Chapter 130- Operation Sarge's Buttons

Nathan was concentrating on breakfast at the stove the next morning when Charlotte slid her arms around his waist. Pressing herself against his strong back.

"Good morning, Sarge," Charlotte whispered into Nathan's ear before pressing a kiss to his stubbled jawline.

She felt him smile against her lips as he slowly rubbed his hand along the length of her forearm wrapped around him. "Morning, Charlie."

"Why didn't you wake me? I could have helped with breakfast."

"You looked so peaceful, and I knew you needed the rest." Nathan said as he moved the cooking pans off the heat before turning in Charlotte's arms to press a proper good morning kiss to her lips. "But most of all… because it's your birthday. It's the least I could do." He hugged her close, winding his arms around his wife's waist and settling his chin on the top of her head. There was little that brought him more peace than simply holding her in his arms. He didn't know how any man survived without a woman to love. Or a woman to love him in return.

"Mmmm…" Charlotte hummed against his chest where her cheek rested, squeezing her arms tighter around him. "This is a good birthday so far. A chance to sleep in. Someone to make breakfast." She tilted her head up to look at him. "My husband in my arms."

He laughed and pressed a kiss to her temple. "As much as I'd like to stay right here, usually my breakfast only tastes good when it's still somewhat warm."

"What is on the menu this morning?"

"Coffee."

"That's a good place to start."

"Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. My specialty that's been perfected through the years."

"Hmmm… isn't it nice that your specialty also happens to be my favorite breakfast foods."

"I'd call it more lucky than nice, but I'll take it as a small victory," Nathan chuckled as he and Charlotte worked together plating their breakfast and pouring two cups of coffee.

"What do you say to eating on the front porch this morning?" Charlotte asked.

Nathan nodded in agreement. He had thought about suggesting the same thing. Even after all their time last night talking and praying together, Allie being missing from their home was a fresh wound that needed some time to begin healing. Sitting at a large dining room table built for so many, when there were just the two of them, seemed to be more than either Nathan or Charlotte wanted to take on this morning. "I think that would be an excellent idea. It is shaping up to be a beautiful day. We should go out and enjoy it and maybe one of these days I'll finish that porch swing you've been dreaming of, since I've failed to get it done in time for your birthday."

"A belated birthday gift is just fine by me." Charlotte teased. "It allows me to extend this special day for a little longer."

"I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that, Sarge."

After their breakfast, Charlotte went along with Nathan on his rounds. Riding Newton and Bandit, they explored the far reaches of his territory. Enjoying the beautiful summer day, doing something they loved together. Back in Hope Valley, he was able to surprise Charlotte with lunch at the café with Allie, his parents, Bill, the Coulters, and the Canfields. Afterwards, they all walked down to the ice cream shop for dessert, where they were joined by other townspeople and some of Charlotte's students. While Nathan worked on paperwork in his office that afternoon, Charlotte spent time with Allie brushing Newton and Bandit at the livery and picking out some new books in the library.

Nathan chose to do his evening rounds early, so he had plenty of time to get to the Coulter's house before Dylan arrived. He wanted a chance to talk to his brother-in-law, man to man, before their dinner with Allie. He felt the need to lay some of the ground rules that may not have been discussed with Mr. Carl.

For now, he waited, leaning against one of the main posts on the Coulter's front porch as he stared down Main Street. Watching for Dylan to exit the saloon and make his way back into Allie's life.

Yesterday after telling Allie about the dinner that Mr. Carl had arranged, Allie had asked them what she should call Dylan. The question had caught Nathan and Charlotte off guard, although it shouldn't have. Dylan was both a stranger to her and her biological father. His relationship with her was nonexistent, yet here he was.

"I mean…" Allie had said. "Do you think he will expect me to call him Dad?"

Nathan was speechless. Angry. Sad. Hurt. He knew Allie didn't mean the question to stir any of those things inside him, but it still did.

