Chapter 90. Interesting Developments

On Monday morning, Julia was waiting in one of the wicker chairs when Nathan arrived for coffee. He was usually always there before her, but it had been hard to get up this morning. He had stayed up late taking to Jake last night. And, after Jake left, he'd flipped through his appreciation book and read a few of the letters written inside. The two letters tucked into the back were from Elizabeth and Lucas. He found it curious that they had been mailed from Hamilton separately, almost ten days ago. But, it was nice that they had made the effort.

"Good morning, Lawman." Julia told him with a contented smile.

Nathan smiled at Julia as he climbed the stairs, leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "Good morning."

He unlocked the door and entered to make the coffee. He came back in no time flat with two cups in his hand. He sat down next to her and handed her one. Julia took a big whiff and smiled contentedly. He made good coffee.

She looked over her cup at him. "Can you believe last night?"

Nathan shook his head. Like her, he was still processing all the wonderful things that had happened the evening before. "No I can't, actually. I was going to say the same thing to you."

"I had no idea it would be like that. When Rosemary and Clara approached me, I was picturing a small get together." She paused and glanced at him. "It was so much more than expected."

"Same for me, Jules. I don't know what I was expecting, but you are right, it was so much more." He told her.

"And that quilt. That was a complete surprise." Julia told him, and she thought of something else. "And my brother's speech. Wow."

"It was all so beautiful. And thoughtful." Nathan told her. "Speaking of your brother, we talked last night."

Julia's gaze came around to Nathan, surprised, but relieved. "Really? He talked to you?"

"Yep. For a long time." Nathan told her. "He's in a good place, Jules, despite the circumstances. Right now it seems impossible to him, because of the other friends that are involved. He doesn't want anyone to get hurt. And, he won't make a move till he's sure it's right. So, he's in a holding pattern, but in a good place."

"Well I'm glad to hear that. Though, it did seem as though Mike's head turned in another direction, last night." Julia said with a low giggle, and took a sip.

"You can say that again. Did you see how smitten he was? The poor guy. And it made our little joke all the more cruel." Nathan felt horrible about that. When Mike had mistakenly assumed that Alex was male, not one of them had corrected him. In fact, they had let the little joke go on until Mike was standing in front of her. Of course, they had no way of knowing how Mike would react to meeting her.

"I agree. It all seemed so innocent, until he walked in and laid eyes on her." Julia said shaking her head in disbelief.

"He recovered pretty well, though." Nathan told her happily.

"He'll probably be Gustave's best customer in the saloon, from now on." Julia surmised. Nathan chuckled at that thought, but guessed that Julia was probably right. Proximity was crucial. Nathan had certainly stuck close to the infirmary at the beginning, when he'd been smitten with Julia. The only exception was the week that he'd tried to avoid her, although that hadn't worked very well.

"Jules, I'm thinking about taking Allie camping for a few days." Nathan told her, sipping his coffee.

"That's a great idea." Julia told him.

"It's a father-daughter thing we usually do every year, at the beginning of Allie's summer vacation. However, this year when school let out, I really wasn't in any shape to go camping. So, we put it off. Now, I don't want to miss out on the opportunity. Allie really loves our tradition." He paused. "My trainees arrive on Sunday, and it will be impossible to go during the training program. By the time they all leave, her summer break will be almost over." He told her. "And, it will be almost time for the wedding."

"Say no more, Nathan. I think it's a wonderful idea. When will you go?" Julia asked.

"I was thinking about leaving tomorrow morning, and coming back on Wednesday. That is, if I can get most things set up and ready for the trainees on Sunday. And if Allie can get off on Wednesday from the telephone exchange." He told her.

"I'm sure it will work out." Julia told him, happy for them. "She's going to be so excited."

Jake walked up, just back from his morning rounds. "Good morning." He greeted them both.

"Good morning, Jake." She told him, with an admiring smile.

"Everything go well on your rounds?" Nathan asked.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." Jake reported. "Haven't seen the Pinkertons in over a week now."

"That's good news." Nathan answered.

