Early the next morning, Rachel awoke to stirring in the bedroom. She had just fed Gilbert a little while ago but wondered if the baby was awake again. Opening her eyes, she realized the sounds did not come from the little boy but from Tyler who was quietly trying to get dressed for the day. Instantly more awake, she tossed the light blanket aside and climbed from the bed.

"Let me go make you a quick batch of eggs, and toast some bread for you," Rachel said, knowing that it was probably close to the time her husband needed to be leaving. She reached for her robe to slip into it.

"You don't need too," Tyler replied, in the process of pulling on his jodhpurs.

"I want to," Rachel assured him.

Walking over to him, Rachel pressed a quick kiss to his lips and then headed out of the room. As she thought of the events of a few hours ago, she found herself humming. When she and Gilbert had shared their first time together, she had learned that the experience could be pleasurable for her as well as for the guy. James had always been rough and quick about it, while Gilbert's actions had been fueled by passion. Her second husband had been aware of her as a person and not just treated her as a means to the end.

Last night with Tyler had been a different experience altogether. She had not thought it possible that Tyler could be so tender in his actions and still get to the same outcome. This experience wasn't any better, but it was different and as she had fallen asleep in Tyler's arms last night she had felt closer to him than she had before.

Loving Tyler didn't mean she loved Gilbert any less, but it did mean that she wouldn't be alone. Alone had been scary and lonely. She had been going through the motions of living. With Tyler at her side, Rachel felt like she was living again.

"Please God, don't let James rob me of that a second time," Rachel said softly as she reached the first floor of the row house. Though spoken in a whisper it was a fervent prayer that came from the heart.

By the time Tyler came downstairs, in full uniform minus his hat that hung by the door, and his gear, Rachel was placing a full plate of scrambled eggs and two buttered slices of toast at a place at the table.

"That smells wonderful," Tyler said, placing his gear by the door and walking over to the door.

"I can't control how well you will eat while you are out on your mission, but I can at least send you off on a full stomach," Rachel replied, placing a steaming mug of coffee and a glass of juice on the table.

Tyler leaned in and pressed his lips tenderly against hers, in a slow drawn out kiss. Rachel could feel her face flush from the emotion the gesture was evoking. Pulling away only slightly, Tyler whispered, "and after last night a very full heart as well."

"Sit down and eat," Rachel instructed him, though the words brought back memories of their intimate time together the night before.

Knowing she would eat more once Autumn was awake, Rachel sat down next to her husband with a glass of milk and a slice of buttered toast. It wasn't the food she was wanting right now anyway, just a chance to spend a few more moments with Tyler before he left.

Though he appreciated the warm food and coffee, Tyler still ate quickly. Not only didn't he want to leave Inspector Myers waiting for him, but he was also anxious to get started on the search. Rachel sense that, and so didn't bother him with conversation, instead just enjoying being with him.

When he had cleared his plate and downed both the coffee and the juice, Tyler thanked her for the food and her company as he pushed back his chair. As Tyler moved for the door for his hat and gear, Rachel moved to the counter to pick up the two of the small loaves of cornbread she had made the night before and wrapped in a cheesecloth. She moved to the door as Tyler settled the hat on his head, his pack already slung over one shoulder.

"I made you and Inspector Myers some cornbread for your travels," Rachel told him as she walked toward him. She held the loaves out to Tyler who took them. "It isn't much, but it is something I could do."

Tyler smiled at her. "It will be much appreciated," he assured her. "I will send word when I can."

Rachel nodded. "Just be careful."

"I will," Tyler told her, leaning in for a final kiss. "I already told Autumn good-bye before I came downstairs. She was half-asleep but I promised her I wouldn't leave town without saying good-bye."

"Thank you, for keeping that promise."

Tyler nodded. "Give little Gil a kiss for me when he wakes up. I didn't want to risk you having a fussy infant to deal with."

"I will," Rachel promised, as Tyler turned to head out the door.

The night sky was only just beginning to lighten as Tyler walked away from the house. Rachel knew the darkness would quickly envelope her husband as he walked away. However, before that happened, Tyler turned and blew his wife one final kiss. Rachel returned the gesture.

