Once again, I'm sorry for the long time to update. I had the beginning and the end of the chapter, but the middle just would not come together. Then the whole thing exploded on me the other night, and annoying necessities like sleep and work kept getting in my way.
So there's a couple big moments, and several small ones, but I hope you enjoy this turn as much as I did. :)
Chapter Twelve
Within a couple of days, they had settled into a routine. Grace, accompanied by her Pinkerton guard, and either Julie or Elizabeth went to the hospital right after breakfast. Nathan escorted Elizabeth back and forth, while another Pinkerton ushered Julie around. When they weren't at the hospital, Nathan borrowed William's study to stay in touch with both Mountie Headquarters in Hamilton and Bill Avery in Hope Valley. Much to everyone's frustration, there had been no new leads in the investigation.
A week after their arrival, Elizabeth and Nathan made plans to meet Charles Kensington for lunch. Elizabeth saw it as an opportunity to not only to introduce her fiancé to her old friend, but for Nathan to get inside Hamilton Shipping and do a little investigating of his own.
They had exited the elevator and were crossing the lobby when Nathan stopped, halting Charles and Elizabeth. They all saw the dark, angry glare aimed at them from an older gentleman entering the building. He stared bitterly for a moment until his companion hurried him down a hallway.
"What could either of you possibly have done to Jonas Harrison to make him that angry?" Charles wondered.
"Who is Jonas Harrison?" Nathan asked, still watching where the men had disappeared.
"He's the head of the Board of the Directors for the company," Elizabeth replied. "At least he was until last year when he stepped down unexpectedly."
Charles nodded in confirmation and offered more details. "Elizabeth is right. Harrison announced out of the blue that he was retiring last year, but I never heard a reason. He doesn't have a family; he's the kind of man who was married to his work. I don't recall him being particularly friendly with anyone else on the board. I have to wonder why he's meeting with Richard Lexington."
Elizabeth could see Nathan's growing concern, and wasn't surprised when he asked Charles to take her back up to his office. "Something doesn't feel right," he said, looking around the lobby before turning back to her. "My instincts tell me Harrison is up to something, and if he is, I don't want him anywhere near either of you. Go upstairs, lock the door if you can, and call Superintendent Godfrey."
"And what are you going to do?" Charles asked, reluctant to leave.
"What I'm supposed to do. Investigate," he shrugged, putting on hand on his gun. "Please, take care of Elizabeth until I come get you."
Nathan waited until the elevator doors closed before turning and scoping the lobby again. He caught the eye of the young Constable stationed at the door, nodding towards the hallway Harrison and Lexington had gone down.
"Constable Chase Clark, sir," the younger man introduced himself. "I've been watching the building for the last couple of weeks. I've seen that man here before, but never with Mr. Lexington and he's never actually come inside. Any idea why he's so angry?"
"You caught that look too, huh? Nathan Grant. I'm…"
"Mrs. Thornton's guard," Constable Clark finished. "And if you don't mind me saying, she seems like more than just an assignment to you."
Nathan nodded. "She is, which is why I want this mess with her father figured out before she or anyone else gets hurt."
The two Mounties crept cautiously down the hallway until they came to a partially open door. Nathan hurried past, waiting to see if anyone inside noticed him, and motioned for Clark to stay where he was. Nathan could see two people moving around the room, and angry voices drifted out into the hallway.
"What are you doing here? I thought we agreed not to meet in public!"
"Well someone has to try to get this situation under control. Thatcher is going to be released from the hospital soon, and then we'll be right back where we started from!"
"You're the one who said he would have Thatcher taken care of. Why didn't you get someone who knew what they were doing?"
"I'm sorry I'm not more practiced at murder and mayhem."
The Mounties exchanged looks of surprise and satisfaction. Clark reached for his gun, but Nathan motioned him to stay back. He gestured for them to keep listening. He thought the first voice was Lexington and the Harrison.
"Well hopefully Andrew can continue to mislead the investigation. What does he have against Thatcher anyway?"
"William Thatcher tried to have him demoted a couple of years ago. He holds Andrew responsible for the death of his son-in-law."
"I heard about that. Andrew ordered him on the mission that got him killed. I can see why Thatcher would be mad."
"Well, he was mad enough to file an official complaint. Andrew wasn't demoted, but he was officially reprimanded, and that complaint stays with him. He's furious that his otherwise spotless record is tarnished."
Nathan held his breath, trying not to react. Andrew had to be Superintendent Hargraves. This just keeps getting bigger.