Julia stood and decided to let the men discuss their business. She put her coffee cup down inside, filled up another cup for Jake, and brought it back out to him. He smiled at her, grateful. Then, Julia said her good byes, and headed across the street to work.

At lunch, Faith, Fiona, and Julia decided to try out the saloon. At the heart of it, they wanted to get to know Alex, who was intriguing. But, Julia had a second motive that was a little more innocent. She remembered all too well what it was like to be new in town. She very much appreciated the friendship that had quickly formed with Faith and Fiona, that made those early days so much easier. Perhaps they could do the same now, for Alex.

When they entered the saloon, they were surprised to find some changes already. First of all, there were a few signs posted: GAMBLING STRICTLY PROHIBITED. One was near the front door, and the other was above the bar. In the back, a fun game area was set up, with two dartboards, and a table with other games: backgammon, chess, and checkers. A small sign there read: Poker and Gambling Prohibited. The tables were set up to look more like a restaurant, a little more spread out and away from the bar.

Alex was very present and near the front door, watching over things. And, she was wearing pants! Well, not really pants, but a fairly new style called jupe-culottes, that were usually worn for active endeavors. But, Alex was wearing them to work. Julia could only imagine that she did that to be ready for anything.

Alex greeted them, and offered them a table over on the side. She handed them all menus and told them the specials. She also told them that Gustave was working on a new bistro menu, for patrons on their lunch break. In the evenings, the menu would be like a proper restaurant. But, this was still Hope Valley after all, so she assured them it wouldn't be too fancy.

There were two new waitresses at the saloon, and it seemed to be their very first day. Julia recognized them both from around town. One was the adult daughter of a foremen out at the sawmill. And the other was one of the young wives of a worker from the oil rig. They were both nice and capable, but obviously new at this. One, who was named Sarah, finally came by and took their order, and while they waited, Julia stepped over to the bar to say hello to George.

He saw her coming, and smiled. "Miss Matthews. That was some party last night."

"Yes it was. I was not expecting such a turnout, neither was Nathan." She told him with a little embarrassed giggle.

"Well, it was a nice evening." He told her.

"It seems like things are going well around here." Julia told him, glancing around at the changes Alex had implemented so far.

"Indeed. People are excited about the changes. And, Gustave is working on some new menus. They cater both to families, and those who like a slightly more fancy dining experience." George told her. "There will be more options and it will be interesting."

Julia smiled, "Sounds wonderful. Alex seems to be putting things in order quickly."

"Yes indeed. She shoots straight and she's one tough cookie." George told her, and by his smile, it was easy to see that he liked her. Then he leaned forward and spoke low. "Gustave let it slip that she used to be some kind of security agent for important people and their families, for the wives and kids, I think. Rumor has it she was trained in hand-to-hand combat. Don't let her size fool you, I think she can hold her own." He chuckled, obviously impressed. "And, she has a gun in an ankle holster under those culottes. Though, when I asked her about it, she assured me it's only until she gets things cleaned up around here."

Julia's mouth fell open, and she panned the room to find Alex. There she was, surveying the room, sizing up everyone, observing, committing everything to memory.

"Wow." Julia said, "What is she doing in Hope Valley?"

"She told me she needed a change." George told her, with a shrug.

Julia looked back at George, and said in earnest. "Well, then, I hope she finds what she's looking for." Julia realized she should probably get back to the table with her friends.

"Good talking to you, George." She told him.

"Always a pleasure, Miss Matthews." He told her, and she retuned to her seat.

When she came back, the girls were discussing the party last night. It seemed to be on the top of everyone's mind, the hot topic of discussion in Hope Valley.

"We all had such a nice time last night, Julia." Faith told her.

Fiona smiled, she'd gotten some nice photos, though she hadn't developed them yet. "It really was a nice evening."

"I'm still floating on a cloud, I think." Julia said with a giggle. "And, Fiona, you looked amazing last night, I never got to tell you. But, wow!"

"Thank you, Julia." Fiona said with an embarrassed smile. "I wanted to try something different with my hair."

"It was…fresh and beautiful." Faith told her. "I've been wanting to try something new myself."

