"How is Clara doing with her sewing?" Elizabeth asked Abigail as they sat in the kitchen after school one afternoon. Elizabeth and Kate were at the table doing school work and Abigail was cooking, the cafe was in the lull between lunch and dinner and it was Kate's favorite time of day. The girls would be at the table doing school work and Abigail and Clara were often taking the time to sit and put their feet up before serving the dinner rush and then eating dinner together themselves.

"Wonderful, people saw the apron she made me and the word is out, someone asked her for alterations and one women asked her to design a dress." Abigail said.

"That's marvelous!" Elizabeth said as Kate bit into the cookie Abigail placed on the table.

"I'm hoping she can open a little shop here in town one day" Abigail said as the door opened and closed and Clara suddenly hurried past them without saying anything.

"Clara?" Abigail called as she made her way to the stairs clearly upset. It was unlike Clara to not stop and chat with them.

"Oh Abigail, hi Kate hello Elizabeth" Clara said giving them a smile.

"Hi" Kate smiled.

"Is everything alright?" Abigail asked.

"Well, there was this man at the mercantile…" Clara started trailing off.

"And" Elizabeth pressed her for more, concern on her face.

"and he asked me to go to the ice cream social with him" Clara finished quickly. Kate watched as Abigail looked a little shocked before forcing a smile onto her face.

"I see" Abigail said.

"Clara that is wonderful." Elizabeth said softly giving Clara a smile.

"Who is he?" Kate asked grinning.

"His name is Luke" Clara said.

"And?" Elizabeth asked

"And he's quite nice" Clara went on.

"And?" Abigail asked now, all of them feeling like she was leaving things out.

"And handsome" Clara added making Kate and Elizabeth laugh a little but Clara didn't smile.

"Is there a problem?" Elizabeth asked catching on to Clara's nervous attitude.

"Well I told him I was a widow, but it didn't seem to matter to him." Clara said. Kate noticed the forced smile had faded from Abigail's face and Clara was watching her concerned.

"Well, what did you say about the social?" Elizabeth asked in the voice she used when she talked to Julie about boys.

"I told him no" Clara said firmly. Now Elizabeth and Kate's smiled faded as Abigail looked up surprised. Clara turned climbing the stairs as Elizabeth turned to Abigail who heaved a sigh turning back to her cooking. Kate glanced as Elizabeth who nodded at her school work and they all returned to work in silence.


"Abigail" Elizabeth whispered surprised when she came downstairs in the middle of the night to see Abigail sitting up by the stove.

"Elizabeth, it's late what are you doing up?" Abigail asked.

"I could ask you the same thing" Elizabeth said raising an eyebrow and sinking down into the chair across from Abigail.

"I'm just worried about Clara" Abigail sighed

"She did seem rather upset when she came back from the mercantile, and she was so quiet at dinner." Elizabeth nodded.

"I understand how she is feeling, but she is just so young." Abigail shook her head.

"Perhaps Abigail, maybe she is a little afraid of accepting the ice cream social invitation because she is worried what you will think?" Elizabeth offered gently.

"Do you think so?" Abigail asked.

"I am fairly certain. I know it would be a concern of mine if I were in her shoes. You are like a mother to her Abigail, to the three of us truthfully, somehow you found yourself with three girls in a little over a year." Elizabeth smiled making Abigail laugh.

"You know I wouldn't have it any other way." Abigail said softly.

"I know that, but I think you should have a talk with Clara, let her know how you feel and make sure the reason she is saying no is because she truly doesn't want to, and not because she is afraid of what you will think." Elizabeth said.

"I will, thank you Elizabeth." Abigail smiled

"Of course" Elizabeth noted giving her a smile before getting up to get the glass of water she had come down for.


"Do you think we could get a piano for the church?" Kate asked as Elizabeth was washing the board after school the next afternoon.

"It would be nice, maybe we could have a class project to see who can come up with the way to raise money." Elizabeth nodded.

"Wouldn't it be nice to have a piano by Christmas to play carols on" Kate sighed as Elizabeth laughed her agreement. They both turned when the door opened.

"Putting in overtime hours?" A voice asked.

"Charles!" Elizabeth cried shocked.

"Did we know you were coming?" Kate asked, neither sister had moved as he made his way down the room to the teacher desk.

"Well I know how fond you are of surprises" Charles said with a shrug.

"I am not fond of someone showing up on my doorstep unannounced" Elizabeth said and Kate couldn't help but notice she didn't seem overly excited to see him.

"I must look a fright" Elizabeth sighed glancing down at her plain white shirt and blue skirt. Kate tugged on her own plain dress the one Abigail had made her a few months ago for her birthday. They had standards they wore around people from Hamilton and these clothes while pretty, were not meeting them.

