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Chapter One Hundred Forty-seven

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Summary and List of Characters

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Summary:

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It is past time that we return to this story! It has been so long that I will give a quick summary to help you recall what has transpired, in addition to a character list to assist you regarding who is who!

Nathan Grant is promoted to Staff Sergeant Major and he and his daughter, Allie, relocate to the Mountie Academy in Regina, SK, where Nathan is an instructor. They live in a cottage on the RCMP Commissioner's property. Allie has settled-in to a private girls' school and they both have developed close friends and found joy in using their talents. Nathan's younger half-brother, Zachary, who is training as a Cadet, is introduced and becomes a beloved member of the Grant family.

Nathan learns that the RCMP Commissioner, Peter Collins, was the Mountie who first arrested his father, Archie, and over many years sent contributions to both Zach's family and his own. The Collins's have welcomed Nathan, Allie, and Zach as their own extended family and have gifted their home to Nathan when the bedroom renovations are completed. The Collins's will relocate to Ottawa as the RCMP Headquarters completes their move from Regina.

Meanwhile back in Hope Valley, Elizabeth was devastated by Nathan's departure and had a severe breakdown. She broke her engagement with Lucas and, through counseling with Pastor Joseph and a Psychiatrist that her father hired to help her, Elizabeth heals, says farewell to Jack Sr. at his gravesite, works to restore friendships and learns to ask forgiveness of those she has wronged, including Nathan and Allie.

Through letters, and when Elizabeth visits Regina, she and Nathan forge a new relationship (although not without trials) and both admit their love. They court briefly, Elizabeth and young Jack relocate to Regina along with her parents, and Nathan proposes on Christmas Day before their entire family, including Bill Avery. They plan a wedding for early March with the help of new friends.

Bill has accepted a judge's position in Regina so will be relocating soon and has reestablished a relationship with Adeline Foster.

Allie is blossoming at St. Anne's School for Girls, enjoying music, art, literature, home economics classes and chorus as well as some close friends. She has met Jared Blake in youth group and is developing a friendship which his parents and Nathan decide to encourage by getting together as families, thereby offering additional group opportunities for the teenagers to get to know each other.

William Thatcher has opened a shipping office in Regina and is planning to split his time between Hamilton and Regina, therefore has leased apartments for his family and business in a newly opened hotel downtown.

We return to the story after Nathan rescued Sergeant and the Collins's horses from a stable fire on their property during which he injured his shoulder and arm.

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List of Characters:

Staff Sergeant Major Nathan Thomas Grant, former Constable in Hope Valley, currently an instructor at the Mountie Academy (known as Depot)

Allie Grant, Nathan's niece and now adopted daughter, age 15.

Zachary Archer Grant, age 21, Nathan's younger, lookalike half-brother, a Mountie Cadet due to graduate at the end of February. He was raised in Edmonton, but his mother is deceased and therefore none of the Grants knew of him until one memorable day at Depot!

Archer (Archie) and Ruth Grant, Nathan's parents (& Zach's father) live in Calgary, where Archie is a clothing store manager.

Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, former schoolteacher in Hope Valley. She rejected Nathan due to fear of loving and losing him and accepted the advances and proposal of the Saloon owner and shady gambler, considering him to be a safe choice. At the time of her breakdown, she broke their engagement.

Jack (Little Jack or Young Jack or Jack Junior) Thornton, aged 5, Elizabeth's son with her deceased Mountie husband, Constable Jack Thornton, Senior.

William and Grace Thatcher, Elizabeth's parents from Hamilton. William is the owner of Thatcher Shipping and Transport and is one of the most well-known and wealthiest men in Canada.

Lloyd Hudson, the Thatcher family butler known as Hudson to the adults and Huds to the young folks. He has become a beloved and loyal member of the family, often filling the role of Mr. Thatcher's assistant when at home.

Julie Thatcher, Elizabeth's younger sister, an art teacher in Hamilton who is newly dating Dr. Bradley Marshall, a surgeon in Hamilton whom she met in Hope Valley while he visited his twin brother, Dr. Ben Marshall, who treated Elizabeth during her illness.

Lucas Bouchard, former suitor of Elizabeth and the Hope Valley Saloon owner, currently imprisoned on numerous charges, including armed robbery, smuggling, fraud, forgery, theft, etc. and who will be extradited to the United States to stand trial and serve time.

Bill Avery, former Mountie Inspector, Sheriff and Hope Valley Judge who is relocating to Regina. Friend, colleague, mentor and father-figure to Nathan and now an adopted member of the Grant family and Allie's beloved Uncle Bill!

Constable Gabriel Kinslow, Nathan's Mountie brother and long-time friend from their training days at the Academy, and his bride Lillian, newly married and looking to move on from Brookfield.

