Fiona Miller had worked all day but the telephone had officially come to Hope Valley. It had been working for a couple days now with a telephone in the mercantile, judge's office, the jail, and Lee Coulter's office. Bill still wasn't sure why he needed one but I guess as the only law man in town for the moment, he would have to accept it. He decided that he would call Mountie headquarters later that week to inquire if any progress had been made on locating a new Mountie for the town. If there had, he wanted to be able to warn Elizabeth before he came to town.

Bill looked up from his papers and glanced at the clock on his shelves in the office. It was a little early for lunch but he had skipped breakfast to get an early start on paperwork. He decided to walk over to the cafe to grab a sandwich before the lunch rush started. Maybe he would even bring it back to the office. He loved the town, but sometimes he didn't feel like making small talk with every person he passed. Bill walked out of the office and down the stairs onto the street.

There were a few people walking around the street on that clear day in Hope Valley. Bill waved to a few people that he passed. As acting mayor and the local judge, Bill knew everyone who lived in town. There was one face standing at the base of the steps of the mercantile that Bill did not recognize. Hope Valley didn't get many visitors to town, especially with the saloon currently closed. Bill wondered who this man was and what business he had in town. Was this the new saloon owner? He was dressed in casual pants with suspenders, standing with his hands in his pockets watching the people walk by. He never glanced in the direction of the saloon, which Bill thought was strange if this was the new owner.

The sounds of the children coming outside for recess filled the air. Bill turned and looked towards the schoolhouse. Elizabeth was standing on top of the schoolhouse stairs watching the children run down the steps to play in the field next to the school. As Bill was turned towards the schoolhouse, he heard a noise from the direction of the mercantile. There was a loud crash with Ned yelling out loud "Oh no, wait!" After the yell, Carson came running down the steps of the mercantile and made a turn at the bottom of the steps to head to the infirmary.

Just as Carson turned the man, who had been standing there watching everything, tackled Carson to the ground. Carson groaned as he hit the ground and Bill ran towards them. "Stop!" Bill yelled at the man, "Carson, are you alright?" Bill pulled the unknown man off of Carson and put the man's hands behind his back.

Carson started to get to his feet, "I'm fine, Mike knocked over some glass jars in the mercantile and cut himself. I need to get to the infirmary for some bandages and other supplies. Excuse me." Carson walked a little slower to get to the mercantile. Bill hoped that Faith was there so she could make sure Carson was ok and take a look at Mike's injuries.

Bill looked over at the man, "Ok, let's get you over to the jail. I am not sure where you are from, but we do not react kindly to people attacking our citizens."

"You don't understand," the man said. "I heard yelling from the mercantile and I thought that man was robbing them. I didn't know who he was."

"That man you ran over is Carson, the town doctor. From now on, why don't you leave the law and order to me." Bill said as they both walked into the office and Bill put the man into the jail cell and shut the door.

"I can't do that."

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm your new Mountie. Nathan Grant."

Bill just starred at this man. New Mountie? Why hadn't anyone called him? Then he thought about seeing the children outside. Elizabeth. Had she seen what had happened. This man hadn't been in his red serge so she wouldn't know who he was but Bill would need to tell her soon.

"If you are the new Mountie, why didn't I know you were coming?"

"I'm sorry, I wanted to come early to check out the town and see where I would be living before I showed up in my serge and everyone started forming opinions of me. I know that the previous Mountie was posted here was very well loved. Who are you?"

"I'm Bill Avery, judge and acting mayor of Hope Valley," Bill said opening the door to the jail cell. "I guess you better come out of there." Bill held out his hand to Nathan. The two men shook hands.

"I saw that the saloon was closed when I came to town. What's the story there?" Nathan asked.

"There is a new owner. The previous owner moved recently and sold it to someone sight unseen. We aren't sure who the new owner is yet, but I have heard he will be here next week."

Nathan nodded. "I will need a place to stay. Since you are the mayor, do you have any ideas?"

"One of the row houses is available unless you want to stay here in the office."

"The row house will be fine."

"Why don't we walk over to my office and I can get you a key. I know we just met, but I was wondering if I could ask you a favor."

Nathan looked at Bill and he decided it would be a good idea to keep this man on his good side. Especially after the first impression that Nathan just made on the town. "I will do what I can. What favor is that?"

"The previous Mountie who was posted here- did you ever meet him? Jack Thornton?"

"No, I never had the pleasure."

"He was killed on a training mission and his widow, Elizabeth, and son live here in town. I would like to talk to Elizabeth before she sees you in town to prepare her for seeing a new Mountie. Would you be able to wait to wear your serge in town or introduce yourself until tomorrow? Elizabeth is the teacher in town and I can go talk to her after school."

"I can do that. Maybe I can stop by your office in the morning and you can show me around?" Nathan asked.

"Yes. Now, let's go get your key."

