With Nathan's help, Tyler marched three involved in the barroom brawl across the street to the jail. Despite cooler heads having prevailed, this fight would have to have paperwork filed with it, as one of the waitresses had been injured. Linda had been delivering the ordered drinks when the fight had started, She had been knocked aside, falling and cutting herself on the glass shards from the mug that had broken. Fiona had taken her to the infirmary while Gary had tried to calm the men down. The head bar tender had actually had things under control by the time Tyler and Nathan walked in. However, with the injury and the fact that Tyler was certain he had seen one of the men's faces recently, he and Nathan had decided they could cool their heels in the jail cells while everything was sorted out.
While Nathan chatted with their three current cell occupants, Tyler retrieved the posters for people the RCMP was currently looking for. The feeling that he had seen the one guy somewhere, would not leave him. He had to be certain that it wasn't on one of these posters for his own peace of mind. Posters in hand, Tyler retreated to the desk. Paying half attention to what was going on in the office around him and the rest on the posters he held, Tyler started to flip through them.
"How is Linda?" Tyler heard Nathan asked as someone entered the office. Tyler continued to flip through the posters even as the newcomer replied.
"Some bruises and about ten stitches in her arm," Lucas replied.
"I didn't mean to hurt the waitress," one of the men said.
"That doesn't change the fact that you did," Nathan told the man. "Does she want to press charges?"
"No," Lucas replied. Tyler thought the saloon owner sounded disappointed. The man's next words reinforced that. "I plan to, though. Broken glasses and furniture I will turn a blind eye to, but I will not abide by one of my employees getting hurt."
"I've got a form for you to fill out," Nathan told the man.
Tyler had continued to look through the posters and found what he was looking for. "Here we go," he said, pulling the paper from the stack. He held it up for Nathan to see. "Jude Mastiff. Wanted for drunken disorderly and destruction of property in Rock Creek."
Nathan looked from the poster to one of the men other than the one that had been talking. "You Jude Mastiff?" Nathan asked the man.
"Yeah," Jude admitted. "I don't remember much about being in Rock Creek though," he muttered.
"I think the three of you might as well make yourself comfortable," Nathan told them.
"Why do I hang out with you two?" the third man muttered, claiming the bed in the cell he and Jude had been put in. The third man was in the second cell. "You always get me into trouble."
Nathan took out his pocket walk as he walked toward the desk. "You should get going, Tyler. Rachel is waiting for you."
"So is your family," Tyler countered.
"I promised Elizabeth I would send you home on time this afternoon, and that is all the details I have," Nathan told him. "So get," he added nodding toward the door. "I'll call Bill, get the paperwork in order and get these guys settled in for the night."
"Are you sure?" Tyler asked, hesitant to leave in the middle of an arrest.
"Yes," Nathan said. "Go."
Curious as to why it was so important he be home on this particular afternoon, Tyler acquiesced. Leaving Jude's poster on the desk, he returned the others to their proper place before leaving. Retrieving his hat from the hook, he left the office. Making a quick stop by the livery to make sure Icarus was settled for the night, Tyler then started his walk home.
Reaching the yard, the first thing he noticed was that Autumn did not run out to meet him. As she had been doing that, Tyler figured she was with a friend, probably Ivy. Going to the little cabin, Tyler walked through the front door and was greeted by the smell of fresh bread baking, cinnamon, and sweet potatoes.
"That smells good," Tyler commented, as he closed the front door behind him.
Rachel finished stirring one of the pots, and turned to come over to him. Tyler noticed that though barrettes held the hair back on the sides, his wife had her hair down. It was something he had only seen in the evening when she brushed it out and the morning before she pinned it up for the day. As she approached, Tyler felt the desire to run his fingers through the black, silky tresses.
"I hope it tastes as good as it smells. You said your favorite meal was cinnamon chicken," Rachel replied as she approached him. She stopped mere inches from him, her head titled back as brown eyes looked up at him. Unable to help himself, Tyler reached out and ran his fingers gently through her hair as she continued. "I borrowed a recipe for it off of Abigail. I hope it comes out right," she told him, tilting her head toward his hand.
