Elizabeth stood in the circle of her husband's arms; glad everyone had gone inside. She felt a little foolish at how she behaved when she saw Nathan. He had only been home a few hours late, and she knew everyone was right; he hadn't been in danger, not really. She didn't understand why she had such an awful feeling, but she hadn't been able to shake it until she felt his arms around her, holding her tight.

"Elizabeth? What is it?" Nathan asked, his face showing his surprise at her enthusiastic welcome.

"I don't know." Elizabeth smiled, trying to relieve his concern. "Would you believe I just really missed you?"

"I'd like to hope so," he said as he placed a finger under her chin and tipped her head back, looking into her eyes, seeing the unshed tears.

"I did miss you, Nathan, but...it...everyone was telling me you were okay, but I needed to see it with my own eyes to believe it." Elizabeth shuddered as she spoke, and a chill went down her spine. Resting her head on his chest, she said, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm not usually so superstitious or silly."

"You're not being silly," he said, kissing the top of her head. "I know you're not superstitious either," he teased. "If you were, we would never have ended up together...getting knocked on the head with a baseball the first time we met, the letter you wrote to me getting lost for weeks, me arriving in Coal Valley, the same day you burned down your house. Those three things would have sent you running if you believed in omens."

"You will never let me forget about the house, will you?" Elizabeth asked, glad for the excuse to laugh. She glanced at him, her face a picture of innocence. "It was ancient and about to fall down anyway."

"So, it could have happened to anyone?" Nathan said, grinning at her, one eyebrow raised in disbelief.

"I believe I did the town a favour," Elizabeth stated, straight-faced. "If you think about it, I saved them the work of pulling it down."

"How kind of you. What would Coal Valley or I ever do without you, Miss Thatcher?"

"Let's hope we never find out, Constable Grant." The teasing had done Elizabeth good, and she felt much better as she stepped out of Nathan's embrace. Holding his arm, they walked toward the veranda stairs; looking at him hopefully, she asked, "Do you think we can go for a ride after school tomorrow? I could ride to Town with you in the morning and have Cocoa at the Livery ready."

"I'd like that; if we could ride towards Henry's, that would allow me to visit and make it look unofficial?" Nathan said, eyes alight with the thought of spending time alone with her.

"Of course, we can go anywhere you like." Smiling, she said, "If you have done everything you can for tonight, we should have an early night so we can make an early start."

"Are you tired," Nathan questioned her, concerned.

"Not even a little bit," Elizabeth said, winking at him. She smiled as she walked inside, Nathan's laughter following her and erasing the last of her fears.

Julie and Robert had just finished explaining what they knew to Colleen and Bill when Elizabeth and Nathan walked in; knowing he could fill her in, they hadn't bothered to wait. Julie doubted Bill would have allowed them to wait anyway; he practically pounced on them as they walked in the door, demanding they start talking.

Julie had allowed Robert to do most of the talking, content to add the odd comment or observation as needed. Even though she knew Henry's place was the safest place for Mariah, she still worried about her. She had grown very fond of the young girl during their visits, and she hoped she would stay in Coal Valley with them when this whole mess was resolved.

Oh! Julie thought, surprised by her thoughts. Had she decided to stay in Coal Valley? She enjoyed being there with Elizabeth and, of course, with Robert. But she wasn't sure what would happen in the long term. Would he remain in Town after he saw Colleen cured? Would he return to Hamilton until he was called somewhere else, or did he want to explore another place and different healing methods?

Julie and Robert had talked about their relationship, but when Robert tried to raise anything about their future, she changed the subject. She knew Robert was confused by this, but she couldn't help it. She didn't have the words to explain why she avoided the discussion; it was just that so many things factored into her decision: her family in Hamilton, her family in Coal Valley, and her new friends like Rosemary, Faith and now Mariah.

A conversation between Colleen and Robert caught Julie's attention. She laughed as she listened to their friendly argument about where the next appointment should take place. Julie knew Colleen would eventually win, and Robert would see her at the Infirmary. She couldn't blame Colleen for being tired of home visits, and she agreed with her friend that the exercise and fresh air would do her good.

"Will I see you in Town tomorrow?" Colleen asked Julie, grinning triumphantly after Robert agreed with her plan.