"So what are we going to do? From what I hear, Bouchard is halfway to South America by now. He's raised enough fuss against Thatcher, and the police already suspect him. I say we stick to the plan—make it look like a business deal gone bad. By the time Bouchard gets back in the country, everyone will be looking at him for this and we'll be richer than Midas."
"We just need to get Kensington on our side, and then the rest of the board will fall in line."
"And how do you propose we get Charles to change his mind? He's been Thatcher's shadow since he joined the company. He's not going to be talked around easily, especially now."
"So we find a way to convince him. He's close to the Thatcher family, especially the middle daughter. They were headed out together when I arrived here today. She's got a child, right? Maybe we…borrow him as leverage."
Nathan had heard enough. He pulled his gun and pushed the door open. "Police! Keep your hands where I can see them, gentlemen."
Jonas Harrison and Richard Lexington froze, their hands up. "You have no idea what you're dealing with, young man," Harrison taunted. "You can still walk away from this."
"You have no idea what you're dealing with, Mr. Harrison," Nathan replied, his eyes hard and cold as he handcuffed the older man, watching as Constable Clark restrained Lexington. "It was bad enough that you were plotting against William Thatcher and his family, but now you're threatening my child. I'm not walking away from that!"
"Your child?" Even Constable Clark looked startled.
"I'm glad you were better businessmen than criminals," Nathan said, his smile chilling. "You didn't do your homework, gentlemen. William Thatcher's daughter, the one your friend Andrew made a widow? She's engaged to another Mountie. Me. And if you think I'm going to let you hurt her or that little boy…" He all but dropped Harrison back into his chair. "Why don't you wait here while I call for someone to escort you to the jail?"
"That won't be necessary." Superintendent Godfrey stood in the doorway, with several Mounties waiting behind him. "Mr. Kensington and Mrs. Thornton are waiting upstairs for you, Constable Grant. Given your personal connections to the case, I think it best you let us handle things from here while you let the Thatchers know what's happened. Can you prepare a statement for me?"
Nathan nodded, relieved to get away. He took his duties seriously, and prided himself on remaining professional while on the job, but this situation had become too personal too quickly for him to remain aloof. He'd wanted to be a part of solving the case; he didn't want to be a part of the case. His long legs took him up the stairs quickly, and he had barely knocked when the door flew open and Elizabeth dove into his arms.
"Thank God, you're alright!" she sighed, hugging him tightly.
"What happened?" Charles asked.
Nathan shook his head, holding Elizabeth tightly. "This is bigger than we thought, but I think it's almost over."
The children ran to greet them when they returned to the Thatcher house, eager to share their day's adventures. Elizabeth watched Nathan hug Jack a little longer and harder than usual.
"I'll explain soon," he promised when he saw her concerned look. "I need to type up my report and then we'll talk."
By the time Nathan finished his statement, Superintendent Godfrey had arrived, escorting Grace and Julie home. Mr. Christianson, sensing the enormity of the situation, offered to keep the children entertained, and everyone else gathered in library.
"It started as a coup," the Superintendent explained. "Mr. Thatcher and Mr. Harrison had been at odds over their different plans for the company, and Mr. Harrison thought he could take over. He blackmailed Mr. Lexington into helping him. When they happened into Andrew Hargraves and learned of his disgruntlement with Mr. Thatcher, they brought him into the fold. Mr. Bouchard just happened to make a lot of noise at the wrong time, making him an easy target to frame."
"And you're sure that the Bouchards weren't involved?" Grace asked.
Superintendent Godfrey nodded. "Vincent Bouchard contacted us this morning to tell us what he knew of the situation. Mr. Harrison had reached out to him a few weeks ago, hoping they could conspire together. While Mr. Bouchard admits to slandering Mr. Thatcher, he drew the line at physical harm. He and his wife decided to leave before he could be implicated in anything. They stopped to see their son on their way to San Francisco, who told them about the attack and our suspicions. Vincent went straight to Constable Simms, who in turn connected him to me."
"And Superintendent Hargraves?" Elizabeth asked quietly. "He wanted revenge because my father asked that he be held accountable for my husband's death?"
Godfrey nodded again. "The inquiry into the accident at Fort Clay found that Andrew Hargraves was negligent, but did not have malicious intent. He put his own reputation over the safety of your husband and the men he was training, but he didn't cause the landslide. The inquiry board determined it was a natural disaster. Hargraves should have anticipated it, but he could not be blamed for it."
"William disagreed," Grace said firmly. "He wanted someone to be liable for our daughter's pain and suffering."
