"Her husband?!"

Elizabeth had never seen her father so upset. His face was bright red, his eyes flashing with indignation and anger. He was regarding Nathan as though he was a cad rather than a respectful, kindhearted Mountie.

And considering she was half-hidden behind Nathan, her father didn't realize she was pregnant. That was probably for the best. He'd find out soon enough.

Nathan must have realized the same thing. He quickly removed his jacket, wrapping it around Elizabeth before turning to face her father once more, sliding his arm around her to silently signal they were in this together. She gave him a grateful smile, her stomach leaping when he smiled back.

"I demand someone explain what is going on!" William Thatcher's voice boomed in the morning air.

Elizabeth leveled a look at her father. She could feel Nathan leaning against her, his weariness clear. This was not the time for the conversation that needed to happen. He needed to rest. "Nathan has just returned from a three week tracking assignment," she said evenly. "Perhaps we can discuss everything once he has settled in."

Though it had seemed impossible, her father's cheeks reddened even more. "Absolutely not!" he thundered. "I expect an explanation at this very…"

His words were cut off by an excited yelp from inside. Little Jack came barreling out the door onto the porch. "Daddy!" he yelled, his enthusiasm palpable. The weariness melted momentarily from Nathan's face as he swung their son into his arms, hugging him close.

"Hey, buddy. I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, Daddy," Jack replied, wrapping his arms around Nathan's neck and holding on as if he'd never let go.

William's face slackened, his jaw dropping as he took in the obvious love his grandson held for Nathan. Jack was so content in Nathan's arms, he hadn't even noticed the man sputtering by the porch.

Seconds later, another excited cry sounded from next door. Elizabeth looked to see Allie standing on the Weise's porch in her nightgown. She flew down the steps and hurried toward her father, nearly knocking William over in the process.

"Dad! I heard hoofbeats go by and hoped it was you!"

She joined in the little reunion, sandwiched between Nathan and Elizabeth. As Nathan kissed Allie's head, Elizabeth snuck another look at her father. She almost giggled. He'd gone from raving anger to bewilderment in a matter of moments. She buried her face in Nathan's shoulder to get a handle on the urge to laugh. When she composed herself, she straightened and pulled Nathan's jacket firmly around her. She walked down the steps, shivering in the cold. Her bare feet protested the frosty ground. She knew she had to get inside soon.

Coming close to her father, she lifted up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "It's good to see you, Father. I promise to explain everything soon," she said quietly. "But right now, it would probably be best if you checked in at the hotel over the saloon. Maybe you could come back around noon? I'll make lunch and we can talk."

Dumbfounded, William simply nodded, his eyes traveling between her and the rest of her family. "We'll be back at noon," he said, his color back to normal.

Elizabeth tilted her head. "We?"

A laugh sounded from the car. Elizabeth looked behind her father, her jaw dropping as she took in her sister. "Julie!"

Julie grinned, climbing out of the vehicle. "Hello, Elizabeth. You've caused quite a stir this morning." She winked, not looking at all put out. "I'm very intrigued by this little situation of yours." Her grin widened. "I can't wait to hear this explanation."

Elizabeth rushed to the car to hug her sister. Julie met her halfway, and the sisters embraced tightly. When they pulled back, Julie wore a look of surprise. She glanced down at Elizabeth's stomach, then glanced at their father a few feet away before lowering her voice. "Now I'm very curious to hear your explanation," she said quietly, lightly touching the bump at Elizabeth's midsection.

Relieved to see no judgement in her sister's eyes, Elizabeth nodded. "You will," she promised. "I just need to make sure my husband gets some rest first."

Julie's eyes landed on Nathan. "Your very handsome husband," she teased, the grin splitting her face once more. "I always liked Nathan."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Did you now?"

Julie laughed lightly. "Of course. I like him even more now that he's my brother-in-law." She waved at Nathan and the children. Nathan waved back while Allie and Jack regarded the scene with open curiosity.

William climbed into the car. Julie followed him, and the two Thatchers drove down the road. Nathan came down the steps, taking Elizabeth's hand. "You must be freezing," he said softly. "Come inside where it's warm, love."

Hearing him call her "love" warmed her more than anything, but she obliged. Allie gave Nathan another fierce hug before making her way back to Opal's, promising to be back soon. Elizabeth set about making breakfast for their family despite Nathan's insisting he wanted to help. She fixed him with a mock glare, pointing a spatula at him. "You stay right there," she said, indicating the chair she had pushed him in moments ago. "Your coffee is almost ready."

