"Elizabeth?" Nathan asked, his voice gentle, "tell me where you are hurt. I want to get you home so Abigail can look at you, but I don't want to risk moving you."

"She didn't hurt me, Nathan," Elizabeth whispered; the cuts are from the breaking window; the glass fell on me."

"I need to understand something, where is he? Where is Bouchard?"

Elizabeth explained what had happened after she had gone with Lucas, telling him as much as she could remember of what had happened and the conversations between the siblings. She told him enough that he knew he needed to find him.

Resting her head against his shoulder, she said, "Please can we go home."

Nathan nodded and wrapped his arms around her. Standing, he lifted her from the ground. Holding her close, he walked quickly from the cabin and around the back to where the others waited.

The movement caused the wound on Elizabeth's forearm to open up; blood trickled down her arm. Nathan examined the wound and decided treatment could wait; he would rather get her back to Town. As he walked towards where he had left the others, he frowned; only two people were there, Florence and Tom. Where was Ned?

"Nathan, Ned thought he heard a car, so he has gone to the road to see if he can divert it here, so Elizabeth doesn't have to walk home," Florence explained quickly as Nathan reached her and Tom. "Let me look at her injury," she said firmly, although her eyes were kind.

"It could be Lucas driving the car?" Nathan suggested, brows arched.

"He wasn't going to rush blindly into the road; he was going to check first," Florence explained, rolling her eyes at his suggestion.

As Nathan held Elizabeth still, Florence whispered to her and examined her arm. Nathan reached into his pocket and passed Florence his handkerchief, and she wrapped it around Elizabeth's arm to slow the blood. They all turned as they heard a car approach, and Tom went to check who was driving. It didn't take him long to determine it was Lee and the others, and he waved Nathan, Florence, and Elizabeth over.

Elizabeth felt tears well in her eyes again. She felt safe in Nathan's arms; Florence caused her to cry this time. She had been so kind and caring, hushing her when she tried to apologise for being so silly as to go with Lucas Bouchard. Elizabeth had remained a little frightened of Florence after their less than cordial start, but now, she realised there was no need to be Florence's care of her expelled her last concern.

There wasn't enough room for all of them in the car, so Florence volunteered to walk back, it was quicker, and she could alert Abigail to get ready to clean Elizabeth's wounds. Tom and Ned offered to escort her back, as did the others in the car, making room for Nathan and Elizabeth. They didn't need much space as Nathan held Elizabeth firmly, refusing to let her go. Lee drove back to Town as quickly as he could, wanting to get Elizabeth to safety as soon as possible. He didn't try to speak to Nathan; he had looked at the steely expression in his eyes and frozen jaw and decided they could talk later.

Sitting close to Nathan, feeling his strong arms around her, Elizabeth relaxed and drew in a shuddering breath as she tried to compose herself.

"When did you get back?" Elizabeth asked with a frown, realising for the first time Lee was driving the car.

Nathan and Lee were startled by the sound of her voice, each lost in their thoughts.

"Rosie insisted on coming back early, straight after the wedding," Lee explained, smiling at her, "she had a feeling." He glanced at Nathan before continuing, "I was planning on teasing her about it, but I guess I won't be doing that."

"No," Nathan replied. "Maybe this wouldn't have happened if Rosemary was looking out for Elizabeth instead of..." Nathan's jaw clenched again, and he stopped himself before he could say more. Now wasn't the time for Elizabeth to hear how much he regretted failing her; he could apologise later.

"Do not blame yourself for any of this, Nathan," Elizabeth said firmly. "The only person to blame here is me; I was stupid and took an unnecessary risk. No matter what he promised, I should have known better than to go off with a stranger."

Elizabeth felt Nathan's arm tighten around her and knew he would argue, "I mean it, Nathan, this is not your fault, it's mine, and I will not allow you to take any blame. Your only part in this was coming to my rescue."

Nathan looked at his fiancé, his stomach churning as he looked again at the cuts and blood on her face and decided to let her think she had won the argument. No matter what Elizabeth or anyone else said, he played a big part in what happened. He had believed he could outsmart Lisa, and he had been wrong. Part of him wondered if pretending interest in Lisa had escalated her behaviour. If she hadn't believed he may be interested, would she have taken Elizabeth?


"Where are they, Abigail?" Rosemary asked as she paced around the kitchen at the café. "I can't stand not knowing what is happening."

"I know Rosemary, but I believe she is okay, and they will find her and bring her home soon." Abigail tried to keep her voice positive and soothing, to project a calmness she wasn't feeling. She had decided to occupy herself by cooking; that way, she could beat, knead, and pound her creations, letting her frustration out. She hoped the taste of the food wouldn't suffer because of her worry. "Why don't you take Bill some coffee and one of those sandwiches or go and visit Colleen and Allie? I'm sure they would like some food and an update."