Even after Tyler had disappeared from sight, Rachel stood in the doorway watching the direction he was heading. She stood there, in the doorway of their home, saying a prayer not just for Tyler's safety and return but for all the Mounties involved in the search. James had caused enough trouble. She just wanted everyone to be safe and her ex-husband to be behind bars where he couldn't hurt anyone else.

"If you should choose to not spare his life this time, Lord, I am sorry to say I won't shed any more tears over James. Just allow Tyler to come home to me. Amen."

Eventually, Rachel stepped back into the house and closed the door. Turning, she moved to clean up from Tyler's breakfast before going upstairs and trying to sleep for a little bit before she had to be up for the kids.

For Rachel, the days that followed seemed to go by slowly. Nathan noted how the woman tried to remain upbeat for the sake of her children but he could see the worry in her eyes. Hoping to at least pass along encouragement, Nathan stopped by periodically through the day, whether he had news or not. When the news came in from Landsdale that Constable Ethan Hawthorne had been hit over the head from behind when leaving the office the night before, the Mounties felt certain the attacker had been James Blanchard. Other than the lingering effects of the blow to the head, and some bruises from his fall, Hawthorne was uninjured, leading them to believe that after realizing the Mountie was not Tyler, James had fled. Given that the man was bent on revenge against the man who had sent him to prison, it was believed the fugitive would not have gone far right away as he would need to figure out where his target had gone after leaving Landsdale. James best chance to do that in the immediate future was to get someone to talk in the area. Constable Hawthorne expressed surprise that he hadn't ended up being that someone. The only theory for why James didn't take the unconscious Mountie hostage was that he had been too surprised by the fact that Hawthorne had not been Tyler.

Shortly after relaying that information to Rachel, Nathan was relieved to get a quick message from Tyler relaying where they were and that he was fine. Rachel was so happy that she hugged Nathan and then apologized quickly. Nathan assured her that he understood her reaction.

The search for James Blanchard was soon not the only manhunt the Mounties had going on in the province. Jack Trenton had shot a Mountie, and a civilian, in an attempted bank robbery in High River. With the injuries on the scene, Trenton was able to slip away. When Trenton's next attempt was in Rockland, Nathan knew they had to be on the lookout for the man in Hope Valley. Not only did their town have a bank, but Trenton had been heading in their general direction before the Mounties tracking him had lost his trail. The tracker in Nathan, wanted to make his own attempt but then that would leave Hope Valley relatively unprotected. Yes, Bill would not hesitate to jump into the fray, but leaving town did not sit well with Nathan at this point. If they got further word on where Trenton was, then perhaps he could justify it but not before that.

*For now, he figured he would keep a presence closer to town and take a few walks through the train station. Most people from out of town usually ended up one of three places - Abigail's Café, The Queen of Hearts, or the nearby Train Station. Given the low profile that this guy was trying to keep, Nathan doubted he would attempt to travel by train but he wasn't going to assume anything.

Stepping out onto the boardwalk in front of his office, Nathan slowly surveyed his surroundings. Every thing seemed normal. Familiar faces went about their everyday business. There were a few faces he didn't recognize but with the train station nearby that wasn't unusual itself. Even the unfamiliar faces did nothing to arouse his suspicions though.

Deciding he would look less obvious if he was walking around town, then he would just standing where he was, Nathan started walking down the boardwalk. He had only taken a couple of steps when a noise caught his attention. Looking over his shoulder, Nathan saw a stage come into view. As there wasn't one scheduled to arrive that he knew of, and the fact that it was going at a faster speed than normal, though not reckless, Nathan knew that something was up.

Turning to face the oncoming stage, he stepped to the edge of the boardwalk. Nathan's intent was to be visible but not be in danger of being hit by the stagecoach.

"Constable!" the driver called out from his perch.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked, as the driver brought the stage to a stop next to him. The out of breath horses lowered their heads even as the driver spoke.

"I was stopped by a guy with a gun about an hour ago, Constable," the driver said breathlessly.

"Was anyone hurt?" Nathan asked immediately.

The driver shook his head. "I thought maybe he was going to shoot me, but all he did was order me off the seat and to lie on the ground. I only have one passenger. She's blind. She's shaken up but he didn't hurt her either, just took the brooch she was wearing."

