Chapter 19

Quinn looked at Allie sitting opposite her at the table in the Kitchen. Quinn smiled at the young girl, wondering how she looked so rested given their lack of sleep the night before. Quinn had barely slept, even after Allie had finally dozed off. Quinn had woken from a nightmare in the early hours of the morning, glad to not have woken Allie, but too nervous to go back to sleep. Telling her story and revisiting what had happened brought the fear and anxiety back, and she felt unsettled again.

They had spent an enjoyable morning having breakfast in the cafe before heading out to Church services. Quinn, as always, enjoyed Joseph's sermon; his words came from his heart, and it was hard not to take the message into your own. Quinn wished she could do what Joseph suggested, wished it was easy for her; today's message of forgiveness was something she was still struggling to do with those who had hurt her.

Quinn noticed many of the townspeople smiled and said hello; recognising her as part of their town, for which she was grateful. Not all of them, she noted as Elizabeth swept by her without a greeting, Lucas only giving a slight nod to acknowledge her. So much for our chat, yesterday thought Quinn and frowned, it looked like Elizabeth wasn't going to speak to Allie, standing with her group of friends, but she called out a generic greeting to the group, and Allie was included.

As Quinn collected Allie to go, she heard Fiona call out, "Hey Ladies," she said, addressing Quinn and Allie, "are you two solo today, no Nathan?" she queried.

Allie answered before Quinn could, "yes, we are, my dad had to go away overnight, so I was able to stay with Miss Standing at the Cafe." she said excitedly, "we snuck down in the middle of the night for cake, it was amazing!" Covering her mouth with her hand, she said, "Whoops, that was meant to be a secret."

Fiona and Quinn laughed at Allie, and Fiona assured her it would be their secret. Fiona looked to Quinn and asked, "would you and Allie be interested in joining me for lunch at the cafe? I am meeting Faith there, and she would love it if you both joined us."

Allie looked at Quinn, excited to be included with the ladies, and Quinn had to admit, she was too. It was nice to have friends.

"We would love to, Fiona, and we can recommend the cake for sure."

The three ladies walked back to town together, Fiona arranging to meet them at the cafe at lunchtime, Allie offering to save a table for the four of them.

As Allie and Quinn arrived at the cafe, Allie spoke to Bill about saving them a table and made a production of creating a "reserved" sign for her table of choice. Bill and Quinn looked at her amused as she headed into the cafe to save their table, understanding she was excited at being included in the ladies' lunch.

Bill looked at Quinn and said, "I was thinking of heading to Oakville to do some investigating into the Fielding's and their business interest in your father's firm." Bill watched Quinn closely, "how do you feel about that? Are you still interested in me pursuing this?"

Quinn swallowed hard the instant Bill had said 'Oakville'. Her stomach had clenched in knots. "Does that mean you are also looking into what happened the morning my father died?" She asked him softly.

Bill nodded without responding, waiting for her to think about what he had said, giving her the time to process what he was proposing.

Quinn sat down, her legs were shaking, breathing in, then out, to calm her churning stomach, she took a moment. "Yes," she said firmly, "yes I do. I need to know what happened, Bill. I want to know who and why. I still dream about that morning, or maybe I should say I have nightmares about it. I want to stay here, and I don't think I could if people found out and I couldn't prove my innocence"

"Bill, I don't think I can go back to Oakville; you can do this without me, can't you?" Quinn said, shivering, "I know that's a lot to put on you, but..."

Bill stepped close to Quinn and put his arm around her shoulder, "of course, you don't have to come with me; it will be better if you aren't there; people might open up more to me." Bill was glad to see some colour coming back into Quinn's face, maybe, he thought he shouldn't have sprung that on her all without warning. "Let's get through this trial, should only be a couple of more weeks, then I will go, and I won't stop until I find the answers."

Allie came bounding back into the Kitchen, "we are all set." She said with an enormous smile on her face. Bill and Quinn, grateful for something to relieve the tension, couldn't help but return it.

Lunch was laughter-filled; Quinn was delighted to have these incredible women take her mind off the conversation with Bill. Fiona, Faith, and Quinn included Allie in their conversation, using Allie's school as her "work", along with her part-time job on the switchboard. The women talked about so many different topics it was hard to keep up. At the end of lunch, the discussion turned serious when Allie asked Fiona if she could win the Mayor's election.

"Allie, of course, I do, or I wouldn't have entered. I have the same chance as anyone else in the race, and I think I can add something different from my competitors. If anywhere knows a female can be a good mayor, it's Hope Valley; they have already had one of the best there was." Fiona replied to Allie with confidence and determination, hoping to inspire the young girl and let her know that times changed, and she could be anything she wanted.

