Chapter 18

Nathan woke with a start, taking a few moments after he opened his eyes to orient himself and remember where he was.

He had spoken with Allie for quite a while, answering her concerns and reassuring her that everything would be okay. "There is nothing on this earth that is going to stop me from being up on my feet again", he had told her. "After all, one day I will be the proudest man in the world when I walk you down the aisle".

She had blushed then, in the way he had noticed she did quite often lately when they spoke about her growing up, which she was doing much too fast for his liking. As she was reaching the age where having a woman to guide her would be more important than ever, he prayed that Elizabeth would be the one to fill that role. They already shared such a close bond that the relationship could only get better as Allie faced the challenges that impending womanhood would bring.

Now as the room came into focus he tried to sit up but quickly slumped back against the pillows. Maggie had given him something to ease the pain he was experiencing and he guessed that must have knocked him out for quite a while. He could still see daylight through a gap in the curtains although the sun must be getting lower as the glow off the snow covered surface cast a warm light up towards the window, but he had no idea of the time.

A voice from beyond the end of the bed answered as if reading his mind, "It's 3.30 in the afternoon." Gabe came into view as he walked up to stand beside him.

"How did you know I was thinking about that?"

"Because every time we've been bunked down together anywhere since we met at Mountie Training College that is the first thing you ask when you wake up". Gabe smiled as he spoke but beneath it he was struggling to deal with the self reproach he felt at the sight of his friend there on the bed, convinced that it was because of him that Nathan was suffering.

"Don't think like that Gabe, this is not your fault. In fact no-one is to blame, it was just one of those things that happened. We are blessed that there was a good ending for everyone."

A questioning look came on Gabe's face and he looked down at Nathan, "How did you…"? Before he could finish Nathan laughed, the sound of which meant a lot to Gabe. "I'm not the only one who is a creature of habit. You have a particular expression that tells everyone that you are feeling responsible for something, that you believe it is because of you that something bad happened. It was calling out loud and clear just now!" Gabe knew he couldn't deny it, he had been told the same many times before.

"We've been through a lot together Nathan, good times and bad, easy missions and those where I wouldn't want anyone else having my back but you. You are more than a friend, you are my brother and I'm not embarrassed to admit that I love you. Seeing you lying here earlier was heart wrenching for me as there was nothing I could do for you, after you gave so much to bring me home. I will never be able to repay you."

Nathan could feel the emotion in Gabe's words, their meaning ringing true for him as well. "We are brothers Gabe and always will be." He tried to lighten the mood by bringing the subject around to the good things that were happening in their lives, "If we are lucky we'll soon be standing up for one another as we each marry the woman we love and I can tell you there is no-one else I would have by my side but you."

Suddenly he let out a wince that Gabe picked up on immediately and it took a while for Nathan to assure him that he was okay. Waving his bandaged hand around relief was clear in his voice, "Maggie says I am lucky to have avoided frostbite and although it will hurt for a few days there is no lasting damage. It seems I did the right thing wrapping my hand inside your coat and using your body heat to keep it as warm as possible, although at the time all I could think about was how cold it felt!" He could see a little easing of the tension in Gabe although he knew it would take time for him to get past his feelings of guilt.

"Anyway, the important thing is that the boy is safe and Bill has gotten the answers needed to close the file on the case. Speaking of the old fellow, is he back yet? He was sorting out something for me in his official capacity so I just want to check that everything is good."

Gabe nodded. "He came back a while ago in the wagon, with both Newton and Hero trotting along behind. The roads are still fairly icy so Lucas decided to take the wagon back into town rather than use his car. He took Maggie with him so I expect she will return soon and hopefully will start this chiro-something treatment on you."

Nathan nodded, hoping the same as he knew he would get frustrated quickly if he was not being able to be up and about. So much was happening for the good in his life right now and he wanted to be out there enjoying it. "Has Lucas gone to stay in the hotel? I was really hoping to have a chance to say a proper thank you for what he did. I will admit the man surprises me at times. I'm not sure I will ever really understand him but I have this inkling that he is someone who really does want to be better."

Gabe knew what Nathan meant as he had seen changes in the way Lucas was behaving, almost as though he had experienced some kind of epiphany and was now working hard to become who he felt he needed to be. "No he isn't, although he did suggest that but the ladies wouldn't hear of it, saying that no-one should be spending Christmas alone. It seems that Bill, Lucas and I will be enjoying each other's company out in the building at the back for the next few nights. Bill brought a couple of extra beds with him from the hotel so we won't be camping on the floor but still none of the luxury of a big warm bed for us!" He chuckled to himself as he spoke, "You would have loved to see Elizabeth teasingly remind him of the job he had to do tonight which he claimed he wasn't trying to avoid. In fact he says he is looking forward to the whole thing."

Nathan raised an eyebrow at that, knowing that every man within 100 miles of here would do anything they could to get out of playing Father Christmas. "The man is either feeling very guilty or the cold addled his brain", he laughed back.

"Well he assures us he is fine. Apparently there is something extra he wants to do for the children, a special memory from when he was a boy. So he has gone into town to get what he needs."

