Chapter 44: Saturday in Hope Valley Part II

"These are even more beautiful than I remembered them, Mil," uttered Nathan, as his eyes were glued to the paintings they had unwrapped and propped against the wall.

"Colleen was an extremely accomplished painter, Love," noted Millicent, as she rubbed his back, then turned to Allie. "And I think you, Sweetheart, clearly have inherited your Mom's talent, along with your Gramma's!"

Allie just beamed.

"I didn't even know, Momma!"

"We're going to have to have your Gramma and Auntie Pippa help you really get started when you come to Montreal for the Holidays!"

"That will be great! I really love to paint, Momma, and I want to do more!"

"All you have to do, Allie, is look to these for inspiration. And listen to your Gramma and Auntie Pippa. But, Babe, I have no idea on where to hang these!" admitted Nathan.

"Let's see. The largest one should go here. And I think these two over the hall table, stacked. Then this large one over the table. And these smaller ones behind your desk. What do you think?"

"I think that's perfect. How do you do that?"

Millicent laughed.

"I honestly don't know. It's just something I've always liked to do!"

"Do you think these should be framed?"

"No, I don't. I actually love them just as they are. Frames just compete with the actual painting. I think these canvases are ready to hang!"

"Then let me get a hammer and some nails to hang them on!"

"And while you do that, I'll make us some Hot Chocolate!"

Nathan reached to kiss her, with his eyes full of gratitude and tenderness.

He didn't think he could have unpacked Colleen's art without Millicent being there.

But by bringing Colleen's paintings out into their lives again, he felt an unexplainable peace.

Millicent had been right.

This was the right thing to do for both Allie and him.

"May I help?" asked Allie.

"Of course, we're a team," winked Millicent.


"Momma, is it normal to still cramp?"

"Yes, Baby. I'm afraid it is for some of us girls. But, the good news is they usually go away after the first two or three days. Are they very bad, now, or just sort of dull?"

"Just sort of dull, I guess."

"That's good! I think by tomorrow, you'll feel better. Do you need to take an aspirin? One now, and maybe another before you go to bed?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I think that might help."

Allie reached for the bottle of aspirin while Millicent poured her a glass of water.

Allie swallowed the tablet, while Millicent stroked her hair.

"I love having you here, Momma!"

"I love being here, Allie. Wherever you and your Dad are, that's where I belong! You two make me happy! So very happy."

Allie smiled, with a full heart.

She might not have understood everything about a couple falling in love, but she understood, her Dad and Momma loved each other deeply, and that the three of them loved each other, too.

She also knew that they were already a family.

A real forever family.

And that was all she needed…


Millicent and Allie oversaw the hanging of the canvases.

"Just about an inch higher, Love!" motioned Millicent.

"Higher Dad, not lower!" laughed Allie.

"Hey, this is harder than it looks!"

"You've got it! That's perfect! And it looks grand!"

"Dad, it really does! It just brightens up everything!"

"Allie's right, Love. That painting makes a world of difference, even on its own! Why don't you take a break and drink your Hot Chocolate before it gets cold?"

The three of them sat together on the settee, looking at the painting they had just hung, and drinking their Cocoa.

"What do you think Colleen was trying to say with this painting, Love?" asked Millicent.

"Oh, that's simple, Darling! 'Grab Life's Joy!' That's what she called it. She penciled it on the back of the canvas. It's tiny, but it's there."

"The joy is there in the colors. It's amazing to be able to transfer all that to canvas. But she most certainly did! Just like you painted the love of your Fishing Hole, Allie. You can see the love in your painting!"

They chattered on, as families do, until all their Cocoa was gone, and Nathan was reaching for his hammer once more.

As Millicent passed the large trunk Nathan had stored some of the smaller canvases in, something red caught her eye.

It was the largest canvas in the trunk.

And she somehow knew Nathan had no intention of sharing this painting.

Yet it was exquisite.

She knelt down by the trunk and tenderly lifted the canvas, completely enthralled by the painting in front of her.

The likeness was remarkable, but then again, he was her twin, a part of her, and you could see clearly in this painting, the painter knew her subject intimately.

Why Colleen had painted a part of herself.

In so many ways, this particular Brother and Sister were one.

