No one was waiting at Hope Valley's stagecoach station when the conveyance came to a stop there a few days later. The light snow falling meant that most people were trying to stay indoors and the few that were out had their attention focused on their next destination. No one spared the stagecoach or the man who stepped down from it a second glance. Looking up, the passenger accepted the bag that the man was handing down from where it had been stored. As there was no one waiting and his other two passengers were destined for Buxton, the driver clucked to his horses as the newcomer stepped onto the boardwalk.
Dressed in a long, heavy, brown trench coat and a wide-brimmed grey hat, the man surveyed his surroundings. Not much had changed in this area since he was last here though he did see a few new faces. Noticing Abigail's café, the man thought warmly of the woman who had started and still owned a stake in the place. Abigail Stanton was the one person from this town with whom he had exchanged some correspondence over the last few years. If she were still living here, that would have been where he headed first. But Abigail was happily settled in Brookfield these days.
Looking away from the café, the man turned and started walking in the other direction. It wasn't for a social call that he had came to Hope Valley anyway. He had business to conduct and the man to get that process started was Judge Bill Avery.
Though he exchanged pleasant greetings with a few people, he didn't pass anyone he recognized from his time here. Reaching the end of the road, he walked up to the Office of the Judge. The sign in the window said open so the man just walked in.
"I'm about to go to lunch," Bill said at the sound of the door. The man was leaning over a desk drawer filing papers away and didn't bother looking up.
"I'm hungry myself after my trip here. I'd be willing to conduct business over lunch."
Bill's head shot up as soon as the man had started speaking. The look of disbelief on the judge's face told him that he was one of the last people Bill Avery expected to show up in his office.
"Frank Hogan! What are you doing here? Last Abigail mentioned you were in Edmonton trying to keep troubled youth from going down the same path that you did," Bill said, finding his voice.
"It is nice to see that not everyone has forgotten me," Frank said, with a smile. "As for my work, that is what brings me to Hope Valley."
"We're not exactly people of means here. I mean some of the business owners might be able to give you donations. I have no doubt Abigail would approve of giving something from the Café profits."
Frank held up his hand, shaking his head. "I am not here to ask for donations. God has seen fit to match me with a partner on my endeavor who is as committed to seeing these boys get on the right path young, but also has deeper pockets than myself. However, Hope Valley does offer something else that we have been looking for."
"And what would that be?" Bill asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Shall we discuss it over lunch," Frank suggested again. "You are a bear on your best days, Bill and I find a hungry bear is never good to interact with."
"I am not a bear," Bill grumbled as he grabbed the rest of the folders on his desk, put them in the drawer quickly, and shut it. "I am however hungry," he conceded as he got to his feet. "How about we have lunch at the Amaryllis? I think you will approve of the changes made to it."
Frank nodded, having noticed the new sign on the old saloon upon his arrival. "I need to see if there is an available room as well. I am hoping this visit won't be long, but I do anticipate staying a night or two."
"I am sure they will be able to accommodate you," Bill said as he made his way to the coat rack to claim his coat. "I would offer you a room myself but one of the town's Mounties is currently staying with me."
"One of?" Frank questioned. "Seems more has changed around her than I thought."
"Yes, Hope Valley has changed quite a bit, though we are still trying to maintain its charm here in this part of the town," Bill replied. "Over by the train station things can be a bit rougher but all in all, it is still a good town. We do, however, have three Mounties now," Bill continued as he put on his coat. "Kinslow took over when Nathan Grant retired, and now Corporal Mayne and Constable Tom Thornton are posted here as well."
Frank felt a jolt of surprise. Abigail had told him about Constable Nathan Grant coming to Hope Valley to replace Jack. He had even heard about Grant's recent marriage to Elizabeth, but the mention of the name Thornton took him by surprise.
"Tom Thornton? As in Jack's younger brother?"
"Yes," Bill said, a smirk on his face revealing that he was glad he had news that surprised the other man. "You might say he joined the Mounties reluctantly, but he is making a decent one so far." Having finished with his coat, he nodded toward the door. "Shall we go?"
Frank nodded. He had a feeling there were more surprises in store for him as he got reacquainted with this town and its people.
