Note: I want to thank everyone who has commented, liked and followed this story. I have tried to reply to everyone. If I have missed replying to you I am sorry. Just know that I have read everyone of them. They honestly make me want to continue to write. Please let me know what you think of this chapter I am sorry it took so long for a new chapter. All spelling and grammer mistakes are my owm
Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Hallmark and Crown media
Chapter2
Bill's eyes widened as he read the note. He clutched the paper tightly. Without a word, he quickly moved to lock the door. Turning back to Nathan, he said, "We need to make sure Superintendent Hargraves can't overhear this."
"Nathan reached out for the note, "Give it to me Bill," his voice filled with fear."
Bill hesitated, "You have to promise me something," he said, his voice firm. "Promise me we'll help each other remember our training. We have to stay calm. Right now, I'm not sure I can. Bill sighed
"I promise," Nathan replied, his voice filled with determination. He took the wrinkled note from Bill's hand and began to read it aloud.
"Eagles cry over the valley. Forty-eight hours until the storm. Gather my love and steadfast friend. At seven chimes, gather and seek refuge at the eagle's nest. The eagle will fly over our planned trail."
Nathan looked up at Bill, his face pale and his eyes wide with concern he asked, "Do you have any idea what any of this mean?" His voice was barely a whisper.
Bill finally stopped pacing and came behind the desk. "I know what most of it means," he said. "Once Jack died, Elizabeth's father asked me to work with the head of his security team to devise a contingency plan for her."
Nathan's brow furrowed, but he let Bill continue. "The 'Eagles cry' means that Elizabeth is in danger. 'Forty-eight hours until the storm' means the danger is imminent. And 'find my love and steadfast friend' is likely a reference to you and Rosemary."
Bill glanced at the door, then pointed at the note. Before he continued, "At 7 tonight, we need to meet at her safe haven."
"What I don't understand is this line," Bill stated, pointing at the note. "The eagle will fly over our planned trail."
Nathan's eyes light up as he realizes the significance of the line. "It's a reference to the place we were going to ride after the wedding; it's telling us where she's at currently."
Bill looked directly at Nathan. "Why don't you go find her? I'll handle the phone calls. We should meet at the planned time and place." He glanced at his watch. "It's four-thirty now.
"I think before we separate, we should call the hotel to see if anyone has checked in. And Lucas owes us a favor for not letting me call in reinforcements with the hostage situation." Nathan said as he went into the back room to change into his uniform.
"I agree." Bill replied as he reached for the phone. A few minutes later, he hung up. "Andrew is staying for two nights, and Lee said he hasn't been back down since he checked in. I'll stop by and talk to Lucas right now before I head to my office. I'll have a car waiting for you and Elizabeth by the stables."
As Bill headed out the door, Nathan followed close behind. "I'll see you in a few hours. Elizabeth knows where we'll be meeting. Don't jump to conclusions. We don't know what's going on yet."
Elizabeth sat on a blanket spread out on a patch of grass near the trail, the rays of sunlight casting long shadows across the grass. The early evening air was cool and crisp. She was alone the only noise was the gentle rustling of the leaves and the chirping of the birds. A sense of peace washed over her, but it was short-lived. The weight of her worries soon returned, pressing down on her like a heavy blanket.
"Hopefully I didn't make a mistake telling Nathan and Bill that I was scared for my safety. I know Nathan would have been angry if I hadn't, but what if he gets hurt? Can I really put him in danger? The thought of losing him was unbearable, and what about Jack and Allie? They are so young. I couldn't let anything happen to them. Fear gnawed at her. Why can't this nightmare just end? I don't want to be forced to leave Hope Valley, even temporarily. This was our home. I have so much to do to prepare for the school year. I have lesson plans to finish, supplies to gather, and the classroom to set up."
Elizabeth looked down at the grass, her fingers tracing the intricate floral patterns woven into the fabric of the blanket. The soft fabric of the blanket beneath her reminded her of childhood when she would spend hours lying beneath the willow trees writing in her journal.
