When Nathan was out on his tracking assignment, he traveled through Union City. The Mounties on the assignment had called headquarters for an update and they were waiting on a call back. A few of them had gone to get some lunch. Nathan had grabbed a sandwich and walked around the city. He had a short break before they all agreed to meet back at the office. Nathan walked by a hotel and he saw that there was an Emerson reading next month. He remembered Elizabeth saying how much she loved Emerson and he thought it was something that she would enjoy. He bought two tickets for the reading and put them in his serge pocket.

Back in Hope Valley, Nathan was sitting at his desk looking at the two tickets in his hand. He had bought the tickets because he knew it was something that she would enjoy. Nathan also knew that because Elizabeth was a schoolteacher and he was a Mountie, he would not be able to go with her. Both of them being unmarried, it would not look right for them to go on a trip together. Nathan put the tickets back in his pocket and walked over to the dress shop.

Nathan walked into the dress shop and he heard Rosemary's voice from the back room, "I'll be right there!"

Nathan had never been in the shop before. He looked around thinking Allie might need some new clothes soon. Maybe he could ask for Rosemary's help with that as well.

"Oh Nathan, I wasn't expecting to see you. Is there something I can help you with?"

"I hope so, Rosemary. I hope so."

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Elizabeth was sitting in her house after school. She had put dinner in the oven and was just waiting for it to be ready. Jack was taking a nap upstairs which allowed Elizabeth some time for herself. She sat at the table with a cup of coffee, thinking about her plans for classes the next day. There was a knock on the door and Rosemary entered.

"Hello! I hope I am not bothering you," Rosemary said.

"Not at all, would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Yes please." Rosemary sat down as Elizabeth got her a cup. "Elizabeth, what would you think of the two of us going to Union City on Saturday? Lee said that he would watch Jack and he would ask Bill to come over too if he needed help."

"I don't know. Is there a reason you want to go to Union City?"

"There is a reading at one of the hotels Saturday afternoon. It is a reading of Emerson poems. We could leave in the morning and be back the same day."

"Oh Rosemary, I love Emerson. How did you find out about it?"

"Actually it was Nathan," Rosemary said.

"Nathan? What do you mean?"

"Nathan came by the dress shop today. He said that while he was on his tracking mission, he walked by the hotel and saw the poster about the reading. He bought two tickets, knowing he wouldn't be able to take you himself. Nathan asked if I would go with you so you could go to the reading. He is a special man, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth sat there, her feelings for Nathan even stronger after learning of his kindness. She knew she would need to talk to him about what was going on and to thank him for such a kind gesture. Perhaps they could talk after she got back from the reading. Maybe after church on Sunday.

"I would love to go with you on Saturday, Rosemary. Maybe if we have time in the city we can do a little shopping as well."

"Excellent, I will let Lee know. We can leave early and get some lunch too when we get to the city before the reading. I hear the restaurant in the hotel is excellent."

Elizabeth smiled. She could use a day away from town. She knew that her son would be in excellent hands with Lee and Bill. She hoped that there would be time for shopping to get some new books and a new dress too.

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Elizabeth and Rosemary had planned to leave at first light on Saturday. Both of them were excited for the trip but Elizabeth was hesitant to leave Jack. It would be her first time leaving him in someone else's care. As much as she trusted Lee and Bill, it was still hard to be so far away from him. Elizabeth had spent the morning getting her purse ready and some food for the car. She was dressed in a purple suit dress that she knew would be appropriate for the reading but also comfortable to travel in. When she was ready, she walked out the door and set her things down on the porch.

Outside the row houses, Rosemary and Lee were standing outside the car in front of their house. Rosemary was wearing a burgundy dress in a similar style to Elizabeths. Elizabeth knew she had made the right choice in her outfit after seeing her friend."Good morning! Are you ready for our trip?" Rosemary asked.

"I think so, it's a little tough to leave this little boy though."

"I know it is, but we are going to have fun today, aren't we Jack," Lee said.

"I know he will be fine," Elizabeth said handing her son to Lee. She went back to her porch and got her things.

"Rosemary, be careful ok sweetheart."

"I will Lee. Elizabeth, we need to get going," Rosemary said.

Elizabeth and Rosemary got into the car and waved at Lee and Jack. They went on their way, talking and laughing for the entire trip. The trip took a few hours and then they arrived in the city. It had been a long time since Elizabeth had been there but she still remembered where some of the business were. Rosemary went to the hotel to park the car. They could leave it there for the day and walk around the town.

"Elizabeth, would you like to go get some lunch before the reading? We can go shopping afterwards if that works for you."

"That sounds great. Let's see if we can get a table at the hotel restaurant."

Rosemary and Elizabeth walked into the hotel. Elizabeth looked up at the large chandeliers in the lobby. This hotel reminded her of the hotels in Hamilton with the gold and plush carpets. Rosemary walked up to the desk as Elizabeth was still looking around.

"Good afternoon Mademoiselle. Can I assist you with anything?" the man at the front desk asked as Elizabeth walked over to where Rosemary was standing.

"Yes, my friend and I are here for the Emerson reading this afternoon. We were wondering if it would be possible to get a table at the restaurant before the reading?"

"Of course. It is a busy day however there are a few tables set aside for guests attending the reading. Let me call over and let them know you are coming. Your name?"

"Mrs. Coulter and my friend's name is Mrs. Thornton."

"Oui. The restaurant is down the hall on the right. A table will be waiting for you. I hope you enjoy your day."

Rosemary and Elizabeth walked down to the restaurant. When they arrived, the host took them to a table near the window. Both of them ordered dishes with seafood as it was not something that they had in Hope Valley that often. After enjoying their lunch, Rosemary asked the waiter what room the reading was taking place in. He gave them directions to the ballroom and Rosemary looked at her watch telling Elizabeth that they would need to leave soon. Elizabeth asked for the bill, intending to pay as Rosemary had driven them there. The waiter told them both that the bill had already been taken care of. The two of them looked confused.

"Did the person who paid for it give a name?"

"It was paid for in advance. The owner got a call earlier in the week from a man who said he would cover the bill if you came for lunch."

"I wonder who it was," Elizabeth asked, looking at Rosemary.

"I told Lee about our plans, but he gave me money for the day. I doubt he would have also called to pay for lunch."

"The owner said he got a call from the Mountie office in Hope Valley when he told us about the payment. Does that help?"

"It does, thank you," Elizabeth said, leaving a tip on the table. Both of the women smiled and walked out of the restaurant. They walked down to the ballroom to get their seats for the reading.