January arrived with a harsh and bitter cold front. For two weeks the cold made life miserable for the residents of the valley. Nathan insisted on chopping enough wood to stack against the side of the school and coming in early with Elizabeth to get a strong fire going in the heating stove. She wasn't about to argue. The biting wind shook the small building and whistled with an intensity that sounded ominous. The students nervously eyed the windows during their lessons. No one went outside to play. Instead, they would push the pews to the side and play indoor games during recess. Elizabeth made sure every child was bundled securely against the cold before sending them home in the afternoon. No snow fell, but the arctic chill was enough to cause concern for frostbite if one was outside for too long.

Elizabeth shivered as she finally made it home. Allie and Opal had darted ahead of her, laughing and talking as if the cold didn't affect them much. They darted into the house ahead of her while she followed at a slower pace. By the time she arrived, the two girls were seated at the table. Laura had placed mugs of hot chocolate in front of them and they were drinking it with gusto. Unwrapping all her layers took a long time, but once her winter items were hung up, Jack toddled over for a hug.

"Hi, Mama," he said, lifting his hands for her to carry him. Elizabeth obliged, picking him up and placing him on her hip. The movement was more difficult than she expected. She wondered if being pregnant made it harder to carry her steadily growing son. Just this morning she had looked down and seen that her stomach was starting to protrude. Though she was nearly four months along the bump was small, barely noticeable even in her bare skin, but she knew it wouldn't be long before her child made its existence known. Elizabeth was exceedingly thankful to be carrying so small. She was pretty sure she'd been bigger at four months when she was carrying Jack.

"Here, Mrs. Grant," Laura said, handing her a steaming mug of cocoa. "This should warm you up in no time."

"Thank you, Laura," Elizabeth said with a grateful smile. She pulled an envelope from a drawer and handed it to the young woman. "Your pay for this week. I hope you have a lovely weekend."

"Thanks!" Laura said, her grin bright. She began the process of bundling up, then waved as she walked into the frigid afternoon.

Elizabeth joined the girls at the table. They both turned their pleading eyes on her. Allie was the first to speak. "Opal invited me to spend the night at her house," she said. "Can I go, Aunt Elizabeth? Please?"

With a nod, Elizabeth gave her daughter a smile. "Of course, sweetheart. If it's okay with Opal's parents."

"It is," Opal chimed in. "They said this morning that I could ask Allie to come over after school." The girls squealed at the idea of a sleepover. Elizabeth chuckled to herself. They were certainly full of exuberance. Within five minutes, Allie had packed a small valise and was ready to go.

"Don't go outside too much," Elizabeth cautioned.

"We won't," Allie promised.

For some reason, Elizabeth was suddenly loath to let Allie leave the house. She shook off the feeling. It was completely irrational. Allie was a smart girl and would be fine. "Are you sure you have everything?" she asked, unconsciously delaying her exit.

Allie barely refrained from rolling her eyes. "I have everything. And if I forgot something, we're right next door."

Elizabeth couldn't argue that. She stepped forward, pulling Allie into a hug. "Have fun, Allie," she said softly

Allie hesitated briefly before letting her arms wrap around Elizabeth's waist. "Thanks, Aunt Elizabeth," she said, pulling back with a small smile. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Mrs. Grant!" Opal said, waving with a grin. With a blast of cold air, the girls vanished from the house.

Elizabeth turned and looked at her son, who had made himself comfortable on the floor with his train set. "I guess it's just you and me for now."

Jack grinned in delight, holding a block up to her. "Bui'd with me?" he asked.

Elizabeth smiled. "I would love to, sweet boy." They spent the next hour playing together, then Elizabeth stood and stretched. "I should get dinner ready."

Jack frowned, watching as she went to the kitchen and pulled out a soup pot. "You cook with Daddy?" he asked, tilting his head. He knew their evening routine by heart. Elizabeth hadn't cooked a meal on her own in quite some time, but she planned on making soup, and it would have to simmer for a couple hours.