"I don't know, Abigail, I want to do all those things, but I am so scared I will miss her," Rosemary said, her face crumpling. "What if she isn't, okay? I saw Lisa's face as Bill walked her to the Jail; she is an evil woman, capable of anything."

"And where is her brother Abigail? What if he has taken Elizabeth away somewhere, and they aren't even in Coal Valley?" Clara had been quiet as they sat, waiting for news. "I can't believe I just stood there and watched Elizabeth drive away with that man."

"If only I hadn't left town to attend the wedding, I would have recognised Lucas Bouchard, and Elizabeth wouldn't have had anything to do with that nasty man," Rosemary whispered through tears. She could hardly believe her ears when she and Lee returned to Town and found out Lisa was the sister of Lucas Bouchard, and they had taken Elizabeth.

"Neither of you is to blame, nor is Elizabeth. She trusted the wrong person." Abigail spoke decisively to Clara and Rosemary, wanting to stop them from going down this path. "The Bouchard's are con artists; they have perfected the art of fooling others. This is all their fault and no one else's."

The two young women glanced at each other; their eyes were bleak. It didn't matter what Abigail said, they still felt responsible. Rosemary couldn't imagine what she would do if Elizabeth were hurt or didn't come back. What of Nathan? He would be devastated if anything happened to Elizabeth, and so would Colleen and Allie. Something like this could tear people apart, could tear the Town apart. Rosemary lowered her head, focusing on her hands as she prayed silently for her friends.

The three women froze at the sound of a car approaching. Rosemary held her breath as Clara rushed to the front window and looked outside.

"It's a Mountie," she cried, spinning around to face them, "but it isn't Nathan."

Rosemary and Abigail rushed to look out the window, "it's Constable Gabriel Kinslow!" Rosemary exclaimed as she watched the two men enter the Mountie office." Rosemary looked at her two companions and said, "He's a friend of mine, and I am going over there to see what he is doing here."

Abigail and Clara watched, fascinated, as Rosemary stormed out of the café toward the Mountie office. She hadn't gotten very far when Gabe and Bill streamed out of the Mountie office and toward the car. Bill looked up, saw her coming, and held up his hand to stop her.

"Stay back, Rosemary," he commanded. "We have a dangerous prisoner here."

"Who?"

"Lucas Bouchard," Gabe answered for Bill. "You need to let us get him inside and into a cell, and then I will explain."

Rosemary nodded and watched as the men lifted Lucas Bouchard from the back of the car, still bound and half dragged, half carried him into the Mountie office. Once the men had led him inside, she continued walking; she wasn't going to wait a minute longer than necessary to find out what they knew about Elizabeth.

Rosemary slipped inside the Mountie office and watched as Bill locked the prisoner in a cell. She heard a horrified cry from Lisa in the opposite cell and watched the colour drain from her face when she recognised the man.

"How are you here? How is it possible?" she screeched.

Lucas glared at her but didn't respond as he was thrust into his cell.

"You get in there," Bill said as he pushed him none too gently into the cell. Glaring at Lisa, he ordered, "You, be quiet."

"At least tell me you killed her before they got you. Tell me she is dead," Lisa begged her brother, weeping. "Tell me they won't find her."

Gabe looked between the two prisoners, eyes wide as he listened to Lisa's inconceivable cries and rambling. Lucas had told them nothing, and he still wasn't giving anything away. Lucas wouldn't have been on his radar if it hadn't been for Bill's Telegram asking for his help that morning.

When he received the Telegram, he had organised to travel to Coal Valley immediately and brought along two Constables travelling through Brookfield. Constable Long and Prescott would be there any minute; they followed on horseback with Apollo while he drove Lucas' car. He couldn't imagine how Nathan felt with Elizabeth missing, but he knew he shouldn't be the one to guard the Bouchard's.

Gabe hadn't been sure it was Lucas Bouchard he had arrested; he had a vague description of the man who had taken Elizabeth, but he was using a different name. When he confronted him on the road out of Town, Lucas had tried to run, which Gabe had taken as a sign of guilt. He was glad of Lisa's reaction; it appeared they had the right person.

Bill locked the cell door and checked it. Twice. He also checked the lock on Lisa's cell, even though he knew it was secure. He wasn't comfortable having the two of them together, although it didn't appear they were on friendly terms.

There was a commotion outside as the two Constables arrived and hustled inside. Suddenly the Mountie office seemed crowded, and Gabe instructed Lang and Prescott to watch the prisoners closely as he escorted Rosemary outside, along with Bill.

"Gabe, whatever are you doing here? How did you know what was going on? How did you end up arresting Lucas Bouchard?"

"Rosemary, I promise I will explain everything," Gabe said, grasping her arm, "but can you repeat that last part first? Is the man inside the man you knew as Lucas Bouchard?" Gabe asked, needing her to confirm his identity once and for all.

