Elizabeth quickly stopped by the dress shop to let Julie know where she was going. Her sister was thrilled to see her out; a little sparkle in her eyes had been missing over the past few days.

"Well, I realized that all of you were right," Elizabeth chuckled, then added pointedly, "Especially Charlotte."

"Oh good," Julie retorted, not even bothering to deny it.

Shaking her head, Elizabeth embraced her sister. "I love you, Julie,"

"I know! I love you too, Beth."

Where's Fiona?" Elizabeth asked, noticing for the first time she was absent.

"She is out by the derricks. They have a potential investor, and she and Mike are showing him around there. Which reminds me that I will be staying tonight at Fiona's so we can begin making room for my things."

"No problem. I better get Jack to the livery to see Sargent, but we can catch up later?"

"It's a date, Sister. Say hello to Marylou and Audrey for me."

"I sure will." Elizabeth grinned before grabbing Jack's hand and walking out the door.

On the way to the livery, they were spotted by Henry and Daniel. Of course, the two little boys immediately began talking, leaving their parents to talk. A short time later, with an additional promise of a longer playtime, the Thorntons were on their way again.

As they rode out, they played a game of I Spy called Mountie Rounds, where Jack would pretend to be a Mountie on rounds and search for things that Elizabeth would mention, such as a tree, rock formation, or an animal as they rode. Ever since he had gone on rounds with Nathan and Bill, he wanted to play now.

Before long, the Nelson ranch came into view, and she could see Belinda sitting on the front porch swing.

"Elizabeth! Jack! It is so great to see you." Belinda said with a smile. She walked over to help Jack down from the saddle so Elizabeth could dismount.

"Thank you, Belinda," Elizabeth said. Dean came striding out of the barn after hearing his mom call out.

"Hi, Dr. Dean," Jack called happily. "We came to visit."

"I see that," Dean replied, looking over at Elizabeth and giving her a warm smile. "Hi, Elizabeth. It is good to see you again."

"Hello, Dean," Elizabeth said, smiling back.

"Hey, Partner, why don't you and I take Sargent and give him some lunch in the barn, and maybe we can see what else we can get into."

"Okay," Jack said. "Come on, Sargent."

Without hesitation, the Mountie horse followed his owner like a dog. The sweet sight touched the adults as Jack talked away as they went. They had almost reached the barn when Jack stopped and called out to Dean, asking him if he was coming.

"I'll be right there," Dean replied with a chuckle before excusing himself and heading towards the barn. Elizabeth and Belinda watched their boys interact for a bit with fond maternal smiles before they disappeared into the barn.

"Why don't we get some tea? Audrey baked some Orange Cranberry scones that we can have with them."

"That would be nice. How are your daughters settling in?"

"They love it and have made friends easily, your sister among them. They will be sorry to have missed you, but they are setting up Dean's office in town."

"Well, I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Julie speaks highly of them."

They spent the next hour and a half enjoying pleasant conversation. Realizing the time, she stood; Dean popped his head into the kitchen and, upon hearing that she was ready, went to saddle Sargent for her.

Elizabeth was surprised to see that he was also leading his horse. Before Elizabeth could inquire, he let his mom know that he was going to ride into town to check on his sisters and do a few things in his office so they could be ready to open the clinic in three days.

Belinda smirked, seeing the admiration in her son's eyes for Elizabeth. While she was happy for him, she was concerned because Elizabeth's eyes didn't match. There was a hint of deep sorrow that was easily seen if one were observant. It didn't take much to figure out what that hidden sorrow was and who held her heart. This added an additional layer of worry to the mix because both her daughters were enamored by the handsome Mountie. Only time would tell what would happen. However, based on what she had observed that first night at the dinner and a few glances when they thought no one was looking, they only had eyes for each other. She liked Elizabeth and trusted her and Nathan to treat her children's hearts carefully. But maybe a whispered word of caution in their ears wouldn't hurt and would soothe her mother's heart.

As Dean followed Elizabeth and Jack toward the road leading back to town, he wondered how to bring up the invitation to dinner. As he pulled alongside her, his heart warmed as he saw that Jack had fallen asleep and leaned heavily against his mother, who had one arm curled around him, holding him snugly against her while she worked the reins with the other.