Elizabeth erased that afternoon's math lesson from the chalkboard. She had spent the day, the first day back after the holiday break, reviewing material from right before the break. She always found that the refresher was a good way for both her and her students to get back into school. She had also told the class when her last day would be and told them about their new teacher. She wanted them to know about Elise Chastain with hopes that they would greet her warmly. More than anything, she wanted these students to be in good hands and she felt that along with her two fellow teachers, they would be with the addition of Elise.
And this time, she could say a proper good-bye to her students.
With the board cleared, she placed the eraser down on the ledge and turned. The sight of Nathan walking through the classroom door surprised her slightly. Usually, he arrived just as she was leaving the school building. Elizabeth's eyes immediately went to the clock that sat on top of a bookshelf in the middle of the room.
"I am a little early," Nathan said, bringing Elizabeth's attention back to him.
It was then that she realized Nathan wasn't alone. Following her husband into the classroom were Bill, Jack in his arms, and a face she wasn't sure she would ever see again - Pastor Hogan.
"Did something happen?" Elizabeth asked, her mind searching for a reason for the arrival of all three men in her classroom. "Did something happen to Abigail or Cody?" she asked, knowing that her friend had kept in touch with Frank Hogan over the years.
"As far as I know she is still quite happy in Brookfield," Frank replied. The casual tone of his voice immediately set Elizabeth's mind at ease. She had always thought his calming tone was one of Frank's biggest assets as a preacher. Even when he had bid farewell to them when his controversial past had come to light, he had remained calm. "I actually came to see you on a matter of building that is still in your possession, Mrs. Grant."
"It is still Elizabeth to you, Pastor," Elizabeth replied.
Frank nodded his assent at the correction, even as Allie, who had been reading at her desk while waiting for Nathan's arrival spoke up. "I can take Jack to the conference room and tell him a story," she offered.
"Thank you, Allie," Elizabeth replied with a nod.
Bill put Jack down on the floor as Allie approached. The little boy happily took the hand his sister offered him and left the room.
"Perhaps we should all sit," Bill said, breaking the silence that had descended on the adults as the children left the room.
With nods of agreement, they all did just that. As the room for the older children had been furnished with individual desks, they each found a seat in a cluster of desks.
"I assume you are referring to the big house my ex-husband had built for us?" Elizabeth inquired as her gaze found Frank's.
The pastor nodded. "I am," Frank said. "Abigail actually mentioned to me that it was still sitting empty. She knew that I was looking for a way to move the program that I am running out of the city."
"And what program would that be?"
"I am helping to run a home for troubled boys that would otherwise be living on the streets or even in correctional facilities for youth. The lads that I work with are not bad kids, though circumstances in life have led them to make some bad choices. In some cases, they have run away from bad facilities for orphans and their crimes are stealing food to eat. In other cases, they are in a bad environment and acting out is their cry for help. Our oldest boy currently, Albert, is fifteen. His mother died while giving birth to him. His father was always in and out of jail on various charges. His older brother is ten years older and took after their father. Both of them have involved Albert in their crimes. My partner in this venture, Edward Montclair - I believe you know him?"
Elizabeth nodded as Frank continued.
"Well, Edward was still a Mountie when he arrested Albert trying to lift wallets of unsuspecting people in Edmonton. He said his father put him up to it. Given that Albert's father had been in and out of jail since Edward had taken the posting, he was inclined to believe the kid. When Edward said he was going to take the boy home so he could talk with his father, Albert burst into tears begging to be sent to jail instead. Apparently, he was afraid more of his father's punishment for failure than being arrested. I was already helping a few boys through the church I was the pastor at, and Edward sought me out in the case. I took Albert in. His father was furious. Three nights later, the man set fire to the parsonage where five boys and myself were living. We all made it out, but the building was nothing but ashes."
"What an awful experience," Elizabeth said in dismay. She still remembered how it felt watching the teacherage burn her first night in Hope Valley.
