"Elizabeth!"

A well-dressed redhead stepped down from the train with a hat box in her hand. She held up her hand waving in Elizabeth's direction. Elizabeth was looking at all the windows trying to find her sister Julie but she was still surprised when she saw her walking towards her. Julie was wearing a very stylish outfit with a shortened hem and high heeled shoes. She looked like she had stepped right out of a fashion magazine instead of ready to stay in Hope Valley. Elizabeth shook her head and walked over to greet her.

"Julie, it is so good to see you," Elizabeth said reaching out to hug her.

"I wouldn't miss my nephew's christening. I am honored that you asked me to be his godmother."

Elizabeth looked over her sister's shoulder and saw the porter bringing down bag after bag from the train. "Julie! How many bags did you bring with you?!"

"Oh you! Not all of those are mine. Well they are, but some of them are gifts for you and Jack. Some of them are books that you asked for. And then the rest are clothes of course." Elizabeth had never known her sister to pack light. She was glad that she asked Lee to borrow his car but she still feared that she would need to make a couple trips.

"Ok, I may need to talk to the station master and ask if we can leave a couple of the bags here and send someone back later. Why don't you let me know which ones are your personal bags and we will start with those?"

––––––––

Elizabeth had planned to take Julie to dinner at the saloon with Rosemary and Lee. Elizabeth preferred to eat at the cafe, but with Gustav, the new chef at the saloon, the food seemed to fit what Julie was used to. Elizabeth thought it would be easier for Julie to adjust to her time in Hope Valley. Elizabeth had planned for a reception in the cafe after the christening so they would have a chance to try the food there as well.

The four of them walked into the saloon with Elizabeth and Julie walking in first. Bill had offered to watch Jack so he could spend some time with his godson before the christening. He wanted to give Elizabeth some time to catch up with her sister as well. When they all walked in, Lucas came over to greet them. None of them had become particularly friendly with Lucas but they acknowledged that he was good at managing the saloon.

"Hello everyone, can I get you a table this evening?"

"Yes Lucas, the four of us are here for dinner if you could get us some menus as well"

"Of course. I don't believe I have seen you before Miss," Lucas said directing his last question to Julie.

"No, I am here visiting my sister. Julie Thatcher," she said putting out her hand.

Lucas took her hand and kissed it. 'Ever the charmer,' Elizabeth thought to herself, trying not to roll her eyes. "Julie, let's go take a seat," Elizabeth said. The four of them sat down at a table near the stairs as Lucas went to get the menus. He came back shortly handing them each one.

The meal was excellent. Julie thought it was as good as the meals she had in Hamilton. Lucas had told Gustav to do his very best when he saw there was a visitor in town. Even though Lucas wasn't sure how long he was going to be in town, he always wanted to do his best. He was a perfectionist so anything less would not do.

Elizabeth looked around the table as Julie talked with Rosemary and Lee easily. Her younger sister was not a shy person and she was able to talk about many topics with many people. She was glad that she was getting along with her friends who had become her family in Hope Valley. As the three of them were talking, Elizabeth heard the door to the saloon open and she saw Nathan walk in.

Her heart began to beat fast as she looked over at him. Her face started to flush and she thought it must be getting as red as the serge he was wearing. Elizabeth took a drink of her water to try and calm herself before her sister would notice. She had written to Julie about a new Mountie coming to town but she couldn't remember in that moment how much she had told her sister.

Nathan stood by the door keeping an eye on everything that was going on around him. Tonight was his night to keep an eye on the saloon. Bill said he had plans and asked if Nathan could watch the saloon. Allie had made plans to stay at Opal's house tonight so he had just planned for an early night at home. As Nathan was looking around, he saw Elizabeth sitting at a table with Rosemary, Lee, and a woman he didn't recognize. He could tell Elizabeth was nervous but Rosemary and Lee seemed to know the woman so he wasn't too alarmed yet.

It looked like the group had just finished dinner as all four of them stood from the table. Rosemary and Lee started towards the door as Elizabeth walked with Julie. All of them walked towards the door where Nathan stood with his hat in his hand.

"Hi Nathan, I don't see you around the saloon that often," Lee said as they got closer.

"No, I guess not. I just decided to check on things before I went home for the night. How was your night?" Nathan asked as Elizabeth walked up.

Rosemary answered, "It was excellent. Elizabeth's sister Julie is in town so we wanted to get dinner to catch up."

"Hi Nathan, this is my sister Julie Thatcher. Julie, this is Constable Nathan Grant."

Julie looked at the man in front of her. Her sister had definitely not shared everything about the new constable that had come to Hope Valley. "Hello Constable, is there something in the water over there at headquarters that makes all of you so handsome?" Julie said with a smile.

"Julie!" Elizabeth said with a shocked look on her face.

