Chapter Twenty-Six

With Elizabeth's book tour winding down, the Grant household finally settled back into a semblance of normalcy. Elizabeth started preparing lessons for the new school year, despite the fact that she would be missing the first several weeks of school with the new baby. Nathan was busy, both with things around the house as well as at work, the town's growth bringing more and more people through. Allie and Julie bonded over their shared artistic interests. Julie had been drawing and painting since she was a child and was happy to help teach her niece how to refine her skills.

In addition to her art, Allie was also doing more writing. Inspired by the success of Elizabeth's novel and its promotion, the teen began penning a story of her own. Framed as journal entries and letters to friends and family, she too was creating the story of life on the frontier, this one from the perspective of a girl growing up there. With Elizabeth to help edit and Julie to illustrate, they hoped to have at least a few copies made and bound to share with their family and friends when it was complete.

As Elizabeth and Nathan predicted, Lucas had taken hope in the chance that Julie offered him to continue seeing each other while she was still in town. He was, they had to grudgingly admit, more respectful of her boundaries than he'd ever been in his pursuit of Elizabeth, but he was still persistent. Instead of 'pretend dates' with candles, roses, and wine, he would present Julie with a single rose or a small bouquet of wildflowers when they met for lunch at the café, supper in the main room of the saloon, or when he drove her home from her errands in town. Julie herself seemed to be enjoying his company, and despite her assertions otherwise, did nothing to discourage his affections.

The one person starting to feel left out was young Jack. Used to being the center of his mother's world, he didn't mind sharing her attention with Allie, but all the talk and preparations for the new baby made him less and less excited about his younger sibling. He wanted to remain the baby of the family, the one everyone doted on. Things got even worse when his parents told him he couldn't go to school with Allie in the fall.

"But I'm big now!" he pouted. "You and Daddy Nathan tell me all the time. Why can't I go to school with Allie?"

Elizabeth forced a smile, struggling to contain her emotions at the idea that her first-born would soon be old enough to attend school, and the realization that it was yet another milestone his father would miss. Lowering herself onto the settee, she carefully lifted Jack into her lap, hoping that getting her undivided attention for a while would ease his temper. Unfortunately, the baby had other ideas, proceeding to give a series of strong kicks that poked his or her older brother in the side and causing him to run away.

Nathan came home to find Elizabeth crying in the living room. He held her gently for a few minutes as she told him about Jack's tantrums.

"I don't understand," she sighed. "Up until last week, he seemed just as excited about the new baby as the rest of us."

"And I'm sure he will be once the baby's here," Nathan assured her. "He just needs a little more time to process it all. The poor kid has been through a lot this last year- your courtship with Lucas, our courtship and engagement, your father's accident and our time in Hamilton, the wedding, Allie and I moving into your house, all of us moving into this one… And now he's realizing that he isn't going to be your baby anymore. We know that this little one won't change how much you love your son. It might mean you can't do as much with him right now and you won't have as much time for him while caring for a newborn, but I have no doubt that you will make your time with your son special. He just needs to adjust to everything. Maybe Allie and I can help with that."

"How?" she asked, still tearful. "You already do so much to look after all of us. I can't think of any way you can do more."

Nathan smiled, pressing kiss on her forehead before releasing her and getting to his feet. "Allie and I have our fishing trips that are just our time. We'll find things we can do with Jack that are just his."

"I know you used to walk into town to go to the library with him," Allie said, leaning around the corner of the doorway from the kitchen. "Sorry. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop or anything, but I couldn't help overhearing," she shrugged. "It's hard for you to walk anywhere these days, let alone all the way into town. Maybe I can start taking Jack. Make it our 'story time'. Like, every Sunday after church, he and I will go to the library and then walk home. Just the two of us."

"I don't know…" Elizabeth looked unconvinced. "That's a long walk, especially for someone Jack's size. And in the rain or snow…"

"We'll figure it out," Nathan assured her. "What if we let them try it this Sunday, while it's nice out? See how it goes? Come fall and winter, maybe you and I can go to the café or wait in my office while the kids do their story time, and then we ride home together. And I'll think of something for just us boys to do."

