A/N A Special thank you to my readers who have been understanding my long absence of updating this story. I am still not 100 percent so I can't promise weekly updates just yet, but hoping that changes soon. For now, I can promise that I intend to finish this story which has lots to go on yet.


Elizabeth had just sat down on the church steps to eat lunch when she saw Rosemary running towards her, clearly excited about something. The children noticed and watched for a bit before returning to eating lunch and playing.

Elizabeth laughed as Rosemary finally approached, gasping for air. "What is it?"

"Have you heard, well obviously, you haven't since you're here. You know you should have them install a phone out here in case of emergencies."

"ROSEMARY!" Elizabeth chuckled, knowing that her best friend could spend hours having a conversation with herself. "What is it?"

"Oh! There was a Stagecoach robbery this morning."

"I know," Elizabeth said.

"Wait! How do you know?"

"Charlotte and Sophia stopped by and told me about it. Though I already knew because I had to clear the road, the driver almost ran some of my students over in his haste to get into town."

"Oh," Rosemary said, sounding a bit deflated.

"Have Bill or Nathan found anything else?" Elizabeth said, taking pity on her. "From what Charlotte said, they only knew the basics."

Rosemary brightened and sat down, looping an arm around Elizabeth's and snuggling close. "Well, Fiona said Lee and Nathan headed out to Snake Run Canyon to see if they could find anything while Bill questioned the ladies. I'm so mad that Lee went with him. I mean, we just found out about the baby, and he puts himself in a position to be killed or worse."

Elizabeth chuckled, "Rosemary, what could be worse than getting killed?" But she knew what Rosemary was going through, having had a similar experience when Jack went on missions, like when they went to that same area to escort the stage in, and there was a sniper killing escorts to gain access. Though if he was with Nathan, the robbers were probably long gone. Otherwise, neither Bill nor Nathan would have allowed him along.

"You know what I mean, Elizabeth Thornton," Rosemary said, rolling her eyes as she said it. "Oh, and Fiona said the new Mountie is quite a dish. I think Mom was right, and you need to keep a close eye on that Mountie of yours."

"Rosemary, first, Nathan is not MY Mountie, and second I would never be in a relationship with someone I had to keep an eye on." Seeing the matchmaking spark in her friend's eye, she said, "Third, I am not in a place where I could even consider being in one in the first place."

Rosemary gave her an indulgent smile while mischief sparkled in her eye. However, Elizabeth wasn't worried because Rosemary was very supportive of her as she moved through her grief, sometimes holding her as she cried, often joining her as she missed Jack too.

"But I will admit that Fiona is right, and Nathan is very handsome and nice to look at," Elizabeth said, trying to keep her face neutral. Her face was flushed, she knew, but she refused to look at her friend. After a few moments, Elizabeth peeked at Rosemary through her lashes and saw her suppressing a laugh and looking smug.

"Mrs. Thornton, Robert said we have a new Mountie. Is that true?" Opal asked, preventing them from further conversation.

Elizabeth stood and went over to her. "Yes, it is true, sweetheart. We do have a new Mountie now."

"Do you think he is as brave as Mountie Jack?" Opal asked.

"I'm sure he is very brave, honey," Elizabeth said, drawing her close for a moment. "All Mounties are brave. It's a requirement actually to be one."

"Mrs. Thornton is correct, Opal," Rosemary said, standing up to join them. "My father was a Mountie, and all Mounties are brave."

Opal looked at them for a moment but only said sadly. "No one will ever be as brave as Mountie Jack."

Elizabeth pulled her close once more and looked into her friend's eyes, whose eyes were as shiny as her own. Thankfully it was time to start school again, so she handed Opal the bell. "Would you like to do the honors?"

Opal nodded happily, and the two women moved off from the side as the kids began running back inside, ready to get the day finished. Both women hugged, seeking and giving comfort now, no words needed, then separated and got on with their day.


Nathan and Lee arrived back in town a little while later. The ride back wasn't as awkward since Lee once again talked enough for the both of them. Since it was about baseball, Nathan participated a little more, but his mind was stuck in Mountie mode and trying to analyze everything he had found.

"Thank you. I appreciate the help, Lee." Nathan said with a smile as they approached the Jail.

"Oh, no problem. It's my payroll, after all." As they dismounted, Lee noticed how muddy they both were for the first time.

"Man, this creek mud gets all over everything. Tracked it in my house one time. My wife wasn't very happy about that." Nathan was tying Newton to the rail but nodded his agreement.

"You know, you really don't say very much, do you?" Lee chuckled. Nathan looked over at him and saw he was smiling and didn't appear upset but was making an observation.

Nathan smiled and said, "Not unless there's something to be said."

They both chuckled, and Nathan moved up the stairs to find Bill while Lee turned to take his horse to the livery.

"LEE COULTER!"

"Rosemary?" Turning around, he saw his wife running toward him, tears streaming down her face.

