On Monday, Nathan found himself seated in Lee's office, trying to keep up with his boss's enthusiastic plans for the new construction division of Coulter Enterprises. Lee had a mountain of ideas. Nathan wrote quickly on a notepad, detailing the gist of each idea, adding a few of his own when Lee asked for his opinion … which happened frequently.

"I want you to view this as much your venture as mine." Lee crossed his legs comfortably at the ankles. "My time will be taken up running the lumber mill. You'll be in charge of the construction crew. Considering the fact that you led divisions of Mounties, I'm guessing you'll be fine leading men in this."

Nathan chuckled. "Leading units wasn't my favorite aspect of the job, but my superiors thought I did it well. I am prepared to lead again." He cocked a brow. "But are you sure you want me doing this? It's not too late to change your mind."

"You know what you have that the other men don't?"

"No."

Lee leveled him with a look. "Humility. That's what sets you apart. Most men would be clamoring for this job because of the pay and the prestige. You keep asking if you should have it. That tells me you're perfect." He leaned back with a self-satisfied smile. "And that's all there is to it."

Blast it all, his cheeks were flushing again. Nathan was pretty sure he'd never blushed so much before coming to Hope Valley.

Lee laughed. "Take the compliment, my friend. It's well deserved." He rubbed his hands together. "Now, let's put a plan in place to get the word out."

They spent the remainder of the day doing just that. By the time Nathan made his way home, he felt they had a solid base to start with. He'd finish Elizabeth's house, and then start building a construction crew to build or repair homes and shops around town. Lee mentioned a few people he already knew to be interested.

He began whistling as he walked. When he got home, Elizabeth and Allie were out. Since they took frequent trips to see Abigail at the cafe, he wasn't worried. He decided to get to work on Elizabeth's roof. It would be the most challenging part of the job, but he felt confident it could be done in a timely fashion.

An hour later, he was thoroughly coated in sweat from the burning sun, but he'd repaired a quarter of the roof. It proved less complicated than he'd imagined. Satisfied, he gave the boards a good shake, then jumped on them for good measure. They held fast.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Grant."

The unexpected voice made him momentarily lose his balance, but he caught himself quickly. He looked down to see Henry Gowen standing near the cabin, bowler hat in hand. Brow furrowing, Nathan gave the man a nod. "Mr. Gowen. What brings you out here?"

"I have a proposition for you."

Wariness slithered through him. "What's that?"

Gowen twirled his cane. "My men and I have been looking into the construction business ourselves. I'm here to offer you a job."

"I have a job."

"Small matter. I'll pay double what Coulter pays you. With bonuses."

Nathan's eyes narrowed. The mayor was clearly up to something. "Mr. Gowen, I just signed a contract with Mr. Coulter. I have no intention of breaking that contract. The answer is no."

Gowen's countenance didn't flicker. "Are you positive? This is a one-time opportunity, Mr. Grant. It won't be offered again."

Good. "Fine by me. Have a nice rest of your day." Nathan turned his attention back to the roof, but Gowen's smooth voice continued.

"How interesting that Miss Thatcher will be moving into this house soon, with only you as a neighbor. With you both being single, people might talk about your close proximity."

That sounded like a veiled threat. Nathan's eyes hardened, as did his tone. "I don't like what you're insinuating. Miss Thatcher is above reproach, and you know it."

Gowen chuckled. "Mighty strong defense there, young man. I simply made an observation." He placed his hat on his head with a smirk. "Good day."

It took Nathan a moment to realize that the pulsing in his head stemmed from an accelerated heart rate. He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes. A sinking feeling gnawed at his stomach. He knew, deep down, that Gowen had something more planned. Something that involved Elizabeth.

He could only imagine what that might be.


"I'm afraid we have to get going."

Elizabeth looked apologetically at the young mother before her. She'd come down to this makeshift camp with Abigail and Allie to meet the women and children residing in tents near the river. Just a couple hours here told her what a plight these families faced. The men largely worked for Lee, while the women tended the children. They couldn't afford homes of their own, not yet.

"Thank you for coming, Miss Thatcher." The woman – Mrs. Weise – smiled at her. "I'm glad little Allie and Opal seem to be getting along so well."

Elizabeth looked at the two girls. Opal had a teddy bear named Brownie, and she and Allie had made him a home out of grass and branches. The girls took to each other immediately, much to Elizabeth's surprise. It seemed Allie's fear of new people extended only to adults. She'd been wary of Mrs. Weise and the other moms, but she liked Opal. Maybe it was their similarity in age. Both girls were five years old.

