Chapter 4

Sarah Cunningham had been up earlier than normal, her excitement for this day meaning that even the most hated morning chores didn't seem so bad and she had even found herself whistling as she went out of the kitchen door towards the barn earlier. This was her favourite day of the year, the one when CC Weston, or Mrs Grant as they knew her, was back in the schoolhouse and for this short time she felt as though someone understood exactly who she was and how she viewed life. Not that her teacher, Miss Yost, wasn't wonderful. She couldn't have asked for better encouragement but despite all the good reports she had received her parents had still been unwilling to see writing as more than just a hobby for her. That is until Mrs Grant had taken the time last year to come out to the farm and speak with them, explaining all the possibilities that lay ahead for their daughter if they allowed her to follow her talent and her dream.

Writing was her whole life. Some days it was difficult to resist the desire to lock herself away with pen and paper when the words seemed to be pouring from her imagination, the stories swirling around in her head desperate to be written down. She could only imagine a life where everyday tasks didn't get in the way of her creativity, when collecting the eggs didn't take her away from scribbling down the thoughts she had when she woke in the morning or chopping the vegetables for dinner wasn't the first thing she had to do when she came in the door in the afternoon rather than writing out the observations she had made of people and things she had mentally noted throughout the day.

Just like her mother, Allie Grant had also been a great support to her not only when she was in Hope Valley but at the other end of a letter, always there to answer questions about her experience at college and what it was like to already have achieved some small success at a young age. Of course, Allie had been in the centre of the drama that occurred here in Hope Valley four years ago and was the one who wrote the story of the Chinese immigrants, both their journey to get here and what happened to them after. Each year she added a follow up article, determined to let the people of Canada see just what could be achieved when a community worked together. That was the level of dedication and involvement Sarah yearned to achieve.

These two women had been her role models for so long, the ones she aspired to be like. That didn't mean that she didn't love her mother or respect who she was. Jennifer Cunningham had planned on becoming a teacher before she married and Sarah knew how hard it had been for her to give that up. Late one evening when she had forgotten to take a glass of water to bed with her she had come downstairs quietly and heard her parents talking. It was then she realised how great an advocate of her dreams her mother was, explaining to her father that many women also shared the same drive and ambition as men, wanting to make a mark in their own right and not just be a wife or mother. It was an insightful moment that made Sarah understand that the many times her father's attitude had suddenly softened about something she wanted to do had come about because of her mother's words. From that night on she adjusted her thinking to having three women who represented all the facets of the person she hoped to be one day.

Now she hurried along the road, knowing that her wandering mind had meant that she was in danger of being behind schedule. Not today, she thought, I want to make the most of every single minute.

Across town Allie was also running late, the last of the copies of The Valley Voice to be run off had jammed in the machine and she had to step in to help get it cleared and finished. Clutching the bag she had collected from Minnie's Café she hoped that her dad would not be pacing the livery with impatience at having to wait. As she reached the entrance she could hear him talking, his voice low and gentle as he spoke to Newton in his stall along the end, the connection between the man and his horse so clearly evident. It was impossible to imagine him here without Newton and while some may think it a long train journey each summer for the older horse to make those who knew him understood how much it meant to both to have this time together. It would be like leaving one member of the family behind, she thought, and that was something they would never do.

She called out quietly, "Sorry dad, I was caught up with a problem at the newspaper office", then holding up the bag in her hand she added, "but I didn't forget the muffins!"

Nathan looked across as his daughter walked along between the stalls, the light from the skylights in the roof casting a glow on her as she passed under them. She would laugh and tell him he was biased but he knew that wasn't the case. Allie Grant had grown into the most beautiful young woman. Gone was the gawkiness of her teenage years, the tomboy mannerisms and self-consciousness that had caused so much angst in her at times. He may have been the one who gave her the stability and sense of belonging in her childhood but it was Cecilia who had helped turn the unpolished stone into a magnificent jewel. That she was kind and smart only enhanced the beauty that shone out from her.

Allie could tell exactly what her father was thinking as she approached, the love he had for her showing so clearly that it always made her own heart skip a beat. She had missed him. There wasn't a day that went by when she didn't give thanks for how her life had turned out. It may sound cliched when she said it to others but she knew deep within her being that she couldn't have a better father than the man who stood in front of her now. And that is what he was in every way. Her father. No biological connection could be greater than the bond they had with each other. He had given up so much for her and never once had she heard him complain. When he had finally found his own personal happiness with Mum, and now Billy and Colleen, she was so thankful as that was what he deserved, yet she knew there would always be something special about the relationship they had. Not better, just theirs.

