Chapter 13: Can't Hide From A Friend

Newton's hooves beat fast and hard—much like the rapid beating of Nathan's heart. Though his horse carried him further away, his mind and his heart remained in Hope Valley right there off Elizabeth's front porch where he finally, finally kissed the woman of his dreams.

Shaking his head, hoping to clear his thoughts, and focus again, it failed.

Miserably.

A slow grin crept back across his face. Visions of Elizabeth danced through his mind.

The moment at the pond with little Jack, the hand holding game, Florence and Ned's wedding, the frosting at Allie's sleepover, the "keeper" of a photo, the cardinal ornament, the book in the library, "be safe," and all those longing looks across town…they all made sense now. Like a dozen puzzle pieces sliding into place, rather than being the source of hurt and confusion—every piece now brought joy and validation back to his heart.

Those moments were real. They were like small glimpses into Elizabeth's heart that wouldn't stay shoved down. His instincts were right. She did love him. Based on the kiss she laid on him a few hours ago, she loved him a lot.

Nathan could hardly contain himself as he raced on towards Brookfield. He was likely to get a ribbing for being a half hour late. Normally, he was teased for being so early. With his friendship with Gabriel, the teasing was inevitable. Coming late because of a woman was just free fuel for the fire, but it was sure worth it.

Every minute.

There was no way he was going to be able to hide a thing from Kinslow. Gabriel could read him like a book, and they had nothing but time out on the trail together.

A few more hours of riding had him riding into Brookfield by mid-afternoon. The cool morning had given way to a warmer afternoon with plenty of sunshine. The friendly people of Brookfield could be distantly seen milling about the streets completing their errands.

The plan was to stay the night in Brookfield and give Newton a rest before they headed out early tomorrow morning for the long trek to the case's headquarters in Coleman. Any last updates from headquarters would come by wire to Brookfield tonight.

Trotting into town, Nathan tipped his hat to the familiar people of Brookfield. Joe nodded a greeting from the front porch of his storefront as he swept his front steps. Maggie waved from behind the window of the infirmary.

Nathan pulled to a stop, dismounted, and tied Newton next to Apollo on the post outside the familiar RCMP office. He pumped a few bucketfuls of fresh water for their trough before pushing the office door open, prepared for the teasing he was sure to endure.

"You're late, Grant." Gabriel deadpanned without looking up from his paperwork.

"Nice to see you too, Kinslow." Any hope Nathan had of suppressing his smile at the reminder of his tardiness was long gone. He took a seat across from his friend. Nathan was smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

Gabriel looked up and was surprised to see that his friend was neither apologizing nor making an excuse for the time. Instead, he was smiling with a full-faced grin and an ease that he hadn't seen since the Academy.

Gabriel laughed to himself. "Alright, out with it. It's your teacher isn't it?"

The sudden blush on Nathan's cheeks confirmed his friend's accusation.

"You have a terrible poker face, Nathan. What happened?" Gabriel found himself laughing as he shook his head at his love struck friend.

"She loves me too." Nathan replied in a sigh as he slumped back in the chair—lost again in his thoughts.

"Oh boy. This is going to be a long trip," Gabriel teased. "If this is what you're like now, I'd hate to see you after you kiss her."

Nathan's cheeks reddened, and the dark eyed Mountie sat a little straighter in amusement. "Oh, now it's getting interesting! You kissed her…didn't you?!"

Nathan straightened up with a smirk. "I don't kiss and tell, Gabe."

"You don't have to. Your face says it all, my friend." Gabriel stood and rounded the desk offering Nathan a hand up from his chair. "But I'm happy for you. It's been a long time since I've seen you so happy. So I take it you have a long story for me on our ride tomorrow?"

"Let's just say a lot has happened since my last letter." He took Gabriel's hand, stood, and gave him a quick hug—patting him twice on the back before stepping back.

"Well that's an understatement. Looking forward to hearing it. So, I assume you're staying at the hotel tonight?"

"Well, I'm not snuggling up to you…that's for sure."

"Save it for the trail then." Gabriel retorted sarcastically with a laugh.

It was met with an eye roll and a lighthearted shove. "I'm telling Lillian that you're being mean to me…besides that was ONE time and it was survival. You were shivering too and we both could have died." Nathan took two long strides towards the door before he turned on his heel and pointed back at his friend, "You know what? Our relationship is really getting unhealthy." Nathan leveled a teasing stare at him.

"But we didn't die so it's fair game…forever. Besides, we save each other's lives. It's our thing." Gabriel breezed past him and opened the door.

"We need a new thing." Nathan said shaking his head as he followed his friend out the door.