"You look lovely" Charles said as Elizabeth picked up her stack of books and made her way to the other side of the desk.

"Come on Kate" Elizabeth called as Kate grabbed their lunch pail.

"May I carry teachers books?" Charles asked.

"Teacher is just fine carrying her own books" Elizabeth sighed.

"Of course, I forgot this is Elizabeth Thatcher, frontier women" Charles said his voice almost teasing.

"Alright, you may carry my books" Elizabeth sighed handing them to him.

"Charles hows Grandmother?" Kate asked.

"Doing better, she was out to tea yesterday with mother and Mrs Haverford." Charles said.

"That's a relief" Elizabeth gave a little smiled as they started out of the school.

"Charles why did you do this?" Elizabeth asked as they rounded onto main street.

"Do what?"

"Come all the way out here just to see me? It will only make things very awkward" Elizabeth said softly.

"Elizabeth you know I would never do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable, I came out here on business" Charles said as Kate and Elizabeth turned to him surprised.

"What business could Uncle's company have out here in Hope Valley?" Elizabeth shook her head not believing him.

"Charlie! Charlie Kensington?" Lee called suddenly walking across the street.

"Leland Coulter" Charles nodded as they shook hands.

"I figured that was you, city slickers stick out like a sore thumb, good to finally meet you" Lee said.

"You too" Charles smiled.

"You two know each other?" Kate asked as Elizabeth seemed speechless.

"Sure, he works for Hamilton shipping" Lee said.

"I know that" Elizabeth nodded.

"He's their top sale representative" Lee said.

"We know that too" Kate nodded.

"Did you happen to know they are one of my top paying contracts? Charlie and I have been sending Telegrams back and forth for a while now. They ordered a whole load of shipping crates. Charlie is here to check out the saw mill" Lee said. Kate glanced up at Elizabeth who clearly had no idea their family's company was right here in Hope Valley. Elizabeth was shooting Charles a look of distain.

"I don't know you knew Elizabeth and Kate" Lee said.

"We are just friends." Elizabeth said quickly.

"Very good friends, we go way back." Charles added

"Oh ok, well when you get a minute why don't you come by the office and I will show you around" Lee said.

"Will do" Charles nodded and they shook hands again as Lee went back inside.

Elizabeth took a deep breath before turning to Charles, a sign Kate knew meant she was holding in her temper.

"So it's really just a coincidence that my uncle sent his top sales representative to check out a saw mill that just happens to be in Hope Valley?" Elizabeth asked.

"He did give us the best price." Charles said shrugging.

"Charles I have know you to long..." Elizabeth shook her head.

"Tell me, is there a good place to eat in this town?" Charles asked starting to walk again.

"Abigail's has wonderful food" Elizabeth said as Kate hurried to catch up with them.

"Oh, well then I hope you will join me for dinner" Charles said.

"I can not this evening, I am other wise engaged" Elizabeth said.

"Ahh I see, well after I meet with Lee maybe you will spend a little time showing me around Hope Valley?" Charles asked.

"Of course" Elizabeth nodded.

"Kate, how about you? Would you join me for dinner?" Charles asked.

"I can't sorry, I am having dinner at a friends house." Kate said.

"Well, it would appear both Thatcher sisters are keeping up their full social calendar, your grandmother would be proud" Charles said chuckling even though Kate could tell he was bothered.

"Not often, we usually try to be home for dinner with Abigail and Clara most nights, it seems you just caught us on an off day." Elizabeth said softly.

"Bad luck then" Charles shrugged.


After they made sure Charles had a room at the saloon Elizabeth and Kate hurried across the street into the kitchen.

"Charles is here" Kate sang the news before Elizabeth could, dodging the elbow her sister tried to nudge her with.

"Charles from Hamilton? Abigail asked pulling a pie from the oven.

"Yes, he just showed up, apparently Uncle sent him to look at the saw mill, I made a complete fool of myself" Elizabeth sighed.

"I seriously doubt that" Abigail said offering her a smile as Kate sat down to a biscuit at the table.

"It is quite clear that Charles thinks the world of you" Abigail said.

"Elizabeth thought he was coming here to see her" Kate said, this time she was on the receiving end of Elizabeth's daggers eyes.

"I have never been so embarrassed in my life" Elizabeth sighed sinking into a chair across from Kate at the table.

"Elizabeth, Charles cares about you so much I am sure it made you that much more endearing to him" Abigail said soothingly cutting a piece of pie and putting it in front of Elizabeth.

