By the time they were done with dinner, the world beyond the cabin was in white out conditions. The wind howled outside, but the little cabin remained snug and warm. The men enjoyed a second cup of coffee while chatting while Alaina cleaned up. Nathan had offered to lend a hand but the woman would hear nothing of a guest doing her housework. Gabriel asked James more details about what the men he had found were wearing. As it sounded like what the Barrett brothers had been wearing the day they attempted to rob the Brookfield Savings and Loan, both Mounties were more certain that they had found the fugitives they were tracking. Either way, the bodies would need to be recovered. If it turned out not to be the Barrett brothers, the fugitives would have more of a lead on them and most likely would have disappeared into the wilderness with the snow covering signs of them. If they had holed up somewhere, the chances of finding that place to pick up on the trail were slim at best.
"I think that no matter what, after recovering the bodies we should head back to Pincher Creek," Nathan told Gabriel. "If the Barrett brothers are still out there, we can report in and wait for guidance on how to proceed."
Every fiber in Gabriel wanted to protest. The thought of not searching for the fugitives trails after what happened in Brookfield did not sit well with him. He did not want to let them run free nor did he want to sit back and let others try to track them. However, he knew Nathan was right. With this storm, all signs the fugitives may have left behind would have been wiped away by mother nature. They knew the Barrett brothers had intended to head for Merritt, British Columbia. Perhaps the best thing to do was have men waiting in that area for the two bank robbers.
"All right," Gabriel conceded. Meeting his friend's gaze, he could see concern in Nathan's eyes. It was clear his friend was worried about him. Gabriel just didn't want him to start getting sentimental in front of their hosts. "The bodies should be properly taken care of, and Pincher Creek is the closest place to see to that."
"Besides, you could search this mountain for days and not find the trail of the men you are tracking up here if they are still out there. Very easy for a man to get lost up here. I know that well," James chimed in.
"Are you willing to take us to where you found the bodies tomorrow?" Nathan asked the trapper.
James nodded. "I will show you and help you dig. The snow at least should keep the wild animals from having gone after the bodies. I have some old burlap out in the barn we can wrap them in so you can get them down from the mountain."
"We appreciate your help," Nathan told the man.
"No problem," James replied.
Alaina had tucked her now clean dishes away in a fabric-draped cabinet and now joined the men at the table. "If you al have plans for tomorrow, could we perhaps talk about less morbid things now?"
"Of course, ma'am," Nathan replied. "How long have the two of you lived up here?" he asked his hosts.
Not getting many visitors up their way, James and Alaina were happy to chat with the Mounties. When it was time to turn in for the night, the wind and snow were still howling outside. Nathan and Gabriel were grateful for the good meal and the warm cabin to wait the storm out in. As the two Mounties prepared to lie out their bed rolls in front of the fireplace in the cabin's main living area, Alaina came out of the bedroom with three quilts in her arms.
"These are extra quilts that very rarely get used but they will probably make the floor a bit more comfortable," Alaina told them.
Though he thanked the woman, Gabriel let Nathan meet Alaina part way across the room to collect the quilts. Being warm, safe, and no longer in pursuit of the fugitives meant that he no longer had as much adrenaline in his system. As a result, he was feeling the bumps and bruises that he had earlier been able to push aside.
At least he hoped his injuries were limited to bumps and bruises. He hadn't bothered taking the time to let Maggie check him over though the nurse had insisted on it. Nor had he been in Hope Valley long enough to consider going to their doctor.
Nathan took the quilts from Alaina. As the woman retreated back to the bedroom, Nathan returned to the fireplace. Keeping one quilt for himself, he handed the other two to Gabriel. Before the latter had a chance to protest the action, Nathan spoke.
"I've noticed the slow, stiff movements, Gabe," his friend informed him. "Perhaps the extra quilt will make it a little easier for you to sleep. It definitely will not hurt."
Though his pride made him want to protest, Gabriel knew his friend made a valid point. "Thank you," he conceded taken the quilts Nathan held out to him.
The two friends went back to getting settled for the night, arranging their gear nearby. Both men made sure the rifles were easy to get to, while keeping their handguns within reach while they slept. As they were inside, they removed the red serge jackets, draping them over the back of two chairs. Out of respect for the loaner of the quilts, both men removed their boots before settling down on their makeshift beds. Nathan dosed the light of the lantern nearby, the only remaining light in the room coming from the fire that burned nearby.
