Author's note: I am borrowing this quote about karma from the Unknow author: "Forgive the person and their actions; never give in to hate. Let it go, set it free, and karma will take care of what is meant to be".
Thanks to Avis Minter and Jen Cremona for our brainstorming about this story and all of their ideas and suggestions that are weaved in this chapter!
—--
Henry watched as the stagecoach rolled into town and creased his eyebrows in confusion stepping down the stairs of the cafe.
He watched as it flew right in front of him and thought he recognized a single traveler inside.
Was that…?
"Mama! Mama! It's Mr. Bouchard! He's back!", Cooper Canfield yelled as he ran after the stagecoach with a wide grin on his face.
Henry looked up as the stagecoach stopped and the doors opened and, true to Cooper's words, his good friend stepped out.
"Lucas!!"
Grace's voice was heard, surprise, desperation and love colouring the sound.
And Lucas turned in her direction, his face shining with the biggest smile Henry had ever seen.
There were murmurs of surprise around him as Lucas ran toward Grace, only to turn in collective gasps as Grace fell into Lucas' arms and he kissed her, twirling her as she laughed in delight.
Henry smiled as he checked who was standing close to him.
Fiona, Faith and Mike.
"Wait, what the…", Mike's voice was heard.
Fiona's eyes almost popped out from her face.
"She said she doesn't even know him!", was all that Fiona was able to utter.
Faith just stood there, her mouth slightly gaping open.
Henry chuckled to himself as he stepped down from the stairs and headed toward the road in front of Queen of Hearts saloon where Grace and Lucas were still wrapped up in each other's arms and completely oblivious to the stunned crowd on the Main Street.
Henry crossed the street,stepped on the porch of the saloon and leaned against one pillar, crossing his arms as he watched with a smug smile as people close by started to react.
Front row seat.
"Oh, my!", Molly's not so discreet whisper was heard. She quickly glanced at Florence "Did you know about this?"
Florence shook her head, her mouth still wide opened.
"I had no idea! You know that I would told you if I knew!", her eyes softened as she saw Lucas burying his face in Grace's hair and whispered something that made a young woman smile happily "But, they do make such a lovely couple!"
Molly smiled as she watched the same scene. Her friend was right.
Suddenly, Molly's eyes widened as she hissed to her old friend:
"Florence! Look! It's Elizabeth!", as Florence started to frantically turn around, Molly stopped her circling and whispered "At Coulter's office!"
Florence's eyes looked in that direction and she raised one eyebrow, her lips curling up slightly.
"Forgive the person and their actions; never give in to hate. Let it go, set it free, and karma will take care of what is meant to be", mumbled Florence with a satisfied facial expression.
Molly looked at her friend.
"That's good", she nodded "Lucas never gave in to hate".
Florence put her index finger up a bit and added with a smug smile:
"And it looks like karma just knocked at Elizabeth's doors to take care of everything", she winked at Molly and watched intently at the schoolteacher.
Molly tugged Florence's hand in the crook of her arm and quickly pulled her to start walking.
"Molly! What are you doing?! I wanna see what happens next!", hissed Florence earning herself a glare from Molly.
"And I want to hear what will our esteemed teacher say about this", said Molly causing Florence's smug smile to reappear.
They stopped behind the wall of newspapers building and peeked at the sight of Elizabeth, Rosemary and Lee standing gobsmacked and frozen at the porch.
And the first thing they heard was Elizabeth's silent hiss.
"That lying little wench", but she was quickly interrupted by Rosemary.
"Elizabeth! Pull yourself together!", hissed Rosemary.
However, Elizabeth couldn't stop looking at the sight in front if her.
"He never kissed ME like that", she looked at her friend "Rosemary, why didn't he ever kiss ME like that?!"
Florence let out ironic short laugh at Elizabeth's whining and whispered to Molly:
"Probably because she thought it would be TOO GRAND for her Royal Highness".
Molly raised her eyebrows.
"Well, Elizabeth, you made your bed, now you have to sleep in it", said Molly.
Florence looked at her friend and winked.
"Touché", she said with a smile.
Molly winked back.
"Oh, just a new pearl of wisdom from FloMo etiquette class", she quipped.
Minnie smiled at the sight in front of her. After spending time with Grace these days she could tell that she was a perfect match for Lucas and that they would be a beautiful and powerful couple that is destined to change people's lives for the better.
But, to see them together in front of her - they were a force to be reckoned with.
A love in its purest and most beautiful form.
"Did you know about this?", Mei Sue asked silently.
Minnie nodded.
"Yes", she replied with a smile on her face.
Mei Sue watched as Lucas smiled at Grace before leaning down to kiss her again.
"He looks so happy", Mei Sue smiled "I don't think I ever saw him like this".
Minnie looked at Mei Sue and smiled thoughtfully.
"True love does that".
Nathan was leaning against the doors of the Mountie's office as he watched the scene unwind in front of him.
Where did you learn to play like that?!"
Oh, I had an excellent teacher!
You would think she got lessons from Lucas seeing how she cleans us out!
What's wrong, Constable Grant? You're scared I will beat you?
Nathan couldn't help but smile.
It looks like Lucas finally found his perfect match.
If anyone asked her how she felt at this moment Rosemary would say that she was shocked, to begin with. Then flabbergasted. Then gobsmacked.
And then absolutely furious!
And just to add to all that anger she heard her own husband saying softly with a smile on his face:
"Good for you, Lucas".
Elizabeth gasped, hurt at how insensitive Lee was.
"Lee!", hissed Rosemary.
But, for once her husband ignored her as he smiled at the sight in front of him.
All of a sudden, a clap of hands was heard and everybody turned to see Bill Avery coming out from the saloon and joining Henry as both of them applauded.
