Part 1: Chapter 97: 1894 Red Deer, Alberta

Nate Becomes Nathan

Archie stayed at his home by himself for three weeks, before he realized what Colleen had said about Ophelia and her role in his homelife. Archie was struggling quite a bit with washing, mending, and feeding himself. He realized that he wasn't saving the money he thought he would with being at home again. So, Archie started to think about how to meet with Ophelia with them living contentedly with the Normandeaus and James was still gone–although the rumor mill had it that he was supposed to return any day now.

James had made sure to emphasize that Archie wasn't allowed near the fort until he gave them the orders that he could go through. So, Archie lasting for three weeks was because James was gone for three weeks. It really put a damper on his mood when the food at the cafe wasn't nearly as good as Ophelia's cooking. Archie knew he had a lot to apologize for, but it would be handled with his bonus.

When James returned to the fort with Ares, he checked in with his wife and Ophelia first. Ophelia was in the kitchen with Rachel while Edith painted a portrait of the staff in their home. James smiled at the image. Edith smiled brightly at him. James smiled back.

"How have things been?" he asked.

"Nothing too serious. Thomas and Mildred are getting vocally worried about Eoan. But he is refusing to see that he needs help. He is reacting in ways that aren't normal as well. He is yelling at Thomas and Mildred more. Both are being on the receiving end of verbal abuse," Edith said. "Thomas has been signing up for more tutoring to have an excuse to get away from his parents when they are fighting."

James looked at her in horror and then sympathy, both of them knew personally how deeply a parent's words can inflict a personal wound. And both also knew that these wounds were much harder to recover from.

James looked at her in love.

"What do I need to do?" James asked as he wrapped an arm around Edith.

"Be there," Edith said simply. "Thomas, Nate, and Colleen are having a rough year."

"Always," James said as he kissed her head.

Edith leaned into him and sighed.

"How did we end up with the good relationship?" Edith asked into his shoulder. She felt her husband laugh.

"Our relationship has never been a doubt in my mind. You are my constant in this world. And it is because of your kindness that we have these beautiful, but struggling souls into our lives," James explained.

Edith sighed heavily. "You give me too much credit, husband. You brought Nate. Nate brought everyone else. And they are just so easy to love. I fell in love the moment we met each of them."

James nodded in agreement. He knew that about her. They sat enjoying each other's embrace until Colleen, Nate, and Thomas all came into the parlor from school. Thomas had a black eye and wounded knuckles.

"What happened?" Edith and James both asked Thomas.

"SOMEONE got into a fight," Colleen rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"Someone else has punched this kid before," Thomas pointed out as he rubbed his eye gingerly.

"What did Bobby do this time?" Edith asked as she looked at Nate to give her an answer.

"He said that Mr. McSweeney is a drunken liar, and it is befitting of Irishmen to be drunks and liars," Nate answered.

"Me Pa is NOT a drunk! He rarely drinks. Mother and I don't know what is causing his slurred speech and erratic movements, but he is not drunk! And no one believes us," Thomas protested. "I am tired of being insulted when it's not true!"

Edith and James looked at each other in a glance before responding.

"And what happened after your fight?" James asked.

"Nothing, Bobby got his butt whooped, and it was a great afternoon because it was after school and no one saw us," Colleen said with pride in her voice.

James and Edith both gave her a look of reprimand.

"Fighting should not be encouraged," Edith reminded all of them.

"Talking with Bobby has never helped," Colleen reminded her aunt.

Edith shook her head at them.

"Your mother is with Rachel," Edith said.

Colleen, Thomas, and Nate all smiled at her. All three went towards the kitchen to find Ophelia. The kitchen staff were practicing for Nate's birthday meal. Ophelia was showing them how she made her chocolate cake. But each attempt wasn't quite right. The children hadn't complained about the practice cakes at all (it was the favorite of them all), and the kitchen staff usually had cake batter spoons to lick. All three smiled happily as they licked the chocolate.

The next day, Archie found himself outside of the fort on his lunch break. Archie was nervous, but this conversation couldn't be put off anymore. He was escorted to James' fort office. James was reading a file as Archie entered the office. James closed the file and steepled his fingers over the file. He gave Archie a long, hard look.

