Abigail was taking a much-needed break after the lunch rush and had joined Rosemary at a table close to the kitchen. They were both sipping on tea, though Rosemary's was chamomile.

"Are you feeling any better?" Abigail said softly.

"Not really," Rosemary said, stirring her tea aimlessly.

She'd been in Coal Valley for almost a week, sleeping in Elizabeth's room on the spare bed Nathan and Bill had carried up from storage. Neither Elizabeth nor Abigail had voiced their suspicions about Rosemary's condition, hoping that she would share it herself. Rosemary's mood had been so low that they hadn't wanted to suggest it.

But Abigail was beginning to worry a little about Rosemary and how little she was eating. This felt like the right time.

"Rosemary," Abigail started, leaning closer across the table. They weren't alone in the café, though the one table with customers was all the way across the room. "Have you thought about why you might be feeling this way?"

Rosemary sighed deeply. "I must have caught a bug in Cape Fullerton. That flat was so drafty. I didn't notice it as much when Jack was there, but as soon as he left, it felt like the wind was blowing right through the walls."

Abigail decided that leaping with both feet was the best direction to take. "Did you and Jack talk about having children, Rosemary?"

Sighing again, Rosemary said, "No, it didn't come up, what with me wanting to continue my acting career, and him thinking of leaving..."

Rosemary's spoon had been methodically circling the porcelain cup with a steady, light ringing sound that suddenly stopped. At the same time, Rosemary looked up into Abigail's eyes, her own eyes filled with surprise.

Abigail waited, and then raised her eyebrows slightly.

Rosemary's voice was a little fainter than usual. "That would explain quite a few things, actually..." Then, slowly, Rosemary began to smile, until finally it was the smile Abigail had remembered from months ago. "Oh, do you think it's possible?" Rosemary said, taking Abigail's hand across the table.

Abigail laughed softly. "Not only that, I think it's probable." Already, Abigail could see a difference in Rosemary's level of energy. It was clear that Rosemary wanted very much for it to be true.

Then Rosemary gasped. "Oh. What will Jack say?" she said, her eyes wide.

Abigail smiled and squeezed her hand. "I'm sure he'll be as happy as you are."

"I am happy," Rosemary said, sounding surprised. "I always thought it was more important to be an actress, and that being pregnant would feel bittersweet. But it's not. Not at all. There's nothing I want more, Abigail!"

Abigail nodded, and thought right now she could give Rosemary a very accurate description of bittersweet. She was thinking of Peter at all ages, from a tiny baby to a young man, and thinking about him gave her such joy. At the same time, the loss of him, and of the grandchildren he might have given her, cut straight through to her heart. And again, she reminded herself to be grateful for the time she'd been given with him. "There's nothing like it, Rosemary."

Suddenly, Rosemary frowned, "Oh, Abigail, I'm so sorry..."

Shaking her head, Abigail said firmly. "No, don't ever be sorry. I love that you're bringing a new life into this world, and I'll enjoy every minute of it." Abigail stood and Rosemary stood with her, folding her into a hug.

Just then, the bell rang over the front door. Rosemary and Abigail turned to see Bill with a man neither of them knew. Bill was laughing and shaking his head, watching their embrace. He turned to the man. "Everyone in this town hugs everyone, Lee. I hope you're a hugger. I've walked in on more of these than you could shake a stick at."

Lee looked over and smiled. Abigail straightened her apron and walked toward them. "Hello," she said, putting her hand out, "I'm Abigail."

Nodding and grinning, Lee said, "Ah, of the Café fame." He looked around and said, "Warm little place you have here. I might make this a habit."

Abigail smiled, liking him immediately. "So you're moving to Coal Valley, Mr..."

"Coulter, but everyone calls me Lee." He looked over at Bill. "And I was led to believe that a name change was in the future of this town. I must say I like Hope Valley better."

Looking at Bill, Abigail raised her eyebrows. Bill had already told her that Lee Coulter would be coming to town; she just wasn't sure what day it would be.