"You don't need to fuss over me," Nathan said, his eyes drooping slightly, unconsciously belying his words. "I…"

She cut him off. "I most certainly do need to fuss over you," she said. "I haven't seen you in three weeks, Nathan, and you're obviously hungry and exhausted. We're going to fix both those problems. I'm going to get some food in you and then put you to bed."

A mischievous light gleamed in Nathan's eyes. "I definitely won't object to that second part," he said, grinning slyly.

Elizabeth's cheeks heated, though she laughed. "You know what I mean."

He stood, engulfing her in his arms from behind. Elizabeth leaned against his strong chest. He smelled like he needed to bathe, but she didn't care. It felt good to be in his arms again.

The sizzling of the bacon reminded her that she had a task to complete. Reluctantly, she straightened, gently pushing Nathan back into his chair. She threaded her fingers through his hair, smoothing the unruly waves that had been tussled as he rode.

"I must look awful," Nathan said, chuckling under his breath.

Elizabeth smiled, framing his face in her hands and leaning down to give him a soft kiss. "You are a sight for sore eyes, my love." She grinned. "Though you might want to clean up before sleeping in our bed." She went to the stove, pouring him a cup of coffee and pressing the mug into his hands. "Drink this. Breakfast will be ready shortly."

After they had eaten, Jack went to play with his toys while Elizabeth drew a bath for her husband. He insisted on helping, making the task relatively easy. Rather than attempting to make a curtain divider, Elizabeth scooped Jack up from his spot on the floor. "We'll go get ourselves dressed and ready for the day while you bathe," she said. "Call if you need anything."

He smiled at her in thanks. She could read the lines of weariness on his face. Elizabeth wasn't sure she'd ever seen him look so tired. She made a mental note to check on him if he wasn't done with his bath in ten minutes, half worried he would fall asleep in the warm water.

She went through her usual routine of dressing for the day, letting Jack play in his room while she changed into a warm green blouse and a brown winter skirt. Then she readied Jack for the day, dressing him in brown trousers with little suspenders over his white shirt.

"Is Daddy done yet, Mama?" Jack asked, stacking his blocks in symmetrical rows.

"I don't think so, sweet boy," Elizabeth replied. "Mama is going to check on Daddy, okay?"

"Okay," Jack responded, his focus still on his toys.

Elizabeth realized she'd forgotten to put on her house slippers. She decided to find them before going downstairs. The floor was a little chilly. She made it two feet into the bedroom before freezing.

Nathan was standing at the dresser, rummaging through a drawer. He wore a towel around his waist, his hair wet and tangled. Elizabeth pressed her hands to her lips. She'd never seen Nathan's bare torso before. The sight made her pulse race and her mouth go dry. He was thin but possessed a muscular frame befitting a Mountie. She couldn't stop herself from staring.

He was beyond handsome. Curls of attraction poured through her, making her want nothing more than to walk straight into his arms and never let go.

Finding what he was searching for, Nathan placed his clothes on the dresser with a triumphant smile. He reached for the towel, and Elizabeth emitted a little squeak, the only sound she could make to alert him to her presence. It was his turn to freeze as he caught sight of her.

Time itself seemed to stand still as they stared at one another. After several long moments, Elizabeth found herself walking slowly toward Nathan, drawn by a magnetic force she couldn't explain. Nathan watched her, his blue eyes roaming her face.

She stopped inches away. Raising trembling hands, she placed them on his chest. She felt him inhale sharply, but he didn't move, didn't break eye contact. He simply watched her, letting her touch him. Her hands moved slowly from his chest to his stomach, then around his waist to his back. The intimacy of the moment was so strong, it nearly stole her breath. She was exploring his body for the first time, and it felt right. Nathan, ever a gentleman, did not try to take advantage of the situation. He let her continue in her exploration, his rapid breathing the only indication that he was affected by her touch.

Elizabeth's hands finally came to a halt over his shoulder blades. She pressed herself against him, her cheek against his chest, holding him close. He was warm and solid, smelling like the soap he'd used in his bath. His arms came up to hold her in return. Elizabeth wasn't sure how long they stood in their embrace, but she knew she never wanted it to end.