"Lillian invited us to the orphanage tonight for supper if you'd like to join me."

"Gabe, I'm not going to be the third wheel tonight on your last night in town with Lillian."

"Nathan, you can't be the third wheel. Eleanor is already the third wheel, and Vincent is the fourth, Christian the fifth, Mary-Louise the sixth…we've got more wheels than a wagon here, Nathan, it's not a date! It's practically a family dinner and you know that you've always been like a brother to me. Come and eat with us. There's no point in you eating alone at the hotel. Come on. The kids would love to see you again."

Nathan sighed and knew his friend was probably right. "Ok."

"Constable Kinslow! You have an urgent telegram." A middle-aged slender brunette woman stepped just outside the telegraph office door waving the paper in her hand to the men in red.

Gabriel glanced at Nathan with a silent understanding. They both turned and headed next door to receive it.

"Thanks, Ruth." Gabriel took the paper from her hand and read it with Nathan. "It's from headquarters at Coleman. Two suspects have been spotted this morning in the little coal mining town of Nordegg.

"That's a half day from here." Nathan acknowledged.

"Right. They're moving the case's headquarters there so we'll have to leave tonight and report there in the morning instead."

"Guess I will be eating an early supper at the hotel," Nathan joked. "I need to get Newton taken care of before we head out. I'm going to send Elizabeth a telegram to let her and Allie know the change."

"Yeah. I had better head over to the orphanage to break the news to Lillian. I'm already packed for tomorrow so I'll just need to grab the saddle bags from the apartment. Can you order me a dinner too? I'll be back in an hour or so." Gabriel headed down the steps and turned back for his friend's response.

"Sure." Nathan smirked at his friend's correct assumption that he could join him for dinner. "Please tell Lillian and the kids hello for me."

Gabriel turned towards Apollo, "Guess we'll get that trail snuggle tonight after all." Gabriel batted his eyes playfully.

"Don't hold your breath. It's not that cold." Nathan narrowed his eyes and shook his head laughing at his friend's antics as he followed closely behind him back to the office.

The men silently untethered their horses from the post. Gabriel mounted and clicked Apollo forward heading in the direction of the orphanage while Nathan led Newton over to the livery for some fresh hay and rest before heading out again.

With Newton cared for, Nathan walked over to the hotel—meeting Ronnie's gaze as he held the door for a visiting guest.

"Constable Grant. Nice to see you again. Glad to have you staying at this fine establishment. I have your key right here if you'll just sign in…" Ronnie trailed off as the smile disappeared from his face. "You're not staying. Are you?"

"No. I'm sorry. We just got a wire from headquarters. I'll have to head out in an hour with Constable Kinslow instead. I'm sorry Ronnie. I came to cancel tonight, but I will order an early supper for Constable Kinslow and myself if your kitchen is still open."

Ronnie straightened his tie and stood a little taller. "Yes, well… I think we can arrange that. The special tonight is roasted chicken with potatoes au gratin and steamed broccoli."

"Sounds good. I'll take two orders. Constable Kinslow should be here shortly. I actually need to head over to the telegraph office and send a wire back home. I'll be back in about ten minutes. Is that ok?"

"That's fine... We'll keep the dinners warm." Ronnie replied with just a trace of irritation back in his voice.

"Thanks, Ronnie." Nathan turned—seemingly unfazed by the vacillating nature of the hotel owner.

Nathan headed back across the street to the telegraph office. Ruth looked up with a smile as Nathan stepped through the door.

"Constable Grant, how can I help you?" Ruth greeted.

"Hi M'aam. I'd like to send a telegram to Hope Valley…and it's Nathan, please."

"Of course, Nathan. Please call me Ruth." She handed him a pencil and paper.

"Thanks, Ruth."

Nathan thought a moment before penciling out:

"Orders changed Heading to Nordegg wanted you to know -Nathan"

Ruth smiled as she accepted the paper. "Whom should I address this to?"

Nathan cleared his throat as his face flushed lightly, "Elizabeth Thornton."

Ruth nodded in understanding, "I'll send it right away."

"Thank you." He paid for the telegram and headed back towards the hotel. The sound of hooves turned his attention to the smiling Mountie approaching.

Nathan's eyebrow raised in question as Gabriel dismounted.

"What? I told you I'd be back. At least I'm not late." Gabriel's eyes narrowed in teasing.

"Oh nothing. You might want to wipe that lipstick off your face though. It's really not your color." The corners of Nathan's mouth upturned in a mischievous smile.

Gabriel's eyes flared in shock as he wiped his face quickly with a gloved hand until he froze and picked up on his friend's laughter.

"There is no lipstick…is there?" Gabriel deadpanned to Nathan. He tethered his horse's reins with great focus to avoid his friend's face.

