Many women would joke that their husbands', boyfriends', or sons' chief ambition in life was to be Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. But Lucas Bouchard, even in being as he was almost entirely lacking in knowing the details of his life, knew that such was not the case for him. For rather than being the little boy who never grew up, Bouchard innately understood that he was the man who never had much of a boyhood. It was in that light that he determined to do what he could to help others have what he lacked.

Lucas delighted in working with the children, in seeing the wonderment in their eyes as he'd tell them a tale, in knowing the gentle trust they availed him, a trust that was almost painful in its innocence, for Lucas also knew in his heart that terrible things happened in life and bad people existed. He, therefore, felt very protective of these little ones whom he'd begun to know by name, and now this company included little Annie Bekker, who continued to accompany her aunt to their morning story-telling sessions and who was starting to come out of her shell, at least as far as he was concerned.

"Is it hot?" she asked, looking at the Captain Hook costume that Lucas was now wearing, a loaner costume from Sam's theater group from productions past.

"Indeed, it is," he replied, looking at her from underneath a heavy black wig with curls that Louis XIV would have most definitely admired. "Hot and heavy," he said, remarking on the layers of clothing that in the already too warm building was causing his body temperature to rise to an uncomfortable degree. He wondered to himself how the actors who had worn it before him did so under the hot lights of the stage and just hoped he didn't pass out.

He didn't have much time to contemplate; however, as Sam, in his Peter Pan costume, stepped back into the room where Lucas was waiting in order to inform him that Tilly, as Wendy, had narrated most of her introduction, and it was time for him to go on.

"Go on in there and take a seat with the other children," Lucas told Annie gently.

She nodded. "Break a leg," she said, surprising and amusing him with how quickly she'd picked up the lingo. He chuckled to himself. She was a bright little girl.

In Hope Valley, the beautiful blue skies with the fluffy white clouds drifting by belied the fact that not so far away raged a fire that was threatening nearby towns. With the devastating drought that was affecting crops in the area and drying out trees and grass, valley residents were becoming nervous as the flames approached. When it became clear that their little town was now in its sights, a few more families in the area had decided over the weekend to pack up and move on. With the devastating failure of crops planted that summer and now this looming calamity, it was more than they could handle, so they decided to cut their losses and leave.

But many more were choosing to stay, at least for now. This village had been part of their lives for so many years, and it was where they had envisioned raising their children and living the rest of their lives - so they weren't going to give up without a fight. And, in this effort, none was as vigilant as the new town Mayor, Lee Coulter.

Since Bill had decided to stay in New Orleans, the people of Hope Valley banded together and elected Coulter almost immediately. The town needed leadership, and none was better suited to the job. Little did Lee know upon taking on the effort, however, that his tenure would oversee the most consequential and perhaps most difficult period in the town's history – rivaling that of the coal mining disaster of 1910, which decimated the community and made many of its women widows.

"That was quite a sermon yesterday, Joseph," Lee stated as he and the pastor headed down the street in the direction of the Queen of Hearts. "I've never heard the story of Joseph and his brothers told quite so vividly before."

"I would have to admit that the Old Testament has many such stories that I enjoy telling," Canfield replied, "but that particular one happens to be my favorite. Quite possibly because Joseph and I share the same name, but most likely because God took what looked like an impossible situation and turned it around for good. Something He likes to do from time to time." A slap on Lee's shoulder followed Joseph's response before he added, "How are Rosemary and Little Jack doing? And that precious baby girl. Are they coming today?"

"Betsy may be teething and was a bit fussy this morning, so Rosie stayed home with the children. I will fill her in when I return. We, um, also didn't want Jack to hear all the talk about fire. He already overheard some of our conversation and is concerned about his treehouse that his Buddy built for him out near Gleath's Pond. Strange to see it dried up the way it is."

"It certainly is. Sad. You know that boy has been through enough in his young life. I know he misses Lucas, as well as his mother."

"He has asked about him numerous times. Rosie and I don't know what to tell him."

"Now, Lee, I know you and Mrs. Coulter have handled this with all of the love and grace that you both have. He is a tough boy and has good genes. And he is blessed to have you and Rosemary to raise him to adulthood."

"I appreciate the encouragement," Lee said, a smile finally breaking forth as they began walking again.

"I had guessed this meeting was about the wildfires. Anything new to discuss?"

