"You have to tell Elizabeth and soon," Robert urged Julie, his brow wrinkled in concern. "I know you don't want to but the longer you wait the worse it will be."
"Don't you think Mother or Father should be the ones to tell her about their visit?" Julie suggested, hopefully. The last thing she wanted to do was tell her sister their parents were coming to Coal Valley for a visit. Her parents were curious about Robert, of course. Knowing his parents wasn't enough for them, and they wanted to get to know him better. Grace had expressed a keen interest in the fundraising work her youngest daughter had been so excited about, offering to help however she could. William Thatcher was fascinated by the opportunities available to him in Coal Valley. Julie wasn't aware that Lee Coulter's reputation as a shrewd and honest businessman had spread to Hamilton, and her father had been extremely interested in the timber mill.
"I don't think Elizabeth will feel that way, and I can't see your parents changing their minds about coming. We are lucky I managed to talk my parents out of joining them."
"Fine, I will tell her today, after school," Julie conceded miserably, sighing dramatically. Elizabeth wasn't likely to be happy about the visit, especially given their parents' reaction to her wedding to Nathan. Julie tried to dispel their concerns, assuring them that Nathan was perfect for Elizabeth and explaining how happy they were. Still, somehow, her parents remained adamant about visiting Coal Valley to see for themselves.
Julie wasn't worried about her parents not liking Nathan once they met him. He was wonderful and so incredibly good to Elizabeth. You only had to see how he looked at her and how much he adored her to understand they were a perfect match, destined to be together. There was nothing else she could have done, she assured herself. She had tried everything, even enlisting Mariah to help convince them to stay home, but nothing worked. She had a week, two at most, to prepare her sister and their friends for her parents' arrival.
Julie had been delighted to arrive home and find Colleen had found a job and a home, although she wasn't sure how she felt about her working for Henry Gowan. She seemed to be the only one concerned about him. Robert, Nathan, and Mariah wouldn't hear a bad word about him. Elizabeth was a little less effusive in her praise due to his involvement with the mine disaster, but she didn't seem too concerned. Everyone deserved a second chance, Julie concluded, and she was willing to give him an opportunity to make amends if he would try. It seemed to her he was happier isolating himself from everyone, paying his self-imposed penance alone.
"Let's not think about that for now," Julie exclaimed. "I want to focus on moving into the row house; I am so excited."
Robert grinned at her quick change of demeanour; it wasn't easy to curb Julie's enthusiasm for long. He was happy to help her, and Mariah move into their row house. He was pleased that such convenient living arrangements had become available for both so quickly and easily. He didn't want Julie to leave Coal Valley, and having her own space, with company, would ensure she stayed.
Robert realised he was smiling as he carried his second box of Julie's things to the car. He was happy—happy Julie was staying, happy Mariah was staying, and happy he was staying. He planned to visit Henry Gowan this week and make an offer on the cabin he was renting from him. It suited him perfectly; he loved the location, and it felt like home; it was warm and inviting and could be built onto later if needed for a family. When he pictured making the cabin his permanent home, he pictured Julie there, too, by his side, with their family.
Inhaling deeply, Colleen held her breath momentarily before blowing it out in a rush.
Breakfast for Mr Gowan was ready to serve, but she wasn't sure what to do. When they discussed her role and his expectations, Henry explained what time he woke, when he liked to eat, and that was the time she had used to prepare, but once again, he was nowhere to be found.
Colleen was trying to quash her frustration as she stood in the dining room, waiting again for him to descend from upstairs. What could be keeping him?
Colleen decided and lifted the plate from the table, hurrying from the room and back toward the kitchen. As she walked through the door, footsteps sounded in the hallway behind her. Of course, he was there now—if only she had waited a few moments longer. Cursing her impatience, Colleen turned back toward the dining room, pushing the kitchen door open and colliding with Henry. Again. She had a habit of running into him.
"Oh!" Colleen gasped as the plate tumbled from her hand. The carefully prepared eggs, ham, tomato, and warm bread roll fell to the floor, landing at their feet.
"I am so sorry, Mr. Gowan," she stuttered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Taking stock of his clothing, she was pleased to see she had avoided soiling it; her dress, however, was a different matter; the hem of her skirt was covered in tomato juice. "Let me clean this up and prepare you a new plate. I would assure you I am not usually this clumsy, but..." she trailed off.
"Uh oh, you spilled it!" Allie exclaimed from behind her mother.
