A/N I TOLD YOU I WOULDN'T MAKE YOU WAY TOO LONG. I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT.
Early the next morning, as Nathan approached the jail, he saw there were a group of people standing outside while Bill and Gabe stood on the porch and addressed them. Gabe turned as he parked the car, and the look on his friend's face let Nathan know something had happened. On the heels of that thought came the feeling that it had to do with Elizabeth. Quickly approaching his friends, he heard Bill disperse the men to begin a search, along with the warning not to approach anyone but just to seek out locations.
Bill motioned for Nathan to follow them inside. Gabe closed the door as Bill began to speak.
"Nathan, have a seat. Rosemary went to see Elizabeth this morning and found her missing. A quick search revealed she wasn't at the school, Sargent is in his stall, and she wasn't at the cemetery. It doesn't look like her bed had been slept in, and there's no sign of the clothes she was wearing the night before. Gustave reported that Bouchard is missing as well, so we think that wherever he is, Elizabeth is too.
Nathan plopped down in the chair that Gabe had managed to slide under him knowing how the news would affect him.
"We had dinner last night, and the Coulters report walking her home and seeing her go in her home that evening. Jack was sleeping at the Campbell's farm, and he is fine."
"We need to go find her, Bill," Nathan said, standing up.
"Right now, we need to let Lee's men and the others search the area while we focus on the shipments. You know that this is probably a diversionary tactic to keep attention away from the movement of the goods."
Nathan sat back down, knowing that Bill was right but still struggling with not going to find her. "So, what your saying is that they were somehow tipped off or decided to move up the actual date and time."
"It is the only thing that makes sense," Gabe said. "By kidnapping Elizabeth, they keep both Bill and I and others in town that might be watching the railroad busy searching for her. With all of us distracted, they can get their cargo on the train and get it moving."
"Maybe Gabe arriving in town spooked someone since the whole reason that they moved operations here was that we didn't have a Mountie. Now one shows up, and they know they have to get it out of Hope Valley before we are on to them." Bill added.
"If that is so, then we need to get a few undercover people at the railroad depot that would be able to keep watch on the cargo," Nathan said. "Obviously, it wouldn't be anyone here in this office."
"We already have one in place," Gabe said. "He is a trusted friend of mine that works for the railroad and was temporarily assigned to the cargo supervisor because the other one got sick. In fact, he is close friends with Tom Thornton, who assisted me in getting him assigned as a fill-in. In case anyone gets suspicious, a fake bio has been created that only the President of the railroad, who is close friends with William Thatcher, Tom, Patrick, Sam Collins, and me, know about. Well, obviously, now the two of you know as well."
"Let's get some breakfast and then pay a call to Lee," Bill said. "Hopefully, his guys have completed their assigned Grid searches. Plus, I want to hide your car so that we don't make them alter their plans again."
Jessie and Kurt were walking the woods, pretending they were counting timber for the sawmill. Jessie had recalled there was a hunting cabin not too far off the road but towards the end. Since trees surrounded it, no one would really see it. They had veered deep into the woods and then started moving towards the road from the opposite direction. As they crept closer, they could see that there were two men on the porch talking. Motioning for Kurt to stay still, Jessie snuck a bit closer, having prior experience at avoiding detection.
After listening for a few minutes, he heard enough to realize that he had found Elizabeth and Lucas. He did a brief check to see if there were signs of others before quickly moving back toward Kurt. He gave him a quick brief on what he had heard and noted before instructing him to let Lee know while he remained to keep watch in case they moved, or others arrived.
Luckily, Nathan, Bill, and Gabe were in his office when Kurt arrived back at the Mill. "Elizabeth and Lucas are being held at the old cabin out on Millers' Road. the one that is hidden by the trees. Remember we had to take shelter there once?"
Lee nodded. "It would be a perfect place since it is practically deserted down that stretch of road but still reachable by car or horse."
"There are two men standing on the porch, and Jessie didn't see anyone else. He stayed behind to keep watch in case they moved. He also told me to let you know they didn't appear to have transportation, or it is well hidden."