"Yes. I can mind Allie during your appointment, and we can have lunch afterwards." Julie suggested.

"That sounds lovely," Colleen agreed. "Well, I think it is time to say goodnight; I don't want to be too tired for tomorrow's visit."

Julie laughed as Robert rolled his eyes, and the others waved her good night. Nathan and Elizabeth also excused themselves while Bill gathered his things and prepared to ride back to Town. Robert had offered to drive him but he had declined. He wanted Hero and himself in Town, ready in case they were needed for anything. Julie secretly thought Bill preferred riding a horse to riding in a car but would never admit it.

Sitting beside Robert as they drove to Town, Julie was content not to disturb the silence of the night; her thoughts focused on the occupants of the Town. She was thinking about the people in Coal Valley, particularly the women, who all seemed to have a purpose. Elizabeth was the schoolteacher; Faith a nurse; Abigail owned and ran the Cafe and was the Mayor of the Town. Clara and Rosemary worked at the Cafe, supporting Abigail, and the other women looked after children, husbands, and homes.

Julie was the only person she knew who had nothing to occupy her time and added nothing of value to the people around her. She had spent weeks pondering what she could do and how she could support herself, but nothing sprang to mind. If she stayed in Coal Valley, she would need something to do. She needed to find somewhere to live and have the means to pay for it; she refused to rely on her parents. Rosemary and Lee had told her they were happy for her to continue living with them, but she didn't want to intrude on the newlyweds.

Julie had considered offering to help Elizabeth at the school but knew it would be challenging for their relationship. Julie loved her sister, but it wouldn't work out long-term; they would clash eventually; besides, she was only interested in teaching things like art and music, two subjects the children's mothers thought frivolous. The widows would never pay an additional teacher to teach those subjects exclusively. One day, when there was a proper school building, Elizabeth might expand the syllabus and the classrooms, but until then, she was no closer to finding an occupation.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Robert asked, breaking the silence between them. He glanced at her, seeing the serious expression on her face, "are you worried about being alone in the row house with Rosemary away?"

"No, I'm not worried about staying alone tonight, although I may go against Coal Valley tradition and lock the doors when I go to bed."

"It's not too late for me to take you back to the Grants or the Cafe. I am sure Abigail and Clara wouldn't mind."

"I'll be fine," Julie assured him, attempting to smile. "I was thinking about what I should do with the rest of my life."

"That's worth much more than a penny," Robert teased before seeing how troubled she was. "That's a lot to be thinking about; what's bothering you the most?"

"All of it," Julie said. She leaned her head against Robert's shoulder and sighed, "I need to find my purpose, whether that's here or somewhere else. I need to find a job and somewhere to live."

"Do you need to decide tonight?" Robert asked.

"I need to decide soon; I can't stay here indefinitely with nothing to do. I would like to have found somewhere to stay before Rosemary and Lee return. My parents are making noises about me returning to Hamilton; I can't continue to ignore them while I sit around doing nothing."

"Do you want to go back to Hamilton?"

"I don't want to return to my old life in Hamilton, but that's not the same as knowing what I want to do." Julie looked across at him and shook her head in vexation. "How does anyone decide what they want to do? I don't have a calling like Elizabeth, or you or Faith. I can't cook like Abigail or care for a Town, and I can't sew like Clara. I have nothing to offer. I've told you before that I don't have any skills I can use in Coal Valley or anywhere else."

"That is not true, Julie. You have so much to offer."

"I don't, Robert, nothing of value."

"You are tenacious, Julie and you are not afraid to fight for what you think is right and for what people need. Think about what you have done for Colleen; if you hadn't reached out and hadn't persisted in finding another opinion for her, hadn't chased people up, followed every lead, the outcome would be very different right now." Robert slowed the car, then parked outside her row house. Turning to face her he took her hands in his as he leaned toward her to emphasise his words, "you saved a life."

"You saved her life, Robert. I wrote a few letters."

"Don't belittle your efforts, Julie, and don't downplay the difference you made in her and Allie's lives." Robert reached out, gently stroking her cheek, "And in my life. I hope you know by now...I've tried to show you...that I want you to be part of my future."

Julie stared into his dark brown eyes, her heart soaring at his words. She knew she didn't want to avoid this conversation any longer. "You have, Robert and I want that too," she hushed him softly when he started to speak. "But before I can decide anything, I need to find out what I want to do with my life, how I can make that fit with you, and where you go next."

