Most of the week was overcast and rainy. While most residents of Hope Valley complained about the weather, Nathan, Lee and Bill were just thankful that the manmade pond was both holding water and that God had decided to help them fill it. More than one prayer of gratitude went up that week.

Friday dawned bright, the brilliant blue sky interrupted only for an occasional wispy white cloud. Despite Laura and Noah coming for supper that evening, Elizabeth planned on tackling the laundry that she had been putting off the last couple of days in the hopes of better weather. She knew she couldn't pass on the better weather today.

Before leaving for work, Nathan made sure the wash tubs were filled with water. Elizabeth planned on hurrying through the breakfast dishes so she could get to the wash. Jack's helpfulness changed those plans. Not wanting to discourage the little boy from being helpful, Elizabeth tolerated the 'help' though she chafed to be starting her laundry.

When the breakfast dishes were finally done, Elizabeth suggested Jack play with his duckling while she went upstairs to gather bed sheets and clothes, specifically telling him not to leave the house. Her first indication that something was off was the fact that the laundry baskets were not in their place. She called out for Ally but got no response. Going to the teen's room, she didn't find Ally but she did find a stripped bed. The same was true for Jack's room. Bed sheets had been stripped and the hamper for dirty clothes gone. Going to the master bedroom, Elizabeth found one of the laundry baskets at the foot of the bed.

Apparently, Ally had already started the laundry process. It was the only explanation. Stripping the bed she shared with Nathan and gathering their dirty clothes, Elizabeth hefted the laundry basket and headed downstairs. Going to the sunroom, she instructed her son to gather the duckling and come outside with her. Jack obliged, gently picking up the duckling who had been pulling at his pant leg, much to Jack's entertainment, and following Elizabeth out the back door.

Stepping outside, Elizabeth found Ally leaning over the wash tub, she and Jack's gathered laundry that had not been washed yet in a basket beside her.

"Ally, thank you for starting the washing for me," Elizabeth called out as she crossed to her step daughter.

Ally leaned back and looked up at Elizabeth. "You're welcome. I know there is a lot to get done today as we have dinner guests."

"There is," Elizabeth admitted, feeling a little less overwhelmed at the prospect right about now. She looked around for her son. Jack was walking around, Nate following him to the little boy's delight. "Just do not wander off far, Jack," Elizabeth cautioned.

"Yes, Mama," Jack replied, not bothering taking his eyes off of his duckling.

"Why don't I take over the scrubbing and you can rinse and hang the things you have already washed," Elizabeth suggested.

"Gladly," Ally said, letting go of the sheet she had been scrubbing and getting to her feet. The girl stretched her arms over her head as she took a few steps to the rinse tub.

Elizabeth knew she would be wanting to stretch out soon enough herself. As Ally moved to the rinse tub, Elizabeth placed her basket of dirty laundry and knelt down in front of the wash tub. While keeping an eye on Jack, Elizabeth finished the wash. She was thankful for Ally's continuing help. They worked in silence for a little while until finally Ally spoke.

"Opal said that her mother is going to home school her next year. Emily is going to be home schooled next year as well. Mrs. Montgomery figures even trying to run the dress shop and supervise Emily's schoolwork that she can't do much worse than the current teacher."

Elizabeth nodded. "I know you will miss your friends," she said, figuring that was a safe thing to say. It had only been recently that she had really been paying attention to what people were saying about Hope Valley's two teachers. Though the problems with each were different, as a former teacher, Elizabeth was ashamed that two teachers would act the way people say they did. A part of her also felt guilty. If she had not allowed herself to be pushed out of teaching, perhaps she could have had influence on Hope Valley's education system.

"Yes, but it isn't just that. I have had bad teachers before. Even the one in Calgary this past year had not exactly been sympathetic though most students seemed to like her. Before I had you as a teacher, being at the Forts were the best. We were usually taught by the wife of one of the Mounties, which made for some confusion in placement if I went to a formal school setting afterwards, but at least I felt understood. Dad has been trying to figure out how he could supervise my school but I can tell he feels overwhelmed."