"All right, gentlemen, what's the plan?" Lee said. Before anyone could answer, another one of Lee's workers Bruce Weiss, let them know that the Pinkerton hired to beef up security didn't show up for work. When they went to the place he was staying, it was empty, and there was no sign of him. It didn't take much to realize that he was part of the smugglers.
"Kurt, I need you to take an inventory of all our employees and see if anyone else is missing. If they are, then find out if there is a reason." Lee directed.
"On it, Lee," Kurt said.
Nathan quickly laid out the plan. Thankfully they had already saddled the horses and were ready to roll. Lee would approach by car but would hold back to help transport prisoners. He would only come out of hiding if Bill signaled him. Since there were only two men, possibly a third, they felt like the four of them and Jessie would be good, especially since they would have the element of surprise. In order to avoid detection, they would have to approach through the woods in case there were men watching the road.
It seemed like it was an eternity until they were in position. Jessie let out a whistle that the Mounties used to communicate. Bill answered back as they crept closer to his position, making sure they were quiet. Nathan was the first to spot Jessie and edged his way over while Bill and Gabe moved toward the back.
"There's no sign of anyone else but the two of them, although they are talking about someone giving them a signal to leave. I don't see any horses, so I'm not sure how they will get away. I didn't want to move around too much and risk being seen." Jessie explained.
Nathan briefly explained the plan they had come up with, assigned Jessie a task then gave the signal to Bill. Bill immediately gave the return signal, and they moved as one towards the cabin. However, as they did, the Pinkerton and one other man came out from the woods with guns drawn.
It didn't take long to take control of the situation, though, and if not for Lucas, things would have ended easily. But upon seeing Nathan, he tried to help and allowed the Pinkerton to grab Elizabeth and carry her off to the car he had hidden in the woods.
Nathan didn't even hesitate and mounted Sargent rifle still in his hand. "Let's go save Elizabeth, boy," Nathan said quickly, maneuvering towards the road. Once they reached the road, he let Sargent have control, and they were off like the wind. The Pinkerton saw Nathan was gaining and fired a warning shot. Elizabeth saw that Nathan was chasing them, so she ducked down in the seat to be out of the line of fire. He quickly wrapped the reins around the saddle horn, thankful that he had Sargent.
Nathan fired a shot but missed, but it was enough to distract the Pinkerton, causing him to drift off the road. Nathan was able to close the distance quickly and flip his rifle in preparation for possibly needing to fire it again. He saw that the Pinkerton was trying to grab his gun where it had been knocked out of his hand. "Don't move," Nathan said in full Mountie mode as he pointed his rifle. "You are under arrest for kidnapping."
Without taking his eyes off the Pinkerton, he wanted to check on Elizabeth. "Are you all right, Elizabeth?"
"I'm fine, Nathan," She answered softly, breathing a sigh of relief.
He could hear the sound of a car and heard Gabe calling out to him. After a few minutes, Gabe approached the car with handcuffs in his hands and took over while Bill untied Elizabeth. After giving her a quick hug, he lifted her up into Nathan's waiting arms. Nathan couldn't speak and just situated her in front of him and pulled her close, breathing in the scent of her hair. They had a lot to discuss between them, but for now, they still had official business to contend with.
Nathan took a quick inventory and found that Lucas was in the car with Lee and the three men from the cabin, who had been cuffed from behind until they could get to the Jail. In the meantime, Jessie drove the car with the Pinkerton, and Gabe walked alongside as an escort while he and Bill walked alongside Lee. Nathan couldn't help noticing that Elizabeth stiffened as they approached the side Lucas was on. He looked over at Bill and saw that he noticed it too.
Seeing the scared look on Lucas' face all of a sudden, Bill called out to her. "Elizabeth?"
She looked over, and both Nathan and Bill were shocked at the death stare Elizabeth had before she realized who was talking. "Yes, Bill?"
"Are you sure you are, okay?" Bill asked her.
"I'm fine, no thanks to him," Elizabeth said in a glacial tone.