"What were you thinking, running off to chase bandits!?" she shouted.

"Sweetheart, calm down," Lee said, alarmed at seeing her so upset.

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down, Lee Coulter? I have been worried sick! You are going to be a father in a few months. You shouldn't be taking risks like this."

"Okay. You're right. I'm sorry. I should have told you." Lee said, embracing her and giving her a kiss. It had taken the wind out of her sails, and she calmed. As he hugged her closely, he saw Nathan watching them before smiling and entering. Lee noticed he had a look in his that seemed almost wistful.

"Well, yes. You very much should have." Rosemary said, unwilling to let the matter drop so quickly.

"I was never in any danger, all right? The bad guys were gone long before I got there." He soothed her by rubbing gentle circles on her back.

"Oh. Well, good." Finally, calm again, Rosemary pulled back with a sigh. "I better go find Mother. She and Charlotte were fussing a little earlier.

"I just can't picture Charlotte Thornton fussing at someone," Lee chuckled.

Rosemary laughed. "When it comes to my mother, you'd be surprised." Then looking down at her husband's boots and pants, she frowned. "Don't you dare track that mud in our house." Then she kissed his cheek and headed towards the café. Shaking his head, Lee continued to the livery.


Nathan walked in and realized they would need to figure out what to do about only one desk. Bill smirked as he watched Nathan figure out where to put his hat and sit, refusing to offer any help. Exasperated, Nathan tossed his hat on top of the trunk by the door, grabbed a chair nearby, and placed it on the opposite side of the desk.

"I called Mountie offices in Brookfield, Benson Hills, and Buxton and alerted them. Now what did you find?"

Nathan reached into his pocket and pulled out the rifle shells he picked up off the ground and placed them on the desk. "Seven rifle shells."

"They all 308s?"

"Yep, and the bridge was tampered with. Someone cut out a piece from the bridge to catch the stagecoach's wheel, which will need repairing.

"Lee is probably already on that," Bill said.

"We also found the empty payroll box."

"Wait! They left the box?" Bill asked.

"What?" Nathan asked, knowing Bill noticed something was off too. "Something wrong?"

"We're missing something," Bill said, getting up. "I'll be right back."

"I think I will tag along if you don't mind."

"Suit yourself," Bill muttered as they headed to the saloon. But it's local, so …." Bill said, letting the sentence drop.

"Well, Snake Canyon makes it regional, so I'm coming," Nathan said stubbornly. He didn't know what Bill was aggravated about since he was the one that determined how they would work together. In Nathan's opinion, he should be involved in all aspects of keeping law and order, but he was trying to respect Bill's position as the town Sheriff.

"Just let me do the talking," Bill growled.

Nathan just rolled his eyes but didn't respond. They walked into the café and quickly found the driver sitting on one of the settees.

"It looks like you're going to have to file a report with the bank," Bill said, looking down at the driver.

"And what about the stagecoach?" Jeb asked nervously.

"I'll check on it for you, Jeb," Bill assured him.

"Appreciate your help," Jeb said, placing his feet on the coffee table.

Nathan couldn't miss the mud on the boots. He frowned because he didn't recall getting his boots muddy until he joined Lee, where the payroll box had been found. Where did the mud come from if the Stage was stuck on the bridge?

When they cleared the saloon door, Nathan said softly, not wanting anyone else to hear, "You might be right about us missing something."

"Any idea of what it could be?" Bill asked.

"The driver had muddy boots on, but the only time Lee and I came into contact with mud that I recall was when we found the payroll box. I need to head back to the bridge to check on something. Do you want to come?"

"As if you can keep me away," Bill smirked. Nathan just grinned and shook his head in response as they mounted up. He didn't take offense because he and Gabe teased similarly when working on a case. It was the hallmark of a good working relationship between fellow Mounties.

Upon arriving at the scene, Nathan thoroughly searched for other possibilities for the driver getting mud on his boots. At the same time, Bill checked out some of the information from the other witnesses.

Nathan pulled out his rifle and shot in the air to test his theory about a single shooter versus a couple of robbers firing warning shots. Bill came running down out of the woods as he finished firing.

"The Stagecoach driver said a couple of robbers fired off warning shots. But those shells I brought into you earlier today were about as close together as the ones I just fired off now. If two people fired warning shots, these shells would be spread out farther apart." Nathan explained as Bill walked over to him.

"So, you think only one man fired shots?"

"I do. Nothing else makes sense."

"Which would explain why all the shells were the same type." Bill mused, agreeing with Nathan.

"I think it was Jeb. He fired his own rifle. And then he grabbed the payroll box and went over there. That's where he got mud on his boots. It is the only place where there's mud. If he wasn't involved, then why would he have even been over there?" Nathan deduced.

"Louise, one of the passengers, said she saw five masked men with rifles. Only I just looked, and there's no way she could have seen these men from where she said she was hiding."

