Clara listened. She stood still, unmoving and strained her ears to hear what was happening inside Rosemary's bedroom. She was trying to understand who was in the bedroom with the child. How did they get in, and what did they want?

The silence got to Clara. She couldn't stand there frozen all night; she had to make a decision and move. She realised she wasn't just exhausted; she was angry. How dare someone invade her private place, what she had considered her sanctuary after she lost Peter? This was her home, and she would not allow someone to frighten her out of it.

Clara gathered herself, stomped to Rosemary's room, and raised her hand to knock on the door. As she went to rap on the wooden door, she heard a sound that broke her heart. The little girl was crying out to her Mother, begging her to wake up.

"Mama, please...Mama, wake up. Mama, please, wake up."

Clara felt her heart clench; she had frightened that poor child. The sound of the little girl's voice, so full of fear, broke her heart. She was the person she had fled from; she was the reason she was begging her Mother, whoever that was, to wake up.

For some reason, Clara stopped being afraid. She knew it was only the little girl and her Mother behind the closed door. Neither could hurt her. She could sense they needed her. That gave her the courage to step closer to the door; she wanted to help. She thought back to the widows of Coal Valley, how brave they had been after everything they had been through and knew she could do this; she could open that door and help whoever was on the other side.

Clara cracked the door open an inch and peered inside.

Colleen lay on the bed, exhausted. She could hear Allie calling for her, distressed and was trying to sit up, to hold her Daughter and tell her it was okay. Colleen slowly dragged herself up. She tried to speak, but her throat was so dry that nothing but a raspy breath came out in response to her Daughter's pleas.

'Who are you? What are you doing here?" Clara demanded.

"Rosem..." Colleen whispered, turning toward the woman in the doorway, "is that you?"

Clara blinked, did the person in the bed call her Rosemary? "Are you asking for Rosemary?" she asked, creeping closer to the bed, trying her best not to scare the child.

"I, my name...Colleen," she murmured. She wanted to speak, but her throat and lips were so dry she could barely form the words. She flicked her tongue out, trying to wet her lips, but there was no moisture. A small sob escaped her lips, and the young, dark-haired woman came to her side.

Clara couldn't stand still any longer; the woman, whoever she was, however she got here, needed her. She and the little one needed someone, and she was that someone. Clara spun on her heel and rushed to the Kitchen, pouring the woman a glass of water.

"I brought your Mama a glass of water. Is it okay if I give it to her?" Clara asked the child. When she returned to Rosemary's room, she slowed her pace and entered slowly. She looked around and saw the young girl had positioned herself on the far side of her Mother but was close enough to protect her.

The little girl didn't respond, only watched her.

Clara approached the woman in the bed, finally getting a good look at her. When she made eye contact with the woman, her hunch was confirmed, this was Colleen, Nathan's Sister. The eyes gave it away. The little girl must be his Niece Allie; he talked of the two of them often.

"My name is Clara Stanton. I live here. I just got home today from Coal Valley," she explained. She was talking to Colleen but ensured she included Allie in the conversation. "I made friends with the Constable who works there looking after the Town; his name is Nathan."

Clara heard Allie gasp at his name, but Colleen, on the other hand, just stared at her intently. Clara sat next to her on the bed and placed the glass of water on the bedside table. Clara leaned over and said, "I am going to lift you, okay, Colleen so that you can have a drink of water."

Weakly Colleen nodded; she was desperate for a glass of water, and who was she kidding? She had no strength to resist even if She wanted to.

Clara held the glass while Colleen drank thirstily. "Thank you," she said gratefully. "I'm Nathan's sister; this is Allie."

Clara smiled and nodded at the young girl, hoping to make inroads with her, breaking through her shyness. She was pleased to see Allie looking at her curiously now, without fear in her eyes, even if she didn't return her smile.

"It's very nice to meet you both; I can't wait to tell Nathan we know each other too," Clara said, letting Colleen know her intentions. "I bet he will be very interested to hear from you both." Clara could tell Colleen would prefer her to say nothing, but there was no way she would keep this situation from him.