A sober look followed the question. "We will be talking over our options," Lee responded, causing Joseph to look up toward the sky.

"It is certainly becoming worrisome. These magnificent skies won't be blue for long if it continues in this direction." Lee's silence drew the pastor's gaze as they stopped walking. "But it isn't just the town that's in trouble, is it?"

A shake of Lee's head preceded his answer. "The drought has turned everything in the area into a tinderbox. I could lose my business."

"That is tomorrow's troubles, and today has enough of its own. Now let's see what Nathan has to say," Joseph replied as they headed into the saloon.

Tilly sat to the side, reading from the book Peter Pan and Wendy by J.M. Barrie – a volume that, in retrospect, seemed quite violent for some of the children who moved closer to her protective range. She narrated until a speaking line, and then Lucas or Sam (who threw on a different cap and cloak to play Smee since Lucas's garb was far too complex for him to take on other characters) would act out the lines.

"The pirates disappeared among the trees, and in a moment, their Captain and Smee were alone. Hook heaved a heavy sigh, and I know not why it was; perhaps it was because of the soft beauty of the evening, but there came over him a desire to confide to his faithful bo'sun the story of his life.

He spoke long and earnestly, but what it was all about Smee, who was rather stupid, did not know in the least.

Anon, he caught the word, Peter.

"Most of all," Lucas said, as Hook, "I want their captain, Peter Pan." Lucas leaned toward the children, who were captive to his craft. 'Twas he cut off my arm." Lucas brandished the hook threateningly. "I've waited long to shake his hand with this. Oh, I'll tear him!"

One of the children immediately ran to "Wendy" and plopped into her lap, resting his head on her shoulder while Bouchard and Peterson continued the story. As time passed, Lucas became aware of the discomfort with some of the younger children and the story and suddenly began to adlib some less scary lines. It took a couple of misses before Sam caught on, but then he played along.

"Peter flung my arm," Lucas said, with a huge gesture, "to a crocodile that happened to be passing by."

"I have often," said Sam, "noticed your strange dread of crocodiles."

"Crocodiles! Lucas replied in an animated and silly fashion. "Not just crocodiles, but of that one crocodile." Lucas looked around and then whispered. "It liked my arm so much, Smee, that it has followed me ever since, from sea to sea and from land to land, licking its lips for the rest of me!"

"Well, maybe it just has good taste?" Peterson said with a shrug. Lucas took off Hook's hat and hit Sam with it.

"Why that beast would have me for lunch, and if it hadn't swallowed a clock, I would have no defense!"

Tilly reached underneath her seat and flipped on a switch to a musician's metronome, and "Hook" and "Smee" froze, Lucas holding one foot up in the air.

"D-d-did you hear that?" Lucas asked.

Tick tick tick tick!

Sam leaned his ear in. "It sounds like a clock. Wait! A….a…clock?!"

"The crocodile!" Lucas gasped with a shrill voice, causing the children to giggle as he went bounding out of the room.

The children had long gone away, and the costumes were placed back in their storage containers so that now, Lucas and Sam were dressed quite casually in cotton Henleys, work trousers, and suspenders. Lucas's hair was a glorious mess from having been held in place by a wig cap, which helped secure the heavy black wig. He was grateful to be out of the sweaty costume.

"You did a marvelous job in there, playing Captain Hook," Tilly said to him.

"Thank you," Lucas said, lifting the edge of a wooden table on one side so he and Sam could move it back in place. "Your narration was spot on as well."

"Why, thank you," she responded, a slight blush creeping on her cheeks.

Sam raised an eyebrow as he looked at his two friends who had just spent several days together acting and going over lines, and laughing and as he could tell, growing closer. He cleared his throat. "Of course, Peter Pan is the star of the show," he said.

Both Lucas and Tilly looked over at him and grinned. "Of course, of course," they said.

"Yep. Wouldn't be able to have a show without me – a trained actor," Peterson continued. "I think we may need to forego Captain Hook next time, though."

"Why is that?" Lucas asked, confused that perhaps he had done something wrong.

Peterson picked up a stack of books and carried them to the shelf. "Not only did you sweat like a pig - requiring a need for a shower before we go to work today…."

Lucas immediately smelled his underarms and clothing and made a disgusted face. He looked up at Tilly and, seeing she was smiling, smiled as well.

