Instead of going into town, Allie asked to stay at the Weisses for the time being. "I'll come join you for supper. Please," Allie begged. Ellen had assured her it was fine with her and Bruce had offered to walk the young girl into town. Nathan conceded, kissing the top of his daughter's head and escorting Faith back to the car.

As he approached the Judge's office at the end of Main Street, Nathan found a small crowd waiting for them. Along with Bill, who held Jack in his arms, stood an older couple that he had never met. However, as he studied them he noticed Elizabeth's cheek bones in the man and something about the way the woman held herself reminded him of Elizabeth. He assumed they were her parent's even as he also noted that Rosemary, Lee and Fiona were waiting for him. At least the last person Nathan knew was there to greet Faith more than himself.

"Welcome back, Nathan, Faith," Rosemary called out as the Mountie climbed from the car.

"Hello," Nathan said, the response a quick greeting for everyone as he hurried around the car to get the door for Faith.

Reaching the passenger side, Nathan opened the door. "Thank you," Faith murmured as she took the hand he offered to help her from the car.

"You're welcome," Nathan replied, caught up momentarily in her sky-blue eyes. Despite the fact that the sun had now totally lost its battle with the clouds, he noted that Faith's eyes still seemed to sparkle.

"Oh, I have missed you," Fiona exclaimed, rushing up to the pair.

The moment broken, Nathan released Faith's hand and took a step back as Fiona enveloped Faith in a hug. Going to the back of the car, he retrieved her one bag. Fiona was just releasing Faith from the embrace as he rejoined them.

"Thank you," Faith told him as Nathan held out her bag for her.

"I can take that," Fiona said, reaching for the bag before her friend did. "We should get you settled," she said, those words directed to Faith.

"That would be nice," Faith said, looking toward Fiona with a nod. She looked back to Nathan, "I'll check in with you later tonight."

Nathan simply nodded in response. Reaching out for Faith's hand, Fiona started to lead her away. Nathan watched her for a moment until another voice next to him drew his attention.

"You two seem to have gotten close."

Nathan looked down to find Rosemary next to him, a knowing smile on her face. Nathan felt his face grow warm despite the chill in the air.

"Rosie," Lee said quietly in a warning tone as he stood behind his wife.

"We're just friends," Nathan replied. "You are looking like a happy mother-to-be, though," he commented, opening his arms to the woman.

Rosemary stepped into his embrace as Nathan gently hugged her.

"I am very happy," Rosemary acknowledged.

Releasing Rosemary, Nathan greeted and shook hands with Lee. Nathan then turned his attention to the four on the boardwalk.

"Na'tan!" Jack greeted, holding his arms out to the Mountie.

Nathan smiled as he went to the boy first. "Hey there, buddy. I missed you," Nathan said as he took Jack from Bill. The three-year-old wrapped his arms around Nathan's neck and rested his head on the Mountie's shoulder.

"Miss you, too," Jack said, before starting to cry. "Mama went away. Unca Bill says she won't be back. Lucas took her away for good."

"I am sorry about your Mama, Jack," Nathan said softly as one hand started rubbing the boy's back. Memories of Allie dissolving into tears with no warning after her mother died came back to him. In his inexperience, he had tried to convince the little girl not to cry at first. All he got for his attempts were more tears and tantrums. After the third tantrum, Nathan had learned to simply comfort her and let the tears run their course. That was what he did now with Jack.

Looking up with tears in his eyes and on his cheeks, Jack asked, "I stay wif you now?"

Nathan glanced to Bill and the couple he hadn't met. Both the man and woman he didn't know gave him a single nod. Nathan could see a sense of peace in their otherwise troubled eyes.

"Yes, Jack. You'll be coming to stay with me."

"Good," the little boy pronounced as he snuggled his head into Nathan's neck. "Mounties make people safe."

There was silence on the boardwalk after Jack's soft pronouncement. No one knew what to say or maybe there were no words for that poignant moment.

It was Bill who first seemed to rouse himself from the emotions. "Perhaps we should head inside out of the cold," the judge suggested. "I'll get your bag," he added, already moving toward the car.

"Thanks," Nathan replied.

"I am going to get Rosie home," Lee said. "We just wanted to be here to greet you."

