CHAPTER 16

Hope Valley, Alberta Canada

Saturday, April 30, 1921

It was a beautiful spring day and the Voices of the Valley Festival was going well. Lucas was in awe of all the talent that the valley had. Minnie, Rosemary, Faith and Elizabeth had done a wonderful job putting the festival together.

He had given his speech and had acted as master of ceremony for the competition, which saw the Hope Valley Choir take first place. The dance was to start shortly, of which Mike was in charge. Lucas would make an appearance and if all was going well, he planned to slip out the back door and go home. He had no desire to see all the happy couples dancing.

Elizabeth stood across the room near the staircase. She saw Lucas speaking with Mike at the bar and Nathan was near the front door looking around. She smiled at Nathan, and he returned her smile with one of his own. Elizabeth wanted to dance with him but thought that Nathan would be hesitant to ask her to dance with Lucas in attendance.

Well, she thought to herself, I'm just going to have to ask him to dance. As she started to move across the floor to where he was standing, Faith walked into the saloon. Elizabeth watched as Nathan smiled at Faith and immediately went over to her. They were talking for a few minutes, when much to Elizabeth's surprise, they headed out on to the dance floor.

Elizabeth stopped in her tracks. She started to feel herself becoming angry that Nathan had asked Faith to dance. She eyed Lucas with annoyance. She was sure that if Lucas wasn't here, it would have been her that Nathan would have asked to dance instead of Faith. But she decided that she could remedy this situation by asking Lucas to dance. Then in the middle of the dance, she would suggest that they change partners.

"Governor, may I have this dance?" Lucas fell silent as the most delicious sound reached his ears. He turned around slowly, afraid to hope. As he did the most captiving woman was looking at him.

"Doctor Donovan," he said with a wide dimpled grin. "I'd be delighted."

As they walked out on to the dance floor, Lucas asked. "What are you doing here? I didn't think I would be seeing you back here." He told her with absolute delight in his eyes.

She smiled up at him. "I had hoped that you would have returned to Capital City by now. But on the occasions when we spoke on the telephone and I asked when you'd be returning you were always so vague. At the same time telling me that everything was fine when I asked. So, I called Faith and inquired as to how things were going from her perspective. She informed me that she had heard that things were still very touchy with the resort project. She had no idea how much longer you would be in town." She told him with a smirk.

"Obviously you were not going telling me how things were really going. I also knew if I told you I would be returning to Hope Valley, you would tell me not to come. So, I took matters into my own hands. You're not going to send me away, are you?" She asked with a teasing pouty face.

Lucas gave her a smile that reached his eyes, "Doc, it's selfish of me but I'm so glad you took matters into your hands and came back. I have no intention of asking you to leave. I was afraid that the chaos that is currently my life had you doubting if…." He trailed off as she began to speak.

"Lucas, I've told you before and I will keep on saying it till you believe me. I care for you; I won't abandon you." She said with sincerity.

"Then why did you leave?" He asked with an aching in his heart.

"I only returned to Capital City as I had some personal business to attend to that required the in-person touch." She hesitated but decided to tell him the truth. "I didn't tell you what that personal business was because I wanted to handle it on my own. The hospital wanted to release me from their employ due to my long absence. So, I made my case to the head of surgery in person. Thankfully he has seen things my way." She said with a sly smile.

"I still have my job and they will allow me to stay here as long as I choose…within reason." She giggled. If I told you, I knew you would want to help me. I didn't want you to put any undue influence on the administrator or tell me to go back to Capital City and stay there. And just so you know, if they gave me an ultimatum, I would always choose you governor, never doubt that." She told him with deep affection.

Lucas found himself euphoric by what she had said, all he could do was smile down at the beautiful woman in his arms. He held her tighter, and twirled her around the dance floor.

"Much better than our first dance together," she said with her eyes sparkling, "you're quite a good dancer when both of your legs work properly." She teased him.

The dance soon came to an end. When it did, Faith and Nathan came over to them. "MaKayla, I'm so happy you're back." Faith told her as she gave her a hug.

"Me too." MaKayla said happily. "May I go back to helping you in the infirmary while I'm here?" She asked hopeful.

"That would be wonderful." Faith replied "Lilly and I have missed you."

"I was getting used to seeing you there, Dr. Donovan. I'm glad you're back as well. Now Faith won't have a reason to turn me down for lunch anymore." Nathan told her while squeezing Faith's hand.

"Nathan, please call me MaKayla" she said smiling at him.

