AN: Life has been a little crazy, however I finally have a new chapter for this story. I intended to get to the date in this chapter but theses sections had other plans and I don't want to rush the date so that will be the next chapter. In the meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this. I took a stab at a Lillian/Sam section. Hope it came out okay as I am still not convinced of them. In the process of writing it, I may have also taken a stab at Pucabeth. Guess that still bothers me.

Please enjoy the chapter!


Lillian had stayed up late finishing the dress for Faith. She had wanted it ready for Faith to try on Monday morning just in case any alterations had needed to be made. Only when the dress was finished did Lillian climb into bed for a few hours sleep. By the time she woke up Monday morning, the rest of the household was awake. She hurriedly dressed and pulled back her hair and went downstairs to help Grace and Eleanor with the children.

With the dress carefully wrapped in paper to protect it from the dust, Lillian carried it into town as she walked the children to school. After leaving the children at the schoolhouse, Lillian continued on to the infirmary. A glance at the sign in the door window indicated that neither Faith nor Maggie had opened the infirmary yet. Going around to the back, Lillian walked up the steps to the outside entrance to the infirmary's apartment and knocked.

"One moment" came the call from inside.

Lillian waited patiently for Faith to come to the door. Soon, the door was being opened and Lillian was invited inside by the doctor.

"I wanted you to try the dress on in case I need to make alterations," Lillian told her, holding up the dress.

"Thank you for making it so last minute for me," Faith said reaching for the wrapped dress.

"You're welcome," Lillian told her. "I know getting a new dress here in Brookfield isn't exactly easy if you don't sew yourself," she said. "Now that we have a doctor, this little town needs a regular pastor and a seamstress. Not that Shane doesn't do a wonderful job leading service when the traveling pastor isn't here, but his heart really isn't in leading a flock of parishioners but rather in running his ranch."

After working with the railroad for a bit after leaving Hope Valley, Shane Cantrell had decided that he wanted a place to settle down with his son Phillip. He had been able to buy enough land to start a small ranch on the outskirts of Brookfield. Hard work had repaid him in kind, and Shane was building his ranch little by little.

Faith smiled. Seeing Shane and little Phillip again had been a treat when Chuck had taken her by their ranch. She was glad they were both doing well. Hearing him give the sermon this past Sunday had been pleasurable too. Who knew he had such a way with words. However, Lillian was right. Shane had found true pleasure in his ranch. Unlike the railroad, it wasn't just a job.

"God tends to provide when the timing is right," Faith replied, thinking about Gabriel. If she had come to Brookfield when he had still had hope for him and Lillian, would he have given her a second glance? For that matter, if she hadn't had time to heal from the heartbreak with Carson, would she have even been interested in him - red serge or not?

"You are right," Lillian replied. "I guess despite all my lists and planning, sometimes patience is not one of my virtues," she remarked lightly. Waving a hand at the dress, she said, "but go ahead and try that on."

Faith looked down at the wrapped dress, excitement building up in her. Gabriel was cooking for her tonight and she had a new dress to show up in. What more could she ask for?

"I'll be right back out," Faith said, her long strides already carrying toward her bedroom.

In the room, she lay the package on the bed and unfolded the paper from around the dress. Her breath caught at the work Lillian had done. The bodice was in white, with a forest green, ruffled, overlay, that came down in a V-shape in the front. The overlay provided ruffles on the shoulder, while the white sleeves came down to simple cuffs at the wrists. The skirt, the say color as the overlay, was done in three, wide, ruffled tiers. Each tier was lined with white lace.

Faith couldn't help but think it was one of the prettiest dresses she had ever seen. Taking off the dress she wore, the blonde slipped into the dress. Though it felt a little lose in spots, Faith was pleased with the outcome as she glanced in the full-length mirror that had followed her from Hamilton all those years ago.

A huge smile on her face, Faith headed for the door to show Lillian her handiwork.

"It's beautiful, Lillian. Thank-you!" Faith gushed as she rejoined the redhead.

"You look beautiful in it," Lillian assured her, the seamstress in her studying the dress. Reaching into the pocket of her dress, she pulled out the little red cushion that had once been her adoptive mother's. "I see a few places I need to take in to get the fit just right. That will only take me a few minutes," she said closing the distance between herself and Faith. "I haven't stuck anyone doing this in years," she assured the woman.

Faith giggled. "Good to know," she replied as Lillian went about placing pins so she could make her alterations.


Though the day had started out sunny, grey clouds had drifted in. As of yet, no rain fell from them but Gabriel had a feeling it was only a matter of time before that changed. Not that the threatening weather could dampen his spirits. As he rode to his last task before returning to town, Gabriel found himself singing. His fellow cadets had always teased him about his singing talents during services at Depot, but that hadn't stopped him from singing then and he would still sing now. He enjoyed it, even if his singing voice would not impress anyone. He doubted the lord cared if he sung a little off key during Sunday worship.

Apollo snorted his disapproval.

