Chapter 2 – Return to Hope Valley
Wednesday, September 10th, Nathan and Maggie got up and made sure they had everything packed. They had breakfast and then checked out of the hotel. With everything loaded into the car, they made a few stops to do some last minute shopping. Nathan picked up a few things he wanted and Maggie found a few books to take back. She decided she was going to read more, especially considering how much Nathan and Allie read. She never really had time the last few years.
They got to the station and since Nathan was in uniform, he only had to pay for Maggie's ticket. He wasn't technically on duty, but he felt better traveling in uniform. There was usually less hassle as most didn't want to mess with a Mountie. As they were waiting on the platform, Nathan kept Maggie close. She had her arm looped through his and held her small carpet bag they had picked up and Nathan had his messenger bag.
When the train stopped, several people got off. Nathan, always the Mountie, kept an eye on everyone as they moved about. He also spotted the Pullman car. He then saw the steward from there step down and head right for them. Nathan sighed and Maggie was going to ask, but turned and saw someone coming right toward them.
"Corporal Grant?" The steward asked.
"Yes." Nathan said.
"William Thatcher had requested you join him." The steward said.
"I am not leaving my wife alone." Nathan said.
The steward turned and motioned to another man, then a moment back nodded. He then turned and looked at Nathan.
"If you both would please come with me." The steward said. "William Thatcher is waiting."
Nathan looked at Maggie and she nodded. They followed the steward and entered the plush interior of William Thatcher's private Pullman car.
"Corporal Grant." William said. "Good to see you again. Wish it was under better circumstances."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said. "Please allow me to introduce my new bride, Margaret. Maggie, this is William Thatcher."
"Nice to meet you." William said. "Please sit. Coffee? Tea? Lunch?"
"Coffee for me." Nathan said.
"Tea for me please." Maggie said. "And maybe a light something to eat. We had a late breakfast, but I am starting to get hungry again."
William turned to the steward.
"Please bring sandwiches and stuff for all three of us once we are underway." William said.
"Yes, Sir." The steward said, before leaving.
They all sat down and William looked at Nathan.
"First of all congratulations." He said. "I am sure that Allie is thrilled. So this all must be recent and might explain in part the cryptic message I received from Bill along the way to here."
"Thank you, Sir." Nathan said. "Yes. We were just wed on Saturday and are returning to Hope Valley after a short honeymoon. I have spoken to Constable Kinslow and am aware of what transpired with Elizabeth."
"Nathan." William said. "I am so sorry this has interrupted your honeymoon. You shouldn't have to deal with this at all."
"It is okay." Nathan said. "We are only returning half a day early. May I ask what your plan is? As much as I love your grandson, I can't continue to have him at my house once we return. I don't want to confuse the boy. He already had an attachment to me and I don't want to make things worse. From my understanding, Constable Kinslow, Gabe, has had him there the last couple of nights because he has been virtually inconsolable otherwise."
"Once I have talked to Bill and Dr Shepherd." William said. "I will work out a plan. I am not even sure I know what happened."
Nathan shared what Gabe had told him about what happened with Elizabeth. Nathan was frank and candid, sharing everything that Gabe had told him.
"I am sorry, Sir." Nathan said. "I honestly didn't think that me getting married would cause her to break down like this. I was ready for more screaming and yelling, maybe a few more threats to get me kicked off the force, but not this. I could have handled the other stuff, for this I really feel bad."
"Yes." Maggie said. "I am sorry. You have to take time out of your busy schedule to deal with this and I know that is a huge deal. I don't really know Elizabeth, only what Nathan has shared and the little I have been able to observe in the little time I have been in Hope Valley, but we never meant to hurt her or cause your family more grief."
"Can I ask how you two met?" William asked. "No one said anything about you being involved with someone when I was here this summer. I was under the impression you were a confirmed bachelor. I would have never asked you to help with Elizabeth if I had known you were involved with someone else."
Nathan and Maggie exchanged a quick look. Maggie nodded, indicating Nathan was free to share as he felt comfortable.
"No one knew about Maggie until a few weeks ago." Nathan said. "Your daughter did a real number on my heart and confidence when it came to trusting my heart. Honestly, I just needed an assurance that the person I opened up to was there for me and wanted to be a part of my life, so I turned to an agency to find me a wife. Another man in town had success with this agency.
So after some prayer and soul searching, I applied back in June. I was immediately matched with Maggie and we exchanged letters and then phone calls. She was ready to come immediately after we agreed. I needed some more time. Finally, at the end of August, I realized there was no reason to wait. So I called Maggie and just over a week later she was on the train heading to Hope Valley."