Catching him looking at Jack, she smiled and said, "This is common. I think if I let him, he would sleep on Sargent. Sometimes, when he was fussy, I would take him on a ride when he was a baby. It never failed."

Dean chuckled. "It must have been hard not having his dad around and dealing with grief on top of everything else."

"It was," Elizabeth said. "I had him during a blizzard in a cabin we managed to find after the car went off the road. But I had Abigail and, of course, Rosemary with me. By the time we managed to walk through the deep snow and find the cabin, I was ready. Abigail started ripping her petticoat into strips, Rosemary started a fire and gathered snow in a pot to boil water, and I was shrugging out of my coat, trying to breathe and avoid pushing."

"When is his birthday?"

"Christmas Eve," Elizabeth said, giggling. "What was even funnier is just as he took his first breath and was crying, Bill, Carson, and Lee arrived on horseback like the three wisemen."

"Really! Wow!" Dean said.

They talked briefly, exchanging memories of their lives, but Dean knew he had to bite the bullet and ask as they got closer to town.

"Elizabeth, I wondered if you would like to get dinner with me at the café or the saloon tomorrow night?"

Elizabeth didn't say anything at first, unsure of what to do. Although she was trying to work things out with Nathan, there was no guarantee it would happen, and she liked Dean. But on the heels of that thought, she wasn't willing to risk the slightest chance of winning Nathan's heart.

"Dean, I am honored, but I have to decline. My heart is already taken and has been for a while.

"Are we talking about Nathan Grant?"

Elizabeth nodded. "There's only a slim chance he would want to give me another chance. Besides I'm still trying to piece myself back together after Jack passed. If it weren't for that, I would say yes."

"I understand. So how about this? Why don't you and I go as just friends?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I have tried that route, and it didn't end well and helped create the mess I'm currently in. I don't want him to get the wrong idea and lose my chance, nor do I want to give you false hope. However, we can go to dinner if we are in a group, and I pay for myself, and maybe we invite our sisters?"

"You know, I think I can live with that," Dean said with a smile. "Thank you for being upfront about it,"

"Thank you for understanding and respecting my boundaries," Elizabeth smiled. By this time, they reached the livery. After helping her down, Dean quickly unsaddled and settled the horses while she held Jack. Then, after he finished, he carefully took Jack from her and escorted her past the saloon back to Bill's office. As they passed the saloon, Lucas was lurking on the balcony, watching them as he sipped his tea.

Dean just smiled as he looked up and then mumbled, "I take it the man currently staring daggers at me is part of that mess you are trying to fix?"

"Unfortunately. I have told him it is over, but he is determined to fight for our love, which is nonsense because there is none to fight for."

"Well, as your friend, if ever you need an escort, please drop by the office. Marylou had a suitor once who was similar and wasn't easily dissuaded. Luckily, he turned out to be more annoying and harmless, but something tells me this guy isn't as harmless."

After leaving her at Bill's, he went to his office with a reminder of dinner the following evening. Lee was just about to leave and offered to carry a sleeping Jack home after they stopped by the mercantile so she could order a wagon. She couldn't continue depending on the men in town to carry her son back and forth when he was tired. Her baby was getting too heavy for her now, making her wish she could stop time so he would stay little.

Mike walked into the saloon with the Coulters and approached the bar to grab a beer. Seeing him walk in, Fiona excused herself from Julie, Faith, and Molly walked over to where he stood, and ordered a glass of wine.

"Hey, Fiona," Mike said before turning, looking over where Henry sat alone, nursing a whiskey.

Fiona turned to look at Mike anxiously. "Do you think I should tell Henry that I was the one who brought Jerome in?"

Mike shook his head. "I think it would just upset him, to be honest. I do wish you had told me, though."

"I'm so sorry, Mike. I just thought that whatever happened between them, they'd work it out. But I promise you I had no idea that it involved the mine. I hope you believe that, Mike."

"I do, Fiona, but it brings up a lot of feelings and complications. I can't even imagine what Molly, Florence, Ned, or Cat would think if they recognize him. Not to mention, there's Elizabeth and Bill to be concerned with. That time was a nightmare I never want to be reminded of."

"Florence and Molly have talked a little bit about it, but you can tell it is painful," Fiona said.

While they watched, they saw Lucas and Jerome approach a nearby table.

"Why don't you have a seat, Jerome?"