The painting literally took Millicent's breath away…

Nathan finished hanging the two canvases over the hall table, exactly where Millicent had marked, and stood back grinning, admiring his work, but mostly his sister's paintings.

"What do you think, Mil?" he smiled.

But she didn't even hear him.

She couldn't tear her eyes away from this particular canvas.

It was like looking inside Nathan's very soul.

The painting was that intimate…

And then he saw what was holding her attention.

He knelt down beside her, not sure if there were any words that needed to be said, so he was silent.

And so was she.

It was Allie, standing over them, who broke the silence.

"Dad, this is amazing! This is you! In your Serge!"

Millicent propped the painting up against the trunk lid.

Both Nathan and Millicent instinctively reached for each other's hands.

"This is extraordinary," whispered Millicent.

"I…I can't…hang it."

"I know, Love. But I know the perfect spot for it when you're ready. This is the beginning of your Mountie career. As much as I want it for my own, this has to go in your private office, to remind you of where you came from. This way, your Sister will be a part of your entire career. I'll hang it for you when you get your new office."

He nodded, knowing she was right.

This was the one painting he had dreaded uncovering most.

It was so personal that it was heart-wrenching, something only Millicent, who had been raised with them, would understand.

He was so very thankful that she did understand, and that she was here with him.

"She gave that to me when I graduated from the Academy. She said this way, she would always be with me. And yet I put it away, Mil. I didn't mean to, but in doing so, I put her away."

Nathan couldn't help the tears flooding down his cheeks.

Millicent held him like a baby, caressing him, soothing him, as only she could do.

Allie hung on to her Momma, knowing something really important was happening.

She was too young to remember the grief for herself, but she had seen it time and time again in her Dad's eyes.

And in her Gramma's eyes and her Grappa's eyes.

And now she even saw it in her Momma's eyes.

"Mom must have been pretty special," whispered Allie.

Millicent turned to bring her into their embrace.

"Oh, Angel, she was. She was the absolute best!"

And there the three of them sat on the floor, while something miraculous took place in each and every one of them.

It was healing.

Much needed healing, moving the grief from intense pain, into a stage of celebration for Colleen, her joy, her life, and her love.

Her passion for art.

God was in this healing, and it was as though He allowed Colleen, herself, to be there too, allowing all three to know she couldn't be happier.

That she was at peace.

They had her complete blessing.

She was a most important, cherished part of this soon-to-be official family, and always would be.

And with her canvases hung, their entire living area looked brighter, filled with joy even.

A gift from her to them...


"There's my family!" smiled Bill as he opened the door to the Café.

"You seem awfully perky!" exclaimed Nathan, feeling a little skeptical of the Judge's good humor.

"Well, I have an honest to goodness oven!"

"With a door no less?" asked Nathan.

"Very funny. Make him stop, Millicent! I've got a meal for you that's gonna make up for that Breakfast snafu a hundred times over! Sit and I'll serve it myself!"

"You're on, Bill! We're at your mercy!"

Nathan chuckled and proudly led Millicent and Allie to a corner table, for privacy, but not before everyone in the Café stopped eating and rose to meet Millicent, all offering hearty hugs!

Millicent amazingly remembered each person's name, which endeared her to them even more.

Nathan was always proud of her, but even he couldn't help but be impressed.

Allie was holding Millicent's hand, as soon as she let go from hugging everyone, proudly letting everyone know, this was her Momma!

"Don't forget our Hat Day tomorrow morning, Millicent!" reminded Mollie at the last table with Fiona and Faith.

"Not a chance! Will everyone else remember?"

"We've made calls all afternoon and everyone is as excited as can be. It's going to be like Easter Sunday, but the winter version!"

"Yes, a few of us got together this afternoon to winterize our hats! We have some pretty spectacular creations. Well, at least we can say they're one of a kind!" laughed Fiona.

"They'll all be lovely. We'll see you all bright and early in the morning! Hats in place!"

As Nathan led them on to their table, he whispered to Millicent.

"You've made quite a few friends, Love!"

"Yes, and it's wonderful. They're real, Nate. Not like those society snobs, I deal with every single day. And I love that!"

"Momma, I don't have a hat."

"You don't? My goodness, does the Mercantile have any?"

"I looked. Just a straw one. Mrs. Yost said it was too summery," explained Allie.

