Chapter 141- Unexpected Guests

A knock sounded at the door to the orphanage. Lillian looked up at Grace and then toward the foyer. "Were you expecting someone?"

"No. You?" Her sister replied.

"I'll get it," Chuck said, starting towards the door, before Grace grabbed his arm to stop him.

"No, Gabe can get the door. He's closer and you'd have to move around all these boxes of clothes for the kids to even get to the entry."

"Me?" Gabe mumbled with a half-eaten piece of toast in his mouth. "But I just stopped by for breakfast before my morning rounds." Upon seeing the scornful look from Grace though, Gabe changed his mind. "Fine. I'll get the door."

He rose from the table, brushing a few toast crumbs from his hands, and made his way to the foyer. He was gone but a few moments before he returned.

Lillian's brow furrowed. "Who was it?"

"Just an old friend," Gabe stepped further into the dining room to allow their guest to enter.

"Fred! What in the world are you doing here?" Lillian jumped up and ran to hug the boy. "Where are your mom and dad?"

"Here we are!" Rosemary sung out, making her usual theatrical entrance with her husband and daughter in tow.

"What a surprise!"

"I always say good news is like flowers, best delivered in person."

"Good news?"

"Surprise!" Charlotte cheered, jumping into the dining room to join the Coulters. Nathan and Bill followed close behind.

"Bill! Nathan!" Gabe strode to his friends and gave them a strong handshake. "What are you all doing here?"

"We heard there was a wedding in a couple days," Nathan said.

"Oh," Lillian gasped. "I thought you all knew. I swear I sent a letter and Gabe said he called and talked to Nathan about it. With everything going on we decided over a month ago to postpone the wedding."

"We know."

"If you knew, then why are you still here for a wedding?"

Nathan's eyes were full of mischief as he glanced over to his wife, who then glanced over at Rosemary.

"It was her idea!" Both women pointed accusingly at one another.

"What idea?"

Charlotte stepped forward, taking Lillian's hand. "Listen, Lillian. Everyone in this room right now has been through so many trials over the last few months. I think it's about time we had something to celebrate. Especially while your children are still here. So, Rosemary and I planned…"

"Plotted." Lee coughed, earning him a jab to the ribs from Rosemary's elbow.

"Planned. Plotted." Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Potato. Potahto. Same thing, right?"

"Did you know about this?" Lillian glanced over to Gabe, who held up his hands in innocence. She then turned to her sister. "Grace, did you?"

"I may have heard some rumors…"

"Grace!"

"What? You know what Rosemary's like when she gets an idea. Plus, I didn't think it was a bad one. I agree with Charlotte. We all need a little happiness right now and what can be happier than celebrating my sister's wedding with all our closest friends and family?"

"But… We don't have anything ready. The cake. The flowers. The food. Everything was canceled."

"Don't worry," Rosemary said. "Like Lee mentioned, Charlotte and I plotted. Charlotte and Eleanor have the food under control. Grace is going to handle the flowers and decorations with the help of the children and men."

"Wait! When did I get roped into this decorating business?" Bill cried.

"I think that's my cue to leave," Gabe stated. "Now that the wedding is back on, I need to get my rounds done. And Lil, I'm very excited this wedding is back on." He leaned over to kiss Lillian's cheek, earning a strong blush to flood her face with his actions and words.

"Could you use a little company on your rounds?" Nathan asked.

"Always. There is a new brown and white dappled horse named Rusty down at the livery. I'm sure Ben would be happy to let you ride him this morning. Give him some exercise."

"Trying to get out of wedding preparations, Sarge?" Charlotte teased.

"Yes. We all know where my strengths lie and it's not in decorating with candles or frosting a cake." He kissed his wife sweetly before taking his leave with Gabe. "I'll be back later. You can put me to work then."

They all said their goodbyes to the two Mounties as Rosemary started orchestrating her plan. Sending Chuck, Bill, and Lee to town with a list of supplies to pick up from Joe.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Lillian asked.

"What's that?"

"My dress. I had planned to purchase one from a shop in Clearwater, but when we postponed the wedding, I didn't place the order and now it's too late."

"Just call me your fairy godmother, my dear." Rosemary waved her hands as though she had a wand and was casting her magical spells.

"What do you mean?"

Charlotte took Lillian's shoulders and turned her slowly around to see Grace opening a box beside her to remove an old cream-colored gown from within.

"It was your mother's, wasn't it?" Grace said, holding the dress up beside her. "The one she wore to marry your father? I found it last week when I was in the attic in search for things to pack the children's belongings in."