"Thank you," Jerome said, sitting down and ordering a drink.

"I'll be right back," Lucas said before heading to Henry's table.

Seeing where Lucas intended to go, he said, "Good luck with that,"

Lucas walked over to where Henry was. "Henry, will you join us?"

"I'm fine where I am, thank you."

Lucas frowned and then scolded. "Henry, you are being unprofessional right now."

"Not as unprofessional as things are about to get if you go into business with Jerome Smith and his associates." Henry retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

Lucas thrust his hands into his pockets and, with jaw clenched, pointed out. "Well, when you left town, you told me that none of this mattered. Not the saloon, not the oil company."

Henry looked down into his drink, contemplating his next words. "Lucas, I'm urging you to stop things right where they are. That man has given us no reason to trust him."

"Then, if that is the way you feel, come join us and make your case. Otherwise, you must stand back and refrain from antagonizing him further."

Henry looked up at him and then over at Jerome, who held up a whiskey glass in silent toast to Henry.

"Well?" Lucas taunted. "What is it going to be?"

Henry stood up and followed Lucas to join Jerome at the table. Before long, Lucas was called away with a problem in the kitchen, leaving Henry and Jerome alone.

As he headed back to the table, Lucas could hear their voices raised, and suddenly, they were facing off against each other, and Henry began to swing a fist in Jerome's direction. Lucas managed to put himself in front of Jerome as Bill managed to come up from behind and subdue Henry, stopping the altercation.

"That's enough! Break it up!" Bill yelled as Jerome and Henry still looked more than ready to continue.

After ensuring that Lee had a good hold on Henry, Bill stepped in between them to begin sorting things out. However, before Bill could make any headway, Jerome opened his mouth and delivered a taunt.

"Glad to see you got some fight still left in you, Henry."

"Enough to knock you down," Henry growled in retort.

"Is that so? I believe I already told you I don't like threats, Henry. That sure sounds like one to me."

"I said that is enough! I'm Judge Avery, the acting Sheriff. Do one of you want to tell me what is going on?"

"This man swung at me for no reason and then threatened me afterward, and I would like to press charges." Jerome sneered.

"Course you would," Henry replied, his disdain for the other man evident. Henry made eye contact with Mike and mouthed Elizabeth's name.

Bill looked at the other man and then at Lucas before turning to Henry. "Let's go, Henry."

Bill walked out behind Henry without another word, but Lee and Rosemary noticed his anger was readily displayed.

Seeing that Lucas was occupied with Jerome Smith, Hickam and Fiona walked over and told Lee that Henry wanted them to get Elizabeth. Rosemary suggested that she would watch Jack, and Lee could escort Elizabeth back into town.

On the walk home, Rosemary looked deep in thought, prompting Lee to ask. "Is something wrong, sweetheart?"

"I don't know. Did Fiona and Mike seem like they were trying to tell us something without actually telling us?"

Confused, Lee asked her to repeat what she said. Unfortunately, the second time didn't do much to clarify anything.

"Sweetheart, what are you trying to say, EXACTLY?"

"That Mike and Fiona are hiding something, of course," Rosemary said, exasperated.

"Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" Lee asked, feeling put upon. Even on his best days, there were times he couldn't keep up with anything she said. But he also wouldn't trade one minute of his time with his beautiful Rosie.

"OOH, Do you think they are secretly courting or engaged? Oh, Lee, wouldn't it be nice to have a fall wedding? Or even better, a Christmas one?

"Or it could be something totally different such as trouble with Gowan Petroleum, maybe with one of the derricks? "

Rosie thought about it for a moment and then quickly discarded it.

"Nope, I'm telling you, I smell romance in the air. I'm never wrong about these things, Lee Coulter. Just wait, you'll see." Rosemary said with a giggle and tapped the side of her nose with her index finger a couple of times. "I'm like a bloodhound regarding secrets, especially when it involves romance."

With a long-suffering sigh, he kissed her cheeks and placed an arm around her. "If you say so, dear."

Reaching Elizabeth's door, they knocked softly, knowing Jack would be in bed. Elizabeth answered thankfully, still dressed in her clothes for the day.

"Lee, Rosemary," She exclaimed in surprise. "Is everything alright? Nathan? Julie? Bill?"

"They are all fine," Rosemary assured her. "Julie is still with Fiona at the saloon."

