AN: I am going to confess that I don't know if I gave Tyler an eye color before this or not. I looked back on journey and the earlier chapters of this story and could find no reference. If you as a reader can point something out that I said his eye color was anything but blue, let me know and I will fix it! LOL!

Rachel opened her eyes and took in the unfamiliar surroundings in the flickering light of the oil lamp. It took her a few moments to remember where she was and why. As the memory of the discomfort that the doctors had diagnosed as light contractions came back to her, Rachel's hand went to her stomach. Though the contractions were the only sign of early labor, and Carson had been upbeat of the baby's chances if it did arrive this early, the doctor had also said he preferred that it didn't come quite so soon. Rachel tended to agree with him. The August due date was still a little over a month away.

Her baby rewarded Rachel with a firm kick, and Rachel smiled. He or she still seemed healthy enough and her friends had allowed her to spend the night at their home, as Carson had instructed that she needed to be as still as possible to help keep the contractions at bay. He had talked about possible bed rest for the duration of her pregnancy, which worried Rachel. It wasn't like she had family to take care of her. She already felt too dependant on the community that had become her home. It was part of the reason she was hesitating to ask someone to watch Autumn despite how taxing it was. She also really wanted her daughter with her and not at someone else's house. Now, she might not only need people to look after Autumn but herself as well.

"What am I going to do?" Rachel murmured quietly, not expecting an answer.

"Whatever the doctors tell you to do," came a familiar, but unexpected voice.

Rachel looked to her left to find Tyler sitting in an arm chair that had been moved to her bedside. When she had fallen asleep, it had been Faith sitting in that chair.

"What are you doing here?" Rachel asked, not that she was unhappy to see him. Just his presence had her feeling more at ease. "You didn't leave your temporary posting without permission did you?"

"Not exactly," Tyler said. "My assignment was to cover the Rock Creek area until Constable Lassing was cleared for duty. He got that clearance this afternoon. I hadn't planned on coming back to Hope Valley quite this soon until Nathan called to tell me what was going on."

"He shouldn't have."

"I asked him to," Tyler told her. "I am not sure when my next assignment will come in or where it will take me, but they can give me those orders if I am here in Hope Valley just as easily as they could if I was in Rock Creek."

Rachel didn't respond, though Tyler's answer brought her peace. It was nice knowing that someone was looking out for her, just like Gilbert would have if he was still here.

"I wish Gilbert was here," Rachel lamented softly, even as she reached up with her right hand to wipe a few tears away. She felt Tyler take her left hand.

"I know you do. I also know he would have been excited about this baby," Tyler told her. "He would have been the first to back up the doctors' orders for you to take it easy, even if that meant bed rest."

"I know," Rachel admitted. She closed her eyes, and pictured her husband. What Tyler said was correct. As much as he had loved Autumn, Gilbert would have been thrilled to hear she was having a baby that was theirs. More than once, she had wished she had shared the possibility of that with him before that awful day. Or perhaps him knowing that day, would have been worse? She wasn't sure.

None of that could be changed though. Rachel did hope that if Gilbert was watching over her that he knew and was happy about the baby now. She looked down at her swollen stomach. This baby was her last piece of Gilbert. It was her responsibility to nourish and protect this baby, not only while it was inside of her but in the years to come. That prospect had seemed daunting with just Autumn. The idea of raising two children alone seemed overwhelming.

She should not be doing this alone. God meant for children to be raised by both a Mom and a Dad. Men and Women had different things to contribute when it came to parenting. No matter how hard one tried, one could not be both mother and father to a child and not come up short.

"I don't think I can do this alone."

Rachel felt Tyler give the hand he was holding a little squeeze. It wasn't until he spoke though that she realized she had spoken the confession out loud.

"Then don't do it alone," Tyler told her.

Rachel gasped as she looked back at Tyler. Certainly he couldn't mean what she thought he did. However, as she looked into the Mountie's blue eyes, what she saw told her that he meant those words exactly as she thought he did.

Tyler was looking back at her with the gaze of protectiveness that had been there since Gilbert's death. There were honesty and sincerity in his eyes as well, but there was something more there as was. Something that she remembered seeing, in Gilbert's eyes, when he looked at her. There was love there.

