Chapter 131- Unexpected Gift

*First off, again I want to apologize for not getting this up sooner. Especially how I left things with that last posting… But unexpected work travel came up and it has been hard to get writing time (for this long chapter) fit in. Also, I'll be on the road most of this week again (actually I'm traveling until at least the beginning of June- multiple weeklong trips to KC and Chicago), so this will probably be the only chapter I'm able to post this week (insert sad face here). Hopefully it is one you can re-read if necessary to fill the time.

Secondly, I love how since my time on Sunday Night Serge, a few of you are becoming experts at finding little hints and clues I leave behind. What seemed like maybe a random thought in passing, you all know by now… I usually mean something more. Congrats to all of you who reviewed or wondered if there was more to the reference of the Sheep River last chapter… I'm finding it harder and harder to pull the wool (pun intended) over your eyes!

Finally, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, foster moms, mom's to be, mother-figures, mothers who have babies here on earth and those in heaven, and (one of my favorite categories) to all the men out there doing the father and mother jobs too (Just like Nathan)! You all are so incredibly special and I'm grateful for you being here.

Hopefully this Mother's Day will be a bit more cheerful for you than last year, and as my gift, I want to offer this… what I hope is (quoting bakerew here) mental mac and cheese- a warm and comforting chapter. An unexpected gift that I have envisioned for almost a year now… since that first night of creating this story following the S8 finale when I dreamed up this moment and I'm excited to finally be able to share it with you!

"What do you mean something is wrong with her?" Nathan asked as he brushed past Allie in the doorway and started taking the steps to the Coulter's upstairs two at a time. "Is she sick? She seemed perfectly fine earlier."

"No… I don't think she's sick," Allie said quickly following Nathan up the stairs.

"Then why would you say something is wrong?" Nathan turned to look at Allie from the second-floor landing.

"I should probably start from the beginning," Allie quickly was there by his side. "After reading to us, Mom helped Fred get ready for bed and then she came to tuck me in. She seemed perfectly fine and then… oh gosh… you're going to think I'm crazy."

"Allie, what in the world are you talking about?"

"It was like she saw a ghost!" They were both trying to whisper in the hallway, so as not to wake Patricia and Fred. "She just became all pale and it was like she was in shock… I kept trying to ask her what was wrong, but she was shaking and kept muttering that she was fine, but she didn't seem fine, so that's when I came to get you."

"You did the right thing," Nathan placed a hand on Allie's upper arm, trying to give her reassurance. "Is she in the room you're staying in?"

"Yes."

"Maybe you should stay here with Mr. Coulter for right now," Nathan said, guiding Allie towards where Lee was now standing behind them in the hallway. "I don't know if something…" Nathan's voice broke. "Triggered her. Do you understand what I'm talking about, Allie?"

She nodded that she did.

"Come on," Lee put an arm around Allie's shoulders and started to pull her along with him. "Don't tell your parents or Mrs. Coulter, but what do you say we both sneak a piece of chocolate cake?"

Nathan watched Lee and Allie start down the stairs before he turned and knocked lightly on the partially closed door to his daughter's room at the Coulters. "Charlie?" He didn't wait for an answer before stepping into the room. He saw Charlotte standing at one of the windows. Her back to him and her arms crossed in front of her body, as if she was hugging herself. As Allie had said, she was violently shaking, and he could hear her soft muffled sobs.

Nathan took a few steps closer. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he wasn't sure if that was what she needed right now. "Charlie." He said again.

This time she glanced over her shoulder at him, before turning back to look out the window at the moon shining over the mountains. "Oh, Nathan. I'm so sorry…" She sniffled loudly and wiped the back of her hand across her face. "I'm sorry if I scared Allie. I never meant to… I was just…"

"She is concerned about you, and frankly, so am I," Nathan said. "Did something happen tonight that… Triggered your memories?"

She gave a short bleak laugh. "I guess you could say that."

"Was… was it something I did? When Dylan said we didn't want a baby?"

"No." Charlotte turned then to face him, shaking her head while still holding her arms tightly around herself.

"Was it something else Dylan said or did?"

Charlotte paused before answering. "Somewhat, yes."

"I knew this was a horrible idea and I should have never let this dinner happen. I'm going to go find Dylan and give him a piece of my mind."

"Nathan," Charlotte reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. "It's nothing like that. It's just…" Her eyes dropped. Nathan followed her gaze and for the first time noticed the corner of a small, gilded frame peeking out from underneath her arm.