Fiona looked at Julia. "And, we should probably look at hairstyles for your wedding, Julia. Maybe we should schedule a hairstyle party, just the three of us. I could close the shop and we could have girl time!"

Julia and Faith both loved that idea. "I'm in." Julia told her.

"Me, too." Faith piped in. "Say the word, and I'll be there."

"How about one day next week?" Fiona offered.

"Perfect!" Julia told her, excited.

The new waitress, Sarah, delivered their plates. All three women looked pleased about their choices for lunch, everything looked very nice.

When Sarah left, Faith asked a question they'd both been dying to ask. "Fiona, have you talked with Mike lately?"

Fiona let out a deep breath. "Yes. He came to me and apologized on Saturday, after his bizarre behavior on Friday night." She told them, with an even grin. "I forgave him, of course. We've been friends for far too long."

It was the second time Fiona had referred to Mike as a friend. It seemed to be either something that occurred naturally in her thought process, or something she was trying to establish. It made Julia wonder if that was really all there was between Fiona and Mike. She hoped so, for Fiona's sake, especially considering how Mike had reacted to Alex last night.

"So, only friends, huh?" Faith asked, also wondering the same thing. She, too, had seen Mike's obvious affinity for the new saloon manager.

Fiona replied with a certain conviction. "Yes. Only friends." She paused. "And, yes, I heard about how tongue-tied he was around Alex." And, as she revealed that information, Fiona seemed…relieved.

Faith told her. "I wasn't going to say anything."

"Well, you didn't have to. I heard about it from Molly, who heard about it from Rosemary." Fiona told them. "Nothing is private in this small town."

"The most important thing to me, is that you are not upset, Fiona." Julia told her. "If you are okay with it, then we are okay with it. We just want you to be happy."

"Thank you, Julia. But, I am happy." Fiona told them. "And, perfectly happy alone. All the men in this town seem so…complicated. Which only confirms what I have thought for some time now, that I am better off without a man in my life."

Julia honestly couldn't blame her. Though, her brother wasn't complicated at all. It was just the situation that was complicated. And, Jake was a man of integrity that wouldn't do anything if he thought his friends would be hurt by any of his actions. And, seeing how he was living with Mike, and becoming good friends with him, well that was certainly enough for Jake to put on the brakes.

Though, it seemed as though the Mike situation might have taken care of itself. There was still the question of Faith, who'd had a sort of expectation since Jake had come to town. Where did she stand on him now? Would she be hurt if something developed between Jake and Fiona? That was a question that was still up in the air, and one that Julia was quite certain was still weighing heavily on Jake and any decisions he was making at the moment.

Alex came over to check on them, and the girls were very happy about that. "How is everything ladies?" She drawled with her cute accent.

"Very nice, Alex." Fiona was feeling bold. "Do you have a minute to sit with us a while? We'd like to get to know you better, Alex."

"Let me come back when things slow down, which should be very soon. I'll bring the coffee." She told them, happily.

All three ladies looked pleased with that. "That would be lovely, Alex." Faith told her.

Just then, Julia looked up to see a group of guys enter, who looked like trouble. And, among them was Jimmy McIntosh. Alex was upon them immediately, and it was evident that she had already summed them up, inside of five seconds. They acted innocent, though Alex saw right through their act. Julia overheard her sternly tell them that the management had changed and gambling and rough-housing was no longer allowed in her establishment. They saw she meant business, but they still took a table in the corner.

The four guys ordered drinks and got a little rowdy waiting for their meal, but Alex walked by and spoke softly to them, and they immediately calmed. She really did have an assertive way of dealing with people. When Sarah delivered their lunch plates, they seemed content as they ate, so Alex grabbed four coffees from George at the bar, and brought them over to the girls' table.

"I have to say, Alex, you do not have an easy job." Faith told her with admiration, referring to the table of guys in the corner.

"Oh, those guys? I've met way worse." She told them with a chuckle.

Fiona asked her, curious. "Where did you live before coming to Hope Valley?"

"I lived in Edmonton." Alex replied with an even smile, sipping her coffee to avoid saying more.