"I have been thinking about that, Julie and I can tell you I don't want to go far." Robert smiled as he said, "I like Coal Valley; I can add value for the people here. The Town is growing, and I hear Brookfield is, too. I could split my time between the two; we both could."

Julie thought about his words, the possibilities that his suggestion held for her. She thought of Brookfield and how Elizabeth had described the Town and the Orphanage. The orphanage could always use an extra pair of hands. She could help Grace and Lillian with the children while she was there. She could organise a fundraiser for the orphanage at the hotel and through her contacts in Hamilton! She could do the same for the Infirmary in both towns and buy crucial medical equipment. Her mind raced with possibilities; Maybe there were more options for her than she had thought.

Excitement coursed through Julie as her sense of hopelessness lifted and her naturally high spirits returned. "Oh, Robert, I think there might be a way to use my skills and contacts to help the people of Coal Valley and Brookfield."

"And still have time for me?"

"And have lots of time for you." Julie threw herself into his arms and pressed her cheek against his. She would start writing letters first thing tomorrow after she found somewhere to live.

Nathan and Elizabeth rode to Town together the following morning, leaving before the others woke. She could sense Nathan's tension as they rode side by side; his eyes were constantly darting around, looking for any signs of trouble.

"Do you expect Mr Armstrong first thing this morning?" Elizabeth asked.

"I guess it depends on what he found out last night," Nathan replied. "If he ran into Bill, he would have found a way to tell him Mariah had been moved to the Infirmary, and I expect he would go there first. Once Robert refuses to let him see her..." Nathan trailed off with a shrug. He expected Mr Armstrong to come to the Mountie office demanding he do something about his Fiancé.

"I hope he doesn't do anything stupid, Nathan. It doesn't sound like he is the most rational of men."

"He also sounds like a bully, and bullies are almost always cowards. The uniform will work to stop him from challenging me. I hope he gives me an excuse to lock him up."

"Aren't you going to anyway?"

"Yes, but if he starts something, I can have him behind bars for something else, as well as what he did to Mariah."

"Promise me you won't do anything stupid, and you will make sure Bill is close by."

"Elizabeth, I'm hurt...you think I would do something stupid?" Nathan teased, clutching his heart as though wounded.

Elizabeth ignored his words, narrowing her eyes at him as she shook her head, lips twitching at his comment. "I will be watching you, Constable Grant, and I have spies everywhere."

"It will be fine, Elizabeth. I promise you. I can see this situation being over before it even begins."

"I hope you're right, Nathan. I want this man away from all of us, where he can't hurt anyone again."

"I want that too," Nathan replied, his thoughts turning to the young woman hiding at Henry's. If anything were to have happened, it would have been in Coal Valley itself, she was safest where she was. Eager to discover what had occurred, he smiled at Elizabeth and raised his eyebrows. "Race you to Town? Loser buys breakfast."

Elizabeth smiled broadly; she wanted nothing more than to blow the worries and concerns away with a fast ride on Cocoa. "You're on," she said, nudging Cocoa in the ribs and racing away from him and Newton.

Elizabeth was windswept when she dismounted outside the Cafe, laughing as she did so. Nathan and Newton had beaten them easily, but she didn't care; she would happily pay for one hundred breakfasts to feel the exhilaration she felt at that moment. Her worries had slipped away, and she had enjoyed just being with Nathan, doing something innocent and normal.

"We need to plan our next trip," Nathan said when he dismounted and stood beside her, taking Cocoa's reins. "We need to get away, even if it is only overnight."

"I agree wholeheartedly," she said, kissing him quickly.

Nathan and Elizabeth quickly tied up the horses and hurried inside the Cafe, knocking softly before letting themselves in. Elizabeth was pleased to see Bill sitting at the table, a pot of coffee before him. Her stomach grumbled at the aromas she could smell in the kitchen, and she blushed as she covered her stomach with her hand, knowing Nathan had heard it.

"About time you arrived, Constable. You missed all the action," Bill drawled, leaning back in his chair, a smug smile on his face.

"What action was that, Bill?"

"Armstrong's arrival in Town, his visit to the Saloon and his overnight stay in a Coal Valley jail cell."

