Allie took a deep breath to centre herself before walking into the office Judge Lachlan shared with Mr Coulter. On the walk over, Allie hadn't practised what she would say to him, but she needed to show him how committed she was to working hard, learning everything she could and being the best law student possible. Running into Robert leaving Sam's office had made her more determined than ever to find something to occupy her time, so she didn't dwell on him and Anna.

When she was ready, she opened the door and walked inside, pleased to see Judge Lachlan was alone. She didn't dislike Mr Coulter, quite the opposite, but she preferred not to have an audience.

"Allie, this is a surprise. Are you looking for Mr Coulter?" Joshua asked. As he stood, he studied the young woman before him; while he didn't know Allie well, he knew she appeared nervous. "Is everything all right?" he asked, concerned for her.

"I'm fine, thank you, Judge Lachlan," Allie replied. "It's you I'm looking for, sir."

Joshua's eyebrows arched in surprise, but he smiled and waved her forward, inviting her to sit in the chair before his desk. He continued watching her, wondering what business Allie Grant could have with him. He sat back in his chair, adopting a relaxed pose; sometimes, he needed to seem imposing, but this wasn't one of them.

"What can I do for you, Allie?"

"I intend to be a lawyer," she explained. "I want to be the best lawyer I can be, and experience working with a Judge will help me with that."

Joshua was surprised, this was the last thing he had expected, but he had to admit he was intrigued. He had considered finding someone to help him, especially now, he had decided to base himself in Hope Valley and travel to Brookfield as needed. With support, he would travel confidently, knowing things were still progressing. Having more time with his wife was also a positive. Allie Grant was an impressive young woman, and he had no doubt she would be a welcome addition.

"Allie, I think it's commendable that you want to be a lawyer, and I believe you will be a very good one." Leaning forward, he said, "I agree with you; working with any Judge would give you a thorough understanding of the law." He looked at her, eyes narrowed slightly, curious as to how it would work, "what are you proposing?"

Allie's heart leapt, pleased it wasn't an outright no. She was concerned he would turn her down, and she would be left to ask her Uncle Bill. Of course, he would say yes to her, and she would learn a lot from him, but he wasn't a lawyer. Allie wanted something of her own, not something she got because she asked her 'uncle'.

"I could work here after school, and then during summer holidays, I could work for you full-time or whatever you needed." Allie hadn't planned out the details, but that was reasonable, to her at least.

"I would need to speak to Mr Coulter, he has been generous in letting me use his office space, but I believe Mrs Coulter is returning to work and will need her desk. I might have to find a new office; somewhere there is room for you."

"But it's a yes!" Allie asked, trying to contain her excitement.

"It's a yes, but there are details to work out before you start." Joshua paused, "your parents have agreed to this, right?"

"They will," Allie said, full of confidence. She would do whatever it took to talk her parents into allowing it. She would make sure they did; this opportunity meant the world to her.

"Okay, but you tell them we will work out the details, and I am happy to talk to them if they have any questions."

"Thank you, Judge Lachlan," Allie said as she leapt out of her chair and shook his hand. "I'm going to go and talk to my dad right now."

Joshua shook his head as he watched Allie bound out of the office, wondering if she would bring that enthusiasm every day. Looking around, he realised Allie had given him the push he needed to move out of the office he was sharing with Lee. It was well past time he had his own space, especially with Rosemary returning. He had just put it off longer than he should have. It was time to talk to Mayor Avery about suitable locations.

The following two weeks flew by in Hope Valley, and a flurry of activity due to the double wedding kept everyone busy. Rosemary had returned to work and was surprised to realise how exhausting it was, even with Isobel's help with the twins. Joshua was busy preparing for the wedding, moving offices and preparing his house for his wife to move in.

Joshua wondered how he managed to get it all done and knew he wouldn't have without Allie Grant organising the office move. Allie had proven invaluable; he didn't know whether she had inherited or learned her organisational skills, but her attention to detail, logic and energy were a force to be reckoned with.

