Nathan smiled and let out a deep breath. Looking down, his smile widened when he looked at his sleeping wife, whose head rested on his shoulder. He could feel the sun's warmth beating down on them and the slight breeze on his face. The only noise was the sounds of the horse and wagon; they were finally alone.
Looking ahead at the road before them, he chuckled, wondering how long it had taken Colleen to find out about Julie and Doctor Pearce. He grinned; he was sure she had known before he and Elizabeth reached the outskirts of Coal Valley. He had debated when he should tell Elizabeth, wondering if he should raise it immediately or wait until he knew how Colleen felt. He had to tell her when she woke; she would hate thinking he had kept something from her and promised her he wouldn't do that.
He would wake her soon, they were getting close to Brookfield, and he knew she would want to freshen up before they arrived. He looked forward to seeing Gabe and the Town where he was stationed. He was also interested in meeting Lillian Walsh. Gabe had never shown any genuine interest in a woman before, and the fact his friend had spoken of her meant this was serious.
Elizabeth stirred beside him, and he slowed the wagon to a stop, pulling over to the side of the road.
"How long did I sleep," she asked with a yawn.
"Not long, less than an hour," he assured her. "I let you sleep, but I was going to wake you before we got to Brookfield."
"I'm excited to see it, Nathan. And to stay at the Brookfield Hotel, eat at the restaurant, and explore with you," Elizabeth laughed. "This was an excellent idea, Nathan."
"I am lucky I have a wife who can read my mind," he chuckled. "I know I have said this a hundred times, but thank you for this gift. Time with you is greater than any gift anyone has ever given me."
Elizabeth kissed his cheek and wrapped her arm around his waist. "It was the most selfish gift I could give you; it benefits me too."
They were quiet as they got back on the road, heading to Brookfield, pleased when the Town came into view. Nathan could see it was smaller than Coal Valley, but it still reminded him very much of his home. He and Elizabeth craned their necks, looking around, taking in their surroundings. They chatted quietly, comparing the two towns, the differences and similarities. Nathan pulled the wagon to a stop outside the Brookfield Hotel, climbing down and hurrying to help Elizabeth down.
"I wish Coal Valley had a Hotel where people could stay, not just rooms above the Saloon," Elizabeth commented, wondering if something like that would entice her parents to visit.
"Mmmmhhh," Nathan murmured without commenting. It would be nice, he thought to himself. The Saloon and its patrons gave him little trouble, but that was because Tom kept such a tight rein on the people there. Who knew what the place would become if Tom sold up or left the Saloon?
Leaving their bags, they walked inside the lovely Hotel, looking around the dining area before noticing the reception desk. Nathan and Elizabeth approached the desk, smiling at the man behind it.
"Good morning, I'm Constable Grant, and this is my wife, Mrs Grant," Nathan said as he greeted the man. "We have a reservation made for us by Constable Kinslow."
"Constable Grant, Mrs Grant, I'm Ronnie Stewart; we have been expecting you." Ronnie threw his hands up theatrically, "Constable Kinslow will be happy to know you have arrived safely."
After checking them into their rooms and arranging for help with their luggage, Ronnie led them upstairs and showed them to their room, leaving them to settle in. Elizabeth looked around at the room he had given them, smiling at what she saw. The room was quaint, and she was pleased to see it had everything they needed.
"Are you ready to go and see Gabriel?" Nathan asked. "Or would you like to freshen up instead?"
"I'm ready to explore; stretching our legs after the trip will be nice."
The Mountie office was empty when Elizabeth and Nathan knocked on the door. Disappointed, Nathan looked around, wondering where his friend could be. Before he could suggest looking for him, he heard Gabe calling him.
"Nathan, Elizabeth!" Gabe called, "It's so good to see you both." Gabriel dismounted from his horse Apollo, throwing his reins over the rail. "I got caught up on my rounds this morning."
"At the Orphanage?" Nathan asked cheekily.
"No, not the Orphanage," Gabriel said sternly before giving in and laughing, "I visit there in the afternoons."
Gabriel offered to take them on a tour of the Town, and the Grants happily agreed, pleased to start in the General store, where he introduced them to Joe. After looking around the airy General store, they continued their tour, meeting Maggie, the Town nurse. Nathan noticed Elizabeth's eyes light up with the introduction to Maggie. Nathan had told her about Julie and Dr Pearce after she woke, and he knew she was desperate to learn more about his treatments, to understand if they could give Colleen a chance. He wondered how long it would be before Elizabeth found time to speak to Maggie about just that.
