"Hope Valley is starting to look like a ghost town."

The conversation at breakfast had flowed, but only from one direction. Allie had done all the talking while Nathan remained quiet and stirred his coffee. He nodded once in a while, as he did here after the ghost town comment, but rarely spoke a word. The evening before was the same, and the girl knew it was time he opened up.

"Dad."

Nathan stared blankly at the table.

"DAD!"

Her insistent word finally brought his eyes to her face. "Yes, I was listening. Ghost town."

"I need your attention, Dad."

Regardless of what was on his mind, Nathan forced himself to focus on his daughter. He saw concern in her eyes and felt terrible about it. "I'm sorry, Allie. I have a lot on my mind. What were you saying?"

"What's bothering you? Is it the town? The move? Or something else?"

Grant inhaled, looked down, and began stirring his coffee again. Allie reached out her hand and touched him, causing him to stop. Grant looked at the ceiling, then back toward his daughter, and nodded. "Yes, the town is a concern. I know it was out of my hands, but I can't turn my mind off at night wondering if I could have done something more – which…I know I couldn't have. But it's still a worry. And you're right. There is something else going on."

"Which is?"

"As you know, we will be moving soon to the northern territories."

"Yes." The word was somber. Nathan knew that Allie wasn't thrilled with this turn of events, but they had already discussed it in detail, and she was mature enough to understand the situation. He hated it for her, but they couldn't stay here.

"You also know that I have come to care for Jenny Bouchard. And her children."

"I know you love her," Allie replied bluntly. Nathan did not object, so she ventured further. "In fact…before Mrs. Thornton died and the fire happened, I thought maybe you and Miss Bouchard would get married. But you have changed."

Nathan looked at her with surprise. "I've changed?"

"It's only understandable, Dad. You cared for Mrs. Thornton…"

"Elizabeth and I were just friends."

"You were more than just friends, Dad. You two really connected, and her death was hard on you. It was hard on all of us - as is Mr. Bouchard's disappearance. I cried for weeks when it all happened."

Immediately, Nathan's heart sank as he realized how absent he had been in his own daughter's life with all that had gone on. Elizabeth had often been like a second mother to her, and she had to face losing her alone – what she must have gone through.

"Allie, I guess I was so involved with the drought and then the fire I never stopped to think about how Elizabeth's death affected you. I'm sorry." Reaching across the table, he took her hand in his. "Can we talk about it?"

"It's alright, Dad. I have come to terms with it. Talking with my friends helped a lot."

He studied her closely, looking for any sign that she was hiding her feelings because of him. He saw none. "Again, I'm really sorry I haven't been here for you. Please know that you can come to me any time, alright?"

"Thank you," she responded with a soft smile. "Now tell me what is bothering you, but I'm pretty sure that I know."

Standing to his feet, Nathan walked around. "The move, the new position- and Jenny is moving to Montreal..." His words ended as he stopped and stared at the wall.

"I know. They are leaving today. I said goodbye to them last night," Allie replied quietly.

"They are. And, so did I," Nathan said, remembering the formality from the night before as they said their goodbyes and he received a brief hug.

"Why don't you stop her, Dad?"

"Stop her?"

"Go after her. Make her stay and move with us. You love her."

"The fact that I love her is the reason I can't ask her to go with us. She has already had a rough life. Being the wife of a Mountie, raising Luke and Jo in a way where we are always moving around, my life always in danger…."

"Excuses. It sounds like you're afraid."

"I'm not afraid; it's just that it would be too hard on her and her children. I can't ask her to move to the northern territories with us."

"Miss Bouchard is tough, and so are Luke and Jo. And you're just making up excuses because you're afraid of getting close to someone again. You're afraid you'll lose her."

Nathan remained silent.

"Dad, I live with you. I know you. Figure something else out so the two of you can be together. Now that you have met her, you won't be happy away from her. Carpe Diem!"

Nathan squinted his eyes. "Carpe, what?"

"Carpe Diem. Seize the day," Allie replied. "It's a lesson that Mrs. Thornton taught us last year. She said we shouldn't stay away from living because we're afraid of life. Dad, she lived a full life, and you should do the same."

Nathan pondered the words as he walked over and placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder. Even in death, Elizabeth was still giving him good advice.

"You are L. Frank Baum, writer of The Wizard of Oz. That's why you're so comfortable around libraries."

"Baum died last year," Lucas replied.

Sam twisted his mustache, "Or did he?" he asked, raising his eyebrows up and down.

Lucas chuckled lightly, "I believe he did. And regardless, the man had to be thirty years older than me, so no, L.B. does not stand for L. Baum."

Sam returned to his perusing the Biographical Cyclopedia in the reference section of the library as Tilly looked through a list of baby names.

"What about Leo? Might you be a Leo?"

Lucas shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Or, Leonard?"

"What about Lord?" Sam asked.

Lucas raised his eyebrows. "I can assure you I am not a deity if that is what you're asking."

"Not a deity. I was thinking more like Lord Byron."