"Please go back to the Kitchen; I don't want you to step in anything, Allie," Colleen implored her daughter, wanting Allie away from whatever happened next. She wasn't sure how Mr Gowan would react, but Allie should be nowhere near him if he were angry. She did not want her to witness that kind of reaction, especially if it was directed toward her.
"It's fine, Mrs Parkes. No harm done; I assure you." Henry's voice was kind as he looked at the food on the floor. "Although I am sorry, I ruined your food, it looked delicious."
Allie glanced at Henry Gowan, and Colleen realised she hadn't noticed him until that moment. She watched as Allie's eyes went wide, and she was sure she was remembering Colleen's strict instructions to make sure she stayed out of the way and didn't bother him. Allie turned and fled back into the safety of the kitchen, and Colleen waited until the door closed again before turning to face Henry.
"I am very sorry. I was taking the food back into the kitchen to keep it warm for you. I will bring your coffee to you in the dining room and remake your breakfast; it will only take a few moments," Colleen assured him hurriedly.
"That would be nice, but," Henry said hesitantly. "I do hate to eat in the dining room all alone. I prefer to eat my meals at the table in the kitchen."
Colleen stared at Henry and noted the flush to his cheeks at his admission. She tried to keep the frown from her face but knew she was failing. Where would Allie go while Henry ate in the kitchen? That's where she planned to eat with her daughter, and she didn't feel comfortable leaving Allie alone in their house, no matter how close it was.
"Of course, Mr Gowan, it's your house, you should eat wherever you like,"
Colleen walked back to the kitchen, wracking her brain for a solution. When she stepped through the doorway, Allie glanced up at her, smiling from her seat at the table.
"Do you want me to help clean it up?"
"Thank you, sweetheart, but I can do it," Colleen replied, her tone light. "I need you to collect your plate, Allie. You can eat your breakfast on the Verandah this morning, a special treat."
"I hope you aren't asking her to leave on my account, Mrs Parkes."
Colleen turned to face Henry, "I don't want her to disturb you, Mr Gowan. You should be able to eat your breakfast in peace."
"If I wanted peace, I would eat in the dining room," Henry said with a small smile. "When the Hagarty's were here, I ate breakfast in here and never minded the interruptions of Mrs Hagarty, and she interrupted a lot."
Colleen grinned at Henry, imagining how much Mrs Hagarty had interrupted; the woman loved to talk.
"Allie could give her a run for her money, trust me," Colleen said, chuckling, wondering if Henry could keep up with her daughter.
"Well, if you don't think Allie would mind the company or you while you cook, why don't we try it this morning and see how we all get along."
"If you're sure, I would appreciate it; I didn't want Allie eating outside alone, and please, Mr Gowan, call me Colleen."
"All right, and it's Henry."
Henry sat at the table opposite the little girl, smiling kindly at her as she sat, still and quiet as a mouse, listening to the conversation between the adults. Colleen caught her daughter's eye and smiled, letting her know it was okay. With gentle encouragement, Colleen engaged Henry and Allie in conversation as she poured Henry coffee and Allie juice. After starting breakfast for Henry a second time, she stepped out of the room and cleaned up the spilled breakfast, and tidied her skirt as best she could. By the time she returned a few minutes later, her daughter had regained her natural exuberance and was explaining to Henry, in detail, all about her plans for the day.
Colleen smiled as Henry listened intently to Allie and her story. Her daughter was bright, and when she got excited, she spoke a mile a minute, her thoughts jumping around all over the place. It took practice to follow along. Colleen admired his perseverance, and when she took his plate of food to him, she was pleased to see his smile had grown. It looked like he was enjoying himself.
"Have you eaten, Colleen?" Henry asked.
"I was going to have mine when you finished," she explained. Her food was in the oven, keeping warm.
"I wouldn't mind the company if you're ready to eat now. I am sure Allie would also like to eat with you."
"Of course," Colleen hurried to retrieve her food, a little nervous about joining Henry. She didn't want to become a burden or nuisance to him; she wanted her and Allie to drift into the background and not intrude on his privacy. As she rejoined them, she assessed Henry's demeanour again. He seemed to enjoy having company while he ate; spending so much time alone would be lonely.
"Mother and Father are doing what?" Elizabeth whispered, unable to believe she had heard Julie correctly.
"They are visiting us in Coal Valley," Julie confirmed softly.
"Why?" Elizabeth demanded, standing before Julie, who was sitting at the table. "What did you tell them?"