Archie sat down in the chair across from James' desk. He looked around the room. James just observed his movements.

"Look, I kept to my word to leave them alone while you were gone, but I can't fix the issue if you don't actually allow me to see my family," Archie pointed out with crossed arms.

James leaned back and sighed heavily.

"You mean I kept MY word about not allowing you anywhere near them until I was back. You never promised any such thing," James pointed out.

Archie flinched, but also agreed with that. He hadn't made any promises to anyone about this.

"And to be perfectly honest, when you say 'I promise' nowadays, we know that is a promise you will break. Why should any of us trust you this time?" James asked with a steely look in his eyes.

Archie looked down at his hands.

"I am giving up gambling," Archie explained.

James sighed heavily as he crossed his arms. Archie did seem to be having withdrawals again. And by the looks of him, he hadn't fed it for about a week.

"Stay here," James ordered.

Archie nodded. He waited until James came back with Ophelia, Nate, and Colleen. Colleen gave him a tiny smile with a wave. Nate and Ophelia were both looking at him as if they were wasting their time with the meeting. Archie was hurt with that knowledge.

Ophelia glared at him to speak.

"I am so sorry for how I have been treating all of you. I want you to know that my gambling debts are paid and our normal loans are the only debt we have. I also want you to know that I am no longer gambling," Archie said with regret and sorrow seeping out of his pores. He was being honest, but Ophelia and Nate both knew that just because he believed what he as saying now, didn't mean he would be good later. Ophelia knew that he could easily go back to his gambling addiction. But she also knew that her son needed less responsibility with Archie being back, Nate wouldn't have to hunt for meals. He could go fishing because he wanted to go fishing, not because he needed to.

"We will go back home tonight, but Archie, know that you are still in my books," Ophelia said with a warning to her tone. Her eyes told him that she was still very upset and she was only accepting his apology because she felt she had to.

Archie nodded in agreement. Colleen ran to hug her father in happiness. Nate walked up to Archie and gave him a side hug. Archie smiled at his family in thanks.

The Grants had to get used to having Archie back around the house. But it was getting closer to Nate's 10th birthday when they felt that the family was back to normal. Nate's birthday fell on a Friday that year. So, after going to school, Colleen and Thomas were taking Nate to the fishing hole for a birthday fishing competition. The children were racing towards the lake that beautiful Friday afternoon on Nate's birthday. They waved to Uncle James, who was watching the town with new recruits, both soldiers and Mounties. James waved back and tipped his head down in acknowledgement. James would be arriving to the Grant home for Nate's birthday dinner. But James also needed to pick up some money from the bank to finish paying for Colleen's present. After the children raced off to the lake, James made his way towards the bank. He joined the long line and began to listen to his surroundings.

"A whole dollar to invest in stocks! What a rip off," one man murmured to another man as they left.

James listened to various increases in the bank before he stopped in front of Archie's window. Archie looked at him with suspicion–James rarely came inside the bank– but also put on his smile.

"How can I help ya, Sir?" Archie asked James as if this was just another customer.

"I need to withdraw some money. Edith would like to pay to have an escort to buy Colleen's young ladies things," James explained.

Archie sighed. "They're getting too big, and I really don't want to have to have that conversation with her."

He admitted as he made a note about James' bank number.

"Yes. I agree that young women need to have conversations with the other women in their lives," James also admitted quietly.

"And you are okay with the books for Nate?" James asked. Edith had found chapter books in Irish and had them shipped over.

Archie nodded.

"It will also give me something to read. I much enjoyed some of our adventure stories as a boy," Archie said.

James smiled. Archie gave one in return.

"How much do ya need?" Archie asked.

James told him the amount. Archie opened his cash drawer and took out the amount James wanted. James pocketed the money. But not before he had gotten a look at Archie's numbers. James grew even more suspicious, but didn't let it show on his face. He could sort out the bank troubles later. He had to go to the Mercantile to pick up Nate's present and finish paying off Colleen's.

He sent the wires through Fred and Jessica.

"Is anything going to do anything about Archie?" Someone whispered to each other while they were behind James.