Lucas lightly rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Lord was not his first name. That was his title. Byron's name was George Gordon Byron, and he died in Greece almost a hundred years ago at the age of 36."

"How do you remember all of this stuff and not your own name?" Sam asked, being shushed by a nearby reader.

Lucas again shook his head. "I don't know. It's vexing."

Sam grinned. "You're somewhere around that age, aren't you?"

Lucas shrugged, "Probably."

"I've got it; you're Byron reincarnated."

Bouchard let out a huge sigh. "I do not believe in reincarnation," he said with exasperation, being shushed by the same patron who had scolded Sam.

"It was just a suggestion," Peterson responded.

"What are your beliefs?" Tilly asked. "Do you believe in life after death? In God?"

Lucas nodded. "I believe in God and am of the Christian faith. In fact, I've been reading through the Bible at night."

"Keeping me awake," Sam replied.

"It would do you well to read it yourself," Lucas replied. "It's a balm to the soul."

The three grew quiet, and Lucas looked toward Tilly. "And you?"

"Religious education was very important to my father, and he ensured that my brother and I were thoroughly schooled in the precepts of Lutheran theology, the five solas, the catechism."

"Did he want you to become a nun or something?" Sam asked.

"Lutherans do not have nuns," Lucas replied. "In fact, Martin Luther and his wife Catherine Von Bora were a former priest and nun. And how and why I know that I have no idea." He looked back at the papers before him. "The mind is a strange thing."

"Should I read you some more names?" Tilly asked.

Lucas leaned back in his chair. "I would imagine I've gone through just about every name that I could think of myself over these four months and to no avail, but we can try again."

"What about Louis? Louis Brandeis," Sam said.

"I believe if a Supreme Court justice went missing for four months, someone would speak about it," Lucas said. And I'm not Louis Braile or Lizzie Borden. I am nobody special, or we would have heard about me, and people would be looking for me, so you can put down the Cyclopedia."

"I agree. We would have heard something," Tilly responded as Sam set the book aside. "But I disagree with you as well."

Lucas looked over at her. "About which part?"

"You are very special," she said, smiling softly.

Lucas's eyes locked onto hers, and for a brief moment, it was as if they were the only two in the room. There was something about Tilly that he knew he'd never felt about any other person - even the person whose name and face he could not now remember. As he studied her beautiful blue eyes as clear as crystal, he realized that the word for how he was feeling was safe – safe and accepted for who he was. A warmth spread throughout his body, quickly followed by guilt as he heard the voice of a child calling for his mother. He knew he couldn't continue to live a contented life without knowing.

"Ludwig Beethoven! That's the name! I told you I'd figure it out!" Sam exclaimed.

The clock struck eleven-thirty, and the trio gathered the books they had been looking at and placed them back on the stacks for return. It was time to pick up Annie from her ballet Lesson at the Metropolitan Opera House in order to get her home before the Falkenberg's private piano teacher arrived, whom she was to see at two o'clock. Annie's father was adamant that while she was away from him, she was to receive the finest cultural education possible, and this included a thorough indoctrination in the arts.

Lucas donned his hat, and together, he and Tilly said goodbye to Sam as they made their way to the opera building on Broadway. Across the street, two men stood watching.

"Here we go," one of the men said to the other. "Want me to go in now?"

"No, we are under strict orders from Davidson to watch and wait."

"But what if they get away?"

"They're not going to get away. You're going to follow them."

"Got it."

"And away they go," said one to the other. "I'll go call Davy. You tail them."

As she eyed the luggage on the bed, Jenny sighed. Luke was downstairs talking to Gustave, who was doing his own packing, and Jo was playing with her doll in the corner. Jenny hated packing and was glad she was almost finished. The sunshine caught her eye, so she strode to the window and looked out.

A perfect day. Blue skies and white clouds. A bit cool, but winter hadn't made it appearance yet. Yes, a perfect day- for her heart to be broken.

Her eyes wandered down to the jail. Nathan had come by the evening before, and they had said their awkward goodbyes. You would have thought they barely knew each other, the way it went. A few words were exchanged, a hug, and he was gone. It was as if they hadn't had a relationship at all.

No matter. She had her children and her parents. And no matter how long it took, she believed her brother was out there somewhere.

"Mama, do I need to pack up Jocelyn too? She is afraid of the dark."

Jenny plastered a smile on her face before turning around. "I think it will be alright if you carry Jocelyn on the train on your lap."

"Oh, thank you, Mama. I was hoping you would say that." Jenny watched as her daughter buttoned up her doll's sweater, the doll purchased for her by Lucas. "Now, don't you fuss, Jocelyn; it's chilly outside, and I don't want you catching a cold."

A real smile on Jenny's face followed the statement.

"Mama, why are you sad? Is it because of Mountie Nathan? I know you will miss him when we leave, but you shouldn't worry about that."

The girl's words were curious, so Jenny had to ask.

"Why shouldn't I worry?"

"Because in the fairy tales, there is always a happy ending."

