Before Nathan knew it, the end of October was here. Nathan enjoyed this time of year. The temperatures were getting lower. The leaves in the trees were changing color. The animals were starting to get ready for winter. The days were getting shorter. As much as Nathan enjoyed this time of year, he couldn't enjoy it with the custody battle with Dylan looming over him.
It was the evening before he had to leave to Buxton. Nathan was packing his suitcase. He started to think about what had happened over the last month. There were times that he and Allie disagreed but for the most part, things were going smoothly between them. As Nathan got to know Allie more, he realized how much she was like her mother. Just like her mother, Allie has a good heart. Allie had her own personality and spending time with her made Nathan rethink his own future.
Nathan always assumed that marriage and children would come along eventually. But for a long time, Nathan was married to his work. Of course, he had been on dates with women usually a set up from one of his friend's spouses. But he had never quite found the one who he wanted to settle down with. But spending time with Allie made him realize that he would need to find the right person to marry and have children with.
And then there was Elizabeth. As the month passed by, Nathan found out that Elizabeth was beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She was smart, witty and funny. But she was gentle and sweet. Nathan could see himself fall in love with her easily. But he could still feel her walls guarding her heart. The loss of her husband so quickly had torn her heart. For now, they would remain friends.
While Nathan was packing, he heard a knock on the door. It was Allie.
"Hey Allie girl." Nathan said. He had tried out nicknames for her and this one so far had stuck.
Allie sat on Nathan's bed.
"What happens if you don't get custody of me?" Allie asked.
Nathan paused his packing and sat next to Allie.
"Come on now. You can't think that way." Nathan said.
"I'll run away If I have to live with him." Allie said.
Nathan gave Allie a small smile.
"Really? What would you do for work?" Nathan teased.
Allie rolled her eyes.
"Allie. I'm going to fight for you and what you want. Got it?" Nathan asked.
Allie nodded her head.
"Okay. Are you all packed for Mrs. Thornton's?" Nathan asked.
"Almost." Allie responded.
"Go get ready and we will head over to Mrs. Thornton's." Nathan said.
Allie went back to her room and finished packing. Nathan finished his packing and put his suitcase by the door.
"Ready?" Nathan asked.
Allie nodded. Nathan and Allie went out to the stable and mounted Buttercup and Newton.
Elizabeth's house was only a short ride from their house. Nathan and Allie dismounted from their horses. Elizabeth must have heard them because the door opened and she was standing at the door.
"Come on in Allie. I just put some hot coco on the stove. It will take a few minutes." Elizabeth said.
Allie smiled.
"Thanks Mrs. Thornton." Allie said running inside with her suitcase.
Nathan walked up the steps to talk to Elizabeth.
"Would you like to come in for some hot chocolate?" Elizabeth asked.
"That sounds delicious but I'm going to have to pass this time. I need to get back home. Early day tomorrow." Nathan said.
"How are you holding up?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm not sure. I'm feeling numb to the whole thing. Like any minute I might break." Nathan said.
Elizabeth gave him a sad smile.
"I can't lose her." Nathan said.
"Everything will work out." Elizabeth said.
"I wish I had your optimism." Nathan said.
"You know what Emerson said?' Elizabeth asked.
"I do. But why don't you tell me." Nathan teased.
Elizabeth smiled.
"He said, always do what you are afraid to do." Elizabeth said.
Those words resonated with Nathan and he smiled.
"I better let you go." Elizabeth said.
Nathan nodded. Allie came to the door.
"Mrs. Thornton, the hot coco is ready." Allie said.
"Okay. Your Uncle is leaving." Elizabeth said.
Allie hugged Nathan and Nathan hugged her back.
Allie ran back inside. Nathan and Elizabeth said their goodbyes. Nathan headed home and went to bed.
The next morning, Nathan got up early. He ate his breakfast and then put on a suit. It was quiet in the house. With Allie gone and the dog staying with a neighbor, the silence was eerie.
Nathan heard a car pull up. It was Lee. He was going to drive him to the stagecoach that went to Buxton. Nathan grabbed his suitcase and went to Lee's car. The stagecoach to Buxton was just a little out of town. Nathan and Lee chatted about little non important things like the weather and baseball. By the time they got to the stagecoach platform, the stagecoach was already there. Nathan shook Lee's hand and grabbed his suitcase and went over to the platform.