As they drew into town, they could see word had spread that Elizabeth had been found and the perpetrators were caught, and Nathan was in town. Hearing the townspeople make a fuss over Nathan riled Lucas to no end, as well as the sight of Elizabeth riding so intimately against him. It bothered him so much that he was barely containing himself as they pulled up in front of the jail. As if the discussion at the cabin never took place, Lucas once again convinced himself that Elizabeth was his. There was no way he was going to stand aside while Nathan pawed all over her. She simply needed a firmer hand, was all. He told himself.
Seeing Nathan reach up and place his hands around Elizabeth's waist was the last straw. Lee and Jessie help Gabe quickly secure the prisoners while Bill and Nathan discuss what is next. Seeing that they were distracted, Lucas saw his opportunity and reached out for her arm. Elizabeth had been talking to Faith and Rosemary and was momentarily stunned. But then, realizing what had happened, she looked down where his fingers were pressing in on her arm causing pain. Looking back up at him, she said, "LET GO, MR. BOUCHARD!"
"Elizabeth, you need to…." That was as far as he got because, in the next moment, to the shock of everyone, she balled up her fist and punched him. The force of it knocked him backward.
"Way to go, Missus," The two men from the cabin said, earning them a glare from the Pinkerton and the other man.
"You all saw that she assaulted me," Lucas said. "I am pressing charges and demand you arrest her."
No one said a word for a moment, and then everyone began to laugh. Then Elizabeth began slowly walking towards him in what one might say was predatory. "I warned you, Lucas, about approaching me again. I have made myself more than clear about where my feelings lay. So let me ensure that you are left with no doubt as to what they are. She marched over to Nathan and pulled him down, and captured his lips with hers. Nathan froze for a moment in shock but quickly deepened it. It went on for a few more minutes before they finally parted, becoming aware of the wolf whistles and cheers. They both were a bit dazed, but seeing Lucas brought Elizabeth quickly down to earth. "In case that doesn't convince you, there's one last thing I will add. "Unlike you or your father, it would never take me five years to say yes to marrying Nathan Grant. I would marry him right now with you and the others as my witness, with Bill as our officiant. Bill, I want to have a restraining order executed against Lucas so that he can never approach me anytime or anywhere. If you will bring whatever I need to sign to the house, I would appreciate it, but right now, I need some ice."
Elizabeth then turned and began walking toward the rowhouses without even a backward glance. Rosemary and Faith stood stunned momentarily but quickly ran to catch up with her.
All eyes turned to Nathan, still in a daze from the kiss and her words. He heard Bill chuckle and looked over at him. Bill crossed his arms, looking smug, and said, "I told you so."
"Me too," Gabe said with a smirk. "Just think you could have probably had a ring on her finger by now if you had listened to us."
Nathan just gave him an annoyed glance before giving Lucas a smug grin.
"What are you looking at, Nathan?" Lucas snarled before turning to Bill. "Are you just going to let her walk away? I told you that I wanted to press charges for assault."
"We will continue this discussion inside Bouchard," Bill replied, all amusement gone giving him an icy stare. "Don't even think of refusing either, or you will be in one of those cells quicker than you can blink." He had seen an insolent look in Lucas' eyes, but there was also a bit of fear in them, so he knew a warning would be all it took for him to cooperate.
When they entered the office, the other men who had managed to hear what was happening laughed as he walked in. Gabe locked the door and remained by it as Bill nudged Lucas to the chair by the desk. To Nathan's amusement, he quickly walked around and, with a smirk at Nathan, eased into the chair, brow raised in a silent challenge.
Nathan just shook his head in amusement before perching on the edge of the desk to peer down at Lucas.
"First, from what we and numerous others witnessed, it was a case of self-defense. Also, according to Elizabeth, you harassed her even after she told you to leave her alone, and she only hit you after you grabbed her arm. However, as the territorial judge, I will grant her a restraining order barring you from coming within 1000 feet of her and contacting her in any way. You are restricted from the church or library if she is present."
"I haven't done anything to her that would be considered harassment." Lucas began.