"I am sure it will be fine," Tyler told her. "Where are the children?" he asked, his fingers still stroking her hair as he asked the question.
"Autumn is having a sleep over at the Coulters. Gilbert is in his cradle in the bedroom. I just fed him a few moments ago, so I am hoping that you and I can have a dinner for two," Rachel told him. A blush came to her cheeks. "Maybe in a month or so, we could ask Elizabeth to watch him for an evening as well so we can have a more intimate evening."
Tyler understood her meaning perfectly and while he did desire his wife, he also knew her body needed time to properly heal from bringing their son into the world. Reaching out with his other hand, he placed his hand on the small of her back.
"There is no rush, "Tyler assured her. "My wife took the time to find a recipe for my favorite meal and make it. That means the world to me. Whether our evening together involves a cranky infant or a content one, this is going to be an enjoyable evening because I get to spend it with you. I love you, Rachel."
"I love you, too," Rachel replied lifting herself up on her toes to press her lips softly against Tyler's. "Now," she said, moving back slightly from her husband. "Why don't you go changed out of your uniform and I will go check on dinner?"
"All right," Tyler agreed, though he made no move to head for the bedroom right away. Instead, he watched Rachel for a moment as she headed for the kitchen area of the main living place. He was just happy that Rachel seemed to have regained her energy quickly after giving birth to Gilbert. Carson had not been able to give a definitive time table on that happening. He said it all depended on Rachel. The fact that she could be up and about and taking care of her home and children seemed to have helped Rachel's mood as well. Yes, she had spells of melancholy, which Tyler anticipated would happen for a while given his own experience with losing his parents, but those came and went. As he watched her at the stove, Tyler couldn't help but wonder how he had gotten so lucky. Only a year ago, he had been convinced that he was destined to be alone. He had planned on making his career with the Mounties his entire life, the organization standing in for the family he did not have. Yes, he had friends, most of the members of the force themselves, who included him in things, but it wasn't quite the same.
Tyler knew his life was richer and was thankful he had taken the chance and reached out to Rachel after she had left Landsdale. Finally taking his gaze off of Rachel, Tyler started toward the bedroom. As he walked past the table, he noted that it had been covered with a dark blue tablecloth. Two places were set across from each other. A vase of wildflowers sat between the two place settings, with taper candles on either side. Not having ever seen the plates, silverware and goblets that were on the table, Tyler assumed Rachel had borrowed them for the occasion.
The fact that Rachel had gone through the trouble of making the dinner special made him feel loved. Even if the cinnamon chicken didn't turn out just right, Tyler already felt loved.
Moving into the bedroom, Tyler checked on the sleeping infant. Their son was sleeping peacefully in the cradle. Tyler took a few moments to gaze upon the sleeping child. Though Gilbert did not share his blood, the fact that he would help shape this child into the person he would become was a weight he felt every time he looked on the child.
"Lord, give me the guidance and the strength to do right by this child, Amen," Tyler said softly, the prayer heartfelt.
The sound of Rachel singing, reminded him that his wife was waiting for him to join her for dinner. Moving from his spot, Tyler quickly changed from his uniform to civilian clothes. He selected black pants, a dark blue shirt and found a black tie. Perhaps it was a simple dinner, in a simple home but his wife had put effort into making this occasion special for him. He figured the least he could do was show appreciation by dressing up a bit. Besides, he had noticed that Rachel was wearing one of her Sunday dresses under her apron.
Stepping out of the bedroom, Tyler found Rachel placing the two plates back on the table. Each now had a serving of the cinnamon chicken, a slice of fresh butter bread, a baked yam, and a serving of creamed peas and mushrooms.
"That looks and smells wonderful," Tyler commented as he walked toward the table, his mouth watering from the smells.
