Bill knocked firmly on Mr Collins's front door and stood still, waiting for him to open the door. It was late, but not that late. They had finished dinner early so they could get back to Colleen, and he had talked Clara into giving him the address; when she did, he knew she did want out of the situation she had found herself in.

The door opened, and Mr Collins stood before him, looking confused. "What are you doing here?" he snarled, recognising Bill from earlier.

"I'm here to talk to you about Clara Stanton."

"Clara and I have an understanding that is none of your business."

"I'm making it my business. Clara is a friend of mine, and I will not allow your 'arrangement' to continue." Bill glared at Mr Collins and stepped forward, standing as close as possible without touching him. Bill was several inches taller than Mr Collins and used this to his advantage.

"You know Clara is not responsible for her Father's debt; you tricked an innocent, vulnerable young woman and took advantage of her. Your arrangement stops now." Bill spat out the words. "If it doesn't, you will feel the full force of my wrath and the wrath of the Mounties; we don't take kindly to men like you treating women this way."

Mr Collins looked like he was going to argue, so Bill continued, "Do you want the details of what you have done made public? I could make that happen, and everyone would know what a dishonourable man you are," Bill said with a nasty smile.

Mr Collins gulped; he could tell by Bill Avery's eyes that he meant every word he said. "Fine. Tell Clara she need not return here again; the debt is wiped, and I do not wish to see her around."

Bill snorted at his bravado, knowing Clara would be delighted to stay away from Collins. "Whatever, don't contact her again. My friends and I will check in on her and you regularly."

Mr Collins stepped back and swung the door closed, hard.

Bill shrugged and turned, walking away. He didn't care what Collins did as long as he did it away from Clara.

Bill found Nathan at the Mountie accommodation and gave him an update on what had just happened. He wanted Nathan to be aware of what was going on, just in case of any future trouble, especially now Colleen and Allie were staying with Clara.

"I'm glad you were able to sort this out for her, Bill," Nathan shook his head in disgust; he could never understand people like Mr Collins. Taking advantage of people wasn't in his nature. "I know Abigail will be grateful too."


Nathan knocked on Elizabeth's door the following morning as agreed. They were all returning to the Hill's Cafe for breakfast, Lee was waiting for them downstairs, and Bill was going to meet them there. He hoped that Colleen and Allie would be there too. Despite all of Colleen's bravado, he didn't believe what she was telling him about her diagnosis. He was worried about what the Doctor had said and was hoping to see him before they left to go back to Coal Valley.

Nathan wished they could stay longer, but they couldn't. He had to get back to protecting the Town, and the others had to get back to work too. He would spend the morning trying to convince Colleen to come back with him. His Sister could be stubborn, so he knew his work was cut out for him. He was sure he could find somewhere to live where they fit, and many people would be happy to put Colleen and Allie up until he found somewhere.

Nathan smiled at Elizabeth as she pulled the door open. As always, she looked beautiful, and her smile lit up her face. He couldn't resist and stepped forward to place a kiss on her lips.

"Well," Elizabeth said smiling, "good morning to you, Nathan."

"Good morning. You look lovely as always," he said, allowing his eyes to drift over her outfit. The pale blue blouse and skirt looked lovely with her creamy skin and sparkling blue eyes.

"Thank you, Nathan. You look very handsome as always," she said, laughing as he rolled his eyes at her. "I am ready to go, let me get by things and we can go and meet Lee."

Nathan waited outside her room, pleased when Elizabeth returned quickly; as usual, he was starving.


Bill was pleased to see Clara waiting for them at the Cafe; she was holding seats for them all. She looked happy and well rested; no shadow was hanging over her for once. The smile for her colleagues was bright, and as he walked toward her, he heard her laugh for the first time he could remember.

"Bill," Clara exclaimed. "Come and sit down. It's good to see you."

Bill sat down opposite her and studied her closely. There was a lightness about her that wasn't there before.