Chuckling, Gabriel patted his mount's neck. "Like you could do any better," he chided the horse.

No reply came from the horse as he turned obediently into the path leading up to the McDermott's home. Though horses stood in the pastures, no one was in sight in the fields. It was just as well, as Gabriel's business was with Louisa McDermott and not any of the men.

Approaching the sprawling ranch home, He found Louisa at the line taking laundry down from the line. Her youngest children, Lacey and Dale, were sitting in the grass nearby playing together. The two-year-old twins spotted Gabriel and got to their feet as the Mountie dismounted.

"Lacey, Dale don't bother the constable," Louisa called out to her twins.

Gabriel smiled as the girl and boy stood still, looking between him and their mother. "Oh, they are no bother," he replied tying Apollo to a fence post. He looked to the twins. "Would you like to come pet Apollo?"

Lacey and Dale glanced to their mother. With a smile, she nodded her consent and the twins came toddling toward Gabriel. As they reached him, he scooped one twin up in each arm, much to their delight, and moved so that they could pet Apollo.

"He's soft," Lacey said.

"He should be as much as he makes me brush him," Gabriel told the little girl with a smile. Understood or not, the comment got a giggle from both children.

"Gregory is in the barn with some of the horses, Constable Kinslow," Louisa supplied. "Would you like me to go get him for you?"

Turning, the children still in his arms, Gabriel started in Louisa direction as he replied. "I actually stopped by to see you. I have a date this evening, and I was wondering if you had any flowers you might be willing to part with?"

Louisa's flower garden was well known in the area. It was her other pride and joy, her family being the first. She had flowers blooming all during the warm weather months. Her spring flowers got a head start as she had the only greenhouse in the area. Though not large, knowing his new bride's love of flowers, Gregory McDermott had built a greenhouse near the house as a surprise for his wife when he first bought the property.

Louisa smiled. "I am happy to part with some flowers for you, Constable," she replied.

"I will pay you of course," Gabriel told her.

"Nonsense," Louisa replied. "As many tasks as you have helped out with on this place during the years you have served Brookfield, I am not going to charge you for a bouquet of flowers."

"I appreciate it," Gabriel told her.

Louisa held up the basket which was now full of clothes. "Let me just put this inside in case it decides to rain and we can go make up that bouquet for you," she said. As she headed for the house, Gabriel followed her. "So, who is the lucky lady you are courting, if I might ask?"

Gabriel felt his smile grow wider as he answered the question. "The new doctor, Faith Carter," he told her. "Have you met her?"

"I have," Louisa replied leading the way up the porch steps. "Chuck was showing her around last week. She seems lovely," she said, opening the front door. She stepped just inside, placed the basket on the floor nearby and turned back to Gabriel. She smiled herself at the look on the Mountie's face. "Seems she has your ringing endorsement."

Gabriel felt his cheeks grow warm and was sure there was a visible sign of the blush as well. So be it.

"I haven't gotten a lot of time to get to know her, but I do plan on changing that."

"Good for you," Louisa said. "It is high time a fellow like you finds that special someone," she added stepping back onto the porch. "Would you like me to take one of them?" she asked of her two children Gabriel was still holding.

Both children cuddled closer to him in response as if saying they didn't want to go anywhere. Gabriel cast a glance at each of them.

"They're fine," he assured her.

"Very well," Louisa said. "The flowers that are blooming are in the greenhouse. Come with me," she said going back down the steps and leading the way. "You tell me what you would like and I will make up the bouquet for you. Are you taking her to the hotel?" she asked casually.

"I am actually going to cook for her myself," Gabriel said. "She takes a lot of her meals at the hotel as it is, so I wanted to do something different for her."

"Well if she is eating at the hotel a lot, she either doesn't know how to cook or just doesn't have the time. Either way, I will talk to Gregory about inviting Dr. Carter over for supper one evening," Louisa said. She glanced back over her shoulder at Gabriel with a smile. "I'll be sure to invite you over as well."

Gabriel felt the heat again. "You don't need to do that ma'am."

Louisa chuckled. "Nonsense. It is always a worthwhile venture to nurture young love," she replied. "Besides, it has been awhile since we had you over as well."

Continuing to follow her to their destination, Gabriel didn't protest further. He was thankful though to step inside the greenhouse where the focus could be off of him a little and on the flowers. Lacey and Dale squirmed a little to get down. Seeing her children's reaction she assured Gabriel that it was fine to put them down. "They run around in here all the time while I am working with my flowers. They know to be careful, though on occasion there is a mishap."

Louisa gave Gabriel a few moments to look around at her flowers. "Anything in particular catch your eye?" she asked, watching the Mountie. "As I doubt your apartment has much in the way of decorations, I am thinking a bouquet for Dr. Carter and I will make you up an arrangement for the table. I have an extra table cloth I can send with you too, to spruce the place up."

"Much appreciated ma'am," Gabriel replied. "As for the flowers, I think an assortment of roses and carnations would make a pretty bouquet and I will leave the arrangement to your expertise."

