Fiona breathed deeply as she stood before the Infirmary door. She had to go in, she knew that, but her stomach was churning, and if she held out her hand, it would be shaking. She could do this; she had to do this.

"Fiona! Hello, I was wondering when I was going to see you," Faith exclaimed as Fiona entered the Infirmary. She admitted she was a little surprised to see her there voluntarily; she had wondered if she would have to go and seek her out. Looking at her friend, she could see that she wasn't happy about it while she might be there. Lowering her voice, she asked, "are you okay? You look a little pale?"

"I'm fine, really, Faith," Fiona said with a shaky smile. "How is Adam this morning?" Fiona followed Faith's lead and kept her voice low, not wanting Adam to hear their conversation.

"He had an excellent night; in fact, I was wondering whether to send him home, but I wonder if the Saloon is the right place for him to go. I prefer he stay somewhere a little more conducive to rest and with someone who could look out for him." Faith watched Fiona's face as she delivered these words, wanting to see her reaction. A look of panic crossed Fiona's face, and Faith was more intrigued than ever about her friend's relationship with Adam Hillman.

"I am sure he can rest in the Saloon; besides, he will probably want to make arrangements to go home as soon as possible, so he won't need to stay there long."

"Why don't you go and see Alex? Talk to him about his plans; that way, we will know what will be best." Faith shrugged, deciding this was a discussion they could have later.

Nodding at her friend, Fiona took another deep breath and stepped toward the curtain separating her from Adam.

Adam Hillman looked up as he saw the curtain parting, his eyes lighting up when he saw Fiona standing before him. Pulling himself up in the bed, he reclined against the pillows behind him, arranging the blankets, so only his torso was visible. He may not be as presentable as he liked, but his undershirt was respectable enough given the circumstances.

"Fiona, you're here." Adam said, "It's so good to see you." Adam's eyes roamed over her familiar face, noticing the differences in her appearance since the last time he had seen her. She was older, yes, but she was still one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Her hair was lighter, and it suited her. He noted her mouth wasn't smiling as widely as it used to, and her beautiful eyes weren't shining as brightly.

"Hello, Adam; it's good to see you too. I'm sorry about the circumstances, though, that you were hurt." Fiona stepped closer to the bed; he looked well, despite the bandage on his forehead. The stubble on his cheeks and the tousled hair gave him a relaxed look, reminding her of how he looked when they were younger. Adam looked like he had growing up, like the boy who had stolen her heart. Fiona wished he wore a suit and tie like he usually did; the formality of that outfit would make it easier to keep her distance.

"I know, not what I planned for my visit, and I am sorry I didn't get to see you or tell you I was going to be in Town..." Adam paused; he had thought about what he would say to her when he saw her next and had practised every word. Lying here in front of Fiona, his carefully planned apology had flown out of his mind; he couldn't remember a word.

"I am sure you didn't come here to see me; you were here to see Lee Coulter," Fiona said, smiling at him, pretending she didn't care about him being in Town. "I have spoken to my mother; she will let your family know about your injury and that your prognosis is good."

Adam frowned; he was glad his family would know he was all right but confused about her tone and how reserved she was. He knew why; of course, he did. This woman standing before him might look like the girl he grew up with, but she was frigid, maybe because the last time they had seen each other, she had told him she was in love with him, and then his fiancé had turned up. He couldn't blame her for being hesitant.

"Dr Carter told me you were going to tell Anna. Did no one tell you about our broken engagement?" If Adam hadn't watched her closely, he might have missed the flicker of pain which crossed her face. He was glad to see her lips pinch together and her jaw tighten, hoping it meant she still felt something for him.

"Yes." Fiona stated, "I hadn't heard the two of you ended your engagement, this may surprise you, but I have other things to think about."

"I'm sure you have. I just thought your Mother may have told you or my Mother." Adam looked down, "I would have told you, but you never returned my letters or telephone calls."

Fiona blushed, embarrassed as she remembered throwing out his letters unanswered; she couldn't stand the thought of talking to him, hearing how happy he and Anna were.

"You left so quickly after...after the last time we spoke. I wanted to talk to you, to reach out." Adam spoke quietly, still studying her, wanting to see her reaction.

"There wasn't anything to discuss, Adam. You were engaged to someone else; what was there to say?" Fiona swallowed, forcing the words out of her dry throat, "There is nothing to say now. I am glad you weren't badly injured, and as a family friend, I am happy to assist until you leave Town."