"Bill," Clara said, lowering her voice. "I don't know what you said to Mr Collins, but I received a letter this morning. He wrote to me to tell me the debt is paid in full and that I am no longer in his debt. Clara put her hand on his and her eyes filled with tears, "Thank you, you have no idea how grateful I am; I don't know how I will ever repay you."

"You don't owe me anything, Clara. I am happy to help. Mr Collins had no right to do that to you or anyone."

"Well, I am going to think of a way to make it up to you anyway," she smiled.

"You know that would be easier to do if you were in Coal Valley."

"I know, Bill, and I want to go back there and maybe even stay there. I love Abigail, and everyone in Town was kind to me." Pausing, she bit her lip before continuing, "I want to see what Colleen needs or wants to do. I don't think she is as well as she is pretending to be. I think she is hiding how unwell she is."

Bill frowned; he knew Clara wasn't exaggerating; he had taken one look at Nathan's Sister and known whatever her illness was, it was serious. He wondered if Nathan knew and, if he did, how that would impact his decision on when he would head back to Coal Valley.

Whatever Nathan decided wasn't going to change the outcome for his Sister, maybe she would come back with them, and Clara would feel she could move to Coal Valley.


Nathan took hold of Elizabeth's hand as they walked to the Cafe, pleased when she squeezed it, smiling up at him brightly. If he weren't worried about Colleen, this trip would be perfect. It felt good to spend time with her, talking and laughing, away from their jobs in Coal Valley.

As they approached the Cafe, Nathan filled Elizabeth in on what he knew of Clara and her situation and how Bill had intervened on her behalf.

"Oh, Nathan, wouldn't it be wonderful if Clara came to live in Coal Valley? Abigail would be so happy, and I think it would be good for Clara too." Elizabeth was beaming at the thought. "Colleen might be more willing to come if Clara did."

Nathan opened the door of the Cafe for Elizabeth, standing aside so she could enter before him. He hoped Colleen and Allie would come to Coal Valley with all his heart. Colleen could be stubborn, so he had to manage the situation carefully.


Colleen sat on the lounge, brushing Allie's hair. The medication the Doctor had prescribed was helping her manage the pain. Despite the medication making her tired, she wanted to try for her daughter.

"Are you going to draw Miss Elizabeth and Uncle Nathan another picture?" Colleen asked Allie. She knew her daughter loved to draw, and Colleen loved that she included Elizabeth in her art. She wanted to see Nathan share his life with someone who adored him, and Elizabeth did. It would be easier for Nathan if he had to take care of Allie...NO!

She stopped herself; she wouldn't think like that. She wanted the two of them married because they were perfect together, not because it was easier for her.

A knock on the door had Allie running to the door before pausing and looking back at her Mother. "You need to open it, Mama," Allie explained, remembering Elizabeth's words to her.

Who is it?" Colleen called out, not wanting to waste her energy getting up to the door if it was Nathan.

"It's us," Nathan called out.

"You can open it, Allie. It's Uncle Nathan." Colleen smiled at Allie's enthusiasm, throwing open the door and then tumbling into her Uncle's arms.

As Nathan hugged his niece, Elizabeth smiled. She stepped inside, ran a hand over Allie's silky hair and joined Colleen on the lounge.

"How do you feel this morning?" she asked her softly. Elizabeth could see the dullness in Colleen's eyes and knew she had taken medication to help her. She wondered about her illness, wishing Colleen would open up to them about its seriousness.

"I'm okay, Elizabeth. The medication does help with the pain, but it makes me sleepy." Colleen could see the sympathy in Elizabeth's eyes for her, for the pain, she was feeling. She knew Elizabeth could see her fear too. "The Doctor wants me to have more tests, but it will only confirm what he thinks." Colleen pressed her lips together, trying to still their trembling.

Nathan heard his Sister's words, and his heart clenched for her and Allie. He stood behind the lounge and placed his hand on her shoulder. He could see the tears in her eyes and felt them well in his own eyes.

"I'm scared, Nathan," Colleen admitted, letting the tears fall.

Elizabeth glanced at Allie and could see her frowning, wondering what was happening. Jumping up, she took Allie's hand and led her to the table in the kitchen.