"I arrived in Hope Valley from Toronto last Tuesday." Maggie said. "Because faith is important to both of us, we chose to have a small church wedding on Saturday afternoon. We didn't hide it from people, but we also didn't explicitly tell Elizabeth, because of her prior behavior toward Nathan. We didn't want her to try and interrupt the wedding or make a scene and take the attention away from us on our day. We had a very nice ceremony with a couple dozen guests. We then had a nice reception at the schoolhouse and left for Union City, all without Elizabeth causing a disruption."
"Please don't get the wrong idea." Nathan said. "I love Maggie more than I thought possible. She is truly the love of my life and we were meant to be. No matter how it came to be."
"Oh, I can see you are in love." William said. "I am sorry you felt you couldn't be open about things because of my daughter. If Dr Shepherd agrees she is well enough to travel, I think my best course of action will be to take Elizabeth and young Jack back to Hamilton for some time. She would be able to get the help she obviously needs and there would be people to care for young Jack. Not knowing exactly what I was going to find and that was before Bill's message, I brought a nanny to look after young Jack for the week I was planning to be in Hope Valley. Now she will be able to watch him while we are there and then on the journey back."
"As sad as it would be to see Little Jack go." Nathan said. "I think it might be for the best. Maybe a few months away from Hope Valley might do Elizabeth some good."
The trio continued to visit as they had their lunch. Despite the situation that awaited them when they arrived in Hope Valley, they had a mostly relaxing train ride. William asked about Allie and how she was getting along with Hickory. He was thrilled she loved the horse and that despite his daughter that Allie was doing well.
As they were pulling into Hope Valley, William inquired if anyone was meeting them. Nathan was unsure, but William assured them he had no problem taking them into town once the car was unloaded. Nathan agreed if there was no one waiting for them. Much to Nathan's surprise, both Bill and Gabe were standing on the platform waiting for them. What concerned Nathan was that he could clearly see Bill was armed. Nathan wondered what had happened as Bill wasn't one to wear his sidearm unless it would be needed. Maggie saw Nathan's face and knew something was wrong.
"What is it?" Maggie asked.
"Bill and Gabe are waiting." Nathan said. "But Bill is obviously wearing his sidearm."
"Oh." Maggie said.
"I might have to go help with whatever." Nathan said.
"That is fine." Maggie said. "I can get started on laundry and stuff. I also have unpacking to take care of. Let me know what the plan is, when you can."
"I have never asked." Nathan whispered. "But can you handle a firearm?"
"Like a pro." Maggie said. "Don't worry about me. You take care of yourself and come back to me."
Nathan saw Bill and Gabe looking around as people started to disembark from the train. So he didn't wait and jumped down before the steward put the step stool down. He immediately went up to Bill.
"What is going on?" Nathan asked, all business.
"Where did you come from?" Gabe asked.
Gabe handed Nathan his gun belt and helped him to put it on as they spoke.
"Thatcher's Pullman." Nathan said. "Now what is going on?"
"Wyman Walden." Bill said. "He and his Pinkertons arrived back in town this morning."
Nathan groaned. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"How bad?" Nathan asked.
"He is trying to say he owns the hotel." Bill said. "But when I made some calls, his story fell apart and he couldn't produce any paperwork. They are harassing Lee. Walden wants to buy part of the lumber mill, but Lee is refusing to entertain any offers. Walden is also trying to say Lucas gave him his shares of Gowen oil. But Henry showed me the paperwork where he bought out Lucas back in July. Again, Walden can't produce any paperwork to back his claims."
"Where are Gabe and James?" Nathan asked.
"Standing guard in town." Gabe said. "Pastor Canfield is out front to take Maggie back. We have Newton saddled and waiting for you."
"Okay." Nathan said. "Let me check in with Maggie quickly."
Nathan walked over to where Maggie was waiting with one of the stewards.
"Thank you, Tim." Nathan said. "We have a trunk and suitcase that need to be loaded into the wagon out front. Pastor Canfield is waiting."
"Yes, Sir." Tim said, before going to see about the luggage.
"I am sorry." Nathan said, wrapping his arms around his wife. "A lot has happened. I need to head to the office and deal with things. I will try to be home for supper, either way I will call."
"Okay." Maggie said. "I will see that Allie does her homework and I will work on getting settled."
"Not that I think you will need it." Nathan said. "But there is a sidearm in the bottom drawer of my desk."
"Understood." Maggie said.