"I hope it tastes that way as well," Rachel said, a pink hue coloring her cheeks as she retrieved the pitcher of sun tea from the ice box. Returning to the table, she filled both goblets before returning the picture to the ice box.
Instead of taking a seat, Tyler moved to the chair closest to Rachel and stood behind it. Only after he had seated his wife did Tyler take the chair across from her. Reaching across the table, the two joined hands. Tyler said a quick blessing on the food and his wife who had made it, making Rachel blush again at his praise.
Afterwards they began to eat the food. The first thing that Tyler tried was the cinnamon chicken. Though he had tasted cinnamon chicken several times since his mother's passing, but nothing had ever come close to tasting like she had cooked it. As the flavor of this dish touched his tongue, Tyler closed his eyes, transported back to those happy times growing up, specifically the last meal with his parents before leaving for Mountie training. He let out a contented sigh.
When he opened his eyes, Rachel looked a little blurry across the table as she looked at him expectantly. Blinking his eyes a few times to clear his vision, Tyler offered her a smile. "Tastes just like my mother use to make," he offered.
Rachel audibly let out the breath she had been holding. "I am glad it came out well," she commented, picking up her own knife and fork. "I wanted it to come out well so this evening was special."
Tyler reached across the table and rest a hand on Rachel's forearm. "You could have burned dinner black and this still would have been special because you put in the effort. It has been a long time since I had someone to fuss over me."
"I just wanted to show my appreciation for all you have done for me," Rachel told him. "I felt your compassion and protection on that horrible afternoon, and since you have come to Hope Valley I have felt that and your love. Thank you, for being there for me. I promise to do the same for you from now on."
"Well you are doing a wonderful job," Tyler assured her. "Now, how about we finish this wonderful dinner before it gets cold."
Rachel nodded her agreement. As they both started enjoying the dinner, the conversation turned to lighter subjects.
Gilbert slept through dinner. Rachel was doing the dishes, having refused Tyler's offer to help, when the boy woke up. Tyler got up to go get his son and after changing him came out to find that Rachel had prepared a bottle for the infant. Taking the bottle, Tyler had retreated to the settee with the infant. Rachel had joined him there after finishing the clean up.
Now, with Gilbert back in his cradle and a fire in the fireplace, to set the mood rather than needing the warmth, Tyler and Rachel were both on the settee again. Tyler sat at one end, his legs stretched out in front of him, while Rachel sat beside him. She had her feet tucked up on the settee as she leaned her head against the front of his shoulder. Tyler's one arm encircled her as he held her close. Her left hand was clasped in his right.
"This had been a lovely evening," Tyler told her. "Thank you."
"You are welcome. I wanted to show you that you are loved," she told him looking up at him.
Tyler placed a quick kiss to her lips before he replied. "I feel very loved tonight," he informed her. Her pretty brown eyes, were deep pools of emotion tonight. While he saw a hint of sadness in them, he was relieved that there had been no sign of regret in her actions, words, or even in her eyes tonight.
His gaze went from her eyes to their clasped hands. The gold band that Elizabeth had lent them encircled her third finger. He lifted her hand and placed a kiss to that finger before looking back at her.
"Are you feeling up to a wagon trip to Benson Hills yet?" Tyler asked.
"I think so," Rachel replied. "Why?"
"Because I was thinking it is about time that we find wedding bands of our own," Tyler told her. "I am not sure how long it might be until I get an assignment that takes me out of Hope Valley. I got a reprieve on account of the new family member, but that won't last forever. Autumn isn't in school right now so we could take her with us. I don't know much about when it is safe to travel with babies, but if the trip would be too much for him, I am sure Elizabeth or Abigail would be willing to watch him," he said, purposely selecting women that he knew had experience with raising a child. He felt better about leaving the infant with someone who had been a mother to an infant already.
"Even if Carson said it was all right, I think I would feel better with Elizabeth or Abigail watching Gilbert while we make the trip, especially with him being early. Besides, it might make it more special to Autumn. I know she's been doing well with the split attention, but I think it would be special to her if she has a day with just us."
