Elizabeth had finished up the school year and gotten through graduation before the storm she was feeling hit. She had been enjoying her time since she had returned from Hamilton and finished school. Now that it was summer break, it was easier to spend time with Nathan Grant and his niece, Allie. As much as she wanted to spend more time with Nathan, she knew that Allie was part of the deal, just as he knew that Little Jack was part of things. They tended to spend more time with the children and not as much alone. It wasn't that Elizabeth was complaining, but she really wanted some time alone with Nathan so they could talk about things without the children.
The one fly in the ointment had been Lucas Bouchard. He had not gotten the message that Elizabeth didn't want anything more from him than a friendship, and not even a close one at that. He had kept pushing to spend time with her, creating all these 'dates' even though Elizabeth had told him time and time again that was not what she wanted. She was getting frustrated with him and his refusal to listen to what she wanted. She had done pretty much everything she could think of short of cutting him off completely or asking Nathan to arrest him for bothering her.
Now that she was through the school year, Elizabeth was awaiting the arrival of her parents for a visit. She had even arranged for them to stay with the Coulters next door, just so she could do everything she could to keep her parents as far away from Lucas as she could while still having them visit. She was excited for her parents to meet Nathan, Allie and many of her other friends. She was worried about what Lucas would try. She didn't trust him and didn't want him bothering her father about business or trying to pressure him into doing business. She knew her father could hold his own with pushy people, but she was still trying to protect him since he was supposed to still be taking it easy.
That was how Elizabeth found herself at the Hope Valley train station on that Saturday in the middle of June waiting for her parents to arrive. Much to Elizabeth's annoyance, Lucas was also at the train station and appeared to be waiting for someone as well. Lucas tried to talk to Elizabeth, but she just excused herself and moved further away with Rosemary who was with her. She didn't want to talk to Lucas, and she was done being polite. Rosemary could see the annoyance in Elizabeth and made up her mind she was going to do everything to help her best friend maintain a distance from Lucas Bouchard if that was what it appeared she wanted. Rosemary had been happy to see that Elizabeth was spending more time with Nathan and hoped that they would make it official soon.
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a flash of red next to her. She looked up, saw Nathan had been able to join them and she smiled her thanks at him. When she turned back to watch the platform, he saw the bright smile fade into a tight one. Nathan wondered what was wrong, but it didn't take him long to figure it out as he as Lucas further down the platform. "Is he still bothering you?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "And the last thing I want is for him to bother Father when he arrives. Yes, Father will be working some while he is here, but he is still recovering and should be taking it easy. Besides, Father won't be near as nice to Lucas as I have been."
"Then maybe that is exactly what he needs." Nathan said. "I know you try to see the best in everyone, but sometimes you need to cut your losses."
"Can we not talk about this right now?" Elizabeth said.
"Fine." Nathan said. "I will drop it, but I am not above arresting him if he continues to bother you. I mean it and I know that Bill will back me up on that. I can see that you don't want to spend time with him and he still keeps pushing."
"Thank you for that." Elizabeth said. "But I don't know if that is what I want either." "I understand." Nathan said.
Deciding he had pushed far enough, Nathan changed the subject.
"It was so nice of you parents to come for a visit." He said.
"It has been all Little Jack has talked about." Elizabeth said.
"I bet." Nathan said. "He told me at least ten times this week."
Elizabeth wasn't able to say anything as a loud whistle from the train announced its arrival. Knowing that her father would be using the private car he owned, she moved Nathan further down the platform, while Rosemary hung back and waited. She wanted to see the Thatchers as well, since she would be hosting them, but she knew how much it meant to Elizabeth to introduce Nathan first.
As the train stopped in Hope Valley, with the squeal of brakes and the hiss and cloud of steam from the engines, Elizabeth found herself nervous about how her mother would react most of all. She knew that her father would be fine, but she was worried her mother wouldn't understand and only push harder to try and get her back to Hamilton.
When Elizabeth saw the familiar Pullman train car, she took Nathan by the arm and moved that way. She wanted to be able to greet her parents right away and have them meet Nathan right away before they got any ideas of what she should and shouldn't be doing or being with.
