Author's note: Huge thanks goes to my fellow Lucas' heartie Avis Minter for helping me with a talk between Lee, Rosemary and Elizabeth!
—--
Joyful music was playing in the saloon as Elizabeth and Rosemary entered. The restaurant area was full of people.
"There's a table over there", said Rosemary pointing with her head and they started to walk toward it when laughter came from their left side.
Elizabeth turned toward the sound and her facial expression hardened.
There was that woman, talking about something that sent men and Mei Sue into fits of laughter.
"Huh, don't they look cozy", she commented icily.
Rosemary followed Elizabeth's gaze before pulling her friend's hand.
"Come on, lets sit down or we will lose the table", she said and Elizabeth followed her.
They took the Menus and looked at them, only to be interrupted by the laughter again. Deciding to ignore it, Elizabeth asked:
"Who's watching Goldie?"
"Laura. Since Jack is away, I thought I could use her services too", said Rosemary as she looked over the Menu.
At that moment, Bill's voice was heard:
"You're bluffing!", followed by men's teasing sounds of "uuuuuuuuh!"
Elizabeth noticed that woman asking something with a smirk and Bill nodded, only to toss his cards on the table, groaning. In the next moment he threw two cards at that woman making the entire company around the table laugh.
Rosemary waved to the waiter and placed their order. Once he left she leaned toward Elizabeth saying silently.
"I don't want to make a scene, but I will talk to Lee once we get home. Now come on, tell me what do you think of these new makeup styles?", she grinned.
—--
Lee waved to Joseph as he continued down the row of houses to his place. He took out the keys from his pocket and unlocked the doors with a smile on his face.
Only to be greeted by the sight of his wife and Elizabeth sitting in their living room and talking, with sour faces.
Rosemary looked up as he came in.
"Ah, the prodigal husband returns!", she said dramatically, causing Lee to roll his eyes.
"Rosiiieee!", he said as he took of his coat "Hello, Elizabeth".
Elizabeth nodded.
"Lee", she said coolly.
Lee creased his eyebrows.
"What's got you two in such a mood?", he asked.
Rosemary huffed, picking up the plates and taking them over to the sink.
"Oh, don't act like you don't know, Lee Coulter!", warned Rosemary.
Lee put his hands in the air only to have them fall down against his sides.
"What?!"
Rosemary looked at him with a shocked gasp.
"You know exactly what am I talking about! How could you sit and play poker with her after she's been snubbing me for all this time?!", she huffed.
Lee raised his eyebrows.
"You mean Grace? Sweetheart, she was tired and had a headache yesterday. In fact, she apologized this morning for snapping at you", Lee tried to calm his wife down.
At that moment, he heard Elizabeth mumble:
"Well, at least she apologized for something.
Lee looked at her.
"What's that supposed to mean?", he asked.
Elizabeth was fuming.
"Lee, do you know that she cleaned Nathan out of a substantial amount of money? He worked hard for that money!", snapped Elizabeth.
Lee shrugged.
"You can hardly blame Grace for that. Nathan is a grown man, he should know his limits", said Lee.
Elizabeth gasped at his words and Rosemary stormed back from the kitchen.
"Lee!", she hissed.
Elizabeth wasn't about to give up a fight.
"What kind of woman plays poker with men anyway?!", she huffed, letting out a dark chuckle.
"I second that!", Rosemary jumped in.
Lee put his hands up like he will physically stop them from going further.
"Whoa, whoa just because she is a female and likes to play cards does not make her bad!", he frowned as he looked at Elizabeth "Didn't your Aunt Agatha play poker when she was here?!?"
Elizabeth opened her mouth in shock, then closed them. Then opened them again, but nothing came out.
Offended, she grabbed her coat and stormed out without even saying goodbye.
Rosemary went toward Lee and slightly kicked his upper arm.
"Lee, what's got into you?!"
Lee shrugged.
"It's true, Rosemary. In fact, Lucas even let her win even though he had four aces on his hand", said Lee as he took off his suit jacket and started to unbutton his vest.
Rosemary was lost for words, but just for a moment.
"Lee, you know how touchy Elizabeth is because of Lucas coming to Hope Valley and this argument with Nathan doesn't help matters either!", she rambled.
Lee huffed in frustration.