Tyler nodded. "Then that is what we will do. We can let Autumn pick a place to eat while we are there, and make it a special outing for her as well. Maybe let her pick out a new dress for starting school in a few weeks."
"Oh, that alone will make her day," Rachel replied. "She has never had a store-bought dress."
"Well, you do a lovely job with making her and your dresses," Tyler told her. "You are quite a seamstress."
"Thank you," Rachel replied. "I have noticed that you are a bit handy with a needle in thread yourself. Do you own a pair of socks that haven't been mended?"
Tyler chuckled. "No, I don't think I do," he admitted. "Though darning socks, putting on patches, and sewing on buttons is the extent of my sewing skills."
"Yes, I saw the pants and shirts that have been patched."
"I only wear those when I am working either around the house or for a friend. You do not have to worry about your husband walking into town wearing patched clothes."
Rachel laughed. "That is good to know," she said. "However, I think along with a dress for Autumn, we should pick up knitting material so that I can make my husband some new socks."
"I will not complain about that," Tyler said. "Perhaps we get you a new dress as well," he ventured. "I was thinking that perhaps we could have Pastor Zeke lead us in a ring exchange in front of the congregation one Sunday. Only if you feel comfortable with the idea though," he added quickly.
"I think it is a wonderful idea. I don't think I am ready for a full ceremony and reception. Perhaps we could do that for our first anniversary? However, a simple ring exchange after a church service sounds manageable."
Tyler kissed the top of her head. "I will talk to Nathan tomorrow to see when he can spare me. I don't know what is going on with the men we arrested for a bar fight this afternoon. I will figure that out tomorrow and we can make plans from that."
"All right." Rachel replied.
They both fell silent for a bit, enjoying the presence of one another as the fire crackled nearby.
"You being here makes this place feel more cozy somehow," Rachel commented.
"I think being with you would make any place feel cozy for me," Tyler told her.
Rachel looked up at him again. "Are you teasing me?" she asked.
"No," he told her sincerity.
It was Rachel's turn to place a quick kiss on Tyler's lips. "Well, no matter how cozy this place is," she began when she broke the kiss, "when Gilbert starts crawling and walking this place is quickly going to feel too small."
"You are right," Tyler said. "Gilbert in our room works for now, but eventually we will need to move him out and I don't think it is fair to ask Autumn to share a room with her baby sibling, even if she had ended up with a sister instead of a brother. It wouldn't be fair to her."
"That's how I felt as well," Rachel admitted. "When it was just me and the kids, keeping the baby in my room longer would have been feasible."
"I talked to Abigail about the rent on the row houses. I can easily afford it, with or without you going back to work. If you do want to take shifts at the café, it will put you closer to town as well."
"I do miss working at the café and interacting with people," Rachel admitted. "Though I am not sure I would want to go back to the same hours now that Gilbert is here."
"I am sure Abigail would be happy to work with you," Tyler told her.
"She probably would. She was very flexible with having Autumn in the café while I worked. I will need to talk to her about that. But what about the row house? I didn't think there were any available."
"There will be when the Coulters move into their new home which should happen in the next couple of weeks," Tyler said. "No one has put a claim on it. Abigail said she would not promise it to anyone else until she heard back from us."
"It would let both children have their own rooms," Rachel commented. "And given your current position with the Mounties, it doesn't make sense to buy a place. Tell Abigail that we will take it."
"I will do that tomorrow," Tyler assured her even as a baby's cry from their bedroom interrupted the quiet evening.
Rachel slipped out from under Tyler's left arm. "I will go get him. I am going to try nursing him," she said. "You stay here and relax," she told her husband.
"I will be right here waiting for you," Tyler assured her.
Rachel leaned down and placed a kiss on his cheek before walking toward the bedroom. Tyler watched her with his eyes until she disappeared from sight.