Yet, when Elizabeth looked up for her father, she saw Lucas right there as well. Elizabeth was very annoyed, but she didn't have time to voice her frustration. Nathan squeezed her hand for some reassurance. Elizabeth schooled her features as she had been taught as Nathan stepped up to help the first person down, which happened to be Mr. Thatcher. When both men turned back to the train car to help Grace Thatcher down, she was already being helped down by Lucas. Nathan let out a low growl that only Mr. Thatcher heard. He didn't comment but realized that there might be more to the story than he had been told.
Grace reveled in the greeting by the well-dressed gentleman. She realized that Hope Valley might not be all that bad, if people were like this gentleman. She turned and saw the annoyed looks on the faces of her husband and the Mountie that had helped him down. Grace figured that the Mountie was there because it was his job. She was sure she had just met her daughter's new suitor and if that was the case, she knew that she wouldn't have any trouble convincing her daughter that Hamilton was where they belonged. Especially as this well dressed gentleman at least appeared to be a proper suitor by her standards.
Elizabeth stepped forward and greeted her parents.
"Welcome to Hope Valley." Elizabeth said.
She then stepped back and next to Nathan.
"Father." Elizabeth said. "Please let me introduce you to my very close friend, Constable Nathan Grant."
She emphasized the word very intentionally.
"Sir." Nathan said, stepping forward and offering his hand for him to shake.
Once they had shook hands, Nathan stepped back into a protective stance right next to Elizabeth. Nathan's protective stance didn't seem to go unnoticed by William Thatcher, but he refrained from commenting at the moment.
"Also, Father." Elizabeth said. "This is the saloon owner, Lucas Bouchard."
Again, Elizabeth emphasized a word. The way that she said the saloon was not lost on
William. Nor was the fact that she didn't use the word friend. Elizabeth and William both saw the annoyance cross Lucas's face, before he quickly schooled his features and plastered a fake smile on his face. William wanted to know more about this man and what he was hiding. William knew just by the way the man carried himself that he was hiding more than he was sharing. It was people like Lucas Bouchard that had William on high alert.
"Sir." Lucas said, offering his hand to William. "I look forward to getting to know you. Maybe we could talk about some business. I am sure we can find something for the ladies to occupy themselves with."
William didn't say anything, but just quickly shook Lucas's hand and then excused himself saying he needed to see to their luggage.
"Mother." Elizabeth said. "It is my pleasure to introduce you to my very close friend, Constable Nathan Grant."
Once again, Elizabeth emphasized the word very and there was a bright smile on her face when she spoke Nathan's name. Nathan offered his hand to Grace, she just looked him up and down.
"Nice to meet you ma'am." Nathan said. "I look forward to getting to know you. Little
Jack was so excited about you coming to visit him. He had to tell me all about his trip to Hamilton and I saw how excited he was as the week went on this past week."
Nathan then turned to Elizabeth.
"If you will excuse me." Nathan said. "I need to speak to the conductor and take care of some things. I will see you back in town. Lizbeth, are we still on for supper?"
"Yes, Nathan." Elizabeth said. "We will be at the Coulters. You and Allie are more than welcome to come over there and join us."
Again, Elizabeth had the biggest smile on her face as she spoke to Nathan. She watched Nathan walk away and before he rounded the corner, he looked back and gave them a tip of his hat with a crooked grin. Elizabeth sighed as she watched Nathan disappear out of sight. When she turned back to her mother, Elizabeth wore a tight smile, and it was like her entire countenance had changed and she was annoyed by something in her presence.
"Mother." Elizabeth said, coolly and flatly. "This is Lucas Bouchard, he owns the saloon."
Elizabeth almost spat the word saloon. Gone was the loving tone that she had used with Nathan, and it had been replaced with a tone she might use when upset with a student. Lucas tried to step forward and charm Grace, but Elizabeth cut him off.
"Mother." Elizabeth said, her tone curt as she shot a look at Lucas. "I am sure you want to freshen up and then rest. Rosemary is waiting for us."
Elizabeth then led her mother away from Lucas and toward Rosemary. She made the introductions and Rosemary immediately engaged Grace in conversation as she led her to the waiting car. Elizabeth indicated that she was going to check with her father before joining them. Rosemary waved that she had heard but hadn't stopped the conversation with Grace.
