As Nathan arrived in Benson Hills, it was an hour from dinner time. He looked at his watch and realized he was a bit early for meeting up with the informant, so he decided to check into his room. The book was calling his name, but he knew he wouldn't be able to put it down once he started reading it. He did take off his uniform and put on casual clothes. Before long, it was time to meet up with the informant over by the livery.

Patrick's instructions had told him to ask for a man named Jack, and they would lead him to a private room where the informant would be waiting. Patrick assured him that the people could be trusted, but caution was still warranted. When he approached the livery, he heard a voice call out," Can I help you sir?"

Nathan turned and saw a heavy-set, bald man in a leather apron working on a horseshoe. "Yes, sir, I was looking for Jack?"

The other man hesitated momentarily before putting down his tools and the shoe. "Follow me; he works in the back,"

Nathan followed him to a tiny room in the back. As he stepped through the door, he was shocked to find Gustav was there waiting.

"Constable Grant," Gustav said before nodding to the other man standing by the door. The blacksmith left and shut the door behind him. "I am courting his daughter," Gustav said, answering an unspoken question in Nathan's eyes. "Please come and have a seat."

"Call me Nathan, Gustav," Nathan said as he moved toward the chair that Gustav indicated.

After Nathan sat down across from him, Gustave began talking. "I know you are probably wondering why I asked to see you specifically and what is going on, eh?"

"I would," Nathan said. "Is this about the illegal shipments? Is Lucas involved? Does he know you are here?"

"It is about the illegal shipments, and yes, Lucas is involved though not like you may think. He doesn't know I am here either." Gustav replied.

"I think you better start from the beginning," Nathan directed.

"A few months ago, I noticed some men occasionally meeting in Hope Valley."

"Are they from Hope Valley, or are you referring to a meeting of traveling businessmen?" Nathan asked.

Gustav shook his head. "They always get rooms and arrive separately, never on the same day. However, one of Lee's men seems to be friendly with them. A month ago, Lucas began to sit with them and seemed on friendly terms. A few times, I even heard Elizabeth's name mentioned. Last week Lucas was agitated but seemed to get worse when I told him the men returned, rented rooms, and paid two weeks in advance."

"Do you have any idea why?" Nathan inquired.

"At the time, I didn't, but last week I was in the storeroom and overheard them talking outside the door. The door to the room was closed, so they didn't know I was there. Anyway. I heard them talk about the shipments and changing them to Hope Valley since we don't have a constable. Whatever it is will happen in two days. Then they brought up Elizabeth, though I couldn't hear what was said."

"I see," Nathan said. "Was there anything else you want to tell me?"

"Just that I think that Lucas was trying to help but, in the process, may have made things worse and has brought Elizabeth into the mess somehow. She is the reason that I am here. Nathan, Hope Valley has become my home; the people accept me and have always been welcoming. Well, except for Bill, but he is coming around," Both men chuckled at that.

"It wouldn't be the first time he has put her in danger," Nathan muttered. "But if what you say is true, it will be the last time."

Gustav nodded, and they stood up. "I'm glad because I don't think that Lucas will ever give up until there's someone else. His fascination with her borders right on obsession, frankly. Even though she has told him no and has gone out of her way to avoid him, he thinks she is just playing hard to get." Gustav paused for a moment as if pondering whether to say something or not.

"What is it, Gustav?" Nathan asked.

"It is probably not my place, Nathan, and I am not sure why you left, but I had seen how you and Elizabeth were before the incident in the street where she hugged you. If you ask me, her heart is with you. Of course, reading her book reveals that too. I'd better get back on the road. Have a good day, Nathan, and I hope to see you soon." Then he was gone.

Nathan stood for a moment more, contemplating his last words. Suddenly he couldn't wait anymore and went to grab dinner, call Patrick and spend the rest of the evening reading. Then first thing in the morning, he would be on his way to Hope Valley. There was no way that he could stay away.

He first went to the Mountie office to use their phone. Nathan filled Patrick in on what Gustav had told him about Lucas and his intent to go to Hope Valley in the morning. When asked about Allie, Nathan said he wanted to wait until after he had a chance to see for himself what was happening. After hanging up, he grabbed dinner and went back to his room.

Settling on the bed, he began reading the pages, easily substituting the names as Bill had. It didn't take long for him to see Elizabeth's journey and where her feelings lay.

"Why did I not see this for myself?" Nathan said out loud, his eyes glistening at the time lost due to his stubbornness. So many people had told him to read it. As he reached the end, there was a note on the final page.

Nathan, if you have reached this point, I'm sure you already know about the rest of the mystery. But I'm not known for my patience at my age, so here is the rest of it. The dedication to the author's book is to her three favorite Mounties.