"Oh, Nathan, will we have time to go get it? I can buy some velvet fabric and ribbon and winterize it in no time!"

"Really, Momma?"

"Really," winked Millicent. "Mother stitched all her clothes, as well as her sisters' clothes growing up, so you better believe, she taught me to sew! Nothing fancy, but enough to get us by!"

"May I help?"

"Good job, Allie!" praised her Father, as this was one of the few times she remembered the proper word to use.

"Yes, Sweetheart!" promised Millicent, with a smile.

"Get ready for the best Roast Chicken Dinner you've ever had in your life! With my Dirty Mushroom Rice, 'pilaf,' I think you fancy people call it! And of course, my famous Corn Puddin! And don't dare forget my yummy Green Bean Casserole! Oh, and I made my famous Yeast Rolls, as extra added insurance. Those things rose the highest I've ever made! Right near exploded in the oven!"

"Why, Bill, you've gone all out. Everything looks delicious!" praised Millicent. "And Mushroom Rice Pilaf happens to be a favorite of mine! Not to mention these spectacular Yeast Rolls. You're simply going to have to give me lessons!"

"My honor, Millicent! It's a baking date."

"I think you might have just redeemed yourself, Bill. Come on, sit down and eat with us!"

"Don't mind if I do," said the man you never had to ask twice.

Bill sat and then offered a formal greeting to their most important guest.

"Good evening, officially, Millicent. Welcome to our humble Café!" and Bill reached and formally kissed Millicent on the cheek, which Mollie noticed from the distance.

Then he switched sides and greeted Allie, with a kiss on her cheek as well.

"Hi there, Sweetie. You ready for your old Uncle to sit by you?"

"Sure, Uncle Bill!"

"Well, Bill since you cooked our meal, Nathan, will you please say Grace?" asked Millicent.

He took her hand, and the rest joined their hands around the table.

"I'd be happy too," he smiled.

"Dear Father, our day started a little rocky, but we've made it through with our friendship and family intact, and we thank You for that! We thank You for giving the four of us, this most special time together, as a real family. We also thank you for the magnificent table of food set before us. Please bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, and please bless the man who has prepared it. In your holy name, we ask, Amen!"

"Amen," chorused around the table.

When they raised their heads, Ned, who had paused at the door, came rushing into the Café.

"Const…I mean Chief Inspector! I have an urgent telegram for you!"

"Thank you, Ned!" and Nathan opened it, halfway expecting it to be from the Commissioner, but he was wrong.

He was also uncomfortably aware that Ned knew who the telegram was from, and it caused him to look at Ned quizzically.

A look Ned returned, but along with one that was also apologetic.

"What is it, Nathan?" asked Bill, as Millicent reached for his hand, worried about his parents.

"No, everything's okay," he smiled at Millicent, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "It's from Elizabeth. She's arriving by Stagecoach, Monday at noon."

Now, even Bill had a quizzical look, even more so than Nathan and Ned.

"Well, I suppose it's about time. But why did she…" and then Bill let his words drop into the air, realizing that Nathan was wondering the same thing, and Millicent didn't need to hear them.

"This is good news. I'm glad Elizabeth's coming home. Especially, while I'm still here. I was actually hoping to speak with her," smiled Millicent, never once alluding to or even thinking of the fact Elizabeth had chosen her own fiancée to deliver the news to.

Somehow, she understood it.

"Why would she ask me to meet her?" asked Nathan in a low voice. "And Mil, you and Bill are coming with me."

"Of course," responded Bill.

"If you think that's best, but perhaps, she would rather just see the two of you," offered Millicent graciously.

And when she realized there was still awkwardness in the air, and that Allie was picking up on it, she added another comment.

"Perhaps, Allie and I should take her a Welcome Home Basket, a little later in the day, after she's had a chance to get settled," she smiled. "We'll gather something at the Mercantile Monday morning. Perhaps a nice fruit basket. And she'll need flowers. Could you please order her favorites for us, Ned?"

"I would be happy too, Millicent! They'll arrive on the early Monday morning Train."

Allie smiled back and it seemed the awkwardness was covered, but it was somehow still concerning Ned and the male adults around the table.

Millicent smiled to ease the tension.

