Author's Note: Sunday, August 24, 1919
Elizabeth accompanied Dean to check on Newton after running into him when she and Faith had been walking towards the café. She couldn't help noticing the furtive glances Faith and Dean were casting each other, making her smile. Carson and she had also noticed some when he came to the infirmary.
As he changed the dressing, Elizabeth decided to plant a seed about bait. 'But how to do it in a way that wouldn't be embarrassing to either of them.' She thought. After sorting through ideas, she finally came up with one.
"So I couldn't help noticing that you seem interested in one of our doctors."
Dean immediately blushed as he continued studiously examining Newton. Then quietly said, "Is that right."
It was almost a whisper, but Elizabeth had been watching and heard it. "It is. I also noticed she seems to be interested in you as well."
Dean's eyes shot up to hers, hope in them, and she said, "You really think so?"
"Carson and I both see it." Elizabeth said, "Why haven't you asked her to dinner yet? You know pretty women like Faith won't be unnoticed for long." Elizabeth chuckled, then teasingly added, "Especially with the steady stream of new bachelors coming in."
"I guess I'm a little gun-shy," he said quietly.
"Gun shy? You didn't seem to have an issue asking me out," Elizabeth noted.
"I know, but since I misread my signals with you, I figured I'm probably doing the same with her he admitted sheepishly.
Elizabeth's smile fell. "Oh, Dean, if I led you to believe I felt more than friendship at any time, I am so sorry, and it was not consciously done," Elizabeth said regretfully.
Dean jumped up and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Umm no, you didn't, Elizabeth. I'm sorry I misspoke. What I should have said was that I heard about her former relationship with Carson and thought maybe, like you, her heart wasn't free."
Elizabeth smiled. "Well, let me ease your mind that her heart is completely free. Carson is in a relationship with another woman named Megan. We spent last night talking about it as the three of us watched over Nathan."
"Ohh! So what should I do?" Dean asked nervously.
Seeing that he was nervous, Elizabeth came up with a plan. "I have an idea. Why don't Carson and I arrange for the four of us to have dinner tonight? Nathan is better, so his mother and Allie will be with him, allowing Faith and Carson to take time out for dinner. Plus, if you're with me, I can't get into more trouble with Bill," she chuckled.
After finishing up with Newton, she headed home to change and to go by and get Jack, knowing that he would want to see Nathan. She wasn't sure exactly what time Moira and Allie were due in, but she wanted to try to avoid any awkward encounters while he recovered.
After spending the better part of the morning convincing Jerome to drop the charges against Henry, Lucas headed over to the Jail to see Bill. He thought it would also be an excellent opportunity to make a good impression on the new Mounties at the same time.
As he entered, Bill wasn't there. Instead, one of the new Mounties was there working on some paperwork.
"Excuse me, Constable," Lucas said.
"It's Corporal Bridges. May I help you, sir?" The Mountie said, standing up and approaching. Theodore knew precisely who this man was and the danger he posed to Jack's family.
"I'm here to get Henry released from Jail," Lucas said as if it should happen immediately.
"By whose authority?"
"Well, I got the man who pressed the charges to drop them finally. So there's no reason to hold him anymore."
"Who are you, and by whose authority did you approach the other man?" Theodore asked, coming closer. He was a little taller than Lucas, so he had to look up. "Are you a lawyer?"
"Oh no, I'm not a lawyer. I'm Lucas Bouchard, the owner of the Queen of Hearts Saloon and Gowan Petroleum. You and your partner should stop by later tonight for dinner on the house and maybe try your hand at cards."
The Mountie didn't say anything but stood with arms crossed, brow raised, waiting for him to continue.
Lucas became a bit nervous under the penetrating stare and continued. "Henry works for me, and Jerome, well, we are working on a partnership. I'm merely trying to get Henry out of jail and settle this matter amicably. So if you will just let Henry out, then…"
"You don't have any authority here. If the man wants to drop the charges, he needs to see me or Judge Avery personally to drop them. Furthermore, Mr. Bouchard, I suggest you refrain from inserting yourself into legal matters best handled by a Mountie or Judge Avery. You could be in danger of obstructing justice by interfering with an investigation. Are we clear?"