Not having the heart to remind her daughter that life wasn't a fairy tale, Jenny simply smiled at her. "Thank you, Jo. I'll try to remember that." Placing the last of her folded clothing in the suitcase, Jenny closed it. "Are you about ready to go?"

"Yes, Mama. I'm ready for a new adventure." The words were sweet and childlike.

"Me too, Jo. Let's get started, shall we?"

New York was quite busy at that time due to lunch hour, so Tilly held onto Lucas's arm, thankful for his height, which guided them through the most voluminous crowds. Feeling her hand in the crook of his arm felt natural to both of them and occasionally, he would look over at her and grin a dimpled grin.

"What exactly is she practicing for?" Lucas asked as they crossed 41st Street.

"They are doing a series of shows for Christmas week."

"Christmas? This is only October 29th."

"Yes. You would be surprised at the work it takes to get a group of five-year-olds to plié properly."

Lucas smiled, "I'm sure she's the star of the show."

"She's actually a bit inhibited around the other children, much like she was at the library at first."

"But she's okay there now."

"You make her feel comfortable," Tilly replied. "Actually, do not say a word about this, but I think she fancies you a bit."

"Oh, my. She's just a child."

"All children get crushes from time to time. "

"Well, how should I handle it?"

"Oh, you don't have to. She knows you're too old for her," Tilly said. "So, she's trying to hook you up with me."

Lucas stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. "Well, I….uh…"

"I know," Tilly smiled, pulling him along. "We aren't able to pursue anything like that at this time, but I wanted to let you know, just in case, you know, she wants to put us together. She doesn't know about your memory issues or anything like that. I thought you needed to know."

"Bless her little heart. I appreciate the warning."

Arriving at Annie's ballet practice, Lucas and Tilly stood to the side and watched while the children all scampered across the floor to get into line. Lucas looked down at Tilly. "They're adorable," he smiled.

Tilly grinned in response as her eyes searched for her ward. Briefly, she became concerned until she spotted her sitting by herself in the corner of the room. Her smile faded. Smacking Lucas gently on the arm with the back of her fingers, she nodded toward Annie, and his look changed to one of concern. The pair walked to the little girl.

"Annie?" Tilly asked softly. "Is something wrong? Are you not feeling well?" She reached out to touch Annie's forehead noting it was cool.

Annie moved Tilly's hand from her head. "I want to go home."

"We will be," Tilly responded. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Annie's chin quivered. "They called me cock-eyed."

Lucas furrowed his brow. "Who did?"

"The other children," she responded, tears building in her eyes, which looked up at Lucas pitifully. This was the first time he had seen her without her large round glasses and the first time he had noticed that one of her eyes was turned slightly inward.

"You should just ignore them," he said softly. "I think your eyes are beautiful."

The little girl's lower lip quivered as she looked toward him in such earnestness that it nearly broke his heart. "You do?" she asked.

Lucas smiled. "Absolutely. They are probably just jealous and to be pitied rather than feared," he said, reaching out his hand to push a strand of hair that had broken from her braid away from her face.

Immediately, Annie jumped up from her space on the floor and into his lap, throwing her arm around his neck and crying. He looked at Tilly helplessly as he gently rubbed the child's back, mouthing, "Did I say something wrong."

"She's probably just tired," Tilly said, patting Annie's arm herself.

Just then, one of the instructors walked up. "Is she okay? We've been trying to get her to practice a simple waltz all morning, but she has refused."

Lucas looked at the teacher. "Some of the children were unkind to her and called her names."

The teacher looked at her solemnly. "Children say many things. Still, she must master the move, or we cannot use her in the ballet."

"Tilly?" Annie asked, her eyes becoming panicked.

Tilly's face became stern, and she crossed her arms. "Of course, she will learn the move. But when we leave her here in your care, we also expect that she'll be able to learn in an environment that fosters such learning, and the children who are behaving poorly will face repercussions for their ill-treatment of others. Perhaps my brother was a bit hasty in sponsoring your organization."

"Peter, is there a problem?" a very large, distinguished-looking male in a suit said, walking up to the scene.

Tilly stood and looked him in the eyes. "My niece was being mistreated."

The man turned toward the instructor and raised his eyebrows. "And you allowed it?"

"Signor!"

He pursed his lips. "We shall discuss this later in my office." He then bent down and looked at Annie, who still had her arms around Lucas's neck and was looking sadly toward the man. "I apologize to you, young lady. Would you care to tell me who mistreated you?"

She responded by burying her head into Lucas's chest.

"She's only five," Lucas replied. "Please do not lay that sort of pressure on her."

"Of course," the man nodded with compassion and stood, motioning with his hand for another employee to cut the music coming from the Victrola set up at the far end of the room.

He stepped into the middle of the room. "May I have your attention, please?"

A few children continued to talk until the man barked, "Everyone, at attention." The room grew still, and he began to pace in front of the children who had lined up in a straight line. "It has come to my attention that there are students in this class who are behaving in a manner which could bring shame and reproach upon this institution. I would like to state clearly at this moment that this activity will not continue. If you wish to be expelled from this institution and be barred from any other institution, you will misbehave again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Signor Gatti," the children replied.