"Thank you, Ned. We appreciate that. And now, we've got the most magnificent Roasted Chicken that's getting cold right before us. Bill, would you like the honors of carving?"


"The meal was perfect!" mused Millicent, walking arm-in-arm with Nathan to the Mercantile with Allie running along ahead of them.

"Are you truly okay, Mil? With the telegram? With Elizabeth coming?"

"Yes, Darling! I'm fine. She loved you, Nathan, and probably still does. And that's okay. Because I know you love me, and that's all I need. It's all I'll ever need."

He stopped and kissed her passionately right there in the middle of the boardwalk.

"I love you completely. And I'm so sorry. I don't know why she…"

"Shh! Just be a friend to her. She needs that, and she needs it from you."

He placed his forehead on hers.

"You are remarkable," he whispered. "You have all of me. Every bit of me. You do know that, don't you?"

He knew she understood what he was trying to say, as he could see the light of her smile in the darkness, and he knew there was no doubt between them.

He took her hand, the one that was looped through his arm, and covered it with his own, caressing it as they followed Allie up the steps to the Mercantile, so sure of his love for this extraordinary woman beside him.

And so very sure of her love for him.

It was as though everything was on a higher level than he had ever experienced or even thought to be possible before.

He never even knew a love existed like this, but oh, he was so very grateful, not only that it did, but, most importantly that he had found it.

With Millicent.


Florence met them at the door, with a tenuous, questioning look, but once she saw Millicent and Nathan smiling so genuinely, she knew all was well and breathed a huge sigh of relief!

"What can I do for you this beautiful Saturday night?"

"We need a hat for Allie for Sunday Service! And we were wondering if we could take the straw hat she looked at earlier, and perhaps, work some magic on it with Navy Velvet and some hat novelties!"

"Oh, that's a marvelous idea. I should have thought of that! Let's see we have a wide Navy Velvet Ribbon and a bright Red in the same. Oh, and I think a few other colors that might work as well."

And the Ladies headed toward the opposite side, which was pretty much designated as the Ladies' section.

"Nathan, I'm so sorry to have interrupted your dinner!" apologized Ned, taking the opportunity of the two men being alone.

"No worries, Ned. I thought it might be something from the Commissioner, so you did the right thing!"

The two continued to talk while the Ladies sorted through the available hat-making materials.

Both were happy to do so, as Nathan and Ned had developed a respectful friendship over the years.

"Oh, Florence this Navy is beautiful against the straw just by itself! What do you think, Allie?"

"I love it! It matches my coat and will go perfectly with the red scarf and mittens Auntie Essie made! I don't think that Red matches my Red."

"Then the Navy's what we'll take. Do you have any millinery ornaments?"

"Here's a whole tray!"

"Allie, you choose what you like best!"

"Momma, what about these navy buttons?"

"Perfect! We'll take a few navy buttons as well. Florence, do you have your hat ready?"

"Very ready! You just wait till you see it! There won't be another like it in Hope Valley!" bragged a very proud Florence.

"I can't wait to see it in the morning!"

The Ladies moved to the counter to tally their purchases.

"Ned..." nudged Florence in a whisper.

"Oh, Millicent! Florence and I bought this for you," and Ned pulled out a beautifully wrapped package. "We thought you might need this very thing during your stay with us, as well as the entire time leading up to your Wedding!"

"Oh Ned, and Florence, this is so very thoughtful and exquisitely beautiful. Not to mention needed and so very special! We will cherish it!"

The gift was a leather Wedding Planner Journal in Emerald Green, and Ned had engraved Millicent's and Nathan's names on the front cover in gold, along with their Wedding Date!

Millicent hugged Florence and Ned, then Nathan kissed Florence and embraced Ned.

"Such a lovely gift! Thank you both from the depths of our hearts. You have no idea how much we need this!"

"Yes, it seems my Fiance keeps getting sidetracked every single time any Wedding Details are mentioned," laughed Millicent.

Nathan chuckled.

"Guilty as charged! It's just that my beautiful Fiancee is so distracting!"

"Good answer, Chief Inspector!" smiled Florence, thoroughly enchanted with this striking couple.

There was an ease about them, as well as a depth of love she had seldom seen.