"Very clear," Lucas said before storming out of the office and returning to the saloon.
Lucas returned from the Mountie office, still fuming, but stopped short of the sight of Wyman Walden playing cards with Jerome and two other gentlemen. What was even more surprising was that he and Jerome seemed familiar with one another.
Seeing Lucas approaching, Waldon smiled. "It was my pleasure, gentlemen, but I think I'm done."
"What's your hurry, Wyman," Jerome said.
"I have some other business to tend to, Jer, but we can have a rematch later when it's concluded if you like, for old-time's sake."
Jerome laughed. "I'll hold you to it, old friend," Jerome said as he began to deal the next hand.
Turning to where Lucas stood, he gestured to his massive pile of chips and said, "I'd like to cash out, Lucas."
Lucas looked down and said, "That's quite the stack.
Wyman laughed, saying, "Well, sometimes lady luck smiles on you, and you have all the cards."
"Let me grab something to put them in while you meet me over by the counter," Lucas said, reaching for a basket stacked on a nearby side table they kept for that purpose.
As Lucas joined him and began cashing Walden out, Lucas asked, "What are you doing here in Hope Valley?"
Instead of answering, Waldon smirked and said, "My money, please."
"Not just an advancement for the steel foundry. I wasn't aware that you and Jerome Smith were even acquainted. How long have you known each other."
Walden chuckled mirthlessly and then leaned close as he replied menacingly. "You strike me as someone who knows when to mind his own business, Bouchard."
"Touche'. However, you strike me as someone who knows when a partner is needed or might require one yourself."
"Perhaps, but for now, I don't see where it is any of your concern," Walden said as he accepted the money from Lucas. "As for Jerome, maybe you should ask him." Then, without another word, he walked out the door.
After seeing Lucas stomp down the stairs of the jail, Bill decided to stop and see what was going on. A little while later, Bill was coming out of the jail when he spotted a figure that was the last person he wanted to see in town. 'As if they didn't already have enough problems already.' He thought to himself.
"Walden!" He called out the man's name to get his attention before quickly approaching the other man.
"Judge Avery. Hello again. I was just on my way to your office." The man replied, appearing magnanimously.
"Well, sorry I missed you. Leave me a note." Bill growled, struggling to keep his temper in check.
"I understand consolations are in order." At Bill's look of confusion, he added, "Your losing bid to remain mayor?" Walden said.
"That remains yet to be seen, so apparently, you were misinformed. Is there something in particular you wanted?"
With a smarmy smile, Walden said, "As you are aware, I represent the concern that's building the foundry."
"Ah, that's why they've barely made any progress out there," Bill said with a smirk, loving the look of irritation that crossed the other man's face.
Wyman's hands clenched into fists as he barely refrained from rising to the bait. "Yes, they have had some problems. The harsh winter didn't help, as well. However, it's full steam ahead, and I'm back to see things resume without a hitch."
Bill wasn't done, though, and sneered, "Yeah, I doubt it."
"While mayor, you were disinclined to do business with me. I thought, now perhaps we..." Wyman said, pasting on a polite smile and affecting an air of benevolence.
But Bill interrupted, unwilling to entertain anything else the other man had to say. "Well, you thought wrong."
Wyman's polite veneer slipped, revealing the hostility inside as he realized nothing had changed. "I see. Is that how it is going to be, Judge Avery?"
"It would appear so. Now, I can't run you out of town for no reason, but while you're here, I can make sure you're not a danger. Your gun." Bill said, holding out his hand.
Waldon frowned as he looked down at Bill's hand and then back up to his eyes with an incredulous look. "I have the right to arm myself."
"It's a very friendly town," Bill replied with a shrug of indifference, daring him to refuse. "What reason would you have to require a gun?"
Wyman stood there looking at Bill in a standoff as if trying to decide before finally conceding and handing it over to him. He was irked that Bill refused to give in to his demands. As he straightened his suit in preparation to leave, he leaned close to Bill and said, "One way or another, we will be doing business."