"Lee," Abigail said, smiling warmly. "We're very glad to see you. Please, come sit down."

She led them over to the table next to hers with Rosemary.

Lee Coulter's first view of Rosemary Thornton was in the first minutes after she realized she was expecting a child. Her face was flushed, her eyes were dancing, and the smile she wore was brilliant and beatific. He had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life, and she literally stopped him in his tracks. Before he had even said hello, he'd glanced at her left hand and had seen the wedding band there.

All the best ones are taken, Lee thought with a soft sigh.

"Lee, this is Rosemary Thornton. She's staying with us for a time while her husband is serving in the Northern Territories. He's a Mountie," Abigail said, by way of introduction.

Not only is she married, but she's married to a man who is brave enough to be in the middle of that terrible fighting. And now Lee saw it, the vague sadness behind her eyes as Abigail gave her the reminder that her husband was far away and in danger. Lee's heart clenched. And on the heels of that rush of emotion came the realization that, although he had just met this woman, he would do anything for her.

"Lee Coulter," he said softly, putting out his hand. She took it, and he felt the soft strength there, a good, firm handshake, fine-boned and warm.

Then that smile again, the one that seemed to bring out the sun inside the small café. "It's very nice to meet you, Lee Coulter," she said, making his full name sound as if it should always be said that way. Lee wasn't sure what was happening to him, but he was having trouble letting go of her hand. It had only been seconds, but it felt like they'd stood there for a long time.

Rosemary frowned a little, unsure for a moment. Her confusion existed on so many levels that she couldn't make heads nor tails of it. A possible pregnancy, her love for Jack and how she missed him, and now, this stranger who seemed so familiar somehow, as if she'd known him longer than just the few seconds they'd been shaking hands.

Both Lee and Rosemary suddenly let go, laughing a little. "Sorry," Lee said. "I have to ask. Do I know you?"

"I was just thinking the same thing," Rosemary said. "Have you been to Cape Fullerton?" When Lee shook his head, Rosemary said, "New York?"

Lee's eyebrows went up. "Yes! New York. I spent a week there last year with some friends. Just sightseeing, taking in some theatre..."

Rosemary's smile broadened. "What did you see? What shows?"

"Oh, gosh, let's see. Our American Cousin, and Tess of Tennessee? We tried to get into Hamlet, but it was sold out."

Rosemary gasped softly. "Our American Cousin, at the Lyric Theatre?" She raised her chin dramatically. "I was in that play. I played Florence Trenchard," she said, delighted. "You might remember me as Rosemary LeVeaux?"

Lee's eyes went wide. "I do remember! That's where I've seen you. You were wonderful!"

Abigail and Bill hadn't said a word. They felt as if they were watching a tennis match with the rapid-fire conversation that was going on in front of them. Rosemary had turned into the bright, animated woman that Abigail remembered at her dinner table when she'd first met her. And Bill had never seen this side of the somber, quiet woman he'd known for only a week.

"Coffee?" Bill said quietly to Abigail, inclining his head with a smile.

"Absolutely," Abigail said, smiling back at him and leading him toward the kitchen.

"That show closed far too fast," Rosemary said with a pout and indicating a chair for Lee to sit down.

"Well, it was hard for people to forget it was the show that was playing when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre," Lee said, nodding. "I think it's why we were able to get last-minute tickets."

Rosemary raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You do know the play, Mr. Coulter."

"Oh, please call me Lee. Only my employees call me Mr. Coulter," Lee said quickly.

"You're a businessman?" Rosemary said, taking a sip of her tea and then putting it down, realizing it had gone cold. She stood before he could answer the question. "I'm getting myself some more tea. Can I get you anything?"

Lee nodded. "Coffee would be great, thanks."

Abigail was just about to pour Bill's coffee when Rosemary took the pot from her. "I'll give this right back!" she said, pulling a cup down from the shelf. Abigail simply stared at her, and then at Bill, who was laughing softly and shaking his head. This was definitely a Rosemary he'd never seen.