Elizabeth was stunned, and when she looked at Nathan, she saw her shock reflected on his face as he stared at Bill before taking a seat.

"Tell me everything, Bill."

Elizabeth could tell Bill enjoyed knowing more than Nathan, given he was the last to know about Mariah. She hoped, whatever the story was, no one had been hurt.

"I arrested Mr Armstrong last night, and Mike Hickam is watching over him until you arrive. I came here to get the prisoner some breakfast," Bill explained.

"What did he do?" Elizabeth exclaimed before Nathan could ask, causing Bill to smile.

Bill recounted the previous night's events from the moment he rode into Town and saw the strange car parked on the main street. After settling Hero in at the Livery, he backtracked to the Saloon, where he joined Robert Pearce as previously agreed.

Robert had arrived only minutes before Bill but had wasted no time identifying Armstrong and his companion. It turned out the man with Armstrong was the Doctor who had pronounced Mariah's father's death an accident. Robert wasn't sure why he was accompanying him, but it threw a spanner in the works regarding their plans to pretend Mariah was ill; the Doctor may ask to see her and offer a second opinion, which would be difficult to refuse.

Bill and Robert had watched the two men as they ate their meal, Armstrong consuming copious amounts of alcohol and growing increasingly loud and aggressive. The other people in the Saloon began complaining about the man's behaviour, and Tom refused to serve him anything else to drink. When Armstrong realised Tom was standing firm on his decision, he demanded he tell him where the Town Mountie lived. Bill interrupted before Tom could give him directions, advising him to wait until morning. Armstrong had taken exception to Bill's involvement in his discussion with Tom and shoved him away, possibly more forcefully than intended, but it gave Bill the excuse he needed to act.

Bill had managed to stay on his feet, then quickly wrestled the man to the ground, securing his hands behind his back before dragging him out of the Saloon and to Jail. His companion, Dr Jameson, didn't bother to follow him. Instead, he decided to retire to his room.

"I can assure you, the night spent in jail has done nothing to improve Mr Armstrong's disposition," Bill said, smirking.

"What did he have to say about Mariah?" Nathan asked; surely the man had noticed she wasn't in the other jail cell.

"It took him about 5 minutes to calm down and notice he was alone in the cells. He demanded to know where Mariah was but told him that was the Mountie's business and none of his. I expect that will be his first question for you today."

"Great," said Nathan sarcastically. "I can't wait. We need to think of a plan B now the Doctor is here and before I meet with Mr Armstrong."

"Sit and eat both of you," Abigail said, placing several plates of food on the table. "You can think of options while you do."

Elizabeth sat eagerly, her stomach rumbling again at the sight of the pancakes, bacon, scrambled egg, and pastries before her, quickly piling food onto her plate.

"I think we tell him nothing. We have no proof he is her Fiancé; in fact, Mariah has assured us he is not." Nathan looked thoughtful as he considered options, "What if we charge him with public nuisance and attempted assault and transfer him somewhere far away from Coal Valley for sentencing?"

Bill nodded slowly, thinking about the suggestion, "Mariah would be safe, and Armstrong would think he would get a fairer trial elsewhere. What do we do about the Doctor?"

"I'm happy to talk to the Doctor and help him find his way back to Brookfield. I'm sure Gabe would be happy to escort him."

"What about the charge against Mariah?" Abigail asked softly, her fear for the young girl obvious.

"If Armstrong wants to press charges, we must investigate; he doesn't have to be here while we do."

"Nathan," Elizabeth said, "do you think you and Bill should investigate? Wouldn't it be better for Mariah to have someone independent do it for her? Everyone knows Bill has a soft spot for Mariah, and for her sake, it would be better if there were no whispers of favouritism or doubt about her innocence."

Nathan stared at Bill and knew he agreed with what Elizabeth said. "You're right, Elizabeth. I don't think Gabe would seem impartial, either. I will reach out to Mountie headquarters this morning and ask them to send someone to escort Armstrong to Union City and investigate his claims - if he makes them."

Nathan picked up his knife and fork, began eating his breakfast, and then paused, looking at his wife with a smile. "I hope you don't think this counts as you buying me breakfast, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth laughed as she raised her coffee cup in a toast, "Don't you worry, I never welch on a bet."