"Not tonight, baby," she said, filling the pot with water. "Daddy is going to be cold when he gets home, so I want some hot soup to be waiting for him. But he's going to bring home a pie from the café for dessert."

Jack nodded as if he understood her perfectly. Elizabeth pondered her words as she put the water to boil and began chopping vegetables. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to call Nathan Jack's daddy. She didn't even hesitate in doing so. For all intents and purposes, Nathan was Jack's father now.

Elizabeth closed her eyes briefly, a smile tugging at her lips as her first husband came to mind. "I know this is what you would have wanted, Jack," she said quietly, too quietly for her son to hear. "I don't know if you had a hand in guiding Nathan to Hope Valley, but I do know you are watching out for us. Your son has a good man to raise him and be a father to him." She let out a breath. "Little Jack is happy. I am content. We have a good life. Everything you would have wanted for us."

Unbidden, Jack's final words to her skittered across her heart, words he'd written to her in a letter. Promise me you'll open your heart to love again.

She paused, the knife clattering forgotten to the counter. Jack had given her permission to find love again. He'd wanted her to find someone new if anything were to happen to him. She'd spent so long avoiding her grief and pain, she had unconsciously shut herself off to truly finding love. Lucas had been a distraction, someone she had subconsciously known she would never lose her heart to, though she'd been so determined to run from her fear of loving Nathan that she'd convinced herself she felt more for Lucas than she did. Elizabeth let her mind run through her interactions with Nathan since he'd come to Hope Valley. Almost from the beginning, she'd known he was attracted to her. His bumbling and awkwardness had endeared him to her, though she hadn't felt frightened of his feelings until he found his confidence and boldly declared what those feelings actually were. Then she had run hard and fast, terrified of the prospect of losing him the way she had lost Jack. She'd spent the next months pushing him away while fearing to lose him completely. Through it all, he had remained patiently in love with her, hoping that one day she would return his feelings.

What was stopping her? She was married to him now, married to him for longer than she'd been married to Jack. She had lived with him for the last two months and knew him to be a good, gentle, protective man who adored her. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out why. She'd been horrid to him for so long. Yet love her he did, and Elizabeth knew he was the kind of man Jack would have wanted for her. She wanted to fall in love with him. Maybe she was halfway there. But something kept her from admitting that her heart was Nathan's.

With a frustrated sigh, she resumed chopping the vegetables, using more force than necessary to do so. She plopped them in the boiling water and seasoned it with some stock and spices. After a few minutes she turned the temperature down to a simmer and set out roasting beef to place in the soup. With nothing left to do, she went to the living room and sank into the settee, resting a hand on her belly.

A flutter of movement made her freeze. Moments later, she felt it again. Inhaling softly, she put both hands on her stomach and looked down at her belly. Wonder crept through her.

The baby was moving.

Her child announced its presence with a series of feather-light movements, the sensation making awe sweep over Elizabeth. A wave of love pulsated in her heart, growing and expanding until she ached with the feeling. Method of conception notwithstanding, she loved this child with a fierceness that shook her.

"Mama?"

Jack's word broke through her reverie. She smiled at her son, pulling him up into her lap. "What is it, baby?"

He cuddled into her with a sweet sigh. "Can we wead a stowy?"

Elizabeth smiled. Her love of books had extended to her son. "Yes, of course. What would you like to read?"

Jack slid off her lap and chose two books from the bookshelf. He asked Elizabeth to read them over and over again. She lost track of time, but she was happy to be spending quality time with her boy. When the door opened, sending in a blast of freezing air, her head popped up in surprise.

Nathan was home. He began the process of loosening his scarf and hanging his hat.

"Daddy!" Jack exclaimed, climbing down from Elizabeth and making his way to his father.

Nathan scooped him up in a hug, only partially finished with his winter gear. "Hey, buddy. How was your day?"

"Good," Jack said. He placed his hands on Nathan's cheeks before quickly pulling them away. "Cowd, Daddy. Vewy cowd."

"Yes, son, it's very cold outside," Nathan affirmed.