She noticed that his eyes had followed hers, so she continued to explain. "I saw this… when I came into Allie's room tonight." She shifted then, extending the trinket towards Nathan. "I guess when Dylan first got here tonight and we were still out on the porch, he gave Allie this as he thought she might want it."

Nathan tried to read Charlotte's expression, but it was quite muddled. He took her offering and slowly turned it over in his hands. His heart seemed to stop at that moment and the air vanished from his lungs.

"It's Colleen. Isn't it?" Charlotte whispered. "And a young Allie."

Nathan simply nodded his head.

Charlotte placed her hands over his where they held the frame, gently rubbing her thumbs across his skin. "You know, for so long, I've created this vision in my head of what Colleen looked like, based on a mix of Allie and your mom. Even a little bit of you and Archie. But I've never seen a picture of her before."

"I never even knew one existed. They used to cost so much money and I just figured… she never had one done. Especially not one of her and Allie together."

"When I came into Allie's room tonight, I saw this on the bedside table and… I was just overcome with emotions I guess."

Nathan completely understood his wife's reaction, as it was his own too. It had been over a decade since he had been able to see his sister's smile. The one that swept over her face causing her eyes to almost disappear with the action. It was Allie's smile too.

In the picture, Colleen's light toffee colored hair was pinned up and she wore a simple high-necked dress with little Allie perched on her hip. She couldn't have been more than three at the time of the photo. In her tiny arms she clung to her teddy bear. One of the only possessions Allie had when she first came to live with Nathan. She still had 'Cowboy', the bear. Although Allie usually kept him tucked away in her closet or a drawer, as teddy bears were only for 'little girls'. But Nathan knew better. Many nights, when he would check in on Allie, he would find that little, well-worn, and well-loved bear had somehow found its way from his hiding place to sleep beside her in bed. How many stories had Nathan read to both Allie and 'Cowboy'? From that first time, when during a thunderstorm she had come to him in the middle of the night, clutching that teddy bear close to her chest, requesting that Nathan read to her, just as Colleen used to do. It had become a nightly tradition for them for many years.

"Nathan," Charlotte's soft voice broke him from his memories. "Do you remember last year when you said you would give anything for Colleen to have met me?"

"Yeah?" Nathan finally raised his gaze from the picture in his hands to look at his wife again. Her face was filled with so many emotions.

"I… I've met her... before. And Allie too."

Nathan was speechless, finally he muttered. "What… What do you mean you met her?"

"That company that Dylan mentioned tonight he worked for years ago… the one that floated logs down the Sheep River… was that Lineham Lumber? I mean… Did Dylan and Colleen live in Okotoks when Allie was a little girl?"

Nathan closed his eyes trying to remember. "Yes." He finally answered. "Dylan would be gone most of the winter months, working on the company's timber leases in the foothills before they would float the logs down to the sawmill in Okotoks with the spring run-off. But yes, he and Colleen had a little run-down shack at the edge of Okotoks they lived in for a few years after Allie was born."

"Nate," Charlotte worked to swallow the lump in her throat. "The December before I graduated school and was preparing to go off to get my teaching degree, Daddy and Momma surprised me with a trip. They wanted me to have some new dresses before I left home. Okotoks was the nearest big town to the ranch with a well-stocked general store, and Momma had heard there was a young lady who worked there who also made some beautiful dresses to sell. Dresses that were just as fashionable as anything that would be found in Calgary or back East."

Charlotte must have seen Nathan sway slightly with the weight of all she was telling him. She gently guided him to the bed and they both sat down on the edge. "When we arrived at the Wentworth's General Store that day, we were warmly greeted by this young woman, not too much older than I was. She was slim with light blue eyes that sparked under long, dark lashes. I remembered how her cheeks were flushed with excitement and her full rosy lips parted slightly with an easy smile as she welcomed us. She was so graceful and lovely. One of those women who didn't realize how attractive she was."

