Lillian paced the sitting room of her home. All thoughts of holiday or wedding preparations had vanished. It felt like none of it would matter if Gabriel didn't come home.
Laughter from the kitchen reached her ears. Lillian closed her eyes and offered up a silent prayer that for now at least, the children were being spared the worry. She knew eventually that she would need to tell them at least part of what was going on, but not yet. It was all too close to her right now. For now, they could bake cookies with Abigail and Eleanor blissfully unaware of what had happened.
The only one that Lillian wanted to repeat the information to at this point was Nathan. Eleanor and Abigail had followed her into the Telegraph office after she had sprinted past them in her mad dash into town. It was with their help that they got a message that could be sent over the wire. When the reply came though it was to let them know that Nathan and his family had already left Hope Valley. Having borrowed Henry's car, Bill said he expected them to arrive in Brookfield around four. In the meantime, the judge planned on finding out why Dylan Parks was even out of jail.
Lillian didn't really care about the how. He was out and he had Gabriel. Getting Gabriel back safely was her priority though she knew she couldn't do it alone.
Hearing a car pull up outside, Lillian ran toward the door. Elizabeth was helping Jack out of the back of the car as Allie and Nathan climbed out of either front door of the vehicle. Lillian ran toward Nathan.
"Lillian, what is wrong?" Nathan asked, reaching out to take a hold of the woman's arms as she came to a stop in front of him.
"He took Gabriel. He wants you to come alone or he's going to hurt him."
"Who took him?" Nathan asked.
Casting a quick glance at where Elizabeth stood with both Allie and Jack, Lillian lowered her voice as she answered. "He said he was your brother-in-law," she told him.
Nathan closed his eyes, muttering something under his breath. Lillian didn't bother asking him to repeat it as she didn't think the Mountie meant for anyone else to hear the words. When he opened his eyes, Nathan looked over at Elizabeth.
"Allie and I can get our belongings inside," Elizabeth said before Nathan even had a chance to speak. "You do what you need to do."
Nathan nodded, his gaze drifting next to Allie. For the first time, Lillian noticed the stricken look on the teen's face. Stepping back from Lillian, Nathan went quickly around the car to his daughter. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he looked down into her eyes.
"This is not a reflection on you or your mother. Dylan's issues are his own."
"But he tried hurting you in the spring and now he has Uncle Gabe," Allie protested. "Because of me."
"No, because Dylan wants to use you as leverage against me to gain something. If he truly cared about you, he never would have left, and he would have treated your mother better when she was alive. But remember that your mother loved you, as do I and your mama now," Nathan told her, using the term that Allie had adopted for Elizabeth as Jack used it.
Allie nodded.
"Now, help your mama with the bags and Jack. I will come say good-bye before I leave town."
"All right," Allie replied, before throwing her arms around her father's waist in a quick hug.
Releasing Allie, Nathan turned back to Lillian. "Let's get you a coat and then I want you to give me every detail you can about what happened while we walk into town. I want to send Bill a wire so he can start getting things started for a rescue mission."
"He wanted you to come alone. If he sees others . . ."
Lillian let the words trail off. She wasn't able to put that thought into words. It turned out that she didn't need to.
"We are not going to do anything that would put Gabriel at risk. I will see to that. However, I also can't go off on my own on this. That was made very clear to me after the incident in the spring. You need to trust me, Lillian."
Lillian nodded and let Nathan rest a hand across her shoulders and lead her into the house to retrieve her heavy cloak. Stepping inside, they found Abigail waiting.
"I'll get Elizabeth and the children settled," Abigail offered without asking any questions or needing any explanations. "You two do what you need to do. You are not alone in this, Lillian."
Lillian nodded gratefully. "Do the children suspect anything?" she asked as she reached for her cloak.
"They can tell something is troubling you, but they have no idea what," Abigail replied as Elizabeth and Allie came in carrying the bags from the car. Jack was awkwardly carrying a hat box.
"Me help," Jack said proudly.
Abigail smiled at the boy. "I see that," she replied.
"Tell the children I will explain things when I get back," Lillian said, even as she surrendered her cloak to Elizabeth, who had placed the bag she was carrying on the floor and reached for it.
"Of course," Abigail replied, as Elizabeth settled the wrap around Lillian's slim shoulders.
"I won't say anything," Allie promised without any of the adults needing to say anything to her.
Lillian nodded, even as Elizabeth stepped in front of her, taking the red-head's shaking hands in her own. "I can come into town with you and Nathan if you need me too," Elizabeth said, though the reluctance was clear in her voice.