Clara looked at Allie, wondering when she had eaten last, Colleen too. "Allie, could you stay and watch your Mother for a little longer? I just got home, and I haven't had anything to eat. I will go out and quickly get something and bring it back, something for all of us, okay?"

Colleen stared at the dark-haired woman; she couldn't believe how kind she was, that she wasn't angry at finding them in her home, with no explanation. "Thank you, Clara."

Clara smiled at Colleen and backed out of the room, grabbing her purse and hurrying out of the apartment. She knew she could go to the Hill's Cafe and get them something to eat, but she wanted to Telegram Nathan and do that from the corner grocery store.

Clara hastily wrote a Telegram to Nathan, knowing he might not get it until the following day:

'Met Colleen and Allie.

Staying with me.

Colleen unwell."

Gathering enough items for a meal, some snacks and breakfast, including milk for Allie, Clara hurried home.


"Nathan," Ned Yost called. "Nathan, I have a Telegram for you." Ned was a little out of breath after chasing Nathan down the street. He had read the Telegram contents and knew Nathan would want to see it immediately. He had been in the Mercantile several times a day over the last few weeks, looking for a letter from his Sister. "When it came through late, I knew you would want to see it."

"Thank you, Ned," Nathan exclaimed, quickly reading the Telegram. Nathan looked at Ned, "can you send a message back, please," he begged. "Tell her I am on my way."

Nathan hurried back to the Mountie office, trying to control his pace. It wouldn't look good to the townspeople to see their Mountie running. For once, Nathan was glad Bill had decided to visit the Mountie office so frequently. He needed to ask Bill if he could watch over Coal Valley while he went to Benson Hills. If Bill said yes, he would see Lee and ask about travelling with him.

He had known something was wrong with Colleen when she hadn't written. He had assumed it was to do with Dylan, and it appeared he was half right. Colleen wouldn't be at Clara and Rosemary's if everything were fine with her husband. He just hadn't realised she was ill as well. He should have reached out sooner, he thought, scolding himself. How sick was she, he wondered, and what about Allie?

"Bill, I have heard from Clara, my Sister Colleen and her daughter at her flat and Colleen is ill." Nathan was pacing around as he spoke, collecting things he would need for his trip. "I need to go to Benson Hills. Can you cover Coal Valley for me?"

"Slow down, Nathan," Bill instructed calmly. "Tell me what you know."

Nathan didn't answer, just thrust the Telegram at Bill.

Bill read the Telegram, frustrated that there was such limited information. Part of him didn't want to cover for Nathan; he wanted to go with him. He could help Nathan check in on his Sister and look into what Clara was hiding from Abigail.

"Nathan. Stop pacing. We need to talk about this," Bill said calmly.

Nathan spun on his heel, glaring at Bill. "I cannot wait and talk about this," Nathan spat. "My Sister is ill; she has been abandoned by her husband and cannot look after my Niece. Why would I stop."

Bill stood still, looking at Nathan; he had never seen the affable young Constable before him so tense and angry. Nathan was like a coiled spring, and Bill did not want to be the one to release his rage.

"You need to wait because if you don't, you will miss or forget something. You know that, Nathan." Bill's voice was calm and controlled, and he made sure his body reflected this. He wanted Nathan to pause and think about what he was doing. "How do you know about her husband?"

"She wouldn't be staying at Clara's if he hadn't." Nathan knew it; he had known from her last letter that things were bad, and he was angry for not acting then. If he had done something before, maybe Colleen wouldn't be in this predicament; he had let her and Allie down.

"Okay, Nathan, you know their situation best, so I accept that." Bill said, "I don't accept staying here while you go to Benson Hills. I am coming with you."

"But who will cover Coal Valley?" Nathan said, shaking his head.

"We have two options; Constable Kinslow could cover for you; that is always the plan when two Mounties are so close, as long as he has no pressing issues. Or no one covers is the second option. Coal Valley has only recently had a full-time Mountie; we both know why. I can't see Elizabeth wanting to let you go without her, so..." Bill trailed off, giving Nathan time to consider the options.