Nathan was still unable to speak, he just slowly turned his focus back and forth between his wife and the picture in his hands. "It was my first time shopping in a store for a dress. Before that, Momma had always made them. I remember being so nervous and unsure of what would look good on me, but the seamstress was so sincere, so open, and friendly that I responded to her immediately. I remember you once told me that Colleen had a way of making a person feel like they were the most important thing in the whole world to her, and you know what, looking back now… That's exactly how I felt that day. She found some dresses for me to try on and was starting to pull out a few skirts and blouses in fabrics and colors she 'just knew would be stunning with my figure and complexion'." Charlotte grinned at the memory. "Your sister was quite the saleswoman." She teased, squeezing Nathan's thigh slightly where her hand had been resting. "Anyway, while she was finding more options, Mom was helping me with the buttons on one of the dresses when the curtain to the dressing room was pulled back and this little girl with light-brown, pin straight hair came waltzing in like she owned the place."

"That would be Allie," Nathan chuckled.

Charlotte nodded and went on to tell Nathan her memories of the long-ago meeting.

"Wow!" The little girl's eyes grew big. "You're a princess. Like my stories."

Heat flooded Charlotte's face.

"I'm sorry," Colleen said, scooping the little girl into her arms. "This is my daughter. Usually, she naps for at least a couple hours so I can get work done around here, but I guess that's not going to be the case this morning. I'll try to get her settled in the corner behind the counter with a picture book or something. Please… Please don't leave. I'll be right back as soon as possible."

"That won't be necessary," Sean Thompson said, coming from his place at the front of the store to see what the commotion was.

"I'm so sorry, sir… Just with her father away, I don't really have anyone to watch her while I work."

"No," Sean shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I meant it wouldn't be necessary for you ladies to quit what you are doing here to stick this Sweet Pea in the corner. I'd be happy to watch her while you all continue to shop."

"Are you sure? You… You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not! I was looking for something to keep me occupied before I bought myself a new bridle and then I'd never hear the end of it from the Mrs." Sean winked at his wife before turning his attention to the little girl in the seamstress' arms. "Hello, Sweet Pea. My name is Sean and what's yours?"

"Cow-boy!" The little girl quickly reached over and jerked down on the brim of Sean's Stetson hat, earning a deep, boisterous laugh from within him that seemed to echo off the walls of the store.

"Yes," Sean used his finger to tilt his hat back into place. He placed his large hands on his thighs and leaned in closer. Looking the little girl in the eyes. "I am a cowboy."

"Horsey!"

"Well, Sweet Pea. It's a little too cold outside for you and I to go on a real horsey ride, but what if we do the next best thing? This 'ol knee of mine provided plenty of horsey rides when my little girl was growing up. I bet it still has a few good trots left in it." Sean winked and the little girl readily came into his outstretched arms. The two settled in a chair along the wall where Sean's knee began moving through the different gaits of a horse, while he held the girl steady.

"I don't understand," Colleen shook her head in disbelief. "She usually is shy around others. Especially new people."

"Sean has always had a way with children," Sarah Thompson commented, wistfully watching her husband play with the little girl.

"My brother's the same way. Although he would deny it. He says he doesn't have enough experience with kids, but what's that saying- dogs and children can always pick a tenderhearted person? That's my brother through and through. Whenever he visits, my daughter and him are pretty much inseparable. Sure… he's a little uneasy at first, thinking he's going to do or say something wrong that's going to hurt her, but…" Colleen paused. "He's nothing like our father. And I think that's his biggest fear. That he will one day end up being just like Dad." Colleen quickly brushed her cheek, ridding it of a lone tear that had escaped from the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry… I don't know why I'm telling you all this. You both don't want to be hearing about my sad stories. Or about my pesky little brother." She turned her attention back to some of the other items she had been collecting for Charlotte to try on.

Charlotte had wanted to ask more about the woman's family. Was her mom still alive? What was the mystery she alluded to earlier about their father? And what about her husband? She had said the girl's father was away. Away where?

But there was one person who seemed to pique her interest more than the others. "Does your brother visit you often?" Charlotte asked. Hoping the question didn't draw too much suspicion from his sister. She was intrigued by this 'tenderhearted person' who was good with kids, but who also seemed to be kind and genuine. There was something in the way the woman talked about her brother, the way her face changed, that made Charlotte want to know more.

"As much as he can, but it's never enough if you ask me. It's been over a year now since I've seen him, and his letters are few and far between. His work takes him into some rather primitive settings and he's currently finishing a posting up north. He hopes to visit us in a couple weeks when he moves through the area to his next assignment. I can barely allow myself a glimmer of hope that we can spend Christmas together this year. It's always been my favorite holiday and it doesn't seem near as special without family around."

"What does your brother do?"

"He's a Mountie."

"What?"

"A North West Mounted Policeman."

