Epilogue 2: Changing Situations

Chapter 4 – Attitude and Building

The last week of September and October turned busy with the harvest wrapping up in the valley and the school children working on several projects both for school and the community. So many changes happening and new people, it had been suggested to have the children do a community project or two to help them feel more involved and connected to the community as a whole. So the school children had voted and decided they would make sure all the businesses had flower boxes that the children would maintain depending on the season. They had constructed and installed the flower boxes with the help of Henry, Joseph, Nathan and Jack. Everyone loved the project and it had been more or less a continuation of the project that Henry had helped the children with months prior in the spring

The children were also starting Christmas ornaments because they not only wanted to decorate the flower boxes with them, but they also wanted to send an ornament to each child at the orphanage in Brookfield for the child to keep. The older students had also started to talk to the other children about donating gently used toys and clothes they had outgrown to the orphanage, all with their parents' approval. It had been Allie and Angela who thought of the idea but quickly got all the children involved. Pastor Joseph had even promised to deliver the donations before Christmas. Nathan had been proud of Allie for thinking of others before what she wanted.

…..

The town was busy as well with people still coming to enjoy the hot springs before it was too cold. Mike was busy running the hotel, he had been hired as the new general manager. Mike worked hard to make the hotel a success. The town council was still looking for a buy, but was fine running it and the profits going back to the town. Gustav had come back and was once again running the kitchen, with his official title being kitchen manager. While technically Mike was his boss, Mike had tried to stress that they were equal since Mike knew very little about keeping the kitchen running. Mike had made sure any locals who wanted a job there were able. With several of the ladies working part time cleaning and doing the laundry it was working out well. Gustav had even hired a couple of the older teenagers to help with dishes on weekends. It made his job easier and they earned some pocket money.

William Thatcher had even suggested to Elizabeth and Bill about expanding the hotel to accommodate more guests. Bill assured William that the council would take it under advisement. As much as Elizabeth wanted nothing to do with the hotel, William was still considering buying it and expanding it himself. If he did that, he had already made the decision to put the hotel into a trust with JT and future Thornton children as the beneficiaries. William knew Elizabeth wouldn't be happy about it, but he was more concerned with making sure that the hotel was there since it had been a central business in town for years.

William knew that the valley was expanding and even though there were still problems in some of the smaller settlements, it wasn't stopping people from moving there. Buxton already was experiencing a housing shortage and Hope Valley could be in a similar situation if the expansion continued. William had always been one that looked at the potential for growth and made good business decisions. Knowing how people tended to do things had served him well in the past and allowed him to grow his variety of businesses into the extremely successful enterprise that he ran. As proof of the growing population, the railroad had added a third train stop to Hope Valley Monday through Friday.

As further proof of the expansion Hope Valley could experience shortly, a tailor and dentist had each contacted Bill about setting up shops in Hope Valley. Abigail had even talked to Minnie about the possibility of expanding the cafe since she was back to stay in Hope Valley. She had moved in back above the cafe and was enjoying cooking and baking again. Part of the expansion they talked about was a larger bakery section, especially when the tourists were there for the hot springs. They knew they needed a bigger dining room and potentially a larger kitchen with a second stove and icebox.

Bill had also been busy with town projects on top of everything he was doing for the Mounties in the Bouchard case. He had temporarily stepped down as active Judge, except for simple local matters. One of the projects that Bill had been working on, he was hoping would draw more visitors and maybe some permanent residents to the area. Bill had been out on Hero checking different properties when he got the idea of building a track for race cars. Bill didn't particularly like the contraptions, but he also knew they were the way of the future. He had heard a couple of the men talking about watching a couple cars race in Union City. So Bill had been looking into if that was something that Hope Valley could do. He had also wanted to have a place other than the hotel lobby/restaurant for people to listen to the wireless. He knew both Buxton and Benson Hills had built what they were calling town halls where there was a wireless for people to listen to during the day or even dance in the evenings. People were asked to make a small donation to help cover the costs and there was usually a small charge for the dances.

Bill's biggest problem was finding money to get the plans moving forward. Things had gotten better but it still had been a hard year for most of the valley. Most investors wanted to put their money in the bigger cities where they would turn a profit faster. However there were a few that seemed interested in Hope Valley, mainly because of the hot springs. But also the potential for other projects. The fact that William Thatcher was involved in the town and had invested himself was a huge feather in Bill's cap when speaking to businessmen.

One of the investors even suggested a golf course near Hope Valley. That way the golfers who traveled to Vancouver from the east could stop in Hope Valley and play. It was suggested as a nice way to break up the long train ride from the cities back east to Vancouver. Bill wondered if it would actually work and what the people of Hope Valley would think. Bill knew that some of the businessmen who golfed spent lots of money, that would definitely require the expansion of the hotel. So between everything else, Bill had begun researching golf courses. Bill had enjoyed a round of golf from time to time so the thought of having a course so close was appealing to him. He just wasn't sure others would feel the same way. Some people saw golf courses as a waste of space.

