Chapter 2 – Gabe Arrives

While Nathan and Carol had been gone, the town of Hope Valley had been busy. Once Rosemary knew about the wedding, she quickly got most everyone involved. Since they still had the simple decorations from Jack and Elizabeth's wedding the week before, it was easy to decorate the church with the white material. Children picked summer wildflowers and a few candles were added to finish things off. It was so easy for people to come together and do something for Nathan. So many people were afraid that he was going to leave after everything that happened with Elizabeth, so they were glad that both of their beloved Mounties would be staying in Hope Valley. They knew how rare that was, they also knew that they were going to have to let the Commissioner and other Mounties know that they appreciated it.

People were excited for Nathan and wanted him to be happy. Yet for all the scrambling and running around, few people knew that a wedding was going to be taking place. Most people thought it was a prayer service and reception for the Mountie brass that was visiting. Jack and Rosemary had come with that to keep Adam from asking too many questions. As it was he was sitting in the hotel lobby reading a couple papers that Bill had from some of the major cities. They might have been a day or two late, but it was what it was.

By the time that Nathan and Carol had returned to town, three and a half hours later, the town was a buzz. Nathan wondered what happened, when they pulled into town and saw that the front of the hotel was set up with tables, chairs and wildflowers on all the tables. Barricades had also been set up. The two looked at each other and shook their heads. They also noticed people going in and out of the hotel and rushing around.

James pulled up to the side of the hotel and they were met by an upset Adam, Rosemary and Bill.

"Where have you been?" Adam demanded.

Nathan looked to Bill.

"I sent Nathan on an errand to Buxton." Bill said. "He needed to pick up some paperwork. Mr Thatcher said they could use his car and Carol asked to go along. She is an adult and has every right."

"What is going on?" Nathan asked, motioning to the tables.

"Everything will be explained." Rosemary said. "But at the moment you are due at your house. Allie said she would have your dress uniform ready?"

"What are you talking about?" Carol said.

"I will explain." Rosemary said. "There is a prayer service and reception for the Mounties."

Both Carol and Nathan saw Rosemary wink behind Adam.

"That sounds lovely." Carol said.

"I agree." Nathan said. "That sounds like a lovely thing to do on a Saturday night. Most people don't appreciate all that the Mounties sacrifice to keep people safe."

Adam stocked back into the hotel. Bill and Rosemary were still careful, but continued to talk to Nathan and Carol.

"Did you get everything?" Bill asked.

"Yes." Nathan said.

"Good." Bill said. "Then I suggest that you head home and leave the rest to us. Please stay at your house, until Lee comes to get you."

"I can do that." Nathan said. "I need a bite to eat as well."

"There is a basket at the house for you." Bill said.

"Thank you." Nathan said. "Then I will see you all later."

With that, Nathan turned and walked toward his house. As soon as he was out of sight, Rosemary ushered Carol around the side of the hotel to go up the back steps to her room. Rosemary decided that they would avoid Carol's father at all costs at this point. That left Bill standing there. James looked at him.

"They picked up some flowers and their paperwork is still in the car." James said.

"I will take all the paperwork." Bill said. "The flowers can go to Fiona over at the barber shop. Then Mr Thatcher is at the house with his daughter and grandson."

"Thank you." James said. "I will see that things are taken care of.

James went to do his assigned tasks and Bill turned to head into the hotel to try and get to know Adam. Even if he didn't like the man, at least if he was kept busy, the wedding could take place and he wouldn't be the wiser. Once they were married, it would be harder to make Carol do anything. Bill was happy for Nathan and just hoped they weren't rushing into things, but then again Bill knew that Nathan didn't rush into things. This may have seemed rushed but Bill was more than sure that Nathan had given it plenty of thought and weighed all the options before he acted.

…. …. …. ….

Nathan was smiling as he walked to his house. He couldn't wait to marry Carol. They had a wonderful late morning on their trip to Buxton. It was almost lunch time and Nathan's stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten much since early that morning. He had made breakfast before heading to meet the early train with Jack, then only had one scone during the meeting. He wondered what awaited him at home. He knew Bill had said there was food and figured it came from the cafe, so it could be just about anything.

As Nathan headed to his house, he saw people coming and going from the church and wondered what that was all about, but then figured that they had set up the church so that Carol and him could get married there. He was grateful that he had decided to stay in Hope Valley and make it his home. He couldn't imagine another town coming together like they have and throwing two relative surprise weddings in two weeks. Granted the first one had sort of been planned, but it had its own surprises, good and bad.

Nathan was also thinking about where he wanted to take Carol on a honeymoon. She had obviously done much more traveling then he had, but he would still like to go somewhere later that summer if possible. He thought about maybe going camping up in the mountains, but he would have to talk to her about that. Then he thought about maybe a week in Union City where they could take in a couple of plays and try some of the new restaurants that he knew the city had boosted. He wondered if maybe they could head back east. He had only been to the eastern part of the country a couple of times and hadn't actually seen much of it. All Nathan knew was that they would have to talk about things.

