Elizabeth stood before the Stagecoach platform, staring intently down the road leading into Coal Valley. Her parents were due any moment; they were overdue actually; they should have been there thirty minutes ago. Nathan was late, too. He should have been standing beside her and Julie. He had left to do his rounds but had yet to return. She hoped nothing had gone wrong with him or someone else, but she couldn't think of another reason he wasn't there.
Hoofbeats sounded to her left, and she turned to see Nathan galloping into Town on Newton. Relief flooded through her at the sight of him, unharmed. Elizabeth watched as Nathan drew Newton to a halt and dismounted, all in one fluid motion. He handed Newton to Bill, who had hurried toward him. Bill had been waiting with Elizabeth and knew how anxious she had been. She watched as he said something to Nathan, who shook his head in response. Hopefully, it meant that nothing serious had occurred.
"I am so sorry, Elizabeth. I got stuck at the Wilkins farm. Mrs. Wilkins needed some help with a rotten fence post."
Elizabeth smiled, "It's fine, you're here now." Frowning, she watched as he hurriedly smoothed down his serge, straightening non-existent creases and brushing off dirt that wasn't there. He caught her watching him and smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, I wanted to make a good impression, and now I'm late and dirty," he said, frustrated.
"You look fine, Nathan. You are perfect as always." Elizabeth leaned into him, pleased when he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. She felt the press of his lips against her hair and sighed. Now he was here with her, she could allow herself to relax, at least a little.
"Their visit will be too. You and Julie have done everything possible to ensure your parents' visit is perfect." Nathan glanced at his watch and then back to her. "Would you like me to ask Lee to borrow his car and drive out to look for them to ensure nothing is wrong?"
"Give them ten more minutes," Elizabeth replied. Maybe they took more breaks than anticipated, or the train was delayed into Benson Hills." Elizabeth's parents had decided to travel via first-class train passage and then collect a car at Benson Hills. They were due to arrive in Coal Valley in time for afternoon tea at Abigail's.
"Elizabeth?" Bill asked as he stepped up beside her. Would you like me to go and look for your parents?"
Elizabeth smiled at Nathan, amused that the two men with Mountie training had asked the same question. "Nathan just offered also, Bill. Let's wait a few minutes; I am sure nothing is wrong. There are a lot of small things that could have gone wrong throughout the day to cause them to fall behind schedule."
"Alright, Elizabeth. As long as you're sure? Abigail is keeping our food warm, so a delay doesn't matter as long as nothing has happened."
Elizabeth started to respond to Bill, but the sound of a car engine growing louder cut her words short. She felt Nathan squeeze her hand as they all turned toward the sound. Raising her hand to her brow to block the afternoon sun, Elizabeth strained to see who was in the car.
"Oh!" Disappointment filled the silence as Elizabeth, and those around her realised the car was being driven by Henry Gowan, not William and Grace Thatcher. When Henry pulled up alongside them, Elizabeth saw he had Colleen and Allie in the vehicle with them.
"Are you still waiting for your parents, Elizabeth?" Colleen asked. "We didn't come earlier, wanting to allow them to catch their breath before we met them."
Nathan stepped forward to help his sister and Allie out of the car, explaining as he did that they hadn't arrived. Henry, listening to the conversation, remained in the car while the others joined the group outside the Cafe.
"I am happy to drive the road to Benson Hills and look for them," Henry offered.
"Elizabeth, I think we should accept Henry's offer, and I want to go with him."
Elizabeth nodded to Nathan, knowing it was time they did something. "Thank you, Henry; I appreciate what you're doing. Nathan, please hurry back; I need to know nothing is wrong."
"Why don't we go to the Cafe?" Bill suggested. "We can listen for the car, and you can have a cup of tea while you wait."
Elizabeth looked at Julie, who nodded in agreement and went with the others to the Cafe. Elizabeth waited until she could no longer see Henry's car before joining them. As she walked, she silently prayed that her parents were okay.
"So, you haven't met Elizabeth's parents before?" Henry asked as they drove out of Town.
"The only family or friend of Elizabeth's from Hamilton I have met is Julie. Although Elizabeth and I met when we were both in Hamilton, we only saw each other once before we both came to Coal Valley."
"That sounds like quite the story," Henry prompted.
Nathan thought everyone knew how he came to be in Coal Valley and was surprised Henry didn't. Thinking about it, he shouldn't be. Henry had removed himself from town events, and when he spoke to people, it was usually only when necessary. Despite Nathan having spent time with Henry, they hadn't talked about his personal life with Elizabeth.