"I'll be sure to stop by your place some evening before I head home," Nathan told him.

"Our door is always open to you," Lee assured him.

Rosemary said a quick good-bye, kissed the top of Jack's head and then allowed her husband to escort her toward their automobile. Having retrieved Nathan's bag from the trunk, Bill returned to the Mountie's side. He quickly officially introduced William and Grace Thatcher before ushering everyone into the Office of the Judge and up to his apartment.

"Charlotte Thornton is waiting upstairs for us," Bill said. "She thought it might be too much for all three of Jack's grandparents to be waiting for you."

"I appreciate that," Nathan replied as he followed Bill up the steps. Even though the Thatchers had not said much, he had been very aware of their scrutiny of him since he first got out of his automobile. Not that he blamed them. He was sure he would be doing the same thing in their place.

"So, how do you like living in Clearwater?" William asked as he and his wife brought up the rear of their little group. A quick intake of breath from his wife indicated her surprise at her husband's question.

"It has been an adjustment after living in a small town like Hope Valley," Nathan replied, knowing exactly what William was really asking. "However, I have some good neighbors, several of whom have children of varying ages. One of my fellow Mounties and his wife live next door as well. He's the one that loaned me the car. Morgan Anderson checks in on Allie when I am not at home or invites her over for supper if I have to be away."

"And you and Dr. Carter?"

"William!" Grace scolded.

Nathan smiled. Apparently that question had been going too far for the proper woman. However, he answered the question without missing a beat. This man was about to entrust his grandchild into Nathan's care. He could understand where William was coming from.

"Dr. Carter and I recently reconnected at a New Year's dance. Right now, we are just friends," Nathan replied.

He heard Grace clear her throat behind him. Whether or not William was going to defy his wife's warning was not put to the test as Jack interjected.

"Are there kids my age near your new home?"

Nathan thought about his neighbors. Though he hadn't spent a lot of time with any of them, he had exchanged pleasantries with most of them and he saw their kids outside. "The couple across the street have a boy and a girl who are close to your age. Perhaps we can arrange a play date once you get settled with me and Allie. Would you like that, Jack?"

"You be there?"

"I most certainly would," Nathan assured him.

"I might like that," Jack proclaimed as Nathan walked through the apartment door that Bill held for him.

A brunette stood from the wingback chair she had been sitting in as the others entered. After closing the door, Bill introduced Nathan and Charlotte. Catching his god son's yawn, he spoke quietly to Nathan.

"He hasn't had his nap yet. You might try rocking him," he added, nodding to the rocking chair in the sitting area of the apartment. "Elizabeth insisted that I borrow the chair while watching Jack and I am glad she did."

"No nap," the boy protested.

"Then let's just rock," Nathan told him. "I'm out of practice. It has been a long time since I rocked Allie. You want to help me remember how it is done?"

Jack nodded.

Sitting down in the rocking chair, Nathan settled Jack against him and started rocking as he made conversation with the others. In deference to Jack, they held off discussing the funeral and other subjects, though Nathan was sure they were on the other's minds as much as it was his.

Whether it was the motion of the chair or the lull of the voices around him, as the conversation went on, the little boy gave in to the call of slumber. When Nathan was sure the boy was asleep, he carefully stood. Both Bill and Charlotte rose to show Nathan where Jack was sleeping. A silent conversation between the two had Bill sitting back down and Charlotte motioning for Nathan to follow her.

Charlotte led him to the smaller of the apartment's two bedrooms. Walking into the room, Nathan found a small toddler bed set up along the far wall. A mattress against another wall indicated that sleeping arrangements for Jack had changed.

"After the accident, Bill got a few of the men in town to bring Jack's bed over. He thought the familiar might help the boy after telling him about his Mama," Charlotte whispered and Nathan moved into the room and carefully laid Jack on the low bed.

"I'll have to figure out how to ship Jack's things to Clearwater," Nathan murmured, tucking the blankets around the slumbering boy, who barely stirred. "Perhaps Gabriel might be willing to meet a shipment and have the room ready for Jack before we get home."

Charlotte smiled sadly at him. "We'll help you get everything sorted after we lay my daughter-in-law to rest beside my son - at least symbolically."

