Chapter 161- Forever Like That

I hope you have been enjoying the almost daily chapter postings. Here's a little tease for what's to come the rest of this week.

Tomorrow's posting (Chapter 162- Dark Clouds) is one of my favorites of this "season"- Let's just say I may be timing it to arrive on Valentine's Day for a very steamy reason (insert flame emojis here). Haha!

That being said. Tomorrow's posting is the end of what in the writing world we term as 'Fun and Games'. We've been enjoying the glimpse at the Grant family's world and welcoming Liam, but it's time to get serious about this "season's story arc". Which will hit the midpoint with the end of Chapter 163- A Mountie's Heart that I plan to post Friday.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this chapter and the arrival of a few more characters to Hope Valley.

The next morning, the Grants said goodbye to their friends. What tempered their loss was the news that Matt and Megan decided to extend their stay in the area for a little while longer and visit the town of Brookfield. They wanted to spend the next week with Gabe and Lillian, in the hope of getting to know Violet and Theo better, to see if expanding their family in this way would be the right choice for all involved. Nathan and Charlotte prayed it would be so.

Later that day, a phone call came to Nathan at his office. Florence made it seem of an urgent business nature, so he was surprised when on the other end of the line was not another Mountie, but rather Lorne Albert Pierce. The Chief Editor at Ryerson Press in Toronto.

Pierce started off by congratulating Nathan and Charlotte on the birth of their son. Understanding Liam was the reason no answer had been given for his offer to publish Nathan's book 'The Adventures of Nate and Charlie'. But now, a few months on from the child's arrival, Pierce requested some time to meet in person to go over the details of Ryerson's publishing deal.

Nathan tried to explain that he had too much work to do with the Mounties right now for him to make an extended trip to Toronto to meet with Mr. Pierce. Lorne pushed off Nathan's excuses saying that there was no need for Nathan to miss any time with work or family. He was already on his way to Hope Valley and would be arriving on the evening train from Union City.

Before Nathan could say another word, the line went dead, leaving Nathan in a bit of a stupor. He and Charlotte of course talked about the book deal occasionally over the past few months, but one thing or another would always come up, drawing their attention away from making a decision.

As soon as Nathan worked out his brief interaction with Mr. Pierce, and he came to his senses that his family would be having yet another visitor in their home, he drove out to the ranch to inform Charlotte of the event. Even though it was more work, with meals and preparing a guest room at the house for Mr. Pierce, Nathan saw that it was hard for his wife to hide her excitement.

"Imagine, Nathan. Your story. Warren's pictures. It could be read to hundreds, maybe thousands of children across the country."

"I guess, I still can't believe that a publishing company wants to print my book. It wasn't even meant to be anything special. Just a gift."

"It is special. That's why Mr. Pierce wants to share it with others. I think it is a wonderful idea, but only if you feel that way too. I don't want you to feel pressure to go through with the idea of publishing, unless that is what you want too. I'm glad though you will get a chance to talk to Lorne directly about any questions or concerns you have. But if at the end of his visit, you want 'The Adventures of Nate and Charlie' to be left as you originally intended, I will support you one hundred percent."

Nathan, Charlotte, and Liam picked Allie up after school and drove to the depot to wait for the train from Union City that their guest would be on. As the steam engine rolled to a stop, only a few minutes behind schedule, Nathan leaned over to Charlotte, "Do we even know what Mr. Pierce looks like?"

"Not a clue," she confessed. "But there can't be too many strangers arriving into Hope Valley on a Monday night. How hard can it be?"

Just as Charlotte guessed, they saw an older gentleman step down from the last car on the tracks. "That must be him." Nathan said, nodding in the direction of a man in a fine suit who was now talking to the train conductor. The Grants moved further down the platform and were a few feet away when the stranger finally turned towards them.

"Constable Grant." The man held out his hand in greeting to Nathan. "Or I believe Elizabeth told me it's now Sergeant."

