As they made their way toward the Amaryllis, Eva had not turned down the supporting arm the Corporal Harold Mayne. The snow and ice on the ground made for difficult footing, and she was thankful for something solid to help steady her - even if the reason was simply courtesy and practicality. She had no doubt that Harold would prefer to just have Marion, who was on the other side of him, on his arm. Eva planned to excuse herself just as quickly as possible once they got inside. She was grateful for the ride and escort to the building, but she did not plan to abuse their courtesy.

Once inside, she put her hat, gloves, and scarf into pockets of her coat and surrendered it to Harold to hang up for her. She thanked them for the ride and excused herself. She knew that though neither one of them would have dismissed her, her fellow teacher and the Mountie would rather spend the evening alone. However, having been in Hope Valley for a while now, she had no problem mingling with the crowd that had gathered for the Winter Fest dance.

Spotting Fiona and Sarah, who ran the sandwich shop by the train station, Eva headed in their direction. Both young women were still single like her. However, both had also had several of the town's single men show interest in them, though none had developed into long-term relationships. Both women said simply that they hadn't felt any sparks with the men who had asked them out.

Frankly, Eva would be flattered if anyone simply asked her to dance. Even when she was younger, it was her brother's friends who tended to ask her for a dance - as a favor to her brother. At the opening for the Amaryllis, Judge Avery and Mr. Coulter had been the only two to ask her to dance. While she had enjoyed the dances, it wasn't quite the same as if a young, single man had asked her to dance.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Eva greeted her friends. The three women shared in small talk, getting drinks and finding a table to sit at as more people arrived. A Victrola was playing music and quite a few of the married couples present had already taken to the dance floor. Eva watched them as she half listened to Sarah and Fiona. Like she had when she was younger, it was easy to daydream about being one of the ladies being whisked around the floor by someone looking at you adoringly.

"I thought you said you and Kevin had agreed to simply be friends?"

Sarah's question brought Eva out of her daydream and back to the present.

"We did," Fiona replied, easily. "He's a great guy, but we found we didn't have much in common."

"Then why does he keep looking over at you?" Sarah asked.

"You are imagining things," Fiona replied, boldly looking in the direction of Kevin and several of his friends.

Though she tried to be more discreet about it, Eva found herself following Fiona's gaze. The only one among them that wasn't single was Jesse. Seeing Fiona look in his direction, Kevin quickly looked away, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to look casual. His friends laughed and either punched him in the arm or nudged him with their elbow. Though she might not have a whole lot of experience in courting, even she knew that was a sure sign that Kevin was interested in one of them, most likely Fiona, as Sarah had always shown disinterest in the blacksmith, and no one had ever shown interest in Eva.

As Jesse said something to Kevin and nodded in the direction of their table before punching the latter in the arm again before walking away, Eva looked away herself. Instead, she found herself watching her two companions. Sarah was looking smugly at Fiona, clearly sure that she was right, while Fiona was now trying to not look interested in the group while discreetly keeping an eye on their antics.

"Well, he is interested in someone, but I don't think it is me," Fiona said after a bit. The hair stylist looked in her direction with a playful smile.

Eva laughed. "You may need to get Faith to check your eyesight. No guy is ever going to look to me in that way, especially not when I am sitting with the two of you."

Picking up her glass of apple cider, Eva took a sip.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Fiona said knowingly.

"He's looking this way again," Sarah added.

Eva glanced quickly in that direction. Sure enough, not only was Kevin looking toward them again, but she met his gaze. With heat rising in her cheeks, she looked quickly away. Was Fiona right?

Fiona gave a "humph" of frustration. "Why do guys always need some encouragement," she said getting to her feet.

Eva reached for her friend's hand. "Please, don't go over there" she said, looking at Fiona with pleading eyes. "If you are right, I would rather he came over here of his own volition."

Fiona gave a little nod and sat down. Hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction, Eva asked a question about the weather. She knew instantly that both Fiona and Sarah would see it for the idle talk that it was but both women entertained her. It wasn't long before footsteps could be heard approaching their table. Eva continued to focus on Fiona and Sarah, From the smiles on their faces she had a feeling the approaching person was Kevin.

"Hello, ladies," Kevin said easily, confirming Eva's suspicions a short time later. "Are you enjoying the dance?"

"We are," both Fiona and Sarah replied. It was Fiona that continued. "Seems like you and the boys are enjoying yourselves as well."