As they passed other townspeople, Gabriel introduced them. By the end of the walk, Elizabeth's head was spinning from trying to remember everyone's name.
Gabriel took pity on the two of them and suggested afternoon tea at the Brookfield Hotel, and Elizabeth and Nathan gratefully accepted.
As they stood in the doorway of the Hotel, a pretty young brunette waitress approached them, smiling a warm welcome.
"Gabriel, how are you? Are you joining us for afternoon tea?"
"Grace, please let me introduce my friends, Constable Nathan Grant and his wife, Elizabeth Grant." Gabriel stood back while they exchanged greetings before adding, "Nathan and I were at the Mountie Academy together, and he is my closest friend."
Grace seated them at a table in the middle of the room, "welcome to Brookfield; I hope I get to see you at the Orphanage later today. I assume you are going to see Lillian later?" Grace asked Gabriel with a wink. Grace could tell Gabriel had feelings for her older sister. She was sure Lillian felt the same but hesitated to talk to her about them. The two sisters had been separated as children after being sent to different or[hanages when their parents died. Lillian had been adopted, but Grace hadn't. They had only recently found each other again, and selfishly, she didnt want to share Lillian with someone else just yet.
Gabriel blushed at Grace's words; he visited the Orphanage most afternoons but hadn't realised how obvious he had been about the reasons for doing So. For some of his reasons anyway, he genuinely was interested in the children's welfare. He wondered if Lillian knew she was why he called in so often. Elizabeth had urged him to tell Lillian how he felt, but he hadn't found the courage yet, unsure if she returned his feelings. Sam Tremblay, a handyman who had recently arrived in Town, spent a lot of time helping Lillian and Grace at the Orphanage, and Gabe could tell Sam had feelings for Lillian too.
"Constable Kinslow, are you going to introduce me to your friends?" a woman asked as she strolled to their table. Nathan saw a slim woman in her forties with long brown hair wearing a hat and pants, staring at him and Elizabeth. Her mouth was set in a straight line, and her eyes bored into them, missing nothing. Nathan noted Grace, who had been bringing their tea, paused as she stared at the women, looking uncomfortable.
Gabriel made the introductions as Grace approached and quickly deposited their food. Grace greeted the woman Gabe had introduced as Tess Stewart before hurrying away, and Nathan watched Tess as she observed Grace cross the room. He wondered what the reason was for her scrutiny. Tess declined their offer to join them, saying she needed to speak to her brother-in-law and return to her ranch. Elizabeth couldn't explain why but was pleased she couldn't join them.
After they finished their afternoon tea, Grace reappeared to clear their plates. As she cleared the table, she heard Gabriel explain he needed to return to work and asked Elizabeth and Nathan's plans for the afternoon. Nathan explained they would ride around Town and its outskirts, exploring.
"Please call into the Orphanage," Grace said excitedly. "Lillian and the children would love to meet you. You could stay for dinner. You'll come too, right Gabriel."
The three friends shared glances, and all smiled, agreeing.
"That would be lovely; thank you, Grace," Elizabeth replied for all of them. "Why don't we wait until dinner rather than intrude all afternoon? Can we bring something with us for dinner or dessert? Something for the children?"
"Our housekeeper Mrs Winters will have everything under control for dinner and dessert," Grace explained. "She is always ready to feed unexpected guests, so there will be more than enough."
"Thank you, Grace. I look forward to dinner, but I really have to go." Gabe smiled at them, gathered his things, waiting for Nathan and Elizabeth to do the same.
As they left the Hotel, Nathan asked Gabe about the frosty interaction between Tess Stewart and Grace Walsh.
"Tess's only son, Chuck, the local veterinarian, has his eye on Grace. Tess has loftier expectations for her son than the woman running an Orphanage, who was an orphan herself." Gabriel grimaced, "She also dislikes Lillian, believing her adopted father responsible for her husband's death."
"Was he?" Nathan asked, wondering what the connection could be.
"No, I don't believe so, and neither did anyone else at the time. Lillian's father built the bridge, which collapsed, killing Tess's husband. Tess believes it was structurally unsound; others have suggested Mr Stewart attempted to run too many cattle on it at one time. It was a tragic accident, but Tess refuses to let the animosity toward Lillian and now Grace rest, despite neither being involved in any way."
