Nathan was asleep when Elizabeth came back to the infirmary. Carson assured her that everything was ok just that Nathan would need more rest than normal to recover. Faith tried to convince her to go home and come back in the morning but Elizabeth refused. She was determined to stay and watch over Nathan for another night. She needed to convince herself that he was ok and the danger had passed.

In the morning, Nathan woke up and smiled at Elizabeth asleep in the chair next to him. He wished that she was lying next to her again this morning. After recovering, he knew he would need to make a trip to Buxton to look for a ring. Now that he had asked for William's blessing, he didn't want to spend another day without Elizabeth.

It was almost if Elizabeth could sense Nathan was awake and she opened her eyes. Both of them smiled. "Good morning, how are you feeling?" Elizabeth asked.

"Sore, but better," Nathan said. He saw the worry on her face "Elizabeth, I'm ok."

"I was so worried," Elizabeth said.

"I know sweetheart. But soon this will all be a distance memory. And we can get back to normal."

"Normal," Elizabeth said smiling. "I would love to get back to normal."

The door opened and Allie ran in, "Dad!"

Elizabeth stood and walked around towards Allie, "Careful, your dad is injured on his side and we don't want to hurt him."

Nathan reached out for Allie's hand, trying to comfort her. William walked in behind Allie and he was holding Jack. Elizabeth went over and reached for her son. Jack called out for her and Elizabeth held him close. "Elizabeth, I need to go over to the Mountie office for a few minutes. Can I leave the children here with you?"

"Of course you can but why do you need to go there?"

"Charles asked to speak with me?"

"What could he possibly have to say?"

"I'm not sure but I said I would listen. I will come back afterwards and Rosemary asked if you would join her for lunch. She is going to meet you at the cafe."

"Father, I can't. I need to stay here with Nathan," Elizabeth said.

"You should go Elizabeth. You need a break. I will be ok. Carson or Faith will be here and maybe William will sit with me for a while with the children," Nathan said.

"I'd be happy to. I will come back shortly," William said.

––––––––––––

Bill was sitting in a chair outside of the Mountie office, waiting for William. Gabe was inside working on the last of the transfer papers while keeping an eye on Charles. Bill needed some air after spending the night in the office. Charles kept trying to deny the accusations against him and then would get angry when Bill and Gabe ignored him. Bill stood as William walked up to the office.

"Let's get this over with," William said.

Bill walked over and held the door open for William. Gabe looked up from the desk as both men walked in.

"Look who it is. William Thatcher. The man who won't get his hands dirty to get things done," Charles said from his cell.

"You're right. I believe in being honest, regardless of what that means for my business dealings. The people I want to do business will stand by me. The others I don't need to be in business with," William said. He knew that Charles was trying to get under his skin and he wouldn't give him the satisfaction. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"I wanted to tell you this isn't over. I will get revenge on you and Constable Grant."

"How dare you!" Bill said. William put his arm on Bill's and he gave him a look that told him to not engage with Charles.

"You will be going to jail in Capital City for a long time." William was done listening to Charles and walked out the door. He would contact his business partners in Hamilton to tell them of Charles' threat. William knew he was needed in Hope Valley for now but he would do everything he could to protect his family. The sooner Charles was out of Hope Valley the better. Perhaps he could make a call to Mountie headquarters to try and ask them to notify him of any changes in Charles' case.

––––––––––––––––

Fiona had received a call a couple of days ago from her boss with the phone company. He demanded that she leave Hope Valley and that she was on her way to the next town as soon as possible. Fiona loved living in Hope Valley and all the people she had met. She quit her job as soon as her boss made the demand. Fiona wasn't sure what she would do now but she sat at the switchboard like usual. At least she could still help here while trying to decide what to do next.

She had heard that Edward had left town and Charles had been arrested. Fiona thought of the office space that Edward had purchased. She wondered if anyone had thought of a use for the property. She decided to talk to Bill in a couple days after everything calmed down. Maybe he would be able to figure out a way to give ownership back to the town. Then Fiona would be able to make her new plan for the space a reality.

Fiona had always loved cutting and styling hair when she was younger. She had a large family so someone was always needing a haircut. When she was thinking about what to do next, she remembered those days and how happy she was. There was nothing like that in Hope Valley. Most people travelled when needing the services of a barber shop or salon. She wondered if enough people would come if she opened a shop but she was ready to take a chance.

Fiona pulled a piece of paper from her bag. She started making a list of what she would need to do and supplies she would need to get started. After she found a spot to open the shop, she could place an order with Ned. Fiona had dreams for her future and this could be the starting point.

––––––––––––––––

Elizabeth sat with Rosemary in the cafe later that afternoon. Elizabeth moved her spoon around her cup of tea. She kept thinking about Nathan and how he was doing. Rosemary was concerned for her friend. She reached out and put her hand over Elizabeth's.

"Sorry did you say something," Elizabeth asked as she looked up.

"Elizabeth, how are you doing?"

"Worried. Relieved. Tired."

Clara walked over to the table to take their orders for lunch. Rosemary looked over and saw a beautiful diamond ring on Clara's finger. "Oh my! You're engaged!"

Clara smiled at Rosemary, "Jesse proposed last night."

"Congratulations," Elizabeth said with a small smile on her face.

"Thank you. How is Nathan doing?"

"Better. He is hoping to go home tomorrow. Carson will check his wound in the morning to make sure everything is ok."

"That's wonderful. Let him know we are all praying for him."

"I will, thank you." Elizabeth and Rosemary placed their orders for lunch. Elizabeth laughed for the first time since Nathan had been injured. She was anxious to go back to the infirmary and check on Nathan. She would admit that it was nice to have a break from the four walls of the infirmary. Elizabeth remembered what Nathan had said about things getting back to normal. She hoped that it would happen soon.