AN: So, I didn't get a chance in August to write something for the prompt of rewriting Nathan's arrival in Hope Valley with him in uniform, but I finally got my one-shot finished. I hope you enjoy it!
Night was falling and Constable Nathan Grant was relieved to see the lights from the windows of the occupied buildings of the town in the distance. He had planned on arriving earlier, but stopping to help an elderly couple fix a wagon wheel had delayed him. Still, not helping really hadn't been an option. He couldn't help but wonder if Hope Valley's mayor, Abigail Stanton, would be waiting for him at this time of the day. If not, he would just check into the Queen of Hearts, and find her in the morning.
Urging Newton to move a little faster, his mount responded. Nathan had a feeling his horse would be as happy for this long ride to end as he was. Nearing the first buildings of the long structure-lined street, Nathan slowed Newton to a walk. A light on the boardwalk on his left moved as he approached the first building. Looking toward it, he saw a brown-haired woman step off the boardwalk and onto the street. Nathan naturally raised his fingers to the brim of his hat and nodded to the woman.
"Constable Grant?" the woman asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Sorry about the delay in my arrival. I came across some folks who needed my help," Nathan explained as he dismounted.
"It's fine," the woman replied. "Though I was starting to get worried," she said as he turned to face her. "I am Abigail Stanton. We spoke on the phone."
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Stanton," Nathan replied.
"Abigail, please."
Nathan nodded his acknowledgment, though he wondered if remembering the casual address might prove to be an issue at first. "I'm sorry for the delay. However, finding a town to send a message or call would have meant going off my route and it has been a long day," Nathan replied.
"Of course," Abigail said. "You are probably exhausted. How about I show you to the livery so you can get your horse bedded down for the night and then I'll show you to the Queen of Hearts." Motioning with her hand, she started in the direction of the livery. Nathan walked alongside her, leading his horse. "Thankfully, it will be one of the nights that the new saloon owner has agreed to end things early so the noise shouldn't keep you up too late."
"Tonight, I think I could sleep through just about anything," Nathan commented.
"You must be tired then," Abigail replied. "The row house we talked about on the phone will be ready for you tomorrow. Lee Coulter, he runs the sawmill, had a saw blade break, putting him behind on production. Some planks to fix the floor in the row house, were one of those things that got delayed. but he assures me they are ready, and he's got men assigned to fix the floor tomorrow. Once that is done, a group of ladies and I will go in and give it a thorough cleaning and then it is all yours."
"That isn't necessary. I can do the cleaning myself."
"Perhaps, but I'm not going to let you. The least we can do is provide our town constable with clean lodging. You mentioned a daughter on the phone. When is she coming?"
"My niece actually. My sister passed away about six years ago. I've been raising Allie since then."
"I am sorry for your loss," Abigail said sincerely.
"Thank you, ma'am," Nathan replied. "Though from what I hear, many in this town have lost as much as myself."
"You heard right," Abigail replied. "Those of us who lost loved ones in the mine disaster have done fairly well for ourselves. Elizabeth's loss is more recent and she's still struggling but her son and her teaching gives her a reason to face each day. As long as she allows those things to keep herself open to all life has, she'll be okay as well."
"That would be Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton? Sgt. Jack Thornton's widow?"
"Yes," Abigail replied. "I did let her know that a new Mountie was assigned for Hope Valley. She didn't give much reaction, but if you could perhaps try to give her some space for now. I realize once your niece gets here, as Elizabeth is the schoolteacher, you will have to interact with her."
"Well, my niece isn't due to arrive for a few more days. She is spending some time with her grandmother. I wanted to be sure I have a proper place for her to stay when she arrives. I don't mind staying in a room at a saloon, but it is not an environment I want to expose her too."
"Of course not," Abigail said as they approached the livery. "I promise we will have the house ready by the end of the day tomorrow. I am sure you would like to get her here and settled in."
Nathan nodded but left it at that. Abigail showed him the stall that had been prepared for Newton's use. As he got his faithful partner settled in for the night, Abigail made small talk, despite Nathan assuring her that he could get himself settled at the Queen of Hearts just fine. Getting the feeling that arguing with the woman when it came to hospitality would get him nowhere, the Mountie finally just accepted it. Given that he was replacing a Mountie with Jack Thornton's reputation, perhaps it would be best if he was seen with the mayor by the townsfolk. He knew that it would take some time to get the citizens of Hope Valley to see him as anything other than the replacement.