"What happened in Brookfield, Gabe?"
Gabriel sighed. Though he had been hoping to avoid giving details of the foiled bank robbery in Brookfield, deep down he knew Nathan would eventually ask. He had a feeling that the need to maintain focus on the case, was the only thing that had saved him thus far.
"Do the details really matter?" Gabriel asked in a vain attempt to avoid the subject.
"As you are my friend, yes they do matter to me," Nathan countered. "If it wasn't for the fact that I know how stubborn and one-minded you are when it comes to a case, I would have been asking for details before this. Any other Mountie came riding into town looking like you did, I would have insisted they sit the pursuit out. Of course, most people would have had the good sense to listen, but with you I knew I would have been wasting my breath."
Gabriel smiled at that. His friend made a good point. Chances are, if he had let Maggie examine him, she would have told him to rest and take it easy, not go off riding his horse for days in pursuit of the criminals.
"Well, we've got time for the details now," Nathan continued. "We are also too far away from a town for me to insist you sit the rest of this out, so I think it is time you tell me what happened."
Gabriel nodded, though he didn't move from the semi-comfortable position he had found on his bed of quilts. "I was out on rounds when the Barrett brothers made their way into Brookfield. I think they may have planned it that way because Tim Barrett, who was acting as lookout at the bank entrance, was clearly surprised to see me riding back into town at that point. I wouldn't have been either, except that I realized I had forgotten to drop off some paperwork to be mailed into headquarters and I was returning to get it to the post office before they closed for the day."
"Most of the civilians by that time had sought cover. However, when Peter Barrett came out of the banks, he had Sam as a hostage, the barrel of his gun right up against Sam's head. The stagecoach stood out front of the hotel, though the driver and passenger had sought cover inside. Peter's plan was to use Sam for leverage to get on the stagecoach and drive away. Once they were away from town, I couldn't be sure what they would do to Sam. I talked them into letting Sam go and giving myself up as hostage. They agreed to it, instructing me to get rid of my gun and putting on the handcuffs."
"Not exactly the smartest move," Nathan commented. "Then again, after your plan with Sinclair, I am not surprised."
"I wasn't letting them leave town with a hostage," Gabriel said defensively. Though having the last few months to think about the Sinclair situation, he had become increasingly glad they hadn't had to set up the ambush. Not that he would ever admit that to Nathan. "Besides, Lillian still seems upset with me over the Sinclair incident while she seems to be on speaking terms with Sam. I figured if I let anything happen to Sam, any chance of her ever forgiving me would have been lost."
As he made the confession, Lillian's green eyes and red hair filled his mind. He wasn't sure what it was about the independent redhead that had gotten to him, but something had.
"So, what happened then?" Nathan asked, the question directing Gabriel's thoughts away from Lillian and back on the current situation.
"With me as his leverage instead of Sam, Peter in the coach part of the stagecoach while Tim climbed up in the driver's seat. He told those still in the area that he would shoot me at any sign of someone following. If no one followed, he would leave me once he was sure they were far enough away. Tim got the horses moving. Eventually, Peter Barrett must have decided he and his brother were far enough away with no signs of pursuit. He had his brother slow the horses some and then pushed me out of the stagecoach."
Beside him, he heard a softly spoken "ouch" and Gabriel didn't have to see him to envision Nathan's wince.
"It took me a few minutes to get my bearings," Gabriel said as he continued. "By the time I got to my feet, the stagecoach was disappearing in the distance. I started walking back toward Brookfield. Joe had either convinced Ronnie to let him use his car or simply took it, I never bothered asking which. Joe had followed, though he stayed far enough back not to spook the Barrett brothers but it did save me from walking back into town. Once back in Brookfield, I was able to get the handcuffs off and send the wire to headquarters about the Barrett brothers. I quickly collected supplies and headed out after them."
"Without letting Maggie even look you over I bet," Nathan supplied.
"She tried but I didn't have time. I knew I had to get on their tail if I hoped to track them," Gabriel replied defensively.
"If I had known what had happened, I wouldn't have let you leave Hope Valley without Carson checking you over. Who knows what injuries you've been riding with."
"Well, I think we can rule out internal bleeding by this point," Gabriel commented, his attempt at humor falling flat. Before Nathan could start a lecture, Gabriel continued on. "I know you would have insisted on the doctor checking me over had you know. That was why I was vague on details. The only thing I was focused on was not letting the Barrett brothers get away. They threatened my town. I wanted them behind bars for that."
