"So, do you really need those crutches or did you just want to meet the new doctor?"
Gabriel looked up from the report he was typing at the question, to find Joe standing in the doorway of the Mounted Police office. The store owner had his arms crossed as he leaned casually against the door jam. Joe wore a smirk, which always made Gabriel wonder if he wanted to laugh with his friend or just walk away.
This time, just walking away would prove to be an issue, both because Joe was standing in the doorway and his sprained ankle.
"I didn't even know we had a new doctor," Gabriel countered as he placed his right foot up on the corner of his desk. He had not even bothered trying to get the wrapped foot back into one of his shoes, let alone the high Mountie boots. "And yes I really do need the crutches for the next few days."
Joe's teasing smile faded as it was replaced with friendly concern. "How bad is it?" he asked taking a seat in the chair across from Gabriel as the Mountie removed his foot from the corner of the desk.
"Thankfully, just a sprain. I should be allowed to ride again by the end of the week," Gabriel told him.
"They sending in someone to cover for you?" Joe asked.
Gabriel shook his head. "I was told to be available in the office. Investigate complaints as I can or let them go until the doctor says I can be off the crutches. If something comes up that can't wait, I am to send a telegram to Clearwater."
"I guess we'll be seeing our Mountie making use of his rocker for the next few days then," Joe commented.
Gabriel grinned back. "At least I will be comfortable while I am keeping an eye on things."
"You could always ask Ronnie to drive you around for your rounds," Joe suggested, that teasing smirk back.
The idea however had already occurred to Gabriel. The only reason he had dismissed it was because if he did come across something, there would be very little he could actually do. "If I get stir crazy, I might just do that," Gabriel replied lightly. "Ronnie will do just about anything I ask of him these days," Gabriel added.
"Yeah, well, things could have gone much worse for him if you hadn't intervened. I always knew something was off with Sinclair but I never would have imagined he had such an extensive operation going on. However, he wasn't quite clever enough to fool you."
"I just followed where the clues led me," Gabriel replied, trying to dismiss Joe's praise. Like with the bank robber, unraveling Sinclair's scheme that he tried using the robbery to cover up was just part of doing his job.
Joe nodded. "I think most would have taken everything at face value. With the bank robber in jail, most would not have questioned the missing money but you did. In the end, not only Brookfield but other towns are safer because you kept looking."
"Why do I feel like you are giving me a pep talk, Joe?" Gabriel asked, his instincts telling him, there was more to Joe's words than simple praise.
Joe shrugged his shoulders. "I have just gotten the feeling that you are ready to move on. I know seeing Lillian and Sam together cannot be easy."
"Lillian is happy and I am happy for her," Gabriel said quickly.
"But it still hurts a bit doesn't it?" Joe asked. There was no teasing in the man's voice now, only friendly concern.
Gabriel took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yes," he admitted. "It still hurts a bit." Joe knew him better than anyone else in Brookfield. He knew trying to deny it was pointless. "This isn't my first experience with rejection though, Joe. My job doesn't exactly make relationships easy."
"I guess not," Joe admitted. "Even being your friend has its trials. When you ask me a question, I never know whether it is idle curiosity or if I am being interrogated."
Gabriel heard the teasing returning to his friend's voice with that last part. Joe knew how to determine when he was asking questions in relation to a case and when the conversation was personal. His comment about it being 'just as talk' when he had been asking about Meeks and Sinclair told him that.
"Is there something you are not telling me, Joe?" Gabriel asked, choosing to reply by giving his friend a hard time.
"If there was, I would skip town because like Ronnie has said, you getting a hold of a mystery, is like a dog with a bone. You never just let something go."
Gabriel laughed. "A hazard of the job," he told his friend.
"Or just a natural tendency that makes you good at the job," Joe told him, as he got to his feet. "I need to get back to the store, but can I do anything for you before I go? Something to eat from the hotel? Coffee?"
"Well, as you are offering," Gabriel began, his eyes going to the pot of coffee he had made on the stove. He had been contemplating whether to get himself a cup without the crutches, filling his canteen which had a strap, or just stand near the stove while drinking a cup. "I made a pot of coffee but getting a cup of it over to my desk is not exactly easy."
"Not a problem."
Joe grabbed the mug from the desk and made his way to the stove. He poured a mug and returned to Gabriel.
