AN: this chapter is longer than the others but I don't feel like it needs to be a one-shot so I am putting it in here. This is in response to the berry picking topic presented in the Sunday Night Serge Facebook page. Hope you all enjoy!

"Ally, are you ready!"

"Coming!" came the call from upstairs. It was soon followed by a low rumble of quick footsteps. Nathan knew he should remind his niece not to run in the house but he didn't have the heart too. She had been with the Weise's while he had tracked the train robber, whom he had finally caught up with outside of Brookfield with Gabriel's help. Even as he opened his mouth to reprimand Ally, the memory of his close call with the dynamite came back. If he had not noticed that stick of dynamite when he did or the man had thrown it a little closer, this outing might not have happened.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Ally was hoping down the last two steps to stand in front of him. She was wearing a wide, brimmed straw hat which had belonged to Colleen. Nathan had asked Ellen Wiese to replace the old faded ribbon with new ribbon. While she was at it, Ellen had added a cluster of cloth flowers. Ally loved the hat. Just like Colleen had.

Nathan's vision got misty as he took in the site. "Your mother always wore that hat when we went berry picking," he told her, trying to blink away the tears.

"It will provide plenty of shade," Ally said practically. "Plus, I love the flowers Mrs. Weise added," she admitted.

"You look lovely," Nathan told her. He held out one of the two baskets he held. "Now if you want to make huckleberry jam I suggest we go get some berries."

"Let's go!" Ally said, looping her arm around Nathan's and heading for the door. Nathan chuckled at her enthusiasm.

Uncle and niece stepped outside and headed down the road. Reaching the last row house in the line, they found Elizabeth sitting on her front steps. Jack was attempting to kick a ball but his light tap on the ball with his foot did not move the ball much at all. Giving up with his foot, Jack batted the ball with his hand. The ball left the grass and went into the path. Giggling, Jack chased it, lost his balance and fell face first to the ground. His giggles changed to cries.

Elizabeth was instantly on her feet but Nathan reached the boy first. Sitting the basket on the ground, he knelt with one knee on the ground and picked up the boy. Settling Jack on his other leg, he brushed away dirt.

"That ground comes up fast, doesn't it Little Man," Nathan told him softly, satisfied that there was no blood.

"Oh, Jack, are you all right!" Elizabeth exclaimed dropping to her knees and reaching out for her son.

Nathan handed the boy to the over protective mother, remembering his own experience with Ally's early falls. "He is just a little dusty," he told her. "Kids are going to fall."

"Uncle Nathan has patched up scrape knees, elbows and hands for me lots of time," Ally told her teacher.

Elizabeth chuckled. "I have patched up some scrapes in the classroom as well. It seems different when it is your own child," she admitted, Jack's cries already subsiding. "Where were you two off to?"

"To get black huckleberries for jam!" Ally said, holding up her basket.

Nathan reached for the basket he had placed aside and got to his feet.

"You and Jack could join us Mrs. Thornton!"

Nathan felt his heart skip a beat. He would very much like the young widow to join them.

"I don't know."

"Berries!" Jack exclaimed.

Elizabeth smiled down at her son. "You are excited now but I know how fast you still tire out," she told the boy. She looked from Jack to Ally and Nathan. "He gets heavy from town to home these days."

"I can carry him when he gets tired," Nathan offered.

Elizabeth paused. She looked to each of them, her gaze stopping on Ally's expectant expression. "All right," she consented. "Let me get hats for us and grab another basket."

Elizabeth went inside and soon returned. The group started back down the road. Though Jack started out walking, as Elizabeth said, the toddler soon tired. Handing his basket to Ally, Nathan put the boy up on his shoulders to Jack's squeal of delight.

"Do you even know how to make jam?" Elizabeth asked as they continued to walk.

Nathan heard the idle curiosity in Elizabeth's voice as she asked the question. "I do," Nathan replied. "I use to pick berries and make jam with my Mom and my sister as a child. It has been awhile since Ally and I were in a place where we could make jam and have some place to keep it."

"My mother just bought jam at the store. I will confess even now I buy it at the mercantile or rely on friends to provide it."

"If you help us make it, you can have a few jars for yourself," Nathan offered, hoping to spend more time with her.

"I won't be in the way?" Elizabeth asked worried.

"The more the merrier," Ally chimed in. "Though I am not sure how much Jack would be."

"I am sure Rosemary and Lee or Bill would keep an eye on Jack for a while," Elizabeth said. "Just to make sure he doesn't get underfoot. I do know enough to know that heating the berries is involved in the process."

Before further plans could be made, they heard a rustling in the woods. Soon a foul smell reached their noses.

"Is a skunk coming?" Elizabeth asked, moving away from the woods where the rustling was coming from.

Nathan shook his head. "It is getting stronger. Most likely something else got sprayed," he concluded, though he followed Elizabeth to the far side of the road, motioning Ally back as well.

"I told you to just leave the creature be!" a distinctive French voice accused.

"I was just trying to get the pail of berries," Lucas said. "No, berries are worth this no matter who the dessert is for."

Moments later Lucas and Gustav came through the bushes and into the road. Spotting the four of them, Lucas face flushed red and muttering something he stalked toward town. Gustav apologized for the odor they brought with them and followed his boss.

"Well, at least Lucas won't be able to sneak around for a while smelling like that," Nathan commented as he watched the two men head toward town.

As Ally giggled, Elizabeth swatted his arm. "Nathan!" she scolded even as she struggled to keep a straight face.

Nathan shrugged, not about to apologize after all the snide comments Lucas had made about him in Elizabeth's presence. "Let's go get some berries," he said. "Luckily the patch I found should be far enough away that the skunk smell won't bother us."

Nathan started back down the road, Elizabeth and Ally falling into step beside him.