Seeing that reluctance mirrored in Elizabeth eyes, Lillian instinctively knew what it was about - leaving Jack and Allie. The boy had never been at the orphanage before and after the scene outside it was clear that Allie was troubled over the situation. The kids needed Elizabeth more than she herself did.
Lillian shook her head. "I'll be fine. Stay with the children," she replied. Lowering her voice she continued, "though I may need a shoulder to cry on later."
"You'll have it," Elizabeth assured her, pulling the other woman into a brief but reassuring embrace.
As Elizabeth released her, Lillian looked to Nathan. "I'm ready."
Offering her his arm, he led her back outside and the two headed toward the cluster of buildings that made up Brookfield. As they walked, Nathan slowing his steps despite Lillian's brisk pace, Lillian told Nathan everything she could remember about Gabriel being taken. When she was done, Nathan started asking questions - some she could answer and some she couldn't. Despite her fiance's friend's reassurances that everything was going to be okay, Lillian fretted lest something she couldn't remember or might remember wrong might hamper the efforts to get Gabriel back.
I think I understand how Roy felt when he first came here, Lillian thought to herself as she followed Nathan into the telegraph office.
"Can I help you?" Ruth asked from behind the counter.
"I'm Corporal Nathan Grant. I need to send a message to Judge Avery in Hope Valley. It may be a bit lengthier than most, but I need to get him information on a case. I'll also need you to keep the information you send confidential."
"Of course, Corporal Grant," Ruth replied, her tone serious though if she took offense at the implication that she might not keep Mountie business confidential she gave no indication of it. Reaching for a pad of paper she placed it on the counter in front of Nathan. "Write it out on that and my husband will send it straight away."
"Thank you," Nathan said, pulling the pad toward him and taking the pencil that she held out to him next.
Lillian watched as Nathan quickly composed a message. Though she wasn't sure if she should be or not, the redhead found herself reading what the Mountie was writing. In a way she supposed it didn't really matter if she read it or not. All the information in the message had been provided by her.
Finishing the message, Nathan handed the paper over to Ruth. The woman looked it over quickly. She was unable to disguise her surprise when she read the news about Gabriel, though the emotion was brief. When she was finished, she looked up at Nathan. "We'll get this sent straight away, Corporal. Is there anything else?"
"No, ma'am," Nathan replied.
Ruth looked at Lillian. "If you need anything you let us know. I'm sure the Mounties will have Gabriel safely returned soon."
"Thank you," Lillian managed to murmur though she didn't feel any of the confidence that Ruth was giving off. She was supposed to be getting married in a few days. Something like this wasn't supposed to happen. "I can't lose someone else I love."
It was only when Nathan placed his arm around her, pulled her close and told her, "I will do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen," that Lillian realized she had spoken out loud.
Lillian let herself rest against Nathan for a few moments, taking comfort from his strength. Knowing that falling apart would not help Gabriel at all, she pulled herself together and looked up at Nathan.
"Let me go across to the hotel and get you some sandwiches. We weren't planning on supper for a couple of hours yet, but you need food before you go."
"I appreciate that. I want to stop in the general store for a few things so I don't need to get them when I get to Hope Valley," Nathan replied. "I'll come get you at the hotel."
Lillian nodded her consent as they left the Telegraph Office. As Nathan headed down the boardwalk to the general store, Lillian crossed to the Royal Brookfield. The dining room looked fairly empty. Spotting Kylie Newsome, Ken's granddaughter who had recently come to live with him, Lillian approached her.
"Are you dining with us today?" Kylie asked as Lillian approached.
The orphanage proprietor shook her head. "No. I don't have time to explain, but could I get some sandwiches to go? Corporal Grant just arrived with his family but needs to go out on Mountie business right away. I want to send him off with something to eat on his way at least."
"Of course," Kylie replied. "I'll get right on that," she added even as she was already hurrying toward the kitchen.
Lillian wandered over to the Christmas tree that Ronnie had put by the front desk. Unlike the tree at the orphanage that had more handmade ornaments than store bought ones, the hotel's tree had all fancy store-bought ornaments on it. They sparkled and shined, reflecting the electric lights. Though the children loved to admire this one, Lillian was partial to the tree at the orphanage. It might be less fancy, but it had been found, chopped down, put up, and decorated as a group and with love.
Something that Gabriel had been a part of from start to finish this year.
The red glass bulb she had been staring at started to blur and Lillian reached up to wipe tears away. She couldn't fall apart. She had the children to think about. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head and said a silent prayer for strength and for the Lord to keep Gabriel safe until he returned to them.