"Well, it's hardly Grace's fault that Nathan doesn't know when to stop playing! And what does that have to do with Lucas?!", as Rosemary opened her mouth Lee raised his hand to stop her "Look, I know she is your best friend, but she hurt Lucas terribly. She broke the engagement and sent him away all alone! And how do you think Lucas is going to feel when he comes to town and finds out that he can't see his little buddy? She has never sent little Jack off before. Why now? Lucas is going to be hurt once again by her. Be careful, Rosemary. This is not right!"
Rosemary was stunned in silence. Lee shook his head, picked up his vest and coat he threw on the settee and walked toward the stairs.
But, before he started to go upstairs, he turned and looked at his unusually quiet wife.
"I for one owe Lucas a big apology and I hope he soon finds his real soulmate because he deserves happiness after all he gave up here for all of us!", and with those words, Lee went upstairs, leaving Rosemary alone.
—--
Grace went inside the stables and smiled as the horses whinnied.
She looked around and saw Robert approaching her with a smile.
"Good morning", the boy greeted her.
Grace smiled back.
"Good morning. I need to ride to Canfields. Are any of these horses for rent?", she asked.
Robert nodded.
"Yeah, the last three on the left. Pick any one of them that you like", he replied.
Grace nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, Robert".
She walked over to the stalls to look at the horses when one of them gently nudged her upper arm.
Grace turned around, chuckling and at the next moment she gasped as she took in a beautiful animal.
The horse was of beautiful shade of beige that bordered with gold. Its mane shimmered in the daylight. Grace went to caress its head with one hand.
"Hello, beauty", she smiled as the horse sniffed her "I got something for you", she whispered and reached to a pocket on her skirt. Pulling out an apple, she offered it to a horse and her smile widened as the magnificent beast ate straight from her hand.
She looked over at Robert who stood nearby.
"How about this one?", she asked.
Robert nodded.
"Sure. That's Mr. Bouchard's horse. He is quite well behaved", Robert grinned as he quipped "I guess like his owner also is".
Grace laughed, looking surprised.
Robert stammered.
"Uh…don't tell to anybody I said that, please", he mumbled.
Grace laughed once again.
"Don't worry, I won't", she smiled as Robert let out a breath of relief and thanked her.
"I'll get the saddle for you", as he turned to leave, Grace stopped him.
"Wait!", she looked back at the beautiful horse who stood calm like he already knew her "What's his name?"
Robert turned around as he walked to get the saddle and replied:
"Excalibur".
Grace looked back at the horse and smiled as he whinnied softly under her fingers.
"What do you say, Excalibur?", she whispered "Wanna go for a ride with me?", as the horse moved his head at her voice, she smiled and pulled out a carrot from her pocket.
She let the horse munch on the carrot and held his reins as Robert went in to saddle him.
Grace patted the animal's long neck as she walked slowly until she reached the styrup.
She climbed up in the saddle and leaned down, caressing Excalibur's shimmering mane with one hand.
Looking at Robert, she told him that she will be back by dinner and then she whispered to the horse.
"Come on, Excalibur, lets go", she gently squeezed the horse with her heels and led him out from the stables.
She smiled as the horse sped up a bit, making her long hair play with the wind.
—--
Elizabeth closed the school doors and locked them as the children rushed down the stairs.
"Be careful!", she called out to them.
She started to go downstairs as well when Opal's delighted voice was heard:
"Look!"
The children and Elizabeth both looked up at the sight of a lady on horseback riding like the wind, her hair blowing in the wind.
"That's a fairy!", little Susan exclaimed.
Cooper grinned.
"That's not a fairy! That's Miss Grace, my Mama's friend. She is coming over to our place for lunch", he replied, helping his sister as she walked.
Elizabeth bristled as she watched that woman ride away.
On Lucas' horse!
—--
Lost in the mountains far from the crowds
we would wander together walking for miles
with night still before us and day passing by
I always remember your smile
Cool in the evening warm in the sun
the clouds moving slowly time was undone
yet the days fell before us and nights rolled on by
I always remember your smile
Every step and each moment were all so worthwhile
I always remember your smile
I always remember your smile
And it's strange how for a moment
the heavens were mine
I always remember your smile
Each one has a journey that's how it goes
sometimes we're together sometimes alone.
("Remember your smile" - Enya)