When Newton was settled in the stall, Nathan picked up his belongings and let Abigail lead him in the direction of the saloon. At this time of night, it was the only place along the street that was showing any activity.
"In general, our little town is relatively quiet. I know sometimes Jack chaffed at the routine, everyday tasks that tended to repeat themselves. He joked once that if it wasn't for the saloon that nothing would ever break the monotony of the place."
"Sounds like a good place to be raising Allie," Nathan commented. "Though I'm sure even here there are going to be times when I'll need to be away. Do you think you might be able to help me find people willing to keep an eye on her when those times arise?"
"I would be happy to," Abigail assured him. "I can even offer myself as one of those people. I have a son, Cody, whom I recently adopted. His older sister Becky is away at college. Allie would be welcome any time. Ellen Weiss and Cat Montgomery both have girls around Allie's age, and I have a feeling Allie would be welcome there as well. We tend to look after one another here in Hope Valley."
"I'm glad to hear that," Nathan said. "I am hoping Allie might finally be able to make some lasting friendships here. We've moved around a lot in recent years, and she has gotten into the habit of keeping to herself. Not sure why. I never intended to be a father, let alone find myself a single father to a four-year-old."
Falling silent, Nathan realized that he was talking to a practical stranger. It wasn't like him to be so forthcoming with personal information. Something about the woman had made him open up though.
"I'm sorry," Nathan murmured. "That was probably more information that you needed."
A soft touch came to rest on his forearm. He looked down at the slender hand resting there before glancing up at Abigail.
"I'm willing to listen to whatever you would like to share," she assured him.
"Thank you," Nathan replied as Abigail let her hand fall to her side.
They had reached the steps leading up to the entrance of the Queen of Hearts. Though indistinct voices and music could be heard, Nathan noted that it was quieter than most saloons he had encountered. Add alcohol to men blowing off steam and things tended to get exuberant to say the least. He had broken up his share of barroom brawls in his career.
"I was expecting noisier accommodations actually," Nathan commented as they started up the steps.
"For Hope Valley, this is noisy," Abigail replied. "We had some issues with the late hours the new saloon owner wanted to keep at first. People who live in the apartments above the businesses couldn't sleep. We've come to an understanding. As for fights, they don't happen much here in Hope Valley," she said, nodding her thanks to the Mountie as she walked through the door - and came to an abrupt stop.
Music and voices suddenly came to a stop as Jesse Flynn threw a punch. Though aimed at Lucas Bouchard, Jesse's fist connected with Bill Avery's jaw as the town's sheriff stepped in to break up the altercation.
"You were saying," Nathan commented as he dropped his belongings just inside the front door and strode toward the altercation.
Nathan watched as the man who had just been punched roughly grabbed the younger man's arm.
"Sorry, Bill, I didn't mean to hit you," Jesse commented, a hint of an apology in his voice.
"Well, you did," Bill replied gruffly.
Jesse shot a withering look in the direction of the well-dressed saloon owner. Mumbling something under his breath, the irate young man started toward Lucas, who wore an amused smirk. Bill moved forward to stop Jesse from going after Bouchard just as Nathan reached the group.
"All right, you two. That's enough," Nathan said, a firm grip on each man's arm as he put himself between Bill and Jesse.
Jesse took one look at the red serge and paled. Bill on the other hand wasn't intimidated and his expression became annoyed.
"I have this situation handled," Bill retorted. "I'm the sheriff of this town."
Nathan didn't let go of either man's arm as he leveled his glare at the older man. "Do you have your badge on you?"
"No. It is at home because all I was doing was coming to play a friendly game of cards with my pals there," Bill said, motioning toward the table where Henry and Lee still sat. He changed his gaze from Nathan to Jesse. "If this hothead would think before he reacted-"
"I would have much rather punched, Bouchard. You should have just stayed in your chair."
Bill snorted. "You should have kept paying attention to you dart game instead of trying to play knight in shining armor over a card trick." He looked disdainfully at Lucas. "If it came down to it, I'd put my money on Clara over that dandy."
"Come now, Bill. Is that any way to speak to a gracious host?" Lucas asked, his calm, suave demeanor on full display. "Though I've been accused of worse."
