And the greatest of these is Love

Chapter 15

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Nathan and Gunther were on their horses galloping across the area where they normally did their rounds. Checking in with local farmer and ranchers, Hendersons, O'Neills, and Lipinski's as they usually did, they told them they were looking for three men who might be on horseback and who most likely hadn't seen around their parts before. Briefly describing them, the folks assured Nathan that they would report to the RCMP office any suspicious activity or people.

Several men were working by the footings of St. James Church and although they weren't regular citizens of Hope Valley, some had been lodging at Billees and were recognized. When checking in with Rick O'Neill, he told Nathan that he hadn't seen anyone he wasn't familiar with, but would definitely keep an eye out.

Over at the Flynns, Clara and Jesse both were already aware of what had happened, but had no news to share. Fr. Ricardo, who was living in the little renovated cabin, was outside pumping water when he waved to the Mounties. He had just come back from the prayer service. When coming and going to town, he hadn't seen anyone that caught his eye either.

They didn't go much further east as the Mountie who protected that area, Constable Callahan, was on top of his area, so they headed north towards Brookfield's border where Constable Gabe was also working his area. As they approached they stopped by the Moretti's home and talked to Gino, the father. Gino was thinking that he did see some men ride by on horses earlier in the day. He saw them heading towards Brookfield.

Nathan asked, "How many did you see?"

Gino scratched his head, "I know it was at least two, maybe three men. They weren't friendly, didn't wave, just kept on galloping."

"So you didn't get a good look at them I suppose?"

"Sorry, no Sargent Grant, I wish I could be of more help."

"Hey, you are our first person who might have a clue as to the direction these men went. We are much obliged," Nathan thanked Gino as he and Gunther left.

"We're close to Gabe's territory aren't we Sargent?" Gunther asked.

"Yes, I want to keep going, chances are we might run into him, so I want to let him know what Mr. Moretti told us.

Nathan also wanted to check to see on the little farmstead that his in-laws were building. They had found a wonderful acre of land where they could raise a few chickens and have a cow. It was a huge downsize from their cattle ranch, but still would keep Ted and Bertie happy. The progress on the house looked like it was just about ready to move in. He knew Dee would be so happy to have her parents close by. Lucky for them, Walter was home from medical school and would be there to help move them. Actually, he would enjoy having them close too as Allie and Christopher would have both sets of grandparents to grow up with.

Over in Benson Hills, Brookfield, Clearwater, and Buxton there were Mounties looking for these three men as well as the search party from Hope Valley. These men were clever evading everyone. No signs of these men could be found. The search party went back home angry that they didn't find a clue. As they reported to Andy they begrudgingly went home hungry and exhausted.

When Nathan and Gunther checked in with Andy he had no news for them either. "We're going to go out one more time tonight, before we call it night. This time, Andy, I want you to go with me. It's time you get some training with night searching. The one thing that is most important is listening at night. The daily noise has quieted down. What else do you know about a night search?"

Andy thinking back on his training he spoke up, "To be aware of your surroundings. Any step by a horse on a branch or a whinny can let your whereabouts known to the people you are searching for."

"Yes, that's right," Nathan nodded.

"Oh, and letting the others in your search party know if you want to stop, hold your right arm up, whistle like a owl if you want their attention, and stay in the shadows," Andy smiled proudly.

"Very good. You will do well Andy. I'm going to grab a bite to eat at Billees and we'll head out," Nathan instructed.

Although they went out and Andy did quite well for his first time, they had no luck either. Nathan finally locked up and went home. Everyone was fast asleep, even the dogs. He sat down quietly and took off his boots, hat, and serge. Heading upstairs he tiptoed into his bedroom and looked lovingly at Dee all curled up sleeping peacefully with the blankets all snug around her and hugging his pillow.

Taking off the rest of his clothes, he stretched, rubbed his back and slid into bed. Dee felt him settle in next to her and quietly leaned up and whispered in his ear, "So glad you're home, I can't sleep without you." She laid back down after giving him a kiss on his head.

Nathan turned around and slightly groaned with tired muscles to look at his wife. "I'm glad to be home with you. You smell so good, and I smell so..."

Dee reached up kissing him to stop him from talking. "Sweetheart, no need to say a word. Just roll back over and I'll rub your shoulders and back, that's if you want me too," she teased.

Nathan did as he was told, and rolled over. The last thing he remembered was Dee's loving hands rubbing him down.