"Mama?"

Jack's voice echoed in the hallway. She slowly pulled back from Nathan, looking up into his eyes. He smiled gently, framing her face in his hands for a moment. "Go to him," he said softly, his eyes caressing hers.

Elizabeth was torn, but she nodded, leaving him to dress. Jack looked up when she entered the room. She had to lean against the doorframe for support, her heart still pounding in her chest from the intimate moment with Nathan. Finding her voice, she looked at her son. "What is it, Jack?"

"Can you build with me?"

Elizabeth bit her lip, a smile nearly breaking free. She had been interrupted to build. She chuckled lightly. "In a minute, sweet boy. First I'm going to put your daddy to bed. He's tired."

Jack stood, walking to her. "Can I help?"

She smiled, taking his hand. "Of course, sweetie." They made their way back to the room, where Nathan was now fully dressed. He smiled at them as they came toward him.

"We're here to put you to sleep," Jack announced, reaching for Nathan's hand.

Nathan laughed, the weariness on his face pronounced by the lines around his eyes and mouth. "Is that so?"

Jack nodded seriously. "Mama said you're tired."

"I am," Nathan admitted, letting his son lead him to the bed. Elizabeth felt amusement course through her as Jack imitated his own bedtime routine, but instead of her helping the child, the child was helping Nathan. He climbed onto the bed after Nathan slid under the covers, pulling the sheets up to his father's chin and giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Sleep, Daddy," he said, before looking at Elizabeth. "Mama, Daddy needs a goodnight kiss."

She smiled, happy to oblige. "Sleep well, Nathan," she said, smoothing back his damp hair before pressing a kiss to his forehead.

His eyes had shut, thought a smile tugged at his lips. "It's good to be home," he murmured.

Elizabeth let her hand cup his cheek, enchanted with the feel of him. Three weeks was much too long for him to be away. Nathan leaned into her touch, the smile widening even as his breathing evened out. In less than a minute, he was fast asleep.

Elizabeth picked up Jack and quietly crept from the room. She would enjoy some quality time with her son while her husband regained his strength.

And then, together, they would face her father.

Lucas tapped his fingers against the bar, surveying his customers. It was nearly midday, and the saloon was filled with people having their noon meal. The busyness was a relief. It distracted him from the disturbing rumors he'd been hearing lately, rumors that seemed to be becoming all too common.

Rumors regarding Elizabeth and Nathan.

As a saloon owner, he heard every ounce of town gossip. Every time he heard a whispered accusation against the schoolteacher and the constable, his blood warmed several degrees. A natural instinct rose inside, a desire to defend the couple who had done nothing wrong. Elizabeth had been traumatized severely. Nathan had done the honorable thing to protect her. To hear them slandered and judged rubbed him the wrong way.

He knew the two of them were in love. That much was obvious. Maybe he'd known all along, throughout his months of courting Elizabeth and trying to force a relationship with her. It had always been Nathan. That much was clear now. Lucas had accepted the fact, and he even found himself happy for them. That alone told him how wrong he and Elizabeth would have been together.

The rest of the town could see their love too. A person would have to be blind not to see it. But instead of rejoicing that two people had found happiness, the citizens of Hope Valley saw fit to speculate about what led to their sudden marriage.

None of the rumors were flattering.

Many times, Lucas had wanted to jump into a conversation and defend Nathan and Elizabeth. Every time, he was held back by his promise to keep their secret. Elizabeth didn't want people to know about the assault, and he couldn't blame her. But it also meant he couldn't come to her defense the way he wanted to.

With a frustrated sigh, Lucas picked up a tray of drinks. He headed for a table where two railroad workers sat with a gentleman Lucas had never seen before. As he approached the table, he could hear their conversation, a conversation they weren't even attempting to keep quiet.

"Mrs. Grant went and got herself pregnant with the constable's baby. He only married her because he had to," one of the men professed, sounding for all the world like he knew every detail of the Grants' marriage.

The out-of-towner had a stoic look on his face. Lucas recognized that he was holding back his feelings on the subject, affecting a neutral expression. "Has Mrs. Grant announced her pregnancy?" he asked.

The second man shook his head. "She's not said a word about a child. But it's impossible to miss. She's been increasing for a while now. That change in her body isn't from eating too much food." He leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. "I heard that the constable seduced her on more than one occasion, while she was courting Mr. Bouchard, no less!" He shook his head. "Shocking behavior, no matter what the truth may be."