…..

Jack and Elizabeth had gone public with the news they were expecting another little one in the middle of October. Elizabeth had started to show just a bit and had to start getting larger clothes so there had been whispers and gossip. They told the people closest to them, including a wire to Charlotte and a phone call to William and Grace. After that, it quickly became public knowledge. Some of the children had questions, but Elizabeth had reassured them she was still going to be their teacher, but also someone would be coming to help in the schoolhouse as it got closer to the time for the baby to come.

What Elizabeth didn't tell the children was she was hoping to convince Laura Campbell to come back. Elizabeth knew she had finished getting her teaching certificate and was working part time in Calgary. According to the last letter from her, Laura missed her father and the farm. Elizabeth had talked to Bill and Lee, then sent a letter to Laura offering for her to come after Christmas and then the two would work together until the baby arrived then Laura would take control of the schoolhouse. She hadn't heard back yet, but was hopeful that Laura would take the opportunity to return to Hope Valley. Elizabeth was also trying to think ahead and knew it would be nice to have another teacher in general.

Jack had ended up spending an entire week in Union City as he met with O'Reilly and Collins. They were finishing up things with the prosecutor who was handling the Hargraves case and the fallout from that. To avoid the hangman noose, the men had all pleaded guilty. It was just a matter of making sure all the paperwork was done and ready for the judge. The judge on the case wanted detailed reports of what they did, was restitution owed and if so to who and all that stuff. The week in Union City was finalizing all that for the judge. He had also specifically wanted to know how the case was cracked. It was a long week in the city doing endless amounts of tedious paperwork – some of Jack's least favorite parts of the job.

Jack missed his wife and son being gone for a week, but after another meeting with Collins, he was assured that other than the Mountie Ball, Jack should be able to pretty much stay in Hope Valley. Granted if there was an emergency, that was different. Jack had also been promised that he could take time off when his child was born since he had missed the previous ones as well as had been forced to give up his long planned honeymoon five years prior. Jack had planned to talk to Elizabeth, but taking a couple weeks off sounded good to Jack.

As much as Jack hated to be away from Elizabeth and especially JT he knew he was lucky. Not only had Elizabeth forgiven him for accepting the training assignment, changing their honeymoon and then leaving her, she had also taken him back to try and rebuild their life together. Despite the struggle and stress, they were both happy with the new baby that was coming. One of the major conflicts had been ironically Nathan. Elizabeth still felt she needed to be involved in Nathan's life and was quite upset when Nathan and Carol had turned down the stay in their suite. Nathan had informed Elizabeth that he had already booked adjoining rooms for them and Allie.

When Elizabeth tried to suggest they take the other suite and Allie could stay with them, it was Carol who put her foot down and said as nice as the offer was, they preferred to stay together as a family. Elizabeth didn't understand what the big deal was. She felt she was trying to help. Even Jack saw why Carol was upset and tried to explain to Elizabeth that just as they wanted to go as a family, so did Nathan and Carol with Allie. Jack also reminded Elizabeth that she probably would not have made the same offer to any other student. Elizabeth got upset and kept trying to insist that she was just trying to be helpful. Instead of continuing to fight, Jack told her to drop it, the decision had been made and she needed to respect it. So she huffed twice before going to the phone and canceling the extra suite.

…..

The week that Jack was gone had been especially stressful for Elizabeth. It started almost from the time Jack left. JT was upset he couldn't go with and things went downhill from there. Sunday morning when JT insisted on sitting with Nathan at church. Nathan and Carol didn't mind and Elizabeth reluctantly allowed it because she didn't have the energy to fight with JT that morning. He had thrown a temper tantrum the night before because Jack hadn't called by bedtime and he refused to go to his room without speaking to his daddy. Elizabeth finally got him ready for bed, but was up at least a half a dozen times and ended up in her bed before he settled down. Having JT in bed with her didn't allow her to get much sleep. So while JT sat with Nathan. Carol and Allie, Elizabeth took her seat on the other side of the church with Bill, behind the Coulters.

After church, Elizabeth tried to apologize to Nathan, but he brushed it off saying he didn't mind. Instead of sticking around to talk, Nathan and Carol left, heading into town while Allie skipped off with Angela. Elizabeth was a little miffed and wanted to call Nathan out on what she perceived as rude behavior. Rosemary saw Elizabeth's face and her staring off where Nathan had walked away to.