"Does Jack know he's here?" Abigail asked gently as Elizabeth raised her head. Before she could answer Clara hurried into the kitchen looking flustered.

"I told Luke I would go with him to the ice cream social" Clara said as they all turned to her.

"That's wonderful!" Elizabeth cried. Abigail smiled and nodded remembering the talk she had had with Clara that morning.

"Isn't it?" Kate asked when Elizabeth seemed more excited then Clara.

"Well I have been thinking it over and now I am not so sure?" Clara said.

"Why?" Abigail asked.

"Well I have not been on a date in a very long time, and never to an ice cream social, maybe I was to hasty. I am not even sure how I am supposed to act" Clara sighed

"There's no special way to act you just have to be yourself" Elizabeth said.

"Clara, something tell me that is not the real problem is it?" Abigail asked.

"No, the social is tomorrow and I have nothing to wear, I have no make up I don't know how to do my hair" Clara sighed. Elizabeth practically jumped up and down with excitement.

"You can use some of my make up!" She cried.

"And I will do your hair" Abigail grinned.

"And I'll loan you a dress!" Elizabeth added.

"Oh no I couldn't" Clara shook her head.

"Of course you can, you can even use some of our jewelry" Kate smile as Elizabeth quickly nodded.

"Kate, Elizabeth I can't.." Clara started.

"I don't think there is any use in protesting" Abigail interrupted her.

"Nope" Kate shook her head.

"None" Elizabeth nodded.

"By the time we are done with you, Luke may just faint when he sees you" Kate said making them all laugh.

"Come on let's go find a dress" Elizabeth grabbed Clara's hand and Kate's and the three of them hurried upstairs as Abigail watched the laughing.


"Who's that man your sister is with?" Laura asked as she and Kate sat by the pond big an hour later. Rip lay snoring at their feet, he had taken to following Kate around more often when Jack was out on rounds. His little legs couldn't keep up with Sergeant and he got lonely at the jail and often trailed after Kate in the afternoon. They were picking wild flowers to make crowns before going in for dinner.

"That's Charles, he's from Hamilton" Kate said glancing up and Elizabeth and Charles walking through town chatting.

"Mountie Jack isn't going to like that" Laura raised her eyebrows.

"Jack know's Charles, they met when we were together in Hamilton." Kate shrugged.

"Mountie Jack isn't worried he will sweep Elizabeth off her feet and bring her back to her home?" Laura asked.

"Of course not, we have known Charles forever, he and Elizabeth grew up as good friends but she doesn't care for him that way. Charles knows she is with Jack." Kate shook her head.

"Well Maybe Elizabeth doesn't care for him that way, but Charles sure wants to court her" Laura said watching Elizabeth laugh at something Charles said as they made they way around the pond over to them.

"Hello, how is your tour of Hope Valley going?" Kate asked.

"Well, I saw the mill, the school house and main street" Charles said looking back from where they had come.

"That's about it, Charles this is my friend Laura." Kate introduced them.

"Pleasure to meet you miss" Charles gave her a nod making Laura blush a little.

"Laura is so sweet, you should see her and Kate fish together, they can bring home enough fish for a meal in an hour." Elizabeth said.

"Now I would pay good money to see a Thatcher girl fishing" Charles raised his eyebrows making Kate laugh.

"Wow, what is that?" Charles asked looking down at Rip who howled up at him.

"This is Rip" Kate smiled patting his head.

"You have a dog too?" Charles asked turning to Elizabeth surprised.

"He's Jack's dog, though he is certainly no mountie dog, he tends to keep an eye on Kate though so I can't complain." Elizabeth shook her head.

"How long are you staying Charles?" Kate asked.

"Just until the stage tomorrow, those ungodly things are incredibly bumpy you would think someone would have invested in a car" Charles said.

"On there's no roads here except main street. The rest is just wagon or foot paths" Laura said.

"Curiouser and curiouser…" Charles said looking around.

"I should be getting back, I want to change for dinner" Elizabeth said.

"Yes, well I suppose I have a bowl of chili waiting for me at the saloon anyway, it was lovely to meet you Miss Laura, Kate, I trust I will see you before the stage tomorrow?"

"I will make sure to say good bye" Kate nodded.

"Have a fun evening girls, Kate, Jack and I will pick you up after dinner, I don't want you walking home in the dark."

"Alright, enjoy your evening" Kate smiled as Elizabeth lead Charles back to town.


Jack held the door open for Elizabeth as they walked out of the cafe later that night.

"Thank you for a wonderful dinner, and thank you for walking with me to pick Kate up" Elizabeth smiled as they made their way down main street towards the lane leading to the row houses.