Driving out of Town, heading toward Benson Hills, Nathan filled Henry in on the story. Nathan saw Henry raise his eyebrows when he mentioned William Thatcher's being the reason for him being stationed in Coal Valley, but he didn't interrupt. Henry knew about Lucas and Lisa Bouchard, so Nathan skipped over it. Henry also knew about their wedding but wasn't aware they had married without telling her parents first or Nathan speaking to William Thatcher.
"William Thatcher is an important man, Nathan, but he also has the reputation of fiercely protecting his girls. I am sure he was less than pleased about the two of you marrying without meeting you first or giving you his permission."
"That's an understatement." Nathan shrugged.
"You don't think he can influence her feelings about her marriage to you, do you?"
Nathan shrugged but didn't say anything. Deep down, he was worried about that, despite knowing how much Elizabeth loved him.
"Nathan, Elizabeth is in love with you; she clearly loves you and your life here. Her parents will see that, just like everyone else can, and they will be happy for her...for you both."
"I hope so." Nathan sighed loudly, "I don't know what to do to make sure of it."
"Nothing," Henry said, his voice emphatic. "There is nothing worse than trying to be something you're not. You aren't that kind of man, Nathan. You and Elizabeth, just stay true to yourselves, and everything will be fine."
Nathan felt relief flood through him at Henry's vote of confidence in him and his relationship with Elizabeth.
"What is it?" Henry asked as he caught Nathan smiling.
"Nothing, I just never imagined a time you would be giving me relationship advice."
"Well, it's a one-time deal, don't get used to it."
Nathan chuckled as Henry turned back into his useful, gruff self, but there was no hiding the red tinge to his cheeks.
'I knew we should have hired a driver,' Grace Thatcher thought as her husband tried unsuccessfully to locate the tool required to change the flat car tyre. She could hear him rummaging through the vehicle's storage compartment despite having gone through it twice already.
She waited as he slammed the lid closed, saying nothing as he approached her door.
"It is definitely not there."
"Of course, dear. Shall we start walking?"
"You are not walking anywhere, Grace. Don't be ridiculous; it could take hours."
"There is no need to speak to me like I am a child or incapable of doing something as simple as walking as far as you can, William."
"I'm sorry," he said, running his hand through his hair, messing it up further. "It annoys me when people fail to do the right thing. Someone failed to do their job correctly and look at the consequences."
"I know, dear, but we are here now and need to find a solution."
"I will walk to this Coal Valley; I don't believe it can be too much further."
"And I will wait here? While it gets dark?" Grace didn't want to stay alone, but despite her statement moments earlier, she didn't want to walk to Coal Valley either. If nothing else, her high-heeled boots were entirely unsuitable for the task, and the last thing she wanted was to arrive in Coal Valley sweaty and covered in dust.
After their lengthy journey, Grace wanted to soak in a bath and catch up with her daughters. She missed Elizabeth terribly, and it felt like forever since she had waved goodbye to her at the train station. Grace had already felt guilty about how they treated Elizabeth and her husband, but she felt even worse after she heard Julie and her friend Mariah sing his praises. It sounded as though Nathan Grant was the perfect man for her daughter, and she wanted to apologise to them both for her behaviour.
Grace knew her relationship with Elizabeth was still not entirely back to how it had been before. Although she was surrounded by friends and associates in Hamilton, it wasn't the same as having her girls close by. Grace had also realised how envious she was of those friends' becoming grandmothers and growing their families as hers grew smaller.
William would never admit he felt the same as Grace; however, his willingness to drop everything and make this trip was enough to indicate that he did. It was so unlike her husband to agree to leave Thatcher Shipping in someone else's hands for an extended period. He had justified himself to her by saying that some of their time in Coal Valley was business as he planned to meet with Leland Coulter.
"I suggest you remain here, Grace. Stay within the Motor vehicle, and I will return as soon as possible. If anyone approaches you, don't exit the vehicle and don't go with them." William leaned into the backseat of the car and picked up the basket of food and water he had placed there, putting it on the driver's seat.
"There is food and water in there, Grace, not that I think I will be gone long enough for you to need it."
"Thank you, William," Grace replied, barely controlling the urge to roll her eyes. "I hope you aren't too long..."
Grace stopped speaking and looked up at the road stretched out before them.
"Is that an engine?"
"I believe it is." William smiled.
Grace saw relief flood across her husband's face. She knew he hadn't relished the idea of leaving her there any more than she had wanted to stay. William closed the driver's door and walked around the vehicle to stand beside it, next to Grace. While they might be relieved, William wasn't prepared to take chances until he found out who was approaching them.
As the car rounded the corner and came into view, Grace gasped. Even from that distance, it was apparent that the passenger was wearing the bright red serge of the Mounted Police. It could only be their son-in-law.