Upon hearing about the passenger, Nathan moved to the stage itself as the driver climbed down from his seat. He was still talking.

"I think the guy wanted the other stagecoach. We left Fairville at the same time, me with my passenger heading for Union City. The other stage had two passenger but it also had to payroll boxes and that's what the guy kept asking for - the payroll boxes."

Nathan nodded his acknowledgment to the stage driver's information as he filed it away. When he spoke however, it was in a calm voice to the single young lady in the back of the stage.

"I'm Constable Nathan Grant, miss," he told her, as she wouldn't be able to see the uniform that he wore. "Are you okay?"

The young lady nodded, turning her head in the direction of his voice. "I think so," she replied in a shaky voice. "The guy just wanted to know if I had any money. I didn't. My fare was paid for by my father. I'm going to stay with my sister in Union City. Grabbing my brooch was the closest he got to touching me. I still feel very shaken, though."

"That's understandable considering what you've gone through," Nathan told her, trying to sound reassuring. "Why don't you step out of the stage? I'll have someone walk you over to the café and you can have a cup of tea to try soothing your nerves," he suggested.

The young lady nodded her consent.

Reaching for one of her hands, Nathan assisted her out of the stage. By now, quite a few townsfolk had gathered around the stage, wanting to know what was going on. Spotting Rosemary in the crowd, Nathan motioned to her.

"Rosemary, can you escort this young lady to the café. Have Clara give her a cup of hot tea, and something to eat if she's hungry. I'll be by to talk to her in a little bit."

"Of course," Rosemary replied. Reaching out, she took the young lady's hand from Nathan. "Come with me, dear," Rosemary said soothingly as she guided the young woman in the direction of the café. "What's your name?"

Nathan didn't hear the answer as he was already turning his attention back to the driver.

"Did you get a good look at this guy?" Nathan asked.

The driver shrugged. "He wore his hat low, and had a bandana covering his nose and mouth. His eyes were green though, I can tell you that."

Nathan nodded. He'd have the driver look at the sketch of the bank robber from High River to see if he looked familiar at all. However, there weren't usually multiple robbers working in the same areas this far away from the city.

"You said he was looking for the payroll boxes. Did you tell him there was another stage?"

"Yes. Was it wrong for me to?" the driver asked, looking nervous.

"You're not on trial," Nathan told him. "I'm just trying to get as much information as I can. Did you tell him what route the other stage was taking?"

"He threatened to shoot me if I didn't," the driver said, nodding his head. "Wasn't sure if he actually would or not, but I didn't want to take the chance."

"You were right to cooperate," Nathan assured him. "Where was the other stage headed?"

"Its first stop was Brookfield. One of the payroll boxes was supposed to be delivered to the hotel there."

Nathan felt his gut clench at the mention of Brookfield. Looking around the crowd again, Nathan spotted Ned among the onlookers.

"Ned, I need you to send a telegram to Gabriel in Brookfield immediately. Tell him I have reason to believe that there is a robber pursuing a stage heading to Brookfield from Fairville."

"I'm on it," the mercantile owner told him heading for his store.

Spotting another familiar face, Nathan asked, "Kevin, can you take the horses to the livery and take care of them. They'll need a rest before going on."

"I'll take care of it," Kevin told him.

Nathan looked back to the driver. "Come into the office with me," he requested. "I want you to look at some posters to see if any of them look familiar. I also want to call Mountie Headquarters in Union City and report the hold up and theft of the brooch."

"Yes, sir," the driver said as he followed Nathan through the crowd and toward the North West Mounted Police Office. *

The driver continued to be cooperative, and Nathan noted that as more time past, the more relaxed he became. The Mountie knew that the adrenaline was wearing off as the man was feeling safe in his current surroundings. Not the reaction of a man trying to make up a story.

Though the stagecoach driver said he couldn't swear to it, the poster sketch of the High River bank robber felt familiar. That was enough of a reason for Nathan to want to follow up and try tracking this guy from the point of the stagecoach holdup, though Nathan's gut told him the man was heading for Brookfield to try catching that other stagecoach. Part of him wanted to ride straight for his friend's posting but Nathan knew that would be an emotional reaction. Investigation meant following the clues and the area of the holdup was the next place to search for those clues.