"How about we have some breakfast? I would love to tell you about my school room and some of my students," Elizabeth prattled. Luckily Allie was distracted, and she happily joined Elizabeth, asking many questions about her school.

"Come home with me, Colleen. Bring Allie to Coal Valley," Nathan exclaimed, his voice full of emotion. "Let me help you."

"Nathan, I can't; it's too much." Colleen was so torn; part of her wanted to do what he asked.

"Colleen, have you wondered where Clara is? She stayed at the Cafe with Bill because she wanted to talk to her boss. I think she is going to tell him she is leaving. If that is the case, what will you do?"

Colleen had wondered where Clara was, but then, she often disappeared to help a friend of her Father's. If what Nathan thought was true, she didn't know what she would do. She couldn't work enough to pay this flat's rent, not how she was feeling.

"I need to stay near the Doctor; he wants me to have tests," Colleen explained. "The medicine helps with the pain."

"We can work that out, Colleen. I would bring you back to Benson Hills whenever you needed. I'll learn to drive; I'll buy a car." Nathan was getting agitated as he spoke; he needed her to understand she couldn't do this alone. What would happen to Allie if her health deteriorated?

"Let's talk about it when we see what Clara has decided and what the Doctor says. I don't want to decide until I see him again in a week."

Nathan blew out a frustrated breath and shook his head. "Fine, Colleen, but I will come back after the appointment to see what he said." Standing, he reached for his Sister's hand, offering her his strength, "come and eat the breakfast we brought you."


Clara wiped tears from her eyes; Mr Arthur had been so kind when she told him she was leaving. She would miss the Cafe and her workmates. After losing Peter, coming to work here was the only thing that kept her from withdrawing from society altogether. Mr Arthur had respected her space and privacy and gave her room to grieve.

Coal Valley represented her future, even though it was one she hadn't imagined just a short time ago. She knew the people there had already accepted her. Abigail was ready to welcome her into her home as family. She had been alone for so long that she wanted that for herself. The one thing that was stopping her was Colleen. Even though she had no obligation to her and Allie, she felt as though her leaving was letting them down. She would need to talk to her soon about her decision.


The following days in Benson Hills were good ones. Nathan and Elizabeth spent time with Colleen and Allie at the apartment and in the Park close by. Allie loved being outdoors and couldn't contain her excitement when Nathan, Lee and Bill took her fishing. The men decided it would be better to be out of the way when Elizabeth and Clara packed Rosemary's things to take back to Coal Valley for her.

Nathan, Lee, and Bill talked while Allie fished. Bill filled Nathan in on what he had learned at the Mountie office. There was always information to learn about different outlaws and troublemakers. Although he hadn't been asked to, he did some investigating into Lucas Bouchard and what he found out wasn't good. He was known to be a thief and a swindler; Rosemary was lucky she had gotten away from him without further damage to her reputation.

Nathan spoke to the others about Colleen and his concerns for her health. He explained that he had asked her to come to live with him in Coal Valley.

"Is her illness that serious, Nathan? I'm sorry I hadn't realised," Lee said, grimacing. "If you need to come back here, I am happy to drive you or teach you to drive."

"Thanks, Lee; I know she is waiting to hear from the Doctor. I wish we had a nurse or Doctor in Coal Valley; if we did, it would be easier to convince her to come with me."

Lee sat quietly, thinking over what Nathan had said. He had his concerns about the lack of medical expertise in Coal Valley. He worried that if something happened to one of his men at the Timber mill, help was a long time coming. As Mounties, Nathan and Bill had some medical training, but it was limited, and they shouldn't have to do it for his workers. He wondered how likely it was he could establish an infirmary in Coal Valley, one for his men and the whole Town.

"Starting an Infirmary is something I have been thinking about, Nathan. Knowing how much it would help Colleen has given me the excuse I needed to make it happen." Lee looked thoughtful, "I might head to the hospital when we get back, see if there is somewhere there who can help me."