He smiled as he approached the office Allie had organised for them. It was next door to the Mayor's office, and he hadn't noticed it until Allie showed him inside. He had been pleasantly surprised to see a large room with two private offices along the back wall. He had set up in one office, leaving Allie to commandeer the front corner next to the door for herself. Allie could greet any visitors and sit them in the waiting area she had created. The other office would be utilised as a meeting room for case conferences.

"Morning, Judge Lachlan," Allie greeted him as he walked through the door.

"I wasn't expecting you this morning, Allie. What brings you here?"

"I wanted to bring more things for the office, so Quinn drove me into Town early so my Dad could help me unload.

Joshua looked around and saw several new items in the waiting room. An additional chair was in the corner next to a side table, there was another plant beside Allie's desk, and he could see stationery items on her desk that weren't there the day before.

"Allie, you know you don't have to bring all these things in, you let me know what you need, and I will organise it." Joshua didn't want the young girl to spend her money on their office.

"I don't mind; I'm so excited. I want everything to be perfect." Allie was beaming when she responded; her eyes were alight with joy and excitement.

"Please let me pick up the tab for costs, okay? I will start an account at the Mercantile, and you put the items you want on that, all right."

Allie nodded, trying to contain her smile but unable to.

"Now, shouldn't you be on your way to school?"

"Yes, I am going. I will be back after school."

Joshua smiled indulgently as he watched Allie dash out the front door, remembering to grab her school things and lunch pail as she ran out. Turning, he walked toward his office, looking around again as he walked through the building. It was a great space, very professional but welcoming.

Allie could barely sit still through afternoon lessons at school. She really didn't want to be there any longer. She was ready to take on the world, to get out of this classroom, and to make a new beginning. The only thing that gave her reason to pause was that leaving Hope Valley meant leaving her parents and brother and sister. She wasn't looking forward to that.

Mrs Bouchard finally released them, calling after them to finish their Math homework before the following day. Allie smiled, pleased she had already done hers; Mathematics was one of her best subjects, although she performed well in all her subjects. Knowing she could focus on her job with Judge Lachlan spurred her on, and she raced away from the school, pretending she didn't hear Anna calling her name.

Allie made it to Town in record time, passing Laura and Jack, who were heading to the School. Laura looked like she would say something to her, but Allie didn't slow down. As she approached Town, she decided to call in to see her Father on the way to the Judge's office. As she got closer to the Mountie office, she veered away, deciding to head to the Cafe instead; Allie was sure her Father would appreciate her bringing afternoon tea, and she would, of course, join him; he didn't like to eat alone she thought with a grin.

Allie stepped inside the Cafe, noticing it seemed busier than usual. Frowning in confusion, Allie noticed Mr and Mrs Yost were there, which was unusual; one of them usually worked in the Mercantile. Gazing around, she saw Mr and Mrs Coulter, Dr Carter, Judge Lachlan, Uncle Bill and, surprisingly, her Father. Heading to her Father, she tried to think of why everyone was in the Cafe at that time of day, but before she could reach him, the door opened, and Mrs Bouchard burst in.

"Abigail is it really you!" She exclaimed, breathless, her hair wild from her race to the Cafe.

Allie followed her teacher's gaze and saw her staring wide-eyed at an older woman with light brown hair and a serene smile. When the lady heard Elizabeth's words and saw her standing in the doorway, she hurried across the room and threw her arms around her, both women dissolving into tears of joy.

Allie looked around the room and could see everyone watching the reunion. Mrs Coulter was holding Lilly close to her, and Allie could see tears in her eyes. Whoever the woman was, she was special to the people in this room. Wait, did Mrs Bouchard say Abigail? Surely it couldn't be the Abigail. Allie remembered Robert telling her Cody Stanton, Abigail's adopted son, was coming to Town, but he hadn't mentioned his mother would be coming too.