Grace felt her husband reach out and place his hand on her shoulder, knowing he had realised who it was too. Their first meeting with Constable Nathan Grant was coming sooner than expected, and Grace, for one, couldn't wait.
"Stop that, Elizabeth," Colleen chided gently as she placed her hand on her sister-in-law's knee, stopping the jiggling. "You're making me nervous."
"I am so sorry. It feels like they have been gone forever."
"Elizabeth, it's been no time at all. Let me get you more tea and a scone; that will at least give you something to do."
Colleen placed a fresh cup of tea and a warm scone before Elizabeth and sat back down.
"Distract me, please. Tell me about how everything is going at Henry's." Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up at the broad smile that broke across Colleen's face as her eyes lit up with joy at her question.
"It's wonderful, Elizabeth! I can't remember the last time I felt this happy." Colleen turned toward her and grasped one of her hands, "I finally feel Allie and I are exactly where we should be."
"That's wonderful!"
"Please don't think I didn't enjoy the time we lived with you, but most of that, I was under a black cloud regarding my health. Now, I am healthy and able to enjoy playing with Allie and keeping up with her," she chuckled, "well trying to."
"And Henry?" Elizabeth asked, curious about what it was like to spend so much time with him in a place where he felt comfortable. He was so stilted when he was in Town.
"He is very different than I imagined, Elizabeth. He is kind, intelligent, and funny, and he has infinite patience with Allie. He usually joins us for breakfast and dinner; she talks his ear off, and he doesn't seem to mind."
"Really?"
"Really. I know many people dislike Henry, and for good reason, given what I have heard about him and how he behaved." Colleen shrugged and smiled ruefully. "I might be naive to believe someone can change so much, especially given that Dylan never has, but I don't think Henry is the same man he was before."
"I believe people can change Colleen; I know Nathan has a lot of time for him, as do Robert and Mariah." Elizabeth knew she had held back trusting Henry Gowan, given his history with the Town and the damage his actions had caused. If her husband trusted him, and now Colleen and Allie, it was time for her to allow herself to. She had been cautious around him when they visited Colleen and Allie, and he seemed to have sensed her hesitation, declining to intrude on their visits. She would make a point to reach out to him, especially after today when he hadn't hesitated to look for her parents.
"I am so happy for you and Allie, Colleen. Even though our house is quiet sometimes, I know it was right for you both."
Elizabeth saw Colleen studying her face, concerned for her, and she wished she had chosen her words more carefully. Colleen knew of her anxiety that she hadn't fallen pregnant yet. At least the preparations for her parents' visit had diverted her focus over the last few weeks.
Elizabeth was glad she had taken Nathan's advice and asked Rosemary to help organise her parent's visit. Within days, she had arranged for the Thatcher's to stay in Henry's old rooms above the mayor's office instead of the saloon and had engaged someone to clean and do laundry and provide simple meals when they were not dining with their daughters or at the Cafe. It was the perfect solution. She truly hoped that Juie was right, and the visit was nothing more than a mother missing her daughters.
Whatever the reason for their visit, she was determined to make it as enjoyable as possible for everyone. Her focus while they were here would be to show her parents why she had fallen in love with Coal Valley and its people, and her husband, of course.
"Elizabeth," Colleen began, her voice soft. "I-"
"It's fine, Colleen. I'm fine," Elizabeth assured her. "I am going to focus on my parents and their visit; I don't want to think about anything else right now." Elizabeth was pleased when Colleen nodded and changed the subject to the upcoming visit they were planning for her parents. Henry insisted on hosting the Thatchers for lunch, including Colleen and Allie as guests. Elizabeth was surprised when he approached Abigail and asked if she could provide something he could serve, but she was less surprised that Abigail had agreed. Elizabeth was glad Colleen would be part of the luncheon. Nathan would feel more comfortable with another person there who was on his side. Speaking of Nathan, she wondered if he and Henry had located her parents.
"Are you ready for this?" Henry asked Nathan as they rounded the corner and saw the vehicle on the side of the road. Although Henry had never met William Thatcher, there was no doubt in his mind the man standing beside the car was one of the people they had come to find. Henry glanced at Nathan, who hadn't replied to his question, hoping he wouldn't allow himself to be intimidated by his father-in-law. He was pleased to see Nathan grinning.
"I am ready."
Henry saw Nathan shrug and realised it was true.
"Well, let's do this."
Henry slowed the car as they approached the Thatchers, trying to minimise the dust blowing over William. He studied Elizabeth's parents as he stopped the car and waited, wanting to let Nathan approach them first. Even standing in the middle of the dusty road, there was something a little daunting about William; he held himself with quiet confidence.
