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Chapter 16

"Bill, I have a very serious favor to ask," Rosemary broached after catching up to the sheriff outside the mercantile.

"I've already invited the Mountie and his niece to dinner," Bill said. "Tomorrow night at the café, if you must know. Yes, they've been in town for months. I'm sorry if I didn't get around to it soon enough to suit you."

"Thank you, Bill. I'm glad my suggestion has been acted on by so many of our esteemed citizens — including our sheriff and new district judge." She put her hands together and bowed slightly to demonstrate appropriate respect.

"You're welcome," he said gruffly. "If you talk to young Betsy beforehand, please tell her I don't require a bouquet of flowers in appreciation."

"Isn't she the sweetest child!" Rosemary gushed. "Bringing flowers to each and every host and hostess. I'm counting on you to thank her when she presents them to you, and put them in a place of honor. It's a bit of good advice Jack gave me at Christmastime one year," she said with a nostalgic expression.

"Fine," he said grudgingly. "I'd hate to make her cry."

"Thank you."

"Are we through?" He started to walk away.

"Wait!" She stopped him. "That's not the favor."

"Isn't dinner enough?" he asked impatiently.

She looked left and right down the sidewalk. "Can we go around the corner and speak privately?"

"Make it quick, Rosemary. I have a lot to take care of before I head back to the city in two days."

"You have the details about how Jack lost his life," she stated. "You gave his eulogy, after all."

"Yes. What's your point?"

"How detailed are those details?"

"You know the story. Jack pushed two Mounties out of the way of a deadly landslide, and sacrificed himself in the process. Why are you revisiting such horror, Rosemary? Elizabeth wouldn't be happy to hear that you're gossiping about her husband's death."

"You don't plan to tell her I'm asking, do you?" She gave him a good staring down until he shook his head. "Now. Do you know the names of the Mounties he saved?"

"No. They weren't included in my copy of the report."

"Can you find out who they are?"

His expression softened. "Does Elizabeth want to meet them? I hadn't thought about that."

"Possibly. But we think we know one of them already."

Her eyes were drawn to the man in red serge walking past the side street where they were whispering.

"You think the Mountie was involved?"

"He's been very closed-mouthed whenever Jack's name comes up," she explained.

"Just because a man can keep his thoughts to himself doesn't mean he's harboring a deep, dark secret," Bill scoffed.

"Elizabeth confided that he brought flowers to Jack's grave one day."

Bill nodded, suspicion beginning to dawn. "All right. I have contacts in the city. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, Bill."

"So, when I find out, do I tell Elizabeth — or you?"

"Please, tell me first."

"Fine," he agreed. "You know the two of them better than anyone."

"Thank you. I just know there's a secret, but I pray it's not what we're imagining."

"I can't promise anything, but I'll let you know what I hear."

"I appreciate your help," she said. "I've got to pick up a few things — we're having Betsy and Nathan for dinner tonight. Oh, would you like to join us?"

"Will there be flowers on every imaginable surface?"

"Undoubtedly," she said with a rapturous smile. "And there'll be roasted chicken, too."

He smacked his lips. "It's a tempting offer, but I'll pass."

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Bill spent the rest of the week in the city, but the afternoon he was expected back in Hope Valley, Rosemary was waiting for him.

"Did you find out?" she asked.

"Yes, but it's not what you're expecting." He handed her a sealed envelope.

"Is Nathan named in the report?" She ripped open the flap.

"Yes," Bill replied. "But …"

"Thank you." She cut him off. "I'll read it for myself. I have to see it with my own eyes."

"Rosemary, Jack didn't …"

"Jack didn't die saving Nathan!" she exclaimed, reading the first section of the document, where the two rescued Mounties were clearly identified. "So where is his name?"

Bill pointed farther down the page.

"Nathan — he tried to save Jack?" She plunked down on a wooden bench with a thud. "He dug into the soil using just his hands," she read. "Pulled out Jack at great risk to himself … Carried him away from the danger zone … Worked to resuscitate him … Jack was too badly injured." She looked up. "So he was there when Jack died, but he wasn't one of the Mounties Jack saved."