"Now, this young lady will be treated with respect, and we will have no more tears. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Signor Gatti," the children said.

"Very well," he said. He then turned to Tilly. "Please let me know if there are any additional issues."

Tilly smiled. "Thank you, Giulio. I will."

Lucas was about to ask her who the man was when one of the instructors walked up and again encouraged Annie to join them for practice.

She again turned her head toward Lucas's chest.

"They'll make fun of me."

"No one's going to be making fun of you, dear love," Lucas whispered. "And we'll be here. Go show them how it's done."

Annie looked up at Lucas with trust in her eyes. "Only if you will dance with me."

Lucas's eyes shot over toward Tilly, who covered her smile with her hand. She shrugged, and he grinned.

"I would be delighted to dance with the prettiest young lady in the ballet troop," he said, standing and leading her to the middle of the floor.

The joy on sweet Annie's face was worth every bit of awkwardness that Bouchard felt with twenty sets of eyes resting upon him. And despite a few missteps, the ballet instructor happily cleared Annie to continue with the production.

Glancing at the hotel as he passed, Nathan felt a twinge of sadness as he continued his daily rounds. There weren't many people left in Hope Valley, so his job was even easier than it was before. He had already been out to the settlements, which were completely devoid of people, and now he ventured past the rowhouses. Seeing the empty streets, he rode out of town and continued into the nearby woods that had been scorched, leaving few trees behind.

As he continued on his ride to nowhere in particular, his thoughts were scattered. He remembered the day he arrived in Hope Valley. Nathan had gone to the Queen of Hearts and ended up behind bars. A slight smile crossed his face as he recalled Jesse's jealousy over Clara working there. He really couldn't blame him- no one knew anything about Lucas Bouchard at the time. The man was somewhat mysterious when he first moved there. But Jesse had nothing to worry about- Clara was fully in love with him, and Lucas had fallen for Elizabeth almost from their first meeting.

Lucas. Nathan had to admit he missed his friend. He chuckled as he thought of the fact that yes, the two men were now friends after such a rocky start. Of course, Nathan was always suspicious of men like Lucas; it came with the job. But most of his dislike came from the fact that they both cared for Elizabeth, and he saw Bouchard as competition, not from him being leery of the man's activities, although they did play a role in his mistrust.

Newton stopped walking, and Nathan looked around at his surroundings. He must have instinctively guided his horse here as his thoughts were of Elizabeth and his former feelings for her. Dismounting, he walked over to the log they had encountered each other a few years ago. The log where he had so poorly expressed his sentiments to her. He knew her emotions were muddled at the time as she tried to work through them, and he only made things worse.

If he could do it over again, he would have never blurted out his love for her on that occasion. He would have realized that most of his speech that day came from duty and obligation.

But mostly guilt.

Nathan should have told her the truth about Jack from the beginning. Of Jack dying on his assignment. If he had, there would never have been confusion in her mind as to her feelings for both men. She loved Lucas. Thankfully, things worked out the way they were supposed to between the three of them, but sadly, she was no longer here.

As he sat down, his eyes welled. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth," he said as the tears covered his cheeks. "I shouldn't have kept it from you for so long." More tears followed as Nathan realized he had never properly mourned for his friend. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, he mopped his face.

"I know it's silly, but I believe somehow, if you had survived, Hope Valley would have also. It's almost as if it grieved itself to death at your loss. I can't admit this to anyone else, but I'm afraid, Elizabeth. And I miss my friend."

Time went by as Nathan talked to the schoolteacher and let out all the grief that he had held inside. When he was spent, he stood, taking one last look at the log. "Goodbye, Elizabeth," he whispered before mounting up and riding back to town.

###
After they were done with ballet practice, Annie's mood had improved quite significantly, and she was chatty and laughing as they made their way down the street.

"My life's goal is to be Klara in the Nutcracker," Annie announced, prancing and dancing across the sidewalk. The ballet wasn't playing in New York City that year but had been the first ballet that Annie had ever seen and represented the ultimate in her five-year-old mind.

"Well, keep practicing, and I'm sure you will achieve that goal," Lucas said.

They took a few more steps, and Tilly looked over at him. "You are wonderful with her, you know. You made all of the difference."

"I just encouraged her. I believe having that big man warning the little malcontents is what made all of the difference. Who was he anyway?"

"Just an old family friend," she responded regarding the leader of the Metropolitan ballet.

Lucas thought for a moment, then turned back toward her quizzically. "You know, it has occurred to me that I know even less about your background than I know about my own, and that's saying quite a bit. Who are you?"

Tilly laughed. "I go by Tilly, but that is a nickname. My father was an influential man in Eastern Europe, but my brother, Annie's father, has taken a greater role in the family business as father's health has declined."

"What is the family business?" Lucas asked.

"Well…."

"Aunt Tilly! Can I have a hot dog instead of going to a restaurant?" Annie said, interrupting and pointing toward a street vendor whom they passed and spoke to almost every day.

"It's may I, and if Lionel doesn't object, you may."