"But, I think the costume scared half the little kids to death."

Lucas nodded. "I noticed that. The story is rather violent when you get down to it. Just the fact that Pan would cut Hooks's arm off and throw it to an alligator."

"Exactly," Peterson replied. "Thankfully, we had Tilly there to calm them down."

"Indeed," Lucas replied.

"But if he doesn't play Hook, who would you have him play?" Tilly asked, placing a vase back at the center of a round table.

Sam stopped. "I don't know. Maybe one of the lost boys. That would be a different angle – and fitting."

"Why do you say that?" Tilly asked.

"'cause. The man ain't got a father or mother."

"Here we go," Lucas responded.

"Then he shows up here all the sudden from out of nowhere, causing mischief."

Lucas laughed. "Me? Mischief? You live a very sheltered life."

"You've got to admit, Ly, there ain't much to know about you in terms of biographical details."

Lucas shrugged. "There's not much to tell."

Tilly cocked her head to the side. "Where are you from, originally?"

"Oh, here and there," Lucas replied. Sam shook his head.

"That's not very specific," she said, trying again. "What did you do in life prior to coming to New York? I assume you aren't from here. You do not sound like a New Yorker."

"Good assumption," Lucas replied. "I did a little bit of this and that."

"Like what?" she asked.

Lucas shrugged as he thought of something to tell her. "I believe I spent some time in France growing up."

"You believe?" she asked, curious at his choice of words.

Sam leaned forward. "That's already more than I've gotten out of him in four months."

"And more than you're likely to get out of me in the next four. Pick up that end of the table. It's not straight."

Tilly leaned inward. "What did you mean by you believe you spent time in France?"

Lucas looked down at the table he was carrying. "I didn't mean anything. I speak French fluently and have spent some time in France." He said this solely upon his own assumptions given the fact he could easily read and speak French. Of course, he could have picked that ability up in Canada, which he also felt an affinity toward, but which seemed to him more of a distant place – at least in terms of a homeland.

Sam looked at Tilly and shrugged. "See, he ain't … isn't going to tell you anything about his past. It's like you were wondering. The guy could be an escaped con or something.

Lucas looked at Sam. "You wondered that?" he asked, moving closer. Tilly caught a whiff of the combination of vanilla and sandalwood in the aftershave he had used, intermingled with his own manly scent. She had no complaints.

"Sam and I had a conversation about you when we first met," she said.

"Oh, really?" Lucas replied, taking a seat on the edge of a table and putting one foot up on a chair. "Please, tell me what it is that you concluded about me. I'm interested."

Tilly smiled a demure smile. "That you're a good person. Generous. Humble."

Lucas lowered his eyes.

"And you need to get out more!" Sam replied.

"Me?" Lucas asked, surprised. "I'm out all the time."

"For work," Peterson said. "You know, in four months, I haven't seen you show the least bit of interest in going out with a woman?"

Lucas looked toward Tilly, slightly embarrassed. "I've been busy."

"Yes, and it's time to unbusy you. Ask her out."

Lucas raised both of his eyebrows. "Out? Me and Tilly?"

"No, you and Tinkerbell. Yes, you and Tilly," Sam replied. "I know you two get along. Don't consider this any sort of a date or anything. Just two friends getting together to do something fun together. You know, go see a show….no. Skip that. You wouldn't have time to talk. Go to a Museum or something. Take a walk. Take her to dinner. Trust me, if you stay inside all the time, you're going to get weird – er."

Lucas laughed, then raised his eyes to his new friend. "I apologize for his audacity."

She smiled softly. "It's fine."

Lucas nodded, looked at Sam, and then at Tilly. "However…we do need to eat something, and I do have the evening off from work tonight."

Something about the way he was speaking and the way he was looking at her caused Tilly to feel a happy nervousness in the pit of her stomach. "That's true."

"Maybe we could, um…go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was its 50th year, and it's in the closing days of that exhibit, and then afterward, perhaps a walk in Central Park and Dinner at Pasquale's?"

"Italian food? I love it!" she replied.

"Then it's a date!" Sam said, proud of his supposed accomplishment.

"As friends," Lucas replied, throwing him an annoyed look.

"Yes," Tilly said. "As friends."

She and Lucas looked at one another and smiled bashful smiles.