"Way to go, Governor!", yelled Bill, bringing people on the Main Street alive again as most of them applauded and cheered.
Henry Gowen took it a step further and put two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly.
Lucas smiled on Grace's lips and felt her cheeks growing hot under his fingers as both of them started to laugh.
"Oops", Lucas playfully whispered to her, making her smile widen.
He put one hand across Grace's shoulders and picked his suitcase in the other hand. Grace wrapped a hand around his waist, snuggling into his side as he led her toward the Queen of Hearts saloon.
People greeted him warmly, with a pat on his back and smiles on their faces.
And if there were two persons that didn't share the sentiment of the crowd, well, so be it.
Lucas smiled at his old friends and neighbors welcoming him back.
Bill fell into a step with him giving him a friendly slap on his back.
"Welcome back, Lucas. This little Miss of yours was quite busy", at Lucas' curious smile, Bill quipped "I never worked with a better undercover agent, trust me".
Lucas glanced at Grace then at Bill as he slightly shook his head.
"Undercover?", he felt Grace's shoulders shake from laughter under his arm and he looked at his love with a big smile on his lips.
Bill smiled.
"I'll let Miss Bennett explain it to you. See you later, Governor", quipped Bill and walked away.
Lucas nodded at his old friend with a smile and stepping up on the porch of saloon, he leaned down to whisper in Grace's ear.
"Lets get out of here".
He nodded at Mike who was back at his work place.
"Lucas", smiled Mike "It's good to see you. Welcome back".
Lucas smiled.
"Thank you, Mike. It's good to see you too", he looked at the doors of the saloon and then back at Mike "Don't let anybody disturb us. Not even if my Mother shows up", he quipped and felt Grace's shoulders shaking from suppressed laughter.
Mike nodded.
"I'll do my best", he said with a smile.
Lucas took Grace's hand and gently pulled her toward his office.
The moment they went inside he slammed the doors closed and dropped his suitcase on the floor.
Without words, Lucas moved into Grace's personal space and pulled her in his embrace, his lips crashing with hers in a desperate, longing kiss.
He drank her in, like a man yearning for water in the desert. His hands caressed her long hair, moving over her spine and reaching her waist, he pulled her closer to him.
"Grace", she heard his husky whisper and it shot right through her body flaming up her senses "My lovely, dear, beautiful Grace. I never wanna be away from you for so long again. Never", he whispered desperately "I want you by my side", he longingly kissed her lips "I need you by my side", he moved slowly around his office, never letting go of her, kissing her hungrily.
Reaching the table, Lucas picked Grace up and placed her on the edge of the table, his lips slowly, lazily dragging down her chin toward her neck.
Grace gasped in pleasure, her eyes fluttering closed. She sneaked her fingers into his glorious hair and gently pressed…only to moan at the feeling of his lips and tongue attacking her swan-like neck with hot caresses.
Grace leaned toward him, her hands going to his shoulders and she pulled him closer in her arms.
"Lucas", she mumbled in a shaky voice, holding onto his shoulders like they were her anchor to hold onto in order not to faint from pleasure.
His lips slowly went back to hers and as she felt his kiss drowning every sensible thought inside her brain, she mewled silently in delight as he licked her lower lip, begging for entrance. She
gasped, opening up for him and he deepened their kiss, his tongue caressing her mouth with love and passion.
Grace's mind went blurry. She put her fingers back to his hair and slightly tugged at it causing Lucas to groan in pleasure.
And in that moment, loud voices were heard from outside, Mike yelling at someone "You can't go in there!"
But, to no avail.
The doors burst open and Elizabeth showed up in a door frame, her face furious.
Only to change into completely stunned at the sight in front of her!
Lucas opened his eyes to see who it was, his lips hovering close to Grace's. She also turned around to see who dared to interrupt their passionate reunion.
Elizabeth stood there, her eyes wide opened, completely shocked.
Grace felt Lucas' fingers caressing her cheeks as he said in a cold tone of voice:
"Would you be so kind and close the doors when you leave?", he deadpanned, sending Grace to fits of laughter. At hearing her sweet giggles, Lucas pulled her close to him as he laughed along with her, her face hidden in his neck.
An image that Elizabeth won't forget for the rest of her life.
She stormed out from his office and at the sound of doors slamming shut, Grace completely lost a battle with laughter and collapsed against her love's chest, laughing her heart out.
Lucas held her close as he laughed hard, feeling lighter than ever.
"Oh, ma cherié", he softly said, kissing her hair "Your love and laugh are my salvation. You healed me, mon coeur", he pulled back slightly and leaned his forehead on hers, whispering "I love you, my angel".
Grace smiled warmly as she looked at his beautiful, dark eyes.
"I love you too, my Lucas", she whispered "So much".
—--
I saw the light, I've been baptized
By the fire in your touch and the flame in your eyes
I'm born to love again
I'm a brand new man.
Well, the whole town's talkin'
'Bout the line I'm walkin'
That leads right to your door
Oh, how I used to roam
I was a rolling stone.
I used to have a wild side
They say a country mile wide
I'd burn those beer joints down
That's all changed now
You turned my life around.
Oh, I saw the light, I've been baptized
By the fire in your touch and the flame in your eyes
I'm born to love again
I'm a brand new man.
I used to love 'em and leave 'em
Oh, I'd brag about my freedom
How no one could tie me down
Then I met you
Now my heart beats true.
Baby, you and me together
Feels more like forever
Than anything I've ever known
We're right on track
I ain't lookin' back.
Yeah, I saw the light, I've been baptized
By the fire in your touch and the flame in your eyes
I'm born to love again
I'm a brand new man.
Oh, I saw the light, I've been baptized
By the fire in your touch and the flame in your eyes
I'm born to love again
I'm a brand new man.
("Brand new man" - Brooks & Dunn)