Annie looked to Lucas, who feigned disapproval for a moment, then winked. "Oh, why not? As long as your aunt agrees to have tea with me afterward. I believe we have much to discuss."

Tilly smiled, "Tea after hot dogs sounds nice."

Walking up to the stand, Lucas reached into his pocket for his wallet.

"Oh, you don't have to. We have the money," Tilly said.

"I insist," Lucas replied.

While they stood in line, a man with reddish hair and a beard sat in a truck just a few feet away, observing the trio with his partner. A third man walked up.

"Just talked with Davy. He said if you have the opportunity, go for it."

The red-haired man opened the door. "Start the truck, and when I go, you go."

"Got it," the driver replied.

"You were just about to tell me about the family business," Lucas said, standing behind Tilly as they came up to the counter.

"Yes. Just a moment," she replied, looking up at the vendor.

"We would like one hot dog with mustard and relish and one with just mustard," she said, then looked toward Lucas.

"And I'll have two hot dogs with everything," he responded, looking down and smiling at Annie, who smiled back at him.

While they waited, Tilly began to explain to Lucas that her country was a small but resource-rich country which provided many highly sought after materials required for the rebuilding of Europe. "Our family has been one of the primary landowners since the foundation of our country, and it is in supplying Europeans with needed goods that we have derived our wealth."

As she continued to talk, Annie looked behind her and spotted a skinny, filthy puppy walking nearby, no doubt hoping that some pedestrian would provide him with something to eat. She turned to go to him.

"It sounds like your father and brother are quite influential. And yet, you're so grounded," Lucas said.

Tilly nodded. "My mother's influence. She was a woman from a humbler background and believed in raising her children with a sense of understanding that wealth and position means nothing if it is not used to do good for others."

Lucas smiled, considering the thought. "I would have liked your mother. Perhaps you should have played Robin Hood instead of Sam."

Tilly chuckled. "She would have liked… "

Annie's scream interrupted Tilly's thought, and Lucas and Tilly turned to see with horror that she was gone. But before she could respond further, Tilly watched as Lucas pushed through the crowd of people and took off running toward a truck in which the would-be-kidnapper was about to place Annie. Annie's kicking, screaming, and biting kept the man from climbing up the first time, which allowed Lucas just enough time to close the gap and rip the child from the man's arms as the truck began to take off. Annie fell to the ground, as did her glasses, which shattered upon impact on the street. But Bouchard did not let the man go and instead jumped upon the back of the truck while Tilly ran forward to attend to her niece.

Lucas punched the man in the face and was, in turn, kicked in the stomach, catapulting him off the back of the truck and toward the street, yet he held on.

"Not this time!" Lucas yelled.

The man squinted in confusion. "Huh?"

Within seconds, Bouchard had pulled himself back up into the truck, tackling the man onto his back. Another several punches to the face rendered the man almost unconscious as Lucas held him down. Suddenly, from the driver's window at almost point-blank range, a bullet shattered the window, heading toward Bouchard. Thankfully, the angle was bad, and it missed, but it provided enough distraction for the red-haired man to grab a knife from somewhere on his person. Slicing upward, he caught Lucas in the shoulder, startling Bouchard and causing him to grimace in pain. An instant later, the man flipped Lucas over his shoulder, causing him to crash hard onto the street below. Lucas felt pain as he had the wind knocked out of him, but it was mostly from the cut in his shoulder. Still, he was present of mind enough to look up and see the truck's license plate, quickly committing it to memory. He turned his head in time to see a car skidding to a stop to his right and was relieved when two policemen came rushing onto the street to get him. That was until they spoke.

"You're under arrest!" one of the officers said, reaching toward Lucas.

"For what?"

"Disorderly conduct, disrupting traffic…." He grabbed onto Lucas's shoulder, and Bouchard cried out in pain.

"This guy's bleeding," the other officer said.

The first officer rolled his eyes. "Let's get him to the hospital and get him stitched up. Then you're going to jail."

"I need to make a phone call first."

"Fine, you'll get your call. Now get up and move."

Upon Nathan's arrival back into town, things were still quiet as they always seemed to be these days. Newton again stopped walking, causing Nathan to look around.

The library.

Smiling as he patted the horse's neck, Nathan descended, throwing the reins around a nearby post. The door to the building was ajar, so he walked inside.

Nothing was as it used to be.

Some boxes on the floor were filled with books. The town had decided to allow the schoolchildren to each take a few volumes before boxing up the rest to donate to a nearby town, but the shipment hadn't gone out yet.

Walking around, Nathan took his finger and wiped it across a shelf, noticing the dust that would never have been allowed on Lucas and Elizabeth's watch. The space just wasn't the same with both of them gone.

As Nathan glanced around, his eyes landed on a familiar object. Another smile came as he then reached to remove the sign that hung over one of the bookcases. Pulling it down, he read it.

Always do what you are afraid to do.

He had made the sign as a gift for Elizabeth when Little Jack was baptized a few years ago, and it had hung in the library ever since. But somehow, the words held more significance on this day. Sitting down, he traced the words with his finger—words that he had carved himself as a gift—but not words that he had lived by at the time because he had kept his secret about Jack from her out of fear.