"I know what a Mountie is." Charlotte giggled. "I'm just surprised, I guess. I don't know of anyone who has joined the Force. Most of the young men I know go to work on ranches or farms, in mines or mills, maybe even a few move to Calgary to become accountants or businessmen of some sort. My friend, Megan, practically swoons at any mention of a Mountie. She believes they are the West's knights in red-serge armor."

"Well… I'm not sure my baby brother is Prince Charming, but I will admit, he does look rather grown-up and handsome in his serge. But then again, what man doesn't look good in a uniform?" Colleen winked, earning a laugh from both Charlotte and Sarah.

The three women settled into any easy companionship, telling stories and jokes, as they continued through the task at hand of finding Charlotte a fresh wardrobe more becoming of a young teacher instead of the hard life on a ranch.

As they were finishing up, and Colleen was beginning to package the clothing, Allie came skipping over to the counter. Sean's Stetson now perched on her tiny head. "Momma! I hungry. When we gonna eat?"

"As soon as I'm finished here with these kind people." Colleen answered, tilting the hat back, away from Allie's eyes, so she could see better. "Then I'll share my cheese sandwich with you that I made this morning."

Charlotte had noticed the quick glance her parents shared at that moment. They both nodded in agreement.

"Hey, Sweet Pea," Sean said, squatting down in front of the little girl. "What do you say to you and your momma joining my family at the restaurant down the street as a token of our thanks for your momma's help this morning and your help in keeping me out of trouble."

"No… we couldn't," Colleen began to rebut, but Allie's cheers and happiness cut her off.

"The café! Can we?" She pleaded to Colleen, before turning her attention back to the Thompsons. "We never eat at the café. Momma says it costs too much. We just eat sammiches here. But I always wanna sko."

Sarah placed her hand over Colleen's. "Please. Let us treat you and this sweet little girl to a nice warm lunch."

"I couldn't. There is no one to run the store while I'm gone," Colleen said, trying to find any excuse to get her out of feeling indebted to someone.

"We could bring the food here and share a meal," Charlotte suggested. "Or I bet you could change the sign up front to 'Closed' and put a little note in the window that you went to lunch, but would be back in an hour?"

Colleen stood contemplating the offer for a moment before shaking her head. "No. I couldn't. I've imposed on you all enough already. You don't want to spend your lunch with a stranger like me and this chatty little one."

"I don't believe we are strangers anymore, my dear," Sarah said. "But even if we were, the Bible does say, 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares'. Come let this be an early Christmas gift to you from our family. A hearty lunch to warm you both on this frigid day, and a little fellowship."

"Pwease, Momma," Allie begged, looking up at her mother with those big brown eyes.

Sean picked the little girl up and perched her on his hip. "Yeah. Pwease, Momma." He gave Colleen a lopsided grin. "We would be much obliged if you two ladies joined us. We can go have lunch and then come back here to finish packing up these purchases."

With four pleading faces staring back at Colleen she had no choice but to say yes. They bundled up and made their way a few blocks down the street. Allie had taken Charlotte's hand into her own, and Collen's into the other. The three women walked together while Sean and Sarah followed a few steps behind. Charlotte remembered how wonderful it felt having the little girl's fingers wrapped into her own. She was such a precious child. Full of hope and cheerfulness. A lot like her momma, Charlotte thought.

She could sense life hadn't been easy for this woman, but still, she never saw a problem. She seemed to think she could fix anything. Her positivity was infectious, but her laugh was what Charlotte loved the most. It was filled with such honest warmth. Like curling under a blanket in front of the fire on a cold winter's night. Comforting.

They chatted easily over their lunches. Like they had all been acquainted for longer than a couple hours. Even the waitress had made a comment to Colleen telling her it was nice to see she had family in town visiting her for the holiday season. Before Colleen could correct the waitress, Charlotte spoke up, agreeing that it was such a blessing they could all be together. She caught the hint of moisture that collected in the corner of Colleen's eyes. 'Thank you' she mouthed silently in her direction and Charlotte nodded in understanding.

Their lunch together moved too quickly and before long they knew it was time to return to the general store. They walked a little slower on the way back, seemingly all reluctant to part.

"What's going on in the drug store today?" Sean asked, seeing the large group of people inside as they walked by the window.

"The owners occasionally bring in a man who travels down from Calgary to take family portraits. He sets up a little studio and develops the photos in the back," Colleen answered.