"All right," Louisa said with a nod, picking up a pair of pruning shears to clip the flowers. She moved toward her rose bushes preparing to cut off some pretty blooms for the bouquet.


Lillian hummed as she prepared chicken salad sandwiches for a picnic lunch with Sam. Given her responsibility to the children, most of their time alone tended to be during the day during school hours. She was grateful to Hansen that he allowed Sam to be flexible with his work hours. Lillian felt a little guilty about that but Sam didn't seem to mind. When he was here to have supper with them, he gave as much attention to the children as he did her. It gave Lillian hope that perhaps she might be able to have a special relationship with a man without it impacting her duty to the children.

Behind her, Eleanor pulled out the mixed berry muffins she had baked, along with a batch of ginger snaps. Though Lillian would pack some for her picnic, there would also be enough for the children's after school snack before they took care of their chores.

"Oh, those smell good," Lillian said with a sigh.

"The muffins or the cookies?" Eleanor asked.

"Both," Lillian admitted. "You are going to be able to rest a bit before the children come home right? I know you usually don't have to watch the children after school . . ."

Lillian let her words drift off at Eleanor's dismissive wave. "I'll be fine with the kids while you take the dress to Faith and help her get ready for her date. As for taking a break, I plan to do just that while you are out on your picnic. It isn't often that I get complete quiet in this house these days."

"That is for sure," Lillian said.

With Eleanor's help, Lillian made some sandwiches, cut some apple slices and packed them, the muffins, gingersnaps and a jar of lemonade she had mixed earlier into a picnic basket. By the time Sam came walking from town, Lillian was sitting in one of the chairs on the front porch, the basket and a blanket sitting at her feet. As she watched him approach, Lillian couldn't help but admire the view.

"All ready I see," Sam commented as he came to a stop at the foot of the porch steps. Lillian hand stood, picking up the picnic basket with the blanket placed on top, as she did so.

"But of course," Lillian said. "If I didn't practice time management with five kids in the house, we would never be doing anything on time."

"A very good point," Sam said, reaching for her hand to 'assist' her down the steps. When she was standing next to him, he reached for the basket. "Let me take that," he offered.

Though she surrendered the basket, Lillian kept the blanket to carry herself. Saying nothing of it, Sam held the basket in one hand and offered Lillian his other arm. With an ease that surprised herself, Lillian put her hand around the crook of Sam's elbow. As he began to lead them away from the house and down the road away from town and toward a nearby small pond, Lillian leaned in close to Sam. Turning his head, Sam placed a quick kiss on Lillian's cheek as they walked. Instead of tensing up as she often did, Lillian giggled and placed her own kiss on Sam's cheek, causing Sam to smile broadly.

The two walked silently, enjoying one another's company for a bit before Sam spoke. "I am almost afraid to say anything and ruin it, but you seem much more at ease with me today than usual. Has something changed?"

"Yes, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I feel like I can be more open with my feelings toward you knowing that Gabriel is taking someone else out to dinner. It wasn't that I felt guilty about being with you before but-"

"You didn't want to openly show your feelings for me knowing that he could be hurt by them if he saw us," Sam finished.

"Yes," Lillian said, relieved that Sam should have understood. "I knew I hadn't done anything wrong but at the same time, I didn't want to continue to hurt him. I guess knowing that Gabriel is moving on by asking Faith to supper, tells me that he has worked through the hurt I caused him. I hope you're not offended by that," she added quickly.

"Of course not," Sam told her. "Your compassion is one of the things I like about you Lillian. Honestly, I think I might have questioned it more if you had been flaunting your feelings for me, especially in front of Gabriel. Not only does it seem insensitive but I think a part of me would have wondered if you were still trying to convince yourself of the choice you made."

"There is no doubt in my mind about my choice, Sam," Lillian told him. "I do care about Gabriel but you are the one I can see me spending my life with."

"Whoa there," Sam said. "Kind of like with your lists. I am slowly getting use to them. Well, I need a little time to get use to the idea of saying forever."

Lillian laughed. "I wasn't trying to hint that I am ready for a diamond ring, but I do feel like you are the one Sam. We can take our time getting to the ring and vows. There is still so much to learn about each other. But know that there will be more lists in our future."

"Fair enough," Sam said. "However, you can be the one making and checking things off as you give me tasks to do."

"I can work with that," Lillian agreed, even as she caught sight of a familiar figure in red atop a dark horse riding toward them on the road.

Not long ago, Lillian would have let go of Sam's arm and took a step a way. Today, she kept close to Sam, as she tucked the blanket under the arm that was looped through Sam's and raised a hand in greeting. Atop Apollo, Gabriel raised fingers to the brim of his hat and nodded in their direction before reaching down to steady the flowers balanced in front of him. Even at a distance, Lillian could see the easy smile the Mountie wore.

The knowledge that they both were exploring feelings for someone special in their lives filled her with joy. There may have been hurt feelings along the way, but she had a feeling things were going to work out just as they were supposed to.