Quinn smiled at Allie's look of adoration for Fiona and said, "I hope you realise, Allie, that you are a lucky young woman to live in Hope Valley, a place that accepts women in roles that men typically do." Looking at the others at the table, she continued, "Faith is a Doctor, Fiona is a Barber, and works in the oil business. I was lucky enough to study Economics at University and help Uncle Bill, and soon the new Mayor. It hasn't always been that way for women. You" she said smiling at Allie, "can set your own limits."

"And I am lucky that all of you came to live in Hope Valley too," Allie recognised, "if you weren't here, things wouldn't have needed to change." Grabbing hold of Quinn's hand, she said, "I am especially pleased that you decided to come here, Miss Standing." she said, her face lighting up.

"Me too, Allie," Quinn said, leaning over to kiss the top of her head. Hearing someone gasp, Quinn looked up into Elizabeth's startled face, clearly surprised at the affection between the two of them.

"Hello Elizabeth, here for lunch?" Faith asked, oblivious to what was happening between the two women, "We could pull up another seat," she offered sweetly.

Elizabeth looked at the table of women, frowning she replied, "No, I am just here to see Bill. Thank you. I am in a hurry, so I can't stop." Nodding at the others, she hurried away, through the curtain into the Kitchen.

Faith looked at Fiona and Quinn, her face puzzled, "did Elizabeth seem okay to you?" She asked, "she seemed a little upset. Faith saw Fiona and Quinn share a look and said, "Oh," frowning she shook her head, "I don't understand, she was the one who ..." stopping, she realised she was about to say too much in front of Allie, and this wasn't a conversation to have in front of her.

Fiona saved the day, saying, "who knows Faith? I know Little Jack was cranky in Church this morning; maybe she is still distracted by that." Looking at Quinn and Faith, she knew they understood what she was doing, and as they both nodded and agreed, she started to relax. Fiona looked at Allie and the look on her face told her they weren't fooling her.

Elizabeth parted the curtain into the cafe's Kitchen and stood still, looking around the room, letting memories filter through her mind. Abigail's café had once been her home, and she had many happy memories of times spent here with people she loved, Abigail and Jack, and others too like Bill. Looking around the room now, it looked the same but felt so different; she didn't feel as though she belonged, this was someone else's home now, and they were the ones building memories here.

Bill watched Elizabeth as she stood in the entryway to the Kitchen; he was sorry to see how unhappy she seemed. Elizabeth was a young woman with a wonderful son who had recently started a relationship with the man she loved. What could she possibly have to be sad about? "Elizabeth, how are you? What brings you here today? Is little Jack with you?"

Blinking, Elizabeth pulled herself out of the past and looked at Bill, "Hello Bill, no Jack today, he didn't sleep well last night, so Rosemary offered to watch him while I came to see you, hoping he would nap. I was going to take something tasty home to him to get him out of his mood."

Bill noted that Elizabeth's face and posture didn't match her light tone. "What really brings you here, Elizabeth?" he asked kindly, lightly touching her shoulder as he sat beside her.

"I don't know, Bill," she replied, "everything feels like it is changing, and I don't like it," she cried miserably. Bill's kindness was Elizabeth's undoing. Tears welled in her eyes, and she rolled down her cheeks. Sniffing, she said, "when did it all change, Bill? When did everyone turn away from me?"

"Elizabeth, what are you talking about?" asked Bill. Bill knew Elizabeth was talking about Nathan but wanted her to admit that to him and herself. No one had turned away from Elizabeth, especially Nathan, this was wholly her choice, and she had to live with it.

"I just saw Allie in the cafe with Miss Standing; they seem awfully cosy; when did that happen?" she sniffed. "Why on earth would Nathan leave Allie with a stranger when he could leave her with someone who he knows he can trust? What do we really know about her anyway?" Elizabeth sat with her head bowed, not looking at Bill; she wasn't sure she wanted to look into his eyes, knowing he wouldn't hold back what he was feeling.

Sighing loudly, Bill raised Elizabeth's chin, so she had to look at him, "Nathan can and does trust Quinn. Allie does too." Bill thought about how to soften the words he was about to say, but there was no way. "No one has turned away from you; they have done what they had to do after you made your choice." Bill persisted, knowing this was likely to be the only chance he would have to say this to Elizabeth. "You need to let them go; it's time, they have moved on, and you need to do that too. You can't have your cake and eat it too."

As Elizabeth buried her face in her hands and started to sob, Bill said, "let them be happy, Elizabeth, be happy for them." Bill wanted to say much more to Elizabeth about why else she wasn't happy, but he knew she wasn't ready to hear it. A discussion about her relationship with Lucas could wait until another day.