Nathan's arrival was swift and unexpected. The sound of his horse's hoofs startled Elizabeth. As she looked up, she saw him dismounting with a look she couldn't quite place on his face.
Without saying a word, Elizabeth went to him and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Nathan returned the embrace, holding her close for a few minutes.
"Elizabeth, are you okay?" Nathan asked. "What was with the cryptic message Rosemary brought over? Bill and I are worried sick. At least you gave me an idea of where I could find you."
Nathan's heart pounded in his chest as he held Elizabeth close. He could feel her fear radiating from her. A wave of protectiveness stronger than he had ever felt before washed over him. He remembered the terror he felt during the hostage situation once he knew she was in danger, and he was determined to never let that happen again. His voice was soft as he whispered, "I'm here for you, Elizabeth. No matter what, I won't let anything happen to you." Nathan's voice was calm.
Her eyes filled with tears as she whispered, "I am so scared." as she led him to the blanket. Sitting close together, she continued, 'I'm so sorry for the cryptic message. I'm so relieved you're here.'
Nathan smiled slightly. "You scared Bill and I, Elizabeth. Please tell me what's going on."
Elizabeth looked around before answering, her voice so quiet he could barely hear her. "I'm so sorry for scaring you both. I can't tell you what's going on right now, but I promise to in an hour or so. Elizabeth leaned even closer, her eyes locking with Nathan's.
Nathan looked at her for a second before continuing, "I don't know how long it will take to get where we're going, but I know that Bill will be leaving a car for us at the stables."
Elizabeth smiled, her eyes sparkling. "That will cut down on travel time," she said. "Actually, that will give us enough time to finish that kiss from earlier." Before she knew it, his lips were on hers, a whirlwind of passion that swept her away. The adrenaline coursing through her veins intensified the kiss, making it electric. As their lips met beneath the canopy of trees, a spark ignited between them, igniting a fire that burned away any of their fears. At least temporarily.
As they pulled away, their foreheads pressed together. "I love you," Nathan whispered.
Elizabeth smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I love you too."
When they got back to the stables, as Bill had mentioned, there was a car waiting for them. Once they got the horses settled for the night, Elizabeth went over to the driver's door, and Nathan opened the passenger side door and saw a note lying on the seat in Bill's scribble.
Lucas will keep Superintendent Hargraves busy for the evening. Jack is with Lee and Goldie. Allie is staying with the Canfields tonight. Rosemary and I will see you in a little while. I picked up dinner from the cafe.
Nathan was happy when Elizabeth put the car in drive. He couldn't wait to get to the eagle's nest to figure out what was going on
Meanwhile, Rosemary and Bill had arrived at a secluded cabin in the woods. Bill went in ahead of her, looking for any sign of danger. After he cleared the cabin, the two of them set about getting the food ready to be heated in the oven, their anticipation growing as they waited for Nathan and Elizabeth to arrive.
Once the food was on the counter, the two friends stood by the window, their gazes fixed on the winding path. As the clock in the corner ticked closer and closer to 7:00 PM, Rosemary's heart pounded with anticipation. She couldn't wait to see her friends and start to come up with a way to handle Superintendent Hargreaves.
"I've always been fascinated by eagles," Elizabeth said after they had driven in silence for a little while. "Their strength, their keen eyesight, and their unwavering protection have always inspired me. They're a symbol of safety and vigilance for me.
"They are beautiful animals," Nathan said.
Elizabeth smiled, "After Jack died, my father made me realize that I was vulnerable. As an heir to a significant portion of his fortune, some people might want to harm me. It was a terrifying reminder, but it also made me appreciate the importance of safety and security. I agreed he could ask Bill to build the Eagle's Nest for me
Nathan was quiet for a minute before responding. "Elizabeth, I am sorry I always forget about your upbringing."
Elizabeth glanced over at Nathan quickly. "It's okay, Nathan. It's not something I think about that often. Plus, I never wanted you to feel obligated to protect me any differently than any other citizen of Hope Valley."
Nathan sighed. "But I would, regardless. I love you and will do everything in my power to protect you."