A call to headquarters gave Nathan the permission to use his own judgement in the investigation and to put the stagecoach driver and passenger in the hotel on the Force's tab. Upon hanging up, Nathan convinced the driver to take him out to where the stage had been held up in the morning, as they would be losing light today by the time they got out there. Nathan said he would take responsibility for the delay in travel with the man's passenger.

"If you go tracking this guy, do I have to come with you?" the driver asked.

"No, you show me where you remember the holdup occurring, walk me through events and you can come back to Hope Valley and be on your way."

"I guess cooperating is the best way to make sure this guy ends up behind bars. I definitely do not like being held up."

"Thank you," Nathan said. "Let's get you settled in a room and then I will go talk to your passenger," he continued, getting to his feet.

The driver nodded his consent. The two men then left the office. After getting the bags from the stage, they headed for the Queen of Hearts. Nathan spoke to Lucas about getting two rooms for which he would be reimbursed for by the force. With Lucas getting the stagecoach driver settled, Nathan headed for the café.

Both Abigail and Rosemary were sitting at the table with the young woman. Nathan approached slowly, announcing his presence in a normal voice so as not to startle the woman. Taking the seat next to Abigail, Nathan asked the young woman her name.

"Holly Borden."

"Welcome to Hope Valley, Holly," Nathan said calmly. "Wish your welcome was under better circumstances."

Holly smiled. "Despite the prior excitement, the people of this town have been friendly and compassionate, including you, Constable."

"Good," Nathan replied. "Especially as there is going to be a delay on your departure," he informed her. "I need your stage coach driver to show me where the coach was stopped for my investigation." Nathan could see the concern quickly coming to the young woman's features. "The force will cover the costs of food and lodging while you are here, so don't worry about that," he assured her remembering her comment about her dad paying her fare and having no money. "Does your sister have access to a telephone in Union City?"

"You have a good memory for details, Constable," Holly remarked.

"Comes with the territory."

"Sarah does have a phone in her home."

"Good. You can call her and tell her about the delay so she doesn't worry about you not showing up on time. Perhaps I can even find someone to drive you to Union City tomorrow so you are not further inconvenienced."

"I am sure Lee would be willing to make the drive," Rosemary volunteered. Nathan had no doubt that Lee would do so if the request came from Rosemary. "In fact, how about you spend the night with us, rather than an unfamiliar hotel room after what you have been through."

"I couldn't ask-" Holly began.

"You are not asking. I am offering and as most people in this town will tell you, the word 'no' is not in my vocabulary," Rosemary told the woman brightly.

Nathan had to admit he would feel better with the young woman at the Coulters over the saloon. Yes, Lucas had promised to look out for her but a young, blind woman at the Queen of Hearts alone did not sit well with him.

"I think you will be more comfortable with the Coulters," Nathan said. "You could even make your phone calls there. As for the drive to the city, there might be a delay of another night involved if you decide to wait for the stage coach."

Holly sighed. "I do want to get to my sister's house sooner rather than later. This whole experience has turned me off of traveling. I thank you for your hospitality, Rosemary."

"You are most welcome," Rosemary assured her.

With accommodations settled, Nathan asked Holly if she could give him any other details about the holdup - what she heard, anything she might have smelled. The details the woman had noticed with her other senses did not surprise Nathan and he made notes of everything. Holly reported too that the man was more interested in the payroll boxes than anything else. She also provided him with a detailed description of the broach she was wearing. He took her contact information at her sister's place with the promise of returning the broach should it be recovered.

Having spoken to both witnesses, and knowing they would both be taken care of for the night, Nathan headed for Bill's office. He needed to let Bill know what was going on so that he could take over relaying information to Rachel about the search for her ex-husband and updates from Tyler. The judge would also need to be on the lookout not only for James, but this robber from High River as well. The likelihood of either coming to Hope Valley at this point was low but one could never be too careful.