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It was a long night for Jake. He couldn't get comfortable. Every time he turned to find a new position, his ribs would hurt worse. Violet was there to take care of him, but there was nothing she could do to make him relax. She took an extra blanket she had, threw it on the floor, grabbed a quilt and her pillow and curled up there to sleep. Jake tried not to disturb her, but the pain was keeping him from falling asleep for any length of time.

The morning couldn't come soon enough for Jake. He felt so tired but the pain was worse. Dr. Carson warned him that he would feel more aches and pains today as his body would revolt to it's injuries.

"Violet?" Jake called.

Violet stretched and looked around. She had fallen asleep on the floor and never stirred. It all came back to her in a minute. Standing up abruptly she looked at Jake, and immediately rushed to his side. "What Jake? Are you all right?"

Jake shook his head, "I need to relieve myself. Do you have a bedpan from Dr. Carson?"

"Jake honey, it's right here," she told him as she came with it and helped him. She couldn't help but wonder how she was going to manage taking care of him and do her local visits checking on other families.

Jake felt a bit better and then laid his head back against his pillow and sighed, "I barely got any sleep last night. I hope you did."

"Well, as good as I could sleeping on the floor. Guess we'll both be taking a nap to day. The main question is how are you feeling?" Violet was afraid to touch him as he had so many tender areas that she didn't want to hurt him.

"Honey, I hurt more now today, but Dr. Carson warned me that might be the case. I'm sure this week I'll feel muscles I didn't even know I had."

Violet's love for her husband caused her to assure him, "We've been through worse, haven't we dear? Every time God sees us through. Now, I bet you're hungry, so what do you have a taste for?"

Over at the Grant's Nathan was being teased by the sunlight getting brighter in the window and the smell of coffee tickling his nose. Rubbing his eyes, he turned and looked on his wife's side of the bed and it was empty. Darn, he thought, he just wanted to cuddle for a few minutes.

Looking from the top of the stairs he saw that Emily was cooking up pancakes, Archie was setting the table, Allie was outside with the dogs, and Dee was nursing Christopher. How did he sleep so long? He had to get back to the RCMP office and see if there was any news.

"Good morning," Archie greeted him as Nathan bounded down the stairs.

"Hello! Why didn't any of you wake me up?" he asked, "I've got to get to the office."

Walking over to Dee, he kissed her head, "That was some rubdown you gave me, thank you!"

"You were out like a light, sweetheart. I think you should eat something before you leave, it might be another long day," Dee suggested.

"How's my little man?" Nathan asked peering over Dee's shoulder to watch his son.

Christopher wiggled and cooed at his dad so Nathan couldn't resist picking him up but now knew to take the burp towel and put it on his shoulder after he nursed. They walked outside to check on big sister, Allie.

"Hey dad!" Allie asked, "did you get those guys?"

"No, not yet, but I got to get back to the office and see if there's any news."

"Dad, Robert really wanted to join the search party, but the men wouldn't let him. They said he was too young, and that really upset him. After all he helped you on the train, and you acknowledged him, but they still look at him as just a rookie," Allie said sadly.

"He'll get used to it. The upper classmen will give him the same hard time. It's hard for the first-year recruits to accept," Nathan shared. Christopher finally let out a loud, long burp and giggled while milk bubbles drooled out of his mouth. "Guess now there's room and he's ready for his oatmeal and applesauce."

After chowing down on a few pancakes and grabbing a cup of coffee, Nathan kissed everyone goodbye and drove into town. He immediately called headquarters but no word. Checking with Gabe he had no luck either. All the men were back to work for Henry and had given their word to search again after work.

Andrew and Gunther reported in. Nathan sent them out to do rounds and to check with all the folks they spoke with to see if they got any news. Nathan was standing outside on the boardwalk sipping his coffee. This wasn't going to be easy as obviously these men had this planned. He kept thinking of what else he could do. He knew he'd be notified if any other Mountie even had the slightest of clues. As he sat in the rocking chair pondering what to do next, Bill came up to him.

"Nathan, good morning. I brought you a fresh cup of coffee," he asked as he handed him a cup.

"Thank you, Bill, my coffee is cold. How's your morning?"

Bill looked serious, "I think I might have a clue to the whereabouts of these guys."Nathan stopped rocking, looking up at Bill, he asked, "Don't make me beg, spill it!"

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Nathan staring at Bill looked puzzled, "What are you saying, you might have a clue to the whereabouts of these men?"

Bill suggested, "Let's go inside."

Nathan nodded and threw his cold coffee out, then he walked inside and sat down behind his desk placing the hot cup Bill gave him down. Looking intently at Bill, he asked, "Go on."