"And the sooner, the better right?" Adam asked curiously, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice. He wasn't sure what he expected, but this brittle, cold woman before him was not it. He hadn't expected her to fall into his arms, declaring her feelings for him all over again, true, but he had hoped she would be her usual self. Surely, she would realise he had broken his engagement because of her. Once Fiona had told him how she felt, he hadn't been able to think of anything else. His Mother quickly picked up on his distraction and promptly helped him realise his true feelings for Fiona. Unfortunately, he had been too late to tell her. It had taken months to unravel the mess he had made. Fiona was long gone when he finally broke his engagement to Anna and dealt with the fallout of her broken heart and her family's anger.

It hadn't taken long for Fiona to find someone to replace him, news of her engagement had reached him just as he had prepared to go and see her. He had begun to doubt her feelings for him had been real. It was by chance he had run into her fiancé some months later while on a business trip. He had been startled to find out Fiona had broken their engagement and fled to a little town called Hope Valley. He had asked his Mother about it, but she had warned him off chasing after her. 'Give her time to find herself and work out what she truly wants.'

He had buried himself in work, trying to give Fiona the time and space she needed. A chance meeting with Leeland Coulter, a discussion about his Timber Mill in Hope Valley and an invitation to visit had seemed like fate intervening. He had taken his Mother's advice, he told himself, but he had to know if she genuinely meant what she had said and if she was in love with him; he couldn't spend his life waiting and wondering. He loved her and wanted a life with her.

"Of course not, Adam. I want to talk to you about that. Faith, Dr Carter, tells me you need time to recover and rest before the long trip back home. Faith doesn't think the Saloon is suitable and wants you to find somewhere else."

Adam frowned; "do you know of anywhere suitable?"

"No, but I will ask around for you," Fiona said, glad there was something practical she could do which would take her away from the Infirmary and his bedside. "I will see if there is a place close to Town so you can visit Faith if needed and conclude your business with Lee Coulter." Fiona forced a smile onto her face, "I am sure you are eager to get home."

Adam frowned again; this meeting was not going as planned. "Fi, I'm not going anywhere until we talk."

"Don't call me that!" Fiona spoke harshly. "I have grown out of that nickname, and besides, only those closest to me ever called me that."

"And that isn't me anymore?" Adam said quietly. "Fiona. I am not going anywhere until we have talked; I need to speak to you about …what you said." Adam leaned forward and grabbed her hand, stopping her from turning away from him. "Please."

"And if I don't want to talk to you?" Fiona said, trying to ignore the tremor of electricity running up her arm from his touch.

"At least listen to what I have to say before you say no; I don't want it to be like this between us."

"Not here, not while you're in that bed; it feels wrong."

"Okay, well, please help me find somewhere suitable to recover fully so we can talk. I don't need much, just somewhere better than the Saloon."

Fiona bit the inside of her lip; if she wanted her life to go back to normal and for Adam to leave Hope Valley, she would have to do this. "Fine, I will let you know as soon as I find something." Turning, Fiona tried to leave but felt him tug on the hand he still held.

"Thank you," smiling he said, "and Fiona. It is so very good to see you again. I have missed you."

Flustered, Fiona said nothing, pulled back her hand and fled, knowing she was being a coward but unable to stop herself.

Faith looked up as Fiona rushed past without a goodbye; she had never seen her friend so flustered and hoped it was a good thing.

Fiona hurried back to the Barbershop, hoping no one would see her flushed face. What was she going to do? Her feelings for Adam Hillman had definitely not gone away. Seeing Adam again, all the feelings she had worked so hard to bury had come rushing back. Sitting in one of her barber's chairs, she looked at herself in the mirror. A part of her wanted to hear what Adam had to say, the part that once dared to hope. The sensible part of her said to set him up in a house somewhere and call his Mother to come and look after him. The practical part of her didn't think she could take having her heart broken by Adam Hillman a second time. Covering her face with her hands, Fiona let the tears fall.

Lee listened to Adam and Faith, understanding Faith's concerns about Adam recuperating in the Saloon. "I have an empty house you could move into," he said, smiling.

"Really?" Faith asked; she had been wracking her brain but hadn't been able to come up with anything.

"One of my men has recently resigned to move back home; his place is vacant. It's nothing fancy, but it is furnished with everything you need. I haven't replaced him yet, so you can stay as long as you need."

"That sounds wonderful, Lee. I appreciate everything you have done and are doing for me." Adam was sincere; he had never known a Town or people like those in Hope Valley. "I am sure Faith is being cautious, I can't imagine needing more than a week, and we can continue our discussion in that time.

"Don't mention it." Lee laughed, "once I tell Rosie about you moving in, I am sure she will organise the Ladies of Hope Valley to get the place ready for you."