Allie's 'story time' suggestion was a big hit with Jack, the boy practically dragging his sister away from their parents after church. They spend nearly an hour going through the children's books at the library, reading a couple of them together and selecting a couple more to take home with them to incorporate into Family Reading Time. The little boy was even more excited when Allie stopped and bought them each a cookie to eat on the way home. As word spread about the children's plan to make it a weekly event, Nathan and Elizabeth were approached by many of their friends, offering to keep an eye on the kids in town and to walk or drive them home.

For Nathan's part, he started out simple- going for walks, coloring at the table after supper, and a couple of joint naps on the sofa. He made sure to spend time every day with just Jack, doing something the little boy enjoyed, making sure he knew he was loved.

"What's that?" Elizabeth heard her son ask. Leaning against the doorway, she saw her husband sitting in the parlor, Jack on his lap. The boy was pointing to the picture on the end table of his father in his uniform. As she listened, Nathan explained about the commendation Jack had received, and how it meant that that his fellow Mounties wanted to thank him for his hard work and bravery.

"Like when Mama gives me a cookie when I do extra chores?" the little boy asked, awestruck.

Nathan chuckled. "Yes, something like that."

"Do you have any comadations?" Jack asked.

"I do," Nathan admitted, his cheeks flushing with his usual embarrassment at the mention of his own accomplishments.

"How come you don't talk about them?"

Nathan shrugged. "First, because I don't feel like a need to. I didn't become a Mountie to get awards; I wanted to help people. I just want to do that, the best that I can. Coming home to you and Allie and your Mama is enough thanks for me."

Jack was quiet for a moment, still studying the photos. His eyes fell on the one from his parents' wedding. "How come Daddy's uniform is new there?"

Nathan followed the boy's pointed finger, confused for a moment before he realized the difference.

"That's your Daddy's dress uniform. Since it was a special occasion, he wore his fancy uniform. See how the pants are different? And you can't see them here, but he's wearing different boots. And see that? His belt is blue and gold instead of brown.

"Do you have a fancy uniform?"

"I do," Nathan laughed softly.

"How come you don't wear it?"

"Because that uniform is saved for special things, like wedding and ceremonies."

"What kinds of ser-monies?"

Moving the boy to the seat beside him, Nathan stood, opening the drawer of the table and taking out a small box. Sitting down again, he moved Jack back into his lap before opening it. "See these?" he asked. "Your Daddy got a promotion for his work in the Northern Territories and at Fort Clay. The Mounties were so proud of him that they made him a Corporal. Your Daddy would have sewed these on his uniform and had a ceremony when he came home, but instead they gave them to your Mama and Grandma Charlotte."

Jack's eyes went wide with awe. "Did Daddy know he got a pur-motion?"

"He did," Elizabeth said, smiling and wiping her tears away as she joined them on the sofa. "He was promoted when he accepted the position at Fort Clay, but there wasn't time for anything official. We were going to have Daddy's ceremony when he came home."

Jack held the box reverently in his little hands. "Can I go show Allie?"

Elizabeth nodded, watching as he slid to his feet and scampered across the room, dashing up the stairs and calling his sister's name. Once he was out of sight, she sighed, leaning against her husband's side as he put his arm around her. "Thank you."

"For what?" Nathan asked.

"For being so good to them," she replied. "Answering all his questions, when I know he's asked them a dozen times before. Explaining things in a way he can understand. Telling Jack's story."

Nathan pulled her a little bit closer. "I promised you I would never try to replace Jack. I'm just trying to help his son build some memories of him."

Elizabeth looked up, smiling as she pressed her lips to his in a quick kiss. "Just when I think I can't love you any more…"


"Well, what do we have here?"

Nathan looked up, following Bill's gaze out the window to the man walking up the steps in front of the jail. When he found the office empty, he stepped back outside, looking up and down the street before starting across to the café.

"That's Patrick O'Reilly," Bill said unnecessarily. Nathan had also recognized the Superintendent and was already standing up straight and saluting when the man came through the door.

Patrick nodded to Nathan and stepped forward to shake Bill's hand. "Afternoon, gentlemen."

"Patrick, good to see you," Bill replied cordially. "Are you just passing through or…?"

The other man smiled, aware that Bill Avery was protective of his town and its people, and especially its Mountie.