Gabriel waited a beat before adding, "though if mother nature has meted out her own justice, I am all right with that as well."
"I know exactly how you feel, Gabe," Nathan admitted. "Hopefully, by morning this storm will have passed and we can make an identification on those bodies. I am more than ready to head home, though don't think I am letting you out of my sight until a doctor looks you over."
"Yes, Mom," Gabriel quipped, a smile coming to his face as he said the words.
"And you wonder why I am your mother's favorite," Nathan commented with a laugh.
More than ready to get the conversation away from him, Gabriel grew serious again with his next question. "So, what about you Nathan? How are you dealing with your own near death experience after the O'Rourke Prisoner Transfer? It hasn't gotten you wishing you hadn't turned down that promotion to be an Inspector in Union City, has it?"
"I do not regret passing on that promotion. I didn't take the Hope Valley posting with the intention of falling in love, but that is what happened. A couple of months ago, when Elizabeth gave me her reasons about staying in relation to Allie, I think she was still sorting through her lingering feelings of grief fo Jack. I knew I needed to give her space. When I walked back into town, I could see on her face that she thought it was me in the back of that transport wagon. It very nearly was. I still feel like I had a guardian angel that day but when Elizabeth embraced me in the street that day, it felt right to hold her like that."
"Not your typical Valentine's Day love story," Gabriel quipped.
"No, it wasn't, but I am okay with that because these last few weeks have been spent getting to know one another and discussing our future together," Nathan said. "After you were shot, Gabe, I struggled to understand how you could still have such an optimistic outlook on life. Though I didn't say anything, I was with everyone else thinking you should just take the desk job and not press your luck. Now granted, I didn't come as close to death's door as you did, but there is something about facing the reality of your mortality that makes you realize that you should treat every day as if it might be our last. How did you put it? Hiding from life may give you more days but they would have no value in them if they weren't truly lived. I get the sentiment now, Gabe. I thought of those words quite a few times following that prisoner transfer and during the inquiry. Thank you for being that example for me."
Gabriel was touched by his friend's words. He had sensed Nathan's skepticism when he had chosen to return to Brookfield after being shot. However, outwardly, Nathan had supported his choice. His friend had at least accepted that it was his choice to make. Nathan had encouraged him during his recovery and preparing for the tests he had to past to prove he was ready for active duty.
Hearing Nathan voice the fact that his actions were an inspiration to him now, made the pain he had endured seem to have a purpose.
"You're welcome," Gabriel told him. Then, feeling like he had to lighten the situation up a little, he asked a half-joking question. "So, two years from now when you finally get around to popping Elizabeth the question, I am not going to have to challenge Bill to a duel to be your best man, am I?"
Nathan chuckled. "No, you won't. We always said if we ever got married, we would stand up for one another and I wouldn't want it any other way. The scary thing is, both you and Bill probably would make it a competition, if I let you."
The comment was followed by silence and Gabriel wondered if Nathan had missed the first part of his teasing.
"And I am not going to take two years to ask Elizabeth to marry me," Nathan countered, causing Gabriel to laugh. An action he instantly regretted as the muscles of his torso protested the action.
"Took you long enough to catch that one," Gabriel teased.
"You deserve a good jab in the ribs for that comment," Nathan informed him. "However, I will take pity on you giving how pitiful you have looked these last few days."
"I appreciate that," Gabriel replied, a wave of weariness suddenly washing over him now that everything was out in the open with Nathan. He tried to stifle the yawn that surfaced but Nathan heard it.
"We should both try to take advantage of the warm place to sleep and get some rest. It is back to work in the cold tomorrow," Nathan commented.
Gabriel wasn't sure how coherent his reply was as he was already slipping into the oblivion of sleep.
AN: So for those readers who are trying to place this in cannon - I am going for March 1917, following WHC season 1 events and "Home for Christmas" events for WCTH. My major change though is that I moved up the prisoner transfer/embrace from the ending of the year to February 14, 1917 (no I don't know if Valentine's Day was celebrated officially on that day back then or not but it is in my story) before the rest of the events of season 7. I wanted that event to happen for something I have planned in a future chapter.
FYI: Anyone catch my nod to Heartland in this story?