"Mr. Thatcher?" Now as they were closer and could see the man's face, Nathan placed him as Elizabeth's father from Hamilton. He had only met him briefly when the man was in town for the few days surrounding Elizabeth and Lucas' wedding. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement on the steps of the train, beside them. He looked over to see Elizabeth's vibrant sister, Julie, make her way towards them.

"Nathan, it is so good to see you again! And this…" Julie turned her attention first to Liam in his father's arms, then onto Allie, and finally Charlotte. "Must be your beautiful family. You're Charlotte, correct? I'm Elizabeth's younger sister, Julie. I'm sorry we didn't get properly introduced the last time I was in Hope Valley for her wedding. I believe you were…" Julie caught her words, unsure of the proper way to continue.

"I was unwell, yes." Charlotte tried to brush through the awkwardness that had fallen upon them. "I'm happy though that I can properly meet you both on this visit to our town. I enjoyed my time the past few years working beside Elizabeth at the school."

"That's exactly why we are here." Mr. Thatcher continued. "We want to talk to the town about the school. I know it's been discussed the need to build a larger one, and I thought I would come out here and see what my company could do to help speed that along."

"That's very generous, sir."

"Nonsense. It has nothing to do with the money. I feel the need to continue my late son-in-law's legacy since the school is, after all, named after him. I want to see the new building carry that forward. For Little Jack's sake, if no one else's." A distant, far-off expression came over Mr. Thatcher then. As though he was reliving another time and place. "I can't say Jack Thornton, Sr. always thought I was the most welcoming father-in-law. Although I questioned if he was the right match for Elizabeth given their far different backgrounds, I never disapproved of him. On the contrary, I highly respected his character, his honesty, and his devotion to duty."

"In my experience," Charlotte placed a hand on Nathan's back. "Those traits are what makes the very best Mounties in the Force."

"Yes, I've heard very good things about some of your work, Sergeant Grant. From those Mounties I know back east and fellow colleagues who do a large amount of business in this area and up North. You seem to be highly regarded as one of the rising stars in the RCMP."

"Oh," Nathan's brow raised in question, but before he could continue another voice spoke up from behind them.

"Nathan Grant, it's so good to finally put a face with a name."

They all turned their attention back to the train car to see another man, about Nathan's age, who spoke. He was thin and small in stature. Dwarfed by the dimensions of his overly large briefcase and the size of the train he stood beside. Thick spectacles sat heavily on his nose and his face flinched frequently in an attempt to lift his glasses back into place.

"Ah, yes. Mr. Pierce here…" William patted Lorne on the back. "Was telling Julie and I on the train, all about how Hope Valley will soon have another published author."

"Well…" Nathan shifted his weight uneasily back and forth. "Not many others in town know about this yet, Mr. Thatcher. And it is probably best that it stays that way. At least until I decide what is right for my family."

"I see." William lifted his chin, seeming to understand what, or rather, who, Nathan was referring to. "Well, I have seen the positives and negatives of this life, so I commend you for considering it fully."

"Thank you, sir. Can we offer you and Julie a ride to Elizabeth's? It will be a tight squeeze in our car, but if you don't have much luggage, we could make it work."

"Nonsense, Bouchard was to pick us up. He should be able to at least do that."

Nathan and Charlotte shared a quick sideways glance but said no more about it. They collected Mr. Pierce's few belongings and loaded up the car for the journey to the ranch.

Mr. Pierce was an extremely enjoyable person to get along with. He conversed easily in the back seat of the car with Allie. They talked almost nonstop about her schooling and dreams of the future. How much she enjoyed living on the ranch where she could ride her horse, Bandit, or play with their dog, Remi. When they pulled up to the house, Allie gave Mr. Pierce a tour of the newly planted orchard next to the vegetable garden. And the flowers they were growing closer to the house, including sweet peas, which led to her telling him the story of how she met her Grandpa Sean, who gave her the nickname, Sweet Pea.