"Sean, we should take a picture," Sarah said. "Something with us together before Charlotte moves away."

"That would probably be a good idea. We had one taken years ago when you were no bigger than Sweet Pea here." He wrapped a strong arm around Charlotte, before turning to Colleen. "You both are more than welcome to join us, miss."

"No, we've been enough of an imposition on you all," Colleen said. "This one and I will just head back to the store and finish packaging up your purchases while you get your picture taken."

"If you're sure."

"I am."

They parted on the sidewalk. The Thompson's disappearing into the drug store to get their picture taken, while Colleen and Allie walked down the street. Even with the line of people, the photographer was efficient with his time and soon had the picture taken. He said they could wait around until he had the film developed. Sean and Sarah said they would stay back and suggested Charlotte return to the general store to see how her purchases were coming along. She agreed, eager to spend more time with the young woman and her daughter.

"Well, that didn't take long," Colleen beamed in Charlotte's direction as she walked into the store, sounding the bell above the door. "I don't even have everything packaged up here yet."

Charlotte leaned against the counter opposite of Colleen. "Mom and Dad were just going to wait until the picture was developed before coming over here to finish things up."

A solemn expression came over Colleen's face at the thought.

"What is it?" Charlotte asked, noting the woman looked on the verge of tears again.

She shook her head and turned away, busying herself with some items along the back wall. "It's nothing. I just… I don't remember the last time I had such an enjoyable day. And I guess… I'm sad to see it go. Selfishly, I'd like to keep your family around a little longer."

Charlotte's heart twisted at the woman's admission. "Okotoks isn't terribly far from the ranch."

"Might as well be a lifetime."

"Maybe this spring, you and your daughter could come visit. See all the baby calves being born and take a real horse ride. Or maybe Mom and I could come back to town some other time if that's easier for you."

"That sounds lovely. But I'm not sure how much longer we'll be living in Okotoks. My husband never usually stays in a job for more than a couple years. We're never in a place long enough to put down roots. To develop real, meaningful friendships."

"What about your brother? Didn't you say he was going to be visiting in a couple weeks."

"One never knows for sure with the Mounties. He lives such a nomadic life too."

"That must be hard on his wife and kids."

"He's not married."

"Oh?" Charlotte hoped the other woman would understand the statement as a question.

"My brother has a heart of gold," Colleen said with enthusiasm. "He's- very special. I just wish he weren't so stubborn."

"Stubborn?"

"Well, not about everything, but he's got this crazy notion that marriage and his work do not go together. He's determined- absolutely determined- that he will never ask a woman to share his life with him. He understands the hardships of his position and he says it's not the kind of lifestyle to bring a young woman into."

"But if a woman really loved a man," Charlotte interrupted. "Surely she wouldn't mind… Doesn't he know there is such a thing as love- real love- and if a woman-"

"Maybe you should show him." Colleen said, her eyes twinkling.

"Me? Now wait a minute… That's not what I meant." Charlotte started, blushing to her roots. Colleen laughed outright.

"I really don't think that he would be such a difficult pupil; and you are training to become a teacher, are you not?" Colleen teased.

Though blushing and tongue-tied, Charlotte still refused to be baited.

"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it today," Colleen continued.

"Thought about what?"

A slow smile built across Colleen's face. "About you… and him."

"Your brother and me? Are you crazy?"

"Probably."

They both giggled again.

"He's never even met me!" Charlotte tried to reason. "And you and I… we've only known each other for a few hours."

"I like to think I have good instincts about some people. I had even dared to hope-" Again Colleen's eyes shimmered with mirth. "Hope you and him may find a way to be together. Spending time with you today and your family. Seeing the way my daughter is was with you all… I don't know- I let my mind and heart wonder what it could be like."

"Be like?"

"As part of a family. All of us together. I mean… Your parents are wonderful. They instantly seemed to play the part of doting grandparents to my little girl. And you… I don't know. It almost feels like we could have been sisters or something. Marrying you off to my brother seemed to be the easiest way to make that happen."

"I'm sure your brother would be quite embarrassed to know you are plotting his matrimony to a perfect stranger."

Colleen laughed. "Oh, he would be."

"What would he say if he knew?"

"Probably what you mentioned earlier. That I'm crazy." Colleen winked and again both women giggled.