"I feel like I'm floating on fire," Tilly said as she and Lucas sat at water's edge by Bow Bridge, one of the most iconic sites in New York's Central Park.

"Liquid fire," Bouchard replied, popping a grape in his mouth, which Tilly had brought along as a snack. "Interesting. And, if I might say, a somewhat terrifying concept."

"Not as long as you stay ahead of it," she replied. "Fire can be good. It brings warmth and light, fuel to cook with."

"And it can also bring great destruction if left untamed," Lucas reasoned.

"Kind of like relationships," Tilly responded, looking out at the reflection of fall leaves that adorned the lake. "Have you ever been in love?"

Lucas choked, not having expected that particular line of questioning and definitely not wishing to answer it given the questions that constantly plagued his mind. Thankfully, for that moment, his poker face was still intact. He pursed his lips. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," she said.

"Trying to figure out what's under this hat?" he replied, pointing to the newsboy cap he wore for their walk.

"No. Just trying to get to know you better," she responded. "I like you, Lionel Berrymore. You're a decent human being."

"I try to be," he responded. "What about you? Have you been in love before?"

Tilly laid back on the grass and looked at the October blue sky. "What is love? Is it something beautiful and yet fleeting like those clouds passing overhead – or is it something more?"

"You're waxing rather philosophical, aren't you?"

"Perhaps. But I honestly want to know. Is love an attraction – not just physical, but mental?, Spiritual? Is it just a feeling?"

"I don't believe it's just a feeling."

"Nor do I, but what is it? And is it necessary in a relationship? Should "like" be enough, or perhaps simply… accept?

"Why do I feel there is a story here?"

Tilly looked at the handsome young man beside her and patted the ground. "Watch the sky with me."

Lucas smiled slightly, then laid down on his back on the ground, looking at her at first and then, when she nodded, indicating for him to turn his head toward the sky. All was quiet for a time to the degree he thought maybe she was finished. But then Tilly decided to open up just a bit to this man whom she had known less than a week but trusted instinctively.

"I was engaged to be married before I was born," she said.

Lucas tilted his head. "Engaged?" Something about that word brought a feeling in him which, between hearing it from Tilly and trying to absorb that information and feeling a stirring of his own. He couldn't characterize it, so he set it aside.

"Well…to be accurate, I was promised to another. My parents and his parents made an agreement that on my 25th birthday, I would be engaged to a man named Michael. Both of our parents were…one might say, well to do."

Lucas nodded, already figuring by her demeanor and speech that she had grown up affluent, not that this mattered to him. "What happened?"

"The war. Due to his education and involvement in the military academy, the plan was to make him a commissioned officer where he wouldn't see combat. Michael didn't want that, so he enlisted. His plane was shot down over France while he was attacking an enemy airbase. He was captured but then immediately released because of his injuries. I visited him quite a bit while he was in the hospital."

"Where is he today?"

"Living with his wife in Spain."

Lucas raised his eyebrows, and Tilly laughed.

"Michael's parents live in England, and mine do not. The only time we would see each other is once a Summer, though we would correspond. But there was never that 'spark' of romance, And, well…I would have had to subjugate my entire personality and any hopes I had for the future to support him and his career."

"Hence why you asked me what love is?'

"Yes. I've always wondered if I hadn't backed out of the arrangement made by my parents if it would have changed anything – you know…on a grander scale. I wouldn't have married for love but for duty. And I'm not sure that this would have made me happy – not that my happiness is of supreme importance. What do you think?"

Lucas considered her thoughts for a moment. "I think marriage is difficult enough without beginning it with low expectations. And that patience in waiting for a soulmate is a noble ideal. And…I believe you deserve to be happy."

She smiled. "So, you believe in soulmates? Or love at first sight?"

Lucas considered the thought, again having a strange fluttering within his heart that he couldn't define. And again, he dismissed it. "I do not believe love is so simple that it can be constrained into 'at first sight' or 'must take time' categories. But, yes. I do believe in soulmates."

"So do I," she said, finally looking over toward him. Lucas continued to stare at the sky, saying nothing, and she sensed he was deep in thought, so she turned back and looked at the sky once more.

"I think everyone is here, Nathan. Let's get this meeting started." Lee looked around and was painfully aware of the missing faces in the crowd, the neighbors who had already left the area. He knew more would follow.