"It is nice to be able to socialize with others after a week of working. Seems like I shoed about half the horses in the Valley this week," Kevin said lightly.

"Guess that means you can keep yourself out of mischief then," Sarah said, referring to the incident with Kevin and a couple of the guys coming up with a difficult sandwich order by claiming to be allergic to different things. They claimed they were just curious to find out how far she would go to please a customer.

"We already apologized for that. Are you ever going to let us forget it?"

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "Probably not," she admitted.

As if he decided further discussion on the subject wasn't going to benefit him, Kevin chose to change the subject of conversation. His next words were addressed to Eva.

"Miss Magdon, I was wondering if you would share a dance with me?" Kevin asked, extending his right hand to her.

Eva saw both Fiona and Sarah wearing grins and she looked away from them and up to Kevin. She could see the uncertainty in the man's eyes. This was clearly something that was making him nervous. Part of her wondered if perhaps he was asking her simply because of some silly bet he had with his friends. Perhaps it would be best if she just said no. A glance at the dance floor though reminded her that she really would like to be out there with the other dancing couples.

Simply nodding, Eva put her hand in Kevin's as she got to her feet. Hand-in-hand, they joined the other couples on the dance floor.


Though she had been making small talk with her new neighbors, Elise would not deny she had been looking for a certain face among the crowd. She had mentioned the dance to Edward and he had seemed interested though he hadn't committed to attending. The boys in his care were just getting settled and she understood that he had to put them first.

Still, part of her hoped he would come. It was why she hadn't told Judge Avery that she would stay home and watch Aster as she had considered. If Edward did make it, then she wanted the opportunity to spend some time with him. Despite the years that had passed, she couldn't deny that her infatuation with him was still strong. Given their meeting at the train station, she was hopeful that Edward was over the feelings they all knew he'd had for Elizabeth. Perhaps without her as competition, she stood a chance of capturing his attention.

Excusing herself from a conversation with Ellen and Cat, Elise again scanned the room. She was starting to think that Edward had not been able to get away from the new youth home he was responsible for when she spotted him chatting with Corporal Mayne.

Elise felt her heart skip a beat. She hoped that was the only reaction to seeing Edward and that others couldn't tell the effect he had on her. Wiping her suddenly sweaty palms on the skirt of her dress, she debated whether to approach him or wait and hope that he noticed her. The fact that Marion was standing at the Corporal's side gave her an excuse to approach. She was sure she could come up with something to chat with her fellow teacher about. As she was about to head in their direction, she noticed that Edward had turned from the couple. As their eyes met across the room, Elise breath caught. Was he really walking in her direction?

"Good evening, Elise," Edward said softly as he came to a stop in front of her.

Elise swallowed hard as she tried to find her voice. "Good evening," she finally managed to get out. The soft, amused smile told her that Edward had noticed her struggle to speak.

"It's just me," Edward told her, reaching a hand out to claim one of hers. He lifted it to his lips and kissed the back of it. "I may tease but I never did bite."

Elise giggled as she felt some of her nerves leave her. He had a point. This was still Edward, even though they were no longer in Hamilton. Though part of the elite society, the Montclairs never had been ones to put on airs. She doubted his years as a Mountie would have made him start now.

"I'm glad you could make it," Elise replied. Though he lowered her hand, he did not release it.

"Frank insisted. I think he felt I deserved a bit of a break after he left me with the boys while he secured the house."

"Seems fair to me," Elise replied.

"I certainly won't complain, especially if I am able to spend some time with you this evening. Are you here with someone?"

Elise shook her head. "I came with Lee and Rosemary."

"Good," Edward replied. "Will you honor me with a dance then?"

"Yes," Elise nodded, feeling her heart beat faster as Edward led her to the dance floor as a waltz began.

With the grace she remembered from watching Edward on the dance floor when they were younger, he began leading her in a flawless waltz. She remembered watching him back then, wishing she was his partner. Now, she finally was.

"If this was a Hamilton party, I would fill your dance card with my name to keep the other fellas from dancing with you," Edward informed her.

"Consider my dance card filled," Elise replied, more than content to stay at his side for the rest of the evening.


Though he was leading her on the dance floor, Gabriel was paying no attention to his wife. Instead, his eyes were on Vincent and Ally dancing not far away. Looking around, Faith realized that Nathan was watching the two teens like a hawk as well. She not only felt bad for the kids but she wanted a little of her husband's attention.

So, she stepped on Gabriel's foot.