"As you can see, it's a brief report — about the same as what I received, but with the names included. If you want details, you know who you have to talk to."

"Nathan," she said.

"Are you going to give this to Elizabeth?" Bill asked.

"Yes. I have no choice. They became friends, but then everything changed. She's been thinking the worst. But this — this is far from it. Thank you, Bill."

"You're welcome. I'd say it's my pleasure, but there's no pleasure in remembering how we lost Jack. But if the truth brings Elizabeth any comfort, then I'm glad of that."

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Rosemary hurried down the street, pausing to peek into the jailhouse window on her way to Lee's office.

Good. Nathan hasn't picked up Betsy yet.

Bustling through Lee's door, she closed and locked it, and drew the shades.

"Rosemary, I'm still conducting business here."

"I have more important things to discuss than your stuffy business," she announced. "I have news about Nathan."

"More gossip?" he asked. "Isn't that poor man suffering enough without piling on another layer of speculation?"

"What I have here is the perfect cure for his situation with Elizabeth." She tapped the envelope against Lee's desk. "But I want to run it by you first, because you know how men react."

"I'm listening. Shaking in my boots, but listening."

"Here's what I found out."

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Elizabeth hurried to answer the faint but persistent knocking at her door, but with little Jack in her arms, she wasn't very quick on her feet.

It can't be Nathan. He's never this impatient — and these days, he hardly dares to make a peep.

She envisioned how dejected he looked lately, and frowned. It wasn't in her nature to deliberately make anyone feel uncomfortable.

But Jack … I can't get over that.

She flung the door open.

"Rosemary — I wondered if it was you. Why didn't you say something? I would have told you to come on in?"

"Because I didn't want to create a fuss, of course," Rosemary explained in a hushed voice. "And I had to talk to you privately. Are we alone?"

"Betsy's upstairs. She just took a fresh bouquet to little Jack's room so we can enjoy the flowers as I rock him to sleep tonight. She's so thoughtful."

"Will she be awhile?" Rosemary inquired.

"I'm sure she'll spend time arranging everything perfectly. She won't be in a hurry, because she invited herself and her uncle over for dinner," Elizabeth explained with a sad smile. "And neither of us could refuse her."

"Oh, that's perfect."

"It's about as far from perfect as you can get," Elizabeth countered, gesturing for her to be seated, as their conversation was looking to be lengthy.

"You must read this before she comes down, and before he arrives."

"What is it?" Elizabeth handed over her son and took the envelope, which she noticed was already torn open.

"Brace yourself."

"Rosemary, what have you done?" She eyed her friend suspiciously as she took out the page and unfolded it.

As Elizabeth read the first paragraphs, she saw out of the corner of her eye that Rosemary was pulling a handkerchief from her pocket.

"I don't believe it!" Elizabeth said in shock. "Nathan wasn't involved in Jack's death at all! But why does he always look guilty, and is constantly apologizing?"

"Nathan was involved — just not in the way we thought." Rosemary drew Elizabeth's eye to the pertinent paragraphs.

"No — oh, no."

"I was as surprised as you are."

Rosemary offered the handkerchief, which Elizabeth gratefully accepted.

"This changes everything," Elizabeth said under her breath.

"I thought it might."

Agitated, Elizabeth stood and paced a few steps.

"I have to talk to him. But I can't leave Betsy and my son."

"Lee and I will start something for dinner and watch the children until you return. I saw Nathan at the jailhouse a little while ago. If you leave now, you can catch him there and speak privately."

Elizabeth's eyes were filled with dread.

"If you return without him, I'll make your apologies to Betsy and take her home." Rosemary paused. "And if you return together — well, I hope you do. Elizabeth, you're strong enough to face this. Remember, you've faced worse."

"I don't know what to say," Elizabeth said, clearly in distress.

"Thank him for trying, even if he failed."

Elizabeth nodded. "It's a good place to start."

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See Chapter 17

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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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