"It's ok, Elizabeth. I am flattered, Miss Thatcher. Enjoy the rest of your evening," Nathan nodded his head walking closer to the bar as Rosemary and Lee led the group out of the door. Julie looked at her sister as they stepped out onto the street. She was definitely blushing as she tried to hide a smile. Julie had a feeling that it wasn't embarrassment that put that pretty color on her sister's cheeks.

––––––––

Elizabeth woke up early the next morning. She had survived an interrogation from Julie last night after they said good night to Rosemary and Lee. Julie had asked her all about Nathan and why Elizabeth had not mentioned his good looks or her feelings towards him in her letters. Elizabeth tried to explain to him that she wasn't sure what her feelings were at the moment, only recently having come to terms with Jack's death. Julie understood and the sisters talked late into the night about Hamilton and all of the other things going on in their lives.

After getting Jack ready for the day, Elizabeth walked over to the schoolhouse. The christening would take place later that day but she wanted to get everything set up so it would be ready. She carried a basket in one hand and pushed Jack in his buggy. She wanted to spend the whole day with Jack today. Julie had offered to watch him but Elizabeth knew that her sister was not used to the early hours and Julie was still sleeping when she left.

Elizabeth was setting up the candles in the front of the church, holding Jack on her hip when she heard a knock on the door to the school. She turned and Nathan was there walking towards her. He was dressed in a blue button up shirt with brown pants and suspenders. As usual a few buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned so she could see his henley underneath. She wondered if he had to do rounds later.

"Hi, I hope I am not interrupting," Nathan said as he walked forward. Elizabeth noticed he was carrying something large in his hands but she couldn't see what it was.

"No, not at all. I was just setting up for the christening."

"I have something for you. I thought now would be a good time to give it to you without everyone around," Nathan said turning the piece of wood around. Elizabeth gasped as she saw a beautifully carved plaque with a quote:

ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU ARE AFRAID TO DO.

"You made this?" Nathan nodded as Elizabeth asked the question.

"It's Emerson, you told me you liked Emerson once. It's for the library."

"It's perfect. Thank you Nathan. This means so much to me." Elizabeth had tears forming in her eyes as she looked at the beautiful gift. This man was so special to make this for her. Jack giggled making Elizabeth laugh. "I think he likes it too."

"Hi there Jack," Nathan said taking his little hand. "I have a feeling you are going to love the library one day just like your mama." Nathan smiled at Elizabeth.

"Are you coming to the christening later?"

"Yes, Allie and I wouldn't miss it"

–––––––––

The christening was beautiful. Elizabeth was surprised by how many people came to celebrate her little boy. It was a quick ceremony and then the group walked over to the cafe for a small reception. Clara and Bill had made desserts for the occasion and there was coffee and lemonade as well. Allie went over to Nathan after about a hour asking if she could go to a sleepover at Emily's house with Opal. Nathan was happy that Allie was making friends so he agreed saying he would walk her home and then over to the Montgomery house. He saw Elizabeth on his way out telling her about walking Allie home and saying he needed to stop by the Mountie office on the way back to pick up some papers. He would come back if they were still there.

Everyone was having a great time talking and eating the delicious desserts. Rosemary and Julie were taking turns holding Jack. Julie was telling Rosemary about the latest fashions in Hamilton and she promised to send Rosemary a few things when she got home. Rosemary was telling her about the stops she would go to in Buxton and offered to take Julie before her trip back. Elizabeth smiled at both of them getting along. She decided to take a little break from the crowd and walked outside to the porch of the cafe.

When Elizabeth stepped outside, she saw a car sitting outside the saloon. That was strange as there normally wasn't a car sitting out front. Lucas normally parked his car in the back. She could see a couple of bags in the back seat so maybe someone had arrived recently. Lucas had recently opened the hotel portion of the saloon. Elizabeth looked over and Lucas ran out of the saloon, putting a gun in the holster on his hip. Elizabeth walked on the side of the cafe, guessing that Lucas didn't want to be seen. He looked around the street, but not in her direction. No one was on the street as most of the people were at home or in the cafe for the reception. Lucas jumped in his car and sped down the street. He turned fast around the corner and out of town.

Elizabeth looked back at the cafe. Rosemary and Julie were still talking and Jack had fallen asleep in Rosemary's arms. She walked quickly over to the mercantile hoping that Fiona would be over there at the switchboard. She walked in and was grateful to see her there.

"Elizabeth, how was the christening?"

"Good, thank you. Can you tell me if Lucas made or received any calls recently?"

"He just made one about 15 minutes ago to Cape Fullerton. What is going on?"

"Lucas just left town. Do you know what the call was about?"

"Sorry I don't. Lucas just said 'It's time' and he hung up. I usually disconnect after I make sure both callers are on the line but it was so short I didn't even have the chance."

Elizabeth looked concerned about what that could be about. "Thank you Fiona," and Elizabeth walked quickly towards the door.