Before Abigail's hand had moved, the pot was back in it, and Abigail continued getting Bill his coffee while Rosemary went back to the table with her tea.

"What kind of business are you in, Lee?" Rosemary said.

"I'm opening a sawmill in Hope Valley," Lee said.

Rosemary frowned. "And where's that?"

Lee laughed. "Sorry. Here. Coal Valley. But I like the name Hope Valley better, and it's changing so soon..."

Rosemary nodded, remembering. "Oh, yes, I had heard that. It makes sense, since it will no longer be a coal mining town..."

They each raised their cup and sipped, but their eyes never left each other. For a moment there was a sudden silence in the café and then Rosemary did something she almost never did. She blushed.

What is going on? Rosemary thought. This has to be a side effect of pregnancy. Or maybe because I've been alone for so long, and this nice man recognized me. All I know is that I feel good here, talking to him, and I haven't felt good in such a long time. It's not wrong for me to want someone to talk to, is it? But Jack probably wouldn't like it, and that's all I really need to know.

Rosemary put down her cup. "I'm sorry, Lee, I'm a little tired," she said, telling the absolute truth. "I think I'll go upstairs. But I welcome you to Coal... Hope Valley." As she stood, Lee did too.

"Lovely to see you again, Rosemary," Lee said. "Any chance you'll be performing here in town?"

Rosemary smiled broadly again. "Well, I would be, if there was a theatre."

Lee raised his eyebrows. "No theatre, huh?" He bowed slightly. "Maybe we need to build one."

Lee saw a flash of happiness move through Rosemary's eyes and then it disappeared. "I'll need to see where my husband is posted after he returns from the north. This town already has a Mountie, so it's likely we'll be somewhere else."

Smiling, Lee nodded. "Yes, of course." He took a deep breath and said, "But if I could go all the way to New York to see you in a play, I could surely travel a bit here in Canada to see you perform. And I look forward to meeting your husband..."

"Jack," Rosemary said proudly. "Jack Thornton."

"Jack," Lee repeated. "Any chance he'll be home before Christmas?"

Lee saw Rosemary's eyes cloud over again. "I had hoped so, but it doesn't seem possible. I'm assured by Mountie Headquarters that he's still in the thick of it and it's not likely that he'll get here in time."

Lee couldn't stop himself. "You're very brave, Rosemary. Please let me know if there's anything I can do."

Rosemary breathed deeply and shook her head a little, as if to clear it. "Jack is the brave one. I just wait for him. And I'm afraid I don't do it very well," she said softly.

Lee narrowed his eyes a little and smiled. "I think you do it very well. I'll keep him in my thoughts."

"Thank you, Lee," Rosemary said with a heartfelt smile. She put out her hand again. "It was very nice to meet you. And this is a small town, so I'm sure I'll see you again."

She moved past him and picked up her cup and saucer to take to the kitchen. "Have a good evening!" she said with a slightly forced brightness.

Lee watched her walk between the tables and into the kitchen, and then as she turned to the right to head up the stairs. When she disappeared from his sight, he realized that Bill Avery had watched him the entire time.

Lee just smiled and shrugged and sat back down to finish his coffee.

Elizabeth came quietly down the stairs from Allie's bedroom as Nathan finished up the dinner dishes. They'd decided that they needed to eat at Nathan's more often, and force themselves to cook, or it really was going to be a huge adjustment once they'd moved into their new house out on the meadow.

Elizabeth picked up the dish towel and started drying the dishes in the rack.

"Allie's very excited about Christmas," Elizabeth said, looking over at the tree in the corner. The three of them had chosen the tree and decorated it together, and it looked beautiful in front of the window in Nathan's row house. "Five days seems like an eternity to her."

Nathan laughed. "I remember those days, don't you? Colleen and I used to try every year to wait up for Santa Claus, and every year we fell asleep and woke up in our beds, so angry with ourselves!" He handed Elizabeth another dish and turned back to the sink.