That didn't surprise Nathan. He had always felt that Lucas was searching for something he believed had been missing in his own childhood. Although not having a large number of siblings he still remembered what it was like to share the excitement of Christmas with Colleen. His mother had always made sure that it was special for them and, if he was honest, it was probably the only time that his father seemed fully committed to the family. The stories he would tell them as they sat by the fire had a magic about them because he was there and it was the memory of those times that made Nathan cling on to the belief that away from his need to gamble his father was a good man.

In contrast, Lucas seemed to have had everything money could buy as he grew up but no-one with whom to share the fun. Was that what he was searching for? Why he had sought out Elizabeth to give him the family he so desperately wanted? Nathan actually felt sorry for the man and thought that perhaps it was time to reach out to him and offer a hand of friendship. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't hear what Gabe was saying, "….so have you told Elizabeth everything now? Been honest about the past?"

Brookfield was busier than Lucas expected. He had never spent time here before so was surprised that rather than the slow sleepy town he had imagined it was actually quite a bustling place. The snowstorm had kept people indoors for the past few days and now they were trying to make their last minute purchases for the Christmas celebrations tomorrow. He pulled the buggy up by the livery doors where Maggie assured him the horses would be watered while they went about their business.

"I shouldn't be too long", she told him, "Once I have spoken with Carson I just have two quick patient appointments, neither of them should be more than a few minutes although old Mrs Chalmers does tend to talk forever about all her ailments, not just the one that she came in to see about." She scrunched her face up again before giving a snorty laugh, "And then Mr Brooks likes to have a little flirt with me, and him almost ninety years old! I've mastered the art of dancing around him most of the time but occasionally he does get a little pinch at my bottom although I don't let on I felt anything. One mustn't encourage it and that would just make it more of a challenge for him if he thought he sometimes succeeded."

Lucas liked the nurse. She had an air of quiet confidence about her with a hidden layer of dry humour, which was so typically British in his experience. They were a down to earth nation of people who he always found pleasant to have dealings with, their forthrightness leaving you in no doubt about where you stood with them. Maggie was a classic example of this. "How about we meet at the hotel?" he suggested. "That way if either of us has to wait for the other it will at least be in a warm environment. Hopefully I will get what I need fairly easily and then be ready when you are done, so we can have a cup of coffee before heading back."

He watched as she walked away before turning back into the livery to speak with Tom, the man Chuck said would be able to help him. He knew how disappointed Lillian and Grace were that they would not be able to attend the church service in the morning, the sound of the children's voices as they joined in singing the Christmas carols bringing a tear to many each year, even Ronnie Stewart who was as crusty as Bill Avery could be at times. But Lillian and Grace both felt that the number of children and adults under their roof was too many to make the journey into town in this weather. Although not deeply religious himself Lucas still understood what it would mean to the others to be there and for the children to share in the Christmas spirit with the townspeople who had done so much for them.

Tom came out to help with the horses and Lucas told him of the dilemma they were facing at the orphanage. No further explanation was needed as with a pat on the back and a "leave it to me, you just make sure everyone is ready," he sent Lucas off to do his other tasks.

He walked along the boardwalk to the general store and once he described to the storekeeper what he wanted the bags began to fill up on the counter top. With no credit arrangement and only a small amount of cash on his person he was glad to hand over the note that Gabe had quickly written up for him, vouching for his good character and ability to send through the required funds once he returned to Hope Valley. This was a new thing for him, having people who believed in you and he liked the way it made him feel.

Now he scoured the bookshelves, looking for the last item on his list. It couldn't be any old book for this was part of the magic. It had to be something that would take the children into a world of dreams and fantasy, where they could forget their sadness for even just a short while. His eyes fell on Christmas Tree Land by Mrs Molesworth, a book he remembered being on the library shelves at home when he was a child but for the life of him he couldn't remember what it was about. Reaching out for it he was startled by a voice behind him, "I don't think that is going to do the trick. In the story the children's father returns to them at the end so perhaps not the best thing to be reading to orphans!"

It didn't surprise him that Maggie would know this. He imagined her as a young girl in a big country house, listening to her governess read stories such as this to her each night. He turned around to her. "That was quick, I thought you would be quite a while longer."

"My patients both cancelled. Mrs Chalmers has her niece visiting for Christmas, which she had completely forgotten about, so it is highly likely I'll have that poor woman wanting an appointment in a day or two for something to cure her earache. And Mr Brooks has been invited to his neighbour's for the evening, something I am sure his son's wife had a hand in organising as a full day tomorrow with him and his wandering hands will be more than enough for her to contend with!"

Lucas laughed, imagining the scenes with both these people and yet finding himself slightly envious of the ordinariness of it. Of families manoeuvring the different quirks of members but still willing to be together as this time.

"Did you manage to speak to Carson?"

"Yes, I was able to get straight through to him. He agrees with my diagnosis of Nathan's condition and the treatment I suggested. So I just need to pick up a few things here and then pop along to my house to get changed. After that I'll be ready for that coffee, for which I think Joe may join us." She indicated to the man behind the counter and suddenly the penny dropped for Lucas, "This is your Joe?"

"It most certainly is!" she said as a beaming smile crossed her face. "Now why don't you head along to the hotel and I'll be as quick as can be. I believe I have the perfect book for you at home. And something else for a special person."