They were in the area very familiar to Tyler now as it had been a part of his patrol area while posted in Landsdale. He pointed to a farm yard not far off the main road. It had clearly seen better days, though Tyler couldn't say when. He had come to Landsdale after Rex Topper had lost his wife and child in childbirth. The pregnancy had complications before the due date and Vicky, Rex's wife, had been sent to a hospital for special care. Vicky never returned home. People said Rex was the friendly sort before then. Always willing to lend a neighbor a hand. After his wife's death the man withdrew into himself. He made it into town when he needed supplies and preferred it if no one said a thing to him. Tyler had kept his visits to Rex's farm brief out of respect for the man's preferences. He would stop in on occasion, verify the man was in good health, ask if he needed anything and be on his way. Oftentimes Tyler would not even dismount his horse as Rex could be found sitting on his front porch or caring for the animals on the property. The animals were the only thing on the farm that looked well cared for.

"Let's check with Rex if he has seen or heard anything. The seclusion of this place may have drawn James," Tyler said over his shoulder to Inspector Myers. The inspector had insisted on bringing up the rear saying he couldn't look out for Tyler if his fellow Mountie was behind him.

Myers nodded his consent and Tyler headed down the short drive to the farm yard. Not much had changed it seemed. Rex was not on the front porch but Tyler noticed the barn door open. He silently pointed out the observation to Myers who nodded. Perhaps it was Rex in his barn, or perhaps it wasn't.

The two Mounties dismounted and tied the reigns of their horses around a fence rail. Then cautiously they approached the barn.

"Hey Rex, is that you in there?" Tyler called out as he and Myers approached on opposite sides of the barn door. "It's Constable Randall."

There was a clatter from inside the barn which had both Mounties undoing the snaps of their holsters. Soon though, Rex appeared in the doorway, hands out slightly from his body. Though his hair and beard looked as unkempt as ever, Tyler noted that the man looked shaken.

"There is a man with a gun looking for you, Constable Randall," Rex said, pausing a little bit away from the tense Mounties.

"I am aware of that. Was he here?"

Rex nodded. "I was coming out to milk the cows and the guy came up behind me. He held something metal and cold to my head. Said it was a gun and I wasn't taken chances it wasn't. I know I have been longing to be with my wife and child again but I suddenly did not want to go like that."

"I can understand that," Tyler replied, his voice laced with compassion. "What did this man say?"

"Said he was looking for you and wanted information from me. Said if I couldn't provide him with any, then I was collateral damage. Claimed he had shot a defenseless man once already and had nothing else to lose. I had no idea where your new posting was. Hell, it wasn't until that new Mountie stopped by to check in that I even knew you had left the area. I had a feeling that would have gotten me shot though, so I told him I heard you had taken a posting in Cold Lake. It was the first place that came to mind."

"And he just left after that?" Myers asked.

"Well he hit me in the back of the head with whatever he was holding against my head and then left. Didn't knock me out, but it hurt. Got the lump on the back of my head if you want proof. I stayed on the ground for a while after that not wanting to chance him being around. I was just going to saddle up Dale to tell that new guy what happened. Never did bother learning his name."

"Dale is Rex's horse," Tyler supplied to Myers who nodded. "Do you have a time frame for when this happened?"

"Well, I have always tried milking the cows around six. Always been an early riser."

Myers took out his pocket watch. "It is a bit past nine-thirty now. James has got a few hours on us it would seem. I say we go into town, report what we found and decide what to do from there. We should definitely send people toward Cold Lake but I don't think we should abandon the search in this area either."

Tyler nodded. "I want to head in the direction of Cold Lake though," he told the Inspector. "James is a man of action and now he is bent on revenge. He would have taken Rex's information at face value."

"You have dealt with the man. I have not. We'll check in, resupply, and be part of the group that tries to pick up this man's trail on the way to Cold Lake," Myers acquiesced.

Tyler looked down at Rex. "You should have that head injury examined. If I send the doctor out here, you won't give him a hard time, will you."

"I'll let him look at me," Rex said. "You just be sure to tell him I ain't going to no hospital. They didn't do Vicky any good."

Tyler nodded. "I will relay the message. You try taking it easy in the meanwhile," he instructed before he and Myers headed back to their horses to finish the ride into Landsdale.

*This section of text first appeared in my When Hope Calls fanfiction "For the Love of A Mountie." In the universe these stories take place in, the events of those two stories are now overlapping.