Chapter 2 – Mr Thatcher Arrives (short)
Overall, the town of Hope Valley had settled into a good routine that summer despite challenges and increased settlers in the outlying areas. There was excitement about the changes more people brought, but also a strong desire to honor the past.
With Lucas gone and Elizabeth mostly in hiding, it had been quiet and therefore a parade of four cars including a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost pulling onto town caused quite a stir. Cody had been the one to spot the cars and alerted Rosemary. Cody had seen cars like that a few times back east.
Hearing the commotion, Nathan and Bill stepped from the Mountie office to see the cars stop along main street, close to Coulter Enterprises's offices. Everyone was enthralled with the cars, but Bill's expression changed when the back door to the Rolls Royce was opened and a well-dressed older gentleman stepped out.
"Come on." Bill said to Nathan, grabbing his arm and pulling him along.
It took Nathan a moment to fall back in step with Bill. To Nathan's horror, they were headed right for the gentleman that didn't look all that pleased to be there. Bill stopped and waited for the man to greet him. Nathan stood behind Bill. His hat on his head and at attention. Both Bill and Nathan were shocked when Chief Superintendent Collins stepped out from the other side of the car. Nathan watched as Collins walked around and stood next to the first gentleman. When Collins looked at them, Nathan snapped to a salute and Bill stood up straighter.
"Good to see you again, Bill." Collins said.
"Sir." Bill said.
After returning the salute, Collins looked at Nathan.
"Relax Grant." Collins said.
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.
"Bill." Collins said. "I am sure that you remember William Thatcher."
"Yes, Sir." Bill said.
"Good to see you again, Bill." William said with an outstretched hand. "Wish it was under better circumstances. Thanks for the heads up."
"Of course." Bill said, shaking William's hand.
Several people had gathered by that point. Bill turned to Nathan.
"William." Bill said. "First let me introduce you to Corporal Nathan Grant. He is the local Constable here."
"Nice to meet you, son." William said. "Sorry for all the trouble."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan managed as he shook William's hand.
Bill then turned to some others who had gathered.
"William." Bill said. "I am sure you remember Lee Coulter and his wife Rosemary."
"Good to see you again." William said, shaking hands.
"And Mayor Abigail Stanton." Bill said.
Again, William shook hands. Once those present had been introduced, William turned back to Bill.
"Is there somewhere we can talk?" William asked.
"Feel free to use my office." Abigail said.
"Good." William said. "Why don't you and the pastor come along? We have a lot to discuss."
"I will grab some refreshments from the cafe and be right there." Abigail said.
William nodded and Abigail turned back to the cafe. Frank followed Abigail. William turned and spoke to his driver who nodded. Another man got out and stood back, waiting to be told what was needed.
"Led the way, Bill." William said. "Come along Grant, I am going to want to hear your input as well."
Bill led them over to the mayor's office as the cars pulled out of main street and headed back toward the train station. The man who got out, quickly moved to be one step behind William and then went ahead to open the door. Nathan was too stunned to do anything other than follow along. If Nathan was being honest, the last two people he expected to be spending the afternoon with were Chief Superintendent Collins and shipping tycoon William Thatcher, especially in Hope Valley. Nathan realized the additional man must be a butler or assistant of some kind for Mr Thatcher as he had yet spoken, but carried a large briefcase.
When they got to the office, Nathan shook his head.
"Excuse me Sir." Nathan said. "I need to call my daughter and let her know that I am busy and can't take her riding this afternoon."
"Nonsense." William said. "What time were you planning on going?"
"In just over an hour and half when she gets off from the switchboard." Nathan said.
"Have her come here." William said. "You can be excused at that time. Family is important and a ride with your daughter is of the highest importance since we didn't tell you we were coming."
"Thank you, Sir." Nathan said.
He motioned to the phone and William nodded. Nathan picked it up and waited a moment and then spoke to Allie.
"Just come over to the mayor's office and knock on the door." Nathan said. "Wait until we call you in or open the door. Uncle Bill and I are with Chief Superintendent Collins and some other men. …. Thank you, Allie. …. …. See we still get to go riding and I don't break my promise while still having my meeting."
Nathan hung up the phone and looked around. Suddenly, things started to click for William. This was the Mountie Elizabeth had written about before and she had talked about his lovely niece, but Nathan called her his daughter. William was even more interested to get to know the man that his daughter had talked so highly of. William smiled as he thought he was looking and speaking to his future son-in-law. William had admitted that he had handled things with Jack wrong and he was sorry that had never gotten to make amends and vowed to be better.