"I am here to ask a favor." Turning to Nathan, he explained. "The outdoor survival training course for this year's graduates is supposed to take place at Fort Mudd, outside of Cape Fullerton, in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, one of the instructors, Corporal Duppen, was in a car accident yesterday and broke his leg. He's going to be fine, but he's going to be at a desk for a while until he's healed. We don't want to scrap the entire course, so we need a second instructor. Grant, you've got the proper expertise, and you're close enough that you can make it to Fort Mudd in time."

Nathan's heart sank. Not only did he not want to leave his family just a couple of months before Elizabeth was due to deliver, but he couldn't help but see an eerie similarity to Jack's last assignment.

"I know it's a lot to consider," O'Reilly added. "That's why I'm here to ask, and not just order you to go. I understand your wife is expecting soon. I also know that this sounds a lot like the offer we made to Jack Thornton right after his wedding." He paused, watching the younger man think. "I need an answer by tomorrow morning. If you can't do it, we'll have to postpone the course until spring."

After salutes and farewells, Patrick stepped back outside, making his way down to the hotel. Once he'd turned the corner, Nathan let out a huge sign, sinking into the nearest chair.

"What are you going to do?" Bill asked.


"I feel like I have to take it," Nathan explained, cringing at the anger he could see building in his wife's eyes. "It's a sign of respect that O'Reilly even came here to ask instead of just demanding that I accompany him. He's sacrificing too, taking over Fort Mudd until a replacement commander can be found. And given the flexible schedule the Mounties allowed me to keep when Colleen was sick, the considerations they gave to my postings once I had Allie with me, and all the extra time they gave me while your father was recovering… I feel like I owe them this. It's a-"

"Don't you dare say it's a "safe" assignment!" Elizabeth demanded. "I know better than anyone there is no such thing. No matter how well you're trained, something can always go wrong."

Nathan was silent, merely gathering her in his arms as she cried. He knew that telling her about the assignment was going to be difficult. As much as he wanted to promise that everything would, in fact, be alright, he couldn't. No one could.

"I promise to do the best I can to come home to you," he vowed. He loosened his hold on her, reaching down to place his hand on her belly. "All of you."

Elizabeth wasn't the only one to struggle with the idea of Nathan leaving. When he told them about it after supper, Allie ran up to her room, slamming the door and refusing to come out. Jack burst into tears, inconsolable. Even Julie showed her dismay, struggling to hold back her own tears as she stated the obvious- "It's just like Jack."

"No," Nathan assured them. "It's not like Jack. Yes, I am choosing to take the offer- because it's the right thing to do. It's a couple of weeks, not months." He paused, gesturing towards the photos on the mantle, toys on the floor, and the books on the coffee table. Then he reached over, placing his hand over his unborn child. "And most importantly, I know exactly what I'm leaving behind. It's quite the motivation to come home."


Dearest Elizabeth,

By the time this actually makes it to you, I will already be home, but I will share with you just the same. I miss being able to hear your voice, to feel your hand in mine as I talk through what I am facing and try to find the best resolution. My hope is that even telling you like this will help me get my thoughts in order.

We have one more exercise and then the course is over. Corporal Long and I will split the class, each taking a group out into the wilderness for an overnight. In theory, he and I will guide them to the proper locations and then allow them to use the skills we have taught them in various scenarios- treating an injury, finding food and water, preparing shelter. From what I know of the area, we may even get some unexpected lessons, like how to drive off bears, wolves, or mountain lions. One day and night in the woods, then back to Fort Mudd. I will prepare the final marks for my team, turn them in to Superintendent O'Reilly, and then join you to return home.

While I am obviously looking forward to seeing you and holding you in my arms again, I do worry that the train ride will be too much, given you have barely more than a month until our child is due to be born. I also know, though, that you aren't going to relax properly until we are reunited. It eases my mind to know that you are following your parents' advice and getting a first-class compartment, and that Julie and the children are accompanying you. I am certain that Allie and Jack will be thrilled with the sights, sounds, and probably even smells of Cape Fullerton. I only hope Julie keeps them close to the hotel and doesn't set out on a grand adventure around the city.