"You're very welcome" Jack smiled at her.

"So I heard you saw Charles today at the stables" Elizabeth said after they had been silent for a minute. She had been waiting for Jack to bring it up all night but he hadn't and now it was eating away at her.

"Yeah, we had nice chat" Jack said.

"About what?" Elizabeth asked trying to sound like she wasn't as interested as she really was.

"Fishing" Jack said.

"Fishing?" Lizabeth asked surprised.

"Yes, apparently he is quiet interested in the sport."

"I had no idea" Elizabeth chuckled.

"You know, I thought it was an interesting coincidence that your family's company decided to do business here with Lee's sawmill" Jack said.

"I thought so too" Elizabeth nodded softly. They both looked as Bill Avery was stepping out of the saloon his arm in a sling.

"Good Evening Elizabeth." He said softly.

"Mr Avery" Elizabeth gave him a nod. She didn't know him very well, and Jack seemed to have times when he didn't quiet trust him.

"I am glad I ran into you, Jack I owe you an apology, I was a little out of sorts tis afternoon and I should have said thank you" Bill said turning to Jack.

"It's alright" Jack said giving him a nod.

"What did you do?" Elizabeth asked turning to Jack.

"Well I guess you could say he saved my life." Bill said. Jack's face held no expression as Elizabeth turned back to Bill looking concerned.

"Good night Jack, Elizabeth" Bill gave them both a nod before turning and heading down the road. Jack nodded then started walking again.

"Jack!" Elizabeth cried forcing him to turn back and look at her from where she had not moved.

"What happened?" Elizabeth asked.

"I was just doing my job" Jack shrugged.

"what kind of danger were you in?" Elizabeth sighed.

"It was just mountie business" Jack said easily.

"Jack if we are going to have any kind of relationship I need you to be totally honest with me, regardless of the circumstance" Elizabeth said firmly. Jack took another step towards her.

"Elizabeth it's not that I don't want to tell you, its just that sometimes a mounties work is unpredictable and dangerous." Jack said gently.

"And some of the things that I get involved in I am just not at liberty to tell you about" Jack went on when Elizabeth opened her mouth to argue with him. Elizabeth closed her mouth with a sigh and Jack held out his hand offering it to her. She hesitated for a minute before taking it giving him a small smile and they continued on their way.


The next afternoon Kate was rushed into the girls bedroom.

"He's here! Abigail just let him in" She whispered.

"Oh, do I look alright?" Clara asked glancing in the mirror again as Elizabeth slipped one of Kate's sparkly hair pieces into her hair.

"You look beautiful" Elizabeth gave her a smile.

"Like a princess, and Luke looks very handsome" Kate smiled as Clara blushed a little.

"Come on, can't keep him waiting" Elizabeth gave her a smile as the three of them went downstairs. Kate followed Elizabeth and Clara into the cafe where Abigail and a handsome young man were talking. The man stood up when Clara walked in.

"There are for you" He said handing her a banquet of white flowers.

"Oh thank you, that are beautiful." Clara smiled taking them from him.

"Well you two better get going" Abigail said gently.

"Yes Ma'am" Luke nodded.

"I'll put those in water for you" Kate offered as Clara handed her for flowers.

"You look so beautiful, have a wonderful time" Elizabeth smiled.

"Thank you so much, you three really made me feel like family" Clara said softly.

"Clara, you are family" Abigail said warmly causing Clara to grin.

"You two enjoy yourselves" Abigail said.

"Yes Ma'am we will" Luke nodded escorting Clara out of the cafe door. Elizabeth smiled after them grinning at Kate when they left.


A little while later Kate stood at the stage coach stop as Charles hugged her goodbye.

"Tell everyone I said hello." Kate said.

"I will" he nodded and Kate stepped back as he turned to Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, always a pleasure" Charles said.

"You too Charles" she smiled at him playfully.

"And it looks like your uncle will be doing business with Lee's sawmill so I suspect I will be back every now and again." Charles said.

"I am looking forward to it" Elizabeth nodded.

"Me too, you can show me your wild ways." Charles said making Elizabeth laugh. Across the street Jack was stepping out of the mercantile.

"Jack!" Bill Avery called drawing his attention and pointed down the road Jack watched Elizabeth laugh as something Charles said before reaching up to kiss his cheek. Kate gave him a warm hug before Charles climbed into the stage coach.

"Was that Charles Kingston Elizabeth just kissed?" Bill asked.

"Yup" Jack said his mouth in a firm thin line.

"I thought they were just friends?" Bill asked.

"Yup" Jack said stifly. He turned walked away before the stage coach left and Elizabeth would see him watching.