Nathan took a breath and opened the car door. First impressions were important, and he wanted to make the right one with the Thatchers. Striding toward William Thatcher, he made eye contact and smiled. He was pleased when William stepped away from the car and walked the few steps forward to meet him. It may have meant nothing, but Nathan hoped it was symbolic of William meeting him halfway.
"Mr Thatcher?" Nathan asked, stretching out his hand in introduction. "I'm Nathan Grant." Nathan deliberately left out his title. William knew he was a Mountie, and despite wearing his uniform, he wanted the focus to be on him as a person, not his job.
"Nathan," William said with a nod. "I didn't expect to be meeting you this way, but here we are." Releasing Nathan's hand, he indicated the flat tyre on the car before turning to his wife. "Please, let me introduce you to Grace."
Nathan followed William to the car, where Grace waited. So far, so good. William's greeting had been pleasant, and it was clear he was pleased to see him and Henry.
"Grace dear, this is Nathan Grant, although I am sure you guessed that."
Nathan watched Grace smile at her husband; the feeling was genuine, and her smile reached her eyes. When she turned to look at Nathan, the twinkle in her eye remained, and he was glad to see her smile widen as she greeted him.
"Mrs Thatcher, it's nice to meet you," Nathan said, removing his hat. "I am sorry that it had to be under these circumstances."
"It's lovely to meet you finally. I am very grateful you turned up when you did; it saved William a long walk and myself a long wait."
"You aren't all that far from Coal Valley, actually. You almost made it." Nathan replied and turned to Henry, who had joined them and stood behind him, waiting for an introduction.
Nathan quickly introduced Henry to the Thatchers before Henry and William returned to Henry's car to inspect the tyre jack to ensure it would fit the Thatcher's vehicle. Nathan assisted Grace from the vehicle and escorted her to wait in Henry's car while the tyre was changed.
"Elizabeth is very excited to see you, Mrs Thatcher. Julie, too, of course."
"I am so excited to see my girls again. Please call me Grace if I may call you Nathan. We're family."
"Thank you, Grace." Nathan held out his hand to balance Grace as she settled into the front seat of Henry's car. "How was the rest of your journey?"
Grace and Nathan made small talk, and the knot of nerves in his stomach began to loosen as they did. It seemed Julie had been right. There was no ulterior motive in the Thatcher's visit; Grace Thatcher was a mother who loved and missed her daughters.
Nathan had offered to change the tyre, but Henry and William had insisted. The two men made quick work of the repair, and within minutes, the group were ready to go. Nathan again escorted Grace back to the car and helped her as she climbed in.
"Thank you."
Nathan turned to find William Thatcher standing behind him. "Of course, sir."
"William, please, Nathan. Now, how about you and Henry lead the way? I must say I am anxious to see my daughter's."
Elizabeth couldn't sit still any longer and rose to her feet. Passing Allie, she took a moment to compliment the young girl on the drawing she was doing. After her conversation with Colleen, she wasn't surprised to see the young girl had included Henry in her drawing. She tucked away the thoughts that had begun to swirl in her mind. She couldn't think about Colleen and Henry right now.
Elizabeth stepped out of the Cafe onto the verandah and paused, listening to any sound which might be an approaching vehicle. The door to the Cafe opened behind her, and her sister stepped out and stood beside her.
"I wish I knew where they were," Julie whispered. "That nothing has happened to them."
"Me too. Nathan and Henry will find them."
As Elizabeth finished speaking, she heard the sound she had been desperately straining to hear. It was a vehicle, possibly more than one. Elizabeth and Julie ran out into the street, gazing toward the sound. When Elizabeth saw Henry's vehicle returning, with another following behind, she knew they had found her parents.
Elizabeth heard Julie's excited squeal from beside her, and she spun and ran back to the Cafe to alert those waiting inside. Her sister rejoined her as they waited, breathless with excitement.
As both cars slowed to stop, Elizabeth was torn. Should she greet Nathan or her parents? She met Nathan's gaze, and he smiled and tipped his head towards her parent's car, understanding her dilemma and making it easy for her.
Elizabeth ran toward the car's passenger side, where she could see her usually graceful mother scrambling from the vehicle in an undignified rush. Elizabeth reached her mother and was immediately engulfed in her loving embrace.
"I've missed you so much," Elizabeth cried.
"I have missed you too, my darling."
Circled by her mother's arms, Elizabeth let go of all her concerns and suspicions about why her mother was visiting her, focusing only on the love she could feel flowing from her mother. Glancing over her shoulder she could see Julie embracing their father. Smiling, Elizabeth's gaze found Nathan where he stood, leaning on Henry's car watching the reunion, a happy smile on his face and she knew it was going to be fine.