Nathan was not prepared for what greeted him when he walked into the house. Not only had someone been cleaning, but there was a basket of food on the table and his best friend, sitting on the couch reading one of his books.

"Gabe." Nathan said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Something about my best friend getting married." Gabe said with a smirk. "Lee came and got me. Bill called ahead so that I would be ready. We weren't sure how long you were going to be in Buxton, so Lee drove a little faster than normal."

Gabe stood and Nathan gave him a hug.

"I am so glad that you are here." Nathan said. "Carol and I were so focused on getting married, that we kind of forgot about everyone else."

"So what is the rush?" Gabe said. "Bill wasn't saying much."

"Carol's father showed up with the Commissioner, Chief Superintendent Collins and Superintendent O'Reilly on the early train this morning." Nathan said.

"Wow." Gabe said. "I take it this has something to do with Jack being back?"

"Yes and no." Nathan said. "Come sit at the table and eat with me and I will explain everything."

"Sure." Gabe said. "I was waiting for you to eat anyway. Allie has already packed her back and went over to Opal's for the next couple of nights. We changed the sheets and blankets on the bed. The floors have been washed and everything dusted, at least according to Allie."

"Wow." Nathan said. "Everyone has been busy."

"I guess." Gabe said. "I have only been here for about twenty minutes. Also our dress uniforms are hung up in your room and our boots are polished and sitting on the back step. I will be staying at the Coulters tonight and Lee will take me back to Brookfield tomorrow."

"I wish you could stay longer, but I get it." Nathan said. "Now, let's have a seat and I will explain things. So much as happened and that doesn't even touch on Carol coming into my life. This has to do with Mounties and a huge case that we are working on."

The two each took a seat at the table and opened the picnic basket. As they made their sandwiches, Nathan explained everything starting with Jack's return through Bouchard's arrest and the investigation all the way to the Commissioner arriving.

"Wow." Gabe said. "Why didn't you say something when we had talked early in the week?"

"I had other things on my brain." Nathan said. "Besides, Bill has warned us about talking about the case. I know I can trust you, but the phone can be hard sometimes because you have to be aware that others could be listening in. We just needed to be careful since we didn't know who else Bouchard and Hargraves had paid off."

"You were right." Gabe said. "Better safe than sorry, especially with a case like that."

"So do you have any idea what the plan is?" Nathan asked.

"I was told to stay here with you until Lee arrives to take us to the church." Gabe said. "I was told to be in my dress uniform and keep you calm."

"I am calm." Nathan said. "Excited, but calm. I can't wait to start my life with Carol. I have never felt this way about anyone, even Elizabeth. I mean I know I loved her, but this is a completely different level of love then I have ever felt. Maybe because I know that Carol loves me back as much as I love her."

"That does make a difference." Gabe said.

…. …. …. ….

Rosemary and Carol got to her room before Rosemary explained what was going to happen.

"Sorry that we haven't been more than introduced other than in passing." Rosemary said. "But I can assure you that you are in good hands. I have pretty much planned all the weddings here in Hope Valley since I arrived over nine years ago."

"Then I will trust you." Carol said. "Sorry about all of this. I just don't trust my father. I love him, but he is a difficult man. He has his own ideas about things and if you don't fall in line with those, he can be cruel. He would never physically hurt me, but he has never held back in telling exactly how I am wrong."

"I am sorry that you have to deal with that." Rosemary said. "I know a little about demanding fathers. My own father was a Mountie, so I get it. He loved me with all of his heart, but he wasn't happy that I wanted to run off to New York to be an actress on Broadway."

"I love New York." Carol said. "I think the plays are going to be one of the things I miss the most."

"Union City has a play house and does shows from time to time." Rosemary said. "Lee and I have taken a few in over the years. I mean they aren't Broadway, but it is something."

"I will have to keep that in mind." Carol said. "So what is the plan?"

"We need to get your dress." Rosemary said. "Then I need to get you over to the barber shop so that Fiona can make sure that you are ready. Allie mentioned something about a silver dress. In case you wanted another option, I pulled two wedding dresses from ladies in town that are about the same size as you."

"I don't think I could." Carol said.

"Elizabeth doesn't mind." Rosemary said. "This is the wedding dress that she wore five years ago to marry Jack. And this is the dress that Clara wore two years ago to marry Jesse. They moved to Montana, but she left the dress at my dress shop. So it will be fine."

"I like the first one." Carol said. "I always imagined a big white dress with lace."

"Then let's try it on." Rosemary said. "I can make any adjustments needed, but I am pretty sure that you and Elizabeth are close to the same size."

"I can't believe how much work everyone is doing." Carol said, as she slipped her dress off. "I mean it was my idea to get married today. I would have been fine with just Bill marrying us with just Jack and Allie there. But this is more than I could have dreamed of."