"I bet you have. Maybe I should have just let Jesse hit you and then thrown you both in jail," Bill replied. "I am sure that is where you belong."
"Well, I don't think Mr. Bouchard is going behind bars tonight, but you two are while I sort this mess out," Nathan informed them. "So much for easing into my new position," he muttered under his breath.
"I told headquarters they didn't need to fill this posting," Bill replied, his attention back on the stranger who still hadn't let go of his arm.
"It seems they felt differently," Nathan replied. "I'm starting to understand why."
"Well, no one asked you," Bill retorted angrily as he tried to pull his arm out of the Mountie's grip. "Let me go," he demanded.
"Not so fast. The only place you two are going is in cells while I sort this all out."
"You can't-" Bill began but was cut short by Nathan.
"I can and I am," Nathan told him. "Should I add resisting arrest to the charge of disorderly conduct?"
Bill grumbled something indistinct as Nathan looked at the saloon order.
"I'll need you to come over to the Mounted Police office as well to give a statement," Nathan told Lucas. "Mr. Bouchard, is it?"
Lucas nodded in acknowledgment. "Just let me tell my staff that I need to be away for a bit and I'll be right over."
"Fair enough," Nathan replied. He looked at the two men he still had a hold of. "As for you two, you can tell me your stories from behind bars so you can't cause any more trouble. Let's go."
"Bouchard is the one that belongs behind bars," Jesse muttered, though he let himself be led toward the door.
"That we can agree on," Bill muttered, going along as well. As they reached the door to the Queen of Hearts though, Bill glanced at the Mountie. "My contacts in the force will hear about this."
"Is that a threat?" Nathan asked.
"No, it's a statement," Bill replied.
Nathan wasn't at all worried. He had two people who were fighting in a public place that he was new to. The man claimed to be the Sheriff but had no identification on him to back up the claim. Nor had any of the locals spoken up in his defense - not even Abigail who was standing inside the entrance still. Though, the slight smile on the woman's face as he led the two men by her piqued his curiosity.
Besides, it wasn't like he had made an official arrest yet. He was simply detaining two people involved in a fight while he sorted the situation out. Men behind bars seemed to be a bit more cooperative and have less bluster than trying to sort things out on the spot.
This was not how he expected to start his new posting.
"It was an innocent magic trick," Lucas Bouchard said, his voice laced with the fake sincerity that Nathan hated. It was all for show. A way to con people into believing that you were on their side. A good trait, he supposed, for the hospitality industry but if it came down to a dangerous situation, Nathan would trust either of the two men he currently had in the jail cell more than the man currently speaking. "If I had thought Mr. Flynn would get so upset about it, I would have asked for another volunteer."
Nathan looked from the saloon owner to the young woman who had come in defense of her boyfriend. "Miss Stanton, do you agree with Mr. Bouchard's statement that his actions were simply showing you a magic trick?"
"Yes," Clara replied. "He was entertaining me and a couple of other ladies. He only pretended to kiss my hand for the sake of the card trick. I tried to explain that, but Jesse can be a bit of a hot head. He really is a good guy, it's just that sometimes he doesn't think."
"Hey!" Jesse protested, though he fell silent as Nathan cast a look in his direction.
"All right," Nathan said. "Mr. Bouchard you can return to your business."
"Thank you," Lucas said smoothly. "Perhaps, you shouldn't be too hard on those two. After all, no damage was done. It wasn't even much of a fight as far as barroom brawls go."
"Perhaps you should leave the police work to me," Nathan replied.
"Of course," Lucas replied, with a small nod before heading out the door.
As he opened the door, Lucas found Abigail on the other side. The town's mayor had been reaching for the doorknob when the door opened. Her hand hung in midair.
Lucas stepped aside and motioned the woman inside. He then left the Mounted Police Office, pulling the door shut behind him.
"Did something else come up?" Nathan asked, his gaze on the mayor.
Abigail smiled gently. "No, Constable. I just wanted to let you know that I took care of checking you into a room at the Queen of Hearts," she said, holding out a key to Nathan. "Lee Coulter and I took your belongings up to the room."
"I appreciate that. Thank you," Nathan said, as he took the key from her.
"So, are these two giving you any trouble?" Abigail asked sweetly as Nathan put the room key safely in his breast Serge pocket.
"Not really," Nathan said, perching on the edge of the office's desk.