Elizabeth smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. "I know and thank you. I don't like talking about my wealth because I don't want people in Hope Valley to think of me differently. I want to be seen as just another member of the community. I use my money to support the library and other community initiatives, but I don't flaunt it. I believe in giving back to the town that has given me so much."
Nathan couldn't believe his luck in finding someone so wonderful. He was completely smitten with Elizabeth. "That's admirable, Elizabeth," he said
Just as Nathan finished that statement, they pulled up in front of a rustic cabin with the majestic eagle's nest perched high in a nearby tree.
Nathan got out of the car and made his way towards Elizabeth, "I now understand why you called it the Eagle's Nest," he said, smiling as he took her hand. "It's the perfect name for this place."
The door opened as soon as Elizabeth and Nathan started walking up towards the cabin. "I'm so glad to see you safe, Elizabeth," Bill said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Elizabeth hugged Bill tightly, her eyes filled with relief. "Thanks, Bill. It's good to see you too." After a moment, she pulled away from Bill.
"I never thought we would need the safety plan we came up with, but I'm sure glad we have it," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"I completely agree," Bill said, his voice filled with relief. "Rosemary is in the kitchen heating the dinner we picked up from the cafe. I've already checked the entire cabin and it's safe. Elizabeth, could you please go in and join her? We'll be in in a few minutes."
Elizabeth nodded, "Sure," turning to head towards the front door of the cabin. As she stepped inside, the warm aroma of food filled her senses, filling her with a sense of comfort and relief.
Bill watched Elizabeth slowly walk up the stairs and into the cabin, a sense of relief washing over him. He turned to face Nathan. "I was waiting for you so we could check the grounds around the cabin together."
Nathan nodded, his hand tightening around his gun. "Sure, Bill, sounds good," he replied. The two men stepped outside, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger. As they walked around the cabin, the crunch of leaves beneath their feet was the only sound that broke the silence.
"Nathan, did Elizabeth tell you anything about what Hargraves said to her and Rosemary?" Bill asked, his voice filled with worry.
Nathan shook his head, his eyes filled with concern. "Not much. She just said she was scared." He paused for a moment, his mind racing. "Did Rosemary say anything to you?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Unfortunately, not," Bill sighed, his eyes filled with worry. "All she would tell me was that it wasn't good, and she was thrilled that Elizabeth asked for help. Before I picked her up, I talked to Marcus Kelly, the head of Elizabeth's father's security team."
Nathan stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in surprise. "Really? He was my instructor when I took courses on personal protection detail." His voice was filled with a mix of awe and respect. "He's a good man. I learned a lot from him."
Bill replied, "Marcus told me that Elizabeth's parents left a couple of days ago to visit her sister in Europe, so he can't be reached for a few weeks. He also told me they're concerned about Elizabeth's safety. Superintendent Hargreaves, in their security check-in last week, didn't mention anything specific. However, that was before Jeanette got arrested. His initial thought is that the extra publicity makes her more of a target."
Nathan hesitated for a moment, his eyes filled with thought. "I know," he finally said, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and anger. "I always forget the extent of her family' wealth. It's almost like she doesn't even care about it. Why didn't you tell me she had a security plan? Maybe I could have done more to protect her?"
Bill looked over apologetically at Nathan, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you to be honest when you first arrived. I was the sheriff," both men took a second to chuckle before Bill continued. "Then over time, I honestly forgot about it until today."
"At this point, I guess it doesn't matter why I didn't know," Nathan said, his voice filled with determination. "We just need to do anything in our power to keep her safe."
Elizabeth stepped into the cabin, a sense of relief washing over her as she gazed at the warm glow of the fireplace. After the tense and chaotic events of the day, it was nice to finally be in the safety of the Eagle's Nest. Rosemary rushed over to her, pulling her into a hug.
"Elizabeth, I'm so glad to see you," Rosemary exclaimed. Elizabeth returned the hug.
"Me too, Rosemary. It's been a long day," Elizabeth replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
"It sure has. Tell me everything," Rosemary said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What was in that note you gave me?"