"I've heard that's a nice town." Julia told her. "Before Hope Valley, Jake was posted not far from there, and used to work sometimes in the city." Julia thought she'd mention it. "He was in Spruce Grove, if you know it?"

Alex answered kindly. "I've heard of it, but never been there. I was mostly in the city." She told them.

"Before Edmonton, where were you?" Faith inquired.

Alex looked apprehensive to respond, but didn't want to appear allusive. She liked these girls. "I lived in Ottawa." Though, she wasn't going to tell them much more than that.

Fiona liked Ottawa. "That's also a nice city."

Faith wondered about something. "What made you choose Hope Valley?"

"Gustave made it sound so nice, I couldn't pass it up." She told them, honestly. "I wanted a slower life, and just needed a change."

Julia could relate. It was exactly the reason she had moved here. "Me, too, Alex. That's exactly why I came to Hope Valley."

"Where did you move from, Julia?" Alex asked her.

"Calgary. Though I'm from back east." Julia told her.

Fiona piped in. "And, I came from San Fransisco."

"And, what brought you to Hope Valley, Fiona?" Alex asked, curious.

"I was working for the telephone company, and installed the phone system here in Hope Valley." She explained. "Though, when it was time for me to move on, I decided to stay. And, I quit the phone company." Alex realized right then and there that Fiona was also a strong and independent woman. She respected that.

"And now, you are the barber?" Alex asked with a curious smile, as she sipped her coffee. Fiona nodded with a soft giggle.

"And she works out at the oil rig, with nothing but men." Faith bragged on her. Alex could relate to that.

From the corner of her eye, Julia noticed Jimmy stand and walk to the bar. She excused herself from the ladies for a moment, to approach him.

He turned just in time to see her coming. "Good afternoon Miss Matthews." He drawled, surprised that she would approach him.

"How ya doing, Jimmy?" Julia asked him, sincere.

"I'm just fine Miss Matthews. You sure you wanna be seen talking to me?" Jimmy asked her.

"Jimmy, you were a friend to us. Why wouldn't I speak to you?" Then she second guessed herself. "Unless it's you who doesn't want to be seen talking to me?"

Jimmy laughed out loud. She seemed to have no idea how pretty she was, nor how the male mind worked. Why would he mind her talking to him? He had no problem with it whatsoever, it was more her reputation that he was concerned about.

"How's your boy?" Jimmy asked. He followed her eyes as they went unconsciously to her engagement ring, and saw the look of sheer happiness on her face.

Julia looked back up at him, in the eye. "He's good, Jimmy. Because of you. You cleared his name. And, I never got to thank you properly" She paused. "So, thank you, Jimmy."

"He give you that ring?" Jimmy asked. The answer was obvious, but he just liked talking to her.

"Yes, he did." She smiled, content to her core, and it showed. "We're getting married in September." Julia looked him in the eye again. "You did a good thing, Jimmy. He's a good man."

"I'm glad I could help, for you and for Allie." Jimmy told her. Julia was surprised he remembered Allie's name. "But be careful, Miss Matthews. Not everyone is good, like your man."

Julia looked at him, studied him for a moment, hopeful her words might hit right, somehow. "Not everyone is given the chance to be good. Some people are only bad because of the horrible hand they were dealt." She gave him and even grin. "But, deep down, they still have some good left in them." She looked at him sideways. "And, it's my opinion, that if someone recognizes the difference, that's evidence right there, that the good is still in there." He didn't like the way she was looking at him, like she could see right into the heart of him.

"There ain't no good left in me, Miss Matthews." Jimmy told her flat.

Julia nodded, conceding her case. She turned and spied the tough guys he was with. Then she looked back at him and said low. "I'll never believe that, Jimmy." He looked down at his feet.

He didn't look up, but she continued. "Thank you, Jimmy, for what you did for Nathan, and Allie, and me." She paused. "I want you to know something else." He made eye contact with her. "I'm adopting Allie. So, she'll always have both me and Nathan, to look after her."

"I'm glad to hear that. She's a lucky young lady." He paused and looked at Julia, no longer cynical but serious now. "Consider me properly thanked now. So, you don't need to further tarnish your reputation by talking to me." Was he trying to get rid of her?