"Allie," Charlotte took the girl's hands into her own. "I know this dinner tomorrow night has us all feeling a lot of different emotions, especially anxious. On one hand, I know you are curious to get to know more about Dylan. To maybe understand a little more about your own past and your mom. On the other hand, there is a lot of hurt and mistrust associated with him and how he has handled himself. Thankfully, both your dad and I will be there to support you. As well as the Coulters. If at any point though tomorrow night at dinner, you start to feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed, please know you have every right in the world to excuse yourself from the situation. Just say the word and we will step in and ask Dylan to leave." Charlotte pulled Allie into her side and kissed the top of her head. "And as for what you are to call Dylan… You are a strong and incredibly intelligent young woman, Allie. Trust your instincts. Do what feels right for you at this moment and know whatever that is… your dad and I will support you."

Allie had looked over at Nathan then, seemingly looking for his approval and acceptance of everything Charlotte had just said.

"Charlotte's right, Allie. This has to be a decision that is right for you. If you want to call Dylan by his first name or Mr. Parks. Father or…" Nathan swallowed. "Dad. I'll support you because that is your choice to make."

Allie's brows furrowed and she came to Nathan. Wrapping her arms around his waist. Hugging him close. "Dad. I've meant what I've said before. You are the only father I have ever known. Nothing is going to change that. Not this dinner. Not this man." Nathan squeezed her tight and looked at Charlotte over the top of Allie's head. Tears streamed down both of their cheeks at Allie's words. "Mom said something last fall that has stuck with me. Any man can become a father, but it takes someone very special to be a dad. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I have the best person in this whole world as mine. The man who is meant to be my dad… Always has been, and always will be… You."

Nathan wiped a lone tear from his cheek now at the memory. It had been one of his greatest fears of Dylan coming back. Would Allie start to see Nathan as not her dad? It had been a title he had officially held for such a short time. He had always been Uncle Nathan, but now that Allie called him Dad, he couldn't imagine being anything else.

It was now the appointed hour and Nathan saw the doors to the Queen of Hearts open and Dylan stepped through and sauntered his way down Main Street. He and Nathan immediately made eye contact and neither looked away. Both staring down the other in an unspoken challenge.

"Do you make it a habit of lurking outside of people's residences, Constable?" Dylan sneered as he came to a stop at the base of the Coulter's stairs.

"It's Sergeant."

"That's right. Your wife had told me about your promotion. Congratulations Nathan. You've always been clever."

"We need to talk about some things before this dinner tonight. I think you probably already know my feelings on it. I know you're up to something. I just haven't figured it out yet. But I will. You should have no doubts about that."

"I've been very clear with my intentions. I want to get to know my daughter. I meant what I said a few years ago in your office. I'm ashamed that I hardly even recognize her. I want to make this right."

"Right for who? You? Because this sure isn't making it right for Allie. I understand you wanting to hurt me, Dylan. To get back at me for putting you in jail. But why do this to her? Why take Allie away from her home?"

"I'm ready to be her father."

"Her father?" Nathan scoffed. "It takes courage to be a parent. It is sheer bravery to love a child. To be there for them. To love them when they push you away. It takes courage to put your dreams on hold. To juggle your own heartache and disappointments. And just when you think that you might be getting the hang of things, inevitably your world gets shaken and turned upside down. So, now you have no choice but to just pull it together and care for the most precious, most amazing person you have ever known. Parenting is not for cowards, Dylan. You ran before. You'll run again."

Dylan was about to rebut, when the screen door opened behind the two men and Charlotte stepped out onto the porch. Placing a calming hand on Nathan's back as she moved to his side.

"Good evening, Dylan," she said, acknowledging the man still at the base of the stairs.

"Good evening, ma'am," he returned. "Or may I call you Charlotte. Seeing as we are family now that you've married my brother."

"Charlotte is fine."

"I heard through town today that it is your birthday. I hope it has been a very pleasant one for you."

"So far it has been. Thank you for asking."

"I'm sorry, if spending your evening with a man of such ill repute like myself is not what you had envisioned for your birthday dinner. I will try to be on my best behavior and disprove any misgivings Nathan here has alluded to you about me."

"I'm choosing to spend the evening with my daughter, husband, and our friends. You are welcome at our table so long as you don't give us any reason for you not to be."

"I understand."

"In that case, I hope you like beef tenderloin, because that's what is on the menu tonight." She gave him a small smile and gestured for him to come inside.

He took the invitation and paused at the doorway, looking back at the couple. "She's a good one, Nathan. You lucked out in finding and marrying her."

"Luck had very little to do with it." Nathan said, but he still felt a small skip in his heart at what he sensed was a sincere compliment from Dylan.