"True," Nathan said, nodding. "All right, let me talk to Elizabeth and Lee. I hope Lee can drive us; it will be much quicker." Nathan went to leave and turned, "can you Telegram Gabe, please?"

"Of course, you organise yourself and the others."


Clara was pleased to see Colleen sitting up in bed when she returned. She had a little colour in her face and was no longer as pale as the white sheet. Clara prepared a tray of food for the three of them and took it into Rosemary's bedroom.

"I hope you are both hungry," Clara said as she placed the tray on the bed near Colleen. "I was famished after travelling and probably bought too much, so I'm going to need you both to help me eat it."

Allie glanced at her Mother, checking to see what she was going to do so she could follow her lead.

Colleen smiled at Clara and said, "thank you, I am hungry." Reaching toward the sweet rolls, she plucked out two and handed one to Allie, "start with this, sweetheart."

Clara could hear the tremble in Colleen's voice as she spoke and knew she was more than likely putting on a brave front for Allie. Despite selecting a roll for herself, she had only taken one bite. Allie, on the other hand, was gobbling down her roll. Clara gave the young girl a glass of milk, pleased when she took it from her with a quiet thank you.

"You must have so many questions, Clara," Colleen said quietly, looking down at the roll she held. "I know I owe you an explanation, and I can't even imagine what you must think of me."

"I would like to understand, but are you sure you are up to telling me?"

"I got a letter from Nathan about a woman he knew who lived in Benson Hills. He said she was his friend, and I should introduce myself to her. The day I received that letter, I discovered my husband had skipped out, leaving me in so much debt the landlord threw us out." Colleen took a breath, trying to find the strength to continue; she owed Clara this.

"Allie and I," she said, glancing at her Daughter, who was now eating a piece of fruit. "We lived on the other side of town, but I walked to the Cafe to find Rosemary; not even sure what I was hoping for, I had nowhere else to go." Sipping on her water Colleen continued, "when I found out Rosemary was gone, I almost gave up but instead, Mr Arthur gave me a job, replacing you and Rosemary while you were away." Colleen couldn't look at Clara when she spoke next, "he thought I was a friend of Rosemary's and asked me to do her a favour by looking in on your flat, and I didn't correct him."

"I am so sorry, Clara, I was just so tired, and I didn't have anywhere to go, and Allie..." Colleen was ashamed of herself, even more so now Clara was being so kind.

Clara patted Colleen's hand. "It's okay; we have all been in situations where we couldn't see a way out."

Frowning, Colleen studied Clara; there was more to that story than she was telling. "Would it be possible for Allie and me to spend tonight," Colleen asked, her face creased with worry. "I am sure I will feel up to finding a place to live tomorrow. When are you expecting Rosemary home?"

Clara's smile was kind, "Rosemary isn't coming back; she had decided to remain in Coal Valley. A certain man in Town may have influenced her decision to stay behind. You and Allie are welcome to stay here."

Hope flared in Colleen's eyes before disappearing, "but I can't afford to pay you; Mr Arthur won't keep me on when he finds out what I have done."

"Well," Clara said, grinning at her, "I don't plan to tell him, do you?"

Colleen smiled in relief; thankful Clara was so understanding. "Thank you, Clara, but what will Rosemary think?"

"Rosemary will be glad I am not living on my own again; she doesn't think I am social enough, although when you meet Rosemary," she said with a laugh, "you will see she is social enough for everyone."

Clara looked at Allie, who had moved away from them and sat on a stool, dressing her doll. It didn't appear she was listening, but Clara dropped her voice anyway, "Colleen, I know you aren't well, and even though you look better than when I arrived, I am concerned. I sent a Telegram to Coal Valley to Nathan telling him you and Allie were here, and you were sick."

Colleen opened her mouth, wanting to protest...

"Please, Colleen. I nursed my Father when he wasn't well; you need to see a Doctor and let him try and find out what is wrong so you can get well." Clara glanced at Allie again, "you have people who need you, Colleen. I will send a message to the Doctor who treated my Father, no arguments."