"Nothing bad, I promise!" Julie assured her. "I told them how perfect everything was here and how happy we were, and they said they wanted to come and see it for themselves.
"When?" Elizabeth demanded, hands on hips. She couldn't believe her parents were coming to visit, and she was sure Julie was responsible somehow.
"In a couple of weeks, they are planning the trip now and will travel when everything is organised. Mother is particularly concerned about getting her wardrobe just right."
Ignoring Julie's comments about her mother's clothing, Elizabeth continued, "Where do they plan on staying, Julie?"
"In the Saloon. I think. I didn't realise Colleen was leaving when I was home, so I told them your house was full. Mariah and I were still living with Rosemary, so we had no room. Where else is there?"
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. She would see Tom in the Saloon as soon as possible to try and sort out the best accommodations she could. The last thing she wanted was for her parents to stay with her and Nathan. She loved her parents but wouldn't do that to her husband. She knew Nathan would welcome her parents, but he would be on tenterhooks the whole time, worried about saying or doing the wrong thing, and she wouldn't do that to him.
"And you are sure you didn't say anything to make them feel they needed to visit?
"Why do you think this is my fault, Elizabeth? All I did was tell them how wonderful everything is here. They wanted to come to see why we are both so happy. Besides, they want to get to know Robert better, and Father mentioned working with Lee."
"I'm sorry, Julie. I don't mean to blame you; I am just surprised. They have never hinted at visiting before."
"Well, they are visiting now, so we must make the best of it."
Elizabeth paced her living room as Julie looked on, still unable to believe that in a matter of weeks, her parents could be in that same room. Could she trust what Julie was saying, that their interest in visiting was only to share their daughter's happiness and see where they had chosen to spend their lives? Surely, it couldn't be more than that. She had hoped they had accepted her marriage to Nathan, albeit reluctantly. Her mother had stopped her snide comments about marrying in haste, so far from home, without their knowledge. Had they truly accepted her decision not to return to Hamilton, or was this visit about convincing both their daughters to come home?
Nathan looked up as the door opened, and his face lit up with a smile when he saw his wife. His heart still raced at the sight of her, and he hoped it always would. He never wanted to be complacent about their love or her place in his heart and life. As she walked toward him, his smile slipped a little. She was frowning, and he could see the concern on her beautiful face.
"What is it? Has something happened?" Nathan asked as he hurried toward Elizabeth, reaching for her hands when he was close enough.
"Not yet. But something is going to," Elizabeth explained. "Julie just informed me my parents are visiting Coal Valley."
Nathan felt his eyebrows shoot up in surprise. That was the last thing he had expected her to say. Why were the Thatchers coming to Coal Valley? Why now? He felt his stomach drop. His relationship with Elizabeth's parents was far from ideal. William Thatcher was responsible for having a Mountie stationed in Coal Valley, leading to his first fight with Elizabeth when she found out why he was there. There was a time when he wondered if Elizabeth would ever forgive him or her father for the deception about why Coal Valley had a full-time Mountie. Thankfully, she had eventually forgiven them both, but that issue, combined with their hasty nuptials without her parent's knowledge or blessing, had not helped how they felt about him. Nathan had reached out to William Thatcher, and while he was cordial, he was far from friendly. He had little interaction with Grace Thatcher, only through Elizabeth's letters and Julie's reports back to them.
What if, when Grace and William Thatcher finally did meet him, they continued to dislike him? How would Elizabeth react to that? Would it change anything for her knowing her parents had met him, and their opinions didn't change? They had talked about it, and Elizabeth assured him that if they only had a chance to get to know him, see him as she did, they would love him. But what if they didn't?
"Say something. Please," Elizabeth begged, squeezing his hands.
"When? When are they coming?"
"In a few weeks. We have some time, but not much. There is so much to do. There is so much to arrange. I must talk to Tom at the Saloon about accommodation; I have to talk to Abigail. I have to make arrangements for my students."
Nathan waited as Elizabeth stopped speaking and took a deep, steadying breath, halting her rambling thoughts.
"We have time, Elizabeth, plenty of time to organise this." Nathan swallowed and decided to remain calm; they couldn't both panic. "Are you sure you don't want to ask them to stay with us?"
"I am very sure," Elizabeth stated. "I just don't know why they are coming. I wish I could talk to them to understand. Julie says it's because we are both so happy here, and now she has also decided to stay in Coal Valley; they want to come and see the attraction for themselves."