"What is going on?" someone else asked.

"Archie is overcharging us," the first person whispered indignantly.

"Ed's line has the same figures. It's not either of their faults." the person at the end protested.

"Ed is taking Archie's word for it. Do you notice that Monroe just sits back in his office and does nothing? Archie is making the decisions and he is over charging us," the first replied.

The group went quiet for a small moment.

"How do you even know this?" the second person asked skeptically.

"I have my sources," the woman said cheekily.

"The Mountie you flirt with?" the man scoffed. "Because he's supposed to tell you everything about cases. He can't be trusted to be telling you anything."

"He is looking into the case." she insisted.

James finally had had enough and turned around to glare at everyone behind in line.

"Does your Mountie have a name? Or should I just yell at all of them?" James asked in a firm tone.

Everyone went silent.

"That is what I expected. Yelling at them all should suffice," James responded authoritatively as he turned and walked out of the Mercantile with Nate's books under his right arm.

They waited until he was mostly gone. But the woman couldn't help but preen a little.

"If he is needing to yell at them, then it IS a case they are working," she asserted smugly.

James sighed heavily as he stormed towards the fort to yell at his men…again.

Archie surprised Ophelia at home with his immediate return after work. She gave him a look of complete shock at his showing up to Nate's birthday party. He knew this in her body language.

"Told ya. I'm giving up gamblin'," Archie said with a quick kiss to her cheek.

Ophelia gave him a side glare. She felt that something was going to explode with Archie soon. Archie went to the barn and did chores while Ophelia sat up the party things. Archie had put his gift–a new set of woodworking tools–next to her scarf and mittens. Both were wrapped in green. Archie came back inside to help put up decorations for Nate's party. Being his 10th was a big year.

Edith and Colleen had painted a banner to be hung behind Nate's chair. Archie helped Ophelia hang the banner in the perfect place. Ophelia and Archie managed to get the place decorated before Eoan and Mildred arrived. Eoan was driving their wagon, but they could see that his jerky hand movements made them thankful he wasn't riding a horse. Mildred kept tense as she watched the reins like a hawk, eying them with skepticism. Once they were safely inside the house, they placed their own presents in the piles. Mildred had purchased another bow and arrow to teach Nate how to shoot one as well. Eoan was giving Nate tack with his own symbol etched into the leather. They also put down Thomas' present–French chocolates from Luke, and fishing lures from Thomas.

The adults managed small talk while they waited on their children.

"Who's all coming?" Eoan asked.

"Just James is missing. He should be here soon," Ophelia answered as she looked at the clock on the wall. The others nodded in acknowledgement.

Nate, Thomas, and Colleen had all raced towards the lake with their fishing poles after school on Nate's birthday.

"I bet that I can catch more fish than ya," Thomas goaded Colleen.

Colleen shook her head in exasperation and folded her arms in protest.

"Na uh! I am a much better fisher woman than you," Colleen teased back.

Thomas gave her a mischievous smile.

"I bet that I can catch more fish than ya," Thomas repeated.

Colleen shook her head.

"Best of five?" she asked.

Thomas nodded.

Nate shook his head at both of them as he cast out and got settled at his normal spot. He brought out a book to read while he waited. They actually had time to spare after catching their meals. It wouldn't be a race home to make sure Ma had meat. Nate began to read A Tale of Two Cities. Thomas and Colleen kept bantering back and forth as they walked from Nate's space so that he wouldn't complain about them getting loud.

Nate looked around before opening his book.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Nate certainly could relate to that feeling. He settled in more deeply as Thomas and Colleen both caught their first fish.

Eventually, Nate felt the familiar tug on his line. He grabbed his pole and gave it a tug. He felt the resistance of the fish and started reeling in the fish. Nate used a net to bring in the largest fish he had ever caught. He smiled at himself and detached it from his hook, before baiting his line and casting out again.

Nate caught two more fish before Thomas and Colleen got bored with fishing and came up with their own catches. Both had tied at two. Nate smiled and shook his head in exasperation at the two of them.

"Happy Birthday, Nate," Colleen beamed as they were walking towards home.

Nate looked down and smiled. They could see that Archie was home as they approached the home.