After Nathan, Millicent, and Allie said their goodbyes and started down the front steps of the Mercantile, Florence closed and locked the front door behind them.

"Ned, now THAT is a young couple in love who both appreciate exactly what they have, and it's such a beautiful thing to see. The two of them and the three of them are simply meant to be…"


Allie squeezed in, between her Dad and her Momma, taking both of their hands, and the three looked like the beautiful family they were as they walked back to their car.

Nathan helped Allie into the back seat and Millicent into the front passenger seat, then got behind the wheel.

"Are my Girls ready?"

"Ready, Dad!"

"Ready, Darling!"

"We've got to get home, as we have a game or two to play!" suggested Nathan.

"And don't forget a hat to make, too!" reminded Millicent.


Millicent and Allie worked on Allie's hat on the kitchen table, while Nathan and Bill talked, rather lowly, in the living room, not wanting to alarm them.

"Bill, we are so very close. The tap has been done, and we've already gotten more than I expected. They're getting sloppy in their faux confidence."

"Which means they aren't suspecting anything. I like that a lot. Do we wait for the big sting we talked about or do you have enough?"

"I think I have more than enough. But I still want the lead guys out of Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. We've got the first three covered. It's the last two that are still the problem. I don't want to get greedy, but they're all involved up to their necks, and I can't see leaving an arm untouched, in this case, two arms, to just re-infiltrate and start up all over again. Which is exactly what they'll do!"

"I agree. You honestly don't think Lucas suspects anything?"

"I actually think he's rattled about something else, and his phone conversations bear that out. He does appear, though, to be under pressure from the lead guys, all three of them above him. They're wanting their goods and they want them now. For some reason, namely us, he's having trouble delivering."

"Happy that's all worked from our end. But there's something else. Something closer to home. What is it?" asked Bill.

"It appears to be me, personally. He's not at all concerned about me professionally. Thinks I'm as green as they come, which means we have him exactly where we want him. But that brings me to another point. I'm concerned about Millicent and Allie. He came into the Livery again this afternoon. Allie talked a mile a minute, and he was plenty nice enough but was staring at Millicent and me, mostly Millicent, the whole time. I've already briefed Security, but only from a standpoint of protecting both Millicent and Allie. They won't let them out of their sight, but they know nothing about our operation."

"Do you honestly think Lucas would hurt them?" asked Bill.

"Not really, but we know he has done so before, or at least been involved in the rough handling, but he does seem to be taken with Millicent. I don't think he'd ever hurt her. My concern is some of his crew trying to kidnap her for ransom to augment their cash flow. Because we've clamped down enough that it's very tight right now. I'm just not taking an nth of a chance on any of this. Not where Millicent or Allie are concerned."

"Neither am I! I'm sorry, Nathan, but when I think how close Elizabeth came, it makes my skin crawl. She put my Godson at risk, and I don't care what kind of state she was in, that is never gonna be acceptable to me. Mark my words, she and I are gonna have a little talk when she gets here."

"Don't be too hard on her, Bill. Something was just off. She never would have put Little Jack at risk had she known."

"But she did, Nathan. And it has to be discussed. She's not gonna like it, but I don't care. It has to be done and it's my job to do it!"

"Just do it with kindness. She's going to have enough to deal with when all this Lucas stuff breaks. I'm hoping it gets her out of her fantasy world, once and for all, so she can get back to the old Elizabeth we all knew and loved."

"You and me both. You know, Millicent never once wavered tonight with that telegram. She's somethin else, Nathan. Mighty special! You're a very lucky man."

"Bill, the luckiest. But I believe instead of luckiest, it's actually most blessed. All that horrible yin and yang, and push and pull, that I went through with just trying to be a part of Elizabeth's life, is non-existent with Millicent and me. There's a love with her that's so deep, I can't even describe it. It just transcends all that. And that doesn't mean we think there won't be problems. It's just the opposite. We know there will be, but we are committed to working through them together, just like we always have. I can't even imagine her not being my partner, living my life with me."

"It's because she's your one true love, Nathan, your forever love. All anyone has to do, strangers included, is look at the two of you together!"

"I can't even imagine living without her. Truthfully, I'm dreading next Wednesday. Being apart from each other is going to be one of the hardest things we've ever done!"