Allie came and tugged on Charlotte's skirt. She held the little teddy bear in her arms that Sean had insisted on adding to their growing lists of purchases in the store. When Colleen had disagreed to the gesture, Sean had firmly stated he was one of Santa's elves. Since occasionally there was a Christmas blizzard that made it difficult for Santa Clause to deliver all the toys to good little boys and girls, he sent some of his secret elves out before Christmas, just to make sure those who deserved presents, got them. All the adults in the room understood his true meaning to the gesture.

Charlotte reached down and lifted the child, setting Allie on her hip. The little girl wrapped her arms around Charlotte's neck and settled her head on her shoulder, sandwiching the soft teddy bear between them.

"See," Colleen smiled. "She already considers you family. Are you sure you can't come back to town and meet my brother in a couple weeks?"

"I'm the last person your brother would want to see on his days off. He'd want to spend time with you and his precious niece. Not some local cowgirl. Also, I'm probably not even his type."

"Strong. Beautiful. Funny. Smart. Kind. If that's not his type, he needs to have his head examined."

Just then the door to the store opened again and Sean and Sarah joined them at the counter. Proudly showing off the developed family portrait.

"I've always wished to have one done," Colleen muttered under her breath. "At least with my daughter and I together. Something I would have to remember her by at this age."

"You should," Sean spoke up as Allie moved from Charlotte's arms into his. "I'll take you and Sweet Pea down there right now and get it all lined up."

"No. Honestly. I cannot accept any more from your family. You've done far too much already. All your clothing purchases. Lunch. The teddy bear. I don't know if my heart can take much more love and kindness from you all."

"That's what family does, my dear," Sarah whispered.

Colleen worked to swallow the lump in her throat. She quickly tried to change the subject. "I have your purchases packaged and ready. I'm sure it's a long journey back to the ranch. You'll be wanting to get on your way before it gets too late."

The Thompson's nodded in understanding and set about packing up their purchases in the back of the wagon they had brought to town. They said their goodbyes to the young woman and Sweet Pea, who was well past her time for a nap. The pair waved off Sean, Sarah, and Charlotte and then scurried back inside the warmth of the store. Suddenly, Sean turned the team around and headed back down the street.

"Daddy, what in the world are you doing?" Charlotte asked.

"I can't leave like this," he said. "She deserves more. They both do."

Sean pulled the team up in front of the drug store, he jumped down and strode into the pharmacy. He was only gone for a few minutes before he climbed back into the seat and drove the wagon a few blocks down the road until he came to the general store.

"You two stay here. I'll only be a few minutes. I'm guessing Sweet Pea will be napping by now, so we don't want to disturb her."

"Sean," Sarah grabbed her husband's arm. She dug in her coat pocket and pulled out a small folded up piece of paper. "Please give this to her. I wrote down our information earlier, but I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to give. I didn't want her to take it the wrong way. But… I don't know… I would feel better if she knew our names and how to get in touch with us… if she ever needed to. Please make sure she knows that."

"I will." Sean leaned forward and kissed Sarah. "I love you."

"You see," Charlotte said. "Daddy knew how much it would mean to Colleen to have a family portrait of her own, so he went back to that photographer and paid for her and Allie to have their picture taken later that afternoon." She reached out and ran her finger along the edge of the frame. "This is that picture."

Tears streamed down Nathan's cheek and his jaw tensed as he tried to control the eddy of emotions he was feeling in that moment. How often had he wished he could have introduced his amazing sister to the love of his life? How often did he wish that they could all still be there together? To have a way for Colleen, Sean, and Sarah to be a part of their lives. To sit around their dining room table at the house with his parents, Allie, Charlotte, and himself. To be a family. Just as Colleen had wished for all those years ago.

"You mean…" Nathan's voice broke, and Charlotte gently rubbed her hand along his back and shoulders. "It was your dad who bought Allie 'Cowboy'."

"Cowboy?"

"The teddy bear."

Charlotte's eyes widened and then misted in realization. "You mean… Allie named her teddy bear… 'Cowboy'? After Dad?"

"It appears so." Nathan nodded. "Seems he made quite an impression." Nathan again stared at the picture in his hands, taking the time to relearn his sister's face and features that had, for some years, begun to fade from his memory. Suddenly, he wondered something and turned the frame over in his hands.

"What are you doing?" Charlotte asked, seeing Nathan begin to remove the backing of the picture.

"I just have a feeling and I need to see if I'm right."

After only a few moments, Nathan's instincts were proven correct as stuck between the back of the picture frame and the photo of his sister and Allie was an old worn piece of paper with writing on it. One side read:

Know you are never alone.