Elizabeth made her way over to them. Nathan's cheeks were bright red. She reached up one hand before she could stop herself, feeling his cheek. It was like ice. Elizabeth gave a little gasp and finished unbuttoning her husband's black jacket. "We need to get you by the fire," she said, pushing the jacket from his shoulders and then starting to do the same with his serge.

Nathan's eyes twinkled, and he winked at Jack. "I think I like your mama fussing over me," he said, grinning at Elizabeth.

She slipped the serge off, hanging it on a hook and pushing him toward the heating stove. "I'll make you some coffee," she said.

Nathan caught her hand before she could bustle away. His eyes turned tender. "Thank you, Elizabeth."

She nodded, feeling her breath hitch as his look sent butterflies dancing through her stomach. She busied herself with the coffee, watching from the corner of her eye as Jack regaled Nathan with a tale of some deer that had gone by the rowhouse earlier in the day.

When the coffee was done, Elizabeth brought it to Nathan. "Dinner's ready," she said softly. "Are you hungry?"

He nodded. "Very." A shadow flitted through his eyes. "I'm sorry I wasn't here to help."

She waved off his concern. "There's always tomorrow," she said, smiling at him. She doled out three bowls of soup, tearing off a hefty chunk of bread to go with each one. As she set everything on the table, she looked at Nathan. "What kind of pie did you bring home?"

"Blackberry," he answered. "It was the last one at the café."

"Sounds delicious," Elizabeth said, sitting beside her husband. They said a blessing over the food, then ate the hearty meal with delight. The rich broth and the soft vegetables warmed them all.

"Where's Allie?" Nathan asked, dragging his bread through the broth.

"She's having a sleepover with Opal," Elizabeth replied.

Nathan chewed the bread slowly, nodding slightly. "Good. She hasn't been able to do that in a while. I'm glad she and Opal are able to spend some time together."

"They are very good friends," Elizabeth said. "I think they'll have fun."

Before Nathan could reply, a pounding sounded at their door. "Constable Grant! Constable Grant!"

Nathan's brow furrowed. "What in the world?" he murmured, rising to go to the door. He swung it open, and Elizabeth could see Harvey McDougall panting for breath on their porch. Nathan ushered the man in before closing the door behind them. "What's wrong?" he asked, picking up on the man's nervousness.

"My daughter," Harvey cried. "She's gone missing! We don't know how she got out of the house, but we can't find her anywhere. Please, Constable, we need your help!"

Nathan was already reaching for his jacket. Elizabeth felt a shiver of fear run through her. The sun was setting and the temperature was dropping fast. Jessie McDougall was only five years old. She wouldn't survive long in these elements.

Her husband turned to her, pulling her into a quick embrace. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised. Then he vanished into the falling dusk with the distraught father.

After three hours of searching, Nathan could no longer feel his toes. He'd rounded up as many men as possible to help with the search. Carson was riding with him, while Faith stayed at the infirmary in case they needed to bring Jessie in.

Nathan's heart sank more with each minute that went by. He'd seen Jessie McDougall around town. She was a tiny child. If Nathan was freezing while being fully dressed in winter gear, he could only imagine the effect this cold would have on a little girl.

Though he was so cold his lips were having a hard time forming words, he kept calling out to the child. "Jessie!" His words were carried away on a sharp whistling wind that cut through his jacket and drove the cold deeper into his body.

"We can't keep up like this much longer," Carson yelled, pulling his horse up beside Nathan. "The men are going to make themselves sick - or worse - being out in this weather!"

Nathan knew his friend was right, but he couldn't bear the thought of leaving a helpless child out in the cold.

If she's still alive.

He shuddered at the thought, pushing it away. Jessie had to be alright. He looked at Carson. "Five more minutes," he called, holding up his fingers in case the words didn't make it to Carson. The doctor nodded, urging his horse along, and they continued calling out Jessie's name.

A strange sound reached Nathan's ears. He pulled Newton to a stop, straining his ears. A dog's bark came through the wind. Carson must have heard it at the same time. The two men looked at each other, then urged their horses into a trot, following the sound. Moments later, they came to a small cave. The barking was coming from inside.