"We'll see you soon," Elizabeth promised. They took their leave, climbing into the wagon Abigail brought. Allie waved from her spot on Elizabeth's lap until Opal was out of sight.

"I'm amazed at those families and their resiliency." Abigail guided the horses around a boulder. "It can't be easy living in such circumstances."

"No." Elizabeth held Allie closer, imagining what it must have been like for her and Nathan to be homeless for a time. The image made her shudder.

Allie looked up at her. "Opal has a mommy."

"Yes, she does."

"How come I don't have a mommy?"

Words momentarily escaped Elizabeth. "Well, you did, sweetie. But she died when you were very little."

Allie sighed. "That's what Daddy said." Her lip turned out in a tiny pout. "I want an alive mommy."

Taken aback, Elizabeth looked at Abigail. Her friend seemed to be fighting a smile, but she came to Elizabeth's rescue. "Allie, honey, your daddy would have to get married for you to have a mommy again. That's a big decision for a grown-up. I know you want a mommy, but aren't you glad you have your daddy?"

"Yeah." Allie's nose wrinkled, then she let out a little shriek. "I know! Miss Thatcher, you can be my mommy!"

Elizabeth's eyes widened. Abigail pressed a hand to her lips, hiding the smile that finally escaped. Allie looked up at Elizabeth hopefully. "Can you? Please?"

"Allie … I don't … that is, I'm not sure …"

The child's eyes lit up. "What if I ask Daddy about it when we get home?"

"No!"

The word escaped, loud and horrified, before Elizabeth could temper it. Disappointment crossed Allie's face. Tears swam in her eyes. "You don't like my daddy?" Her lip trembled. "You don't want to be my mommy?"

Elizabeth groaned silently. There was no way the little girl could know what a tempting proposition that was, but she and Nathan were barely friends. As much as she was attracted to him, she still didn't know that much about him. To have Allie ask him about marrying her sounded absolutely mortifying.

She pulled the child closer. "I would love to be a mommy to someone like you," she said softly. "But that's not how things work, Allie. I do like your daddy, but when two people get married, they should be in love. I don't know your daddy well enough for something like that."

Allie blinked a few times. "But you could, right? I know Daddy likes you. Isn't that love?"

A jolt went through Elizabeth's heart. "He likes me?"

Allie's nose scrunched. "He didn't say it, but I can tell. He like likes you."

Abigail spoke next while Elizabeth collected her thoughts. "Like doesn't always mean love, Allie. When a man and a woman decide they like each other enough, they start courting. That lets them figure out whether they love each other, and whether they'd like to get married."

Allie tilted her head. "Like you and Pastor Frank?"

The smile on Abigail's face gentled. "Exactly."

"And Mr. Coulter and Miss LeVeaux?"

"Them too."

"And Mountie Jack and Nurse Faith?"

Abigail blinked. Elizabeth laughed. "What do you mean, Allie?"

"I saw Mountie Jack give Nurse Faith a pretty flower on the street. He must like her."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Maybe he does. But they're not courting, sweetie."

"Oh." Allie huffed. "I still think you and Daddy should get married so I can have a mommy."

Back to that. Elizabeth felt her cheeks heat. Thankfully, the cabin came into view, sparing her from answering.

For now.

She saw Nathan climbing down from the roof of her house. Abigail pulled the horses to a stop, while Elizabeth silently prayed Allie didn't say anything about their conversation. He saw them and smiled. "Hi, ladies. How was the cafe?"

"We weren't at the cafe," Elizabeth replied. "We went to the settlement down by the river to meet some of the families." She smiled at Allie. "Your daughter made a friend."

"Is that so?" Nathan reached up for the child. "What's her name, Allie-girl?"

"Opal. I like her. She has a mommy."

Nathan's brow furrowed. Elizabeth's heart lurched, but the little girl didn't say anything further. She breathed a sigh of relief while Nathan answered.

"That's good. Did you have fun with Opal?"

"Uh huh." She started for the tree. "I'm going to check on Remy."

Nathan turned to Elizabeth. "Would you like some help getting down?"

Though she could easily do it on her own, she appreciated the gentlemanly gesture. "Thank you, that would be nice."

He reached up, placing his large hands around her waist, lifting her easily from the wagon before placing her gently on her feet. His hands lingered a beat longer than necessary, causing butterflies to beat hard against the walls of her stomach. It took Elizabeth a moment to realize that her hands rested against his biceps. A sudden rush of heat filled her entire body. She took a step back, letting her hands fall to her sides. "Thank you."

His own eyes sparkled. "You said that twice."

Her jaw dropped. Did he just flirt with her?

