Despite several days passing since his conversation with Nathan, the subject of their discussion had not been far from Gabriel's thoughts. He knew this wasn't a talk with Vincent that he could just go blindly into. It needed to be approached correctly. Vincent had not done anything wrong, and Gabriel didn't want him to think he had. What he did want to do was give him the knowledge he needed to keep him out of trouble.

Memories of his own father having this particular conversation came back to him. His dad had waited until they were out riding the fences, looking for breaks which the cattle could get through, to bring up the topic of proper decorum with a young lady and other adult topics. He remembered feeling uncomfortable at first. If they hadn't been doing a job, Gabriel had to admit he might have run off.

Still, it had been a necessary conversation to have as he approached the time when he would go off on his own.

There were no fences to ride for him and Vincent. He didn't think it was an appropriate topic of conversation over an after-supper checker game. Faith might not be bothered by the topic, given her occupation, but her presence might make Vincent uneasy. If the weather was warmer, he would probably try to take his son out for a walk or suggest they go fishing. However, Nathan was right. Vincent may have asked Ally to the dance as a friend, but both teens were at the age where friendship could easily lead to other feelings.

"I think I am just going to go upstairs and have a talk with Vincent," Gabriel said, closing the book he had not been able to concentrate on.

Faith looked up from her own reading material - a medical journal. The supportive expression on her face touched Gabriel and bolstered his confidence. "It won't get any easier putting it off," she said softly, as she had several times over the last couple of days. "Just let your heart lead you."

Placing the book aside, he got to his feet. "Have you ever actually ever done that?"

"Quite often when I worked in the hospital back in Hamilton. A nurse's job isn't just dealing with physical conditions but with helping the patient heal emotionally too. Sometimes, especially when you don't know that person well, the right words can seem so far away. I usually just tried to go with what felt right in those situations, by listening to my heart."

"And it worked?"

"Most of the time," Faith said. "However, you know Vincent and he looks up to you. You said you remember most of what your father told you. Draw on that. After all, you turned out okay."

Gabriel chuckled. "Not if you ask my father. He wanted me to take over the ranch, not be a Mountie."

"I am sure he is still proud of you," Faith said. "Turns out my father is, despite all the hurt feelings of the past, is more pleased with me than I knew. You at least remained in contact with your father."

Gabriel simply nodded. Though he had never uttered the words to him, Gabriel felt that Faith was right. His father was proud of him even if he didn't like his career choice.

"Follow my heart," Gabriel said softly as he headed toward the steps. "I can do that." He wasn't sure if those last words were a statement or meant to encourage himself in the upcoming task.

Reaching Vincent's room, he found the door shut. Gabriel rapped his knuckles on it.

"Come in," came the voice from inside.

Grasping the doorknob, Gabriel opened the door. Though a few schoolbooks sat on the desk, they were closed. Vincent sat on the floor playing tug-of-war, using a piece of braided rope, with Bella. It was hard to determine which one of them was having more fun.

"Did you finish your homework?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes, Dad," Vincent replied, casting a quick glance upwards though he continued his game with the dog.

"Good," Gabriel replied, not that he had expected anything else in reply. Vincent had always been good about doing his homework. "I hate to interrupt your play, but I need to have a talk with you."

"Did I do something wrong?" Vincent asked, letting go of the rope. The puppy stumbled a bit due to the lack of tension on the rope. However, quickly realizing she had won the struggle for possession, Bella walked off a bit with her prize. Settling down on the ground, she continued to chew on it.

"No. This isn't that kind of talk," Gabriel assured him, coming further into the room. He motioned toward the bed.

Vincent got to his feet and settled on the edge of the bed. Walking into the room, Gabriel sat down beside his son. With the aid of his wife's advice and the memory of his own father's words, Gabriel waded into the subject that he wanted to have with his son. Though Vincent looked uncomfortable, which was to be expected, the boy listened. The only protest he offered was that he and Ally were just friends. Gabriel nodded his consent and told him that even if he didn't need the information right now, there would be day he would.

The only interruption was Bella about halfway through the conversation. Having grown bored of the rope, she wandered over to the bed. Spotting the shoelaces in Gabriel's shoes, the puppy proceeded to try to undo the bow. Before Bella was successful, he reached down and lifted her from the ground as he continued his conversation. He placed the puppy on the bed as he continued the conversation. It didn't take long for the small creature to cuddled next to Vincent and fall asleep.

"Are there any questions you would like to ask?" Gabriel finally asked, having reached the end of the information that he wanted to provide.

"Not about what you just told me," Vincent offered timidly.

"But there is something you want to ask?" Gabriel ventured.

"Well, I was just wondering if perhaps you and Mom could teach me to dance?" Vincent inquired. "I never had an opportunity to learn, and even as just friends, Ally might expect me to dance with her."

Gabriel nodded. "There is probably a good chance of that. How about we have a lesson after supper tomorrow?"