From across the room, Elizabeth watched as the scene unfolded before her and was quite flabbergasted as to what was going on. If Doctor Donovan was back, she wondered, did this mean Lucas was staying longer? If so, then that meant Nathan would be in no hurry to start courting her. Did Nathan ask Faith to dance so Lucas wouldn't see them together? Lucas remaining in town was turning into a disaster, she thought.

As the festivities were winding down, Lucas asked MaKayla where her luggage was? "It's in your office, I came in the back door." She told him

"Unfortunately, with the festival here this weekend, the hotel is totally booked and I can't even fake a room for propriety's sake tonight." He looked at her unsure as to what to do.

"Lucas, I'm staying with you and I don't care who knows it. Are you ready to go?" She asked him with a genuine smile.

"Lead the way, Doc." He said with a laugh. This woman knew her own mind and there would no persuading her otherwise, he thought to himself.

It had been dark when they had arrived back at Lucas's house. MaKayla was exhausted from the long train ride and then attending the dance till late. He kissed her gently on the forehead and sent her off to bed. Lucas stayed up awhile to read. Content for now in the fact that she had come back to Hope Valley…for him.

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The next morning, Lucas was in a good mood. He had actually slept well. He attributed this to knowing that MaKayla was in the next room. Seeing her step into his kitchen for breakfast made his heart sing.

"I have a surprise for you." He told her. "Come with me." He took her by the hand and led her out to his front porch. He then pointed to the rocking chairs.

MaKayla screamed with glee, "Oh Lucas, you got rocking chairs!" She immediately went over to sit in one of the them.

"I had Joseph make them. And when he came to deliver them, he stayed for a little bit and we talked." He said quietly.

She got up from her chair and went to him, "Lucas no need to tell me what you talked about but I hope that Joseph was able to help you in some way." She told him.

Lucas brushed her hair away from her face, as he gazed into her eyes, "He did. He didn't solve my problems, but he did give me back something that I thought I had lost for forever." He told her.

"What was that?" MaKayla asked him with interest.

"Hope." He told her as he leaned down to kiss her gently on the lips. MaKayla smiled back at him. She knew that one of her stops today would be to see Joseph and thank him.

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Lucas had just arrived at his office when Edwin and Henry came in.

"We have news." Henry said brusquely.

"Good news?" Lucas asked hopefully

"That depends on who you ask." Henry told him.

"Bernhardt Montague is on his way to Hope Valley." Edwin told him anxiously.

"I told him not to come here." Lucas said emphatically.

"He insists on doing business face to face." Edwin told him

"Well, tell him that I'm too busy. We can negotiate this deal over telephone and wire." Lucas told both men, with Edwin letting out a heavy sigh.

"Edwin, when is he arriving?" Lucas asked.

"Hmm, on the morning train." Lucas turned to look at his clock. 9:10 a.m., Montague would be here shortly. Now it was Lucas's turn to sigh.

"He's a legitimate business man and whatever dealings he had with Hope Valley in the past is just water under the bridge." Edwin stated, as Henry groans.

"Oh dear, that was a poor choice of words," Edwin said with chagrin.

"Lucas, is his money worth all this trouble that comes along with it?" Henry asked.

"There were hundreds of jobs lost when we canceled Balfour's water project; hundreds more with Benson Oil filing for bankruptcy. I've made promises to create new ones." Lucas told him.

"Exactly. What would we tell them if the resort fell through? It would be professional suicide to call it off." Edwin told Lucas.

"We are not calling it off. I have faith Montague's bid will be a success. We just need to keep it quiet until the paperwork is signed." Lucas told them firmly.

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Montague came into the Queen of Hearts like he owned the placed. Rosemary and Bill saw him enter. They couldn't believe that he would have the guts to show his face in their town again.

He walked up to the hotel desk and asked for a room. "Sorry we are filled." Mike told him. Montague glanced at all the keys that were hanging on the wall. Mike lowered his eyes, "My mistake," And handed him a key.

"What are doing here Montague?" Bill asked as he walked over to the desk with Rosemary.

"No other towns to turn into dust bowls," Rosemary said with disgust.

"I have business." He said matter-of-factly.

"What kind of…" Bill trailed off as Edwin came and stood next to Montague.

"Bernhardt, the governor will see you now." With that both men turned and walked toward Lucas's office.

"Hmm, what business does he have with Lucas?" Mike said as Rosemary and Bill looked at each other in surprise.

"Good question, Hickam." Bills said with curiosity.

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Edwin, Henry and Montague sat in front of Lucas's desk.

"We really could have conducted this business over the telephone." Lucas told him unhappily.