"If I could have everyone's attention, please," Nathan said loudly, waiting a moment while the group quietened. "Thank you all for coming." Gazing around at his friends and neighbors, he saw the trust that they placed in him to solve this difficult situation. He saddened at the realization that Elizabeth wasn't there and never would be again. Jenny caught his eye, and they shared a smile before he continued. "I'm sure everyone knows the reason for this meeting. The wildfires are moving our way, and we need a solution to save Hope Valley. Many have understandably moved on, but for those who are still here, we have to act quickly. The wooded areas immediately surrounding the town need to be cut back today. We will need all the men we can get to work on that."

Mr. Wolf raised his hand. "Constable, I understand the need to save the town itself, but if the farms burn to the ground, what good are the buildings here? I'm not trying to speak out of turn, but there would be no Hope Valley without the people living in and around it."

Many voices murmured their agreement and nodded their heads.

"Richard, I agree with you," Lee responded before Nathan could. "With the drought, our number has already dropped. And the fires aren't just affecting the farms but my company as well. No trees, no Coulter Lumber. Let's hear what else Nathan has to say."

"Thanks, Lee," Nathan continued. "Now, our small lake near the church is low from the lack of rain, so I'm not sure it can be of much use. But to try and save any building or property, we need firebreaks. I know that some of you are already working on that around your farms, and if you aren't, it is past time. When I was in Buxton, the discussion turned to explosives. Some of the men think that they can turn or stop the progression with either dynamite or nitroglycerin. It's very dangerous, but a last resort if it comes to that. We don't have access to nitro, but we do have some dynamite if we see no other recourse."

"Does that really work?" someone from the crowd called out.

"I have heard that some have had success with it but haven't seen it myself," Nathan replied. "At least not on a scale like this."

"We did have some success with it with the fire at the oil derrick," Henry said.

"Yes, we did," Ned said, recalling his own part in quelling a blaze that had come up once they struck oil."

"As much of a challenge as that was," Nathan said, "it was nothing compared to what we've seen. Albert Falls area is decimated, and Rock Creek is soon to be next. After that, Hope Valley. Taking away the fire's fuel is our best hope, with little access to water. We need firebreaks around the town and your properties as well. And a lot of luck."

"Wouldn't hurt to pray for rain," Lee added, earning a smile from Joseph, who recalled Lee's past hesitancy at being called a man of faith. How things had changed.

"I'm sure most of us have been doing that already, but it's a good reminder," Nathan replied. "I will be working on the trees around town but could use some help."

Several of the men raised their hands, including Henry and Joseph, bringing a sigh of relief from Nathan.

"I won't keep any of you from getting to what you need to do. Let's get busy."

As the gathering began to disperse, Jenny walked up to Nathan. "You handled that well."

"Thank you."

"I wanted to ask about dinner tonight. I was going to come cook for you..."

The words were quickly interrupted. "I'm sorry, Jenny. I'll be working into the night and won't have the time. The town has to come first. Perhaps another day." The words were short and clipped as he turned to leave, and Jenny pondered his answer before going back to the office.'

After their walk and visit to the museum, Lucas and Tilly arrived at Pasquale's at six o'clock, the time of his reservation. The restaurant was by no means fancy, but the food was so good that it typically had a waiting list, so Lucas pulled a few strings with the owners and was able to get himself and Tilly a seat.

"That was so delicious," she said at the end of the dinner. "I don't believe I've ever eaten risotto that was quite so creamy."

"Their risotto is wonderful," Lucas replied, leaning forward. "The secret of a good risotto is to make it up fresh and serve it immediately. Because it is one of their most requested dishes, the Pasquales generally are in the process of making a batch any time you come in here, especially during peak hours."

"I still can't believe you were able to get us a table. Did you see that line?"

Lucas tilted his head back and forth and smirked. "I have my talents."

Tilley giggled and Lucas felt a sense of elation whelm within him that could only cause him to smile. He loved to hear her laugh and, strangely, loved the fact she thought he was funny.

"I'm sure you do," she said, slightly flirtatiously. "But we'll have to explore those at a different time because right now…." She leaned in and whispered. "I need to go to the powder room."

Lucas chuckled slightly. "Please do. I will just pay our check."

"Are you sure you don't want to go Dutch? This isn't, after all, a date date. It's a friend's date."

"It would be my pleasure," he responded, reaching into his vest for his wallet.