"Both being a Mountie and starting a new business, are time-consuming responsibilities," Elizabeth said in defense of Nathan. In truth, she had been wanting to offer home schooling Ally but was fear of rejection. Nathan might feel she was interfering in a way that wasn't her place. Ally might not even want her as a teacher after what she had put the girl through. Elizabeth felt the safer option was to just stay out of the matter, though part of her felt like a coward for that attitude.

"I know. Mrs. Weiss says she wishes she could teach me as well as Opal, but says she is not sure she can even teach Opal, just that she feels obligated to try."

"I'm sure Mrs. Weiss will do fine," Elizabeth commented, though silently she made a promise to herself to stop by and see if Opal's mother wanted any advice.

Ally nodded. She hung a few garments in silence and then turned and faced Elizabeth.

"I know I don't know exactly why you stopped teaching, Beth, and if you don't want to teach again, I understand," Ally began quietly. "However, I was wondering if you might be willing to home school me?"

The timid way in which she asked the question, reminded Elizabeth of the girl who had first come to Hope Valley. Ally had blossomed into a confident, funny, outgoing girl since those first days. That was not the girl she saw before her now.

Elizabeth let go of the garment she had been scrubbing and sat back. A glance for Jack had found that he had settled under a tree, holding Nate close to him. Though she couldn't be sure from this distance, the duckling looked to be sleeping.

Looking back to Ally, she asked, "have you talked to your Dad about this?"

Ally shook her head. "I thought I would ask you if you were willing first. I think Dad would say it wasn't a good idea to bother you with this at this time. He's very good at being protective of people after something tragic has happened. Everyone except himself that is."

Elizabeth smiled. Her father had been that way, as had Jack. Bill was good at that as well. "I think it is a man thing, Ally," Elizabeth mentioned.

"Maybe so, but it makes looking out for him hard and as I was all he had for so long, someone had to look out for him."

"You did a very good job," Elizabeth assured her.

"I am thankful for help now. Uncle Gabe has always been supportive but I am glad Dad has Uncle Bill now as well. He also has you."

"We all have each other," Elizabeth amended. "As for home schooling you, if you are willing to have me as your teacher again, then I would be happy to do it. I would have offered but I was afraid to. Not saying anything was easier than you telling me that you did not want me as your teacher," Elizabeth admitted.

Ally was silent, a thoughtful look on her face, as she digested the admission. "I can understand that," the teen finally offered.

" I will talk to your Dad about it this evening if you would like? After our guests leave. That way, I can assure him that it will not be a burden to me. In fact, it will be nice to be teaching again. Yes, a mother is always a teacher, but teaching in a classroom always felt different somehow."

"Are you going to send Jack to school in town next year?" Ally asked, both of them having returned to their tasks.

"From what I have heard of the current teachers," Elizabeth said as she leaned back over the washboard, "no, I would not send him to school in town. While I want him to socialize with other children, I want him to do so in a nurturing environment. Hearing you and Opal talk about school does not convince me that is what Hope Valley school is theses days. However, it is a year away. Perhaps different teachers will be in place before your Dad and I need to make that choice," Elizabeth said, knowing that it was no longer her choice alone. She had been afraid of getting involved in Ally's schooling but she realized now that she should have shared her concerns with Nathan. Part of their promise to one another in this marriage was to raise the children together. While she knew she would always let Nathan have the final word when it came to something involving Ally, and she hoped Nathan would return that consideration, it was her responsibility to offer him guidance and another point of view to make those choices.

"Would you want to return to teaching if they offered you a position?" Ally asked.

Elizabeth considered that for a moment. Though she did miss teaching, she did not think she was in the place emotionally to return to it full time, even if it would be allowed given the allegations that she had left under.

"Perhaps some day I would consider it, but right now I think I am content to stay at home and finally be a proper housewife and mother. Those two roles are just as important as holding a paying job."