"So she doesn't think Grace is good enough for her son? Elizabeth said, frowning, "That's awful." Seeing the men's eyebrows shoot up, she laughed and shook her head, "I know. I don't know why I was so surprised by that." Gabriel had a front-row seat for her family's treatment of Nathan. "Hopefully, Tess will accept Grace as quickly as Julie accepted Nathan once she learned what a good man he is."
Gabriel laughed as Nathan blushed at Elizabeth's words.
"You know it's true, Gabriel," Elizabeth objected when he laughed. "You are a good man too, and I hope Lillian realises that."
"We'll see," Gabriel said with a shy smile.
Growing serious again, she said, "How can she blame two young women for accidents completely out of their control?"
Gabriel didn't answer immediately, shaking his head before answering, "Grief can make people do strange things and change their whole personality, and I believe that's what happened when Tess was widowed."
"She should visit Coal Valley, a Town full of widows who haven't turned bitter and mean," Elizabeth said frowning.
Later that evening, when Elizabeth and Nathan were ready to head out to the Orphanage, they went downstairs and waited outside the Hotel for Gabriel.
"How was the first day of our holiday," Elizabeth asked, nudging Nathan with her hip and smiling up at him.
"Wonderful; although while I am looking forward to meeting Lillian and the children, I am really looking forward to spending the rest of the evening alone with you."
It was Elizabeth's turn to blush at her husband's words, "I'm looking forward to that too," she admitted with a shy smile. As she leaned toward her husband, wanting to kiss his cheek, Gabriel interrupted their moment of intimacy by calling their names.
"Sorry to break this up, but you don't want to be late for a dinner prepared by Mrs Winters; she is a great cook." Gabriel smiled, "almost as good as Abigail."
Within moments of being introduced to her, Elizabeth knew why Gabriel had fallen for Lillian. She was stunningly beautiful, with her clear green eyes, luminous skin and her striking strawberry blonde curls. But it was her personality that truly made Lillian beautiful. She was the kindest, sweetest, most generous person Elizabeth had ever met. Her dedication to the children in her care and the sister she spent years searching for was honourable. Lillian was also bright and funny, and, if Elizabeth was any judge of character, she had feelings for Gabriel Kinslow.
Elizabeth watched Lillian discreetly and, in doing so, noticed she had a special smile for Gabriel, her eyes flashing with laughter and delight; she was careful around him, not obvious about her feelings unless you were watching as she was. Lillian blushed when Gabriel took the plates from her, setting them on the table, their hands brushing together as he did so.
"Were we ever that awkward around each other?" Nathan whispered in Elizabeth's ear.
Elizabeth giggled, "No, but only because you were so irresistible; I couldn't deny my feelings for longer than five minutes." She rested her hand on his leg, beneath the table cloth where it couldn't be seen. "Everyone around us knew instantly; Rosemary didn't even have to see us together to know how I felt about you."
"Are we going to do anything about Lillian and Gabe?" Nathan asked.
"Carefully," Elizabeth said with a wink. "We wouldn't want them to realise it wasn't their idea.
After putting Allie to sleep, Colleen paced back and forth in her bedroom. Julie had gone home to get something she had forgotten, leaving Colleen alone with her thoughts. Ever since Julie had told her about Doctor Pearce and shown her his letter, she had tried hard not to get her hopes up, but how could she not? Her greatest fear was dying and leaving Allie alone. Yes. She would have Nathan and Elizabeth, and they would love and care for her, but she was her mother; she wanted it to be her who was there to watch Allie grow up.
If there was even the slightest chance Doctor Pearce could help her, didnt she have to meet him? Listen to him; hear what he has to say. Take a chance. She had to be brave for Allie and try any new treatment, even if it was experimental. If Doctor Pearce thought he could help her, she would do anything he asked.
Faith had been good to her and had visited regularly to ensure she wasn't overdoing it. She would talk to Faith too and try to understand the Nurse's concerns. Colleen wondered if she would have made it through the incident with Lisa Bouchard without Faith's attention.
When Julie woke, Colleen would ask her to reach out to Doctor Pearce and ask him to come to Town. And she would not get her hopes up, not even a little.
As Nathan and Elizabeth pottered around their room, preparing for bed, he asked, "Are you sure you don't mind splitting up tomorrow? I know the plan was to spend our time here together." Nathan wanted to go on rounds with Gabe the next day; it would be good to see the surrounding areas. If needed, he would relieve Gabe in Brookfield and vice versa.