"I didn't even know it was up there," Lillian said, gingerly running her hand over the delicate fabric. "I always thought my mother looked so beautiful in this dress in her wedding picture."

Charlotte came to stand beside the sisters, also taking in the splendor of the dress in front of them. "With a little nip here, and tuck there, we should have you looking beautiful in it for your wedding pictures."

"How did you know I needed to do rounds on horseback and not in the passenger seat of your car?" Nathan asked, when he and Gabe finally pulled up their horses after racing down a long, flat stretch of road outside of Brookfield.

"You can't clear your head in a car like you can from the back of a horse." Gabe leaned forward to pat the side of Apollo's neck. "By the way, I'd say I won that race."

"By a nose." Nathan rolled his eyes. "And I'm on a loaned horse. We can't compare apples to apples here."

Both men chuckled for a moment and then fell silent. Lost in the gentle creak of the saddle leather and the rhythmic clop of the horses' hooves. It was Gabe who finally spoke.

"What did Lee get worked out with his mill?"

"He's had to pull his equipment off the ministry's leased land. They have moved operations to his private parcels and those he leases from other landowners, but that's not enough to keep up with production. He's trying to renegotiate the government leases, but he's getting the bureaucratic runaround. Lee and Rosemary had to mortgage their house and the businesses to keep the cash flow for the mill's employees while they try to get things figured out."

"How is Allie? Do you still have your weekly calls with her?"

Nathan sighed heavily. It had been over six weeks now since Allie had left Hope Valley and while Nathan had made peace with the current situation, it didn't mean he, Bill and Charlotte hadn't been doing everything possible to fix what still seemed so broken.

"We just talked to her on the phone yesterday afternoon. She sounds good. Tremblay wrote to her, which made her summer. Almost daily letters from her mom and dad are chopped liver compared to one of her special letters from the North. She has registered for classes at her new school that starts in a few weeks and this past weekend Dylan took her to see some boat racing festival the city was hosting on the Saskatchewan River. Now Allie wants me to build her a canoe so she can learn how to paddle."

"Sounds like Allie." Gabe laughed.

"She's keeping busy working at the Codys' general store. It gives Charlie and I a little piece of mind knowing there are others watching out for her too."

"You still have Rogers checking in?"

Nathan nodded his head. About a month ago, Nathan had found out that a Mountie he had served with in the past was now stationed in Edmonton. While the area of town Dylan and Allie lived was not a part of Constable Rogers' territory, he would take his weekly day off and visit the mercantile where she worked. Wearing civilian clothes as Nathan and Rogers were both concerned the red serge would give him away or draw unnecessary attention. He'd sometimes make small talk with Allie and the Codys', other times he would try to lay low and just observe the happenings in the store. Rogers, being a father himself, understood Nathan's concerns and would call to report his findings as soon as he returned to his office. Thankfully, everything seemed to be as Allie had described in her letters and phone calls.

"What's Rogers say about the people Dylan's been working for? The Drakes."

"It doesn't seem like Dylan has much interaction with them. He's just a grunt at their main warehouse in town."

"That's odd. Especially after Eldred Drake offered his son's legal services to Dylan. A custody trial isn't his usual case."

"I know. It's been bothering me too. Especially after what Dylan said the morning he left Hope Valley."

Gabe gave him a quizzical expression. "What did he say?"

"He said it would probably be better if Charlotte stayed away from Drake when they got ready to leave."

"Why would he think that?"

Nathan ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "He blamed it on Seth's forwardness with Charlotte the day of the trial. Said Drake isn't used to a beautiful woman like Charlie not being interested and he thought the idea of a chase is something that excites Seth."

"Sounds like your brother-in-law may actually have a conscience."

"Shocking I know."

"Bill find out anything about that visitor Dylan had before he was released?"

As Charlotte suggested, Bill and Nathan started digging past what was just on the surface of Allie's custody battle. They started asking questions around how Dylan could be out of jail in the first place. They knew the territory prisons were full, they had heard as much in other cases, but still, aggravated assault on a Mountie normally would never see an early release date. In their investigation, Nathan had been able to pull records on whoever had been cellmates with Dylan while he was incarcerated, but none of the other prisoners raised any kinds of flags. Just men who had been arrested for theft or other small crimes. The only thing they had discovered was that in the three years Dylan had been in jail, he had one visitor, and that visitor had arrived only a few days before Parks had been released from prison.