–––––––––

Bill had given Nathan Grant the key to the last row house. Nathan had told Bill that he had left his bags in the stable so the two of them walked there before walking towards the row house. Bill also stopped at the cafe to get sandwiches for the two of them. Nathan gratefully took the sandwich and his bags and went into the house to get settled. Bill went back to his office to eat before he had to go talk to Elizabeth.

On his way over to the school, Bill stopped by the infirmary to check on Carson. Faith was checking on Carson's shoulder when he stopped by. Bill explained to both of them about the misunderstanding and that Nathan was the new Mountie. He asked them both to keep this information to themselves until the next day. He said goodbye to them both and heading towards the schoolhouse.

The children were leaving as Bill walked closer. He could see Elizabeth standing by the doors saying goodbye to all the children. Elizabeth looked out and saw Bill approaching and smiled. He got to the steps and she said "Bill, this is a surprise! What are you doing here?"

"Elizabeth, do you have a moment?"

Elizabeth looked at him with concern then, "For you, of course. Why don't we go inside?" She wasn't sure what he had to say, but Bill wasn't smiling so she had a feeling it was serious. Elizabeth led Bill to the front of the classroom and motioned for him to sit on the front bench. "Is something wrong?"

"No, not wrong. Did you notice the commotion in town earlier when the children were at lunch?"

"I did. I saw that man attack Carson. Is Carson ok? Did you arrest the man?" Elizabeth sat down next to Bill as she asked the questions.

"Carson is fine, his shoulder is a little sore. I didn't arrest the man."

"Why not Bill? People can't go around attacking others! What is going on?"

"It was a misunderstanding. The man didn't know Carson and heard Ned yell wait. He thought Carson was a robber and tried to stop him."

"That's not his job though, it's yours."

"Well, that's the issue. It is his job."

Elizabeth looked at Bill confused by this statement, "What do you mean his job, who is he?"

Bill sighed. He wasn't sure how Elizabeth was going to react to this news but he had to tell her. Rip off the bandaid, as it was. Nathan was in town so he couldn't put it off any longer. "It's his job because he is the new Mountie. His name is Nathan Grant and he just arrived today. I wanted to tell you before you saw him walking around town."

Elizabeth looked down at her hands. She had known that headquarters would send a new Mountie eventually. While Jack had been sent to Coal Valley at the time at the request of her father, the Mounties eventually saw the need for a Mountie in the town. The town was growing and Bill wouldn't be able to handle the law duties forever. Elizabeth knew that it was probably difficult to get a Mountie posted here, after Jack's death and knowing she was still in town.

"He's here already?"

"Yes, he's staying in the row house at the other end from your house."

Elizabeth nodded. She needed to go home. She needed to process this information alone before she came face to face with the new Mountie. "I'm sorry Bill, I think I need to go home and spend some time with Jack. I hope you understand."

"Of course Elizabeth. Do you need anything?"

"No I'm ok. I think I just need to be alone tonight."

"Ok, I will be in town tomorrow showing Nathan around town. I may even go on rounds with him to show him the people who live on the outskirts. If you need anything just let me know." Bill stood, putting his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. He smiled and headed for the door. Elizabeth stood as he walked past her looking at the door. She had planned to grade some papers but she could do that at home. She gathered her books in the basket she had brought and headed for the door as well.

––––––––

Elizabeth walked slowly back to her house. She was deep in thought, considering what having a new Mountie in town would mean. She knew that many of the people in the town would be worried about her once they knew he was here. Jack was loved by everyone in the town and his death affected everyone. She remembered when Jack had first arrived in town, how unhappy he was about being posted in this small town. Was this Mountie assigned here? She didn't think so or a Mountie would have been assigned earlier. That must mean he wanted to come or he volunteered. Why she wondered.

Elizabeth kept walking until she was on the path in front of the row houses. Her house was the furthest from the school which meant the first house she would pass was empty. Wait, not empty anymore, she thought. Bill had said that the new Mountie was living there now. Just as Elizabeth remembered this, she saw him. A man sitting on the porch of the last row house reading a book. The man looked up just as she approached, "Ma'am." He nodded and looked back down at his book.

"Hello," Elizabeth said and kept walking. Elizabeth walked until she was in front of the next row house and looked back at the man. He was looking up and smiled at her. She smiled and turned back around. When he looked at her, Elizabeth saw a pair of bright blue eyes the color of the sky on a clear day. The eyes looked at her as if he had a million thoughts going through is mind. She knew that she would have to introduce herself to the Mountie eventually, but for tonight she was looking forward to a quiet dinner and time with her son.

Nathan looked at the woman who had walked by his new home with a simple hello. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in person. He had gone on the porch to read because it was a nice day and the breeze was cool. Nathan was hoping he could get some chairs and set them up in the backyard to relax. For now, the porch would have to do. He felt something when she approached, before he even looked up. It was almost like a voice was saying that she was what he was waiting for. That was crazy, he thought. He didn't even know who she was. Maybe he would see her tomorrow when he went to town. Nathan closed his book and went back into his house. He would eat the rest of his sandwich for dinner and then get ready for bed. He knew he would have sweet dreams about the gorgeous, dark haired woman walking by his house.