She showed Mr. Pierce the barn and introduced him to the horses, including Maverick, Realta's foal. Allie told him how Charlotte planned this summer to start the colt's training with some groundwork in the round pen outside. Mr. Pierce asked about the room along the side of the barn, which led Allie to show him Nathan's workshop and his newest project of a canoe. Warren had sent them measurements and instructions from one of the villagers in Cadotte Lake. Allie wanted Nathan to build her a canoe so she could learn how to paddle. An interest she had since Dylan took her to the boating festival in Edmonton late last summer. Nathan hoped to have the canoe finished and ready for its maiden voyage on the meadow's lake in time for Charlotte's birthday in a few weeks.

They completed the tour back at the car, Allie asking Mr. Pierce if he owned a vehicle in Toronto, and if he did, what kind he drove. She also talked about Nathan promising to give her driving lessons this summer since he finally thought she was old enough to learn.

Nathan appeared at the door and called them in saying Charlotte had dinner almost ready. He brushed a hand over Allie's hair as she walked by him to wash up.

"You have quite the young woman there," Mr. Pierce said as he stepped onto the porch beside Nathan. "If she didn't have her heart set on becoming a lawyer, I'd try to hire her today to come work for me at the press. Such an imagination. Smart. Engaging. She's a complement to your upbringing, Sergeant."

"Thank you, sir."

"Please. Call me Lorne."

Nathan nodded his head in agreement. "Allie will always be one of my greatest accomplishments in life. But it wasn't just me who had a hand in raising her. My sister, Colleen. And later, Charlotte. This town. They've all had a great impact on the woman my daughter is becoming."

"I'm glad I made the decision to come visit your Hope Valley. I felt like I already knew it from your book but being here now. Meeting you and your family." Lorne gave a small smile and using his forefinger, pushed his glasses back up his long nose. "Now that I have though, I don't know how I can return to Toronto without the signed publishing deal for 'The Adventures of Nate and Charlie'."

Nathan sighed, looking out over his front yard down to the river. The landscape was cast in a rich, golden hue as the last light of the day faded over the mountain. "Why." He mumbled under his breath. He could see Lorne staring at him out of the corner of his eye. "I mean… Why do you want to publish the book? Is it for the money? Because it's never been about that sort of thing for me." Nathan didn't wait for Pierce to answer his questions. "I have everything I will ever need right here. Right now. And if, by chance, all this should happen to go away one day…" He waved his hand over the hills and trees. "As long as I had them…" Nathan tipped his head in the direction of the dining room window, where no doubt his family were sitting down for dinner. "Allie, Liam, and Charlotte… I'd be just as happy. Happy if I could spend forever like that. Making memories with my family. I don't need my name on the front of a book. Or in the newspapers. And I certainly don't need the money. I'm rich beyond my means. So, Lorne. Why should I publish the book?"

"Because you have a story to tell." Lorne said. "And maybe more so… You have a story that others need to hear."

"Why do you say that? I wrote this book as a gift to my wife and children. Others won't care about our story."

"I promise you they will. Because it can be a gift to other Canadian families as well. It's a story about friendship. Helping lift one another up. Enjoying simple, everyday moments with those you hold dear." The silence stretched for a long moment between the two men, before Lorne continued. "Times are changing, Nathan. Across this country and the world. Sometimes I wonder what is to become of all of us. Without God and family at the forefront of everything we do. Your story has a subtle, engaging way of keeping both of them the center of our daily lives."

Nathan leaned against the railing of the porch and considered everything Lorne was saying.

"I don't think I've told you," Lorne continued. "But I have a young son and daughter. Personally… It is because of them that I want to publish your book. They ask me every night to read them 'The Adventures of Nate and Charlie'. And no matter how many times they hear it and look at the pictures, they want more. I have a feeling that children all over the country and world will feel the same way. And your story is going to be the glue that binds those families together. No matter what happens at school, or work, or anywhere else, your book, your story is what is going to bring parents and children together at the end of the day. That's the gift that can keep on giving for generations."