"When my money is involved, I like to look a man in the eye. Especially given our history." He told him firmly.

"So, the distrust is mutual." Lucas told him with contempt.

"You understand the deal?" Henry asked him.

"I do, but I want a 60/40 split." He told the men not mincing words.

"We have other offers." Edwin told him trying to bluff.

"Really," he said with a huff. "What I hear is no one wants to touch this deal with a ten-foot pole." He said eyeing Lucas who never flinched.

"Thanks to someone's slanderous rumors that the government will expropriate the resort once it's built." Lucas said cooly.

"Now who would do that?" He paused trying to read the feel in the room. "Do you want my bid or not Bouchard?" He said with condescending tone.

"I do." Lucas told him with no emotion.

"Good, you'll have my proposal by tomorrow evening." He said as he got up to leave the room.

"And Montague, it's in everyone's best interest that your involvement remains quiet for now." Lucas told him as he left the room.

"Going into business with him is the wrong move." Henry told him shaking his head.

"From where I sit, it's our only move." Lucas said sadly.

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Lucas was sitting in the saloon, finally having gotten the chance to eat something for lunch when Rosemary and Bill entered and made a beeline for his table.

"You're keeping strange company lately, Lucas." Rosemary said dripping with insinuation.

"Present company excluded; I'm assuming." He said coldly.

"What's Montague doing here? Don't tell us he's here to make a bid on this resort." Bill said angrily.

"You do realize we have other business, other projects?" Lucas said with all the calm he could muster.

"I don't hear you denying it." Bill stated plainly.

"He tried to ruin the valley. Not to mention he may have orchestrated your shooting." Rosemary said forcefully.

"We know he's connected to Pike. In all likelihood he paid him to take the fall." Bill said pleadingly.

Leaning in to not be over heard, Lucas said, "Face-to-face with him. I just know it in my gut. Montague may hate me, but he had nothing to do with shooting me." Lucas said emphatically.

"Well, for your sake. I hope you're right." Bill told him.

"So, you plan to accept his bid?" Rosemary said accusatorily.

Lucas eyed them both. "It's looking that way. For obvious reasons, he needs to stay anonymous." He told them.

"The people of Hope Valley deserve transparency." She said angrily.

"It's my hope that the people will never have to deal with him at all. He'll be nothing more than a distant partner." He told them honestly. "I'm asking you as your governor and as your friend. Please trust me on this." He said with intensity.

Lucas got up and left the table. He went over to Mike at the hotel desk. "Mike, I need a room key for Dr. Donovan." Mike handed him the key to room 6 again. With the key in hand, Lucas left the saloon.

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Lucas entered the infirmary. MaKayla was there alone. "Where's Faith? Having lunch with Nathan again?" He asked with a smile.

"No, Mrs. Nolan is having her baby. Her first and Faith has gone to be with her. Faith called a little bit ago and it seems this will be a long labor. She asked if I would pick Lilly up from daycare and if she could spend the night with me." She told him.

"Then this is good timing," he said as he handed her the key to room 6. "You and Lilly can stay at the hotel tonight." He told her. MaKayla gladly took the key from Lucas.

"Thank you, Lucas, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I didn't think it would…" she trailed off as Lucas put his finger to her lips.

"I wouldn't either, despite the fact that nothing improper is going on." He told her with a reassuring smile.

"Could the governor do me one more favor?" She asked meekly. "I have a patient who will be here any minute and Lilly needs to be picked up from daycare. Could you possibly do that for me?" She asked hoping he had time.

"Your wish is my command, milady." As he gave her an exaggerated bow with his best British accent as he had done at the cabin when they first met. He then gave her a kiss on the cheek and headed over to the daycare.

As Lucas drew closer to the daycare, he saw that the children were playing outside and that Elizabeth was the parent on duty this afternoon. He sighed and steadied himself.

"Good afternoon, Elizabeth. I'm here to pick up Lilly for Faith." Elizabeth looked startled by his presence. She stood to greet him, when Jack came running over and jumped into his arms yelling "Buddy!"

"Wow, buddy you sure are getting big and heavy." He told him as he put him down on the ground.

"Did you come to play with me today? I've missed you." The little boy told him excitedly.

"I've missed you too." He said as he messed up his blonde hair. Elizabeth stared as she saw just how much her son loved and missed Lucas. Of all the things Elizabeth had done wrong where Lucas was concerned, this betrayal cut the deepest. These two loved each other and she was responsible for keeping them apart.