Nathan nodded. Actually digging the grave at this time of the year was not feasible. Though the funeral was tomorrow, Elizabeth would be buried when the ground started to thaw with the coming of the spring.

The two adults stepped from the room, pulling the door part way shut. They took only a few steps down the hallway when Charlotte reached out and placed a hand on Nathan's arm. "I know Jack should have a little time to adjust to his new life with you and Allie without my interference, but may I come see him in about a month? I'd like a long visit before the weather starts warming and things get busier on the ranch."

Nathan looked down at the woman beside him. "You are welcome in my home whenever you want to visit," he assured her. "I am going to need your help keeping Elizabeth and Jack's memory alive for Little Jack."

Charlotte nodded her thanks and then the two rejoined Bill and the Thatchers where the conversation finally turned to the funeral service planned for the next day.


The Thatchers, Charlotte, Bill, Nathan, Allie and Jack all went to the café to have supper together as there was simply more room. There were only a few other patrons in the place and those who were gave the group space, those who had known Nathan pausing just long enough to greet him and his daughter. Jack insisted on being next to both Nathan and Allie, so he was given a spot between the father and daughter.

After supper, Charlotte headed to the Queen of Hearts. Despite the death of its owner, the business was being kept open by its staff until all the legal paperwork was finalized according to the terms in Lucas' will. Many speculated what that might even look like but everyone in Hope Valley knew what the closing of a business like the saloon and hotel could do to their little town.

Not wanting to stay at the saloon, the Thatchers had graciously accepted the Flynn's invitation to stay with them in the rooms above the café. Expecting Corporal Edward Montclair's arrival sometime that evening, William and Grace moved to a table by the window to keep watch for the Mountie. Bill offered to walk Allie out to the Weisses. To everyone's surprise, Jack asked to go with Bill and Allie while Nathan headed back to Bill's apartment.

The couple from Hamilton sat with coffee cups in front of them, barely touched as they held each other's hand. Their clasped fingers rested on the table though both remained quiet. The grieving couple was left to their solitude as normal activity went on around them.

When Edward rode up to the café about a half hour after the others had left, only a few sips had been taken from each mug. Letting Clara know that they planned to return to the table with the new arrival, William and Grace donned their coats and went outside to greet the son of their longtime friends.

Weariness and grief dominated Edward's expression as he shook hands with William and accepted a hug from Grace. It was hard to tell who was taking more comfort from the embrace - the grieving mother or the young man who was far from his family in this troubled time. He offered his condolences to Elizabeth's parents as Grace released him.

"You must be weary and hungry after your trip down from Cold Water Lake," Grace said after acknowledging the condolences. "Do you want to eat first or get settled in your room? William already made a reservation for you at the Queen of Hearts."

Before Edward could answer, William spoke up. "Why don't you take Edward into the café and let him order while I settle his horse in the livery and take his belongings to the room. I'll join you there."

Edward opened his mouth. Not about to allow the young man to try refuse, Grace looped an arm through his and spoke first. "That sounds like a splendid idea, William. Thank you."

"I shouldn't be too long," William replied, before moving to untie the horse's reigns and start in the direction of the livery.

Meanwhile, Edward let Grace lead him into the café, resigned to the situation. As they went inside, he recalled how the building had looked, standing abandoned when he had first dropped Elizabeth off in Coal Valley. Part of him had not wanted to leave her in such an unwelcoming place. Despite what she had endured to get there, he had still wondered if she was truly prepared for the task she had taken on. When he had returned with the stagecoach thieves and her compass, the criminals having already used the cash, Edward had not wanted to leave her in the desolate mining town. If she chose to go home, Edward wanted to make sure she was safely on a train heading East.

But Elizabeth had not succumbed to the hardships of this town, and neither, it seemed, had the people of Coal Valley. Comparing what he saw now with the images in his memory, Edward thought that Hope Valley was an appropriate name for such a resilient place.

Leading Edward to the table she had been sitting at with William, Grace caught Clara's eye. The young woman was there with a fresh mug and the coffee pot in her hand just as Edward sat down. Filling his cup, Clara began to tell him the menu options, but Edward politely halted her, telling her that after his long trip he would happily eat anything she placed in front of him.

"One special coming up then," Clara said walking back toward the kitchen where Minnie was cooking.