Hearing the door open, Lillian finished her prayer and turned in that direction to see Nathan walking into the hotel, a small crate in his hands.
"Did you find what you needed?" Lillian asked, grateful that her voice sounded steady.
"I did," Nathan replied. "When I get to Hope Valley, I want to be able to concentrate on the plans not be scrambling for supplies."
"Good. The kitchen is getting some food together for you."
As if her words were a cue for Kylie to appear, the waitress came out of the kitchen with a basket in her hand. Ronnie was right behind her. "We put together several sandwiches, wrapped some cornbread for you, and there is dried fruit," the waitress said, handing the basket to Lillian.
"How much do I owe you?" Nathan asked.
Both Kylie and Lillian opened their mouths but before either could say anything, Ronnie spoke up. "No charge," he said, waving his hand. "Feeding a member of the force is the least I can do. Especially when their service to the country takes them away from his family at this time of year."
"Thank you," Nathan replied.
"Thank you, Ronnie," Lillian echoed. She had a feeling it was more about how he was viewed by others than actual generosity but either way it was a nice thing to do.
"I need to be going. I want to walk Lillian back out to the orphanage and say good-bye to my family before leaving town," Nathan said. Adding a farewell to the comment, he motioned Lillian toward the door. Despite the crate he held, he still held the door open for the young woman.
The duo walked in silence down the town's one street. Only when they were crossing the open field with no chance of being overheard did Nathan speak.
"Have you told the children anything about Gabriel?" Nathan asked.
Lillian shook her head. "I wasn't sure how," she admitted. "I know they deserve the truth, but just how much detail do I go into? What do you tell Allie when you leave on a mission?"
"When she was younger, I simply told her I was going out for work and told her when I expected to be back. As she got older, I gave her more details - is it a tracking mission or am I going to help another Mountie out. I feel like she should know what I am doing and the children in your care deserve to know why Gabriel isn't around. They need reassurance that things will turn out well. Knowing Elizabeth is there for her these days makes leaving her easier, though I know they still both worry."
Lillian nodded at his answer. She understood what he was saying but the exact words felt so far away.
"I can break the news to them this time, if you would like," Nathan said, after a few steps taken in silence. "An example might help you in the future, and chances are there will be times in the future that Gabriel will be in danger or that he's been hurt. It comes with the territory."
"I know," Lillian said. "I've already wrestled that reality for myself. Having the kids start facing it is new territory but I don't want to hold you here any longer than necessary. Gabriel needs you. I'll figure out what to tell the children."
"Elizabeth can help you. She and Allie have had to help me explain things to Jack a few times this past year. The first time I left for a mission, he connected it with his birth father and thought I wasn't coming back."
"The poor child," Lillian replied softly, knowing some of what he was feeling having lost two sets of parents. "I am sure both Elizabeth and Abigail will be helpful in navigating this challenge. Gabriel is willing to support my dream of providing a loving home for these children and I need him to know that I can handle things at home when he needs to be away." She lowered her voice as she continued. "I just hope I get the chance."
With the box in one hand, Nathan looped his arm around Lillian's shoulders and pulled her close. "You and Gabriel are going to get to say "I do" to each other, hopefully still as planned but if it has to be a little later, Elizabeth and I will help you figure out how to change plans. Gabriel is like a brother to me, which means I already consider you part of my family."
Family. It was a term that had felt fleeting to her so often in her life. Now, she didn't just have Eleanor but Grace and Chuck. Even Tess had accepted her as family finally. She had these children and soon she would have Gabriel and the family he brought into her life.
"It's nice to have family," Lillian said, staying close to Nathan and once again drawing strength from his presence. However, the thought of family made her think of something else. "I need to go back to town! Gabriel's family might have apologized for not coming to the wedding out of worry of getting stuck in a snow storm but they still need to know what's happened."
"Relax," Nathan told her. "I already thought of that. Rather than send an impersonal telegram, I will call his oldest sister when I get to Hope Valley and have access to a phone. She lives in town, so she has a phone. She can take the message out to her parents on the ranch."
Lillian relaxed a little. Other than the one phone call they had made from Clearwater to Gabriel's family when they had set the date, she'd had no interaction with her soon-to-be inlaws, though his parents had promised to come visit as soon as the snow melted in the spring.
"I just want this all over with and Gabriel back at home safely," Lillian murmured.
"I plan on making that happen as soon as possible," Nathan assured her. He surprised her by placing a brotherly kiss to the top of her head.
After the initial surprise, Lillian felt reassurance in the gesture and knew that she needed to leave Gabriel's safety to Nathan and simply be strong for the children at home.