"Thank you. I'll be back," Tilly said, standing and walking to the ladies' room.

Lucas motioned for the waiter to come to the table, and the man immediately produced the check, which was another thing Bouchard loved about the place. It was very affordable.

"Would you care for anything else, Signore Lionel?"

"No, thank you," Lucas replied. "Everything was just perfect."

"I am happy to hear that," the man said, collecting the money and then returning to the cash register.

As Bouchard waited, he took note of a beautiful red rose in the middle of the table that had been there the whole time but, given his attention was wholly on Tilly, had gone unnoticed. His mind flashed back to a telephone call he'd made; he didn't know when, to a florist – telling them he'd like to purchase roses for a birthday. He could hear the florist asking him what the name of the person was he wanted to send them to, but then the remembrance was interrupted by another sound which brought about an entirely different sort of memory – one that was more vivid and more real and detailed that he knew it was part of his past.

"Thanks, Buddy!"

The sound of a child three tables over speaking to a different waiter and thanking him for a glass of milk pierced through Lucas's fog, and suddenly, he found himself transported to a small frame house with wooden floors and simple Victorian furnishings. A little boy, about four years old, was sitting on the floor with him, and the two were playing with marbles.

XXXXX

"So, Buddy," Lucas said, "I know you and I like to play together, and we enjoy seeing each other every day. What would you think if your Buddy never had to go home at night and we could be a family?"

The little boy smiled widely as his eyes widened. "You mean you would stay?"

"Yes," he said. "And I could be your papa."

"Instead of my Daddy?" he answered, confused.

"Not instead of, but in place of. Since your real daddy is in Heaven and can't be here with you, I would stay with you and your mama, and we could, assuming that she would want this, be a family."

"A real family?" Jack asked.

"Yes. A real family."

"Oh, boy!" Jack said, standing up and jumping up and down before throwing himself at Lucas and wrapping his arms around his neck.

"You would want that?"

"Yes! And we can play with my cars, and you could read to me, and we could go to church together, and we could play in the yard and…."

Lucas smiled. "Jack, that's wonderful. I have one more small thing. I'm going to ask your mother to marry me, and when I do, I will give her a ring that says we are to be married. I would very much like it if you could help me with this surprise. What do you say?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Jack said with excitement.

"Excellent! Let's talk about what we're going to do….."

XXXXX

"Lionel. Are you okay?"

Lucas snapped out of the vision, his mind still overwhelmed by the vividness of the memory that had returned. There was a little boy named Jack. There was a woman that he was going to marry. And they were to be a family. Lucas's heart thumped wildly in his chest, and he looked up toward Tilly with a bewildered look.

"What's wrong?" she asked, reaching over and taking his hand, concerned at his demeanor.

Lucas looked at their joined hands, took a breath, and then regrouped. "Um….nothing. Nothing at all," he said, feigning a smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," he said. "Are we ready to go?"

Tilly released his hand and nodded. "I am when you are."

Lucas stood and extended his hand to the lady. "You know what?" he said. "I don't want this evening to end. What do you say we take in a motion picture show before you return to the estate."

Tilly smiled. "Something starring Lionel Barrymore?"

"Never watched the guy," Lucas joked. "Anything would be good. I'm just enjoying the company and….well, with Sam working, I think neither one of us wants to be sitting at home alone tonight."

"Then a movie it is," she said. "Your pick."

Rosemary was reflective after she had put Betsy to bed and kissed Jack goodnight. Picking up a book, she stared at the same page for some time, reading the first line repeatedly. When Lee walked into the bedroom, he found her staring out the window into the darkness.

"Rosie?"

His voice was enough to get her attention, and she smiled up at him.

"Is he asleep?"

She nodded once. "Two stories, and he was just dozing off when I left. It really is a blessing that we get to raise Elizabeth and Jack's son."

"Yes, it is," he said, moving closer to her. "I was thinking…" he said, looking out the window at the dark night. "… tomorrow, Joseph and I are going to go dismantle Jack's treehouse and bring the pieces here. He brought it up again this morning."

Rosemary's glance was sober. "He misses Lucas."

"He does. As do we all."

The businessman and town mayor walked over to the bed and took a seat, tired from a day of organizing and directing lumber removal, and Rosemary watched him.

"Lee, it's bad, isn't it?"