He smiled when she reached him. "I've saddled both Newton and Hero. Uncle Bill said to tell you that he really appreciates you riding him over the summer as there never seems to be enough time for him to get out, especially when it is so much easier to just jump in the car." Taking the muffins from her and tucking them beside the thermos of coffee in the saddlebag he motioned for her to come closer before putting his hands down to help her mount.

This was their time. No matter what else was happening when they arrived in Hope Valley each summer it had become a ritual for just the two of them to go for a long ride together, away from everyone else, where they could talk through things as they had for the past sixteen years. Each time Nathan wondered if this would be the last, if Allie would still be coming with them for their visit or how many more years he could hold off Billy's request that he be allowed to join them. There had been a small tantrum from his son last night as he was quite clearly told no and whilst Nathan never liked to disappoint the little boy this private time with his oldest daughter was not something that he was willing to relinquish quite yet.

"Did Billy calm down after I left last night?" Allie asked. She had opted to stay at the boarding house with Emily this year. With no trainees in residence it was empty, except for a family who were in town for a few days before travelling on further north. Nathan had been a bit hesitant to agree at first until Cecilia reminded him that at that age he was a fully fledged Mountie, living his own life away from his mother so surely Allie deserved the same respect. Of course he knew she was right, especially with the young ones with them in Bill and Molly's house making it quite chaotic most of the time, but still he missed seeing her face at breakfast and being able to wish her goodnight.

Nathan nodded, "You know your mother, one no-nonsense look from her and he quickly fell into line. She did then take him upstairs and explained how he had me around all the time whereas you didn't, so it was important for us to have this time alone. I'm not sure he understood but at least it will be another year before we have to face it again." He looked at her as he spoke, searching for a sign that things would be different in the future but there was nothing. With that he gave a sigh of relief and quickly mounted Newton before leading the way out of the livery.

They trotted slowly down Main Street, nodding at people they knew but determined to get out of the confines of the town to let the horses have their heads and for them to feel the exhilaration of the freedom they always experienced at this time. Finally after a long gallop Nathan turned Newton between the trees until they reached the point where the meadow opened up in front of them. The last of the spring flowers were ringing the grass area, the mixed rain and sunshine over the few weeks ahead of their arrival keeping them going this bit longer. Allie was glad that there were still some here, her memories of the carpet of colour something that had never left her. This was their place, whether fishing downstream in the river or just sitting under the trees talking, there was nowhere else quite like it.

There was a comfortable silence between them for a while after the coffee and muffins had been consumed, each enjoying the peaceful serenity of this place that had been a sanctuary for them during some quite turbulent times in the past. Finally Allie broke the quiet, "Do you ever think of Mrs Bouchard when you're away from Hope Valley, Dad? I know it's impossible to forget about her here but what about the rest of the time?"

Nathan knew there was something behind this so turned the question back to his daughter, "I'm guessing the reason you are asking is that you do. Want to talk about it?"

Allie hesitated, playing with a leaf on the ground for a moment as she tried to gather her thoughts before eventually replying, "I know Mrs Bouchard was a bad person in the end but there were a few good things that she did that continue to have an impact on me. Whatever her motives may have been she did help us both settle in Hope Valley and make it our home so in a roundabout way she gave us this place that we come back to, where we know we will always be welcome. I guess I've just been thinking about that lately as I'm about to head out into new territory."

Nathan was aware of what a big step this was for Allie. College had been different as she was surrounded by others in the same situation but here she was about to go out into the big world for the first time all on her own. He remembered how scary his first posting had been, the knowledge that this was real life and you didn't get a second shot at most things. But Allie was stronger and braver than he had been so it woudn't be the thought of what she had to do that seemed so daunting. If he knew his daughter it was the fear of disappointing others that would be worrying her. Of being able to live up to what she believed was the standard set by her parents and therefore expected of her.