She ran the towel across the fine blue roses that decorated the edges of the plate and smiled at him. "How did a bachelor like you end up with such beautiful dishes? These are so pretty," she said.

Nathan nodded. "That would be my mother's doing. She's the least fussy person you can imagine, but she always said it made the meal taste better if the china was nice. Something about making every day like a holiday."

Elizabeth laughed softly. "She's not wrong." Stacking the dish on top of the others on the shelf, Elizabeth said, "I should probably meet your mother before we get married, don't you think?"

Nathan suddenly seemed to be avoiding her eyes, and he was trying to hand her another dish, but she kept her hands at her sides, waiting until he looked at her.

Finally, he set the plate down. "You know I'm completely incapable of lying to you, Elizabeth." He shook his head. "But that makes it very hard to surprise you."

Elizabeth's eyes went wide and she smiled. "Tell me."

Nathan released a large sigh. "She'll be here in two days. She's coming for Christmas."

Elizabeth gasped and threw her arms around his neck. "I get to meet Rebecca? Does Allie know?"

Nathan was trying to keep his soapy hands from getting Elizabeth wet, but he finally just gave up and put them around her. He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head. "If Allie knew, do you think there's any way she would be able to keep from telling you? She tells you everything."

Elizabeth got up on tiptoes and kissed him. "I know. She's my little spy," she said against his lips. Nathan pulled her closer and let his lips graze across hers. Elizabeth sighed and closed her eyes. He tasted faintly of the honey they had spread liberally on toast for their dessert, and Elizabeth knew now that Rebecca was probably bringing more.

Nathan moved his lips slowly down the curve of her jaw to her neck, kissing her just below her ear. "And what does your spy tell you about me?" he whispered, smiling.

Elizabeth was having trouble thinking clearly, but she managed to say, "That you've been wrapping packages and putting them under the tree, and that there is one far in the back that has my name on it."

Nathan pulled away and looked at her. "She didn't!"

"Mmmm-hmmm," Elizabeth murmured, her eyes still closed. Since he'd stopped kissing her, she opened her eyes and saw the look on his face. Putting her hand on his cheek, she said, "She didn't tell me what was in it."

Nathan laughed. "Only because she doesn't know!"

Now Elizabeth laughed. "She says it rattles."

Narrowing his eyes, Nathan began to smile his crooked smile. "I'm officially putting in my request for a boy first. I'm going to be outnumbered in that house. I need reinforcements."

Laughing, Elizabeth said, "Duly noted, Constable." She turned to keep drying the dishes and Nathan went back to the sink to finish up.

"What if the first one is a girl?" Elizabeth said, raising her eyebrow.

He couldn't resist nuzzling her neck just once more, even with his hands in the soapy water. Elizabeth moved closer to make it easier for him. "Then we keep trying..." he whispered. He pulled away and Elizabeth could see his eyes were very blue.

Elizabeth found herself suddenly needing a breath, and Nathan laughed as he watched her inhale deeply. He loved that he could affect her that way, and he loved the way he felt right now. He loved her.

"What if your mother doesn't like me?" Elizabeth said, suddenly frowning.

Nathan looked tenderly at her. "She will adore you." When Elizabeth looked unconvinced, he said, "I'm just worried she'll like you more than she likes me."

That finally made Elizabeth laugh. "So, two days? Christmas Eve?"

"Yes," Nathan said, putting the last dish into Elizabeth's hands. "She'll be on the afternoon train."

"And where will she stay?"

"Here," Nathan said, drying his hands. "She'll sleep with Allie in her room."

Elizabeth's eyes went wide. "Nathan! I don't have a gift for her!"

Nathan laughed. "She won't have one for you either." He put his hands on her shoulders gently. "She can't wait to meet you. She told me that you will be each other's gifts."

Elizabeth sighed. "I think I love her already."