"They had to plan this robbery together, Bill. Do you think both women are in on it or just one?"

"Just the one. Louise wasn't trying to save Henrietta's life; she wanted her out of the way."

"But then why not just hi-tail it out of town?" Nathan asked, looking at Bill. They stood for a moment, and suddenly they both knew it was because the money was still on the stage. That was why he was so anxious about when the stage would be ready.

On the way back, they discussed the plan for apprehending them. Bill was surprised to see how Nathan's way of investigating was similar to his own. Maybe breaking in the new Mountie wouldn't be as hard as he thought.

After checking in with Kevin about the stage, he told him not to let anyone know if they came asking. Then while Nathan removed the money and sent for a prisoner transport, Bill went to bait the trap.

Walking into the saloon, he found the driver at the bar and the ladies sitting nearby once again. He noticed this time that Bouchard was tending the bar.

"Ladies! Feeling better?" Bill said jovially as he approached.

"Oh, yes. Thank you." Henrietta said. "But I'm anxious to get to Union City. My sister's waiting for me."

"Oh, well, unfortunately, I'm here to tell you that it may be a few days, ma'am."

"Days? Why?" Louise asked nervously, casting a glance toward the driver. It was subtle, but Bill saw it, further cementing the proof they were in on it.

"Well, I talked to the blacksmith, and it looks as though he has to order a brand-new axle. But there is the train, one leaves in an hour. I'm glad you're feeling better." Bill said and then left to meet Nathan at the livery to wait.

It wasn't long before the pair came sneaking in the livery to search the stage, and after realizing the money wasn't where they left it, Bill and Nathan confronted them. As luck would have it, there was an available prisoner transport close by, so 30 minutes later, Jeb and Louise were on their way to Union City to be held until their trial.


Bill had stopped by the school just as Elizabeth was dismissing her students. He was on his way back to town and thought he would walk with her to see how she was doing.

"Hey, Bill. Word about town today is that you and Nathan had quite a day."

"We sure did. Why don't I fill you in as we walk into town together?"

"Sounds good. I'm ready to go. I need to stop by and see Nathan anyway." Bill began telling her about what had happened as they walked. Before long, they were nearing town, and Elizabeth was shocked by the turn of events.

"So, the driver and the passenger made the whole thing up?" she asked, amazed.

"Yep! The money was in the stagecoach the entire time."

"And you figured that out in just a couple of hours?

"Well, me and Nathan. I must admit that breaking in the new Mountie might not be as bad as I thought."

Elizabeth laughed. "Come on, Bill! You know that you like him. I don't know any other men that would have been as gracious after you threw him in jail. It certainly wasn't the warmest how do you do."

"He was the one that hadn't formally introduced himself before attempting to…." Bill said, but at a look from Elizabeth, he grudgingly admitted he did. "But it is still early days, so…" Elizabeth just shook her head, and after giving him a quick hug and a dinner invitation, she headed for the jail while he headed for the café.


Nathan was sitting at his desk working on the robbery report when he sensed someone approaching. The scent of lavender wafted on the breeze moments before Elizabeth entered his office.

"Hello, Nathan. I hear that you had an exciting first day,"

Smiling, he stood up, "Elizabeth! You heard about the STAGED robbery?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and chuckled at his play on words. "I did. Bill was telling me that the driver was in on it. Anyway, I have come to issue an invitation to dine with Charlotte and me tonight at my rowhouse if you are available."

"I would love to have dinner with you….and Charlotte, Elizabeth."

My house is the one at the opposite end of yours," Elizabeth said. "Just come by after your rounds."

"Great. I'm looking forward to it." He walked with Elizabeth out to the porch, and they noticed that everyone was watching them.

Elizabeth sensed his anxiousness and sought to put him at ease. "I know that it's probably very daunting being in that office and coming to a new town but give it time."

"I'm sure that news that I was arrested last night has made the rounds on the town gossip mill."

"At least you didn't burn down a building your first night here." Elizabeth chuckled. "Trust me, when I first arrived back when it was Coal Valley, people were very skeptical of me, especially Florence. They really put me through the paces, but I finally won them over. But there's no place I would rather be or raise my son. They are all part of my family now. I do not doubt it will be the same for you and Allie."

"Thanks, Elizabeth," Nathan replied with a smile. It only took him a moment to see what she was doing.

"You're welcome, Nathan. Let me officially welcome you to Hope Valley." Elizabeth replied, looking over her shoulder at him. He watched her walk away, noticing how her skirt swayed gently from side to side and her curls bounced jauntily with each step. He saw people call out to her, and she waved back. She was beautiful inside and out, and Jack Thornton had been one blessed man to have captured her heart. Although he had no doubt, she would consider herself the blessed one because it was apparent how much she loved him and was grieving. It was why he would tamp down the feelings he was quickly developing for her out of respect for both Jack and Elizabeth.