When Dylan disappeared inside the house, Charlotte moved to lean against the porch railing opposite of Nathan. "Are you okay?" She asked. Her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, I think so." Nathan ran a shaky hand through his hair. "I'm just ready for him to leave town tomorrow. Dylan always has a way of pushing my buttons."

Charlotte smirked as her eyes raked over Nathan's upper body. "I don't know, Sarge," Charlotte wiggled her eyebrow, taking a few steps towards him to smooth her hands over his chest and adjust the collar of his blue button-down shirt he had changed into. "I rather like your buttons slightly unkempt."

"Well, in that case…" Nathan chuckled and kissed her.

"How do you think tonight will go?" Charlotte whispered softly against his cheek. "Do you think he will try something? Or say something to upset Allie?"

Nathan thought for a moment. "No. For some reason, tonight I think Dylan will attempt to be on his best behavior. He knows what's at stake for him. The same way we do."

"It almost feels like this dinner tonight is some secret fact-finding mission with the Mounties. An undercover operation we're all a part of." She pulled back slightly out of his arms to give him a disarming smile.

"Oh, does it now?"

"Mmmhmmm…" She hummed. "Maybe we should give it a code name that only you and I know about. What are your feelings on Operation Sarge's Buttons?"

Starved of any family life as a child, Dylan did not know what was expected of him when he came to dinner at the Coulter's house that night. From the moment he walked in the door, he had been swept into something that was completely unfamiliar. After some introductions led by the Coulters and a quick exchange between himself and Allie, when Nathan and Charlotte came in from the porch, laughing and giggling together about something, he was directed to a seat in the dining room while dinner was brought to the table. For the most part he sat quietly and observed through the evening. Captivated by the respectful camaraderie between the Coulters and the Grants.

He had always heard the term opposites attract, and Dylan wasn't sure he had ever come across a couple who fit that description more than Lee and Rosemary Coulter. Lee was an easy-going man, who smiled and laughed constantly and adored his wife and children. Rosemary's personality was larger than life. A commanding, theatrical presence, he came to know all about as she spent most of the dinner detailing her life prior to Hope Valley as an actress.

Dark-eyed Fred and his father were much alike in appearance and manner. It surprised Dylan to find out Fred had been adopted by the Coulters last year from an orphanage in a neighboring town. He seemed to have always been a part of their family. Patricia had inherited her mother's hair as little wisps of blond curls were becoming apparent on top of her head. She was open and bright eyed. Chattering and cooing away through most of the meal being passed around between the others who all doted on the baby. Allie even took the opportunity to hold her, and it reminded Dylan of a time that seemed not so long ago, when Allie was the same age, but instead of a table full of people and support, there had only been him and Colleen. Struggling day-by-day to make ends meet.

Allie was solemn and shy. Although Dylan sensed that had more to do with his presence at the dinner table than anything else, as occasionally he caught a glimpse of the girl she was when she would accidentally let down her guard before realizing her blunder and quickly, she would set about rebuilding the wall between them. He was fascinated by her mannerisms. One minute she was a child like Fred, full of excitement and mischief, and the next a woman with a mind of her own. Still clearly guarded in front of him.

Dylan could feel Nathan's watchful eye on him throughout the evening. He also was relatively reserved in becoming involved in the conversation around the table. But that was nothing new for Nathan. Dylan had always known him as a man of few words. He was more of an observer. Maybe that was the Mountie in him.

Still, Dylan noted his brother-in-law's ease and special affection towards Allie. He guessed that was to be assumed after being together constantly over the past decade. You get to know someone as you watch them grow up. Learning what makes them… them.

A part of him really did feel the draw to get to know Allie better. She seemed so much like Colleen, but Nathan's words from early replayed repeatedly in his head. "It takes courage to be a parent. It is sheer bravery to love a child. To be there for them. To love them when they push you away. It takes courage to put your dreams on hold. To juggle your own heartache and disappointments. And just when you think that you might be getting the hang of things, inevitably your world gets shaken and turned upside down. So, now you have no choice but to just pull it together and care for the most precious, most amazing person you have ever known. Parenting is not for cowards, Dylan. You ran before. You'll run again."

It was also clear to see that Allie adored Charlotte. They sat close beside one another at the table and shared easy knowing glances and smiles throughout the meal. He could see why both his daughter and Nathan were seemingly infatuated with the woman.