"Of course, I don't mind," Elizabeth said. "I am looking forward to spending time with Lillian and the children. You should go on rounds; it will make it safer for you if you need to relieve Gabriel; he can point out things to watch out for."
"Are you going to mention Gabe to her?" Nathan said with a smile. "Tell her what a wonderful guy he is."
"Every chance I get! He is a wonderful guy."
"Wait a minute, not as wonderful as me, right," he teased.
"No one is as wonderful as you," she said, wrinkling her nose at him. "You will never have anything to worry about."
Nathan and Elizabeth lingered in bed the following morning, enjoying the opportunity to spend time together without the pressure to rush to work or school, knowing they had hours before anyone would look for them. After a leisurely breakfast, they freshened up before their separate tasks. Nathan and Gabe escorted Elizabeth to the Orphanage on their way.
Nathan and Gabriel didn't stay long when they delivered Elizabeth to spend time at the Orphanage. Lillian offered them morning tea, but they declined, wanting to be on their way, so they could return and spend time together then.
Elizabeth couldn't help looking out for Nathan as the hours wore on, and he and Gabe were expected back. Despite her fun with Lillian and the children, she didn't mind admitting how much she missed Nathan. As she looked out toward the trees, the way Nathan would return, she saw a man approaching on horseback, not Nathan or Gabe in his red serge.
"Are you expecting anyone, Lillian?" Elizabeth asked.
Squinting, Lillian looked into the distance and said, "Oh, that's Sam. He said he would call in on his way back from prospecting to see if we needed anything."
"Is that the only reason he calls in?" Elizabeth asked tentatively, not wanting to overstep with her new friendship with Lillian.
"I hope so," Lillian replied, her cheeks red. "I don't encourage him. I don't ..."
"Because of Constable Kinslow?" Elizabeth asked hopefully.
"Yes, even though I don't think there is any reason to say no." Lillian looked at Elizabeth, her smile sad. "Gabriel has never done anything to make me think he feels the same; he hasn't said a word. He comes to see the children." Lillian shrugged; it was apparent how much Elizabeth and Nathan loved each other and hated being apart. Gabriel had never even asked her to go for a walk, let alone ask her on a date.
"He likes you very much," Elizabeth said with a smile.
"Really, how do you know that? He has never given any indication...he is so kind, but ..."
"You don't want him to be just kind," Elizabeth said with a grin. "There is something about that red serge, although whatever Nathan wears..."
"Elizabeth!" Lillian said, shocked but laughing. She had to admit; it wasn't only the red serge for her; Gabriel had her attention whatever he wore.
"How did you and Nathan get together?" How long was it before he asked you for dinner or lunch?"
Elizabeth laughed, "Well, the first time I met him, I got hit in the head with a baseball. I wrote to him to invite him out, and he never replied. The second time, he turned up when I burned down the house I was living in...not a great start, I'll admit."
"Wait, stop," Lillian demanded, holding her hands up and shaking her head. "Grace and Eleanor will want to hear this too; come inside, and we will have tea."
"Aren't you going to greet Sam?"
"Oh, he will check into the shed first; if anything needs mending, I leave it there for him."
Elizabeth followed Lillian inside, prepared to tell her story again; she didn't care how disastrous the beginning of her and Nathan's romance was; she loved talking about it and him to anyone, anytime.
"Well, that was quite a story, young lady," Eleanor said. "After hearing everything you and that handsome Constable have been through to be together, It's obvious you have one of those once-in-a-lifetime loves that are meant to be."
"I think so, too," Elizabeth agreed, laughing. "I think..."
A knock at the door interrupted her, and she jumped up, her smile wide, pleased Nathan and Gabriel had gotten back early from rounds. She followed Lillian to the door, a smile on her face. As Lillian opened the door, she froze. It wasn't Nathan or Gabe; her smile slipped as she stared at the man before her, taking in his bedraggled appearance, straggly beard and unkempt hair.
"Sam, please come in, we have just finished tea, but I am sure Mrs Winter will make you a fresh cup," Lillian said calmly.
"Thanks, Lillian,"
Elizabeth watched the two of them interact as Sam joined them for tea, interested in their dynamic. Lillian was polite and friendly, but that was all. Sam was friendly and courteous with Elizabeth and the others, but there was something special in the smile he gave Lillian. Sam interacted with the children, and it was clear they adored him; Gabriel would need to act quickly, not because there was a risk of losing Lillian, but because this kind man would be hurt, and it wasn't fair to give him false hope.