"Lee, I couldn't ask Rosemary to do that; you have a young baby."

"Trust me, Adam, nothing can stop my wife once she sets her mind to something, baby or not, and she loves nothing more than being amongst everyone and helping others out."

Lee was right; Adam decided shortly after their conversation. Rosemary Coulter was a force to be reckoned with. In no time at all, she had organised for the cottage to be cleaned, the furnishings to be updated, and there was a roster of women who would cook meals for him. As Rosemary told him about the cooking roster, he realised neither Faith nor Fiona's names were on it.

"Faith will call in each morning before opening the Infirmary to ensure your recovery is on track; trust me, having Faith cook for you would not help your recovery," Rosemary explained with a smile. "Luckily, she agrees with you, it shouldn't be more than a week, and then it is up to you how long you stay." Rosemary glanced at her list, "I think that covers everything. Do you have questions?"

"I notice Fiona's name isn't on the list," Adam said, making his statement a question.

"Yes, well, Fiona is very busy, but I am sure she will call in to see you. You are old friends, after all." Rosemary couldn't hide her smile. Fiona had been adamant that she didn't have time to provide meals to Adam, not with working so many jobs and the commitments she had elsewhere. Rosemary didn't believe a word of it and was going to find reasons to send Fiona to the cabin as often as possible.

"You can't ignore him, Fiona. What would your family think? What would his family think?" Quinn said to her friend as she listened to her. "Besides Fiona, you should see him. You owe it to yourself to hear what he has to say."

"No. I don't have to see him, and I don't have to listen to anything he says."

"In case it isn't what you want to hear, or because it might be?" Quinn challenged.

Fiona looked at Quinn, eyes wide. Quinn was right; she was frightened to hear either from Adam. Could she let herself be with him if that is what he said he wanted? She was so used to feeling disappointment, loss, and embarrassment when she thought of Adam; could she trust him again and allow herself to be vulnerable to him?

"I'll think about it, Quinn; that's all I am going to commit to."

"That's more than I expected, I have to admit," Quinn said, smiling at her friend. "Now give me back my daughter so I can take her to visit her Daddy; she's been asking to see him."

"Avery is talking at how many months old," Fiona teased, glad of a chance to genuinely smile.

"I'm sure that's what she said." Quinn laughed, pleased to see her friend smiling again. Gathering her things together, Quinn was glad of Fiona's offer to help carry some items, amazed as always at how many things the twins needed. Fiona placed the items she had down, squeezed Quinn's arm, and kissed the twins before heading back to her shop.

Quinn peeked through the window of the Mountie office, her smile broadening when she saw her husband alone inside. She watched him for a moment, enjoying observing Nathan without him knowing. Her husband's brow was furrowed in concentration; she knew whatever he was reading was serious. She hesitated, wondering if she should intrude. Before she could decide, Nathan looked up, noticing her, and his face lit up at the sight of her and his children. She watched as he leapt out of his chair, hurrying to the door.

"This is the best surprise, Quinn. I wasn't expecting you!" Nathan said, wrapping his arms around the three of them the moment he could.

Quinn explained her visit to Town to check in on Fiona; she had talked to Nathan about her concerns for her friend. "I'm not sure our talk had any effect, but I had to try."

"Of course, and I'm sure she appreciated it," Nathan said, kissing her on her forehead. As he leaned down to kiss his wife, he smiled. Seeing Quinn and his children always brought a smile to his face, and he couldn't imagine his life without them now. "I appreciate you calling in," he said as he took Avery from her and captured Quinn's lips for a kiss, delighted when Quinn reached up with her free hand and placed it on his cheek as she deepened the kiss.

"Mmmh, maybe this wasn't such a good idea; we should wait until we get home and can be alone," Quinn murmured against her husband's mouth as she juggled Sam on her hip.

"In a minute," Nathan whispered to her, kissing her again.

Quinn leaned into Nathan, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around her, 'just a minute,' she thought.

"Fiona! Fiona!"

Hearing her name called, Fiona turned around to see Florence rushing toward her. "Is everything all right?" she asked, concerned; Florence looked harried.

"No, it isn't, and I need your help, please. Ned is feeling poorly, and I have just had a large delivery arrive. I can't manage the Mercantile and unload the stock."

"Would you like me to manage the shop for you?" Fiona offered; she had helped in the Mercantile before when she was still operating the telephone switchboard.

"No, I need someone to take lunch to Mr Hillman. The poor man will starve before I get there."

Fiona blanched; that was the last thing she wanted to do, and if it were anyone besides Florence asking, she would have been suspicious. Rosemary had tried several times to have Fiona take over her delivery.