Tracing the words again, he pondered. Was he only taking this new position because it was comfortable and known? Was his career as Mountie still his greatest ambition; or, was being a Mountie just a crutch – a safe choice that was keeping him from his true desires, keeping him from doing what he was afraid to do? His eyes widened as he finally knew exactly the decision he had to make.

Quickly standing, he placed the plaque on a table and hurried outside past Newton, making his way to his office. His heart began to race as he threw his Stetson aside and headed for the phone. Picking up the receiver, he spoke. "Florence, I need to make a call."

Tilly and Sam arrived at the hospital with Ari Falkenberg in tow. For the entire ride, she had heard tell of how he'd gone through the trouble to check into "Lionel's" background and how there was no such person in existence. She didn't know whether to be angry at his imposition without her knowledge or to be grateful he was doing his job, but when he began to suggest that perhaps Lucas had been in on the attempted kidnapping, she snapped.

"Ari, you have never even so much as met this man, and yet you have decided you are the authority on what type of person he is."

"I am trying to keep you and Anastasia from harm. Clearly, your judgment is impaired."

"And, clearly, you have forgotten for whom you work!"

The rest of the trip was silent, but as Sam looked around the 1920 Rolls Royce Phantom Limousine in which they rode, he began to wonder in whose presence he was sitting.

Arriving at the hospital, Tilly again warned Falkenberg to remain silent about her friends. She was a grown woman and the time she had spent with this young man was enough for her to know the type person he was. He nearly had gotten himself killed going after Annie's abductor, and he was on their side. The rest she could explain to him on some other day.

Entering the hospital, they were escorted immediately past security and into the room where Lucas was resting in bed in a hospital gown, a bandage across his chest.

"How is he?" she asked the doctor.

"Lucky," the man responded. "Largely a superficial wound which avoided anything major. He'll be sore for a week or so, but he should be fine. We want to keep him overnight to make sure there are no signs of infection.

"He should be released to the jail tomorrow morning," an officer guarding Lucas said, stepping forward.

Tilly and Sam's eyes widened.

"I am sorry. I must have misheard you. Did you say jail?" Tilly said.

"Yes, ma'am. That's where this guy is going upon release," the officer said.

"He most certainly is NOT!" Tilly said, raising her voice.

What followed was a verbal sparring match between the police officer and Tilly, who threatened to arrest her as well, which then involved Falkenberg, and finally Sam who stood up for her since Lucas was out of commission.

"Please! Lower your voices! This is a hospital," the doctor scolded.

With the commotion to his left, Lucas opened his eyes and sleepily looked toward his friends. "Tilly?"

Tilly turned and walked to Lucas's bedside. "Lionel…how are you doing?"

A bleary-eyed Bouchard smiled lazily at her. "Pretty good. Yourself?"

Tilly raised an eyebrow and looked toward the doctor.

"We administered nitrous oxide for a short period as we probed his wound since the stabbing seemed to be superficial, and he has now been given a small dosage of morphine to help temporarily with the pain. Apparently, the patient has low resistance to both, which has entertained my nursing staff to no end," he said with a grin.

Tilly reached over and touched Lucas's cheek, and Bouchard took her hand and kissed it. Tilly smiled at Sam, who was simply enjoying the show.

She turned back to the police officer. "I want to speak to who is giving this order, and I want to speak to them now."

The officer looked at her with condescension. "The chief of police of the City of New York is likely too busy to take the call."

"He will take my call," she responded.

"And just who are you?" the officer asked, stepping into Tilly's space and crossing his arms.

"Get away from my girl," Lucas said, "Or I shall say something very disagreeable to you."

"You tell'm, Ly," Sam said.

Tilly shut her mouth and then tapped her feet, deliberating her response. "Please shut the door, Ari," she said.

"Tilly!"

"Do as I have said."

Ari frowned, then walked to the door and shut it. "Your father is going to be most unhappy."

"No, he won't," she responded. "By divulging this information, we will be putting the matter back in the proper hands, which is not the New York Police Department."

"And just why is that?" the officer said.

"I will tell you, but first everyone in this room must understand that this matter is a matter of diplomatic crisis and any information shared outside of this room will subject you to international criminal law, carrying with it several years in prison. It is considered Top Secret by the United States government and its allies. You understand what I'm saying."

"If we share anything, we go to prison. So don't share anything," Sam said.

Tilly nodded. "The child that there was an abduction attempt on this day is no ordinary child. She is Princess Anastasia Louise Lavranova, daughter of Prince Gregori of the Kingdom of Dashma and granddaughter to King Alexei and Queen Charlotte, my parents."

Sam looked at Lucas, who was sobering up quickly as he looked at Sam. They both returned gazes to Tilly.

"My name is Ottilia Ekaterina. If we must provide evidence of our identity, our country's embassy can arrange for that information to be shared with the proper authorities. Obviously, our presence in America has not gone unnoticed as a kidnapping plot that existed in our land has followed us here."