Lucas grit his teeth, setting the tray on their table with a bang. All three men jumped, looking up at him in surprise. Leveling a look at the two workers, Lucas ground out his words. "There will be no judgement or speculation cast upon Constable and Mrs. Grant in my saloon," he said, the words coming out harshly. "Do you understand?"

One of the man's eyes widened in surprise while the other's narrowed in suspicion. "Why would that be, Lucas?" the man asked, crossing his arms. "Did you have anything to do with Mrs. Grant's pregnancy?" His eyes narrowed even further. "Constable Grant did marry her on the day you left town, after all. Maybe you weren't running from heartbreak. Maybe you were the reason they got married in the first place."

Lucas had heard enough. "I think you'd better leave," he said evenly, his fingers itching to throw a punch at the crude man.

The man stood and left without a word, followed closely by his friend. The stranger remained seated at the table, regarding Lucas with carefully guarded eyes. "Is there any truth to these rumors?" he asked, one brow raised in question.

Lucas shook his head. "Constable and Mrs. Grant are guilty of nothing," he said, refusing to let the man believe ill of those he had never met. "The rumor mill in town can be vicious."

The man nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Lucas. "For some reason, I believe you," he said. "Is Mrs. Grant pregnant?"

Something in the man's tone made Lucas pause. Why did he want to know? It was none of his business, and that wasn't Lucas's information to share. "You'll have to ask Mrs. Grant," he said finally. "She and I are not close."

The man raised his brow again. "Indeed? Did I not hear that man say you were courting her once?"

Lucas pursed his lips. "That was several months ago. She's much happier with Constable Grant," he said, his words polite but firm. "If you'll excuse me, I need to see to my guests."

The man nodded, though his eyes didn't leave Lucas as Lucas returned to the bar. He let out a breath, shaking slightly at the scrutiny. He wasn't sure why the man left him feeling discomfited.

"There you are!" Fiona's bright tone and smiling face brought a return smile to Lucas's lips.

"Hello, Fiona," he said, truly grateful to see the young woman. She had become a regular presence in his life, working at both the oil company and the saloon. She even checked customers in and out of the hotel they had upstairs. He was grateful for her support, but even more thankful for her friendship.

She paused in front of him, wringing her hands together unconsciously. Lucas tilted his head, unused to seeing her look unsure. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

She shook her head quickly, a nervous light in her eyes. "No," she said slowly, dragging the one word into two syllables. "It's just...there's something I've been wanting to ask you, but I'm a little afraid to do so."

That piqued Lucas's interest. "Don't be afraid," he said, giving her a gentle smile. "You can ask me anything."

A shot of courage seemed to bolster her. Lifting her chin, she breathed deeply then looked him directly in the eyes. "Will you have dinner with me this week?"

Shocked into silence, Lucas could only stare at her. Had she just done what it sounded like she'd done?

"Did you just ask me out?"

She nodded, the uncertainty on her face sweet and endearing. A slow warmth spread through Lucas's body. He was shocked, but he found the shock wasn't unpleasant. He also found he wanted nothing more than to accept her invitation.

He smiled. "I would love to have dinner with you, Fiona."

She let out a relieved breath. "Really?"

"Really." He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It would be my pleasure."

Fiona smiled, a spark of spunk lighting her eyes. "I'll cook for you," she said. "Would that be okay?"

Lucas felt his heart skip a beat at the thought of spending time with her. He was touched by her willingness to cook. "That sounds wonderful."

They grinned at each other for several seconds before a motion from the stairs caught their attention. Lucas turned to see a vaguely familiar redheaded woman descending the staircase, stopping beside the out-of-town gentleman with a smile. She kissed his cheek as he rose, offering her his arm. Lucas squinted, trying to place the young woman. He turned to Fiona.

"Did you happen to check those two in today?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes. I believe their last name is Thatcher."

Thatcher. Oh no. Dread curled in Lucas's stomach. In an instant, he remembered the redhead's name was Julie. He'd met her when she came to Hope Valley three years previous for Jack's christening. She was Elizabeth's sister. Which meant the gentleman who had been privy to the rumors about Elizabeth was her father.

He groaned. What must the man think? Lucas could only pray Elizabeth was not subject to harshness and judgement by her own father.