Chapter 8

It didn't take long for word to spread around the town that something was up after Allie came riding in at full gallop, only just pulling Hero up at the final minute outside the school . The two Mounties and Joseph had debated the wisdom of letting her ride back alone despite her assurance that she would be absolutely fine. The Wests stood a distance back beside the automobile not entering into the conversation but Nathan could sense that the son was taking in every word spoken.

Pastor Joseph continued to voice his concern that until they knew what had happened to Sarah then it wasn't safe for Allie to go by herself so she was surprised when it was her father who spoke up in favour of her going. "I have a feeling that if something untoward has happened then the perpetrator will be long gone by now. Hanging around when Mounties are in the area would not be wise. Besides, I know that Allie is a good horsewoman and Hero is an unshakeable mount, nothing will stop them once they get going."

With that said he turned to his daughter, "You know what needs to be done Allie-girl. Ride straight to the school and check there for Sarah first. If, as we feaar, she did not arrive this morning then find Uncle Bill, Ed or Greg. Tell them the situation and they will take it from there. Then I want you to…"

Allie knew what was coming next and that she needed to have a good argument to persuade him to let her return with the search party, so she quickly interrupted. "I know what you're going to say Dad but I think I should come back. If Sarah is hurt or upset then it will make it easier for her to have a female she knows here, rather than just all of you. I promise I will do everything you tell me but I strongly believe that I should be here for when you find her. I will get Dr. Carter and drive back here with her."

Nathan looked at her with clear respect showing on his face, marvelling once more at how sensible and mature a young woman she had become. "You know, I think that is very good thinking. If she is injured then the sooner Faith has a chance to check her over the better. But I will hold you to that promise of doing what I tell you. Okay?"

She smiled and hugged him before slipping her foot into the hands that Jim had cupped together to give her a boost up onto Hero. "Don't stop for anything or anyone Allie, just keep going straight to town, to the school" he said softly. This young woman had held a special place in his heart ever since he first came to Hope Valley. She was family to him and every other Mountie who had worked on that investigation and they were all proud and protective of her. He couldn't bear it if something were to happen.

Giving all three a final smile, then a nod to the men by the Dussenberg she nudged Hero forward, picking up speed as she raced along the road before disappearing behind the trees on the bend. Nathan kept his eyes locked in that direction for a moment longer before turning to those around him. "Now gentlemen, what say we get this automobile back on the road first and then Jim can tell us all what he wants us each to do."

…..

At the schoolhouse Cecilia and Katie struggled to keep the shock from their faces as Allie explained about finding Sarah's satchel and how she and Pastor Joseph had carried out a search of the immediate area to no avail. They knew they had to keep everything as normal as possible for the sake of the children and as much as Cecilia wanted to join in she knew that her being here was the best thing to keep them all occupied.

"What about Sarah's parents?" she asked and was reassured when Allie told her that as she left the men were planning to get Pastor Joseph's automobile out of the small ditch and as long as it was driveable then he would head out to their farm to tell them….and check that Sarah had not returned there. If the vehicle was damaged then he would take one of the horses. As she rode off she had heard the people from the guesthouse offer to go but could tell from the look that passed between her dad and Jim that they were not keen on that idea. "Well, we can only hope that Sarah has somehow made her way back there and this is all just some sort of mix-up," Cecilia finished, with more optimism than she was actually feeling.

Allie left them then, promising to make sure they were given an update as soon as there was news and headed across to the Mountie Office, taking the stairs to the training room two at a time as she prayed she would find Ed there. To her relief he was just finishing up writing his notes from the meeting he had with Nathan the previous evening and once told of the situation took no time in getting things moving.

Sending Allie to the saloon to alert Greg he made his way to Bill's office, a heavy feeling weighing on him as he wondered if this had anything to do with the strangers in town. Something did not sit right with him about the Frenchman, the strong feeling coming from little things he noticed about him that were difficult to explain. Yet their enquiries had come up with nothing untoward so he could only hope that Patrick O'Reilly would be able to work his magic again and give them some answers. Then there was the family staying at the guesthouse. There were things about them that made him question why they were staying in Hope Valley instead of heading North as they had said was their plan. He shook his head to clear those thoughts, knowing that there was plenty of time later to think about it. For now he needed to focus on getting a search party out there as quickly as possible, yet not too many as that could create problems later if the unthinkable had happened and they had to look for evidence.