"Oh good," Elizabeth said, visibly relieved. "Do you want to come in?"

"Actually, Elizabeth, it's about Henry," Lee said.

"Henry?" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Oh, is he with Faith at the infirmary?"

"Unfortunately, no, he is with Bill at the Jail," Lee said.

"I will stay with Jack while Lee walks you back to town. He can explain everything as you walk." Rosemary added to preclude Elizabeth from asking the myriad of questions on the tip of her tongue. Then, she practically pushed Elizabeth and Lee out the door.

Lee quickly explained everything that had happened and noticed her reaction to Jerome Smith. Henry had asked Mike to get you, but that is all I know.

"I'm glad you did."

Lee looked over at her consideringly and then asked, "Elizabeth, you don't seem to be surprised or confused by either the request or the name Jerome Smith. You also seemed to be very concerned. Care to share why?"

"I wish I could, Lee, but it is not my story tell; it's Henry's," Elizabeth said. "I'm going to try and get him to talk with Bill, and I think it is a good idea that he tells you as well. However, you have to keep an open mind. When you hear, you will understand why. But from what Henry said, this man is as bad as Joshua Baxter."

They arrived at the jail shortly after. Kurt Lawson had called Lee away for a quick question regarding the lumber yard, so she was approaching the jail alone. She sensed she was being watched and looked at the saloon to see Lucas quickly approaching her. She quickened her steps, practically ran up the steps, and barged into the office, slamming the door behind her, startling both Henry and Bill in the process.

With her back against the door, she paused to catch her breath. Then came the sounds of raised voices as Lee intercepted Lucas and sent him away. Moving away from the door, she quickly apologized and walked over to where Henry was sitting on the cot in the cell. Grabbing the keys from the wall, she unlocked the cell, went in, and sat beside him.

"Henry, what happened?" Elizabeth asked. "Did you confirm what he is up to? Is that why he pressed charges?"

Henry nodded. "I knew better than to go up against him because he is very crafty. But when he began to disregard the deaths of the miners, I drew the line."

"You're not going to like what I am going to suggest, but I feel it is for the best."

"Maybe not but go ahead and say it. I trust you, Elizabeth,"

"I really think we need to talk to Lee and Bill," Elizabeth said softly, covering his clenched hands with one of her own.

Henry sat looking at her for a moment and then looked over at Bill before finally nodding in agreement.

"It will be all right, Henry," Elizabeth assured him. "Bill, may Henry and I come over to the desk? There are some things that you need to be aware of, and it concerns what happened at the saloon. Lee, we would like you to listen too."

"Sure, I think I can trust him not to run since he practically raced me to get over here," Bill replied gruffly.

After they settled, Elizabeth went over to stand by the door and keep watch so they weren't interrupted or overheard. Too many times, things had been spread that had been heard by people walking by and ended in a lot of misunderstandings and mishaps.

Bill and Lee looked at Elizabeth for a long moment before returning their attention to Henry.

"I need you to promise me that what I am about to say will be kept in this room for now. I assure you will understand why I am making this request once things become clear."

Seeing Bill's hesitation, Elizabeth assured him it was safe to agree.

"Okay, what is it?" Bill asked.

"The man at the saloon is Jerome Smith. I worked with him up until about nine years ago," Henry said. Henry watched as Bill quickly grasped exactly what that implied.

"You are telling me that Jerome Smith was part of the Northwest Pacific Mining Company?" Bill asked in shock!

"Yes. While I was gone, either Lucas or Fiona made contact with him or one of his cronies. Because he told me he represents a consortium of investors. He is here to invest in Gowen Petroleum, or at least that is what he claims."

"Given he was connected to the mine, it is awful strange he comes back here for Gowan Petroleum." Lee mused. "What was his job with the mine?"

"Among other things, he was in charge of overall safety and, in particular, working with the safety inspectors to ensure violations were never documented," Henry answered flatly.

Lee whistled as the ramifications began to flow through his mind. "It certainly seems a little too coincidental. I can see why you would be suspicious of his wanting to invest here."

"Well, for now, until we know his real intentions, we keep our mouths shut and eyes and ears wide open. Word gets out how he is connected to the mine; people would be devastated." Bill said. They all gave their assent as he looked at each of them, not breathing a word.