"It was a cryptic message that was part of my security plan," Elizabeth explained, her voice filled with a mix of relief and sadness. "I set it up with Bill so he would know if I needed help."
Rosemary's eyes widened in disbelief. "A security plan? You had a security plan?"
Elizabeth nodded, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. "Yes. My father insisted on it after Jack died. He wanted to make sure I would be safe. It was a difficult time for me, but I knew he was only trying to protect me."
"That's amazing. I had no idea you were so prepared," Rosemary said, her voice filled with admiration.
Elizabeth smiled. "It was the only way he would allow me to come back to Hope Valley.
"I'm so glad you're safe. I was so worried about you," Rosemary replied, her voice trembling slightly.
"I don't know what I would do without your friendship," Elizabeth said smiling
"Anything for you, Elizabeth. Let's get you something to eat. Can you help me set the table while I finish heating up the food?" Rosemary suggested. How are you managing everything that you found out today?" Rosemary asked as Elizabeth washed her hands.
Elizabeth was quiet for a minute while she dried her hands and grabbed the plates and silverware, "I'm still processing everything. I am scared beyond belief for myself and Jack. I know Superintendent Hargreaves said that we shouldn't tell Bill or Nathan, but that's a risk I'm not willing to take with the safety of all the citizens of Hope Valley, Elizabeth admitted.
Just as Elizabeth had finished setting the table she could hear Bill and Nathan's voices as they climbed the steps up to the porch. As Nathan came inside she immediately felt a sense of peace until she remembered that she was going to have to leave him in Hope Valley.
"Everything outside looks good. Hi, Rosemary. Nathan said and then smiled softly at Elizabeth. "How are you?"
"I'm trying to be strong. But I'm scared for Jack and myself," Elizabeth replied.
"I know we are all hungry. I think we should all talk about this together over dinner. Bill, can you please help me get the food on the table?" Rosemary suggested as she busied herself at the stove.
"Of course," Bill replied as he and Nathan washed their hands and brought bowls of mashed potatoes and dinner rolls over to the table. Nathan grabbed the platter of chicken from Rosemary and sat it on the table, and Elizabeth grabbed the bowl of broccoli and a pitcher of water.
"This looks wonderful, Bill and Rosemary," Elizabeth said as she started to eat.
After a couple of minutes, Bill put his fork down and broke the silence. Elizabeth as part of your security plan I've contacted Marcus. He and Anna will be here tomorrow morning early. They can help us figure out the next steps." Bill picked up his fork and continued eating.
As Nathan watched Elizabeth push the food around her plate but not eat much. He finally asked the questions that had been on both his and Bill's minds " What did superintendent Hargraves have to tell you about Jack?"
Elizabeth paused, her eyes filled with fear. "I need you both to promise me something," she said, her voice trembling. "If Superintendent Hargraves stops us, pretend you don't know anything about this. It's for your safety."
Bill and Nathan exchanged a glance before Bill replied for both of them "We promise," Bill said solemnly.
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied. Taking a deep breath she continued. "He said that Jack engaged in a dangerous investigation while he was se Everrving in the Northern Territories. He caught a dangerous criminal, and now that criminal is out of prison and threatening revenge on Jack and me. We have 48 hours before they could strike. He wants Jack and me on our way to Cape Fullerton before that happens and is sending another Mountie to travel with us for protection.
Bill's face paled, and his eyes widened in shock. Nathan clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. Rosemary's hand reached out to comfort Elizabeth, who looked terrified.
"What? He's going to assign another Mountie to protect Elizabeth and Jack, but not me? I don't care what his reason is. I'm not going to stand by while people I love are in danger," Nathan exclaimed.
He was so frustrated. All of the plans were complete, He had been almost to the door on his way to see if he could find Mrs. Thornton. He had wanted to make sure she understood the need to keep Bill and Nathan out of this investigation when the governor had stopped him wanting to discuss the rising crime. Now he was stuck in a meeting that he had a feeling could last all evening.