Nathan gave Maggie a kiss and then watched her walk toward Joseph who was standing about twenty yards away. He waved to Nathan who nodded to him. Once Maggie had reached Joseph, Nathan turned back to Bill and Gave who were engaged in a conversation with William Thatcher at that point. Nathan took another deep breath as that was not how he thought his honeymoon was going to end. He was not expecting to jump right back into work and especially not into having to deal with Walden and his Pinkertons. Nathan walked back to Bill, Gabe and William.
"I will sit down with all of you later." William said. "Right now, I need to speak to my daughter and set the nanny up with young Jack."
"Elizabeth is at her house with Molly Sullivan." Bill said. "She is watching Little Jack and sitting with Elizabeth. The new nurse, Miss Thomas, might also be at the house."
"Thank you." William said, then walked off to gather the nanny and all their things.
"Let's go." Nathan said. "You can tell me more on the ride into town."
The three men walked through the station and swiftly mounted their horses. They turned and headed back to town. Nathan wasn't happy and both other men knew it. Bill shared a bit more about Walden.
"What is going on with the hotel?" Nathan asked, recalling his conversation at headquarters a few weeks prior.
"Just that Lucas never owned the hotel." Bill said. "I was able to learn the company who does own it is under investigation and there is a government official overseeing all of the businesses involved. They have been allowed to continue to operate because most were central to the towns they were in. But, you know all of this, don't you?"
Nathan nodded.
"Walden showed up this morning fully expecting Lucas to be there to greet him." Gabe said. "He was upset when he wasn't and even more so when no one would tell him where Lucas was or when he would be back."
"Lucas would be a complete fool to come back here." Nathan said. "But we need to keep our eyes open in case he tries to sneak into town."
"What aren't you saying?" Gabe asked.
"Bill." Nathan said. "When we get back to town, I need you to start making some phone calls. Find out everything you can about Walden and if he has any connection to the Cotroni family. I also want everything you can on the Pinkerton men who arrived with Walden, including who is paying them."
"I will see what I can find." Bill said.
"Gabe." Nathan said. "I want you to start gathering information on Amos Dixon, Jeanette Aucoin and Helen Bouchard."
"What are you going to do?" Bill asked.
"I need to call headquarters." Nathan said. "Then I need to have a conversation that is long overdue."
Nathan spurred Newton and rode ahead. Bill and Gabe looked at each other and realized that Nathan knew a lot more than he was saying. Bill and Gabe caught up with Nathan.
"What else has been going on the last few days?" Nathan asked.
They let Nathan know that other than the stuff with Elizabeth, it had been pretty quiet. Benson Hills was looking for someone taking chickens. Buxton had been having an issue with things being taken from several shops. Always when it was busy and never anything big. Gabe also let him know that they had gotten a call from Rock Creek. Apparently, they had been having trouble with the men surveying for the railroad. They had been disputing with the area farmers. It was mostly about not getting permission before going on to different properties. Nathan listened and knew that an overnight trip to Rock Creek might be needed. But he also knew there were much more pressing matters to deal with.
When they got back to town, Gabe and Bill took care of their horses and started on the stuff that Nathan asked for. Nathan left Newton saddled and out in front of the office. Gabe M and James looked at Nathan and realized he had jumped back into full Mountie mode right away.
"Welcome back, Sir." James said.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "Reports from the last few days?"
"On your desk upstairs." Gabe said. "Along with the mail."
"Other than the two obvious things." Nathan said. "Anything else I need to know?"
"Broke up a couple of fights between some of the boys from the two different settlements." James said. "I had a few conversations to try and get to the bottom of the problem and learned they were fighting over a girl, but not which girl. I told them they needed to learn to get along and work out their differences in a more constructive way or there would be consequences."
"A dozen new workers for the oil company came on Monday." Gabe said. "Mr Gowen has them staying closer to the derricks."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I want you two out and visible in town. Keep your eyes open. Talk to anyone that is not familiar. Get names, maybe where they are staying. Keep it friendly and casual. Be aware of your surroundings and stay on your toes. Kinslow is going to be using the downstairs office to make some phone calls. I will be in my office for a while. I will check in with you later if I can. Otherwise I will talk after rounds tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir." Both Gabe and James said.
Nathan nodded, then went around the side of the building and up the stairs to his office. He quickly read through the reports, made some notes and then called headquarters in Union City. He looked through the mail while he waited for Superintendent O'Reilly. There wasn't much more that O'Reilly could tell Nathan at the moment, but would have his men do some checking. He advised Nathan to keep an eye on Walden while they checked if there was anything that they could charge him with. Nathan promised to keep him updated if there was any new information and O'Reilly said the same. Nathan hung up the phone and blew out a harsh breath. He was angry that Lucas had made such a mess of things and he had to clean it up again.