"I'm here to pick up Lilly today." He told Jack. The little boy lowered his head with a sad smile. "I was going to take Lilly to get some ice cream, but maybe your mother would let you come with us." He told him, as Lucas and Jack turned to look at Elizabeth hopefully.

Elizabeth smiled at her son, her heart breaking at the eagerness on both their faces. "Ok, since I have to stay here and wait for the other parents to pick up their children." She told them both.

Lucas then bent down, explaining to Lilly where Dr. Faith was. He took Lilly's hand, and said "OK Buddy, let's go." He smiled broadly at the little boy. He then turned to Elizabeth; "I will bring him back shortly."

With a lump in her throat, Elizabeth watched as Lucas walked away with each child holding one of his hands.

All the children had been picked up so Elizabeth headed over to the ice cream shop. Outside on a bench was Lucas with Lilly on his lap and Jack beside him. The children were giggling loudly as Lucas was making all kinds of silly faces.

"It looks like you three are having all kinds of fun." Elizabeth said with a smile.

"Buddy makes the silliest faces," Jack said laughing.

"I'm sorry we were taking so long; some people were doing too much giggling and not enough eating." He said to each of the children with a silly grin.

"No worries. You ready Jack? We have to be getting home." Elizabeth told him.

"Ok, Mama. Thanks for the ice cream, buddy." Jack stood on the bench and gave Lucas a tight hug.

"Bye buddy" Lucas said as his voice cracked just a little.

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Rosemary and Lee were at their rowhouse; as Rosemary filled Lee in on her conversation with Lucas earlier that afternoon.

"I want to write about Montague's bid for the resort project. But Lucas wants to keep it quiet." She told him.

"Did he say why?" Lee asked.

"Because he knows some people won't like it." She responded with disgust.

"Some people?" Lee asked.

"I think everyone deserves to know the truth. I want to believe in Lucas's grand vision. I really do, but lately it just seems to be getting cloudier and cloudier. Montague, we know spells trouble." She said adamantly.

"But it's a mighty big leap to defy the governor and go public with it?" Lee told her honestly.

"So, you don't think I should publish the story?" She asked

"I didn't say that, personally I don't think you have a choice." Lee told her.

"The people deserve to have a say in the future of Hope Valley. I don't care what Lucas said. I'm writing the article." Rosemary said firmly.

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Later that evening at the saloon, Lucas, MaKayla and Lilly were finishing up their dinner.

"You look pretty tired Lilly. Sorry I took so long to come join you for dinner. Sometimes I have to work late." Lucas told the little girl.

"It's OK." As the little girl yawned again.

Lucas looked at MaKayla, "I'll carry her upstairs for you." He told her.

"Thank You Lucas." She told him. MaKayla watched as Lucas carried the little girl up the stairs. Her heart melting at the sight.

Lucas waited in the room while MaKayla took Lilly to the water closet to attend to her evening rituals and put her sleeping clothes on. When they returned to the room, Lilly asked if Lucas could tell her a story. "Jack says you tell the best bedtime stories." She told him with a hopeful grin.

Telling a bedtime story to a little girl was a new experience for him. He didn't think that the tales of Robin Hood would be her first choice.

MaKayla smiled at him, "Yes, governor. We ladies would like a bedtime story, please." The girls giggled together.

Lucas laughed. "OK. How would you both like to hear the story of Cinderella?" He asked. Lilly jumped up and down on the bed, "Yes, yes. I love that story." She said happily.

The three of them sat on the bed together, leaning against the headboard with Lilly between them. Lucas began to tell the story, as best he remembered it. If he had made any errors, neither Lilly or MaKayla seemed to notice.

When he had finished his tale, Lilly looked at Lucas, "You know what? I think you're the handsome prince who saved Cinderella?" She told him with a serious face.

Lucas smiled at her, "Why do you think that, Lilly?" Curious as to what the little girl's answer would be.

Lilly smiled at him brightly, "Because Auntie Faith said that you're the one that saved the town. And that's what princes do, they save all the people and help the towns and then they marry Cinderella." Lilly told him sincerely.

Lucas gave her another soft smile, "Thank you. I hope I can save the town Lilly; I sure hope so." It was getting late and it was time for him to take his leave.

"Goodnight, little one." Lucas said as he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. MaKayla got up from the bed and walked him to the door.

"Thank you, this has been a wonderful evening." She told him. Just as he had done with Lilly, Lucas gave her gentle kiss on the forehead and left.

MaKayla closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment.

Lilly smiled at MaKayla, "I really like Lucas. Do you like Lucas too?" Lilly asked.

MaKayla smiled, "Yes, Lilly. I like him very, very much."