Elizabeth heard what Bill was saying to her and was stunned by the pain it caused. She had always thought she could have Lucas and maintain her friendship with Nathan and Allie. Revisiting Nathan's words to her recently, she knew Bill was right; going back to the way it had been wasn't possible.

Elizabeth's face flushed red in shame, remembering earlier when she had called her sister Julie and asked her to investigate Quinn Standing, knowing Julie wouldn't hesitate to relate every morsel of gossip and information she could find out. It was wrong; she knew it; that's why she had hidden away in Lucas's office to make the call, lying to herself about her motives, pretending it was to protect Nathan and Allie. The truth was she was jealous of Quinn.

Quinn's Nathan was the Nathan Allie had told her about, the Nathan before Fort Clay. Elizabeth, like everyone else, had seen the change in him and Allie, but mainly in Nathan. She had never seen him so carefree, so happy and content as he was around Quinn. Elizabeth believed Nathan had loved her, but she also knew he had never been his true self with her, not the way he was with Quinn.

Elizabeth sat back in her chair and smiled at Bill; wiping her eyes, she said, "thank you for being brave enough to tell me that Bill; no one else would have been. Even though I didn't want to hear it, I needed to."

Bill could sense Elizabeth was still unhappy, but it was different; this was more her grieving for what could have been and finally letting go of unrealistic expectations. Leaning against him, she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, seeking reassurance from his strength. Closing her eyes, Elizabeth enjoyed the moment with Bill, the room once again feeling like it used to. Bill hoped that this was the moment that would change Elizabeth's behaviour, that she would accept Quinn and allow the Grant family to move on with their lives. Time would tell.

Bill walked into the cafe with a food order and glanced over at Quinn and Allie. Quinn raised her eyebrows at him, asking silently about his visitor. Bill mouthed "gone" to let Quinn know it was safe to go into the Kitchen. It was good timing, she thought, Fiona, and Faith were leaving, and she and Allie wanted to head back upstairs to tidy up and plan what they would have for dinner. There was no word from Nathan, but that didn't surprise her; she and Allie would eat at the cafe again just in case he made it back, they would be easy to find.

The following day was a school day for Allie, so it wasn't going to be a late evening, and after all the sleep they didn't get last night, Quinn was excited to turn in early. After saying goodbye to Fiona and Faith, she and Allie walked through the kitchen and upstairs.

Allie made short work of preparing for the next day and asked if she could head downstairs; Angela was coming in with her mother, Minnie, that night to be with her as she helped prepare and cook for the dinner crowd. Quinn agreed, needing a few more minutes to tidy her things.

"See you down there, Miss Standing", Allie called as she ran down the stairs leaving Quinn standing in place, shaking her head. If only she had half her energy, she thought, smiling.

Riding toward Hope Valley, Nathan reflected on the mission he and Gabe had just completed. Nathan considered the mission a success, there were no shots fired, no injuries, and Brookfield jail was now full of the four captured gang members. Nathan and Gabe, as usual, had worked well together, tracking the criminals quickly.

Nathan thought back to the previous day; he had rendezvoused with Gabe early afternoon; they were both excellent trackers and quickly identified the Gang's trail. The Gang were rough but not too bright and had left their weapons strapped to the horses while setting up camp, making them vulnerable to the two-armed Mounties. Nathan and Gabe took full advantage of the Gang's ineptitude, surprising them at the campsite. After arresting them, they tied them up, securing them for the evening. The Mounties had taken turns watching them overnight until first light, when they escorted them back to Brookfield, locking them up to await their trial.

Gabe had suggested Nathan rest for the morning and head out later that afternoon, but he declined; he was keen to get home to Allie, and Quinn, to his girls.

Nathan knew that after greeting Allie, the next thing he wanted to do was see Quinn. Nathan wanted to talk to her about their relationship and where it was going. He had spent his time watching the prisoners and riding back to Hope Valley, thinking about the two of them and realised he had never formally asked Quinn if she wanted to court him. He thought she did, he hoped she did, and maybe they didn't need to say the words...but, he did. He wanted Quinn and everyone else to know he was serious about her, that he saw her in his and Allie's future.

Nathan arrived in Hope Valley and went straight to the livery; he wanted to take care of Newton after the distance he had ridden in the last two days. As Nathan led Newton to his stall, something caught his eye; getting closer, he realised it was an apple. Nathan picked up the apple, seeing a folded piece of paper beneath it. Nathan frowned in confusion, wondering how it got there.

He unfolded the paper and read the note, as he fed the apple to Newton.

'Welcome Home. I missed you, Quinn'

Nathan blinked back tears at the simple message. No one had ever done something like that for him before, and he was overwhelmed with emotion at the gesture. He re-folded the note and placed it in the pocket of his Serge, over his heart. Nathan knew he would keep it and read it over and over.