"Yes, it is," Rosemary responded confidently. "That is the man who swindled me, the man I now know to be Lisa Bouchard's brother." Rosemary's eyes narrowed as she looked at Gabe, "He took Elizabeth."

Bill interjected then, "we need to wait and talk to Elizabeth about what happened to be sure. Clara seemed to think she went with him willingly; maybe Lisa kidnapped them both."

"Then why didn't he say that?" Gabe asked. "Why would he allow us to arrest him without any real protest?"

"Maybe he knows his sister is deranged and won't make a credible witness," Bill suggested.

Rosemary gasped, "does that mean Elizabeth ..." she started to say, dread settling into her stomach like lead. "Does this mean Elizabeth isn't going to be able to tell us something different?" she asked as her voice grew high and breathy with panic.

Gabe stepped forward, intending to comfort Rosemary, but there was no need. As they stood there, a group of people emerged from behind the buildings, Gabe wondered where they had come from and who they were, but when Bill called out to them, he realised they were Townspeople who had been looking for Elizabeth.

"Florence! Did you find her?" Bill called anxiously, running toward the group.

"Yes, they are on their way with Lee. I need to get to Abigail and let her know." Florence hurriedly explained, "Ned and Tom can fill you in on the rest."

Ned began telling the story of finding the cabin, and Elizabeth as the group listened intently. It wasn't long before the sound of a vehicle approaching grew loud and got their attention. Gabe was pleased to see Elizabeth sitting up next to Nathan, although his friend's face was grim.

"Elizabeth!" Rosemary cried, running toward Lee's car to greet her friend. Lee stopped the car outside the Cafe, knowing that was the best place for Elizabeth.

Gabe and Bill followed Rosemary and met up with Abigail and Clara outside the doors to the Cafe. Lee opened the car door for Nathan, who still held Elizabeth closely.

"Step back, everyone, please," Lee called.

Ignoring Lee, Rosemary and Abigail rushed forward, reaching for Elizabeth, helping her away from Nathan and guiding her into the Cafe. Elizabeth followed meekly, with the rest of them trailing after.

Bill stopped Nathan before he could follow the women through the curtain into the kitchen.

"What happened, Nathan? We need to understand." Bill stood with Lee and Gabe, the three blocking his way to Elizabeth.

Nathan quickly explained what he knew, what he had pieced together and what Elizabeth had been able to tell him.

"The rest can wait; I need to make sure she is okay," Nathan said, pushing his way through them. Turning, he looked at Bill and Gabe, "thank you both, thanks to everyone, for helping me get her back." Nathan smiled at Ned, Tom, and the others before striding off to find Elizabeth.

Abigail, Rosemary and Clara fussed over Elizabeth, trying not to overwhelm her, relieved to have her back safely. Rosemary studied her friend, she was tense, and her eyes flicked toward the curtain constantly, looking for Nathan. Her face didn't relax until she saw him come toward her. Reaching out, she took his hand, holding it tightly, needing his strength and support.

"Nathan," Abigail said gently, "Elizabeth needs to have her wounds checked and cleaned."

"The one on her arm is the worst, I believe," he responded without looking at her. "Florence tied a bandage over it." As Nathan spoke, he saw Florence walking in the Cafe's back door, a basket of first aid supplies over her arm. The track through the bush had been quicker.

Abigail looked at Rosemary and Clara, frowning, then back to him, "Nathan, you can't stay here while we treat her injuries. Elizabeth needs to change out of her dress."

Nathan finally understood what Abigail was trying to tell him, and he shook his head to clear it, heat rising in his cheeks. "Sorry, yes. I'll go and see Colleen and tell her Elizabeth has been found and is okay."

"No need, I'm here," Colleen said from behind him.

Everyone spun to face Colleen, but Elizabeth broke the silence.

"Colleen, you shouldn't be here, out of bed tiring yourself, and where is Allie?"

Colleen smiled kindly at her sister-in-law-to-be; she had been kidnapped but was thinking of her. "Allie is in the dining area with Gabe, and I am fine. I couldn't rest anyway, not knowing if you were okay. I feel better for seeing you."

Elizabeth hugged Colleen, "thank you." Smiling, she said, "maybe you and Allie could keep Nathan company while I go upstairs and clean up these cuts." Elizabeth pointed to her face as she spoke, "that way, you don't need to worry about the stairs, and I don't need to worry about Nathan trying to come with me."

Colleen laughed with Elizabeth, breaking the tension in the room. "I can certainly entertain my brother, Allie and the others, but I will probably need snacks."

Grinning, Abigail took charge, "I will take care of the snacks, Rosemary, Florence and Clara upstairs with Elizabeth. Colleen and Nathan, you two go out front and wait for me."

No one questioned Abigail, hurrying to follow her directions.