If you are ever in need of support, hope, kindness, faith, or love…

Find us.

We'll be there for you and your family.

Sean, Sarah, and Charlotte Thompson

The OH Ranch - Foreman's House

Longview, Alberta

"Momma's note!" Charlotte cried, taking the piece of paper from Nathan's hands. "This was the one she told Daddy to give to Colleen that day! But what's here on the back?" Charlotte turned the note over in her hands.

"That's Colleen's handwriting," Nathan said, looking over at the unmistakable flow of his sister's letters that he had long ago memorized.

Today I woke up feeling lost. Abandoned. Weary.

Broken.

But then I met the Thompsons.

And their genuine kindness showed me that it is possible,

in such a short amount of time,

for strangers to become family.

I know they came into my life for a purpose.

I may not completely understand the reason now,

but I hope to someday.

Because I believe that our families will meet again in the future.

I have faith today was all part of His greater plan for Allie and I.

And maybe Nathan too.

"I often wondered what had happened to them. To that young woman and her daughter. Especially at Christmas time. When I see the streets decorated in town. Daddy went through Okotoks that next summer and stopped by the store only to be told, as Colleen had predicted, their family had moved on and the store owner had no idea where to." Charlotte swallowed the lump in her throat. "You know what bothered me the most since that day? Your sister and I spent all those hours together, and I never even asked Colleen her name. Or Allie's. She was termed Sweet Pea by my dad, and it stuck. How could I feel such a connection to someone and never really know who they were?"

"Maybe it was because you knew Colleen past just what her name was. You and your parents saw her, and Allie, for who they truly were. You saw their struggles and hardships. You didn't just give them the gifts of purchasing from the store, or the lunch, or even the teddy bear. What you gave them was your time. Didn't Nan say in her letter that time is the most precious gift we can give someone?"

"Yes, it is." Charlotte squeezed Nathan's hand. Drawing his attention to her. "Although this has been all quite the unexpected gift too. This discovery. I hate to say it, Nathan, but we may have never known about this without Dylan. Without him giving Allie this picture. I think this is one of those things we have to count as a blessing in all the mess."

Nathan nodded his head in agreement. Even with everything going on in their lives right now, his heart was so full with the understanding that on a deeper level, he and Charlotte were no mistake. The words destiny and fate seemed too trite. Too simplistic for what they were experiencing.

"You want to know what tops this all off?" Charlotte asked with a beaming smile coming to her face. "You remember I said your sister was quite the proficient saleswoman? On top of all the dresses, and other clothing we bought that day… guess what else she convinced my Dad I would need for when I moved away?"

Nathan shrugged his shoulders.

"My trunk! The one you saved me from my first day in Hope Valley on the stagecoach platform." Charlotte began to giggle, just like she had with Colleen all those years ago. "To think… Something that your sister convinced my parents to buy, literally had a way of bringing us all together again. Just like Colleen had hoped would happen."

"Bless that broken trunk handle." Nathan chuckled. "And thank goodness I ended up not being too difficult of a pupil and had a good teacher to show me there was such a thing as love- real love," Nathan swept forward and captured Charlotte's lips in a deep kiss.

"I'll take that kiss as I ended up being your type after all, Sarge," Charlotte teased.

"Colleen was right. If you were not my type, I'd need my head examined."

They both began to laugh again. Deep belly laughs that shook them. The layers of coincidences were just too much. It was no accident; them coming together. So many events of their past. So many people in their lives. A faith in a higher power. It all drew them together and aligned them as one at the appointed hour and place to all be a part of His plan.

A faint knock at the bedroom door drew their attention to where Allie, Lee, and Rosemary all stood holding plates with slices of chocolate cake.

"Sounds like it's a festive enough time to bring out your birthday cake Charlotte," Lee said, leading the way in the room to hand her a plate and fork.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Allie asked, sitting down beside Charlotte on the bed.

"Yeah," Charlotte replied, smoothing a hand over the girl's hair. "I'm more than okay, but I'm sorry if I scared you earlier. I didn't mean to. I just had a flood of memories sweep over me and I didn't quite know how to handle them."

"Bad memories?"

"No. These were really good ones and I'd like to tell you about them if you're up for another bedtime story over a slice of birthday cake."

Allie nodded and leaned back against the pillows of her bed. Readying herself for the unexpected gift the Grants had received that night.

The story of the day their family truly began.