"Of course, Florence. I would be happy to help you."

"There is enough in there for the two of you," Florence smiled brightly as she handed Fiona the basket of food she had prepared. Watching Fiona walk away, she felt someone come to stand beside her.

"I knew she would believe you," Rosemary said.

"I wouldn't normally feel good about lying to someone, but in this case, if you truly believe Fiona needs to talk to him…"

"I do," Rosemary said firmly. Rosemary was sure she was right; although she didn't know their entire history, she was sure Fiona would thank her later.

Adam put down the papers he was working on when he heard a knock on the door. Florence was bringing him lunch, and he was going to tell her that there was no longer any need for the food roster. He was leaving Hope Valley. Fiona had avoided him for almost a whole week; her silence told him all he needed to know about where he stood with her. He wasn't going to stay in her hometown, making her uncomfortable. Faith had made her final house call that morning, signing him off as fit to travel, and that was what he would do.

Opening the door, he saw her, and his jaw dropped. "Fiona! What are you doing here?"

"Florence couldn't make it," Fiona said curtly. "Here," she said, all but shoving the food at him.

Adam took the food quickly as she thrust it toward his chest and stepped aside to allow her inside.

"I. I… wasn't planning on coming inside," Fiona stammered. "I just needed to give you the food."

"Please," Adam pleaded. "I hate eating alone and haven't had company for ages."

Fiona hesitated and then took a deep breath, "okay, but I can only stay a little while."

Once inside, Fiona kept up a constant stream of conversation to hide her nerves, prattling on about Hope Valley and its residents, even ones Adam hadn't met. Fiona could feel his eyes on her, watching her, following her every movement. Eventually, Fiona ran out of words, and the sensation of him watching her was too much.

"Would you please stop watching me? You're making me nervous," Fiona said quietly, looking down at the table.

"I'm sorry, Fi, sorry, Fiona, it's just so good to see you, and there is so much I want to say to you." Adam leaned toward her; his voice was sincere as he spoke. He touched her hand lightly, pleased when she finally looked at him.

Fiona flinched at his touch; his words made her stomach whirl with butterflies; Quinn had been right; she was scared to hear what he had to say, either way.

Adam knew he had to talk fast, he had expected her to have already run, but she was still there. "Fiona, when you told me how you felt, I didn't know what to say; you shocked me; then Anna came out, and you were gone." Adam swallowed, "I thought about your words, over and over, hearing you say you were in love with me." Adam paused as Fiona made a sound of protest. "Fi. I realised I feel the same way, and I am sorry it took me so long to find you and tell you."

Fiona felt tears well in her eyes, spilling over onto her cheeks. She wiped the tears away furiously, angry at herself for reacting this way to his words. She was mad that her heart skipped a beat when he said he loved her, and a flame of hope sparked inside her at his words.

"Fi, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you cry," Adam said, taking her hands in his. He placed a finger under her chin, lifted it so she would look at him, and said, "I don't expect anything from you; I am just happy you listened to me and that I got a chance to tell you." Holding her gaze, he finished by saying, "I am not going to harass you, Fiona, I promise. Whatever happens next is up to you and what you want."

Adam stood before Fiona, saying, "I know you have built a life here with wonderful friends who care about you, and I don't want to be in the way." His face was solemn when he said, "I have finalised my Business with Lee Coulter, and Dr Carter has said I am fit to travel, so I am leaving."

"What? When?" Fiona asked, frowning. Now he was leaving; she found that she didn't want him to go.

"Two days, I am going home, and I will do my business with Lee remotely. When you are ready, whatever you decide, let me know."

"Adam…"

"It's fine, Fiona; this is a lot for you to take in. I have had years to think about this."

"Why did it take you so long?"

"Your fiancé, my mother."

"Your Mother?" Fiona asked, confused.

"When I heard you got engaged, I knew I shouldn't interfere and then when that ended, my Mother told me to give you time, to let you find yourself before I told you how I felt."

"I do need time, Adam. It's quite a shock; I need to think about …everything." Fiona rose from the table and collected Florence's dishes.

"I understand. While I might be leaving, there truly is no rush. I will wait for you for as long as you need to decide."

Fiona didn't speak, her emotions were too close to the surface, and she was scared of what she would blurt out. She backed away from Adam, her eyes never leaving his as she walked to the door.

Adam watched her leave, his heart racing at the thought that this might be the last time he saw her and the last time there would be hope that she still cared about him. She hadn't said no, or that her feelings for him had changed. He would hold onto hope until she said she no longer loved him. What else could he do?