"That is possible, Elizabeth. That and they miss you." Nathan shrugged, trying to make the best of their situation. "I am sure that's all there is, and that's what you should prepare for. Not for the worst." Nathan smiled, reassuring her, "Why don't you ask Rosemary to help you organise what you need? She would love to help."
"That's a wonderful idea; I will see her now."
Elizabeth threw her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly before whirling around and practically running out of the Mountie office. At least Elizabeth seemed happier than when she arrived; he wasn't sure what he was feeling. Should he visit Bill or Robert? They were the only two besides Elizabeth and Julie who knew William and Grace Thatcher. One of them should be able to give him tips on what to expect from his parents-in-law and ... how to make them like him. Before he could talk to either man, he had another meeting he had to attend.
Nathan strode out of the Mountie office, donning his hat, heading for Lee's office. Henry Gowan had agreed to meet with them to discuss building a school for Coal Valley. While the town council refused to fund the school, they decided that if Nathan could raise the funds for a building, they would allocate a parcel of land to build it on. There was a condition attached to the offer; one Nathan was happy to accept - the school would also be the Church and replace the one that had burned down. Lee had previously taken steps to build a Church for the town, but that had stalled when his business took off. Nathan and Abigail had discussed several locations. They had settled on one near the pond, close enough for the children and Elizabeth to walk to school and the Townspeople for Church services.
Having secured the council's agreement, Nathan was hopeful that Henry's previous offer to assist him with the funding was still on the table; Lee was still on board with discounted lumbar and labour to help, pleased the project would be completed this time. Nathan was sure he could rally the other parents to help where and when they could. Elizabeth and the children of Coal Valley deserved a proper school, and he wanted to help them achieve it.
When Nathan entered Lee's office, Henry was already waiting. The two men were discussing the recent expansion to the timber mill. Their conversation was awkward, and tension was thick in the air. He could see the relief on both men's faces at his arrival. Taking a seat beside Henry, Nathan smiled at him and asked after Colleen and Allie, pleased to see a genuine smile across his face.
"They have settled in well," Henry confirmed. "I appreciate having them there. Colleen is a wonderful cook, and Allie, well, she is just a delight."
"Our house is certainly quieter without the two of them," Nathan chuckled. He wasn't going to mention anything about the cooking; neither he nor Elizabeth had a patch on Colleen, but they were getting better.
Nathan glanced at Lee and saw him evaluating Henry. He was glad he saw this side of the man. This project might help Henry demonstrate to everyone how he had changed and force him to rejoin society.
"I know they are looking forward to catching up with the two of you on Sunday; Allie hasn't talked about anything else besides the picnic."
"Thank you for letting us have it on your property. Colleen said there is a pretty spot not far from the house."
"There are quite a few, so feel free to visit them all."
Nathan nodded at Henry and then began speaking to the two men about his ideas for the project and the Town Council's offer. He needed their support and couldn't do it without them, and as they both leaned in, listening intently, he knew he had it. Both men scrutinised him as he spoke, but Nathan could see interest in their eyes and knew they were both thinking of ways to make this idea come to fruition.
Nathan sat back, having detailed what he wanted and needed from both. Lee was the first one to speak.
"Nathan, you have my support as always. It's a great idea for the children and the Town." Lee glanced at Henry before continuing, "I am changing my original offer though. I am donating the lumbar, not discounting it, and I will also loan you some men to help build it."
Before Nathan could comment, Henry spoke, "My offer has changed too. I was happy to pay for the discounted lumbar, but if that isn't possible, at least allow me to pay the men and buy the desks and other furnishings the building will need."
"I am happy to pay the men. It's part of me building their skills for the future and taking on some additional people."
"Between the two of you, it sounds like we can finally get started, although now I wonder what my contribution will be?" Nathan meant it; he wanted to do something to make this dream come true.
"Your job is to bring everyone together and plan this out. I expect you to supervise when I can't," Lee said. You can work with Elizabeth to understand what she needs in the classroom and the other townspeople to see what they would like to see in the Church," Chuckling Lee said. "Managing people's expectations and getting them to agree will be the toughest job of the lot."
"I certainly don't envy you, Nathan," Henry agreed, chuckling along with Lee. "I recommend you strike while the iron is hot. Go and see Abigail right now before anything changes."
"Great advice, I will do that," Nathan agreed, standing up.
"And get yourself some afternoon tea?" Lee teased.
Nathan didn't respond, just laughed as he left the office, hurrying toward the Cafe, barely unable to contain his enthusiasm.