Grace allowed Edward to take a few sips of coffee before she reached into her handbag and pulled out the stack of envelopes containing the letters from Edward to Elizabeth. "We've started sorting through some of Elizabeth's things here. While doing so, I found a bundle of letters from you that she had saved," she said as she placed the letters on the table between them. Edward slowly reached for them. "I thought I would let you decide what to do with them."

"Elizabeth and I had an irregular correspondence since I escorted her here," Edward said, slowly sliding the bundle toward him. His voice was slow and low, and Grace listened quietly, knowing that this would be part of Edward's healing. "I think, at first my unrequited feelings made things awkward. Eventually we figured out a casual friendship that seemed to suit us both. It was nice to have someone other than my parents to write to about things and to hear from. I even started writing to Jack, though I never met him in person."

Edward looked up and found Grace's sympathetic gaze. "It started out as a simple 'I could ask Jack's opinion for you' over a work-related situation I was dealing with. I told her it was all right to share. Instead of sending an answer through Elizabeth, Jack sent me a letter personally. He became a sort of mentor for me. I wanted to come to his funeral, but I was on a tracking mission that I couldn't abandon. Elizabeth said she understood but even in her writing I sensed a bit of resentment."

"I am sure that resentment was not personal," Grace offered. "I know Elizabeth was upset about the situation that had Jack away so soon after their wedding. A part of her was already resentful of the Mounties for even asking Jack to do the Fort Clay assignment."

Edward nodded as he picked up a few of the top letters. "I know. I have seen how grief can make people act in ways that they normally would not. I received one letter from her after Jack's funeral. It asked me not to write any longer. As hurt as I was by that request, I honored it, hoping she would heal and resume our correspondence." Having flipped an envelope over he stared at the unopened seal. "She finally did - after Little Jack was born. She apologized and we went back to our friendly correspondence. I could see her grief and struggle, even in her writing. About a year ago, Elizabeth wrote to me about how she was confused about whether to open her heart to one of the two men interested in her and that she wasn't sure who it was she should allow in. I told her that from what she had written to me, it seemed her heart had already chosen Nathan Grant, and that I hadn't seen her express herself so openly about someone since she had written to me about Jack and their relationship. I never got a reply."

Edward held up the unopened letter. "I wrote three more letters, apologizing and asking her forgiveness. Each went unanswered. Part of me wondered if she had simply destroyed them. At least the fact that she saved the unopened letters tells me that she hadn't written me off completely. Perhaps with time she would have forgiven me."

Grace reached across the table and laid hers on the hand not holding the letter. "I am sure Elizabeth had already forgiven you on some level. However, I also think my daughter was emotionally troubled this past year. Maybe her heart never healed from losing Jack. Maybe she was afraid to love again." Grace paused. When she spoke again, her tone was lower and gentler. "And perhaps your letter put into words what everyone else around her was afraid to say. You never were one to try to skirt a subject, Edward. Since the time you started walking, you either avoided an obstacle or took it straight on. I think your training with the Mounties has brought out the latter trait more."

Edward glanced down at the letters again. "Maybe so," he said, putting them in one pile again and placing them in a serge pocket. "At least I know what happened to my letters," he continued looking back at Grace. "Thank you for returning them to me."

"It seemed the right thing to do. Those words were meant for Elizabeth and no one else unless you choose to share them. Know that I am always here for you to talk if you want."

Edward nodded. "You always have been and you have never shirked from telling me exactly how it is, even when that truth might be hard to take. Like when I returned home after graduation."

Grace felt the heat rise in her cheeks. "I was proud of you, even if I was surprised."

Edward smiled. "I know and in a way, your response meant more than all the other words of congratulations did - except maybe my father saying he was proud of me. You were not the only one surprised that I made it through the training. I actually surprised myself. However, you and my father were the only two who would admit that after I became a Mountie. I appreciated that. It validated all the self-doubt I felt at the beginning of training and made what I had accomplished mean even more."

"You're welcome, dear," Grace said with a smile, looking fondly at the young man who in some ways had been like the son she had never had.

The moment was broken by the arrival of William, who claimed the seat next to his wife. He handed Edward the key to his room at the Queen of Hearts just as Clara arrived with Edward's meal, a fresh cup of coffee for William and a cup of tea for Grace.