Bill sat with Gabe at the Saloon; grateful they were the only customers that evening; it had been a long day. Most guests had either left or retired upstairs, allowing the two to talk over events without the risk of being overheard. Bill glanced up as Lee walked in, raising a hand in greeting.

"Join us, Lee?"

"Thanks, Bill, but I can't. I am about to head out to take Rosie home. Before I go, I wanted to check that you didn't need anything."

"Not Elizabeth?" Gabe asked. "I would have thought she would be exhausted after everything that has happened today."

"She is going to Colleen and Nathan's for a little while, and Nathan will bring her home later." Lee smiled, "those two weren't ready to separate just yet."

Bill chuckled, and Gabe raised his eyebrows, grinning as he said, "I can't imagine Nathan letting her out of his sight again."

"Which one of you is guarding the prisoners tonight?"

"I am," Bill said

"I am," Gabe responded at the same time. Glancing at Lee, he shrugged, "one of us will be there."

"Or both of us," Bill replied.

"Well, whatever you decide, I will sleep well; there is no way either of them will get past one of you, let alone both," Lee said. He slapped Bill on the shoulder and left them sitting at the table. He needed to get Rosemary home. He understood how Nathan felt. The thought of leaving Rosie alone in the house until Elizabeth came home was one, he was not comfortable with. He would stay until Elizabeth was there, he decided, the Townspeople would understand, tonight of all nights.


Rosemary gathered her coat as she saw Lee enter the Cafe. Seeing him made her realise how tired she was. Rosemary was quiet as she thought about everything that had happened, and while it had turned out well, there was a time she thought it might not. It had been a long day and emotionally draining; all she wanted to do was curl up and sleep. Rosemary knew she wouldn't sleep until Elizabeth was home and secure.

Looking at Lee, Rosemary marvelled at how wonderful he had been. However, she shouldn't be surprised he always was. As he smiled in greeting, she sighed, grateful this man had come into her life, and she never wanted to take him for granted. Rosemary realised that her expectations that he would plan some over-the-top proposal when he asked her to marry him was superficial and wrong. She wanted to marry Lee because she loved him and wanted to spend the rest of her life with him; having him in her life should be enough. She would make sure he knew that. Watching Nathan and Elizabeth today, she knew they had that same deep connection she felt to Lee. She wouldn't be surprised if Elizabeth and Nathan brought forward with their wedding, not wanting to wait any longer than necessary.

"You're very quiet, Rosie; that's not like you," Lee said as they drove to her row house.

"I know," Rosemary said, her voice sad, "It's been a long, eventful day, and although it has ended well, it got me thinking about my life." Rosemary leaned over and rested her head on Lee's shoulder, "what if we had been too late? What if Nathan and the others hadn't found Elizabeth?" A tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered these words to Lee.

Lee stopped the car outside the row house and reached up to cup Rosemary's cheek in his hand, "I know, Rosie, I was thinking the same thing; life is too short."

"Lee, I want you to know that I truly care about you. You are the perfect man for me. Everything I said about wanting an elaborate proposal...I take it back. That isn't important; it's about spending the rest of our lives together, not how you ask me to be your wife."

Lee hesitated; he knew she meant the words tonight, but would she still feel that way tomorrow? "I care about you too, Rosie; I can't imagine my life without you in it." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. Lee decided to take the chance, "I love you, Rosemary Leveaux; I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and agree to be my wife?"

"Yes, Lee, Yes!" Rosemary exclaimed as she kissed him hard on the mouth. "I would love to be your wife."

Lee and Rosemary laughed as he tried to disentangle himself from her, letting go of her hand and reaching into his pocket to find her ring. Lee had been carrying it around, wanting to have it ready while he wracked his brain for ideas on the perfect engagement.

Rosemary stared at the ring Lee had selected; it was beautiful. It was ideal, exactly what she would have picked out for herself. Even in the moonlight, the diamond sparkled. The large centre diamond was circled by smaller ones, set on a gold filigree band. It took her breath away; it was so lovely, but what it represented had her heart racing. She was going to marry Lee Coulter, the man she loved with all her heart, and they would make their home in Coal Valley surrounded by people they loved.

"Lee, do you think we should wait to tell people? Should we let Elizabeth recover and get those horrible people out of our Town before we tell everyone?"

"No, Rosie, I don't. I think Elizabeth and everyone else will be happy for us, no matter when we tell them." Lee frowned and continued, "I don't want the Bouchard's to have any power over us or our happiness, Rosie. I want it to be like they don't exist."

"Okay," she nodded, smiling at him, "tomorrow I am going to tell everyone! and then, Lee Coulter, I will start planning our wedding. I said I didn't need a fancy proposal, but our wedding will be the most fabulous wedding anyone has ever seen."

Lee shook his head and groaned; you couldn't keep Rosie down for long, he thought, wondering what he had gotten himself into.