Nathan shook his head, wondering at Lee's generosity to him, his workers, and the Town. Coal Valley was lucky when Lee Coulter decided to base his business there.

"When could she possibly wear all these clothes?" Colleen wondered. The outfits in Rosemary's wardrobe seemed endless to her.

Elizabeth and Clara laughed at her bewilderment. For a moment, Elizabeth had forgotten that Colleen and Rosemary hadn't met.

"When you meet Rosemary, you will understand that she is very fashionable and striking. It comes from being an artist." Elizabeth explained. Elizabeth described how she and Rosemary met, her troubles with Lucas Bouchard and her decision to stay in Hope Valley. Colleen was already aware of Lee and Rosemary's relationship.

Colleen knew Elizabeth meant well, but she hadn't decided she was moving to Coal Valley.

"Mama! Mama!" Allie called as she ran inside and over to her Mother. "I caught two fish."

Colleen smiled at her daughter, "That's wonderful, sweetheart." Glancing at Nathan as he held up the fish they had caught, she said, "Uncle Nathan can cook them up for our dinner; you know he is the best at cooking fish."

"You just don't want to cook," Nathan replied.

"That's true!" Colleen laughed.

"Allie, why don't you come and help me? I will show you how to clean and cook the fish; that way, you can cook it next time."

"I'm too little to cook by myself," Allie exclaimed as she walked to the kitchen.

Laughing, Nathan followed her, looking over his shoulder to Colleen, who was smiling at their antics.

"He is going to miss her so," Elizabeth said quietly. "He lights up when he gets your letters and her drawings; it's clear she adores him too."

"I know," Colleen sighed. "I am not being stubborn about moving to Coal Valley for the sake of it; I don't want to burden Nathan with my illness."

"Is it more serious than you are saying?" Elizabeth asked, brows knitted in anticipation of her response.

"Yes. I don't know how I know, but I do. I don't need the Doctor to confirm it; there's something really wrong, the pain..." Colleen looked down at her hands. "Anyway, I won't be surprised by anything the Doctor finds."

"Please come with us to Coal Valley, Colleen," Elizabeth begged, her heart breaking at the fear in Colleen's eyes, the pain etched into her face.

"Mama," Allie called out. "The fish is ready," her excitement made the two women smile. Elizabeth squeezed Colleen's hand before standing up and holding her hand to Colleen, offering to help her to the table.

As the two women strolled across the room, Elizabeth whispered, "think about it, please".


"Mr Coulter?" Lee heard his name called and spun to face the woman who had said it.

"Yes," he said, holding out his hand to her, smiling.

"My name is Faith Carter; I am a nurse here at the hospital. Dr Palmer thought I might be interested in your proposal." Faith studied the man before her after shaking his hand. He had a kind and handsome face; his eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. Dr Palmer had explained to her that Mr Coulter wanted to open an infirmary in the Town where he lived, Coal Valley. Ideally, he wanted to attract a doctor, but he was willing to settle for a nurse who could prepare the infirmary, making it easier to attract a Doctor down the track.

Faith was interested in listening to Mr Coulter for several reasons, the first being a professional curiosity and the second personal interest. What Dr Palmer described intrigued Faith; setting up a clinic as Mr Coulter wanted and using her skills in a Community setting interested her. She was intent on moving away from Benson Hills to avoid dealing with her recent breakup. She had called off her engagement to Phillip Bell, a Doctor at the hospital, when she realised, she loved him but wasn't in love with him. Phillip hadn't taken her returning the engagement ring well, and it was too uncomfortable to continue running into him. Faith had hoped they could remain friends and continue to work together, but that wouldn't happen anytime soon.

Lee tried not to be obvious as he assessed the young woman in front of him. She was young, pretty and had a lovely, friendly smile. Dr Palmer had suggested the two of them meet, hinting Nurse Carter would be keen to leave the hospital in Benson Hills but not giving away the reason for it.

"It's nice to meet you, Nurse Carter. Would you be interested in getting a coffee while I tell you about my

idea?"