"You know, Mum and I often talk about how scared we have been at different moments in our lives. Anybody who tells you they are not frightened of anything is either lying or a little bit crazy. It is the fear in us that keeps our mind sharp, makes us aware of the bigger picture of whatever we are facing and pushes us to challenge it step by step until we come out the other side. Courage is learning to use that fear, let it walk by your side but never allow it to get ahead of you. Even when we have failed at things we should have no regrets. This is what life is about, the good and bad experiences make us who we are and as long as we take what we have learned from them and use that in a positive way as we move forward then we should never feel sorry for any of it. And those who love us will be there through the ups and downs, because they see beyond our achievements straight into our heart. If we have done our best then nobody can ask any more of us."

Allie knew he was right yet she couldn't quite shake the feeling that whatever she did would always be judged against the two people who meant the most to her, not by them but by those who held them in such high regard. She was about to speak when the sound of a car approaching along the road interrupted them and Nathan quickly stood and moved over to the horses to make sure they were still secure, their reins having been loosely tied around a low branch at the river edge where they were able to drink water and graze on the richer grass. Through the trees he could see the vehicle as it neared the bend and immediately recognised the Red Duesenberg of Phillipe St Germain, the car having drawn considerable interest as it was parked outside the hotel. The driver was a man he remembered seeing at the café, a visitor to Hope Valley. He was suddenly suspicious, wondering what was the connection between him and St Germain that brought him out here in the car. And where was he going?

Allie was just about to move out into the centre of a clearing visible from the road when he indicated for her to stop and stay quiet. Despite looking confused she quickly drew back, knowing that her dad must have good reason. As the car passed close to her she recognised the voice of the man staying at the guest house with her and Emily and then a reply from his older teenage son. She hadn't spoken to them herself but Mrs Tucker had said they were heading north to join other family members, deciding to have a break along the way as they had already come a fair distance. The two children had seemed quite shy when she had seen them, not even making eye contact, and the mother very anxious for them not to be in anyone's way. She had thought to herself that they were the type of people who stayed in the shadows, not really being seen and probably quickly forgotten once they moved on. Yet now she could hear the son animatedly talking with his father, the words being carried away from her by the wind, that she wasn't so sure about them.

In the Mountie training room Patrick O'Reilly had taken advantage of its emptiness because of the summer break as he spread papers across one of the large tables. After Nathan had spoken to him he had gone straight across to the Mayor's office to obtain details of the land deal for the site of the new hotel. Once she heard of the doubts that all the Mounties had about him Fiona being more than happy to let him take documents away so that he could peruse them more closely and see if the information about the transaction and those involved led to any insights into the Frenchman's background.

It all looked very straightforward on the surface but Patrick had studied too many cases where seemingly correct paperwork hid a myriad of illegal activities. He had a hunch that this may be the situation here. In typical fashion for such people they relied on no-one ever actually questioning what was in front of them and therefore little effort had been made to hide the fact that beneath the top few layers there was nothing. It was like turning to a blank page of information. That immediately flagged up a warning to him and he knew that it was going to take a lot of work to find what would be the smallest detail that would open the door to the truth. Fortunately this was the type of challenge on which he thrived, enjoying every bit of the investigative work required. So with coffee cup in hand and a smile on his face he began the task, making notes as he worked of the questions he needed to ask and the people who may be able to provide the answers.

Later he had arranged to meet with Eileen, outwardly a casual lunch for anyone observing but to Patrick these times were the highlight of his days. He was surprised at how quickly they had slipped into such a relaxed relationship with each other, no formal announcement of courtship as that still seemed a step too far for now but he knew that one day that was where he would like to take things. She reminded him a lot of his late wife. She had been honest with him about her past, not glossing over the bad things she had done and said but instead acknowledging the journey she had travelled to seek redemption. Now nothing was too much to ask of her. Wherever there was a need in the community Eileen was usually there helping to find a solution. Yet she remained humble in her appreciation of the forgiveness and acceptance she had received from those she had hurt.

It had given him great pleasure to see her reaction on the day her children had come back to visit, their estrangement hanging heavy on her as she knew that ultimately she was responsible for having driven them away. Now he shared in the joy of her grandchildren whenever they were here, a gift that meant more than he could ever explain. With the death of his daughter this was something that he thought he would never experience and each time he saw them it was bittersweet, highlighting what he had lost while helping heal the hurt that he had carried for so long. Slowly the pain was going and life was good once again.

But for now he needed to concentrate, work his way through his list as he sought the answers that would unlock the puzzle of Phillipe St Germain. For the man certainly was an enigma, one who he didn't believe had the best interests of Hope Valley at heart despite the outward impression he gave.