"Dad is still here, it's a great day!" Thomas pointed out as he gestured for them to race back. Colleen took off followed by Thomas. Nate sighed and let them have their head start, before taking off full blast after them.

All three were giggling loudly and banging their poles as they ran into the Grant garden. They handed off the fish to Ophelia and then skipped to the barn. Ophelia smiled at her children, especially Nate, having fun. It had been too long since they had. She went inside to start frying the fish.

The children were happy that Archie was at home for Nate's sake. But they began to worry about the man who had never missed a party without telling them he would be gone.

Where was James?

James was in the town. He had been looking over Archie's file. The Mounties who had been tracking his pawning had finally came up with a total sum. 2, 355.64. James knew that Archie's pay was way less than this could afford. He had signed off on a warrant for the bank's books. They had been brought over that afternoon. James and Constable Wilson were going over them with peeled eyes. James found what they were looking for. Archie had been telling Ed to raise numbers, but not as a direction from Monroe. Archie was shaving off a few cents here and there. It equaled 2,355.64. James sighed heavily. He rubbed his eyes. It was the worst day to arrest Archie. But if he sat on the warrant, someone would claim it was because of his relationship with the other Grant members.

'Archie, you put us in an impossible position,' James thought with irritation.

He looked at the clock. Nate's party would have already started.

"Do we arrest him?" the constable asked.

James nodded.

"But we will tie him to a horse. We don't need the prisoner wagon," James said with a firmness.

"Someone else should do this," Wilson whispered.

James shook his head.

"I need to be there," James responded.

The man nodded and then proceeded to get the horses ready. James was looking at one of Edith's drawings. She had sketched Nate, Colleen, and Thomas during Christmas.

"They don't deserve this, Archie," James murmured out loud as he picked up the framed drawing. "You can choose your path, but you are not free from the consequences of your choices."

Eventually, the men were riding to the Grant home. James could hear them finishing up dinner as he stepped onto the porch. He knocked on the front door.

"Since when do you enter through here?" Ophelia asked as she opened the door to find James.

"Since it is official business. I need to speak with Archie," James explained solemnly. Ophelia looked at James in shock and horror, but also realization as she looked past James to the Mountie with another rider less horse with him.

Ophelia's world came crashing down at that moment. The ONE time Archie was here for Nate's birthday and it would be his worst birthday yet. James watched as Ophelia's eyes turned cold and hard as she called for her husband.

"Wha'?" Archie asked in surprise. He couldn't understand why his wife was using that tone of voice.

Archie met James' hard look over his wife's shoulders. He knew immediately that he had been caught. The rest of the family made it to the door. Everyone was watching the stare down between the two men.

"Do ya have to do this now?" Archie whispered as his eyes looked back towards Nate.

Nate's eyes were hard and glaring in disbelief.

James also glared at Archie.

"If you didn't want to be caught then you shouldn't have stolen," James whispered before he said more loudly and firmly "Archibald Grant, you are under arrest for suspicion of stealing from Red Deer Bank and Loan."

James grabbed Archie's elbow as he led him to the other horse.

"Daddy?" Colleen shouted in horror as she watched her father being escorted away by her uncle.

Archie turned to look at his children.

"Nate, you're the man of the house until I get back," Archie said.

Nate nodded with tears streaming down his own face. The family watched in horror as Archie was handcuffed to the horse. James and the Mountie led Archie out of the Grant property.

Ophelia and Colleen were watching Nate as Nate was glaring at the road. Nate truly couldn't understand his father. How could he do this to them? Archie didn't protest James' accusations.

Nate kept glaring at the road. It was most certainly the worst of times now.

The McSweeneys had left so that the Grants could discuss their new situation as a family. Nate was still sitting on the porch later that evening.

"Nate, will you come inside?" Ophelia asked long after everyone else had left. Nate shuddered in pain. He wiped his eyes and nose. He looked around the room. It was still decorated for his birthday. They took down the special decorations.

"What are we going to do?" Colleen asked as they sat on their couch curled into Ophelia's arms.

"What we have been. We know how to survive without him," Ophelia pointed out.