"Who is trying to kidnap you?" Sam asked.

"Rebel leaders, associated with the Bolsheviks. As I have stated before, my country is rich in natural resources, and with the rebuilding following the war, there is much wealth and power in controlling them. My father is not in good health, but, given what happened to our cousins in Ekaterinburg…."

"Your cousins?" the doctor asked.

"Czar Nicholas and his family – cousins of ours through my great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. Father has maintained his throne – at great personal risk for him and my brother, who sent Anastasia to America under my care. The Falkenbergs have provided additional security." She then looked at Lucas. "This man is innocent, and charges should be immediately withdrawn against him. He rescued my niece from the kidnappers and is the gentlest and kindest man I've ever known. You must leave him alone."

The officer looked at Tilly and then at Falkenberg, knowing the latter was a powerful man. "If it's okay, I will speak with the chief concerning the matter in a secure location, of course."

Falkenburg nodded. "And we will inform the International Criminal Police Congress, in whose jurisdiction this information belongs. You may reach out to Superintendent Wellington who leads the organization."

"Wellington. Where have I heard that name before?" the officer asked.

"You may have heard of his father, William "Duke" Wellington. Duke and his mother, Eliza Scarlet-Wellington, spent several years doing detective work in New York City at the end of the last century," Ari continued. "Regardless, Henry Wellington can confirm what you have been told. "

"If all checks out as you've said," the officer responded. "Mr. Berrymore is free to go. But, as an aside, nobody at the station has been able to find any record of him, and it's possible he is using an assumed name."

Ari moved toward the officer. "New York is a big place full of trouble," he said. "The fact the local constabulary does not know him is a good thing, wouldn't you say?"

The officer looked toward Bouchard and then back at Falkenberg. "I will let you know if the chief has any questions."

Ari turned to Tilly and smiled. "I hope you know what you're doing here."

"I have no doubts," she smiled. "Thank you."

Once the room was empty, save for Lucas, Tilly, and Sam, she took a seat on Lucas's bed. Bouchard seemed to be studying her intently.

"I suppose you have questions," she said, looking at Lucas and then at Sam.

There was a moment of silence in which Sam looked at Lucas then at Tilly and then back at Lucas. Both were silent. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.

"Sam?" she asked with a smile.

He leaned forward. "Are you for real?"

"Yes," she responded. "And I'm still the same person I was twenty minutes ago when you didn't know my story."

"Yes, of course," Sam said, seeming a bit nervous in her presence. "I didn't mean to suggest otherwise, Your Majesty."

Tilly grinned, "Sam, it's Tilly. Ottilia is the formal name I am known by at home, but simply Tilly will due."

"Yes, your m…Tilly. I…I um, think I'll um….I'll be back," Peterson said, leaving the room without explanation other than his 'green' complexion.

"So…" Tilly said, turning to Lucas.

"So," Lucas said, his expression unreadable. "I recall reading about Dashma, a small country near Latvia."

"That is correct."

"Your palace was stormed a couple of years ago."

"By Bolshevik rebels. Fortunately, we were not at home, or I fear that we would have suffered the same fate as the Czar."

"Indeed. Thank Heaven for that. And you say you're a princess there?"

Tilly raised her eyebrows and looked around the room. "Yes, though the title I go by is the Duchess of Elysia, the largest province in Dashma, where my father was born."

"I see. A Duchess," Lucas shook his head.

"Yes," she replied. Tilly waited for several long seconds while Lucas just tilted his head back and forth, absorbing this new information.

Finally, he looked up at her and smiled a gentle smile. "Okay."

Tilly narrowed her eyes. "You have no other questions?"

Lucas shrugged, then raised his eyebrows hopefully. "Are we still on for tea?"

Smiling as he hung up the receiver, Nathan felt at peace and knew he had made the right decision. Now, to find Jenny and tell her.

Whistling as he grabbed his hat, he headed out the door and across the street to the hotel. Upon entering, he saw Mike wiping the bar.

"Hey Mike," he said with a wave. "I see things are slow." It was a ridiculous statement, and Nathan knew it. Everything about Hope Valley was slow now.

"They sure are. Will probably have to close the doors soon." The words reminded both that Lucas would be sad if he knew all that had happened in his absence. "What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping to speak to Jenny. Is she in her room? Or the office?" he asked, already heading to the stairs.

"No. She isn't here at all." Mike's words stopped Nathan in his tracks. "I thought you knew she was leaving today."

"Leaving... yes, I knew, but I thought that was later."

"They decided last minute to take the early train. Left in the taxi half an hour ago."

The words hit their mark, and Nathan rushed out the door, wondering which would be faster, a taxi or Newton. A quick decision, and he was in the saddle, headed for Union City, hoping he would make it there in time.

As he rode, Grants's thoughts were all over the place. He wasn't sure what he was going to say. He only knew that he had to stop Jenny from leaving; breathing a silent prayer, he asked that his words would be authentic and convincing.