"Stop it." Rosemary admonished. "Just because Jack is gone for a few days, doesn't mean Nathan has to do anything to make your life easier. He was nice enough to take JT during services because he loves that little boy. However, I know him and Carol have plans to spend the afternoon working on the new house. Several men are also heading out there. They have the foundation set and are working at potentially getting the first floor framed out."

"I thought our house was next." Elizabeth huffed.

"The men volunteered when they heard Nathan was going to work on the house himself." Rosemary said. "They said it was the least that they could do to repay Nathan for all he has done for the town."

Elizabeth huffed indigentantly. She looked at Rosemary with a glare.

"What about all that Jack sacrificed for the town?" Elizabeth demanded.

"And that has been repaid by all we have done to help you in the last five years." Rosemary said. "Additionally, Nathan had never once asked anything for himself in the time he had been here but has sacrificed and given to others at every turn. If you knew half of the things he has done to help others you would be ashamed of the way you have treated him. I love Jack and I love you, but I have had enough of this jealous spoiled routine from you. Nathan has the right to move on and be happy. You have Jack back and had the option of walking away, but you chose to stay with Jack."

With that Rosemary turned on her heel and pushed Goldie's pram away from Elizabeth. It was about that time that Lee and Bill walked over with JT running circles around the duo chatting away.

"Everything okay?" Bill asked.

"Based on Elizabeth's face and the way my wife left." Lee said. "I have a feeling Rosemary finally called her out on things."

"She called me jealous and spoiled." Elizabeth whined.

Lee and Bill looked at each other.

"Well." Bill said.

Elizabeth huffed and stomped off toward the row house, leaving JT looking between two of his favorite people.

"Hey, JT." Lee said. "How about I take you home and then maybe you can hang out with me this afternoon."

JT clapped his hands and started pulling Lee away from the schoolyard.

"You still coming to help?" Bill asked.

"I think so." Lee said. "Let me check on things. I would really like to help."

Bill waved as he headed into town to gather the large picnic hamper he had almost ready to take out to the Grants. Lee shook his head and allowed himself to be led away by JT.

…..

The month of October hadn't been easy for the Grants. Carol had still struggled with headaches and generally being tired. She had seen Faith but she couldn't find anything wrong. Carol was starting to get concerned herself, but wasn't ready to admit that to anyone. She wondered if she had the same thing that took her mother's life. She was afraid to ask and if she knew if she mentioned it, Nathan would insist on taking her to Union City or even back to Toronto.

It didn't help that Nathan was spending every spare moment working on the house, mostly by himself. Once the foundation had been set, he laid the entire floor for the first floor himself. He had even started to assemble wall sections in the lawn. He had also been spending evenings working out at the sawmill on various pieces of furniture. Lee had set him up in one of the warehouses. Nathan had gotten the pieces cut for two more wardrobes, another night table as well as two trunks. Lee had even specially brought in some cedar for them. Nathan knew that Allie had the hope chest from her mother but when he decided to make one for Carol he was also compelled to make a second one, not sure as to why, but figured he could always sell it.

Nathan was doing a lake scene on Carol's and the other would have flowers and butterflies. For the hope chests he had decided not only to do the carving, but to add color like his mother had done for Colleen's that now was Allie's. He was also doing an eagle on one wardrobe and fish leaping out of the water on the other, he debated doing color, but decided against it so they would match the current one he had. Nathan knew it was a lot of work, but it was worth it for his family. The nice thing was he could do some of the work in his office, so he was further than he thought he would be. His plan was to have them done by Christmas. Even if they couldn't fit them in the row house, Lee had promised they could stay at the warehouse until the house was enclosed. Nathan also had a few smaller projects he was doing for Christmas with scraps from the other projects.

So that Sunday when JT came barreling over, demanding to sit with him at services had been a nice change as Nathan hadn't really spent much time with the boy as of late. Nathan had seen Elizabeth's face and he had just smiled at Carol who opened her arms to the little boy. Carol knew Elizabeth was jealous, but Carol was trying very hard to not let it bother her. She trusted Nathan and he trusted her. They both knew that Elizabeth just wasn't happy to see Nathan move on and be so happy. Nathan wasn't sure why she was so jealous. She had been with Lucas for over a year while he watched. He had even tried to move on, dating both Mei and Faith. Elizabeth had never once shown an ounce of jealousy when he had been with either of them.

Nathan figured she never really resolved her own feelings for him, even though she had immediately gone back to Jack. The closer the wedding to Bouchard had gotten the more Elizabeth tried to act like she loved Bouchard, but she had still constantly sought Nathan out and tried to be close to him. Even Jack admitted it had been hard because he saw the way Elizabeth still looked at Nathan. Nathan had done his best to assure Jack that he had no intention of interfering with their marriage and he was happy with Carol.