Abigail coughed discreetly from the wagon. "Well, you two have a lovely evening. I'll see you tomorrow."

They waved their farewells. Moments later, Nathan and Elizabeth were alone. She inhaled deeply before turning to face him. The look on his face stopped her in her tracks. "Nathan? Is something wrong?"

His pensive look tightened, so different from the light look he'd had moments before. "I didn't want to say anything in front of Abigail or Allie, but Henry Gowen came by earlier."

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. "That old badger. What did he want?"

"He offered me a job."

"I hope you turned him down."

His lips tugged up. "I did." The frown returned. "But he wasn't happy about that. He made an insinuation, Elizabeth, one that I fear he might spread around town at some point."

"What kind of insinuation?"

Nathan's cheeks flushed. He ran a hand over the back of his neck. "That … that you and I … being in close proximity … might … uhhh …"

"Oh. I see." Anger flared up inside. How dare Gowen threaten Nathan just for turning down a job! She squared her shoulders. "He can talk all he wants. This town knows me, and they're getting to know you. Just because we're neighbors doesn't mean anything untoward is happening. Spreading unsubstantiated rumors isn't going to hurt either of us. Especially considering the source."

Nathan didn't look convinced, but his look softened. "I hope you're right."

She took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Don't let Henry Gowen intimidate you with his threats. That man is mostly bluster. Abigail thinks that underneath all that nasty lies a broken heart. I don't know if I agree with that, but maybe someday he'll come around. In the meantime, we have to pray that he sees the light."

"You're not worried?"

She shook her head. "No."

Nathan smiled. "Then I won't worry either." He glanced down at their joined hands. Elizabeth felt a thrill shoot down her spine as he intertwined their fingers together for a few moments before gently letting go.

"You are one of the most level-headed women I've ever met, you know."

She raised a brow. "Is that a good thing?"

His smile warmed her heart. "Most definitely."


Jack shuffled through papers on his desk, muttering to himself. Where had he put that wanted poster? It seemed to have disappeared.

Bootsteps told him someone entered the room. He looked up. Bill stood there, arms crossed. "Did you hear about Gowen's latest trick?"

Stifling a sigh, Jack leaned back in his chair. "No, I haven't. Do I want to?"

"Probably not." Bill plopped into a chair across from him. "He brought some newcomer to town."

Jack waited, but his friend appeared to be done. "And?"

Bill grunted. "He must be up to no good. This dandy has been closeted in the office with him all day. Wallace or Watt or something. I don't trust him. Every lady who crossed his path was twittering like a numbskull."

Swallowing a laugh, Jack eyed Bill. "So you don't trust him because he's handsome?"

"Precisely."

The laugh did escape then. "Come on, Bill. You can't judge someone by their looks."

"Humph. It's his association with Henry that bothers me the most."

Jack had to agree with that, though many people met with Henry. He'd done so himself a few times when investigating the man. "This 'dandy' could be in town for any number of reasons. Let's not be hasty in jumping to conclusions."

Bill shook his head. "No good will come of this. Mark my words. I know Henry too well. Something's brewing."

"If you find proof of that, let me know." Jack stood. "Why don't you come with me to the mercantile? I need to telegram for another wanted poster. The one I had seems to have gone missing."

"Sure."

The two men made their way outside. No sooner had Jack placed his hat on his head, than a sight in the street made him freeze. Faith stood nearby, talking to a dark-haired man in city-slicker clothes. The man had a friendly smile and stood much too close to her for Jack's comfort. Faith laughed at something he said, sending alarm bells ringing in Jack's gut.

"You see?" Bill muttered. "The man is a dandy through and through."

"That's the guy?"

"Yup. And he seems to be flirting with your gal."

"She's not my gal," Jack said automatically.

"If you say so." Bill smirked.

Jack didn't stop to think. He strode down the steps into the street until he stood beside Faith. "Hello, Nurse Carter. It's good to see you."

Her eyes lit up. "Jack! I was just coming to see you." She slid a hand through his arm. He tried to ignore the tingles that ensued. The jealousy he hadn't realized he carried dissipated with her show of trust. Faith nodded toward the spiffy man. "I was just making a new acquaintance."

The man took Jack's measure without malice. "Constable. It's nice to meet the local law enforcement." He held out his hand. "Ray Wyatt."

Try as he might, Jack could find no reason to dislike the newcomer. He exuded sincerity. Accepting the handshake, Jack nodded. "Jack Thornton. Nice to meet you too." He took a step closer to Faith. "What brings you to town?"

"Business, Constable Thornton." Mr. Wyatt smiled. "I want to bring the railroad to Hope Valley."