AN: So while this drabble is mine, I can't take sole credit for this idea. This came about in a conversation I was having with Katie. She was okay with me running with the idea though she was worried I might kill someone she didn't want me to kill. Don't worry, nobody dies in this. However, some housing in Hope Valley did have to be rearranged, so I am saying this fits with the March prompt challenge presented in the Sunday Night Serge Facebook group. Sorry if this wasn't what you were envisioning with the prompt Melissa.

Hope you all enjoy a laugh.

If it wasn't for he was sick of staring at the walls of his house, which sat in a clearing in the woods behind the livery, Lucas would have stayed in bed. Though the headache had finally gone away, he still ached from the balloon crash two days ago. A glance in the direction of the row houses told him that it hadn't been just a bad dream. One of the houses had been damaged not only from the crash but the resulting fire. Quick action had kept the houses on either side from catching fire. Lucas supposed he should feel lucky the bruises, mild concussion and dislocated shoulder were the extent of his injuries.

However, he didn't feel lucky. The hot air balloon had been to impress Elizabeth who had broken up with him the night before when he had started talking about their future. He couldn't understand why the mention of sending Jack to boarding school had gotten her so riled up. So, he had decided to take her high above this little town and show her the possibilities that awaited them beyond Hope Valley. He was sure that once he had her away from everyone, including her son, she would share his vision for their future.

Elizabeth had refused to get into the balloon. She said it didn't look safe - a view her son had echoed. In a huff, and ready to prove it was perfectly safe, he had gotten in the balloon alone. Things would have been fine if a bird had not decided to poke a hole in the balloon causing him to lose altitude too quickly and crash into one of the row homes.

Looking away from the scene, Lucas headed for the Queen of Hearts. He was well aware of the others giving him evil looks and whispering amongst themselves. Perhaps he should have sold the saloon to Spurlock and cut his loses. He had never been the most liked person in Hope Valley but the thought of winning Elizabeth after his gallant speech of letting her got to find her heart had just been too tempting.

Though he hadn't thought it possible, Lucas felt like he was even less liked by his neighbors now.

Entering his saloon, several folks actually got up and left as he entered. The half-filled glasses and barely eaten meals told him they had not simply been done eating. As he made his way to the bar, he was well aware of the mistrustful and angry looks being sent his way.

"One would think I had set fire to the town the way people are acting," Lucas huffed as he stepped behind the bar.

"Well, the most popular version of the story is that you purposefully aimed the balloon at the Constable's row house as you crashed it," Henry supplied, taking a sip from his glass of beer. "Revenge for Elizabeth finally coming to her senses and breaking up with you, so she could be with him."

"Elizabeth and I simply had a misunderstanding. She did not break up with me to be with Nathan." Lucas stated, his bad mood getting more sour.

Henry shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe not, but given that because you crashed the balloon into their house-"

"If a bird hadn't poked a hole in the balloon I would not have crashed," Lucas insisted.

"Be that as it may, the result is that Nathan and Ally needed a place to stay," Henry continued as if Lucas had interrupted him. "With Ally staying with Elizabeth and Nathan next door at the Coulters, word has it the two have finally been able to spend some time together and talk. She may not have broken up with you for him but I don't think she will be coming back to you any time soon."

"I should have left when I had the chance," Lucas muttered.

"Look around, Lucas. There are probably plenty of volunteers to help you pack up and leave now," Henry told him. "I might even know a buyer for your oil business."

"I bet you do," Lucas muttered as he turned away. Perhaps he would go stare at the walls of his office for a bit.