Her husband nodded. "There isn't much way to protect the trees in the area that we cut from. Everything being so dry doesn't help matters. We could lose it all. I think we may need to think things through a bit more so we can prepare. The truth is, we may have to leave Hope Valley."

The sadness in his wife's eyes was almost his undoing.

"I was afraid you might say that. I pray it doesn't come to that."

Lee came to her side and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Me too, sweetheart. Me too."

D.W. Griffith's Way Down East ended with the beleaguered Anna, played by silent film star Lilian Gish, being rescued by her true love after a harrowing tale of deception, danger, and sadness. If anyone wanted to know their opinion of the film, however, Lucas and Tilly couldn't have possibly have given it because first Lucas and then Tilly fell asleep in the theater within the first twenty minutes. It had indeed been a long day, starting with an early morning, so when Tilly heard Lucas's breathing become a little heavier and then looked over and saw his eyes shut, she felt a warmth spread within her heart, and she gently rested her head on his shoulder, watching the show alone until her eyelids also became heavy and she too fell asleep. It wasn't until a theater employee came in with a broom to sweep the then-empty area that they were awakened.

"Oh, goodness! What time is it?" Tilly said, lifting her head from Lucas's shoulder and looking around the theater.

Lucas looked at his pocket watch, an item he'd purchased after he received his first paycheck since the one he carried had apparently been stolen.

"Oh, my. It's one-fifteen."

"One in the morning?! Oh, dear! I must get home," she said, jumping up from her seat to leave the theater.

"Wait….I want to make sure you're safe."

She smiled. "I'll be fine. You see how they drive just inside the gates."

He nodded but followed. "At least let me catch you a cab."

"I appreciate the offer," she said, stepping outside. "But I think I can handle it." With that, Tilly put two fingers inside her mouth and issued forth a loud whistle, which immediately caused a passing cab to stop. She turned to Lucas and winked. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done."

"Very good," he acknowledged. "Please call me to let me know you've gotten home safely.

"You be safe as well," she said, giving him a hug and a kiss on one cheek before getting in the car.

As the cab drove away, Lucas raised a hand to touch his cheek, feeling a sense of excitement rising within. He really enjoyed being with her. But then, the image of the little boy and the engagement ring entered his mind, and he became troubled. Was he even free to feel the feelings he was starting to have?

A chilly night breeze blew down the street, and Lucas knew he had to get home. He saw an approaching cab and tried to repeat her whistle. But all that came out was air, and he watched the cab drive on. Pulling his shirt collar a little tighter, Bouchard began walking toward the village. Hopeful that somewhere along the way, he would catch a ride.

A weary Nathan slipped quietly through the front door, hanging his hat upon the coat rack and taking off his already loosened serge. It had been a long day and miserable. He was dirty and sweaty, and despite the fact that the fires were still a piece away, his throat, lungs, and eyes burned from the brownish haze that was overtaking Hope Valley's skies.

The town had done marvelously, with every available man and teen-aged boy coming out to try to help save the town from what seemed right now to be inevitable. They had done all they could, and now it was in God's hands. All that was left was to wait.

Walking into the kitchen, he saw where Allie had left him a turkey sandwich. He smiled at her thoughtfulness because she knew if he wanted to eat at all when he got in, he would want to eat light. But the truth was, although he was thirsty, he had no appetite at all.

Moving to the refrigerator, he poured himself a glass of milk and then returned the bottle to its shelf before going across the room to the phone. It was late, but Bill had asked him to call him to tell him the status of his property and the town. Even now, he wasn't sure what to say – that it was going to be a total loss? He exhaled a deep breath and considered how many times he'd asked Allie's school teacher for her wisdom on some difficult issue. But Elizabeth wasn't there anymore, so it was him for it. He would just tell Bill the truth.

Dialing Avery's number, he could tell when the judge answered that he wasn't sleeping. And so, after a few minutes of detailing what they had done and informing his friend about where he felt the town stood, Bill became quiet.

"Well, you've done your best to save it. If it's all gone tomorrow and burned up in the fire, it was meant to be. What's important is that everyone is safe. The people. They are what matters."

Grant shook his head, even though his hearer couldn't see it. "Speaking of, anything new on Lucas?"

"Not from us, but Martin Bouchard's friend, the Pinkerton…."

"Inspector Perry?"