"No, he didn't." Nathan finally answered. "Bill put in a formal request for the visitor log, but since visitors are private citizens, names are kept confidential, we know nothing other than the date of the visit and that they met with Dylan."

"And you think this mystery person had a part in getting Dylan's early release."

"It's the only explanation I have."

"Sounds like once you figure out that connection, things may start looking a little clearer."

"That's our hope. We just need to find a way to work around the system and get that name. Speaking of… how's it coming along trying to track down Andrews?"

"It's like he just disappeared once he left the children's bureau. There is no trace of him."

"Left? Or was pushed out?"

"That's the question, I keep asking too."

A couple days later, Nathan was getting dressed in the room at the orphanage he and Charlotte had been sharing while in Brookfield. He was looking in the mirror, buttoning the final gold clasps of his dress serge for the wedding, when two arms snaked around his middle and pulled him close a moment before Charlotte's lips found the sensitive spot below his ear.

"Hmmmm," he hummed, slowly rubbing his hand along the length of her forearm wrapped around him. "Have I ever told you how much I love your hugs?"

Her mouth trailed along his jaw as she moved around in front of him. "More than my kisses?" She murmured softly against his lips before leaning in to capture them.

"I wouldn't say more, just differently. I'm not denying the effect your kisses have on me, Mrs. Nathan, but there is something about when you hold me in your arms. There is little that brings me more peace and comfort than that. It has a way of settling my anxious and weary heart."

"I feel the same way, Sarge," she squeezed him tighter, fitting herself to his body like a missing piece of the puzzle. He settled his chin on her head, feeling their bodies sync with each beat of their hearts. Happy to just hold on to one another and center their worlds.

"I miss Allie. Especially today."

Charlotte pulled back slightly from his arms and gently placed her hands on either side of his face. "I know. I miss her too. I keep thinking back to last summer when we were all here for the cattle drive. It seems like forever ago. So much has happened since then."

"She should be here too."

"Yes. She should." Charlotte's thumb brushed away a tear that streamed down Nathan's cheek. "And she will be with us again soon. I'm going to have faith. In the meantime…" Charlotte turned around and flirtatiously walked to pick up the camera they had brought with them from home. "I'm going to take so many pictures of the day to send to Allie, she's going to feel like she was right here with us the entire time."

Nathan chuckled lightly at his wife's playfulness.

Charlotte clicked the button on the camera, capturing her husband's laugh that deepened the lines around his eyes and mouth. "Except that one." She smiled broadly. "That picture is staying with me."

The wedding was lovely. Held in the backyard of the orphanage with all of Lillian and Gabe's friends, family, and of course the children in their care. Bill had presided over the ceremony with Grace as the maid of honor and Nathan, looking dashing in his red serge, beside Gabe as the best man.

Lillian glowed in her mother's dress, her beautiful red hair, draped over her shoulders, caught the late afternoon sun, and seemed to take Gabe's breath away as he watched her walk down the aisle between benches made with boards and hay bales and a few odd dining room chairs.

Afterwards the front porch was lined with tables laden with food, treats, and punch for the reception. People milled about wishing the newlyweds all the happiness in the world, and as the sun set, they moved the party to the backyard again where it had been transformed with a dance floor and strings of electric lights that Joe had special ordered.

As the party continued outside, Nathan and Charlotte were helping Eleanor in the kitchen with dishes when a faint knock sounded on the front door. Nathan and Charlotte exchanged a puzzled look.

"Who in the world would be knocking on the front door tonight?" Eleanor speaking what they were all thinking.

"I'll get it," Charlotte said, drying her hands on a towel and removing the apron she wore to protect her dress.

Charlotte moved through the dining room to the foyer and opened the door.

"Oh, you're not Miss Walsh or Miss Bennett," said the dark-haired man when he saw it was Charlotte standing in the doorway.

"No, I am not," she giggled. "I'm Charlotte Grant. My husband and I are friends of Lillian and Grace's. Can I help you with something?"

"I need to speak with Miss Walsh and Miss Bennett right away."

Nathan had joined Charlotte and now stood by her side. The man looked Nathan up and down in his serge.

"I'm Nathan Grant. Charlotte's husband." He introduced. "Lillian and Grace are out back with all the others."

"If you wouldn't mind showing me the way, I'd be obliged. Like I said, it's very important that I speak to them."

"Right now?" Charlotte questioned. "It's Lillian's wedding day. Can this wait?"

"Her wedding? To the Mountie?"