"Look, it's a theory that I followed up on while you all were all out searching. Molly asked me to go pick up some medical supplies that were being shipped in for the infirmary from the train station," Bill started. "I saw the train master, Simon, and we talked for a few minutes about what happened to Jake. He confirmed that he talked to the booking agent who was working at that time."

"Yes, that's exactly what he told me," Nathan's eyes narrowed, "what's the clue?"

"Well, it seems that the booking agent is new. Justin just up and quit one day and this new guy came with a great review from one of the stations in Alberta around the same time, so Simon hired him right then and there. Seems he's been working for a few weeks now and he's had no complaints," Bill informed.

"That's good, but are you thinking this guy is not on the up and up?" Nathan inquired.

Bill walked over to the empty chair, and sat down. Leaning into Nathan he said, "I think we need to look this man up. You might want to check on him with Headquarters just to be sure. If nothing comes of it, we still might want to pay him a visit," Bill looked Nathan straight in the eyes.

Nathan leaned back in his chair and thought out loud, "I was going to go out and search again when Gunther and Andy returned. I'd like to follow up on your hunch though first, Bill. I'll call over to Headquarters now."

When Nathan hung up the phone he told Bill there was no information on the new booking agent, Oliver Jones. "At least he didn't have a record, so that is good to know, but I'm thinking we should follow your gut feeling and go over and talk to this man ourselves."

"When you're ready, let me know." Bill said as he walked out.

Nathan decided to go over to the Taylor house and check on Jake and Violet while he was waiting for Andy and Gunther. They were in one of the new row houses so it didn't take long before he knocked on their door. He was surprised to see Dr. Carson opening it. "Hello Carson!"

"Hello Nathan, come on in. I'm sure Jake would enjoy the company."

"How is he doing?"

"He's very sore. Today all the aches and pains are showing up in full force so he's not in a very good mood," Carson warned.

"Where's Violet?"

"The saying goes, you can't keep a good woman down, and she's making me a believer," Carson chuckled, "she asked if she could be at the Infirmary to meet with Elsa Andersson. She was excited about her first appointment and wanted to be there, so here I am."

"That's determination! Sounds like someone else I know," Nathan smiled.

When Nathan saw Jake, Carson was right. Pain was written all over his face. Hopefully the medicine Carson gave him would ease it soon.

"Hey Jake, I just stopped by to see how you're doing? Dr. Carson told me how much pain you're in, so I won't stay so you can rest."

"Thank you, Sargent Grant, but do you have any news on finding the men who attacked me?" Jake was hoping he had some good news to tell him.

Nathan looked down, "Sorry Jake, nothing yet, but I'm following every lead. Don't worry, we'll find them and justice will be served."

Jake was not only in pain, he was angry, "I just can't get past that time in my life, can I? Why? I thought I paid my price and then life would be better."

"That's understandable, but I think you underestimate your time here. Apparently, you've made some good friends."

"What makes you say that? We just got here," Jake said despondently.

Nathan came closer to Jake and said, "Jake, look at me. If you could've seen how many of your co-workers came to the RCMP office after work for a search party, you wouldn't be worried about your reputation. The men are very concerned and very supportive. So, no more of that negative talk, hear me?"

Jake looked stunned. Did he hear Nathan right? It was hard for him to think of those men coming forward like that for him, no less. "Sargent, you had all those men looking and nothing, huh?"

"All the local Mounties are on the look-out too. They'll be found soon. Don't you worry. You just take care of yourself and rest. Listen to the doctor!" Nathan chuckled.

"Thank you for coming by and letting me know about the search party. That news brightened my day Sargent," Jake managed a smile.

Over at the Infirmary Violet was excited to meet her first patient, Elsa Andersson. Taking her weight and vitals she wrote them down on her notepad. It was so empty and now she was filling it in bringing a smile to her face.

"Please lay down and let me measure your tummy and listen to your heart," Violet directed.

As Violet listened to Elsa's heart she smiled as it was loud and strong. Then she moved down to listen for the baby's heart beat and sure enough she heard the faster pitter-patter of her baby's beating heart, and was pleased that both mother and baby were doing good.

Violet helped Elsa sit up, "Everything looks good Elsa. Your vitals are good, both you and your baby's hearts are strong, so everything is right where it should be. Eat healthy and get your rest and I'll see you next month."

Elsa was radiant. She was so happy with her pregnancy and anyone could tell how excited she was. And if they talked to Violet, they could tell how excited she was too!