"Wait until you see the church." Rosemary said. "Some of the ladies have been busy. People have also been busy cooking for the reception. It might not be the most traditional of things, but it will be a nice party. Sorry, we are going to honor the Mounties as well, just so that your father doesn't call us all liars."

"That is fine." Carol said. "It will be special for Nathan to have other Mounties here. He had talked about his best friend who is a Mountie. We will have to send him some pictures if we can."

Rosemary just smiled, because she knew that Gabe was in Hope Valley.

"That will be great." Rosemary said. "Fiona agreed to take as many pictures as you want."

"Nathan picked up some more film while we were in Buxton." Carol said. "Along with flowers. The flowers and the paperwork! We left them in the car."

"Don't worry about it." Rosemary said. "Bill will make sure that they get where they are needed. James is a professional driver, he would know to ask."

"Oh, thank you." Carol said. "I was so flustered when my father was there to greet us."

"It is understandable." Rosemary said. "Now turn around and look in the mirror."

Carol gasped when she saw herself. The dress fit her perfectly. She couldn't believe it. It was like it was made for her."

"You look amazing." Rosemary said. "And with your red hair, I would wear it down."

"Nathan asked me to wear it at least partially up." Carol said. "He said something about pulling the pins and running his fingers through it."

Carol blushed.

"Men." Rosemary said. "Lee likes the same thing, but don't tell him I ever told you that."

"I promise." Carol said.

The two ladies giggled and then got back to the tasks at hand. With the dress chosen, they gathered the other items that they would need and put in the basket that Rosemary had grabbed. Once they had everything, Rosemary took the dress and basket and headed to the barber shop. She gave Carol a few minutes to gather herself and then come down to join them.

…. …. …. ….

After taking the paperwork, Bill went back into the hotel. He grabbed the other stack of paperwork and newspapers that he had left there. He then went and sat at the same table as Adam.

"Why were you so hard on Carol?" Bill asked. "She hadn't seen much of the countryside and wanted to go to Buxton when she heard me ask Nathan. What was the big deal? She is an adult and can make her own decisions."

"The big deal is that she doesn't always think things through." Adam said. "I swear she has her head in the clouds half the time."

"Then why did you send her here on a case?" Bill asked.

"I didn't." Adam said. "She was supposed to be working in Toronto on the Bouchard case. She was to be talking to the women he scammed there and trying to figure out where he was."

"Well." Bill said. "She learned where he was and made her way here. What is the problem?"

"The problem is that she doesn't listen." Adam said. "I should have never gotten her the job in the Pinkertons. She is too much like her mother."

"I think you are being unnecessarily harsh." Bill said. "From what I have been able to learn, she is an excellent Pinkerton and she was sent here by the supervisor in Toronto because he knew that this town had a bad history with Pinkertons and thought that a woman might have a softer touch."

"What does the past have to do with anything?" Adam countered.

"If you knew the past of this town, you wouldn't say that." Bill said, getting frustrated.

Bill glared at Adam. Bill had to take a deep breath and calm himself as he didn't want to drive Adam out of the hotel, but he wanted to keep him talking and he hoped to find out information to help him protect Carol. Bill saw Nathan as a son, just as he did Jack, so therefore, he felt he needed to protect the loves of their lives. Bill knew that he was going to have to take time to get to know Carol, but at the moment he needed information.

"Then enlighten me." Adam said. "Because if I have my way, there will be more Pinkertons here. I want to know everything that Bouchard is because it might be the only way that I can get justice for the families in the States, since it doesn't look like you Mounties will be turning him over anytime soon."

"This used to be a coal mining town." Bill said. "It was run by a company who cared more about profits than people. The head of the company here, hired Pinkertons and ruled with an iron fist. There were no Mounties here at the time and therefore the company and Pinkertons ran roughshod over people. Then because of cutting corners on safety, there was a huge mine disaster. An explosion killed forty-seven men, leaving widows and many fatherless children. Shortly after that explosion, a Mountie was sent here. He started investigating the mine explosion and was met with resistance by the Pinkertons at every turn. It took a long time for people to trust him. He earned that trust by being a man of his word, unlike the Pinkertons. I came here as a forensic investigator at the request of the Mountie here. After the trial that shut the mine down, I decided to stick around."

"So that is why you own the cafe." Adam said.

"In part yes." Bill said. "But the women who still remain here that were mine widows, remember how the Pinkertons treated people, especially some of the widows. In the aftermath of the explosion and during the investigation, several of your Pinkertons were arrested for things that they had done or attempted to do. So the people here don't trust Pinkertons, especially the men. The man in charge in Toronto knew that and was why he sent Carol here. So unless you change your attitude and stop putting the people of this town down, you will meet the same fate as the other Pinkertons who have come through here."

With that, Bill stood up, gathered his items and went to sit at a table closer to the door. He wanted to leave, but he had agreed to keep an eye on Adam, at least until the wedding.

…. …. …. ….