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In Hope Valley:

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Rosemary Coulter, Elizabeth's best friend, owner and editor of the town newspaper, the Valley Voice, and wife to Lee.

Lee Coulter, owner of Coulter Lumber, assistant editor and helper in the newspaper office, School Board chairman and Town Councilman.

Patrick Coulter, newly adopted son of the Coulters! Age 5.
The Coulters became dear friends of Nathan, and unofficial Aunt and Uncle to Allie.

The Canfield family, Pastor Joseph, Minnie (who operates the Café), Angela (blind, yet a gifted pianist and dear friend of Allie's) and son, Cooper.

Laura Campbell, Nanny to Young Jack Thornton and is completing her teacher training soon.

Constable Paul Martin, Nathan's replacement who is getting to know Laura Campbell.

Hope Valley's Mayor Mike Hickam.

Dr. Faith Carter, currently engaged to Dr. Ben Marshall, the Psychiatrist from Hamilton who was hired to treat Elizabeth.

Ned and Florence Yost, Owners of the Mercantile and Pharmacy/Ice Cream Shop in Hope Valley

Katie Yost, Teacher hired to replace Elizabeth in Hope Valley's one-room schoolhouse.

Ian McNutt, Second teacher hired for the new and expanded Hope Valley School.

Henry Gowen, Businessman who currently owns Gowen Petroleum.

Fiona Miller, owner of Nichols and Dimes Barbershop who assists with Gowen Petroleum.

Molly Sullivan, one of the original widows from the mine disaster who assists in the Infirmary (Doctor's office) and is newly dating the new schoolteacher, Ian.

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In Regina, Saskatchewan:

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RCMP Commissioner Peter Collins and his wife, Carol, who own the property which is being gifted to Nathan and where Nathan and Allie currently live in their guest cottage. Allie has adopted them as grandparents. They have hosted, Bill, Elizabeth, her mother and son.

Miss Claire Collins, the Collins's niece and Allie's English teacher at St. Anne's, engaged to Dan Richards.

Sergeant Doctor Wes Murphy, officemate, confidant and dear friend of Nathan's.

Sergeant Jon Samuels and his wife, Jane, Sally-15 (one of Allie's best friends), Rachel-16, and Joshua-12. The Samuels have become fast friends with the Grants and often share Sunday dinners together.

Sergeant Josiah Blake and his wife, Johanna, Ellie-17 and Jared-16 who is smitten with Allie! Josiah sings in the choir with Nathan and Johanna is assisting with wedding planning.

Chief Superintendent (Depot Commander) Tim Stewart and his wife, Sylvia. Tim is Nathan's supervisor but has also become a good friend and will eventually take on Nathan as his assistant when Nathan is promoted to Superintendent.

Misc. fellow Instructors at Depot: Drill Sergeant George Maxon, Chaplain Thom Morgan, Station Sergeant Isaac Best from Barbados, his wife Esther and daughter Naomi-14, a good friend of Allie's.

Adeline Foster, currently an accountant at RCMP Headquarters, who has re-entered the life of Bill Avery who arrested her many years ago.

Reverend Ellwood Huntley, Pastor at Knox Presbyterian Church and someone who greatly appreciates Nathans' poetry.

Mr. B. and Mrs. B., (Steve and Barb Barrows), youth group leaders at Knox.

Ardis Ross, Allie's art teacher at St. Anne's Academy for Girls, who also sings in the choir with Nathan at Knox and is newly courting Nathan's officemate, Wes Murphy!

Rachel Bell, Allie's music teacher at St. Anne's and choir director at Knox, newly dating William Thatcher's employee, David Wright who will be settling in Regina to manage the new branch office of Thatcher Shipping.

Jake and Irma Cook, handyman and housekeeper/cook at the Collins's house.

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Author's Note:
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Thank you for your patience and I hope there will be a renewed interest in this story. I found that I just couldn't write a lot after season 10 finished, then had an extended time of grieving losses and changes, along with precious family times and trips. I had to take time and give myself space, so only wrote short, one-shot stories. Although this is a busy season now, I hope to write periodically, although I may only post a chapter at a time! Thank you for your faithful readership.

Those of you readers who have also read my fanfiction of Nathan with Fiona may recognize a scenario I have borrowed from that story. I am including it here as I know there are many readers who will only read stories of Nathan with Elizabeth, yet the scene serves to reveal Nathan's character from his youth, thus serves a purpose here as well. If you recognize the idea of Nathan as the wounded hero, you may also have read a story by Emmy Peters? I was first inspired with the idea she mentioned and obtained her permission to develop it, making the specific details original with me.

Enjoy! Eilie