For his part, Jack had just asked Nathan to try and take a step back. Not that Jack accused him of encouraging Elizabeth, but thought it would just be easier for all if Nathan wasn't involved with Elizabeth any more than any other parent of a student. After thinking about it, Nathan agreed and had tried to limit his interactions with Elizabeth, which she was not happy about. It hurt for him to also have to take a step back from JT, but Nathan knew it had to happen. It wasn't like he had ignored the boy, but more had let Jack take the lead in interactions with him.

Nathan had even considered changing duty stations, but after a conversation with both Carol and Allie, it had been agreed it wasn't right that Elizabeth should be the only reason to leave. They all loved the town and had many friends that they would miss. So as hard as it was Nathan tried to enforce a set boundary with Elizabeth and Carol and Allie had followed his lead. Elizabeth still tried to talk to Allie about Nathan and made nice with Carol by continuing the get-togethers over tea with Rosemary. However, Carol had been more cautious about what she shared.

…..

When Nathan and Carol got the livery after walking away from Elizabeth in the churchyard, Nathan was frustrated and Carol knew it. She stopped Nathan, backed him up to the stall and kissed him.

"What was that?" Nathan asked, after pulling back.

"To get you to think of something else." Carol said, with a small smirk.

"Well it worked." Nathan said. "I am sorry, I shouldn't let her bother me, but sometimes …."

"I know." Carol said. "Rosemary says at times the spoiled Hamilton princess still comes out in her and the best thing to do is to ignore it. Rosemary also said she would handle it and shouldn't have to fall to us."

"Remind me to thank Rosemary." Nathan said with a smile.

Nathan gave Carol a quick kiss and then went to saddle up Newton and Carol's new horse, Snow. Nathan had found a white/gray horse and had gotten it for Carol. Snow was a seven year old thoroughbred that had been a race horse at one time, but it hadn't worked out. She had then been sold as a pleasure horse because the original owners didn't want her for breeding. Nathan had gotten her from the people that had bought her originally. They had fallen on hard times and a pleasure horse was just too much. So had been forced to sell her. Nathan had gotten a good price for her and even gave the family a bit more because he knew that they could afford it. Carol loved Snow and was so excited to have a horse to ride again. Nathan had also been on the lookout for a horse for Allie, but really wanted to be in the new house with the stable before that happened.

So it was with loaded saddlebags that the duo rode out of town toward their new house. Nathan also realized that with the distance that they were going to be from town that the car that had been ordered was going to be helpful. He knew that Carol was excited about the car as she had driven in New York and Toronto, but he had similar feelings as Bill about cars. He knew that they were the way of the future, but he still loved being able to go for a ride. He doubted that he would ever fully give up his horse. He knew that at some point he would be required to use a car for Mountie purposes, but that didn't mean he had to like it. To Nathan there was nothing more important to a Mountie than his trusted steed.

When they got to the site of the new house, Nathan tied Snow to a nearby bush where she could graze and also have shade. He just ground tied Newton with the reins, knowing that the horse wouldn't wander far. Then then set about showing Carol what he had already done and form a plan for the day. By the time that the other men had arrived, Nathan and Carol had laid out two more wall sections from the stack of lumber that Lee's men had delivered on Friday. They quickly checked with Nathan and then set about assembling the wall sections. About ten minutes after the men had started hammering nails, Bill showed up with the wagon. He had two large picnic hampers, several thermos of coffee as well as jugs of cool water. Carol directed him to park in the shade. She had also pumped several buckets of water for them to be able to cool off. The weather was warm for a Sunday in October, but not to the point that Nathan had to worry. But it was going to be enough that the men would need water breaks.

An hour after leaving the church, Lee drove up with JT in the car with him. Lee apologized, but Bill and Nathan just waved him off.

"I will keep an eye on him." Carol said.

"I am sorry." Lee said.

"Nonsense." Carol said. "If his mother is going to be that way, maybe being out here with all of us is better."

"He might be tired." Lee said. "According to Elizabeth he didn't sleep well last night. I brought a blanket if he gets tired. I also have blocks and his Mounties."

"Thank you." Carol said.

JT had wanted to help the men, so Bill handed him a jar of nails and was told to hand one to either him or Nathan when they asked. JT happily handed them nails for over a half hour before he started to get bored. So that was when Carol took him over to the shade, got him some water and spread out the blanket that Lee had brought. It wasn't five minutes after settling down, that JT closed his eyes and was asleep.

The men worked until the sun started to set. They got several wall sections assembled and up. Nathan figured there could be more days like that, he might be able to get the second floor down and covered if the snow held off. As it was, they covered the stacked lumber and put the tools under the tarps as well. Lee had already left with JT when the men had started to clean up. The last three left were Nathan, Carol and Bill. They double checked everything and then they headed back together as well.

…..