…..

Lee Coulter lifted his head from the papers in front of him, the sudden commotion outside making it difficult to concentrate. Yet that was what he needed to do as he tried to work out just what was wrong with the figures in front of him. Phillipe St Germain had assured him that all the necessary transfers of funds had been made and yet his bank statement showed differently. If he couldn't get it to make sense soon then he would have to head across to see Mr Jenkins and see if he could shed any light on the subject.

Rosemary had been the cautionary one with this contract, telling him to make sure that all the t's were crossed and the i's dotted. Had he been too eager to take on the big project, something that would put both his sawmill and construction companies up there with the other larger ones in the region? If he was honest with himself he had been so flattered when the lawyer acting on behalf of the Frenchman had contacted him that he didn't really give any thought to checking the credibility of the man. Surely a reputable Vancouver law firm would not be representing someone dishonest?

He shook his head as he rose from his desk, the activity outside drawing his attention too much to be ignored. Stepping outside he watched as Ed, Greg and Bill all rode at a fast pace out of town, followed closely by Faith and Allie in the doctor's car. Someone must be injured on one of the farms, he thought. But why the need for the Mounties? By this time others were emerging from the buildings along Main Street and gathering on the boardwalk, as they too had seen the sudden exodus of their law enforcements officers and one of their doctors along with Allie Grant. The suggestions came loud and fast as all manner of thoughts were bandied about between people until one voice rang out in despair, "Something must have happened to Nathan!"

It was like a shock wave that tore through them, silencing the crowd who had gathered together, as the prospect of their hero Mountie being injured sunk in before Florence came down the steps from the mercantile. "Nathan is fine", she called out, "there is another matter they need to deal with. I can't say what it is but you will all find out in good time. Right now we should all just say a prayer for a safe outcome of this situation." With that she turned and walked away from them, indicating in that one movement that the speculation should now end. Once the town gossip and busybody, Florence had come to realise how much hurt and damage she had caused at times because of her insensitivity and so now she did her best to always nip any such talk in the bud. Whatever had happened to Sarah, and she prayed it was something small, there would be time for others to hear about it later. They did not need to be saying anything until the true facts were known.

Paul had been watching from the front door of the furniture emporium, impressed by his mother's boldness in speaking up to settle the suddenly fragile mood of the crowd. Now he turned the sign on the door to closed and locked up before making his way across to The Mercantile. As he walked into the shop he could see she had continued through to the back, the stress on her face as his step-father comforted her showing that she was not as in control as those outside would have anyone believe. "Are you alright Mum", he quietly asked, not wanting to startle her. "You don't have to tell me what is happening but if you would like to go upstairs and rest I can take over here. It's very quiet down the road this morning anyway."

Florence smiled then, for the first time since she had followed Katie into the Mountie Office a little while earlier. "I'm fine, really, I just needed a moment." She looked up at Ned, thankful for the strength she got from her husband's love, before her eyes moved back to her son. How wonderful it was to have their little family all here in Hope Valley. She didn't believe this would happen and even now she knew that it may not last. She had seen the faraway look in Paul's eyes at times, as though his mind was elsewhere. Somehow she needed to find a way to ensure that he didn't feel obligated to stay here, as much as that would make her happy. He had grown into such a fine young man and she was forever grateful to Allie Grant for opening his mind to the world and helping him to navigate his way in it.

Trying to lift the conversation she moved through to the telephone office, checking that there was no activity lit up on the board. Satisfied that all was quiet for the moment she turned back towards Paul, "We missed you at breakfast this morning. You were out so early I thought you must have things to do at the furniture shop but if you are so quiet there could you not have left it until later?" There was no recrimination in her voice, just a mother missing the company of the son who had only just returned home after a long time away.

Paul looked down, not sure what excuse he could give for his early departure. He was sure his parents would never understand what had driven him to be up and out before most of the town had even pulled back their curtains. But it was an urge he had, something he felt he couldn't control at times and after days of trying to fight it he had finally succumbed. The ache in his body now made him wonder if it was all worth it, but then he thought of the satisfaction that lay ahead and knew he would do it again and again given the chance.

"I'm sorry Mum. I just needed to get out for some fresh air and it was such a bright morning. When you've been on your own for some time you forget that others have to be taken into consideration. I didn't starve though as I picked up a muffin to go with my coffee on the way back."

