Chapter 22

Bill glared at Lucas across the table as he related the entire story to him. He didn't interrupt him while he talked, just trying to wrap his head about everything that was said.

Once Lucas finished, Bill took a deep breath in, folding his hands in his lap, his face serious.

He squeezed his eyes slightly before asking:

"When will Henry arrive in Capitol City? It is only with him that we can re-open the case of the explosion in Hope Valley mine. He has to bring all the evidence with him for us to go against Matthews", he said.

Lucas leaned in his chair, letting out a breath.

"He said he'd have to find all the papers he needed, plus placing a few calls. In about four days he should be able to make the trip. So, about five days from now on", replied Lucas.

Bill nodded and then watched Lucas' face carefully when he asked:

"And did you tell him the girls' names?"

Lucas creased his eyebrows slightly.

"No, why?"

It was now time for Bill to let out a breath.

"Because we know them. Everybody in Hope Valley knows who Grace and Lillian are", Bill slowly said.

Lucas was stunned.

"What? How?", he stammered.

"Remember that festival Rosemary organized some time ago? Where you had tried to win a fishing pole for little Allie?", as Lucas nodded, Bill went on "Well, Grace was in town back then. She was traveling through, bringing a little boy with her and taking him to their orphanage, but they stayed for two days to wait for the medicine Carson order for…", but Bill wasn't able to finish when Lucas spoke up:

"Spencer. The boy who ran away and hid. We all went searching for him", he breathed out "Oh, my God. You are right! Grace and I didn't actually meet, we didn't even talk, I just helped to look for Spencer like everybody else did. I think it was Florence and I who searched the saloon high

and low for him. Grace was with Carson and the Coulters all the time", he nodded slowly, his lips curling up a bit "But, now when I think about it, you are right. It was her", slightly shaking his head in surprise, Lucas whispered "Amazing. Unbelievable'', as he felt warmth washing over him, he tried to collect himself in front of Hope Valley judge's sharp eye "And Lillian?"

Bill smiled slightly.

He thinks I don't see it. Think again, Bouchard.

"The two of them were in Hope Valley before you came. They traveled with a few orphans, but their wheel broke so they stayed for Christmas until the blacksmith could fix it. However, they had some issues with two little sisters traveling with them. It appeared the older one hid her younger sister because the new director didn't allow her to go with them. The little one didn't talk. Grace and Lillian had no idea she was in the wagon until they were quite a long way from that orphanage and got themselves in quite a pickle once the director came to pick up…", and once again, Bill was interrupted by Lucas amazed voice:

"Millie. The little girl who didn't talk. And her sister Charlotte", his smile broadened "She told me about them. Yet, neither one of us ever mentioned Hope Valley", he let out a chuckle "I cannot believe it. What are the chances?"

Bill slightly smiled.

"God works in the most amazing and mysterious ways", said Bill "They are good girls. Life wasn't easy for them, but neither one of them turned bitter. On the contrary", Bill ended, smiling.

Lucas shook his head in amazement.

"You should see what they are doing here, Bill. They really help those kids. But, they struggle, and it shouldn't be like that…"

"And that's why you decided to help by putting it out as one of your mandate's projects", said Bill, watching Lucas carefully. Despite knowing that some people back home showed their true faces by commenting that he shouldn't divide his attention to two projects and just stick to their water problem, Bill thought otherwise "You are a good man, Bouchard."

Lucas gave a small, uncomfortable smile and looked down at the table.

The man is too humble for his own good, thought Bill.

Lucas cleared his throat, before looking back at Bill.

"Thank you, Bill. So are you", his face turned serious "I really appreciate you coming here and helping me".

Bill nodded, then huffed.

"Well, I'm starving, Bouchard", he quipped.

Lucas smiled widely, feeling his own stomach rumbling.

"Come on, lets see what Gustave has been up to in that kitchen. And then we can go to the orphanage to let them know about Henry", as they got up and started to walk toward the doors, Lucas smiled widely "I cannot wait to tell Grace about all that you told me".

Bill followed him, raising his eyebrows as a playful, knowing smile slowly crept up to his lips.

No mention of Lillian.

He wanted to tell Grace.

Bill fell into a step with Lucas as they both went downstairs, following the mouth watering aromas that came from Gustave's kitchen.

It looks like Bouchard was on his way of healing and he wasn't even aware of that, thought Bill.

He was glad for that. Lucas was indeed a good man and didn't deserve the cruelty he received for his sincere love. Bill knew how badly Elizabeth hurt Lucas and he felt bad for the young man. He didn't deserve to be used and toyed with in such a way.

And to see Elizabeth prancing around Nathan these last few days and playing an injured party around the town, when she was in fact the one who hurt the man she claimed to love and wanted to marry, was too much. Bill was glad that Bouchard was away and wasn't able to witness her horrible, self-absorbed behavior.

I cannot wait to tell Grace about all that you told me.

Bill smiled to himself.

Oh, this is going to be very interesting.

—--

Grace stared at the piece of paper Lillian gave her as they sat down for breakfast with the kids.

She was utterly speechless.

"He did it", Grace whispered, her words barely a whisper as she read the words over and over again.

Restraining order.

Lillian placed her fingers on her sister's palm and nodded.

"And he said that he won't stop at this, that he has just a man to whom he can talk of you know whose Father", said Lillian causing Grace to gasp.

"Lillian, no. It's too dangerous", she whispered.

Lillian gently pressed her fingers on her sister's palm.

" I know. But, I also know that he won't give up. Grace, don't worry. He is a smart and cautious man. He can take care of himself. Let him help you", as she ended the sentence, there was a knock at the doors.

Grace felt her heart skip a beat because she was fairly certain who was at the doors. Before Lillian could move Grace leapt from her chair and rushed to the doors.

She couldn't wait to see his darling, handsome face. To see that dimpled smile she loved so…

Grace gasped at her thoughts.

No, Grace. Don't go that way.

She stopped frozen in her tracks, only few steps from the doors, trying to calm her breathing down and clear her mind.

This cannot be happening, she thought.

At a new knock at the doors Grace snapped back to reality and pulled them open.

"Good morning, Grace", Lucas warmly smiled as he greeted her.

And only one look at those lovely dimples and warm eyes made Grace realize that she got herself in quite a pickle.

She was falling hard for Lucas Bouchard.