"Oww!" Gabriel exclaimed, looking from the children down to their feet. "Don't think you can blame that on your pregnancy," he told her, looking up at her as they continued to sway to the music.

"I won't," Faith replied. "I did that on purpose to get your attention."

"You have it."

"Now," Faith replied. "Will you stop making Vincent and Ally nervous by watching them like you are on a stake out and they are a couple of criminals?"

"I wasn't!" Gabriel protested.

"You were," Faith countered. "They are in a roomful of people. Nothing is going to happen."

"And what if they go outside or something?"

"Then Nathan will probably be at the window," Faith told him.

Gabriel looked over at Nathan and Elizabeth on the dance floor. He smiled as Elizabeth put a hand to her husband's cheek and made him look at her. "I think Nathan is getting the same lecture," he commented, his tone a bit abashed. He looked back to Faith. "Maybe I was being too overprotective."

"A bit," Faith said. "You both need to relax a little bit. Don't you remember what it was like when you were that young?"

"I do. I was a bundle of nerves."

"And so are those two, so don't make it worse."

"Yes, ma'am," Gabriel replied as he stopped moving to the music. Pulling her toward him, he lowered his head and pressed his lips firmly against hers. "How's that for paying attention to you?" he asked breathlessly as he pulled away and began to move them again on the dance floor.

"I almost want to step on your foot again, if it will lead to a kiss like that," Faith teased him.

"Just make sure you get the other one the next time," Gabriel teased back, his eyes on hers as they continued to dance.


Nathan had been surprised when Ally had asked if he would brush her hair out upon returning from the dance. He tried to hide that emotion and agreed to it. He told her to change into her nightgown and let him know when she was ready. In the meantime, he and Elizabeth had both gone to Jack's room to look for Tom and their son.

They had found both of them sitting in Jack's bed. The little boy was snuggled up next to his uncle with eyes heavy from sleep. Apparently, falling asleep had not been in their son's agenda. If it bothered Tom, the young man showed no indication as he related a story to his nephew. It didn't take Nathan long to realize Tom was telling Jack Jr. a story from his time growing up with Jack Sr. It wasn't until Little Jack noticed him and Elizabeth that the story was interrupted.

"Mama! Daddy!" Jack exclaimed, holding his arms out to them.

Tom vacated his spot on the bed to allow Nathan and Elizabeth room to hug the boy and say goodnight. No sooner had Jack kissed Nathan's cheek goodnight than he drifted off to sleep. Apparently, the boy had been determined to say goodnight to his parents.

Upon joining Tom in the hallway, Nathan had been summoned by Ally. Elizabeth had motioned him toward the girl's bedroom saying that she would see Tom off. Nathan nodded and went to his daughter's room. He was happy when Ally started talking about the dance with him. He let her choose what she wanted to share as he took pins out of her hair and began to brush it out. He even apologized when Ally admitted she and Vincent had noticed him watching them.

Ally had turned at his apology and placed a kiss on his cheek. "I know you did so out of love. Besides, Uncle Gabe was just as bad."

They had both shared a laugh at that. Nathan finished brushing her hair and put the brush on her vanity as Ally climbed under the blankets. They exchanged good nights and Nathan noted his thankfulness at the moment he had just shared with his daughter. He knew that all too soon he would be asked to give her away, whether that be to Vincent or some other young man.

Reaching his bedroom, Nathan sat down on the end of the bed. Leaning down, he untied his shoes and slipped his feet out of them.

"I can't wait to do that myself," Elizabeth said as she came into the room. As she pushed the door shut behind her, Nathan noticed that she locked the door. Apparently, she remembered his request to help her out of her dress tonight.

"Well, come over here and we'll make it happen," Nathan told her, holding an arm out to her.

Elizabeth came over, and wrapping a hand around her waist, he helped her settle on his lap. Leaning in, he pressed his lips against hers, slowly caressing them. He heard her sigh as her fingers undid the second button on his shirt, the first already having been undone the instant he had removed his coat. Her fingers felt warm as they found his bare skin.

Pulling back from the kiss, Nathan found her eyes. "Let me help you with those shoes," he whispered huskily as the hand not around her waist ran down her skirt-covered leg to her foot. He slipped the shoe from the foot closest to him and then ran his hand up her stocking-covered leg. Elizabeth sighed contently at the touch as she leaned against him.

Running his hand down the other leg, to remove the second shoe Nathan knew it would be a while before the two of them fell asleep and he was perfectly fine with that.