Three days later….

Warren had no choice but to go to the store. He had just enough money for a bag of flour to make more biscuits. So far he hadn't any luck in finding a job. He thought maybe it had to do with the fact that he had to take Molly along with him when he searched. Maybe if he could find someone to watch her, it might turn out better.

They walked into the store and Molly saw Ben and waved, a tiny smile on her face. "Hi, Molly! How are you?" She turned away slightly and looked up at her dad.

"It's ok. You can talk to Mr. Harris."

Ben squatted down in front of her and smiled. "My wife is in her shop right through that door. If you want to go see her, my son Eddie and daughter Faith are in there too."

She looked up at her dad, silently asking for permission. "You can go, just make sure you don't get in Mrs. Harris' way, ok?" She nodded and scampered off.

Ben stood and walked back behind the counter. "What can I get for you today, Warren?"

"Just a bag of flour, please."

"Ok." Ben reached for a sack of flour and set it on the counter. Then he pulled out his book and turned to a blank page, writing Warren's name at the top. "Do you need some butter and sugar too? Maybe coffee?"

"No, just the flour. And I have money. I don't need credit."

"Ok. Sounds good." He accepted the money from Warren.

It looked like Warren wanted to say something but he hesitated. "Mr. Harris?"

"You can call me Ben."

"Ben, do you think Mrs. Harris would be able to watch Molly for a bit? I have an appointment and I really can't take her with me."

"I'm sure she can. Let's go ask her."

About five minutes later, Warren was headed out to find a job, praying as he walked. He needed it. Molly needed him to find a job.

…..

When Warren returned to the store, he was depressed. He had tried everywhere he could think of and no one would hire him. Maybe he should try moving to a different town.

As he walked past the boarding house, a young pregnant woman walked up to him. "Are you Warren Whittaker?"

"Yes, ma'am. Do I know you?"

"No sir, but my name is Abbie Yates. My sister is Carlie Harris."

"Oh yes."

"I was wondering if you'd be able to help me fix some things around here? Carlie mentioned you might be looking for a job so if you've found one, I'll find someone else."

"Oh. Um, I haven't been able to nail down a job yet."

"Well, I need a few things repaired here. Since my grandfather passed awhile back, I have just been putting it off and my husband is a banker, not a handyman. Would you be willing to help me?"

"Um, I…"

"I would pay you with room and board. That includes three hot meals a day."

That clinched it for him. "Yes. I'll help you."

"Thank you. Can you start today?"

"Yes. My daughter is four years old. I just need to find a place for her."

"Oh, she's welcome to keep me company. My younger sisters and my niece Ellie will be here when school gets out. They'll be happy to have another little person to play with."

"If you're sure."

"Mr. Whittaker, you're doing me a huge service if you fix some things for me. I'm completely sure."

"Thank you, Mrs. Yates. I'll go get Molly and our things and we will be here shortly."

"Great, I'll see you soon."

Warren didn't know what had happened but it was definitely an answered prayer.

….

"Are we really going to live in a house, Daddy?"

"Yes, baby. A big house. And a really nice lady, Mrs. Yates, will be there. She will cook for us and you'll have a nice soft bed to sleep on." He smiled as she skipped around their campsite while he packed up their belongings.

"Yay!"

A few moments later, they walked down the sidewalk in town. Molly held on to his pocket as he walked since his arms were full. She carried her prized possession, George, the stuffed teddy her mother had given her before she passed away. He was wrapped in her old baby blanket and tucked securely in her arm.

"Wow! This is a big house! Do I get my own room too?"

"No, sorry. You'll have to share with me for now. Maybe some day you can."

"Oh ok. I wouldn't want you to be scared."

He held back his chuckle and just smiled, walking up the steps to the boarding house door.

It opened as they approached, almost as if she had been watching for them. "Welcome! Come in."

"Thank you, Mrs. Yates. This is Molly."

"Hi, sweetheart. You can hang your coats here if you'd like. Your room is number 6, just at the top of the stairs. The bathroom is next door to your room."

"Thank you." He put his things down and helped Molly unbutton her coat and then removed his own. Then they removed their shoes and set them by the door on the rug.

"You live here too?" Molly asked quietly.

"Nope. I live with my husband and sister-in-law above the bank."

"Oh."

"Well, I'll go put our things in our room and then I'll be down to start working."

"Ok. Molly, I'm making chocolate chip cookies. Wanna help?" Abbie held her hand out and waited.

"Can I, Daddy?"

"Yes, you can."

Molly took Abbie's hand and followed, looking back once at him, a big smile on her face. That made it all worth it. Seeing her happy was perfect.

….

BUXTON

Amy tried not to be concerned when Logan told her he wanted to be a Mountie, but she was. She knew how dangerous it was. On the other hand, she was very proud.

"Ma?"

"Sorry. Are you sure?"

"Yes. I want to do this."

Her eyes filled with tears. "Ok. Then I support your decision," she told him quietly.

"Mom, I'll be ok."

"You can't promise that, son. No one can."

"I'll be careful. Dad's going to teach me to shoot."

"Honey, you can be careful but there will always be a chance that you could be hurt or worse." She stood, cradling Maggie close, grateful it would be years before she had to worry about her. "I need to feed Maggie."