"Thank you, Joe," Gabriel told his friend, immediately reaching for the mug.
"You are welcome," Joe said. "If you need anything, you know where to find me."
"I do," Gabriel confirmed. "I appreciate it."
As Joe left, Gabriel returned to his paperwork. It seemed a little less tedious now that he had his coffee.
"Did you hear about Gabriel?"
The casual question from Sam made Lillian stand a little straighter. Though she had decided that she could not be involved with the Mountie romantically, she still considered Gabriel a friend. Yes, there was an awkwardness to their interactions now, but Lillian prayed that with time that would dissipate and everyone would fall into their new roles. She was grateful that Gabriel had not stopped coming by the orphanage as he had always interacted with the children in a way that made them feel special. Vincent and Christian had especially started enjoying talking with the Mountie after the matter with the fire had gotten resolved, though Fred still seemed to prefer to tag along with Sam. Gabriel had actually volunteered to take Vincent and Christian on a two-night camping trip this weekend. It was all the two older boys had been able to talk about the last few days.
"What about him?" Lillian asked.
Sam looked up from his sanding. Her panic must have been visible, as Sam reached out the hand not holding the sandpaper to lay it on her arm. "It is nothing too serious," Sam assured her. "I didn't mean to scare you," he told her. "However, the talk is he somehow sprained his ankle and I did see him coming from the hotel on crutches after the noon time rush at the hotel."
"How did that happen?"
"I am not sure. I thought about stopping in to check on him, see if I could help with anything, but I am still not sure I am a person he would choose to spend time with."
Lillian nodded. "Perhaps I should stop by the Mounted Police office to check in on him. I may need to prepare Vincent and Christian for a postponement of their camping trip."
"I would offer to take them, but I know they are excited about Gabriel teaching them about tracking. If I see certain animal tracks, I know whether or not to head in the opposite direction but that is about it."
"They are excited about it," Lillian assented. She leaned in and pressed her lips against Sam's in a brief but heartfelt kiss. "Are you joining us for supper tonight?" she asked, stepping back again.
"The cooking at your place is better than my own, any day," Sam told her. He was thankful to have a place to stay in town now that he and Lillian were courting. Yes, the cottage was separate, but he knew that staying overnight even on the same property could start people talking. Lillian had dealt with enough whisperings from the people of this town.
"I will see you then," Lillian said, knowing there was no need to confirm the time. Sam was well aware of when supper was.
"See you then," Sam echoed before returning to his sanding.
Lillian left the furniture store and headed toward the police office. She tried to tell herself that her unease was simply concern for Gabriel's well being. She knew the truth though. She knew that she had hurt Gabriel by choosing Sam over him. There was no way to avoid that. Still, she knew it was better to say what was in her heart now rather than continue to let him hope there was a chance for the two of them.
As she approached the office, she could still remember that conversation. It had taken place in his office. She had opened with telling him that she had come to understand why he had handled the situation with Sinclair like he had and that he appreciated him looking out for her. She had followed that with telling him that the whole situation had opened her eyes to the dangers of being in a relationship with him. He had not tried to promise her that a similar situation may not arise in the future. They both knew his job could put her at risk if they were in a relationship.
"It isn't that I don't care for you, Gabriel. I think I could let myself fall for you very easily. I am not sure I can deal with the uncertainties of what that might mean. The thought of losing a friend is hard enough after the loss I have experienced. I do not think I am strong enough to be the wife of a Mountie nor do I think it responsible, to put the children at risk like that."
Gabriel had nodded. There was sadness in his eyes but no accusation. He had told her that he was grateful for her honesty, assured her that he understood her feelings and hoped they could still be friends. He had also expressed his desire to still come see the children. Lillian had not been about to tell him no. The children in her care, especially the boys, would benefit from having Gabriel as a role model in their life.
Nor did she want Gabriel out her life. She couldn't allow herself to love him but selfishly she wanted to keep him in her life. At least if it was the children that did that, the children, and hopefully Gabriel, would benefit from her bit of selfishness on this matter.
Reaching the Mounted Police office, Lillian paused outside the door. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Every time she went to see Gabriel she was worried she was just rubbing salt in the wound. Yes, he had said he wanted to be friends, but was it too soon for that?
However, Gabriel had yet to be dismissive of her visits. There was at least that. Reaching out for the knob, Lillian opened the door and stepped inside.
