The saloon was mostly empty in the morning. There were a few people eating breakfast, mostly ones who had stayed in the rooms of the hotel. Archie Grant was sitting in a booth by the window by himself. When Nathan walked in, Archie didn't look up and he just continued to drink his coffee. Nathan took a deep breath, removing his hat and holding it in his hands. He moved the hat back and forward until he finally took a step towards his father.

"Archie."

"Nathan, I wasn't expecting to see you this morning. Would you like to sit down?"

Reluctantly, Nathan took a seat and set his hat down on the seat next to him. "What are you doing here Archie?"

"I told you, I came to see you and Allie."

"Why?"

"What do you mean? You are my family."

"Family doesn't leave when you need them. Family doesn't run away when things get tough. It doesn't mean you go away for more than 15 years without so much as a letter."

"You didn't get any of my letters over the years?" Archie asked Nathan with confusion on his face.

"There were no letters Archie, you and I both know that."

"I wrote you a letter every month I was away. I wanted to write more often but I couldn't. I know I ran away Nathan. After I lost my job when you were in school, I wasn't able to find work. I tried and tried. I heard about a job in America on the railroad. I knew the only way I could provide for you, your mother, and Colleen was to go. I know I wasn't the best father, but at least I could do that. I didn't hear about Colleen running away with Dylan or her death or little Allie until years later. By then you were in the Mounties and you had moved away with Allie. I tried to contact your mother but she refused to speak to me. I hurt her and she won't forgive me."

"Why is this the first time I am hearing about any of this?"

"When I first left, I told your mother not to tell you where I was going. I didn't want you to ask to go with me or to ask when I would be back. I thought it would be easier if you thought I just left. I was wrong," Archie said looking down at his plate. Nathan recognized that he did that as well when thinking about things. He couldn't remember much about Archie growing up but he could see the little habits in himself.

"It makes sense. I always wondered why we never heard about you. I knew mom had money coming in but she would never say where it came from. Once she said she had sold some old things. Another time she said it was an inheritance."

"I wish I would have told you before I left. Or that I would have come back sooner. What's done is done. I only hope you will give me the chance to know you now."

"It may take a little while. This is a lot to take in right now. I have to go and do rounds right now but maybe we can have dinner later this week. You can come to the house and meet Allie."

"I'd like that."

"How long do you think you will be in town?"

"I have to be back at my job at the railroad in a couple weeks. I recently got a new position in Capital City. I guess they need help in the offices. I am getting too old to be working out on the rails."

"Ok, I will stop by and let you know about dinner after I talk to Allie."

"I will be here," Archie said.

Edward Morton walked into the saloon as Nathan and Archie were finishing their conversation. He watched as Nathan stood up and walked towards the door. Edward didn't recognize the man sitting in the booth as someone he had met in Hope Valley. Edward wondered what the man was doing here and if he would be interested in his business opportunity. Edward decided he needed to make a call first.

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The students had been at recess for a couple minutes. Elizabeth hadn't seen Nathan yet, so she decided to start to grade the science tests that the students had taken that morning. She glanced down at the first test on the stack and saw Allie's name. She smiled and started to check the answers. As she finished grading it, Elizabeth heard a noise out the door and saw Nathan as he walked towards her.

"Excuse me Mrs. Thornton but I believe you have a lunch date."

"Really? How could I have forgotten such an important event?" Elizabeth smiled back at him.

Nathan dramatically clutched his chest. "Ouch, you wound me."

Elizabeth laughed and stood to walk around her desk. She walked in front of Nathan and put her hands around his waist. "Well we wouldn't want that." Elizabeth looked past him to make sure the coast was clear and she reached up to give him a soft kiss. Both of them wished that it lasted longer but they also realized that a student could walk in at any moment.

"Why don't you sit down next to me?" Elizabeth said pulling a chair next to her desk.

"Best offer I've had all day," Nathan said.

Elizabeth passed him a sandwich and the two of them ate lunch and talked about their days. Nathan talked about rounds and helping chop wood for one of the widowers outside of town. Elizabeth told him about the classes in the morning and that Allie had gotten all but one question right on the science test.

After they had finished their lunch, Nathan knew he couldn't put it off any longer. He explained to Elizabeth what he knew about Archie and what he had learned that morning. Nathan wanted to call his mom to find out what she hadn't told him about the money. He also wanted to talk to Allie and explain everything before having dinner with Archie.

"After I talk to Allie, Archie asked to have dinner with us so she can get to know him."

Elizabeth put her hand on Nathan's. "If you need to cancel our date, I would understand."

"Elizabeth, nothing is going to keep me from our date."

Elizabeth's eyes sparkled as she looked at Nathan. This man was making her feel like the only woman in the world.

"What do you have planned for this date that makes you so determined?"

"Nope, it's a secret."

"Really?"

"Yes, just be ready on Saturday afternoon and I will take care of everything."

"I can't wait. I am planning to have the library opening on Sunday after church if you and Allie can make it. After you finished the painting and the shelves for me, I only had a few things to do to make it just right. The books from my parents came yesterday. I just have to find a way to get them from the mercantile."

"I can help you. After my rounds, I will go to the mercantile and carry them over to the library. Maybe I can get Bill or Lee to help me. Then when I pick up Allie, maybe we can all walk over to the library to help you set things up."

"That would be wonderful thank you," Elizabeth said.

Nathan had a couple of ideas for the date but he really needed to figure out how to make this just right. Maybe he would need to ask for some help. Nathan heard the sounds of children coming up the stairs. He quickly stood up and moved the chair back against the wall. Elizabeth cleaned up the wrappings from their sandwiches and put the papers back in their places. Nathan smiled, "Have a good afternoon Elizabeth." Nathan said hello to Allie as he walked out of the school.

Elizabeth watched as he walked out of the school. She wondered what he had planned, but she was excited about the surprise. She would be busy preparing for the library opening. Elizabeth hoped that it would get her mind off the date and time would go fast.

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Nathan walked over to the schoolhouse at the end of the day. He had moved the boxes with Lee over to the library. There were so many books. Nathan knew that Elizabeth's family was one of the wealthiest families in Hamilton, but he didn't realize what that meant until he saw the extra books they had sent to their daughter. Nathan and Allie had a small shelf of books in their row house but it would be nothing to compare to the amount of books that the new library would have.

Allie ran out of the school house to greet Nathan. "Hi Uncle Nathan."

"Hi Allie, when I talked to Mrs. Thornton at lunch she said the books for the library were coming today. I told her we would help her set them up after school if you would like to help us."

"I think Mrs. Thornton isn't feeling well. We had reading time for the last hour of the school day and she was very quiet."

Nathan looked towards the door of the school house and he didn't see Elizabeth standing there like she usually was. "I'll be right back Allie." Nathan walked up the steps looking for Elizabeth. When he walked in, he saw Elizabeth with her head laying down on the desk. Nathan's heart dropped and he was immediately filled with concern. He walked fast, almost running to kneel beside her. He put his hand on her arm, "Elizabeth, are you ok sweetheart?"

"Hmmmm, Nathan…."

Nathan looked up and saw Allie walk in the door. He tried to remain as calm as he could. "Allie, please run as fast as you can and get Carson or Faith to come here."

Allie stood there for a moment, stunned and silent.

"Allie please go now."

Allie ran down the steps and towards town. Nathan looked back at Elizabeth and moved the hair from her face. Her eyes were closed and Nathan could feel how warm she was. He couldn't lose her. It would break him. He knelt there in front of her, waiting for Carson or Faith to help him.