Before she could find her voice, Tyler spoke again.

"Rachel, when I started looking out for you and Autumn, I did it out of loyalty to my friend. I knew he would expect me to look out for you. Somewhere along the way though, loyalty turned into genuine affection for you and that little girl of yours. Recently, I realized that I have fallen in love with you and I know that it is too soon to even think you would be ready to return those feelings," Tyler told her, still holding her hand as his eyes held her gaze.

Rachel wanted to protest. She wanted to look away. She could do neither.

"You are still grieving Gilbert and I promised myself that I would not speak of my feelings until you had worked through that grief and was ready to move on. These circumstances change things. If we got married, I would be free to give you the support you need in all matters. It would take some of the weight from your shoulders. I would help you raise our children because even though they are not mine biologically, and I will keep Gilbert's memory alive for both of them, but I would love them like they are my own. Perhaps someday you could return my feelings, but if that day never comes you will always have my love, support, and respect."

Rachel continued to stare into Tyler's blue eyes. She saw the sincerity there. He meant every word that he said. He had already been so kind to her. She knew she could not ask him to do this for her as well, even though a small part of her acknowledged that given time, she probably could return his love when it didn't seem as if loving someone else was a betrayal to Gilbert's memory.

"I couldn't ask that of you," Rachel told him, finally finding her voice.

"You are not asking," Tyler reminded her gently. "I am asking you for the privilege of sharing my life with you, Autumn and the new baby. That would be an honor."

Rachel wanted to say yes. Tyler's unconventional proposal seemed like an answer to so many of her worries. Perhaps an answer to her prayers, really. She had no doubt that Tyler would treat her right. Autumn and the baby would have a father figure they could be proud of. So many worries would be lifted from her shoulders. Yes, the concerns would still be there but she would have someone to share them with.

But if she could not return Tyler's love than was this union fair to him?

That was the question that kept Rachel from saying yes.

"You don't need to give me an answer right away. I know it's a lot to consider," Tyler was telling her. "Take some time to think it over, Rachel. Talk to someone if you need to. Know, however, that no matter what your response to my proposal is, you will not lose my support and if your answer is no, I will not do anything that might cause a scandal in this little town you have found to call home."

Rachel was touched. She did not doubt Tyler's love for her or Autumn. She only doubted her ability to love him the way he deserved to be love. Reaching up, she placed her right hand against his cheek, feeling the roughness of stubble that had not yet been removed with a razor.

"I will think it over," Rachel told him, already wondering if Pastor Zeke could come to talk with her at some point the next day. Oh, she knew Elizabeth would listen, and would keep the confidence if she spoke with her friend. However, Rachel had a desire to know how a marriage of convenience might be viewed in the pastor's eyes. In God's eyes.

The following morning, Nathan helped Elizabeth and Ally get breakfast for their guests. As Rachel's night had been a quiet one, Carson thought it would be safe to settle the pregnant woman at home in her own bed. He cautioned her that she should still remain in bed the rest of the day and they would take it a day at a time. He assured his patient that he would find some women willing to take on nursing duties when he and Faith could not be with her. For the morning at least, Elizabeth planned to spend at least the morning hours with Rachel while Ally volunteered to keep an eye on Jack.

With Tyler there to help Carson get Rachel home when Lee showed up with his car, Nathan headed off to work. Carson sent Faith home to get some uninterrupted sleep as she had been the one to be awake with Rachel most of the night. Carson asked Faith to check with Fiona if she could take Elizabeth's place later in the day.

It was only after Rachel was settled at home, with Carson and Elizabeth both on hand, that Tyler felt comfortable with leaving. Before heading into Hope Valley though, he spent a little time with Autumn, the girl happy to see him. Autumn would stay with her mother during the day and stay with the Coulters again that night.

Reaching the little town, Tyler checked back into the Queen of Hearts. Lucas told him that the belongings that Tyler had asked the saloon owner to store for him were still in the room he had been staying in. Tyler thanked him, took the things he had taken up to Rock Creek with him up to the room. Just leaving the things in the room, Tyler left the saloon. Though Daniel had promised to send a telegram last night, telling headquarters that he had left for Hope Valley, Tyler made his way to the mercantile. He planned to check if there had been any messages for him and also send a follow-up telegram of his own to check in.