Almost leaping off his horse as he arrived, the Mountie secured his reins in front of the station and hurried through the building, glancing at the clock as he did so. He then looked at the train schedule on the wall. He didn't have long to find and persuade her.

Stepping out the back door, he looked around, his height being an advantage for seeing over the crowd. It only took a moment for him to spot Gustave, and Nathan hurried in his direction. As he suspected, the Bouchards were with him. Jenny was wiping Jo's mouth with a cloth as he arrived.

"Honestly, Jo, I don't know how you manage to get dirty so quickly."

"It was the cookie that Uncle Gustave gave me in the taxi. The chocolate was yummy."

Jenny gave Gustave a look. "Well, you're supposed to eat the chocolate, not wear it!"

Gustave shrugged with disregard in response.

Ever since the children entered the Frenchman's life, a new side was seen in him. And when they started to call him "Uncle Gustave," there was nothing he wouldn't do to make the siblings smile, especially little Jo, who had him wrapped around her finger.

"Jenny."

She heard his voice as she stood, her eyes wide at the realization of who had spoken. Turning slowly, her heart fluttered as their eyes met.

"Mountie Nathan!" Both kids spoke in unison, then looked at each other and laughed.

"Nathan..." Jenny's voice was soft.

"Luke, Jo. Would you excuse me? I need to speak with your mother for a moment." Nathan and the Bouchards exchanged mutual nods, and Martin took charge of the grandchildren. Nathan then took Jenny by the hand and led her to a less noisy area.

"Why are you here?" Jenny asked, her voice a bit stilted. "We said our goodbyes last night."

"Because goodbye isn't what I want to say."

"What? Nathan, you're making no sense."

"All aboard for Montreal!" The words rang out as Jenny looked back at her family.

"I need to board the train."

"But is that what you want?" The question puzzled her.

"It's what I must do, Nathan. Now excuse me."

When Nathan caught her arm as she turned away, Jenny swung back around.

"Nathan, they are waiting for me. The train is leaving..."

"Jenny, you didn't answer my question."

"My children..."

"...will be fine with their grandparents for another moment. I don't want you to leave, Jenny – not without telling me what it is that you want."

"I want you to release my arm, please," she replied, curtly, her already heightened emotions over leaving threatening to bubble over due to him making it more difficult. The fire in her eyes defeated him and he let go of her. He was making a mess of this.

"Look…"

"Goodbye, Nathan." Once again, she spun around to join her family, taking several steps before stopping in her tracks at his next words.

"I love you, Jenny Bouchard!" The words resounded in the area, causing all eyes to look in his direction. There was no need for privacy now, so he soldiered on as she turned in place. Suddenly, he knew exactly what to say.

"You have stolen my heart, and I don't want to lose you. I can't."

"Nathan…"

"Listen, I know we thought things couldn't work out between us, but I can't give you up that easily. I want us to be together."

"I had hoped we could as well, but Hope Valley... and now you are moving to a place I'm not sure I can take my children."

"Is that all that's stopping you?" Nathan had moved closer and now looked down into her eyes. "Jenny, I need to know what you want."

Loudly sighing, Jenny answered. "I want things to be different. I want Hope Valley back and...I love you too and I never want to leave you. But things just aren't possible."

The call to board the train went out again.

"All things are possible if you believe- and I do. Jenny, I've made a decision. Starting tomorrow, I'll no longer be a Mountie."

"Nathan, you can't just…."

"Let me finish. Please. All of my life, I've committed myself to my career. In fact, being a Mountie was all I ever dreamed of. But things have changed. I've changed, and some things are more important to me now—or should I say, some people.

Jenny, I want a family, and I don't want to wait any longer to have one. I've taken a job with the Pinkertons."

Jenny was stunned at his revelation and wasn't quite sure what to say. They were the center of attention, as no one was boarding the train, which exasperated the conductor, who threw up his hands.

"But Nathan, you love your job."

"I love you more," he replied as he took both her hands in his.

Knowing he had to make his move, he bent down to one knee- regardless of who was listening. Hearing gasps all around them, Jenny's mouth hung open. "I don't have a ring- yet- but I love you, Luke, and Jo with all my heart, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing that to you. I want you to be my wife. Jenny, will you marry me?"

Helen Bouchard bit her lip as her two grandchildren looked up at her with eyes filled with wonder. She glanced at her husband, whose approving smile and nod, coupled with the feeling of his hand rubbing her shoulder, assured her he was feeling the same way as she was.

Tears began their track down Jenny's cheeks as she realized how much this man cared for her. He was giving up everything so they could be a family. A real family.

Seconds rolled by, but she really didn't have to think before answering.

This is what she wanted.

She nodded. "Yes. Yes, Nathan. I will marry you. Yes, I'll be your wife."

The applause was deafening and brought smiles to both faces as Nathan stood to his feet and took her in his arms, finally kissing her. The children and her parents rushed over to congratulate them.

"Now that that's settled, all aboard for Montreal!" the conductor yelled out once again, smiling as he did so. But the family turned around. Montreal would wait a while longer. The town of Hope Valley had something to celebrate. Fairy tales do come true, after all.