Allie heard voices behind the curtain separating the Kitchen from the dining area and quietly sidled toward it. Experience had taught her that you could listen in on conversations in the Kitchen if you listened hard enough, but she didn't make a habit of it. She had tried not to listen in on private conversations, but she was sure she could hear Robert's excited voice and another, deeper voice. Cody Stanton. It had to be.

Quinn stopped the car outside of the Cafe, excited to have the opportunity to meet the famous Abigail Stanton. Nathan had called her to let her know Abigail had surprised them all by arriving with Cody. She wondered how much he had exaggerated Bill's reaction to the news; she couldn't believe he had almost fainted. Surely Bill was made of stronger stuff than that.

She collected Avery and Sam's things from the car, balancing the numerous items she had to bring for her children. While she was excited, they had started to walk in the last week, and their mobility added another challenge to her outings with them, especially when she was alone. She was debating whether to leave the pile on the Verandah while she took the children inside when she heard her name called.

"Let me take that, Quinn," Nathan called as he walked toward her.

"Well, that was perfect timing," Quinn exclaimed as he reached her, placing a quick kiss on his lips.

"No, it wasn't. I was watching for you," Nathan explained with a smile. "I am always watching for you."

Quinn almost melted at his feet. How did Nathan always know the perfect thing to say to her to make her heart leap? Whenever she thought there was no way she could love him more than she did, he said or did something to prove her wrong. Quinn never wanted that to end.

"Nathan Grant," she said fiercely. "I love you with all of my heart. You are the best thing to happen to me. I hope you know that."

Quinn watched as Nathan put down the bag he held, stepped toward her, and wrapped an arm around her. He squeezed her tight before placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Quinn, I cannot imagine life without you. I..." he paused, unable to find the words to express his feelings, so he allowed his kiss to convey what she meant to him.

A squeal from the back of the car startled them, and they broke apart laughing.

"I guess the twins don't want to be left out of this moment," Quinn said. She reached up and touched his cheek, "let's finish this conversation later."

Nathan groaned as he laughed. "Let's make sure we head home early then," he said as he leaned down to pick up the variety of bags Quinn had bought with her before gathering Avery in his arms. He waited as Quinn gathered Sam from the car, and the four of them walked into the Cafe together, ready to join the celebration of Abigail's return.

"Allie, have you seen Robert?"

"Allie?"

Allie's head snapped around as she realised someone had called her name. She looked up and saw Anna standing before her, awaiting a response.

"I'm sorry, Anna. I was lost in thought. What did you ask me?"

"Have you seen Robert and Cody?"

"No, I haven't. I haven't been here long," Allie explained.

"Come with me, then I will introduce you to Cody," Anna grabbed Allie by the hand and drew her behind as she swept the curtain aside. Looking at Allie over her shoulder, Anna said, "Cody is great; I'm sure you will like him. We can all spend time together over the summer."

Allie didn't bother to contradict Anna, explaining that she would be working and so would Cody. Anna would realise it eventually, and Allie didn't want to get into it with her right now. She admitted she was intrigued to meet Cody Stanton. Cody and his mother had kept in touch with many people in Town; it felt like they were part of the Town, even though it had been years since they had left.

Anna dropped Allie's hand as they stepped into the Kitchen, and she headed straight for Robert to greet him. Allie tried not to look when Robert took Anna's hand; his eyes lit up when he saw her there. Allie forced herself to look away, and Cody Stanton caught her eye as she did so.

Cody Stanton approached Allie Grant with a broad smile, his full lips curved to show his even, white teeth. His blonde hair was long on the top and flopped onto his forehead. He flicked his hair back impatiently, wishing he'd had the time to get it cut. Allie was one of the few people his age in Town he hadn't already met, and he was keen to meet her. Robert, Anna, and the others he kept in touch with always talked about her.

Cody was also curious to get reacquainted with her Father, the Town Mountie. Constable Grant had arrived to serve Hope Valley when their Mountie Jack Thornton died. Cody hadn't had much time to get to know their new Constable; he and Abigail had left Town shortly after his arrival. Cody knew Allie was the Constable's niece, and he had adopted her. Her being adopted was something else they had in common.