I'm sure you are wondering how the course itself is going. As a whole, I believe it's gone well. Most of the men are eager to learn and ready to be a team. There are a couple, however, that I have my doubts about. While they have technically followed orders, two of the young men, John Fiddler and Brian Hawke, are overly confident, frequently bullying the other members of their class and causing strife. I have tried gentle instruction and firm commands, but I suspect it will take something drastic to finally get their attention. I intend to speak to Corporal Long to see if he has observed the same behaviors, and if he has any additional insights to offer before I submit my final report on the exercise. I will have to make do without getting the perspective of a real, trained teacher.

We are heading out at first light, so I need to get some sleep. Know that my bags are packed, ready to head out as soon as you arrive in a couple of days. Tell Allie we've got a couple fishing trips to make up for, and let Jack know I am saving my best stories for our next walk.

All my love,

Nathan


He should have listened to that nagging feeling in his gut. Nathan could sense there was something off as he rode ahead of his team. He'd convinced himself it was just his disbelief that the four men under his command could ever work together as single unit instead of two very separate pairs. They needed to figure things out for themselves; part of this course was learning to adapt to one's surroundings. He just hoped their struggles were not taken as an indication of his leadership abilities.

They had made it through the mock injury scenario and had gathered enough food to tide them until morning. Now, as the sun was starting its descent, they needed to prepare for their night outside. Nathan and Newton had ridden ahead, scouting for a good place to make their camp. He had marked a spot and was headed back to his men when the horse stopped, stomping his feet and trying to back away. Nathan looked around, trying to find what was making his usually amiable companion so skittish. He could hear the men in the distance, once again arguing, but saw nothing to indicate anything was amiss. Then he heard it.

The large mountain lion snarled as it jumped from a tree, landing a few feet in front of Nathan and Newton. The horse reared and Nathan scrambled to hold on. Losing his grip, he tumbled back, hitting the ground hard. As Newton continued to stomp and back away, Nathan was forced to roll quickly to the side to avoid being stepped on. What he thought was a patch of bushes was actually the edge of a small ravine. Before he could grab a hold of anything, Nathan slid over the side, a shower of rocks and debris showering down around him as he landed. He was fortunate to have stopped on some bushes, the branches leaving scrapes and gouges but saving him from hitting solid rock.

Nathan took a moment to get his bearings and check himself for injuries. He had bumped his head a bit on the way down and was fairly certain he'd feel a strain in his right shoulder later, but there didn't seem to be anything broken. Getting to his feet carefully, he looked up. The rock wall in front of him was not only vertical but smooth, with no crevices or branches large enough to hold him if he tried to climb up. With no other option, he started shouting. "Help! Down here! Help!"

What he couldn't know was that Newton, freed of his rider, had bolted into the woods to escape the cat. Nathan's men, having heard the commotion, thundered into the small clearing. They saw the mountain lion, but no sign of the other horse or rider. While three of the men started shouting and waving their arms trying to frighten the cat off, Constable Hawke fired off his rifle. With all their noise, no one heard Nathan's shouts, and with no idea that he'd stopped here, none of them bothered to look over the ravine before moving on.

You're on your own, Grant, he thought to himself. He had his pistol, a canteen about half-filled with water, and a small pouch of dried beef. His rifle, blankets, heavy coat, and medical supplies were all with Newton. A quick glance at his watch showed it had been smashed in his fall but judging by the time it had stopped and the location of the sun in the sky, he estimated he had a few more hours of daylight. Ignoring his aches and pains, Nathan got moving, inching his way along the bushes until he reached the bottom of the slope. With any luck, he would rendezvous with one of the teams tomorrow as they all made their way back to Fort Mudd.


"Shouldn't we wait?" Constable Kelley suggested, concerned that their instructor hadn't returned yet. Constable Branson nodded, equally worried.

"You heard what Constable Grant said before we set out," insisted Constable Hawke. "If anyone gets separated, they should head back to the fort. He could be halfway there by now."

"But why would he just leave us?" Kelley argued.

"I'll bet it's a test," Constable Fiddler stated. "Grant is hiding somewhere nearby, watching us. We have to find our way back ourselves, using the skills he taught us."