Nathan shook his head—unable to curb his laughter. "C'mon Princess. Our dinner awaits," Nathan dramatically held open the door for Gabriel who shot his friend a leveling look of warning.

After a quick nod to Ronnie behind the desk who seemed less than enthused at their arrival, the Mountie pair found a small table and sat down.

Within a few minutes, their waitress arrived with their still steaming plates and filled their water glasses. The Mounties wordlessly dug into their food—preparing to leave quickly. After several minutes, both men stood to pay their bill and thank Ronnie for holding their meals.

They exited the hotel without a word, both on their own personal mission. Nathan headed off in the direction of the livery to saddle Newton while Gabriel took Apollo back to the RCMP office to attach his saddle bags.

Nathan led Newton across the road from the livery back to the front of the office when Ruth stuck her head out the telegram office door again waving a slip of paper.

"Constable Grant! I have a return wire for you!" Nathan quickly made his way over to her. She handed him the message with a pleased look.

"Thank you Ruth." She stepped back inside to give the man privacy. Nathan read eagerly:

"Thank you Be safe I'll tell Allie & pray - Elizabeth"

His hand wavered slightly as he held the telegram in his hand. He read it again, before he folded the paper neatly, and placed it in his serge pocket.

Nathan continued across the street again towards Gabriel who was just finishing filling his saddle bags. The closer Nathan approached, the more he seemed to stare off into the distance with his eyes glazed over.

Gabriel glanced up at him and studied his friend. A look of sympathy washed over the brown eyed Mountie's features. He looked up the road to the orphanage considering his own circumstances. After a moment, he cleared his throat—breaking Nathan from his thoughts.

Not waiting for him to ask, Gabriel answered, "No, it doesn't get any easier leaving them."

"How did you know that I was thinking that?" Nathan asked him incredulously.

"Besides my expert Mountie-observation skills? Easy…it's written all over your face." He teased with a gleam in his eye.

Nathan narrowed his eyes at Gabriel who had now turned serious and added, "I think I understand now why Jack used to repeat the old Mountie motto, 'If the Mounties wanted you to have a wife, they'd issue you one."

The blue eyed Mountie looked down at his boots as he reflected further on Jack. "He obviously didn't listen. Maybe that's why Jack said it. He fought it. He knew she's worth it." The look he gave Gabriel gave no doubt that Nathan felt the same about her.

"She must really be something. She captured two good men's hearts." Gabe smiled sincerely at his friend, before he untethered his horse, and his eyes crinkled in mischief. "She must be gracious too if she fell in love with a lanky guy like you."

Nathan rolled his eyes with a laugh, and pointed at Gabriel. "Lanky?! You've got an awfully big lip for a short guy, Kinslow."

"Short?! I'm six foot. You're what, two inches taller?" Gabriel straightened to his full height—his eyebrows practically touching and his mouth open in mock offense.

"Will you need a leg up or can you mount this guy, Little Fella?" Nathan tapped Apollo's side as he brushed past him before effortlessly mounting Newton.

"I'm telling Elizabeth that you snore." Gabriel retorted, mounting Apollo quickly.

The horses started their slow walk through town. Their red coats captured the attention and respect of many unbeknownst to them as they continued to tease each other.

"I don't snore. I'm telling Lillian you sleepwalk and talk in your sleep." Nathan tilted his head with a lop-sided grin. Joe audibly laughed from the store porch even though his hand quickly muffled the sound.

"I don't do that!" Gabriel raised his gloved hands in protest, and he shot Joe a look who just shrugged in amusement.

"She doesn't know that." Nathan playfully pointed as he nudged Newton into a trot.

"This is gonna be a long trip…" Gabriel muttered to himself shaking his head. He nudged Apollo forward, attempting to catch up even as he heard Nathan's laughter fading in the distance as they raced out of town.

A/N:

Well this was my most frustrating chapter ever written to date. My working title for this chapter was "Ugh," but nebula2 gave me this way better title as well as a whole lot of pep talk and suggestions during the ongoing rewrites.

Thank you also to Eoin MacLean—the resident Mountie expert Sunday Night Serge Facebook group who gave me the low down on Mountie protocols for a manhunt like this.

The nearly frozen cuddle is my hat tip to my husband's grandfather who nearly froze to death as a young man. He and a friend hopped onto a train and stowed away as hobos in an empty boxcar that ended up going over the Rockies. They survived huddling together and it seemed like some fun history for Gabriel & Nathan to share.

PS- for Lynn nebula2 GABRIEL

PSS- anytime I manage to sneak a shouted GABRIEL into the story…it's for Lynn.