"Hey, you've got three more full days plus. Make the most of them! Tomorrow night, have Gustav cook you a fancy meal, and use my office to set up a real date! The two of you need some alone time. I'll take care of Allie."

"Thank you, Bill. You're right, you know? Earlier, Ned told me her flowers are already here. He couldn't place a hold on them, as they were already aboard the Train for delivery for tonight."

"And that's my fault, causing you to break your oven. I'm truly sorry about ruining your Saturday night date, Nathan."

"It's all alright. Not ruined. Just different. The Roasted Chicken made up for it. And those rolls, my oh my! But, that's a good idea to use Gustav for tomorrow night. I'll call him after everyone goes to bed. He'll still be at the Saloon, working, I'm sure."


Millicent called through the door.

"Are you ready for our beautiful young hat model? Ta-Da! Presenting Miss Allison Grant!"

Nathan and Bill stood and clapped, then both hugged their Girl, while Millicent looked on proudly.

"Allie, you look so beautiful and so grown-up!" declared her Uncle Bill.

Nathan was rather speechless.

But then he hugged his Little Girl, trying to regain his composure.

"You look beautiful, Sweetheart!"

His eyes were glistening with pride, though he quickly searched to change the subject.

"Are we ready for a game of Parchesi, Spoof, or The Landlord's Game?" asked Nathan, going to their hutch where the games were stored.

"Please, please The Landlord's Game!" begged Allie.

Millicent sat two bowls of popcorn, dripping in melted butter, at each end of the kitchen table, so that everyone had their own bowl.

Then she opened four cold bottles of ginger ale and place them around the table.

"I should warn you, I play to win!" laughed Millicent.

"You'd better sit close to me then!" winked Nathan, pointing to the chair next to him. "Maybe some of that good luck with rub off on me!"

"Now you all are gonna have to explain this one to me. Don't think I've ever heard of it," exclaimed Bill, feeling like he was about to be taken to the cleaners!

"Well, the game was developed by Elizabeth Magi in 1904. She meant it to point out the social pitfalls of unequal wealth distribution. But the game became so popular, players just have fun and collect huge amounts of money, as well as properties. Unfortunately, most players take extreme delight in relishing in their opponents' financial woes!" explained Millicent. "Not that any of us would do that here…of course!"

"Momma, is this sort of what Grandpapa does for real life?"

"Well…" laughed Millicent, unsure as to how to best answer. "I suppose sort of. You'll have to ask him at Christmas, Allie. I for one would love to know what he says!"

"It's a little more complicated than that, Allie, but you're on the right track. The difference is your Grandpapa gives away as much or more than he keeps. A good lesson to remember as we start this greedy game!"

The four played and played, laughing and cutting up. Just generally having the best of times.

None of the four could possibly know that years down the road, this somewhat cutthroat, even vicious game they were playing, would become one of the most popular board games ever!

You might know it as our beloved "Monopoly!"

So as the players gathered more property, Bill tended to hold onto his money, quite tightly.

"Uncle Bill, the only way this game works is you've gotta buy some stuff. Then you'll make a lot more money, like my Grandpapa!"

"Well, let's buy some stuff then...!"

And so, Bill did, and once he got started, boy did he get in the spirit of things!

The man simply couldn't stop, keeping Nathan, Millicent, and Allie up till one in the morning!

"We bow to the winner! Due to either Beginner's Luck or pure greed!" laughed Nathan. "Allie, off to bed for you! Church in the morning. We'll be up in a bit to say goodnight and go to bed ourselves."

Bill quickly got up after Allie, exaggeratedly stretching and yawning!

"Race you, Allie!"

And up the stairs, they went!


"Well, that wasn't exactly subtle, but I'm so glad for even just the tiniest bit of privacy with you, my Darling! Although you do know, you thoroughly stole my concentration," accused Nathan, wrapping her in his arms. "And I am blaming you completely for coming in dead last, Millicent Bradford!"

"But, oh you're so winning at life, my Love!"

"You can say that again…" as he nuzzled her neck with light and feathery kisses.

Nathan's heart was so full, it was overflowing.

He couldn't remember a time when this little rowhouse had held so much laughter, life, and love.

Most importantly of all, his entire being was enraptured, treasuring the sublime and perfect love, he was euphorically holding in his arms…