Hawke immediately sided with him, and after a lot of debate, the others reluctantly agreed. Hawke and Fiddler were feeling quite proud of themselves, certain their assertiveness would win them points for leadership. The men found the site Nathan had marked off, and in no time had prepared their fire and tents for the night, set up a watch schedule, and made supper. They planned to set out at first light again, determined to make it back to Fort Mudd by suppertime.

Despite a few quarrels over who had to take a longer watch (Kelley and Branson) and who would ride lead on the way back (Fiddler, followed by Hawke), the men made good time, the flags over the fort coming into view just as the sun began to go down. They were upbeat and optimistic as they rode through the front gate, certain they would see their instructor waiting proudly for them.

"Where's Constable Grant?" Corporal Long demanded. The other instructor's team was gathered behind him, all of them obviously having just returned as well. "We found his horse a mile or so down the road, still with all his gear. I thought perhaps Grant had let him go ahead, having one of you transport him as a rescue scenario."

The four men on Grant's team looked at each other, a sense of dread settling over them as they shook their heads. "We haven't seen him since yesterday afternoon. He's not back yet?"

Corporal Long's face darkened as he glared at the men in front of him. "So, you left your commanding officer out there, alone, with no supplies and no horse." They all nodded remorsefully. "Did any of you make note of where and when you last saw him? Did you attempt to look for him?"

"Sir," Constable Hawke started to explain. "We thought.."

"I don't care what you thought!" Long shouted. "You have ten minutes to restock your supplies and get back here to help search. And you'd better hope we find Constable Grant alive and well, or you can forget about passing this course. I will personally see to it that if you are allowed to remain on the force, you are sent to the most remote and desolate postings imaginable."


"Sir!" Superintendent O'Reilly's aide interrupted. "There's a problem with Constable Grant's half of the mission."

"What is it, Murphy?"

"It's Constable Grant, sir. He didn't come back with his team."

Patrick jumped to his feet. "Well don't just stand there! Get the search parties started!" As the younger man all but ran down the corridor, Patrick sank back into his chair and sighed heavily. They had to find Nathan Grant. There was no way he was going to explain to the man's wife that the RCMP had taken another husband from her. Sitting up, he reached for the phone.

"Superintendent Patrick O'Reilly, calling for Commissioner Collins." When the other man came on the line, Patrick cut right to the chase. "We have a problem. Grant's gone missing. You'd better get here, fast."


Elizabeth arrived before the Commissioner the next morning. Part of Nathan's agreement when he accepted the assignment had been that his wife be allowed to meet him at the fort when it was over. Julie and the children would stay back at the hotel in Cape Fullerton, waiting for both Nathan and Elizabeth to return there. The family would spend a day or two in the city before making the journey back to Hope Valley, allowing Elizabeth the chance to relax before embarking on another train ride.

At the moment, she was anything but relaxed.

"Where is my husband?"

"Ma'am, you need to calm down."

"No," she replied, leaning until she was nearly eye to eye with the young man seated behind the desk. "What I need is my husband. Here. Safe. What are you doing about that?"

"Ma'am, there have been patrols out searching for Constable Grant since we got word he was missing. I'm sure they will have news soon."

"I don't want soon," she demanded. "I want answers now! How did this happen?"

"He was leading a training mission for some of the recent graduates from Depot. Outdoor survival and tracking, things Constable Grant is an expert at. He's completely safe."

"I know what he was doing here! What I want to know is why he didn't return with his team?! Elizabeth exclaimed angrily. "You'll have to pardon me if I don't have a lot of faith in the RCMP's idea of a 'safe assignment'," she added with a scoff. "Not after Fort Clay."

"What do you know about Fort Clay?" the man asked, truly surprised.

Superintendent O'Reilly stepped in. "Jenkins! What is going on here?"

The younger man turned, saluting his superior before explaining. "The lady here is waiting on word of Constable Grant's whereabouts."

"Patrick, what is going on?" Elizabeth pleaded, hopeful he would tell her more.

Superintendent O'Reilly turned, gesturing her towards a chair. Like the Commissioner and a number of the higher ups in the RCMP, he felt a certain sense of obligation to the woman before him. Jack Thornton had been a well-respected legacy Mountie. His death, and the circumstances surrounding it, tended to garner his widow a lot of sympathy, earning a willingness to answer her questions in more detail than most civilians, and more understanding of her emotional outbursts. And she was certainly emotional now.