Ally nodded her acknowledgment to the words even as the two of them returned to their task.

Having met Noah at the grand opening of the Amaryllis, Nathan had met the young man at the railroad station at the end of the young man's shift. The two of them rode then rode from the railroad station to the Campbell farm to pick up Laura. Nathan expertly asked the young man questions that led to Noah carrying the bulk of the conversation, though he did contribute when necessary. As they approached the Campbell farm, Noah had admitted that he knew Laura was the one that he wanted to spend his life with, but that he also did not want to give up his dream.

"Is it really fair to ask her to wait for me to finish school, when I do not even know how long reaching that goal will take me?" Noah asked.

"You may be asking the wrong man that question," Nathan admitted to the young man. "I've had very little experience courting a woman and what experience I do have I would not say has been exactly positive. I can tell you this though Noah, if the two of you truly do love one another, that love will last the test of time. Just be honest with one another, and even if there is time apart in the future, your love will remain strong. If Laura loves you like you say you love her, she will support you while you strive to reach your goal. However, you need to do that as well."

Noah nodded. "Laura still wants to be a nurse. She has finished all the courses she can by correspondence. Now, she needs to go away to finish the courses she needs to do in person. She has applied to several schools, as far east as Hamilton. She is just waiting to hear back."

"If she gets accepted, you need to be sure to encourage her to go," Nathan told him. "Let her know how you feel about her but that you want her to pursue her dreams. If the two of you are meant to be, God will find a way for you. He has for me," Nathan told the young man, thinking about Elizabeth. Despite all that had transpired, they were finally together. Though Elizabeth was still sorting things out, Nathan was confident that when she finally had, she would be able to return his love. For him that was what was important, not the heartache he had gone through to get here.

"I will," Noah said, as the two started up the path that lead to the Campbell's farmhouse.

Laura was waiting beside her own horse as the two approached.

"Hello, Constable Grant," Laura called out. "I didn't realize you were coming with Noah to pick me up."

"I thought the ride would be more enjoyable if Noah had company. I know I can get lonely making the ride home alone," Nathan told her.

Laura had mounted her horse while Nathan had replied. With all three of them astride their horses, they headed for the Grant home. Reaching home, Nathan and his two guests dismounted.

Nathan was about to speak when Jack and Ally came out of the house. The little boy made a beeline for Nathan. Keeping hold of Newton's reins, Nathan squatted down and held his other arm out to Jack.

"Welcome home," Jack said, giving Nathan a hug.

Nathan hugged the boy close with one arm and kissed the top of his head. "It is good to be home, Jack," he replied. He would never tire of the warm greeting by the boy. "I brought a guest home with me, Jack."

Jack let go of Nathan and turned to Laura and Noah. "Laura!" Jack exclaimed, running to his former nanny. He had been just as happy to see her the previous Friday.

While Jack hugged Laura, Nathan accepted a welcome home hug from his daughter, thankful that she was not embarrassed to hug him in front of people.

"Beth and I almost have dinner ready," Ally told him.

"Good, because I am hungry," Nathan told her, placing a kiss on the top of her head like he had Jack. "How about you take Laura inside, while Noah and I get the horses settled in the barn."

Glancing over at the porch, Nathan noticed Nate pacing at the top of the steps. The duckling had tried to follow Jack but seemed perplexed by the steps.

"Take Nate in with you and put him in his crate until after dinner please," Nathan requested.

"Yes, sir," Ally said.

As the kids escorted Laura into the house, Noah and Nathan led the horses toward the barn.

"Where did the duckling come from?" Noah asked. "Not your typical pet, even in the country."

With a smile, Nathan told Noah the story about Jack finding the abandoned duck eggs and how by some miracle one had hatched. When the young man attributed the hatching egg to God, Nathan could not disagree with him. After all, Nate was one of God's creatures as well. A duckling may not be a typical pet, but finding the eggs and having one hatch had helped Jack not to dwell on a harsh reality of nature. For that, Nathan was thankful.