Nathan jumped off Newton and hurried inside. He had to get onto his hands and knees to fit, and he made his way toward the frantically barking dog. The animal stopped as he approached, the barks fading to a whine as it nudged something with its nose. The dog was large and furry, wrapped around something small and limp. Nathan's heart dropped as he recognized Jessie McDougall. He reached out, placing a reassuring hand on the dog's head and scratching briefly. "Good boy," he murmured. "You just might have saved this little girl's life."

He lifted the child into his arms. Even through his layers, the cold from her body shook him. He carefully crawled back out and ran to Carson. The dog stayed by his side the entire time. Nathan handed the child to the doctor, who immediately took off toward town at a gallop. The dog ran after him, clearly worried about the little girl.

Reaching for his rifle, Nathan shot off two rounds into the sky, the agreed-upon signal for having found Jessie. Within minutes, everyone was congregated inside the café. Mr. and Mrs. McDougall were inside the infirmary with their daughter while Faith and Carson worked on her. Nathan knew he should get home soon, but he needed to know how the child was before he left. Thanking everyone who had taken part in the search, Nathan went outside into the blasting cold. Mike had offered to bed down Newton for him, and Nathan thanked him profusely. He wasn't relishing the cold walk home, but at least he would be there soon. Elizabeth was likely worried.

He stopped at the infirmary and knocked gently at the door. Faith opened it and slipped outside. She spoke before he could. "It looks like she's going to be fine," Faith said softly. "That dog and the cave saved her life and her limbs. We're going to keep her here overnight to monitor her, but she should fully recover."

Nathan nearly sagged in relief. "Thanks, Faith." He opened the door for her. "Now in you go. We don't need our doctor catching cold out here."

She chuckled. "Thanks, Nathan. Have a good night."

"You too." He pulled the door shut, wrapped his scarf a little tighter, and quickly made his way home. The wind was relentless, blowing against his face until he could no longer feel his cheeks. He breathed a sigh of relief when his rowhouse came into view. Everything was dark. Seeing how late it was, he wasn't surprised his family had gone to bed. He quietly removed his outer layers, then walked to his and Elizabeth's room to change into his warmest pajamas. He was as silent as possible so as not to wake Elizabeth. But when he slid into the bed beside her, she immediately curled into his side.

"You're home," she breathed. She stiffened slightly, then sat up straight. "You're freezing!" She grabbed one of his hands and began rubbing it briskly between her own. Nathan had known he was cold, but he hadn't realized the extent of it until Elizabeth's warmth seeped into his body, sending sharp pinpricks of heat throughout his skin as it returned to a normal temperature. He tried to stifle a groan at the pain, but he couldn't.

His wife gave him a sympathetic look, but she kept rubbing his frozen limbs. Nathan gritted his teeth, breathing through the pain as best he could. Once his arms and hands were warmed up, Elizabeth turned her attention to his legs and feet. The same sharp pinpricks shot through his legs as feeling returned to them. Eventually the pain wore off. His body was still a little chilled, but warmth was seeping into him little by little.

Elizabeth gently laid his leg down and then burrowed close. She tucked the thick blankets around them, forming a cocoon to trap their body heat. The warmth from her body slowly crept into his. He held her tightly, thankful for her warmth but more thankful to simply have her in his arms.

"Did you find her?" Elizabeth's soft words traveled to his ears, and he nodded.

"We did. She's going to be okay. The family dog was with her. He was wrapped around her, protecting her from the cold."

"Thank God," Elizabeth murmured. She reached up, letting her fingers trail gently down his cheek. "I'm glad you found her, and I'm glad you came home safe."

Nathan pressed his lips to her forehead. "I'm glad to be home," he said. "Now let's get some rest. It's getting late."

"Mmm." Elizabeth's hum of agreement tickled his neck. She snuggled even closer, her nearness warming him more than anything else. "Goodnight, Nathan."

"Goodnight, love," he whispered.

Nestled in each other's arms, they fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.