"Well, he'll certainly be held responsible now," Superintendent Godfrey assured them. "The order for his arrest at Fort Simpson was issued before I left to come here."
"So that's it?" Charles asked. "It's over?"
"Not quite," Nathan added. "Harrison and Lexington needed a way to convince you to get on board with them. They threatened to kidnap Jack to use as a bargaining tool."
Charles and the Thatchers were stunned silent, but Elizabeth saw red. "How dare they? I'll kill them myself before I let them touch my children!"
Nathan chuckled, wrapping his arm around her and holding her close to his side. "I know exactly how you feel, believe me, but perhaps you could hold off any further threats of violence until after the police have left?"
Superintendent Godfrey looked around the room, pretending not to have heard her. He nodded at Nathan, thanking him for his help in breaking the case.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Nathan insisted, shrugging off the attention. "Constable Clark had just as much to do with today's success as I did."
"Well, you're certainly my hero," Elizabeth murmured, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."
"Are you planning to give this Constable Clark the same token of your appreciation, sister?" Julie teased, breaking them from their reverie.
Elizabeth smirked back. "Perhaps you can do it for me?"
"Girls!" Grace scolded, though she was trying not to laugh. Everyone was in lighter spirits now that the threat to their family had been taken care of.
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Elizabeth took advantage of their new freedom to arrange a shopping day with her mother, sister, and daughter. To Rosemary's disappointment, she had agreed to let her parents pay for her dress, as they had put nothing towards her wedding to Jack. She knew that it would result in a finer, more formal gown than typically found in Hope Valley, but that it would mean a lot, especially to her mother, to see her "properly" attired.
"The dress you wore for your first wedding was beautiful," Allie said as they were entering the boutique. "Do you want something like that again, or something totally different?"
"I don't know, sweetheart," Elizabeth replied, hugging the young girl and smiling. "I think I'll just know it when I see it."
They all spent the morning being measured for and trying on dresses, even Allie, who conceded that looking a little more feminine some of the time might not be so bad.
"But I'm still going fishing and riding with Dad!" she insisted.
"No one would expect otherwise," Elizabeth replied with a laugh. "You are definitely your father's daughter." Allie thrilled at the comparison.
The boutique owner, well familiar with the Thatcher women and their tastes in fashion, brought another dress into the fitting room for Elizabeth. "This just arrived from London. I haven't even had time to unwrap it, but it's supposed to be the latest in bridal couture."
Elizabeth, who no longer concerned herself with the newest fashions and tended more towards comfort and practical, agreed to try it on. When they opened the box, it took her breath away. The modiste and her assistant helped Elizabeth into the dress, holding their own breath as she turned to see herself in the mirror.
"It's perfect."
Elizabeth slowly walked out into the sitting room where Grace and Julie were schooling Allie on the finer points of cotillion. Allie was the first to look up, her eyes going wide. Julie and Grace turned, and both of them were stunned silent.
"This is it," Elizabeth declared, her eyes filled with tears of happiness. "This is my dress."
"Elizabeth, darling, it's incredible," Grace gushed.
"It's like it was made for you," Julie added.
"Dad's going to faint when he sees it," Allie added, making all of them laugh.
Grace hurried to wipe Elizabeth's tears before they fell on the dress, hugging her daughter and standing beside her at the mirror. "Julie's right, dear. I think this dress was made for you. And while I hope your daughter is incorrect in her prediction of Nathan's consciousness, I am certain he's going to be rendered speechless. Your father too, for that matter."
The modiste and her assistant took careful measurements for alterations while Allie picked out a maid-of-honor dress and Julie found shoes for both of them. With a promise to have both dresses completed in a few days, Elizabeth and her family redressed in their own clothes to return to the Thatcher house.
"I can't wait to tell Dad!" Allie was nearly shaking with excitement.
"You can tell him I found a dress, but not a word about what it looks like," Elizabeth clarified. "I want him to be completely surprised when he sees me walking down the aisle. Or the stairs. Wherever we end up having the ceremony…"
"I promise," Allie swore, hugging Elizabeth. "He's going love it….once he remembers to breathe again."
While the ladies shopped, Nathan and Jack made a trip to Mountie headquarters. Even though it wasn't officially his assignment, he wanted to follow up on William's case. He also wanted Jack to meet some of the men who had served with his father. There were several officers there who had known Jack Thornton, and saw him immediately in his son. The usually outgoing and chatty boy turned shy with all of the attention, peering out at everyone as he clung tightly to Nathan.
There was a commotion at the door, and everyone turned to see Andrew Hargraves brought in under arrest. Nathan stood back, studying the man who had once been a teacher to him.