Ned sent the telegram and Florence asked him for an update on Florence. Tyler assured her that for now Rachel and the baby were fine though Rachel would need to limit her activity. Florence asked if it would be okay if she stopped by later when she was done work. Tyler assured her that he was sure Rachel would welcome the visit.

After leaving the mercantile, Tyler headed to the Mounted Police office. Tyler found Nathan talking to a man when she walked in. Quietly hanging his hat on a hook next to Nathan's, Tyler listened to the conversation. Apparently, the man had discovered items missing from his barn that morning and was missing chickens as well.

"If an animal had gotten the chickens there would be feathers at least lying around."

"You're right," Nathan agreed. "I will come out and see if I can find any clues to work from. I just need to talk briefly with my co-worker and then I will be out, sir," he said, getting to his feet and extending his hand to the man.

"Thank you, Constable Grant," the man said, extending his hand. They shook hands, and the man turned to leave. Tyler exchanged greetings with the man as he passed.

As the man left, Tyler turned his attention to Nathan.

"Is Rachel settled at home then?" Nathan asked.

Tyler nodded. "She is. I thought I should come into town and see if I got new orders or if I could make myself useful."

Nathan nodded. "Well, no new orders for you have come in, however if you want to make yourself useful I haven't gone through the latest list of arrested criminals and remove the wanted posters we no longer need. I was going to do this, but," Nathan waved in the direction of the door the man had just gone through. "Duty calls."

Tyler chuckled. "I will take care of it," he told Nathan.

"Thank you," Nathan replied moving from behind his desk. "Make yourself at home," he told his fellow Mountie.

"Appreciate it," Tyler replied, moving toward the desk. Paperwork wasn't the most exciting thing to be doing but at least he was near the phone if anyone needed to get a hold of him.

Propped up by pillows, Rachel sat in bed with Autumn cuddled up next to her. Her daughter was struggling through a book she had brought home from the library. Autumn was aware she was behind her classmates when it came to reading, though Elizabeth had been encouraging at the end of the year parent and teacher's conference. Hope Valley's teacher had provided a list of stories she thought Autumn would enjoy and had encouraged Rachel to spend some time at least a few times a week reading with Autumn. Elizabeth had also said she planned on contacting some teachers back east for suggestions on methods that might make it easier for Autumn to grasp the topic better. Elizabeth had ended the conference with telling Autumn that everyone learns in their own way at their own time.

As there wasn't much else she could do currently under Carson's instructions, it seemed like the perfect time to work on her daughter's reading. They were currently taking turns reading by alternating who read the page.

A knock on the bedroom door caused Autumn to stop reading. Both mother and daughter looked up at the sound to find Pastor Zeke there.

"Is now a good time for you, Rachel?" Zeke asked when he saw that he had the woman's attention.

"Yes," Rachel replied. Having discreetly asked Faith to ask the pastor to come see her. She was not surprised to see him. Rachel turned her attention to her daughter. "How about we take a break from reading for now," she suggested. "Could you go play in your room so I could talk to Pastor Zeke?"

"Are you or the baby going to die?" Autumn asked.

Rachel felt her heart clench at the question. It was a question that no six-year-old should be concerned with but having just lost the father that she loved, the concept of lost was close even fro Autumn.

"The baby and I are just fine," Rachel assured her. "Dr. Shepherd says we need more rest though."

"Then I will be on my best behavior and quiet so you can get more rest," Autumn replied, placing the book aside and hugging her mother.

Rachel held her daughter close, hoping the gesture gave the girl the comfort that she so clearly needed. Inside, Rachel couldn't help but feel that this was further proof that she could not do this alone.

After the embrace, Autumn claimed her book and slid off of the bed. On her way out of the room, she said a polite hello to Pastor Zeke. The pastor responded to the girl, reminded her that he was there for her as well if she needed to talk. Autumn nodded and left the room. Zeke closed the door behind the girl and turned to Rachel.

"How are you feeling?" Zeke asked her.

"Frightened and overwhelmed," Rachel admitted. "Praying helps for a little bit until I have a chance to start thinking about everything going on and the future again."