Nathan looked at his watch. He looked around the platform and didn't see anyone else. Nathan was going to riding alone. The stagecoach driver let him the stagecoach. After a minute, they were moving. As they were going along, Nathan stared outside the stagecoach. Nathan always knew what to expect when he went to court. He was prepared for anything. This sense of helplessness did not sit well with Nathan. Nathan decided to close his eyes and take a nap.
The stage came to an abrupt stop which woke Nathan up from a deep sleep. Nathan grabbed his suitcase, paid the stagecoach driver and headed over to the only hotel in Buxton. Nathan checked in and went to his room. Nathan was going to meet his attorney in the hotel restaurant at five. Nathan looked at his watch. That meeting was going to be in a couple hours. Nathan took his jacket and tie off and decided to walk around Buxton.
Buxton wasn't as small as Hope Valley but wasn't as big as Union City. There were a few restaurants, businesses and little shops. As Nathan was walking down main street, a store caught his eye; a bookstore. Nathan went inside the bookstore and looked around. As he looked through the books, he picked out a couple to buy for Allie and for himself. He asked the counter clerk if they had any rare books. The clerk led him into a little room with a few books. While he was looking at the books, he came upon an interesting one. It was a first edition of Ralph Waldo Emerson's book Nature. He knew Elizabeth would enjoy having this in her house. Nathan wanted to do this because Elizabeth had been a good friend and has been helping him with Allie. It was costly but it would be worth it to see the smile on her face.
Nathan went to the cashier for all the books and went back to his hotel. He looked at his watch and saw that it was almost time for his meeting. Nathan went back to his room and put his jacket and tie on. He went to the hotel restaurant and asked if Ms. Winter had arrived. She had. The host showed him to his table.
As they got closer to the table, he saw Ms. Winter. Nathan did not expect her to be as young as him or as pretty.
"Mr. Grant?" Ms. Winter asked.
"Yes. And you must be Ms. Winter?" Nathan asked.
"Mrs. Winter. And it is very nice to meet you." Mrs. Winter said as she extended her hand. Nathan shook her hand and they both sat down.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Grant." Mrs. Winter said.
"Please, call me Nathan." Nathan said.
"Please call me Jennifer." Jennifer said.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Jennifer." Nathan said. Jennifer Winter had light brown hair that if the light hit it in just the right way, you could see a tint of red. She had stunning blue eyes. Nathan found her quite attractive.
They both ordered some wine and got down to business.
"What is our plan of attack?" Nathan asked.
"First, Dylan is representing himself." Jennifer said.
"Really?" Nathan asked.
"Yes. How he got the money for to file for custody remains a mystery." Jennifer said.
Nathan nodded.
"I will give the Judge a copy of Colleen's will that gives you guardianship over Allie. Her mother's wishes were that Allie be raised by you. Then I'll talk about how Dylan abandoned Allie. Finally, I will bring up Dylan's past with breaking the law." Jennifer said.
The wine came back to the table and Nathan took a sip of it.
"Will I be testifying?" Nathan asked.
"I am putting Dylan and you on the stand. The Judge needs to hear from you." Jennifer said.
Nathan looked over all the material. As he was looking over all the material. He ordered pasta for dinner.
"Where did you get some of these documents. These look like they came from directly the Mountie's." Nathan said.
"They did." Jennfier said.
"Do you have a connection inside the Mountie's?" Nathan asked.
"Sort of. My late husband." Jennifer said.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know." Nathan said.
The food was brought over to their table.
"It's fine." Jennifer said.
"May I ask how he passed?" Nathan asked.
"In the Northern Territories." Jennifer said.
Nathan grimaced. He remembers reading about the Northern Territories. All the Mountie's who fought were heroes.
"I have the highest respect for the Mountie's. They are the real heroes." Nathan said.
Jennifer smiled. As they ate, they talked about the law, law school and the type of work they practice. After they were finished with dinner, Nathan paid for the dinner and he walked her to the hotel lobby.
"Don't worry Nathan. I am going to put all my fight into you keeping custody of Allie." Jennifer said.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"Goodnight." Jennifer said and she left.
Nathan went back up to his room and got ready for bed. Nathan got on the side of his bed and prayed.
"God. I know we haven't spoken in a long time. And I know that is my fault. But I'm asking you for a favor. Please let Allie say with me. That little girl has stolen my heart and I love her. She deserves to live a fulfilling life. Amen." Nathan said. Nathan climbed into bed. As he was drifting off to sleep, two people preoccupied his thoughts; Allie and Elizabeth.