"Do you want the boy to be here for this?"
Nathan turned, nodding to Commissioner Collins. "Someday, he's going to have questions. He's going to want to know how and why his father died. He doesn't understand the significance of it right now, and he may not remember this day, but I'll be able to tell him that he saw the man responsible be brought to justice. And I want Andrew Hargraves to see Jack, to face the boy whose life was forever changed by his desperate need for gratification. I know that Hargraves didn't plan it, but it was his disregard for the weather reports and under his orders that Jack and those men were on that mountain. Maybe Little Jack here can finally make him take responsibility."
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Allie tugged Nathan out into the Thatcher gardens for a walk. Selfishly, she wanted some time alone with him, something they hadn't had since leaving Hope Valley, but she could also see that something was bothering him.
"For a guy who's being hailed a hero, you're sure being quiet. What's wrong, Dad?"
Nathan shrugged but kept walking. "I'm fine, Allie. Why don't you tell me about your shopping day with Mom and all the girls?"
Allie stopped, crossing her arms and raising her eyebrows at him, waiting.
Nathan sighed, sitting heavily onto a bench. Allie sank down next to him and waited for him to speak. "Something Andrew Hargraves said to me this afternoon keeps coming back."
"What could he possibly have to say to you?"
Nathan watched a leaf drift down from one of the manicured trees beside them, following it's descent into the fountain. Allie waited again, knowing that sometimes her Dad needed time to get his thoughts in order.
"He said I should be thanking him. That while he didn't mean for anything to happen to Jack Thornton, I've really benefited from it. I've got his job, his town, and now his family."
Allie jumped up and hugged him tightly. "Dad, I know you," she said when she'd sat back down. "You didn't ask for any of those things, well not the way he means anyway. Yeah, you asked to be assigned to Hope Valley, but that was to take care of me as much as watch over Mrs. Thornton and her son. But you never planned to have me as your family, let alone a wife and another kid!"
"I would give it all up if it meant Elizabeth could have her husband back. That Jack could know his real father," Nathan admitted. "Just like I'd give you back in a heartbeat if it meant my sister was alive."
Allie hugged him again, her eyes tearing. "And you would be all alone?"
Nathan nodded. "If it meant you and Elizabeth and Jack were happy, yes."
"But what if that's not what we wanted?" Allie argued. "I don't remember my first dad, and I barely remember my mother. Yeah, I'd love to have her back, but not if it meant choosing between you two. And Mom is always going to love Jack's dad, but is she still in love with him? She took a long time to get over losing him, and she's already told us she doesn't know how she'd survive losing you. I don't think him coming back now would make her life better."
Nathan smiled tentatively at his daughter. "You are incredible, you know that? How is it that you can see through all this grown up stuff while I'm still struggling with it?"
Now it was Allie's turn to shrug. "I don't think it's as much a 'grown up' thing as much as a 'thinking like a boy' thing," she teased.
Nathan laughed. "You're probably right. So how about now you tell me about your shopping trip? You seem to have survived."
Allie nodded. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Mom and Aunt Julie made it fun, and Nana Grace ordered me a few dresses that I can wear at home. And get this…she even bought me more pants!" Allie and Nathan both chuckled. "She said that even out in the wilderness I should still look like a proper young lady. She got me some riding culottes like Mom wears, and a couple of jumpers for when I'm hiking or fishing."
Nathan shook his head in disbelief. He wasn't sure if it was her own daughters' influence or Allie's, but Grace Thatcher was certainly putting aside her stronger views on what is and isn't considered proper. He hoped her new attitude would continue.
"Oh yeah," Allie added as they walked back towards the house. "Mom found a dress."
"That's great," Nathan replied. "She doesn't treat herself to new things very often."
Allie rolled her eyes and stared at him. "No, Dad. She found a dress. Her wedding dress."
"Really?" Nathan grinned, trying to imagine what kind of gown she'd pick. "What's it like?"
"I can't tell you that!" Allie scolded, laughing. "You'll just have to wait and see. But trust me, you are going to love it!"
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After all the excitement the day before, Elizabeth worried when they got word at breakfast that William wanted Grace and both girls to come to the hospital. Fortunately, the news was good—the doctors were ready to discharge him, but needed the whole family to understand his plan of care. As he would be non-weight bearing for several weeks, they insisted he have a nurse or attendant available round the clock. Grace agreed to make arrangements immediately.
