Nathan put the gun on the counter and pulled Archie into the house.

"That's my grandfather?" Allie asked.

"Yes I am." Archie said.

"When I asked my mom about you, she said that you were probably dead." Allie said.

"Allie, go back to bed." Nathan said.

"But." Allie started.

"Bed." Nathan said with a raised voice. Allie crossed her arms and stomped off.

When they were alone, Nathan looked at Archie.

"What are you doing here? How did you know where we lived?" Nathan asked.

"Dylan told me after Colleen died. I just want to know my granddaughter." Archie said.

"That's not going to happen." Nathan said.

"Why not?" Archie asked.

"Really Archie? You have no idea why I wouldn't want you getting to know Allie." Nathan asked.

"I've changed." Archie said.

"Sure, you have. I'll go get some money and send you on a stagecoach far away from here." Nathan said.

"Come on son, it's too late for any stagecoach. Can't I stay here for the rest of the night?" Archie asked.

"Fine, but you have to sleep out in the stable." Nathan said.

"No." Allie said rushing in.

"Allie." Nathan said.

"Uncle Nathan, it is cold outside. Let him sleep on the couch." Allie said.

"Absolutely not." Nathan said.

"Remember what Pastor Joseph preached this morning? I was hungry and you gave me food. I was a stranger and you let me in. I was naked and you clothed me." Allie said. Nathan looked at Allie who was giving him those puppy dog eyes.

Nathan sighed.

"Fine." Nathan said.

Allie and Archie smiled.

"But you have to be gone in the morning." Nathan said.

Archie nodded. Allie ran and got a pillow and blanket for Archie. Archie laid down on the couch. Nathan and Allie went back to their rooms. Nathan had a tough time getting back to sleep but eventually went back to sleep.

As Nathan came out of his sleep, he heard laughing. Nathan got up and went into the kitchen. At the table, Archie and Allie were talking.

"What's going on?" Nathan asked.

"Grandpa is telling me stories about my mom." Allie said.

"That's nice. Allie, it is getting late, go get ready for school." Nathan said.

"Okay. Maybe you can tell me more stories later?" Allie asked Archie.

"Of course." Archie said. Allie smiled and went back into her room.

After Allie went into her room, Nathan took Archie by the arm and outside.

"There won't be any later. Remember? After Allie goes to school, I'm putting you on the next stagecoach out of town." Nathan said.

"I can't leave just like that!" Archie said.

Nathan scoffed.

"Why not? That was Colleen and I's childhood." Nathan said.

"I know. And I want to make up for it with Allie. I've changed." Archie said.

Nathan scoffed again.

Allie came outside.

"Allie, say goodbye to Grandpa, he will be gone before you come back from school." Nathan said.

"No." Allie cried.

"Listen to your uncle, honey. Everything will be okay." Archie said. Allie gave Nathan a nasty look and ran off to ride Buttercup off to school. After she left, Nathan looked at Archie.

"I'll go get some money." Nathan said.

"I don't need your money. And I'm not leaving Hope Valley. You may not want to take me in but someone will." Archie said.

Archie stormed past Nathan and went inside to grab his belongings. And just like that, Archie was gone, or so Nathan thought.

After doing daily chores, Nathan went into town to the library to start working on arguments on his lawsuit against Lucas. As Nathan was sitting there, he looked up from his book and outside the window. He saw Archie in town walking. Nathan got up and looked at where he was going. Archie went into the saloon. Frustrated, Nathan left the library and went into the saloon. Once inside, he saw Archie sitting at a table.

"Gambling again?" Nathan said.

"No. As a matter of fact, I am going to get a room here. I am waiting for the owner to come back." Archie said.

Nathan sighed. Nathan couldn't let Archie stay there. He knew Lucas would pump him for information.

Nathan sat down.

"Archie. What are you really doing here?" Nathan said.

"I told you. To bond with my granddaughter." Archie said.

"But why now? Why after thirteen years?" Nathan asked.

"I just thought it was time." Archie said sadly.

"I see. Well, I don't want you staying here. Go back to the house, and I'll be there after I pick Allie up from school." Nathan said.

"Thanks son." Archie said with a smile. They walked out together. Archie headed toward the house while Nathan went to the library.

After spending a few hours in the library, Nathan decided to pick up Allie from school. Nathan normally didn't do this but he wanted to spend time with Allie and talk with Elizabeth. When Nathan arrived, school was out. Some kids were still running around. Allie was with her friend group talking with them.

"Hello. What brings you by?" Elizabeth asked.

"Hello. I'm here to pick up Allie and go for a ride." Nathan said.

"That's nice. Does this ride have anything to do with Allie's grandfather being in town?" Elizabeth asked.

"So, you've heard." Nathan said.

"I heard Allie talking to her friends at lunch. How are you doing?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm not sure. On the one hand, I still see him as the father who disappointed my sister and mother all these years and on the other hand, he seems different this time. I don't want to get Allie to get hurt." Nathan said.

"I don't think Allie sees it that way. I don't think Colleen told her much about her grandfather. I think you need to explain the hurt that he has caused you to Allie." Elizabeth said.

Nathan nodded.

"You're easy to talk to." Nathan said.

Elizabeth smiled.

"Maybe I should start my own advice column." Elizabeth said.

"I would read it." Nathan said.

"Thank you for your help." Nathan said to Elizabeth. Elizabeth nodded and went back into school.

Allie saw Nathan and went over to him.

"What are you doing here, Uncle Nathan?" Allie asked.

"I was thinking, I think I could beat you to the river this time." Nathan said.

"I don't want to race." Allie said.

"Because you're afraid I'll beat you?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah, right." Allie said. Nathan mounted Newton. After a couple seconds, Allie mounted Buttercup.

"On your mark get set…" Nathan said and started riding Nathan before he said go.

"Cheater!" Allier called out. Allie started riding Buttercup behind him. Allie caught up to him before the river. Allie looked over at him, gave him a smirk and rode Buttercup faster. She had won the race.

"I told you that I would win." Allie said.

"I almost had it." Nathan said.

"Sure." Allie said.

"I want to talk to you about your grandfather." Nathan said.

"Did you kick him out?" Allie asked.

"Allie. Growing up, your grandfather gambled away almost all of our money. Your grandmother had to sell family heirlooms just to put food on the table. I used to clean our neighbors' yards for money to give to my mother. He would get a new job and for a week, he would show up on time and come home on time. But then, he would gamble it all away again. Your grandmother finally kicked him out of our lives. The reason I'm telling you this is because you have no history with him. He has never disappointed you or abandoned you. And I just don't want you to get hurt." Nathan said.

Allie was silent for a moment.

"But people can change, right?" Allie asked.

"Yes. Sometimes." Nathan said.

"You will be there to protect me from getting hurt though." Allie asked.

Nathan smiled.

"Of course." Nathan said.

"So, grandpa can stay?" Allie asked.

"For now, yes." Nathan said.

"Thank you, Uncle Nathan!" Allie said. Nathan and Allie rode the horses back home.