He was relieved to see the smile on his mother's face and felt a sadness at keeping his secret from her. He knew he had to hide it from everyone as no-one would see it the same way as he did. They hadn't had the same experiences as him and could never imagine doing what he needed to do.

…..

The five men had managed quite easily to lift Joseph's car out of the ditch and once John West had given it the okay the pastor had driven off in the direction of the Cunningham farm, hoping that the words going around in his head would not be necessary and he would find Sarah quietly doing chores. She would no doubt feel a bit embarrassed when she found out about the concern her non-attendance at the school had caused and hopefully have an explanation for the abandonment of her belongings. But whatever her reasoning the relief at finding her safe would outweigh any other emotion.

How quickly his morning had changed, he thought. Gone was the smugness he had been feeling about how he had helped "his" town find a way forward into peace and prosperity after the Bouchard debacle. This last hour had served as a reminder that no matter how good your life may seem, evil was always hiding just around the corner. He prayed that this time it had been held off.

Once again he thought about his sermon for the coming Sunday. Giving thanks for the bravery of their Mounties was still his intention but alongside that would be a reflection on how they passed that strength and courage on to those around them. Allie Grant's calmness in this situation had been something he had needed and for a moment he felt the sharp stabbing pain that always hit him whenever he thought about the impact that the lack of care for his daughter's condition had on her life. She would never be able to go out in the world like her friend but God, in his wisdom, had chosen instead to give her the gift of music and for that Joseph knew he should be grateful. Now as he approached Sarah's home he told himself that there were far worse things in life than being blind.

The quietness around the house made his heart drop as he faced the realisation that their hope that she had returned home was a forlorn one. There was almost an eeriness to the silence, as though the world had stopped out here and it gave him a sense of forboding. Still he called out as he stepped from the car, praying that he was wrong and any minute the door would open and there she would be standing.

Instead it was from the barn that a figure emerged, Jack Cunningham wiping his bloody hands on his apron. Some feathers from the chickens he was clearly despatching clung to it as he smiled in greeting to the man whose words each Sunday always gave him food for thought throughout the week. "Joseph, what brings you out today? We only saw you here last week and I know for a fact there are many others who are in need of your time and guidance more than we are at present." He stopped then, seeing the seriousness of his friend's expression. "Something is wrong", he quickly said, before adding, "Jennifer isn't here. She took the wagon earlier to go out and visit that young family who took over the McCullock farm. We heard that the mother is poorly and the bairn also, so she wanted to take them some hearty food and a few warmer blankets as we noticed last time we visited that what they have is looking quite threadbare. The days may be bright and warm right now but there is still a coldness to the evenings. I sent some logs for their fire as what I saw piled there looked quite damp so I doubt it burns terribly well."

Joseph let the man talk, knowing that he was rambling in an attempt to hold off what he believed was news that he didn't want to hear. Finally, Jack looked up at him. "Just tell me please Joseph. Is it one of the children? Jennifer?"

Taking the Jack's arm he began walking him back towards the house, quietly explaining the situation to him. This was a man who was always there for others and now he needed him to understand that everyone was doing what they could for him and his family. "I need to come and help" was all he said. Joseph nodded, "I know. But first you need to clean yourself up a bit. You and both know what Sarah will say if she sees you out like that"!

…

Lying still in her dark spot Sarah sensed movement around as she heard the faint sound of boots treading heavily on the ground amongst the trees. She wanted to cry out, to call for help, but there was something that made her stop. Who was out there? She remembered so little. Neither a face nor a figure, more a presence of someone coming after her. All she knew was that she had run as fast as she could and then she felt herself caught. Dragged down. Then the darkness. Each time she had regained consciousness the pain in her foot was stronger and when she tried to move it the intensity became so much worse that she had to bite her lip to stop from screaming.

Reaching down now she could feel the metal that encircled her ankle, so tight around it that she couldn't move. Not that she wanted to as she knew that would cause unbearable pain. A picture of the schoolhouse and Mrs Grant talking to the children came into her head and she wanted to be there so badly it hurt. The tears were flowing freely down her face but still she remained silent. This was the day she had dreamed of for so long but instead she was here, cold and alone. Suddenly a spider dropped down from above and she screamed, an anguished strangled cry that she couldn't control. No longer caring who heard her, she just wanted to go home.