"Mom, I'm sorry that I disappointed you. I just wanted you and Dad to be proud of me." Logan stood, looking at her, on the verge of tears.

She turned around and walked over, handed Caleb the baby, and hugged Logan, hard. "I'm so sorry, Logan. I don't ever want you to think I am not proud or that I am disappointed." She loosened her grip on his shoulders and looked up at him, since he was now about two inches taller than her. "I was worried, am worried, about my babies when they aren't with me anymore. When any of you move on, it's hard, and knowing that you will be in danger makes it harder. I am proud though, Logan. So very proud. You made this decision on your own."

"Are you sure?"

"One hundred percent, honey."

…..

Hope Valley

Charlotte stood on the porch of Nate and Maddie's home, watching the stars, missing Jake so much she could cry. She would have too if she thought it would help anything. It wouldn't make it better so she just kept it inside.

She came to Hope Valley hoping to ease the pain. She thought maybe moving back when Jack and Elizabeth did might be a good idea. She talked to Lee Jr. about lumber to build a house and land to build the house on. It would be a small two bedroom, perfect for her, but with a large living room and kitchen perfect for the whole family.

She planned it as a surprise to Jack and Elizabeth and she knew that it would be a good thing. Eventually.

"Grandma?" Maddie came out with a cup of coffee for her.

"Hey, Maddie."

"Are you ok?"

"Of course."

"It's me, Grandma. I'm not a kid anymore. I can tell when you are sad."

"I miss Jake, at times so much I think my heart might break. I feel so alone, even with all of you around me. I don't know how to go on some days." Oh, the blasted tears!

Maddie wrapped her arms around her Grandma and hugged her. "I am so sorry. I miss him too."

"I am going to move here. When your mom and dad do. I think I need to be here."

"Where will you live?"

"I am looking for land. I gave Lee Jr. my needs and what I want in a house."

"I bet Nate knows where there is land. In fact it might be closer than you would think. He's in the living room reading to Luke and Genna. Let's go talk to him."

"Maddie, I think I am just going to stay out here for a bit longer."

"Ok. Do you want to be alone?"

"I think so." Charlotte hugged Maddie and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for worrying about me, sweetie, but I will be ok."

"I love you."

"And I, you."

….

A few weeks later, Mid March

Amy arrived in Hope Valley with her youngest two, Maggie and Lily. She planned to be present with Marie when she gave birth to Amy's first grandbaby. She was so excited.

"Mom!" Mason yelled across the station.

"Mase!"

"Its good to see you. Hi, Lil!" Lily ran into her brother's arms and hugged him.

"I missed you, Mase."

"Me too, Lil. And this little one must be Maggie."

"Yup, that's her. She cries a lot," Lily told him.

"Only if someone isn't holding her," Amy said with a smile, as she hugged Mason. "Is Marie home resting, I hope?"

"Well, she's home but she seems to have this need to clean everything in sight. When I left her, she was cleaning the washroom."

"Nesting. She's right on target. What else is she feeling?"

"Scared. She doesn't think she is going to be a good mom, but she already is. She's been helping Maddie and Em with their babies and she loves ours very much. I don't know how to get her to believe it though." He put Lily down and picked up the trunk that they brought from Buxton.

"She may need to just be the Mama first. Feed it, take care of it, love it. She will see it eventually."

Mason put the trunk in the wagon and helped them onto the seat next to him. "Let's go see her."

They drove the short distance to Mason and Marie's home. "I love this house, it's perfect for you and Marie," Amy told him. It was the first time she'd seen it and now she knew they would be ok.

"Thank you. We think so too."

A very pregnant Marie sat on the porch bench, cheeks red but a smile on her face. "Hi!" she called, struggling to stand.

"Stay there, sweetie. I'll come to you." Marie finally stood and waddled over to accept her sister-in-law and mother-in-law's hugs. "You look good. How are you feeling?"

"Like a cow but fine."

"I don't see a cow," Mason told her with a kiss. "I see my beautiful wife carrying my child. Never known anything so wonderful."

"Sweet man," Marie told him, her cheeks getting more red. "Let's go inside. I'll make us some coffee or tea."

….

Amy and Marie stood in the room that functioned as a guest room but would be the baby's room later. It was painted a neutral tan color with a bed and dresser that complimented it. The crib stood off to the side, ready for it's new resident.

"It's a lovely crib."

"Maggie can use it while you're here. We have a cradle in our room. Believe it or not, my mother bought it for us before she left town a few months back."

"That was sweet of her."

"I suppose it was." Marie still wasn't sure about Mabel Patrick and to what extent she wanted her in her life. She rubbed her back suddenly, feeling the same twinges she'd been feeling all day.

"Back hurting?"

"Yeah. It's not easy to carry a baby, is it?"

"No, it isn't. It's worth it though. Holding them in your arms for the first time makes all pain and discomfort go away."

Marie couldn't imagine that. All she knew was what she felt and that was ill-equipped to be a mother. Mason assured her every day but she still didn't know.

She gasped at a hard kick to her ribs and another pain in her back. "Marie, let's go sit down for a bit. You've likely worked too hard today."

Amy helped her to the living room, thinking instead that possibly she would be meeting her first grandbaby earlier than she thought.