"Nathan's team came back yesterday as expected, but he wasn't with them," Patrick explained. "They thought he had intentionally left and returned ahead of them, that it was a part of their mission to get back on their own."

Constable Jenkins scowled as he glanced over at Elizabeth. "She compared it to the incident at Fort Clay, sir."

O'Reilly shook his head. "Mrs. Thornton Grant has good reason to distrust the Mounted Police, especially after Fort Clay."

"Thornton?" Constable Jenkins gaped. "Wasn't the instructor who died in the accident there named Thornton?"

"My first husband," Elizabeth growled. "Jack."

"And we are not going to take another husband away from her," O'Reilly insisted, glaring at Jenkins. "We are going to do everything in our power to see that Constable Grant gets home safely to his wife and children, aren't we Constable Jenkins?"

"Yes, sir!" The young man saluted and hurried away.

By supper time there was still no word, and despite the suggestion she go back to the hotel and wait with the children, Elizabeth refused to leave. She was pacing the hallway between the offices and the mess hall, and the Mounties assigned to wait with her watched nervously as she regularly stopped to rub her belly. Every attempt at getting her to sit and rest was met with a defiant stare and resumed pacing.

"Elizabeth!"

She turned to see Gabriel Kinslow hurrying towards them. Offering one last icy glare to the men beside her, she started towards her husband's friend. "What's happening, Gabe? Where is Nathan?"

Gabriel put a steadying hand on her arm and guided her into a chair. Like everyone else, he was worried that her stress might bring on labor, though the baby wasn't due for a few more weeks. He was going to do everything in his power to keep that from happening.

"I was in Cape Fullerton wrapping up a case and I heard about Nathan. I am going to take Newton and head out to join the search," he explained. "Obviously, they got separated, but I'm hoping he can at least guide me in the right direction. And I know it will do him and Nathan both good to see the other is safe."

"When are you leaving?" she asked, trying to remain calm.

"As soon as I fill a couple canteens and stock my bags with food and medical supplies."

Elizabeth paled at the mention of the aid supplies, and Gabriel squeezed her hand. "They're just a precaution. If I know Nathan, he will be more concerned with getting back here to you. Whoever finds him will probably have to physically hold him down and force him to eat and drink something before rushing back here."

"Be careful," she demanded.

"I will," he promised, rising to his feet.


"Mrs. Grant."

Elizabeth shook off Constable Fiddler's hand, glaring. He and the other one, the bird-named one, had been assigned to keep her company while they waited for news, and she'd found them both very annoying. At least the other two men from Nathan's team had attempted to be helpful, bringing her snacks and getting a chair from the fort commander's office for her to sit in, hoping she'd find its cushioned seat more comfortable than the hard-backed chair in Nathan's temporary office where she had finally sat down to wait.

"Elizabeth, they've found him."

She turned at Patrick's words, looking past him as a commotion began in the hallway. Everyone was cheering, but she held her breath, needing to see for herself.

"Nathan!" His name came out as a sob as she struggled to her feet and tried to run to him.

Nathan's grunted softly as Elizabeth ran into him, but he held her tightly despite his bumps and bruises. Gabriel, Patrick, and the others turned politely away as the two kissed, passion warring with relief and fatigue. When Nathan at last glanced up to acknowledge Collins, O'Reilly and the others waiting around the room, Elizabeth clung tightly to his side, staying as close as her protruding abdomen would allow.

Patrick knew Elizabeth had to be nearing the point of exhaustion, and Nathan looked to be well past it. "I think our questions can wait a bit," he announced. "Grant, get yourself cleaned up and a few hours rest, and take your wife with you. I don't think she's slept any more than you have the last couple of days. Use my rooms. We'll talk later."

Still holding Elizabeth, Nathan offered a weary salute and started slowly down the hall. As an instructor, he had been given a room to himself, but the fort commander's suite included its own washroom. He was certain Elizabeth would appreciate the privacy.

"Sir?" one of the men asked. "Don't we need Constable Grant's statement?"

"I think he will give a clearer, more organized summary of the events when he's not asleep on his feet," Commissioner Collins pointed out.