She was beautiful, but not in an obvious way. Charlotte's clothing was clean and neat, but hardly fashionable. She wore her hair simply. All the times he had seen her it was either styled in a functional braid or left to its natural wave where it brushed against her freckled cheeks. As he had stated at their first meeting, it was Charlotte's grey eyes that drew a person in. But tonight, near her husband, Allie, and their friends, those eyes he had described once as haunting, sparkled with light, and danced with merriment when she would reward the table with a laugh at something funny Fred said or a giggle that came forth when Rosemary would act out a scene from her past.

It was more than just her looks though, Dylan noticed how tender and supportive Charlotte was. She was kind and considerate with an inner strength that was hard for him to place. She was attuned to everyone's feelings around the table, especially Nathan's. It was clear to see she read people easily, and that realization made Dylan shift uncomfortably in his chair as he pushed the food around on his plate.

As he had sensed, Charlotte noticed. "Aren't you hungry, Dylan?" She asked.

"I guess I had a big meal at the saloon for lunch," he lied. "If I had known I'd be eatin' so well here, I wouldn't have taken the second helping of that cass-a-somethin' the French man made."

"Cassoulet." Rosemary corrected in a perfect French accent.

"Like I said, Mrs. Coulter. Cass-a-somethin'."

They all chuckled. Well, all except Allie and Nathan.

"Dylan, what did you say you've done for work in the past?" Lee questioned from his position at the head of the table.

"He hasn't." Nathan mumbled, earning him a glance from his wife.

"Well, I'll be honest, Mr. Coulter. I've done a little of that and a little of this."

"Clearly." Again, Nathan chimed in under his breath.

This time, Dylan sensed Nathan's comment had earned him a gentle kick under the table from Charlotte judging by his sudden adjustment in his chair. "For a lot of years, I cowboyed and then when Allie was a baby, I worked for a big lumber company that would cut trees in the mountains and foothills and then float them down the Sheep River into town to be milled."

"Sheep River," Lee said. "Charlotte, you grew up around there, didn't you?"

Charlotte set her fork across her plate. Now finished with her meal. "I did. The headquarters to the ranch was south of the Sheep River. Maybe about ten or so miles."

"What ranch?" Dylan asked.

"My daddy was the foreman for many years on the OH."

"I've heard of that. Pat Burns just bought it didn't he?"

"He did."

"Makes sense. They say the man owns everything worth ownin' between Cochrane and the border. Did you like growin' up on a ranch, Charlotte?"

She smiled sweetly. Clearly taken back in her memories to a time and place that was important to her. "I think it's the best childhood you can offer someone and why Nathan and I are excited about having our own ranch."

"Your property is pretty, but it certainly ain't as big as the OH."

Charlotte shook her head. "No, it's not as big as the OH." She reached beside her and gave Nathan's hand a squeeze, accompanied with a tender smile in his direction. "But it's perfect for us. Nathan's built everything out there from the ground up with the help of our family and friends. That's more precious to me than anything. The sentiment and meaning behind it all. I don't tend to measure a place or people based on monetary worth, Dylan. Now love, that's where I find worth. It's the true value of something, because that's what makes a place a home."

He nodded. He knew all her comments had double meanings that were aimed directly at him. Not in a malicious way, but rather in a way she knew he'd understand without causing any discourse around the table. He shifted uncomfortably and pushed away his plate, suddenly determined he wasn't going to let her get to him in that way. He wasn't going to let her sweet disposition soften him and make him forget the true reason why he was there.

He had sensed something earlier when Charlotte placed Patricia gently into Nathan's arms. He noticed the understanding look that passed between them and believed there was an open wound there that could easily be infected.

"I suppose then," he said, glancing back and forth at Charlotte and Nathan. "Seeing as you think growing up on a ranch is the best childhood possible and you built that big 'ol house up there in the mountains that you are already in the family way and soon will be having littles of your own."

"Mrs. Grant! You're having a baby!" Fred blurted out, earning a mortified gasp from Rosemary.

Charlotte blanched and she stuttered. As everyone else in the room turned to look at her, she felt the color return to her face in an overabundance.

"Mom?" Allie looked confused beside her. "Are you?" She tried to conceal the glimmer of hope in her voice.

