Dear readers,it turns out I have no idea how a trial works, so what I've decided to do is change a small detail from a few chapters ago. Lucas will have a trial directly after Edwin's. Also, Lucas originally said that they would announce the resort's cancellation before the trial, but that has also been changed. I know this trial scene is not my best work, but I promise, better things are coming in this story. Thank you all for your patience.

Elizabeth had not been feeling well that morning but needed to get to work on lesson plans for the new school year, which started on Monday. When Nathan walked down the stairs to head to work, Elizabeth said, "Nathan, can you get your coffee and breakfast at the cafe today? I'll make the kids some when they wake up, but I really need to finish these lesson plans."

"That's fine, honey. Are you feeling alright? I thought I heard you throw up last night."

"You did. It was probably just something I ate. I feel a little better now."

"That's good."

"I'll see you at the trial. Five o'clock, right?"

"Yep. Allie said she'd watch Jack while we were gone."

"Perfect."

Lucas paced his office nervously, thinking about what he would say and what questions he should be prepared to answer.

"Lucas, it's gonna be fine," said Henry. "You're prepared; and you have very convincing evidence."

"I just hope it's enough. I can't let Balfour become governor. We worked too hard to stop him."

Around four o'clock, the two men exited the office to set up for the trial, which would be held in the saloon. A few other men arrived to help, shocked to see the Governor helping with the set up.

"You ready for this?" said Lee.

"As I'll ever be. Thank you two, for sticking by my side through all of this."

Lee shook his hand, and Rosemary gave him a hug. Her headaches were really bothering her again, today of all days. Edwin's trial would be first, which was assumed to go quickly, because everyone knew he did it.

Soon, everyone had risen as Judge Harper Matthias walked in. "We are here for the trial of Edwin Mitchell, with a charge of first degree attempted murder. How do you plead, sir?"

"Guilty," said Edwin, knowing there was no point in trying to defend himself.

"I hereby sentence you to 30 years in jail with no parole." Two Mounties handcuffed him and moved to the back of the room."

"Now for our second trial of the day: Governor Lucas Bouchard, you are charged with the plotting of a murder. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty."

"Prosecution, you may give your opening statements." The opening statements were given, and they were ready to call the first witness. "For my first witness, I would like to call the victim herself, Ms. Rosemary Coulter to the stand," said Lucas's lawyer. Rosemary walked up. Her head was pounding, but this was something she had to do. And she had to make it seem like nothing was wrong.

"Mrs. Coulter, do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do."

"Tell us what you remember about the night of the shooting.

"I walked in the saloon, which was closed, for my meeting with Governor Bouchard. Edwin shut the door behind me and said, 'You are a writing mastermind, who unfortunately is using her talents to slander our governor. And that cannot be tolerated. The governor needs this project done, at all costs'."

The district attorney stood up and addressed Rosemary, "And what makes you so sure the governor wasn't just doing this, as you said, to get the project done at all costs."

"I'm quite sure. The Governor is a dear friend of mine an—"

"We're all aware. We read Mr. Rockwell's article. So, I ask you Mrs. Coulter, what do you have to say to his accusations?"

"If you're referring to his accusation that Governor Bouchard is threatening me and my family, that is completely false. As for why I was quiet that day, it is as I told you, Randall," she locked eyes with him, "I had a pounding headache, caused by my injury!" Rosemary was mad, but trying to keep her composure, Randall's theory caused so many issues, and the main one was, she had no idea how to prove him wrong.

"Look, as I was going to say, before I was interrupted: The Governor is a dear friend of mine, and though Governor Bouchard and I might not have been on best terms at the time, he wouldn't have done this. It ruined his public image in the eyes of the people. I don't know how to prove to you that Mr. Rockwell's accusations are wrong, but I hope my words are enough. He doesn't control me. No one does."

"Thank you for your time, Mrs. Coulter." Rosemary went back to her seat. The pain was getting to be too much, but she was determined to get through the rest of the trial.

"I have one more witness to call to the stand," said the lawyer, "And that is Lucas Bouchard himself."

Lucas walked up to the stand and swore to tell the truth. "What if I told you, I not only can prove my innocence, but can prove Edwin Mitchell was involved in my shooting? The night of my shooting, I now remember, Edwin said he had to make a call before we left the campaign

building. I stepped outside. A few minutes later, a car was coming down the street and stopped in front of my campaign office. That is the last thing I remembered, but I did some digging.

Edwin had called the Grand Riviera Hotel. When the hotel allowed me to look at their records for that night, I found that a man named Amos Dixon was staying there. Well, I've had my dealings with Amos Dixon.

"The man held me hostage five years ago and was released from prison one month before I was elected. Now tell me, why would Edwin, who clearly helped plot my demise, would kill someone and get jail time for me?

"And though, yes, I was very adamant on this resort project, seeing the trouble it has caused this town, I have decided to cancel it. Hope Valley, I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through these past few months, and I hope in time you can forgive me." Lucas sat down, and after a few minutes of extremely awkward silence, the judge declared Lucas Bouchard a free man. He also ordered a warrant for the arrest of Amos Dixon.

"Nathan, can you get Jack from daycare? I need to run a few errands. I'll pick us up dinner from the cafe."

"Sounds good. See you at home. I love you."

"Love you too."

Lucas walked back to Lee and Rosemary, who'd stayed after everyone else had left. "Rosemary, I couldn't have done this without you." She just nodded. Lucas and Lee could tell something was wrong. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"I'm about to pass out." Rosemary started to tip backwards, but Lee caught her quickly. "I'm gonna get her to Faith."

"Let me know if you need anything." Lee picked her up and ran across the street, knocking on the infirmary door before walking in and setting his wife on the bed.