"Yeah. Turns out, he's a former Mountie. Martin met him when he was at school."

"Any idea why he turned to the dark side?"

Bill chuckled. "And became a Pinkerton? Not really. Maybe you can ask him when we talk to him tomorrow – assuming you're not busy with other matters."

"If he has information on Bouchard, I'll take the call."

"He has information. Whether it leads anywhere, we'll see. Martin reached out to Adam Perry and the Pinkertons because of their familiarity with the railway system. He figured if Lucas left town, he would have gone by train, and there's nobody with better connections inside rail than the Pinkertons. Adam spoke with Jeanette and me this afternoon and informed us that he spoke with the taxi service closest to the hospital. He asked them if they had picked up anyone acting strange and lost about the time Lucas disappeared."

"And?"
"The owner said one of his cabbies picked up a man who wound up paying a pretty big fare because he got in the cab and didn't say where to go, so they drove around for a while. The owner said he finally dropped him off at the train station. Perry is going to talk to that driver tomorrow morning to see if his rider matches Lucas's description and to see if he knows where Lucas may have gone."

Nathan considered the new information. "With everything being a dead end so far, I hope he finds him. Jenny needs her brother, and Lucas needs to be with people who care for him."

"I agree," Bill said. "I'm sure you're tired. You're doing a good job, no matter what happens."

"Thanks, Bill. I just hope it's enough."

Tilly opened the door of the mansion and quietly slipped inside, noticing immediately that there was a light coming from the study. Before she could see who was up, Sophia Falkenberg came rushing out the door.

"Thank Heaven you're home! Do you know what time it is? Why, it's almost two o'clock in the morning!"

"Yes, well, I…."

"What is the reason for being out at all such hours of the night? Do you not know that we were worried?" she replied, soon joined in the doorway by her husband, Arthur.

"I can explain," Tilly replied... She followed them into the study, where a warm fire burned in the fireplace. "I was out with my friend, Lionel, and we went to the movie theater and accidentally fell asleep."

"Lionel? Is he that young man from the library?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, he is." Tilly smiled softly as she remembered their adventures from earlier in the day.

"What do we know about this Lionel?" Arthur asked.

"We know he is a very nice man," Tilly replied.

"What's his last name? Where is he from? What sort of connections has he?" the man persisted.

Tilly walked over to the man, who had just sat down, and placed a hand on his shoulders. "None of that's important, Ari. I've told you he is nice, and you just need to trust my judgment."

"Hmph!" Arthur said. "Trust your judgment when you forfeited all of the luxuries of being married to one of the wealthiest men in Europe?"

"You know wealth doesn't attract me, and besides, there are things about Michael you would not like if you knew them. Be that as it may, I'm old enough to make my own decisions concerning my associates."

"Ottilia, I have been tasked with protecting you and Anastasia Louise."

"And you're doing a marvelous job of it, Ari. Now, if you don't mind, I am going to go to bed. I'm very tired and need to be up early in the morning for story hour." She leaned down and kissed the man on the cheek and then hugged Sophia. "Both of you go to bed, and don't worry. Lionel is an honorable man, not a rebel."

Tilly turned around and walked out of the room, heading to her suite on the second floor. It had been a long day but a lovely one, and she looked forward to the pleasant dreams she would have.

Downstairs, the Falkenbergs looked at one another with concern.

"That girl always did do whatever she wanted to do, regardless of the consequences."

"Yes, she did," Arthur said, walking to the phone. "Which is why we must assert ourselves to make sure she's not endangering herself now." He picked up the telephone.

"Ari, who are you calling at this late hour?"

He straightened some papers that were resting on his desk. "Kelsey."

Sophia nodded.

"Yes, Kelsey. I apologize for the late phone call, but I assumed you would be awake…..What? You weren't. Oh. So sorry. Anyhow, I called because I have a matter of the utmost urgency which I would like for you to attend to. It should only take you a few minutes…..Yes….I need a name. It's the name of a young man who tells stories to children at the library every weekday. His name is Lionel. I need you to find out his last name for me and perhaps where he's from. What is that? Certainly, you can give the information to Marilyn at the office tomorrow. Certainly. Thank you. I will see you then as well."

Hanging up, he looked toward his wife. "I just want to make for certain that Tilly has not misjudged this man. Just to put our minds at ease."