"Oh yes, you did," One of their captors said. "Missus told you several times in the cabin. Judge, may I tell you what all took place in the cabin?"
"Sure, Nathan, would you escort him over here? Something tells me this is going to be good." Bill instructed.
Once the man stood before the desk, Bill swore him in and let him speak. Lucas had been silent throughout the process and glared as the others laughed.
After finishing, he said, "Missus told him in no uncertain terms that his attentions were unwanted, and if he persisted in approaching her, she would pursue legal action."
"Thank you," Bill said, nodding at Nathan to return him to the cell. As Nathan walked him over, the other man said, "Inspector? Pardon my saying so, but you are a lucky man to have a woman like Missus in love with you. What I wouldn't give for a woman to think I hung the moon and stars as she does you."
Nathan didn't say anything but smiled and nodded in acknowledgment as he returned him to the cell and relocked the door, too overwhelmed by the depth of feelings the man's words gave him.
Well, it appears we have witnesses to that, along with Elizabeth's statement and those who heard her tell you to take your hands off her, which you refused. It is a pretty open-and-shut case, Bouchard.
"Now, if we want to discuss pressing charges, there is also strong evidence of obstruction of justice and interfering with an official investigation putting others at risk," Nathan said.
"Something you seem to be good at," Bill muttered. "Specifically, Elizabeth. Based on what he told us and what we already knew, it seems like you were trying to play the hero again and created a mess."
"I had thought you learned your lesson last time after you almost got Elizabeth killed when your past came calling in the form of Amos Dixon," Nathan said. "When you discovered what was happening, you should have come straight to Bill with your suspicions."
"What's the matter, Grant not up for a little competition?" Lucas sneered. "I had heard Elizabeth talking to Rosemary about the problem with her father's company and how she had asked you to investigate it. She had been a bit distant with me of late, so I figured if I solved the little problem, she would come running back to me. It almost worked until that constable appeared in town and made them suspect something."
The men in the cells began to laugh at that, and the Pinkerton said, "Oh, we knew something was up before that." But didn't say anything else.
Lucas stood and went towards the door. "Where are you going?" Bill asked as Gabe moved to intercept.
"I'm going home, so I don't have to listen o the peanut gallery. You can find me in my office if you need anything else from me."
"Licking your wounds that the missus gave you," the man from earlier taunted.
"I'm not quite finished talking with you, so sit down," Bill snarled.
After giving Bill an insolent glare, he obeyed, folded his arms, and said, "What now?"
Seeing the look on Bill's face, Nathan moved quickly toward Bill as Gabe moved closer to Lucas in a protective stance. They both could see that Lucas' was baiting the wrong man, and Bill was about to lose it.
"Bouchard, I would advise you to keep your mouth shut and refrain from further antagonizing Judge Avery," Gabe warned as Nathan mumbled quietly to Bill. "You wouldn't like it if he gets angry and loses the little patience he has left."
A few minutes later, Bill said, "Here is how this will go. You will be permitted to return to your lodgings; however, you are confined to Hope Valley until your interference is investigated and a decision is reached on whether formal charges will be brought. If you leave Hope Valley without authorization, you will be considered a fugitive and a warrant will be issued for your immediate arrest. Furthermore, as of right now, the restraining order is in place, and if you violate it, you will be placed under immediate arrest and taken to Medicine Hat. If you get the sudden urge to defy me after you leave this building, I would strongly advise against it because I won't hesitate to follow through. Understand?"
Lucas looked into Bill's eyes and suddenly felt a chill at the cold dead stare reflected there. So, he gulped and nodded, clearly shaken.
"I need you to respond verbally, Bouchard," Bill said firmly.
"I understand and have no questions." He said quietly. Bill nodded to Gabe, letting him know he was done. Nathan watched Lucas practically run out of the Jail and exchanged a knowing glance with Gabe, who was trying not to laugh.
Lee and Jessie appeared in the doorway, asking about what had happened to Lucas. Bill said they could talk about it later but asked Lee and Jessie to watch over the prisoners while they went to his office to begin dealing with them.