"So how old is your daughter?" William asked, seeing Nathan was nervous.
"She will be fourteen in August, Sir." Nathan said.
Then it clicked in William's head, the daughter and niece were one and the same. He remembered Beth writing about the ceremony.
"And you adopted her?" William asked.
A smile came over Nathan's face and he couldn't help it.
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said. "Best thing I ever did. My sister would be proud of the young woman she is becoming."
"And she works at the switchboard?" William asked.
"Yes." Nathan said. "Couple hours a day all summer and Saturdays during the school year. She is saving for a horse of her own. She also has talked about college. She isn't quite sure what she wants to do, but she has excelled in math and science. She is also excellent at writing and loves books. One would think that our house was the library at times. For as many books as Allie owns, she has checked out twice as many from the library."
"And what kind of horse does she want?" William asked.
"I know some people who raise horses and they are on the lookout for a good horse that is calm and would be suitable for Allie." Nathan said. "Honesty, I don't think it will matter much to Allie as long as the horse is hers and she can name it."
"Sounds like you are on the right track." William said.
"Let's all have a seat." Bill said. "I am sure Abigail and Frank will be along shortly."
"Excellent." Collins said. "We can take care of some other business until then."
… … … …
The cars were gone and the group had moved over to the mayor's office but there was still a buzz in town when Elizabeth arrived twenty-five minutes after her father had sent the cars off. Elizabeth looked around, but didn't see anything different, but there were groups of people standing around talking about something. Elizabeth went over to the mercantile to get the items that she needed.
"What is going on?" Elizabeth asked Ned.
"A high ranking Mountie and a well-dressed business man arrived a bit ago." Ned said. "They had four cars with them including a fancy silver one. They spoke with Bill, Nathan, Abigail, Pastor Frank, Lee and Rosemary before heading over to the mayor's office."
"I didn't see any cars." Elizabeth said.
"Apparently they went back toward the train station." Mrs McCormick said. "Whoever the man was, he must have been important because even Bill was in a fluster."
"Who all went over to Abigail's office?" Elizabeth asked.
"The well-dressed gentleman, that Mountie with him. Bill and Constable Grant. As well as another gentleman, maybe like an assistant." Mrs McCormick said. "He came with the cars. Abigail and Pastor headed to the cafe quickly. The Coulters went back to their offices."
"The Mountie is Chief Superintendent Collins." Allie said, stepping out from the switchboard.
"Do you know who the other man was?" Elizabeth asked.
"Nope." Allie said. "But I suspect I will know when I get off as I have been directed to meet Dad at the mayor's office then."
"You can go now." Florence said, coming back in.
"No." Allie said. "Dad said my regular time was fine as they had a meeting until then."
"Oh." Elizabeth said.
"I am sure it is nothing to worry about." Ned said. "Both Bill and Nathan mentioned some changes coming from the Mounties. That is probably what it is about."
"You are leaving, aren't you?" Elizabeth huffed, turned to face Allie.
Allie could see the panic and anger on her teacher's face. She didn't understand why Mrs Thornton wanted to always know what her Dad was doing. Especially now that Allie had heard Mrs Thornton was engaged to Mr Bouchard. Allie found it creepy the way Mrs Thornton was obsessed with her Dad, but claimed she wasn't 'in love' with him. Honestly, Allie just wanted Mrs Thornton to leave them alone. Allie wasn't stupid, she saw the ring on Mrs Thornton's hand, no matter how much she tried to NOT show it off.
"Not that Dad said." Allie said. "He said he would leave the Mounties if they tried to move him before I finished school. I know that he told Superintendent O'Reilly last month that he was staying in Hope Valley and not uprooting me again."
With that, Allie went back to the switchboard and ignored Elizabeth. She didn't want to speak to her and so as to not appear rude, Allie just simply went back to work.
"See nothing to worry about." Florence said, patting Elizabeth's arm like she was a child.
Elizabeth got her things and quickly headed back to her house. She had a bad feeling and didn't want to be in town. She had tried several times to reach her father, only to be told he was traveling for work and they would pass a message to him when they could. Elizabeth was frustrated because she wanted access to her trust so she could send Lucas money and purchase things he liked for the wedding. She had finally heard from Lucas and he was in Edmonton and found something for the wedding, but most of his finances were tied up in business. Elizabeth had tried to access her trust, but found that she needed her father's consent before any money could be transferred.
… … … …