Though, now it was Julia's turn to laugh out loud. The same way he had laughed at her comment about talking to him. "Don't worry about my reputation, Jimmy. I sure don't." She nodded at him, and extended her hand, to shake. "Take care of yourself, Jimmy."

"You too, Miss Matthews." He shook her hand with an awkward smile. Jimmy watched her turn and walk all the way back to her table, still unnerved by their conversation. Very few people had surprised him in his lifetime, and Julia Matthews was one of them. Most people took him for what he was, a troublemaker. But, Julia didn't jump to conclusions and looked for the good in him, even if there wasn't much left to find. For some reason, that bothered him. He turned abruptly back to his whiskey and took a big drag before walking back to his table.

In the afternoon, Julia had two visitors stop by the infirmary. The first was Allie, who stopped by at the end of her shift, to discuss her Dad's birthday party on Thursday. She had prepared the invitations and already delivered them. Everyone was excited about the idea of a dinner party. Julia and Allie would make a roast with potatoes, and everyone else had agreed to bring a side item. And, much to the their delight, Minnie had offered to make a chocolate cake. Exactly what they had been hoping for. She and Allie made a few more plans, and when everything was set, Allie went on home to get ready for her father-daughter camping trip. Though, before she left, Allie let her in on a little secret, sort of. Archie had ordered something big from Ned, for Nathan, and was being very secretive about it.

Her second visitor was Nathan, who came in with a huge happy smile. Julia put her finger up to her lips, signaling that Faith was behind the curtain with a patient, and followed him out onto the porch.

Nathan seemed just about to burst as he spoke. "Jules, I came by to tell you that Lee's men will break ground up on our land, on Thursday."

His obvious excitement was contagious. "On your birthday?" Julia asked with a surprised and happy smile. How very perfect. She wondered if Lee even realized, but of course, he had gotten an invitation to Nathan's party.

"Jules, could you take the day off? And, spend it with me?" He asked her, with his cute crooked smile.

How could she say no to that crooked smile? What a wonderful idea. They could ride up and watch the groundbreaking, and spend the day together. "On one condition." She bluffed, and he looked at her, nervous for a split second. "Will you swing with me?" Her happy smile spread slowly across her face.

He shook his head at her little tease, though he meant yes, of course. "That was my thought exactly. We can watch the ground breaking from our porch swing." Then he realized something. "Though we'll have to move it out of the way."

"I'm sure Faith will agree, but let me ask her for the day off, when she comes out from behind the curtain." Julia told him. "I'll poke my head in later, and let you know."

Nathan liked that idea. He turned to go, stopped halfway down the stairs, and looked back up at her. "You know where to find me."

She nodded playfully at him. She sure did.

At around 4 p.m., Julia crossed the street to find Nathan. She looked first in the downstairs Mountie office, thinking she had seen him recently coming and going. But, neither he nor Jake were present there.

Julia went up the back stairs, and found them both in Nathan's office, arranging desks and chairs. Nathan's classroom was really coming along. She hadn't been upstairs in a while.

"Wow, it looks so nice in here. When were the desks delivered?" Julia inquired.

"At lunch today." Nathan told her. She also saw the new bookshelf that was installed just behind his desk. The crates of books still sat on the floor, he had yet to arrange them.

"Need some help?" She asked, motioning to the books.

"Sure, if you have time, Jules." Nathan told her, so she set to work.

As they worked, Nathan asked her. "How was your lunch at the saloon?"

Julia chuckled. "It was interesting."

Jake looked over at her. "Interesting how?"

Nathan chuckled and explained. "The ladies are trying to get to know our new saloon manager." Jake nodded in understanding. That sounded like something that trio would do.

Julia reported to them, proud of her investigative skills. "She told us that she has lived in Ottawa and in Edmonton. And George told me that Gustave let it slip that she worked in protective security for some important people, or perhaps their wives or children."

It clicked for Jake. That's where he'd seen her before. "I knew I recognized her. I once worked a security detail at Government House in the Glenora neighborhood of Edmonton. I'm sure I saw her there." He paused. "And the address on the baggage tag of her trunk was definitely Glenora."