"But this is…is…is…so different. He wasn't arrested, Mama," Colleen pointed out.

The three sat in silence as they processed the events. Ophelia thought it was ironic that no one was suggesting that Archie was actually innocent. They had seen his struggles recently. They also knew James wouldn't have arrested him if James wasn't completely certain of Archie's guilt. James wouldn't let an innocent man suffer and he most certainly wouldn't have done it on Nate's birthday if it were just a suspicion.

"I know it will be hard, but we will make more sense of our position in the morning. We need to try and rest," Ophelia said as she squeezed her children tightly.

Both didn't move from her arms. They snuggled deeper.

The next morning, the family got dressed and Nate attached their wagon to General. They rode in silence and somberness to the fort. They waited for a guard to open the gate. James was outside of the jail cells. He hadn't changed. James gave them a nod in greeting, but he made no effort to smile or make polite greetings. He knew how they would feel.

Nate pulled the wagon next to the jail. Ophelia and Colleen both exited before Nate.

"Uncle James?" Colleen asked.

"Archie confessed to stealing from the bank," James said in a quiet voice. "He will be transferred to Calgary to be held in a more secure facility for his sentencing. It will be up to his judge to determine where he goes from there."

Colleen's and Nate's slim hopes were dashed completely by this news.

"Can we see him?" Colleen asked.

James nodded. Constable Wilson escorted them inside to where the visitation room was. Then he brought Archie into the other side of the window. Ophelia and James both waited until Archie was speaking to Colleen before starting a private conversation.

"How long will he be in prison?" Ophelia asked.

"That depends on the judge. Archie confessed and is going to plead guilty, which should get him some leniency. But he stole a lot of money from the bank, but also its people. He could be charged per person who has used the bank," James explained.

Ophelia sighed heavily.

"We can't afford legal fees," Ophelia pointed out.

James gave her a look about being stupid, and he and Edith would hire them one.

"Also, the bank can have a legal claim on your possessions until the money is paid back," James whispered. "They won't care if Archie is in jail or not. It will be Grant family money. I would like to discuss paying this off should it come to that."

James and Ophelia finally entered the visiting rooms with Colleen and Nate. Archie was behind a barred window and handcuffed to a table. Colleen and Nate were sitting in chairs across from him. Ophelia sat in the chair behind her children.

"I know this is hard, but it will get better, I promise," Archie said to Colleen as she had burst into tears about not being able to touch her father. She kept whimpering as Ophelia tugged her into her arms. They stayed this way as Nate was speaking to Archie.

"Same wit' ya. I promise to be better," Archie said.

"How can you do that behind bars?" Nate asked back with anger and fear racing through his voice.

"It's supposed to be a great place to think about how to make yourself better," Archie said.

"You should have thought of making yourself better BEFORE you stole," Nate argued back as he crossed his arms in frustration.

Archie flinched, but didn't comment back. That was a true enough statement.

"Nate, you need to be respectful," Colleen reprimanded her brother.

Nate turned his glare full onto his sister.

"He is still our father," Colleen reminded him.

"And yet he has been skirting that role for years," Nate retorted acerbically. "At what point has he respected us as his family? I am done with him!"

Everyone gasped.

"Nate!" Everyone else gasped in horror at his words.

Ophelia had stood up to interrupt her son. James crossed the room to put a calming hand on his shoulder. Nate brushed it off.

"Nate," Colleen reprimanded at the same time as Archie did.

"No! If I am the man of the house, I accept that responsibility, but only because Ma needs that help. I am not doing it for anyone else. And we are done being son and father, Archibald," Nate yelled at his father.

"Nate," Archie said with hurt showing in his eyes at that comment.

Nate glared at them all.

"If I am going to be the man of the house, you need to call me Nathan," Nate shouted as he turned and stormed out of the visiting room. They heard him storm away and then ride off on General.

"Ma…mmmmm…mama," Colleen blubbered as she ran into her mother's arms.

Ophelia put her arms around her eldest as she had processed what her youngest had just said.

She had no idea how to make this better.

This is the start of the not-so-good-very-terrible-year that the Grants will have. Bear with me. As always, thanks for your patience and kind words.