A J GRANT – Avery Jack Grant

Get the picture?

Bill

P. S. Notice who is first?

Nathan chuckled at the last, but then as he looked, he substituted Avery for Elizabeth. Elizabeth Grant definitely had a nice ring to it. As if in answer, his heart began to race at the thought of having Elizabeth as his wife, and that scene from a few mornings ago popped into his mind. At that moment, his mind was made up, and he was done wasting time. Once things settled in Hope Valley, he would fix things with Elizabeth. It was time to tell her what was in his heart.

MEANWHILE, IN HOPE VALLEY

Bill and Gabe had just returned from having dinner with Elizabeth and the Coulters when a call came into his office.

"I bet that's Patrick or Nathan," Bill said, picking up the receiver. "Judge Avery's office,"

"Bill, I just got off the phone with Nathan. Our informant is none other than Gustav Peppin."

"Gustav?" Bill asked, not sure he had heard right.

"That's right. Before you ask, Lucas doesn't know he came to us. From what Gustav told Nathan, Lucas may have gotten entangled with the men responsible, and Nathan feels we may have a similar situation to what happened with Amos Dixon."

"I'll kill him if he puts Elizabeth in danger again."

"Calm down, Bill," Patrick said. "Nathan will be arriving in the morning, and from what Gustav said, nothing will be happening for two days. Just don't let Elizabeth go anywhere without an escort."

"Your sure that Gustav can be trusted? Nathan felt like he was speaking the truth?" Bill asked.

"Yes, to both questions, Bill," Patrick said before hanging up.

Bill hung up, turned to Gabe, and told him what Patrick had said.

"Now what?" Gabe asked. "I know you already have a plan brewing up here." To emphasize his point, Gabe tapped his finger against his temple.

"I have a couple, but one isn't feasible and is against the law." Bill said, adding, "fortunately for Bouchard."

"The other involves keeping a close eye on Elizabeth, maybe even sending her away if it comes to that," Bill said.

"You really think Elizabeth would go for that, especially when she finds out that Nathan is coming?" Gabe asked.

"I hadn't planned on telling her just yet," Bill said.

"Bill! How are you going to keep her from finding out, especially since you have told him he could ride Sargent? If you put someone on that horse without asking Elizabeth, and she finds out …." Gabe didn't finish the sentence because Bill could quickly fill in the rest. With a resigned sigh, he reluctantly agreed and discarded the idea of sending her away. She would never leave town if Nathan were here, and though she would be okay with Nathan riding him, Sargent was Jack's horse, and they also shared a close bond. Not telling her someone would be riding Sargent wouldn't bode well for his health.

Looking at the clock and seeing how late it was, he said, "Let's just get rest for tonight, and once Nathan is here, we can get with Elizabeth and the others and lay everything out."

Thinking of the book he had given him, Bill added. "Hopefully, Nathan also has some other business to take care of, too," Both men smirked.

As Elizabeth and the Coulters walked home after leaving Bill, they reminisced about the past few days in Union City.

"So, Elizabeth, I must say that you and Nathan got pretty chummy at the presentation dinner," Lee chuckled. "Any chance that there's something you need to tell us?" Lee asked with a sly grin.

Elizabeth chuckled, "Not at the moment. At least, nothing I can think of."

"Really," Lee said, giving her a knowing look and raising his brow.

Elizabeth lasted for a few more minutes before breaking. "All right, fine. Though I know my feelings for Nathan, as do you apparently, I'm not sure of his."

"You're not sure of what he feels?" Lee asked incredulously.

"How in the world can you not be Elizabeth?" Rosemary said as they stopped walking. "He only had eyes for you the entire night, and believe me, other ladies were there trying to catch his attention."

"Do you think so, too, Lee?" Elizabeth asked, hope shining in her eyes.

"I do not doubt that he is in love with you. Just like I know you love him as much as you did, Jack." Lee answered. "Jack was my best friend, Elizabeth, and Nathan is the kind of man that Jack would have wanted for you and his son. I know that you are afraid to lose him, and it might create some logistic issues because he is in Union City, but it seems to me that nothing is keeping you apart that can't be dealt with."

For the rest of the walk home, they talked about Jack's sleepover with Laura, how much he loved being at the Campbell's farm, and upcoming plans for the following week. Once they arrived home, Elizabeth said goodnight and went into her rowhouse. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to sleep immediately, she made a cup of Chamomile tea and settled in her settee to ponder Lee's words.

A/N For those of you who may be beginning to get anxious, this story is meant to be light-hearted. Though there may be a bit of trouble in store it will not encompass more than one chapter, and I daresay you will enjoy it if you are Team Nathan.