Nathan stayed silent, but he turned around to face Pierce. Crossing his arms and long legs one over the other to lean back against the nearest post. "I'm not the next L. Frank Baum, Loren. I'm… I'm just Nathan Grant."

"And that's all I'm asking you to be. I don't want Baum so I can publish the next 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. I want Nathan Grant. You're the creator of this book, just as you are the author of your own life's story. And from what I've read, it's a page-turner."

"It appeared as though you and Lorne had a chance to talk before dinner." Charlotte said as she and Nathan prepared for bed that night.

"We did."

Nathan's limited answer earned a peaked brow from his wife. "And did he answer some of your questions and concerns about possibly publishing your book?"

"He did."

"Nathan," Charlotte said with a slight twist of her head and a grin spreading across her face. "Am I really going to have to pull this whole conversation from you one question at a time?"

He matched her grin. "Probably."

Charlotte gave a half-hearted scowl a moment before she lunged for him. Her fingers searching for the ticklish spot on his side. Nathan instead expertly captured her hands, and in one motion pulled her close, wrapping her in an embrace she couldn't escape. He playfully peppered a flurry of kisses along her cheeks accompanied with funny smacking noises. He smiled as Charlotte squirmed against him, soft laughter escaping her lips.

"Nate, stop. We're going to wake Liam."

He drew back slightly, cupping her face. "We'd hate for that to happen." Nathan brushed Charlotte's hair back out of her eyes.

"Yes…" Her chest rose and fell heavily as she tried to catch her breath after their tussle. "We would."

Nathan kissed the dimple that deepened in Charlotte's cheek with her smile, but he complied and loosened his hold around her waist. She moved slowly across the room to the dresser and began folding some of their clothes that had been washed. Nathan turned and looked over at where their son slept peacefully in his cradle. "Mr. Pierce says I should publish the book because I have a story to tell. And it's a story that others need to hear." Nathan saw Charlotte turn to face him, one of his blue shirts in her hands. "And I believe you agree with him."

"I do." Charlotte answered honestly. She placed the now folded shirt in the dresser drawer. "If I didn't believe that, Nathan, I never would have even sent Ryerson a copy of your book. Like I said in the meadow on your birthday, your writing is special, and I think it can have a larger impact than you ever imagined. That being said, I only want this, if it is what you want too."

"I don't know what I want." Nathan ran a hand through his hair.

"I think you do." She regarded him steadily. "But there is something that is giving you pause."

"What?"

"You know what I'm talking about." Charlotte picked up another shirt and folded it. "How about what you said to Mr. Thatcher this afternoon at the train station? About if doing this will be right for your family."

Nathan took a deep breath. What Charlotte said was true. Since she'd given him the letter from Lorne months ago, deep down Nathan had always known what he wanted. But he, and seemingly his wife, also knew what held him back.

Now finished with putting away the laundry, Charlotte pushed the dresser drawer closed with her hip and turned to face Nathan again. "Sarge, I never thought I'd have to tell you this, but… You're not Elizabeth."

He gave a short chuckle. "Thanks for clearing that up."

"You know what I mean. You saw how publishing her novel and all the hoopla that came with it changed Elizabeth in a way. And not a way that you admire or want to see become of you… Or your family." Charlotte came to his side where Nathan still stood over Liam. "But it won't. I promise."

"How do you know it won't?"

"Because I know you, Nathan Grant." Her hand reached out and first touched his shoulder before trailing lower over his arm to entwine her fingers with his. Her grey eyes captured his attention completely. "Not just the Mountie. Or the husband and father. Every part of you, I know. Every part of you, I see. And every part of you, I love. Forever, if you let me."

"Forever like this…" Nathan pulled her close, threading his fingers into her wavy hair guiding their lips together for a long, languorous kiss. "Sounds perfect to me."