"You think she worked for the lieutenant governor of Alberta?" Nathan asked.

"Or his wife or children." Jake surmised.

Julia thought of something else. "And, in Ottawa?"

Nathan looked at Jake. "Could be Sussex Drive?" It was widely known that on Sussex Drive were the residences of the Canadian monarchy, as well as the Governor General and Prime Minister of Canada.

"George also thinks she was trained in hand-to-hand combat. And, he said she has a gun in a holster at her ankle." Julia reported. That added up, if she worked for a protective service agency.

Nathan looked at Jake. "That checks out with what I gathered when I rode with her on the stagecoach." He paused. "Protective or security services? Could she be Mountie or Military trained?"

Jake looked at him, "Possibly. I know there have been some training sessions held for women who were assigned to guard women or children. Though they are generally kept under wraps, secretive."

Nathan thought of something else. "When I roomed with Timothy Bedford, he mentioned that they are in the process of putting together a large security detail for the fall. Apparently Prince Edward the VII, the Prince of Wales, is going to visit Alberta, and will stay at Government House in Edmonton." He told them both. "But, please keep that under your hats."

"Wow, how exciting. The Royal Prince of Wales, in Edmonton?" Julia laughed at the thought. But thad made her curious about something. "But why would Alex leave, just before that visit?"

Jake looked down at his feet, trying to figure out how to explain something so sensitive, to his sister. "Jules, not all men are nice to women in our line of work. Some can be a little old-fashioned." He frowned. Julia could only imagine. It still hurt to know that a person could be discounted or discriminated against, just because she was female. Alex might look tough in her jupe-culottes, but she was still a woman underneath. And, had likely dealt with that unfairness for some time.

"Well, she's here now. So, let's make her feel at home." Julia told them. Whatever she'd been through, Alex deserved a chance to start over, just like anyone else.

"That's a great way to approach the situation, Jules." Nathan told her. Julia...always positive and hopeful.

Julia focused on the books she was stacking onto the shelves, for a minute or two. Then figured she needed to tell them something else. "I also ran into Jimmy McIntosh."

"At the saloon?" Jake asked.

Julia nodded. "With three rough looking guys. Alex kept them in line, but they looked up to no good." She told them.

Nathan wanted to know. "You talked to him, Jules?"

Julia nodded. "Yes. I never got the chance to thank him, Nathan…afterwards. So, I felt like I should do so. I tried my best to convey my gratitude." She told Nathan, honestly. "Though, he told me I shouldn't be talking to him. Was worried about my reputation." She said with a shrug.

Jake knew Julia would never let that bother her. She was loyal like that. "Be careful, Jules. Even if the guy was nice once, he runs with a rough crowd." You could say that again. But, Julia made sure to speak to him away from the other guys, and only briefly.

"I am always careful, Jacob Matthews." She told him, with a sideways glance. "I now have two Mounties in my life, to answer to."

Jake told her. "I just hope he's not doing anything illegal. I would hate to have to arrest him."

Nathan piped in. "I don't know how, but from what I hear, Jimmy McIntosh always seems to avoid being caught."

"Well, let's hope we don't have to deal with him. That he keeps his nose clean while he's in town." Jake could only hope. "Because I won't hesitate."

Julia nodded, hopeful too. She went back to her task unpacking the crates of books, and soon had them all arranged neatly on the shelves. Though, perhaps not exactly how Nathan would like them.

"I'm ready for inspection, Inspector." Julia stepped back and said, with a cute smile at Nathan. "Would you like to come over here and see if the books to your liking?"

Nathan looked playfully at her, and strolled over to check it out. He pretended to be looking it over closely, teasing her with his facial expressions, as he went through the titles. However, she had done pretty well putting them in a reasonable order by subject matter.

"You pass inspection, Miss Matthews." Nathan straightened and smiled cutely down at her. "Just barely."

Julia shook her head at him, amused. She whispered low, "And if I didn't pass?"