As he approached Allie, he could see she was watching him, studying him just as closely as he was studying her. Cody wasn't sure what he expected Allie to look like, but her expected someone younger, not the tall, pretty girl standing before him. Robert hadn't told him how pretty Allie was, but then talk of Anna often distracted him.

Cody looked down at Allie, and smiled, pleased when she took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "It's nice to meet you, Allie. I have heard so much about you from everyone."

Allie's stomach filled with what felt like a thousand butterflies when Cody Stanton smiled at her, and she felt her face heat up as she blushed at her unexpected reaction to him.

"Same here; Robert talks about you all the time," Allie said, pleased she sounded like herself. "I hear you're studying to be a Lawyer."

"Yes, I will work with Ms Madison for the summer break."

"I want to be a Lawyer too; I'm going to work for Judge Lachlan on my summer break," Allie spoke confidently, proud of what she would be doing.

"Well, if that's the case, we will get to see a lot of each other."

"I guess we will."

Quinn stood beside Nathan, his hand draped loosely around her waist. She was smiling as she watched Nathan introduce the twins to Abigail Stanton. Quinn had heard of her; she was famous in Hope Valley. She hadn't expected the woman to ever live up to the things said about her, but she had been wrong. Abigail was incredible; you only needed to take one look into her eyes to see compassion and love. Quinn wondered what she thought of the changes in Hope Valley, the people who had left Town and those who had arrived, herself included.

Quinn smiled as she watched Bill approaching, a cup of tea in his hand. He was focused on Abigail, as he had been all afternoon. Quinn hadn't realised Bill had feelings for Abigail; it hadn't come up in her absence. She knew they had been business partners in the Cafe but hadn't realised it had gone beyond that. Quinn wondered who would be best to ask about their history. Elizabeth would be the logical choice, but Quinn knew she wouldn't ask her. Rosemary, she decided. Rosemary would be more than happy to share the story with her.

"Abigail, would you like some tea?" Bill asked solicitously, holding the steaming cup out to her.

"Thank you, Bill, that sounds lovely," Abigail said as she accepted the offered tea. "It feels strange to be treated as a customer here in the Cafe. Despite my time away, nothing seems to have changed; it's all so familiar."

"Is it strange coming home after so many years," Quinn asked. "I haven't lived here very long, but even so, I can't imagine leaving or anywhere else feeling like home."

"The strange part is that it still feels like home; it feels the same, but I know so much has changed." Abigail grinned, "you all know it isn't the place that makes a home; it's the people. When Cody said he was coming home to Hope Valley, I knew I wanted to come too. After a few hours, I know it was the right decision."

"I'm sure everyone is happy to have you back, and I can't wait to get to know you better," Quinn said. "Whenever you're ready, we'll organise for you and Cody to visit us. It sounds like he and Allie will have a lot in common; she hopes to be a Lawyer too."

"That's wonderful; let's do it soon."

Allie was quiet on the way home in the car; she sat between her siblings, not responding to their chatter; it was clear to Quinn she was miles away.

"Is everything all right with you, Allie?"

"It's fine," she replied hastily, cheeks crimson.

"Okay," Quinn said, letting Allie off the hook. She glanced at Nathan to find him looking at her, and she knew he was curious too. She hoped nothing was wrong, Allie had been so excited to start working with Judge Lachlan, and Quinn would hate for anything to get in the way of it.

Changing the subject, Quinn said, "I invited Mrs Stanton and Cody to come to visit us."

"When!" Allie exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat, eagerly waiting for a response.

"When they get settled, we haven't set a day yet," Quinn said, eyebrows raised. That was an interesting reaction, she doubted it was Abigail who Allie was eager to see again. Turning to look at Nathan he rolled his eyes and she knew he heard Allie's excitement too. Had Cody Stanton's arrival distracted Allie from her heartbreak over Robert and Anna?