"Yes. She and Gabriel Kinslow were married this evening. Everyone is out back celebrating. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know Miss Bennett and Mrs. Kinslow?"

"I'm Inspector Randal Andrews with the children's bureau." The man dropped his gaze to his shoes. "Or I should say formally with the children's bureau."

"Inspector Andrews! Of course!" Nathan pulled the man into the living room. "Come in. Gabe has been searching for you for weeks now! He contacted the bureau and they said you were no longer with them, and the receptionist had no forwarding contact information."

"I was forced out."

"We figured as much," Nathan directed Andrews to sit on the settee.

"You and Sergeant Kinslow have been working together?"

"Yeah. We knew things weren't adding up and were hoping you would be able to shine some light on the situation with New Hope losing its license. Is that why you are here?"

Andrews nodded his head. "I don't have much information and I've fought with myself for weeks on if I should come here and share it as I don't know if it will help save the orphanage or not, but I knew I had to do something. I was eating myself up worrying about what is going to become of the kids that leave here. I knew I owed it to them to at least say something."

"Should I go get Gabe and Lillian?" Charlotte asked Nathan.

Nathan looked over to Andrews to understand what he wished to do.

"No. No." Andrews shook his head. "I don't want to ruin their day. I'll just leave."

"No, please don't leave," Nathan said. "If you tell Charlotte and I what you know, we will make sure it is relayed to Gabe and Lillian after things have settled down from their wedding."

Andrews seemed to study the pair for a long moment. Trying to determine if the two could be trusted with what he needed to tell them.

Charlotte saw the internal struggle and came to sit by the man. She took his hand into hers. "Mr. Andrews. I know you don't know Nathan and I, but I promise you. You can trust us. We have only the best interest at heart for these children, Miss Bennett, and Mrs. Kinslow. We love them like family and can't stand to see what they are going through. It's not fair and we want to help them. Whatever information you can share, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem, could be what finally sheds light on all this darkness."

Andrews seemed to contemplate a moment longer before he let out a long, slow breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Once I found out the official charges against the orphanage, I did a little digging and when I was caught was when I was let go and told it would be in my best interest to never to speak to anyone about what I found."

"What did you find?" Nathan sat down in the chair across from his wife and Andrews. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. Intent on hearing everything the inspector was willing to share with them.

"Not much. I just thought it very strange that two of the biggest charges against the orphanage, harboring a fugitive and… well you know… were from official Mountie reports. In all my years of being with the bureau, I have rarely had flags raised because a Mountie's report was sent into our office. Maybe if there was a missing child or something like that, but never charges like what was brought against New Hope."

Nathan had been questioning for some time too how those reports could have ended up with the bureau from headquarters. He nodded his head prompting Andrews to continue.

"I found the reports that were originally sent to the bureau. All that was included was a typed official cover letter that said we may be interested in the findings of those reports as it appeared what was happening at New Hope was putting the children here in danger not only physically, but morally."

"You know that isn't true, right Mr. Andrews?" Charlotte questioned.

"I know it isn't. Over the past few years, I've come to know the people of Brookfield well. I know that this orphanage was different from all the others I inspected. In a good way. That's why I felt the need to dig around in the first place."

"Mr. Andrews," Nathan spoke up. "You said an official cover letter was with the reports."

"Yes, from the Mounties. It had your emblem at the top."

"Was it signed?"

"By a Sergeant Ralph Nelson."

Nathan seemed to stew for a moment. "I don't know anyone at headquarters by that name."

"You wouldn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you wouldn't know anyone by that name because it doesn't appear to be a real Mountie. After I found the reports and cover letter, I called into headquarters at Cape Fullerton, wishing to speak with Sergeant Nelson. I was told there wasn't an officer by that name there and a few days later I was let go with the bureau."

Nathan sat back in his chair and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. It was then he saw the pale complexion of his wife sitting beside Andrews. Her whole body seemed to shake. He stood immediately and went to her side. "Charlie. What is it? What's wrong?"

She closed her eyes and struggled to swallow. It almost appeared to Nathan as though Charlotte would be sick. "I know…" Her voice broke as she opened her eyes again to look at Nathan. "I know who Sergeant Ralph Nelson is."

"What! How?"

"I don't know him, know him. Or I should say I've never met him before, but Nate… Beck… In a few passing conversations, talked to me about a Sergeant Ralph Nelson he worked with occasionally."

Nathan reeled back on his heels. Her words punching him in the stomach.

"Do you think…" Tears began to stream down her cheeks. "Do you think all this mess could be because of me? Because of my past?"