Vincent smiled. "That would be good. I don't want to make a fool of myself at my first dance."

"Your Mom and I will see that doesn't happen. Now, it's getting late. If there is nothing else you would like to discuss, why don't you get ready for bed."

"Yes, sir," Vincent replied, relief clear in his voice. Gabriel recalled feeling relief when he could escape his father's presence after their chat and didn't take it personally.

Getting to his feet, Gabriel said goodnight to his son and headed back downstairs. He had to tell his wife that he had just volunteered her for dance lessons the following evening.

After saying good night to Ally, Nathan peeked into Jack's room. The boy was fast asleep, Muffin curled up at the foot of the bed. The puppy took turns sleeping with Ally and Jack. Though he left Muffin sleep peacefully for now, he would take her outside one last time before retiring for bed himself. Right now, though, there was another task he had to take care of.

Slipping quietly away from the room, Nathan made his way back downstairs. Elizabeth was where he had left her - at her typewriter working on her next novel. Though still in a rough draft, she had shared with him the first chapters of the story, which he thought were even better than her last novel. In her lap, Nate slept peacefully. Nathan smiled to himself, thinking of the protest Elizabeth had made about the duck being in the house. Now she spoiled the bird just as much as the rest of them.

"Do you have a moment?" Nathan asked her.

"Let me just finish this paragraph," Elizabeth replied, the movement of her fingers not breaking their flow, nor did she bother looking up.

Nathan patiently waited, the folded up envelope he had taken out of his pocket in his hand. It wasn't long before Elizabeth stopped her typing, and turned her head to look at him, careful not to avoid disturbing the sleeping duck.

"What is it?" Elizabeth inquired casually.

Nathan held up the envelope in his hand. "I had a reply from O'Reilly today about my inquiry into the whereabouts of Wynn Delaney," he told her.

Elizabeth perked up with curiosity. "Was he able to locate them?"

"He was," Nathan said, nodding his head along with the words. "Staff Sergeant Wynn Delaney is still with the Mounties. He is the Commanding Office for the detachment at Athabasca Landing. He is living there with his wife, Elizabeth Delaney."

Elizabeth gasped. "Then my aunt is still alive. I wonder why she stopped communicating with my father?"

"The only way to find out the answer to that question is to ask her. O'Reilly included the address if you want to reach out."

Nathan watched as the doubt crept into her expression. "What would I even say?" Elizabeth asked.

"The truth," Nathan replied. "Tell her who you are and why you are inquiring after her. Your mother said she regretted the words she exchanged with your aunt the last time she was at their home. Relay that information. If that is indeed why she chose not to stay in touch, perhaps knowing that would encourage her to reconnect."

"What if she doesn't respond?"

"Then you at least made an attempt to reconnect. You encouraged me to give my father another chance when he reached out this last time. Listening to that advice led to a restored relationship with him. Perhaps following your own advice could reconnect you with your aunt."

Closing the distance between them, Nathan held out the envelope with the Delaney's address in it. Reaching out, Elizabeth took it from him tentatively.

"I'm not even sure what I would say?" Elizabeth pondered as she stared at the envelope she now held.

"You don't need to write a letter tonight," Nathan said. "Sleep on it. Pray about it. I am sure something will come to you soon enough, given your gift with words. I do think a letter from you would be better received than if I tried contacting them."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement.

"Are you about ready to call it a night?" Nathan inquired.

"I could be," Elizabeth replied. "Safe in your arms seems like a good place to be pondering this situation."

Nathan smiled. "I can't argue with that," he replied. "If you get Nate settled in his crate then I'll go get Muffin and take her outside."

"All right," Elizabeth said, as she placed the envelope safely within the top desk drawer. She then carefully picked up the duck from her lap. Nate offered a sleepy quack in protest at having been disturbed. "I wonder what Aunt Elizabeth would think of having a pet duck," she mused.

Nathan chuckled. "Perhaps she's had her own unusual pets," he suggested.

Elizabeth looked thoughtful as she stood with Nate cradled against her. "Maybe so. I know living out here in the west has certainly changed me." She looked down at the animal she held. "Let's go get you tucked in to bed," she told him as she started for the crate tucked away in the corner next to the fireplace.

Chuckling, Nathan headed upstairs for the dog. His life was so much fuller than it had been a year ago, even following the loss of his mother. He knew that she would be happy for him and the happiness he had found with Elizabeth and Jack. She would also have been excited about the upcoming baby. As full as his life was right now, he knew the birth of another child would only add to it.

Just like reconnecting with Elizabeth and Wynn Delaney would as well. Though he planned on giving his bride a little time to sort out her thoughts and emotions, if she didn't reach out to them then he would. Reconnecting with lost family members was just as exciting as adding a brand-new member.

Provided of course Elizabeth and Wynn Delaney wanted to reconnect with their family. There was only one way to find out.