"And I don't know about you, but I don't want to put my very brief training in childbirth to use on Grant's wife," O'Reilly added.

"If I may be so bold, sirs," Gabriel chimed in. "Perhaps you can wait until tomorrow to question Constable Grant. Now that Elizabeth has gotten her hands on him, I cannot imagine she is going to be willing to let go."

O'Reilly looked at Collins, the pair sharing an amused nod at the younger man's words before Patrick turned back to Gabriel. "Kinslow, did Constable Grant appear seriously injured to you in any way when you found him?"

Gabe shook his head. "Nothing that would require treatment by a physician, sir. He was dehydrated, hungry, and sore from his fall, but nothing debilitating. I gave him my extra canteen of water and made him eat something before we started heading back. I asked if he wanted to stop at the infirmary, but he was anxious to get to his family, sir."

"Then I believe his wife will be of more comfort than the doctors here. Has the rest of his family been informed of his safe return?"

"With your permission, sirs, I was just about to go inform Allie, Jack, and the Thatchers."

"Permission granted," Commissioner Collins declared. Gabriel saluted and hurried out the door.

Collins turned to O'Reilly. "I think it's time we have a chat with the men on Grant's team. I would like to know what happened to make them abandon their commanding officer in the field." Patrick agreed, directing the Commissioner to his office and instructing his aide to find Constables Kelley, Branson. Hawke, and Fiddler.


Nathan slept late the next morning. When neither he nor Elizabeth appeared for breakfast, people started to talk. Gabriel volunteered to check on them, knowing they would need time to prepare before their family arrived. When there was no answer to his knock, he cautiously opened the door. He blushed and started to back out when he saw Nathan's bare back facing the door, but something made him pause. Looking at his friend again, he took in the red scrapes and dark bruises coloring his ribs and shoulder. Studying him closer, he saw the deep, even breaths. After not sleeping for two days as he made his way back to the fort, clearly exhaustion had taken hold.

Gabriel heard Elizabeth coming out of the washroom and quickly backed into the hallway, knocking again and calling out a soft greeting. He waited for her make her way to the door, relieved to see her smiling as she stepped out.

"I haven't had the heart to wake him, but I can if you need me to," she explained. "He nearly fell asleep in the bath last night, the hot water relaxing all the bumps and strains from his fall. He got his pants on but dozed off before he got to his shirt, and I certainly can't hold him up at this point," she laughed, gesturing towards her large belly. "I got his legs onto the bed and went around to curl up beside him. Other than to put his arm around me, I don't think he's moved."

Gabriel smiled back. "I will let Superintendent O'Reilly and Commissioner Collins know. They want to talk to Nathan, get his official statement, but I will ask if we can let him sleep a bit longer." He paused, smirking a bit. "I should warn you though, Allie and Jack will be here after lunch. I don't think even a full troop of Mounties will be able to stop them."

Elizabeth grinned, excited to have her family reunited. "Perhaps we should let the kids wake him up," she suggested. "He will be too excited to see them to get mad, whereas you and I…"

"I think you're safe, but he would definitely hold a grudge against me." Gabriel chuckled.

A/N- This is me, trying to do angst and drama again. I know I could have elaborated on the search and what Nathan was feeling and thinking, added more details about his rescue, etc. I had planned a little more 'fear of the pregnant belly' amongst the unfortunate single young Mounties waiting with Elizabeth but went easy on them instead. (Just imagine everyone in the vicinity afraid to touch her, for fear she would literally burst.)

I tried to do angst and drama, but you all know by now that I am much more the happily fluffily ever after kind of person. I couldn't drag it out. And since I hate cliffhangers, I had to get everything pretty well wrapped up in one chapter. Yes, we will see Nathan reunited with the kids next chapter and get a peek into what happens to his team. (Did anyone catch the intended insult with my names for the two terrible Constables? Anyone? No? Ok, well, it will just be my own little inside joke with myself then.)

A huge 'thank you' to Eoin for answering all my Mountie questions. I hope I made this plausible enough to work.

Thanks again to Lynn and Amy for letting me bounce ideas off of them.

Hope you enjoyed this longer than usual chapter :-)