Elizabeth glared at Lucas as she went to find her father. She found him overseeing the unloading of his car and luggage. She spoke to him for a moment. He told her to go take care of her mother and he would find his way into town once the luggage had been loaded. Elizabeth kissed his cheek and left to join her mother and Rosemary.
… … … …
Lucas had been left standing on the platform, frustrated and not sure what happened. Elizabeth hadn't told him that her parents were coming. The only reason that he knew was that he had gotten a call that morning letting him know. He was hoping to charm her parents and it would go along with his plan to court and eventually marry Elizabeth. It wasn't that he loved her per se, but the draw of her trust fund was irresistible. Lucas was so frustrated that he didn't even notice when the friend he had been waiting for came and stood next to him on the platform.
"Not going so well then, eh." The female voice of his companion said.
Lucas looked over at his companion and smiled, when what he really wanted to do was kiss her, but he had to maintain the single bachelor interested in the widow Thornton.
"Well, it is a good thing I am here." The companion said. "So, who am I going to be this time – sister, cousin, ex-lover?"
Lucas stopped and thought about it for a moment and then an evil smile came to his face.
"How about my mother and Elizabeth's publisher?" Lucas said, slyly. "That should throw her for a loop and force us to all spend time together. Maybe I can even convince her father to do some business with me in the process. That would be a bonus, but a nice one at that."
"Mother?" The woman said. "We haven't done that one before. I kind of like it, so why not? I am always up for a challenge. Besides, if you are naughty, I can spank you."
The woman laughed an evil laugh and Lucas just shook his head.
"Thank you so much, Janette." Lucas said.
"That is mother or Helen, remember." Janette said with a sly smile.
That time, Lucas leaned over and gave her a respectful kiss on the cheek.
"Yes, mother." Lucas said, sardonically.
… … … …
As usual, Lucas failed to take notice of his surroundings and didn't look around to see who might be around to overhear him and his companion. Unfortunately for Lucas his plan had been revealed to the one person he didn't want to know about it. Fortunately for him, Nathan had been in the right spot at the right time speaking to the conductor and another plainclothes Mountie when Lucas chose to speak about what he was up to.
When Lucas and his friend had walked away, Nathan turned to his two companions and shook his head. Before he could say anything, the conductor spoke up.
"I will give you my official statement when I return tomorrow." Colton said.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I can always count on you, Colton. Also, any chance you can see what you can find out about the woman from your records?"
"She came from Montreal." Colton said. "She stayed in a first class cabin booked by a Peter Bouchard. She kept to herself and only spoke English when required. She preferred to converse in French. Or at least that was the report when I took over for George in Union City."
"Thank you so much, Colton." Nathan said. "I look forward to speaking to you tomorrow then."
Nathan then turned to his brother-in-arms.
"What is your current assignment?" Nathan asked.
"I was assigned to ride back and forth from Union City this weekend." The Mountie said. "There has been an increase of petty theft on the train, so we have been undercover to see if we can catch the people."
"I could use some backup." Nathan said.
"Since there is no one getting on and going to Buxton." Colton said. "We can call ahead and have a Mountie board there and James, here, can stay undercover here."
"James?" Nathan said.
"I have a small bag with clothes in it, just so I looked like a legitimate traveler." James said.
"Then how about you stay here?" Nathan said. "We will call O'Reilly and explain the situation. I am sure he will agree it is the best that you stay in Hope Valley, especially with the Thatchers here. He can assign someone else to train duty this weekend. I need you here."
"Then I will be here." James said. "Besides, I can stay in the saloon and keep better tabs on Bouchard and his friend."
"I like that." Nathan said. "Colton, we will check in with you tomorrow. Please let us know if you learn anything else about the woman."
"I will." Colton said. "Be safe and I will see you tomorrow."
Colton watched James and Nathan walk away. He missed the job, but since he had been hurt, working on the railroad was a better job. But he firmly believed once a Mountie, always a Mountie. Besides, he likes Nathan and James. They were two of the good guys. He was going to reach out to his contacts and get Nathan all the information that he could, because it sounded like they were all in for a ride in Hope Valley.