I can see that. He's very modest."

"Yes, he is. He cares for others more than he cares for himself."

"Little Jack certainly responds to that."

"Well, I have to hurry and meet Opal and Emily, and then I'm having dinner with Uncle Nathan. We're going to the café, just me and him."

"Enjoy yourself, sweetheart," Rosemary called as the child ran out the door. She turned to her friend. "As you can probably guess, she doesn't know yet."

"I hope she'll be happy about the move. Do you suppose Nathan will tell her that her grandmother is behind it?"

"If he doesn't tell her, she'll guess. The man doesn't have a poker face to save his life. It's probably good he's on the side of law and order. If he ever committed a crime, his expression would give him away in no time."

"I've seen something in his expression on other occasions," Elizabeth said reluctantly.

"So have I." Rosemary said sadly. "And I think we can both guess what it might be."

"Has he mentioned anything?"

"I asked him, but he wouldn't say a word," Rosemary answered.

"I haven't asked," Elizabeth admitted. "In fact, when it looked like he was gathering courage to tell me about something that was troubling him, I stopped him in his tracks. Oh, Rosemary. I'm sure he was there when Jack died. But even worse, what if Nathan is one of the men Jack saved?"

"That knowledge would be a heavy burden for a man to bear."

"Do you think he feels guilt because he lived and Jack died?"

"I would imagine so — if that is what happened," Rosemary said. "But Elizabeth, we don't know if that's his story."

"It's probably better we don't know. I could never look at him the same way again."

"You already believe it's true. Does that change anything?"

"If I knew for certain he was the reason my husband died, even though it was Jack's choice to be the hero, I would have a hard time not blaming him." She reached for her son. "As long as the truth stays in the shadows, I can pretend he had no part in it. If my son learned one day that Nathan is alive because his father gave the ultimate sacrifice to save him, I believe he would be devastated."

"Isn't that a little unfair?" Rosemary asked with sympathy.

"Yes. It is unfair. Which is why I don't want to know. Little Jack adores him, I adore Betsy, and I consider Nathan a friend. Let's leave well-enough alone."

"I'm sure the subject is far from everyone's mind, as we have a very busy week ahead, with the attic apartment under construction and my sewing machine working overtime. I've quietly put out a few pleas for furnishings — Fiona's been a big help, bless her heart — and two beds and a dresser have already been promised."

"I couldn't be happier for them. Nathan said Hope Valley feels like home. Now that Betsy's future is secure, he should finally breathe easier."

"Indeed." Rosemary smiled. "What a lot of excitement that little girl has stirred up in only three days!"

"It's as though she's always been in our hearts."

"So, once things settle down, who should we try to match up her uncle with?" Rosemary blurted.

"Rosemary!"

"Mark my words — he may be able to ward off Betsy's grandmother for a season, but if he expects to hold on to that child in the future, he needs a wife and she needs a mother."

"I truly want what's best for them," Elizabeth said.

"I'm thinking Fiona," Rosemary suggested. "She's young, bright, beautiful and single."

As Rosemary watched her friend, fleeting regret in Elizabeth's eyes told her half of what she needed to know.

Her only question was, did Elizabeth regret possibly losing Betsy — or her new friendship with Nathan?

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See Chapter 13

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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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