Standing, Clara started out of the room to send the message; turning back, she said, "I would also prepare for a visit from Nathan; I would expect he is already on his way."


Nathan hurried out of the Mountie office and headed for Elizabeth's row house. He knew Elizabeth would be in the middle of marking the Student's work from today, but he couldn't wait to speak to her; he hoped she would understand.

Elizabeth looked at the door to the row house as she heard an emphatic knock. Rosemary was having dinner with Lee at the Cafe, and she wasn't expecting Nathan tonight. Cracking open the door, she was surprised to see Nathan. Smiling at him, he opened the door wider and ushered him inside. His face was grim when he looked at her, and her heart leapt in her chest, wondering what could be wrong.

"Nathan, what is it?" she asked, reaching out and holding his arm as she closed the door behind her. "Are you alright?"

"It's not me. It's Colleen. Clara sent a Telegram and said she is staying with her and isn't well."

"Oh, Nathan, what about your Niece? Is she with her Father?"

"She is there too. I have no idea where Dylan is, only that he is gone. I have to go there, Elizabeth, see what is happening for myself, see what they need."

"When are we leaving?" There was no way Elizabeth would let Nathan go by himself. "I only need time to pack and to speak to Florence about watching the students."

Nathan smiled, glad of her unwavering support, "As soon as I can beg Lee to take me, it will be much quicker to drive there."

"I will call on Florence on the way to Town; Lee and Rosemary are eating at the Cafe. We can speak to Lee there and fill Abigail in as well."

"Thank you, Elizabeth," Nathan said. He hadn't realised how much he wanted her to be with him when he went to Benson Hills until this moment. Having her support meant everything to him. "I hope you know how much you coming with me means. I could do this without you, but I don't want to." Nathan leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "We should go."

Elizabeth grabbed her coat on the way out, hurrying to get to Florence and Lee, praying he would agree to drive them to Benson Hills. Nathan was so stressed she knew he would be out of his mind if he had to wait for the stage and then the Train.

"Of course, Nathan, but it is a little late to head out now. We have to pack so we won't make it before everything closes." Lee looked around him at the others, Abigail, Elizabeth, Bill and Rosemary, "I would be happy to head out at first light if we can be ready. Can we meet here, Abigail?"

"Of course, Lee. I will pack food to take with you for the trip, and of course, for Clara and your family, Nathan." Abigail was frowning, concerned at what they would find in Benson Hills. She was still unsure what Clara was hiding and hoped it wouldn't impact Colleen and Allie.

As everyone hurried away to pack and prepare for the trip, Bill hung back, waiting to be alone with Abigail. "I plan on looking into what is happening with Clara while I am in Benson Hills. I can do the investigating first-hand and let you know what I find when I get back. I will make sure she is safe before I leave. I won't leave her there alone if I am not sure."

Tears welled in Abigail's eyes, and some fear and anxiety for Clara fell away, "thank you, Bill; I can't tell you what that means to me."

"I hope you know what you mean to me, Abigail," Bill said, gazing into her eyes.

Abigail's eyes widened in surprise, and then she smiled. She realised she liked that Bill cared about her.

Bill gently reached out and stroked a finger down her cheek, "we can talk when I get back."

Abigail remained silent but nodded at him, still smiling.

As Nathan, Elizabeth, Bill, and Lee left the Café at dawn the following morning, Rosemary and Abigail were there to see them off.

"I hope Colleen is all right," Rosemary whispered.

"I am sure she will be fine, and with those four and Clara looking after her, I am sure she will recover in no time." Abigail glanced at Rosemary, "I am surprised you didn't go with them?"

"Bill needed my seat more than I did; how else will we find out what Clara is hiding and help her sort it out." Rosemary turned and walked inside.

Abigail stood watching her, mouth open in shock at her casual statement. Rosemary had not uttered a word about Clara hiding something. It seemed a conversation with Rosemary was long overdue.