"It was. Two of the boys ran off. Sean, a seven-year-old boy, was convinced it was his fault because not only had he lost his parents to a house fire, but the orphanage he was staying at burnt down too. It had taken me three weeks after finding him to come stay with me rather than stay under the steps of a saloon he used for shelter. Albert was the other one. He also blamed himself as his father was the one who had set the fire, he was caught fleeing the scene, a gasoline can still in his possession. Edward and his fellow Mounties spent the next four days searching for those two boys while I found families among my parishioners willing to take the other three boys in. Since the fire, Edward has been keeping Albert and another boy with him at his apartment. He had already been planning on not renewing his contract with the Mounties and I think having those two boys with him only made him more sure about that path. He also managed to find a small house for me and the other three boys. Ideally though, I would like them together and preferably in a community where they can see what being there for one another really looks like. I believe Hope Valley may be the place and from what Abigail said about the house, there would be room for us there."
Elizabeth nodded. "I definitely think it is big enough for your needs. I learned that Edward's father was helping to fund his son's new venture, so I know money is not an issue for you."
"It is not," Frank agreed. "And I remembered that this town did eventually accept me as part of the community after my checkered past was revealed. These boys need a place where they feel wanted. Which is why I plan on presenting my plans to the town council tomorrow for approval. Bill has graciously arranged the meeting for me. Before that however, I wanted to be sure that you would be willing to sell the house to us."
"I would be happy too," Elizabeth said. "Perhaps it will feel like more of a home to your boys than it ever did to me."
Nathan reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Thank you," Frank replied. "As long as the town council gives me approval to open a home for troubled youth here, Edward and I are willing to pay whatever you want for the house."
Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't really care about the money. I would just prefer to be rid of it. I am ashamed to admit that more than once I have thought about burning it down myself just so I would no longer have to think about that place. Bill can act on my behalf. Whatever price you two agree upon is fine with me." She looked at Nathan. "And perhaps we can use that money to buy books to give the children a library at the school or maybe a piano?"
"Whatever you would like to do with the money from the sale is fine with me," Nathan assured her.
Elizabeth looked back at Frank. "Then the house is yours if you want it."
Frank nodded. "Thank you. Now, I just need to convince the town council that having these kids in their midst is not a bad thing."
"I am willing to speak in support for the program," Nathan said. "Children need good role models growing up, even if it isn't their parents. Allie's biological father is not exactly an upright citizen, and I would hate to think what her life would be like if she were with him. Sounds to me like these children need the stability that you are offering them."
"I will appreciate any support from the community I can get," Frank said, holding out his right hand to shake hands with Nathan. "I plan on spending the evening speaking to people ahead of the meeting. Mayor Hickam has agreed to have supper with me to discuss what I want to present tomorrow."
"I will speak to Lee Coulter on your behalf if you would like. He's the council president now," Elizabeth told him.
"I would appreciate that. There are only so many people I can talk to between now and tomorrow," Frank replied.
Elizabeth nodded her consent. "Then perhaps I shouldn't keep you any longer. Besides, I have two children to get home so I can feed them."
"According to a proud father, isn't it three children," Frank said lightly.
Elizabeth blushed. She should have figured Nathan would have mentioned the coming baby. Her husband had happily spread the news following the confirmation of the pregnancy. Allie had made sure all of her peers knew, which meant that any of the parents who might not have heard directly from Nathan, Bill, herself or Archie found out from their children. Her father-in-law's way of celebrating had been to create little bundles of jellybeans in white cloth which he handed out saying that they were bundles of joy from the Stork who was blessing him with another grandchild. She had thought news of her carrying Jack's child had spread through town quickly - it was nothing compared to the speed with which the news had carried this time.
Despite a little embarrassment, Elizabeth had to admit she was pleased to have family with her this time who were just as excited about the coming child as she was. Jack still hadn't quite warmed up to the idea of another sibling coming, but Elizabeth was convinced that he eventually would. Until then, she knew they had to make sure that Jack had their love and support.
"Congratulations, Elizabeth," Frank told her.
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied.
"Have you called Abigail with the news, yet?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I have. I called her from the Coutler's right after I shared the news with Lee and Rosemary."
"Good. I won't have to watch what I write in my next letter to her then," Frank said.
"This baby is definitely not a secret," Bill chimed in. "His or her godfather has definitely helped see to that."
The others shared a brief laugh before getting to their feet. Elizabeth extended an invitation to Frank to join them for supper the following evening with the hopes that they would have a successful outcome to Frank's situation to celebrate. Perhaps if this town opened their arms to Frank and the boys in his care, then their search for a full-time pastor might come to a close. She was already planning to run the idea by Lee when she spoke to him on their way home.