Charlotte's mind groped for an answer and a quick way to fix the dreadful mix-up. "No…" She finally stammered.

"No?" Dylan sneered. "You mean you don't want to have a baby?"

"That's enough!" Nathan's fist beat on the table causing the dinnerware to rattle and everyone else to jump.

Charlotte quickly placed a hand over his, seemingly calming Nathan in an instant and finding her voice in the process. She turned back to the others. "No. Mountie Nathan and I are not expecting a baby right now, Fred. But unlike what Mr. Parks has alluded to…" She shot a warring glance in his direction and if he hadn't known his knife had found its mark before, he did now, with that look and her use of his formal name. "We of course would welcome any child that may come into our lives. But it's all in God's hands. Whether we have more kids or not, Nathan and I are already so incredibly blessed with our daughter, and I wouldn't change having Allie in our lives for anything." Charlotte wrapped an arm around Allie's shoulder and drew her into her side to place a kiss on her temple. "Plus, we get to be an important part of your life too, Fred."

"And Patricia's?" Fred tilted his head and asked.

"Yes, and Patricia's." Charlotte smiled in return. "All the children of Hope Valley are special to us, and we will do everything we can to make sure they are safe, protected, and most of all…" Charlotte stared directly at Dylan, and he shrank under her intense gaze. "They will know they are loved."

"Well…" Lee said, coming to stand beside Nathan on the front porch after seeing Dylan off following dinner. "That went better than I expected."

Nathan glanced over at Lee and raised a questioning brow.

"Alright… alright…" Lee raised his hands in defeat. "The first part of that went better than I expected. The second part was more what I had planned for."

Nathan chuckled softly. He hated to admit it, but he had to agree with Lee. The first part of the dinner was actually… fine. Dylan had kept his mouth shut and the Coulters took it upon themselves to carry much of the conversation to keep the awkwardness at a minimum.

Then Dylan had to ruin things. Like he always did.

"Thanks for doing this," Nathan said. "For hosting the dinner. With all that you've had going on over the past few days, it was very thoughtful of you and Rosemary."

"You've had more going on than us. It was the least we could do. We care about your family, Nathan. A lot."

"So, where is everyone else?" Nathan asked, glancing over his shoulder back at the house.

"Charlotte is just finishing reading the kids a bedtime story and then I think everyone is getting tucked in for the night. Once that's done, what do you say to us digging into that chocolate cake that Rosemary forgot to bring out for Charlotte's birthday?"

"You guys hid the cake?" Nathan asked. "Was that from the kids or Dylan?"

"Well, the kids are better behaved, so I'm going to say Dylan."

Again, Nathan couldn't help giving a short laugh. "You're right about that."

They were comfortable in the silence for a while before Lee spoke up, tilting his chin in the direction of the saloon down the street. "He's a real piece of work, isn't he? Your brother-in-law. What did your sister see in him anyway?"

"I ask myself that all the time."

"Well, at least you have the best part of him."

Nathan silently nodded his head. "That is until he takes her away from us."

"That's not going to happen, Nathan. We won't let it."

"I pray that you are right, Lee. Because honestly, somedays it feels like Allie is the glue that holds us all together and I'm so afraid that if…" Nathan's voice broke, unable to bring himself to say the words aloud. "All of our lives are just going to fall apart."

"I think I've heard it said a time or two that true love is always worth fighting for. Now, most of the time I think people believe that type of love is only between a husband and wife, but the moment I became a father to Fred and then again to Patricia, I realized that the love I have for them is just as important, and needs fought for just as much as the kind I share with Rosie." Lee put his hand on Nathan's shoulder. "I've witnessed the way you've fought for Charlotte's love, and she for yours, over the past two years, I have no doubt you both will fight just as hard for your daughter and all your future kids, too." Lee gave a sympathetic smile. "Speaking of, your dad and I were just talking this past weekend while working on the house and we think when you have a boy, you should name him Leland Archibald." A mischievous grin spread across Lee's face. "That sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Although your dad may say it needs to be Archibald Leland. Finally, we compromised and determined that you and Charlotte can pick between which of us you love just a little more."

Nathan was about to comment, when the screen door to the porch opened and Allie peeked her head out. "Dad," she said, already dressed in her nightgown. "I think you need to come upstairs. There is something wrong with Mom."