"You're sitting on my desk," Bill protested gruffly.
"We are in the Mounted Police Office, the sign says so right outside," Nathan said, pointing his finger toward the front of the room. "So, it is not your desk, even if you are Sheriff Bill Avery. That is something I still need to verify." Nathan looked from Bill to Abigail. "Perhaps the mayor would like to vouch for you?"
"That is Bill Avery," Abigail replied, with a nod and an amused expression on her face.
"Now you speak up!" Bill exclaimed. "I saw you over there in the saloon. Didn't you think it would be a good idea to say something then?"
"Oh, calm down. It isn't like this is the first time you've been on that side of the bars," Abigail told him.
"I was working a case the time Jack arrested me."
"A case the Mounties told you to stop working from what I read," Nathan chimed in.
"Have you been reading up on me?"
Nathan nodded. "Headquarters told me you tend to give them headaches and that I should expect push back from you regarding my posting."
"I have everything under control. We don't need a Mountie posted here," Bill retorted, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Except that it isn't your place to make that decision," Nathan replied. Looking away from Bill and over to Jesse, Nathan addressed the other man involved in the fight. "So, Mr. Flynn if I let you go with a warning this time, do I have your word that you won't use your fists to break up any more magic tricks? Better yet, how about you promise not to even engage with Mr. Bouchard at all if the two of you cannot be civil. Given your past record and his smooth way of talking to people, I can guarantee that if you end up in front of a judge, things are going to go his way - not yours."
"I'll try," Jesse said, casting an apologetic look at the Mountie. "I don't tend to think before reacting sometimes."
"Well, at least you aren't making promises you know you can't keep," Nathan said with a sigh. With the cell key in hand, he made his way to the cell Jesse was in."An 'I'll try' is better than nothing, however, if there is a repeat incident, you won't be getting off so easily," he continued, now standing in front of the young man. He gave Jesse a stern look as he said, "am I understood?"
"Yes, sir," Jesse replied, making eye contact with the Mountie.
Nathan nodded and unlocked the door. As Jesse stepped out, the peace officer looked over to Clara. "Ms. Stanton, try to make sure your boyfriend goes straight home tonight and not back over to the saloon."
"I will, Constable," Clara promised, even as she claimed Jesse's arm and hurried him out the door. Nathan smiled as he recognized the tone of a woman scolding her significant other even if the exact words could not be distinguished.
"So, what about me?"
Nathan turned and faced Bill, crossing his arms across his chest. "What about you?"
"He punched me, and you let him go," Bill said, waving toward the door Jesse had just exited. "All I was doing was my job and then you went and interfered."
"And that is why I have not let you out yet," Nathan replied.
"What do you mean?"
"If you want to remain the sheriff here I have no problem with that, but you and I need to figure out how to work together. In fact, being the only Mountie at this posting, I see having another lawman as backup as a good thing. However, I have a feeling from what I have seen of your personality already that having this conversation while you cannot walk off on me is a good thing. So, are you working with me Bill or vacating this office altogether."
Bill looked at Abigail.
"Don't look that way at me, Bill Avery," Abigail replied. "I am totally on his side. With the town expanding, and the train station nearby, I feel the town benefits from having a Mountie posted here. While I appreciated them delaying replacing Jack to give everyone a chance to grieve without another red Serge as a reminder of what we lost, I do agree with them sending Nathan now."
"Great, you're already on a first name basis with the new guy," Bill muttered, throwing his arms up in the air. He retreated to the bed, turned his back to the wall and sat down.
"I'm not the enemy," Nathan said quietly.
"I know you thought of Jack as a son, Bill, but he is gone," Abigail said sympathetically. "Jack wouldn't want you hating every Mountie that came along after him. He would want you to work with him so that Hope Valley can be kept safe."
There was silence in the room for a few moments. Finally, Bill sighed. "Grab a chair and let's see if we can figure out how to make this situation work."
"Good," Nathan said, walking toward the desk. "Abigail, would you mind staying - just in case we need a witness or a referee to this discussion."
"Sounds like a reasonable request of the town mayor," she acquiesced.
Nathan picked up two of the chairs from near the desk and moved them so they could sit facing Bill in the cell. As weary as he was from traveling, Nathan intended to get everything hashed out tonight, knowing that the success or failure of his posting here in Hope Valley could very well hinge on his working relationship with Bill Avery.