"I don't think so, Wyman," Bill said with a chuckle, enjoying watching the other man stomp away as he headed towards his car. As he turned to go towards his office, a sobering thought crossed his mind as he considered that it was entirely possible that someone other than himself could become Mayor after the election. If, for some reason, Hickam won, Waldon would waste no time before approaching him and possibly succeeding in whatever his plan was for the town. It raised the stakes of the mayoral race considerably and risked exposing Hope Valley to a sheep in wolf's clothing.
After parting from Elizabeth and Dean, Faith couldn't help wondering if Dean really could be interested in her. The first day she met him he had reminded her of Brett Butler a bit. She giggled as she recalled the look on Carson's face when she came into town driving that wagon the day she returned from medical school. So much had changed since that day, but she couldn't say it was for better or for worse, at least for now. Occasionally she still received letters from Brett Butler from time to time.
She stopped off at the café to arrange for breakfast to be taken to Nathan and Carson before making her way into the mercantile, she saw Florence sorting the mail. Robert had been home sick the past few days, so they were asking everyone to come to the Mercantile to pick up their mail. She had meant to come by yesterday, but Nathan had altered that plan.
"Good morning, Faith, how is Nathan doing?" Florence asked as she sorted mail.
Good morning, Florence. He is awake and alert," Faith replied. "Is our mail ready?"
"Sure is!" Florence said, reaching for a stack and handing it to her.
Before Faith could look at the letters, Molly burst through the doors straight from the church service, clearly excited about something.
"Florence! Faith! You won't believe what happened after church!" Without waiting for them to respond, she added, "Daniel finally asked me out to dinner at the cafe tonight."
"Molly, that is wonderful," Faith said, hugging her.
"Thank you, Faith." Molly said with a smile. "So is our new pharmacist here yet? Have you seen him?"
"Oh, that's right, I forgot he was arriving today. I wonder if Carson remembered." Faith mused.
"Ned is waiting at the train station as we speak," Florence said conspiratorially.
"I wonder if he'll create the same reaction that our other new arrivals have among the single ladies," Molly said, keeping her voice down even though it was only the three of them in the store.
"So, who do you think would be best to pair up with him?" Florence asked.
"Well, of course, we need to confer with Rosemary, but given his age, I would say he would be best matched with..." Molly said but stopped when Faith's giggles distracted her, turning their focus on the doctor with eyebrows raised.
Seeing the unspoken question, she said, "I just can't believe that you are already trying to play matchmaker with him when he hasn't even arrived in town."
"Well, would you like to know who we think you should be with?" Molly teased.
Faith blushed, trying to be nonchalant as she replied, "Sure, I guess."
"Dean Nelson," Florence and Molly said simultaneously.
Faith looked at both in disbelief. "How did you come to that conclusion, especially since he has shown a preference for Elizabeth."
"Pshaw!" Florence scoffed. "Anyone that looks the way she is with Nathan can see that poor man didn't stand a chance."
"Mark my words, those two will be courting by Christmas. Molly agreed. After all, she did stay up all night by his bedside." Molly added.
"That's true," Faith said, still trying to stay calm and not give anything away.
Suddenly, they could hear a commotion outside.
"Hi Ned," they heard Fiona call out.
"Well, ladies, shall we?" Florence said as quickly headed for the door.
"I guess so," Faith said, coming up behind Molly.
As they walked out, they saw a young man around Faith's age, maybe a little bit younger. He was clean-shaven with dark curly hair, and she could see that he was definitely a welcome addition judging by the amount of simpering ladies standing nearby.
"Christopher, let me introduce you to one of our fine doctors, Doctor Faith Carter," Ned said as he ushered him over. "Faith, this is our New Pharmacist, Christopher Fletcher."
He smiled at her as he held out a hand and said, "It's nice to meet you, Doctor Carter, but please call me Chris since we will be working closely together."
Returning his handshake, she smiled. "Only if you call me Faith. Why don't you stop by the Infirmary tomorrow and meet my partner, Dr. Carson Shepherd."
"I will definitely do that," Chris said.
"Well, I better be getting back to the Infirmary, but welcome to Hope Valley, Chris," Faith said before turning and walking back towards the Infirmary. As she approached, Lee and Rosemary arrived with Allie and Nathan's mother.
Note 1: S9 EP 3 Actual dialogue used in various places in this chapter