The next concern was where William would stay. Their bedroom was on the second floor, farthest away from the stairs, meaning it would be difficult to navigate to. It was Nathan who suggested settling him somewhere on the first floor. "I'm happy to help as much as I can while we're here, but unless there's an elevator hiding somewhere that you haven't shown us, it's going to be quite an effort getting up and down all those stairs." He smirked as he added, "And if there is an elevator, your grandson is going to be highly disappointed that he hasn't been given the chance to play in it."
Once the laughter died down, and William assured him they hadn't missed out on any elevator adventures, Elizabeth proposed her father be moved into their old governess's suite. "It's big enough for both Mother and Father to sleep in, has its own bathroom, and it's right next to the kitchen, so meals and snacks will be easy. And, once you're up to moving around in the wheelchair, the rest of the house is straight down the hall."
Mr. Christianson and the staff spent a few hours cleaning and rearranging Mr. Thatcher's new rooms, and with the arrival of the home nurse, William was gratefully released. His first night home found the family all gathered in his room after dinner. Jack insisted on sitting on the bed with him, and was surprisingly gentle and calm. He played quietly with his horse while Allie and the adults talked, but perked up when Julie asked if Grace was going to sleep down here or in their room upstairs.
"Daddy Na-tan sweeped wif Mama."
Elizabeth's eyes went wide and her cheeks flamed scarlet. William's eyebrows raised in question, but he was clearly fighting back a smile. Grace gasped and stared at her daughter, while Julie snickered.
Nathan, his own cheeks pink, shook his head and chuckled. "We were trying to explain the bedroom situation after we get married. Jack here was all set to share his room and his toys with Allie, but she's going to need her own room."
Jack shook his head. "But you sweeped wif Mama on da train," he insisted.
Elizabeth buried her face in embarrassment, but Julie and William just laughed again. Allie, after she'd stopped giggling, jumped in to explain.
"They fell asleep on the sofa. Mom had been crying because she was scared about Grandpa William, and Dad was holding her. One minute they were talking quietly and the next they had dozed off. I helped Jack into his pajamas, and we just read and drew pictures until they woke up."
"I was so overwhelmed with Father and getting ready for our trip that I'd barely slept," Elizabeth hurried to explain. "I never meant to leave the children unattended or…"
"Elizabeth, darling, no one is blaming you or thinking badly of you or your intended," William assured her. "I'm sorry you were so worried about me, but I'm glad you had someone who loves you to offer comfort. And let's just be grateful that Jack spoke up here at home, instead of at the hospital or the train station."
"And on that note," Elizabeth said, scooping up her son and his toys. "Let's get you up to bed before you do any irreparable damage to my reputation. Say good-night to Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Julie, and Allie."
"Good night!" Jack called cheerfully, blowing kisses to everyone and blissfully oblivious to the trouble he'd caused.
Nathan accompanied them upstairs, helping get Jack bathed and ready for bed. As had become their custom, Nathan read a bedtime story while Elizabeth and Jack swayed gently in the rocking chair. Once Jack fell asleep, Elizabeth kissed him goodnight and Nathan tucked him into bed.
Closing the door quietly behind them, Elizabeth and Nathan collapsed against one another, laughing. "From the mouths of babes," he chuckled. "I wasn't sure if your father was going to laugh or arrange to have me demoted and reassigned."
"I thought Mother was going to choke," Elizabeth said, her eyes watering as she tried to contain her mirth. "And Julie is never going to let us live that down."
She started down the hall to go back downstairs, but Nathan tugged her back. "There is one way to stop all the talk," he said, staring into her eyes and squeezing her fingers. "One way to make absolutely certain there is no question about your reputation, joking or otherwise."
Elizabeth met his gaze, then her eyes widened. She inhaled sharply and asked, "Do you mean…?"
Nathan nodded, drawing her into his arms. "We get married while we're here." When Elizabeth just stared at him in shock, he continued. "Think about it. Your father won't be able to travel for a while, so if we wait until we're back in Hope Valley, it will have to be several months if you want your family there. But they're all here, the kids are here, you have a dress…"
Elizabeth shook her head, staring at him in amazement. "You would be willing to do that? To get married in Hamilton, where we'd probably be the talk of the society pages? And what about your family? What about our friends?"
Nathan shrugged. "So we invite my parents to Hamilton. I think there's enough room for them to stay here. And I'm sure, given the circumstances, our friends in Hope Valley will understand. We can always have another ceremony when we get home." He reached up to caress her cheek, gazing into her eyes. "We could be a family, officially. No more good night kisses and separate bedrooms. We've lost enough time already. Let's not wait anymore."
Elizabeth drew his face down to hers for a sweet, gentle kiss.
"Yes."