Nathan looked at her playfully and started to open his mouth. He remembered Jake was in the room, glanced over at him, and closed his mouth tight. He was suddenly tongue-tied and just shook his head at her teasing, though he was thoroughly amused.

Julia giggled at him, and asked, "Anything else that needs to be done, Lawman?"

They both looked over at Jake, who was just finishing with the last desk and chair. So, things were really coming together.

"Nope. I think that's about all we can do up here today." He told her, sadly.

She had nearly forgotten the reason she had stopped by in the first place. "Oh, I almost forgot." She said with a playful smile. "I'm off on Thursday." Oh, how easily she was distracted, when in the same room with Nathan Grant.

Nathan was already excited. "Great, then it's a date. Will you meet me at the livery on Thursday morning? 7:30 a.m.?"

"I'll be there, Lawman." Julia promised. "Well, I better get back to work, you two." She gave them each a kiss on the cheek, and headed back to the infirmary.

At 6:00 p.m., Nathan came by and picked Julia up. They walked arm in arm to Nathan's house, and they were so delighted to have some time alone, that they took their sweet time getting there. When they finally arrived, Archie and Allie were working together in the kitchen, making dinner. The two were so cute together, it was sad to think that Archie might return home soon.

While Allie and Archie worked, Nathan and Julia sat in the living room on the little couch. Side by side, they laid the quilt out across their laps, and it even extended out across the coffee table before them. And together, they discovered each and every square. Each one was done well and thoughtful. One square depicted a Mountie with a tall and slender young man with curly dark hair. Nathan could make out the initials in the corner and knew it was from Robert's mother. She had obviously made a square to illustrate the time Nathan had mentored Robert, when he was considering a career as a Mountie.

Another square portrayed a Mountie on horseback with another man, wrapped in a blanket, on horseback next to him. Nathan knew that one was from Clara, and to mark the time that Jesse had been lost, and all the town searched for him. Nathan explained to Julia that he had been the one to bring Jesse home to Clara, safe and sound.

There were many, many more, and Nathan had forgotten so many wonderful things that had happened in four short years. There were a lot of squares with nursing things, and the infirmary was depicted several times. Julia had made an impact, too, in her short time in Hope Valley.

Nathan spoke without realizing. "It will be nice on our marriage bed."

Julia's eyes shot over to him. Their marriage bed. She swallowed hard. It sounded so strange. But, after they were married, they would certainly share a bed. Her mouth dropped open just a little bit.

Nathan glanced at her and saw her face, and realized how it had come out. He blushed. He tried to recover, "I mean…it's a nice quilt."

"Nathan, we will eventually have to talk about such things. It's okay." She said low. "It just caught me off-guard." She looked at him and decided to try it out. "Our marriage bed."

His heart began to race. He turned beet red, even his neck was red. Julia suddenly felt every millimeter of the contact her hip made with his, on the couch. Not to mention, his hand rested lightly on the quilt, but her leg was just underneath, and she now felt an undeniable humming there, that penetrated the quilt, her skirts, and her petticoat.

Nathan picked up his hand as if he felt it too, and suddenly, they were both keenly aware of how close they sat to each other. He tried desperately to clear his throat, but it was impossible.

Julia's mouth went completely dry. She needed a drink. She moved the quilt to the side, walked to the kitchen, poured a glass of water and drank it down. How could one man, and the mere mention of something 40 days in the future, have such an affect on her? She turned and saw that he was just behind her. She poured him a glass of water too, and he drank his down. She watched him and got so tickled at the entire situation. By the time he set his glass down, she was laughing heartily. He took one look at her, and started laughing, too.

Allie and Archie glanced over their shoulders at all the laughing, wondering what on earth could be so funny. But soon, they were laughing too, just watching Nathan and Julia cracking up uncontrollably.

Finally, Archie shook his head and put them to work. He handed them things to carry to the table, and they did. It was a welcome distraction. And when the table was all set, the foursome sat down together to eat.

Over dinner, topics of discussion included the upcoming camping trip, the groundbreaking, and Nathan's birthday.

And, at 7:30 p.m., Nathan and Julia headed to the Canfield's house, for their first premarital meeting.