Entering the cafe, he scanned the room looking for Allie and Quinn; hearing his daughter squeal "Dad", he looked over to see her running toward him from the Kitchen. Nathan hugged Allie to him, glad she was still young enough to show her excitement at his return without caring who saw them; there would be a time not too far into the future it may not be the case. Nathan embraced his daughter tight, glad she was okay, and they were back home together.

"Did you and Uncle Gabe catch the bad guys?" she asked excitedly. "Where are they?"

Nathan smiled at her questions; he looked down at her intense face "yes, we did catch them, all four of them, and they have been locked away securely in Brookfield's jail. Uncle Gabe is with them right now watching them so I could come home to you." Nathan looked around the cafe, conscious of the tables of people watching and listening to them. It wouldn't take long for the word to spread of the capture of the Gang.

Bill heard Nathan's voice and said, "come back into the kitchen and tell me about the capture?" not allowing Nathan to answer and indicating he should follow him. Bill turned and headed toward the Kitchen, expecting Nathan to follow.

Annoyed, Nathan remained still, weighing up his options; he wanted to see Quinn before debriefing Bill. Frowning in displeasure, he caught Allie's eye and saw her smile at him. Copying Bill, she nodded toward the Kitchen. Nathan's face lit up in a grin, realising Bill and Allie knew precisely who he was looking for and were trying to help him find her discreetly.

Nathan headed toward the Kitchen, exchanging greetings with people but not stopping to chat with anyone. Opening the curtain into the back area, he spotted Bill immediately, stirring something on the stove. Without looking at Nathan, he said, "Quinn is upstairs. It would be best if you let her know you are back and collect Allie's things. Allie, could you give me a hand and stir this pot for me."

Nathan said, "of course, Bill, I don't think Allie left too much at home when she packed, and I would hate Quinn to hurt herself trying to carry the bag downstairs." Nathan headed toward the stairs, his stomach filling with excitement at seeing Quinn. He knew it might be frowned upon to be upstairs alone with Quinn, but given how many people were close-by downstairs, he thought it would be okay.

Quinn jumped up as she heard footsteps on the stairs; she hoped it was Nathan returning. Quinn walked toward the landing, her heart beating quickly, elated when she caught a flash of red.

Nathan reached the top of the stairs and saw Quinn waiting for him; he leapt up the last two stairs, closing the distance between them, his arms reaching out to grasp her hands in his. Nathan smiled down at Quinn, his eyes staring into hers, "It's so good to see you, Quinn; I missed you."

Quinn squeezed his hands, "I missed you too, so much; I am so glad you made it home safely. Did you and Gabe catch the Gang?" Until she spoke, she hadn't realised she was breathless with excitement, calming herself she continued, "Was there any trouble?" Quinn asked, searching his handsome face; she had never seen him like this, unshaven and a little dishevelled. If possible, he was even more attractive with the hint of a beard, his hair untidy.

Nathan answered with a shake of his head while letting go of one hand and reaching up to caress her cheek. "I found your message at the livery; Newton loved his apple," he said, smiling. Becoming serious, he took a breath, "I loved your note, no one has ever done anything like that for me before."

Quinn felt her eyes fill with unshed tears; her heart pounded in her chest; how had no one seen how extraordinary this man was? How had no one ever told this man how wonderful he was? Quinn needed him to understand that she thought he was unique and special. Quinn tugged Nathan forward, drawing him into her arms. Quinn looked into his eyes and said, "Nathan, you are so very important to me, and I need you to know that" she said, her eyes shining.

Before he could think about it Nathan leaned down and placed a soft, gentle kiss on her lips.

As Nathan brushed his lips against Quinn's, his heart raced, and pulling her closer to him, he deepened the kiss. Eventually, he broke the kiss but didn't loosen his hold on Quinn, tucking her head under his chin. "Quinn, I know we have both talked about how we feel, but we haven't said what it means, where we go from here." Rushing ahead to overcome his nerves, he said, "I want you to know how I feel about you, what my intentions are. Will you agree to court me, Quinn?"

"What about Allie?" Quinn asked, excitement coursing through her at his words. "I know how important it is that she is happy about this before we move forward; I can wait, Nathan, as long as it takes".

"I'll talk to Allie if that's what you want. If your answer is yes." Nathan's eyes were intense as he looked at her, waiting for her answer.

"Yes, Nathan, of course, my answer is yes!" Quinn said, smiling at him

Nathan hugged Quinn tighter, unable to believe this incredible woman wanted him and Allie to be part of her future. He vowed then and there to do everything he could to keep her safe, never to let anything or anyone hurt her.