"God knows we are not perfect," Zeke replied. "Keep offering up the burden and he will listen every time," he assured her. He motioned to the table chair that had been brought into the room. "May I sit?"

"Please do," Rachel replied.

Picking up the chair, Zeke moved it closer to the bed. He placed it so he could sit facing Rachel. "Faith told me a bit about the issue you had last night when she told me you wanted to see me," he admitted. "Did you want to talk to me about getting those meals started?"

"That had not occurred to me," Rachel admitted. "Though, yes they would be helpful at this time. Especially if the bed rest ends up being for the rest of the pregnancy."

"I will make sure we start the rotation tomorrow. Elizabeth assures me that everything will be taken care of today. So, if that wasn't your concern, what did you want to see me about, Rachel?"

"I need your advice on something and perhaps your opinion as well," Rachel told him. "I am wondering if it would be wrong to accept a proposal for a marriage of convenience. One in which, the love may be one sided."

"Maybe?"

"I am still sorting out my feelings over the lost of Gilbert. It feels too soon for me to start thinking about moving on with someone else. Sometimes, I think life has been so busy that I can't find the time to grieve properly."

"Yes, life can feel that way sometimes. Especially, when one is trying to pick up the pieces after a tragedy and keep going. I take it you have been offered a proposal for a marriage of convenience."

Rachel nodded. "Yes."

"May I know who offered the proposal to you?" Zeke asked.

"Constable Tyler," Rachel admitted, knowing that the pastor could give her better guidance with the more information that he had. "He has been a source of support since all this happened. At first it was out of a sense of loyalty. Gilbert and Tyler were good friends. However, Tyler admitted to me last night that he started having other feelings for me along the way." Rachel laid her hands on her stomach and glanced down at it before looking back up at Zeke. "When I admitted to not knowing if I could do this alone, the pregnancy and raising two kids, Tyler made the proposal of marriage, saying he could give me the proper support that way."

"Yes, marriage would allow him to do that," Zeke commented. "The two of you would not be the first couple to marry simply for the sake of raising children together. My own parents' marriage started out that way."

"It did."

Zeke nodded. "My mother found herself a widow in a town far from her family with two kids. My father had been struggling to raise two daughters on his own since his first wife had died in a small pox epidemic. My father suggested to her that they get married and raise the four children together. Having no way to go home to her own family, my mother accepted the proposal. Though their marriage started out more like a business proposition, they soon found that a mutual love was starting to form between them. My sister Bethany was born on their second wedding anniversary as a testament of that love. I came along about a year and a half later. Love will find a way to grow where there is truth, honesty, a mutual respect, concern for another's well being, and God. So, let me ask you this, Rachel - do you believe that Tyler would honor, cherish and treat you, Autumn and the baby you are carrying with respect?"

"I have no doubt of that," Rachel replied, without hesitation.

"Can you show the same actions toward him?"

"Yes," Rachel replied. "I have come to rely on his friendship."

"Friendship is a wonderful foundation to begin a marriage on," Zeke replied. "I do not believe it is so much a question of whether or not a marriage of convenience is right or wrong. If the union is entered into with truth, respect, honest and a reverence for God from both people involved, then I believe God will choose to bless that union."

Zeke held out a hand to her. Rachel reached out and took it as Zeke continued.

"You and Tyler need to have an open, two way discussion about what you expect from yourselves and each other in this union. If after that discussion, you both still think that marriage is the right option for all involved, then I would be honored to perform the ceremony. Who knows what the future may bring. You may find, Rachel, that when your broken heart finally mends that the feelings of love are not one-sided but there is no rush to figure that out. Let your heart say good-bye to Gilbert on whatever time line it needs no matter what other arrangements are made for you and your children."

Rachel reached up to wipe her tears away with her free hand as she let the pastor's words sink in.

"Could you help Tyler and I have that conversation?" Rachel asked timidly. "Kind of like a counselor. Make sure we don't miss anything."

Zeke nodded. "If Tyler is agreeable to that, yes I will mediate that conversation. But first, how about we pray?"

Rachel nodded her consent and then bowed her head with Pastor Zeke. As Zeke prayed for strength, wisdom and peace for both her and Tyler in the coming days, Rachel felt a sense of peace wash over her.

Seeking her guidance from God in this matter had been the correct step.