CHAPTER 45

Hargraves on his horse, didn't even want to look back. He wasn't going to risk his life and his career for those prisoners. And no one at the top would believe that story about a dishonest commander.

Philip, mounted on his horse, continued at a gallop, to catch up with Hargraves who, after a grazing shot in the arm, ended up falling from his horse. Philip took advantage of that moment and attacked him, where he managed to throw his weapon away.

—Who are you Hargraves?

— You must ask yourself, who are you Philip? shouted Hargraves, laughing derisively.

- What did you do to me? What did you do with Elizabeth? Are you really my cousin?

— I would never be related to someone as low as you..., But I enjoyed manipulating your life. It was better than if you died. Well, I didn't do anything, I just killed you and so your Elizabeth also died with her... She cried a lot on my shoulders. She withered like a flower plucked from the tree... I hate you Jack Thorton... And seeing your family suffering was wonderful.

And only after shouting and screaming, with deadly hatred, did Hargraves realize what he had just said. How could he have delivered the whole story like that on a platter...

Philip was wide-eyed; Frankison, Patrick and Marlen, had arrived, and were all witnesses to what Hargraves had said, they had their guns pointed at the man and an arrest order was given. He and the others were sent to prison. And those mounties there, with Philip, agreed that that story should not come out until they had the whole truth resolved.

In Hamilton, Grace, Viola and Júlia, after another party, in style, of Hamilton society, where everyone was in beautiful long dresses and the most beautiful jewelry. Viola was with Sir Lionel, an English lord, and was already planning her wedding in high style. They were just waiting for Elizabeth to return, so that with Charles, they could step in as godparents. It would not be good manners in society to leave one of your sisters out of the ceremony. As for Julia, her rebellious sister... Today, there at that party, she was enchanted with Sir Lionel's cousin, soon life would follow a normal course. They just needed Elizabeth to stop acting poor and humble, she was embarrassing the whole family with her rebelliousness. In a few days, she and Júlia, with her mother Grace, would be heard by a judge, where they would show that Elizabeth was not a decent person and should be under Dad's responsibility and both her father and Charles would be released. Elizabeth needed firm hands, that girl has now crossed the line. Everything was already resolved, for the wedding of Charles and Elizabeth, it would be a wedding in total silence, because that way they could use it against her, telling everyone that her sister was crazy, capricious and forced Charles to marry her quickly, because he wanted go to her bed, after all she was already a woman used by Jack.

In Hope Valle, Clara and Jesse had the biggest surprise, when Clara fell ill in the cafe, and Collen, Lina and Elizabeth took her to the infirmary; Carson, after examining her, gave the good news that a baby was on the way. Abigail and Bill were so happy, a grandson was a joy they never imagined, when they discovered Elizabeth's pregnancy, and now another news of another grandson, almost caused a heart attack.

Elizabeth and Clara celebrated, the two had long considered each other as sisters, now their children would be raised together and their grandparents, Bill and Abigail, would spoil them excessively.

Emily, after Wade's attack, became less talkative, but with the help of Elizabeth and her parents, she was healing from her emotional wounds. Emily, was already in her last year of school, like Laura, her faithful friend, and it was no surprise to anyone when Gab, Elizabeth's former student, asked her to be his girlfriend. Elizabeth remembered Jack, telling her about the day that Gab, as a child, said that when he grew up he would marry Emily, and that when a man loves a woman, he knows it's for life.

Elizabeth on that same day, talked to Nathan, the day after he rode in sergeant, as she would be at home that last month on maternity leave, but forbidden by Carson, from doing any work, other than relaxing and resting, and walking around. Horse riding was one of the activities that was prohibited. She was alone in her house, Tom had gotten a job with Lee, and made short trips to neighboring cities, selling wood. He always came back with a gift for Elizabeth or baby Thorton. Charlotte continued to help Laura at school; as she was, a retired teacher, she would be of great help to her new teacher, but Elizabeth still did all the scheduling of classes and her subjects, she didn't want to be left out of her students' lives. And it was this morning, when serving Nathan a nice coffee, that she found herself asking everything about his life. Elizabeth knew that he was a man of integrity, honest and honorable, and especially in love with Lina, and like a true friend, she told of her first days with Jack in that city, of their lack of experience as men and women and he for being much older than Lina, he should take the lead, as the two were in love and everyone knew it, and so Elizabeth put together a strategy and formed a plan for a beautiful picnic by the lake that same afternoon. Nathan understood after that conversation that the time had come to speak and show his love to Lina and if it was her will, they could be very happy together. He still had to talk to Simon, and ask for his blessings