Gabriel looked up, a friendly smile coming to his lips. "Good afternoon, Lillian. Forgive me for not standing," he said, his head nodding to the crutches that leaned beside him, against the desk.
"I understand," Lillian replied. "I heard you hurt your ankle. How bad is it?"
"It is just a sprain. Dr. Carter thinks I should be able to ditch the crutches by the end of the week."
"Dr. Carter?"
Gabriel's smile grew bigger and seemed genuine, not forced. That relived Lillian a little and she felt the tension in her shoulder's ease.
"I am happy to see I am not the only one surprised by the fact that Brookfield has a new doctor," Gabriel replied. "I met her this morning after I was clumsy. I guess you could say I was falling over my feet to meet her."
Lillian laughed lightly at his easy humor. It felt good that he was able to joke with her still.
"Dr. Faith Carter came from Hope Valley. We chatted and bonded over tales of love not working out while she iced my ankle before wrapping it."
"I a-"
Gabriel held his hand up and spoke, cutting her off in a manner that was not typical of him. "I did not say that to make you feel guilty, Lillian. We feel what we feel. There is nothing wrong about that. Do I feel hurt at the rejection? Yes, I do. Just like the last time it happened but I will be okay. The pain will go away. You need to be happy, and if you had attempted a relationship with me feeling the way you do, nothing I could have done would have made you happy. I wouldn't want that."
"You'll find a wonderful woman who can love you the way you deserve to be loved," Lillian replied.
"If it is in God's plan, I will. If God's plan is that I am alone my entire life, then I know he will help me to have a fulfilling life that way. Just make sure you follow God's plan for your life, Lillian."
"I will," Lillian promised, marveling at Gabriel's concern and understanding for others. His willingness to put others before himself in all things. It was a trait that served him well in his profession which had the potential to turn people cynical. Her encounter with Constable Anderson in Clearwater was a testament to that, though she did not think that even he was a bad person underneath the gruff exterior. "Should I tell Vincent and Christian that the camping trip needs to be rescheduled?" Lillian asked.
Gabriel shook his head. "I don't think we need to do that just yet. Let's see how my ankle heals. If I am off these crutches, I will take them. It may be good to prepare them for the possibility. If you could have them stop by, I am willing to break the news to them."
"I'll send them over after school," Lillian said, knowing that the information would come better from Gabriel than from herself. She had a feeling the boys would feel less cheated if they saw for themselves that Gabriel was truly injured. The children had dealt with so much rejection in their young life that even something as simple as this could be internalized by them as a rejection of them.
"As per doctor's orders, I will be right here," Gabriel told. "It was nice seeing you, Lillian."
Lillian nodded her acknowledgment of the words, hoping they were not just pleasantries. "You listen to the doctor and give that ankle time to heal properly. If there is anything we can do, let us know. Would you like to come to supper tonight?" Lillian asked. Though she would not want Sam and Gabriel both there, she was sure Sam would understand if she changed plans on him under the circumstances.
"I will listen to the doctor," Gabriel assured her. "As for supper, I do not want to inconvenience you."
"It would be no problem at all," Lillian told him.
The I will accept. While Ben stopped by to let me know Sarah wanted to bring me some dishes to warm up so I did not have to rely on the hotel for all my meals, that will not be until tomorrow. My choices were either having to hop around on crutches while making something to eat or eat at the hotel. Dinner with a house full of children sounds more pleasant.
"Good," Lillian said, glad to hear that others were stepping up to help the town Mountie as well. Perhaps we can send you home with something for breakfast," she suggested.
"Pearl has also stopped by and told me she would bring me breakfast tomorrow."
"Alright, we will see you tonight then," Lillian said, her mind already planning on making another stop before heading to the schoolhouse to meet the children. There was certainly nothing wrong with asking the new doctor to supper and if Dr. Carter and Gabriel started forming a better relationship over the meal than, all the better. "I will send Vincent and Christian over as soon as school let out."
"All right. Have a good afternoon, Lillian."
Lillian nodded her acknowledgment and turned to leave the office. She checked her pocket watch and was happy to see she still had a few minutes before school let out. If the doctor wasn't busy, she would have enough time to extend a 'welcome to town' dinner invitation to Dr. Carter this evening.
