CHAPTER 17

The next morning Lucas met MaKayla and Lilly for breakfast at The Café. As they were finishing up their breakfast, Faith came in.

"Good morning," she said happily as she saw them across the room.

"Auntie Faith, you're back." As the little girl got up and ran to her. "I had the best time with MaKayla and Lucas." She told her happily.

"Thank you both so much for taking care of her for me." Faith told them with a grateful smile.

"We were happy to do it," MaKayla said.

"Well, if you ladies will excuse me, I have a government to run." Lucas smiled at them and left the café.

Faith smiled at MaKayla and sat down with her. "He actually looks happy, like the Lucas I used to know. You are doing wonders for him MaKayla." Faith told her honestly.

"I hope so." She sighed with contentment. "Because to be honest with you. I have fallen deeply in love with that man. He's not there yet, I know that, but I have hope and that is all I can ask for right now."

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As Lucas entered his office, Henry was waiting for him. All the happiness he had been feeling from his breakfast with MaKayla and Lilly left him when he saw Henry's face.

"What problem do we have now?" He asked with a deep sigh as he walked around to take a seat at his desk.

"You're not going to like it." Henry said as he showed him a copy of the Valley Voice. Lucas read the headline, "Montague Makes Second Move for Valley/ Disgraced Union City Businessman to make a resort bid." Lucas stared at the headline in disbelief.

"She did it, after I asked her not to, she still went ahead and wrote the article." Lucas said with contempt.

"Now Lucas calm down, let's talk about this. Don't go off halfcocked here and do something you'll regret." Henry said calmly to him. But Henry could tell that Lucas was furious and nothing was going to settle him down right now.

Lucas got up from his desk and started to walk out of his office, carrying the paper. "Where are you going?" Henry asked, but didn't get an answer.

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Lucas charged into the Valley Voice office, with the door slamming shut behind him. As he approached Rosemary he slammed the newspaper onto her desk.

"You've seen it?" Rosemary asked quietly as she looked up at him from her desk.

"As have the rest of town. Rosemary, I asked for your trust and I can't believe you would print an article like this." He said angrily.

"Now, hold on a second Lucas," Lee said to him.

"The people deserve to know the truth, Lucas. I had to do what was right." She told him.

"I asked you to trust me, a man that you know and you couldn't give me that. You didn't even have the decency to tell me you were going to print the story anyway." He yelled, and then turned his fury on Lee.

"I thought you were behind the resort?" He asked him.

"I am, but not at any cost." He said honestly.

"Are you speaking as mayor of the people or as Rosemary's husband?" Lucas asked harshly.

"Both, no one in this town wants Montague involved." Lee told him blatantly.

"Well, the choice is simple, Montague or no resort at all." Lucas told them.

"There's not a single other bidder?" Rosemary asked

"I'm trying to protect our home. Construction on this resort solves the valleys unemployment issues. Once it's built it provides prosperity for all. I just hope you haven't forced the one man who's capable of making it come to fruition to withdraw." He told them with a fury they had never seen from him before.

As Lucas left their office, they both stared at each other not really sure what had just happened.

"I have never seen Lucas that angry before." Rosemary said.

"I know he's upset. But something else is going on with him. I wish I understood it. Regardless, I think you did the right thing, sweetheart. Like I told Lucas we don't want this resort if it means Montague, is the builder." He told her.

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Lucas was back in his office trying to let his anger subside. Once he had regained his composure, he was on a mission to find Montague and somehow salvage the deal from the mess that Rosemary had made of it. He was seriously hoping that the man had not just left town after that blasted article was published.

As Lucas stepped out of the saloon, he saw Montague sitting on the veranda. Lucas pulled on his cufflinks, put on his best poker face and walked over to him.

"Montague" Lucas said. "May I have a word?" Montague pointed to the chair across from him.

Montague gave him an icy stare with a copy of the Valley Voice on the table in front of him. "Seriously Bouchard, if the people of Hope Valley are this set against me, then maybe I should withdraw my bid and move on." He told him.

"Let's not be hasty." Lucas said, keeping his countenance relaxed which is nothing like he was feeling.

"Edwin said that you have another bid or was that just a ruse to get a better deal?" Montague questioned the young governor. Knowing full well that Bouchard was an expert at bluffing.

Lucas calmly told him, "There is another offer. It's less attractive than yours. We've met all of your demands, and I'm confident that we can ride out this storm. So, can I count on your bid?" Lucas asked.

Montague eyed his opponent. Bouchard was many things but Montague knew him to be an honest businessman. This was a good deal and he wanted in. So, what if Hope Valley didn't think much of him, he was only interested in making money. Finally, he said, "Yes, we have a deal." The two men shook hands, as Lucas breathed a sigh of relief.

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Later that evening, Montague was finishing up his dinner at the Queen of Hearts when Bill Avery came in. Bill frowned when he saw that Montague was still in town. He decided to have another chat with the businessman.

"I thought you would have taken off after that article was published. Mrs. Coulter and I share the same instinct about you." Bill told him.

"That being?" Montague asked exasperated.

"That you had something to do with the governor getting shot," Bill said with a smirk.

"This again," Montague said frustrated. "Why would I? I'm a businessman, it's all about making money. The minute Bouchard was elected I was ready to bury the hatchet. That's why I'm here and that is the only reason why I'm here. I wasn't involved in the attempt to kill Bouchard nor do I have any future plans to kill the new governor." He said forcefully.

"I would like to establish a working relationship with him, that's it. You people need to find someone else to blame." He told him and walked away.

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It was late and Lucas hadn't been out of his office since earlier that afternoon. MaKayla knocked on his office door and waited for a response. Finally, Lucas said, "Come in."

MaKayla walked in but Lucas didn't look up. She could see the tension in his hunched shoulders.

"Lucas, it's late, I thought we could have dinner together." She said sweetly. He finally looked up at her then, taking in her beauty. He gave her a soft sad smile. She walked over to him and sat on the corner of his desk facing him. "What has you so upset?" She asked quietly.

"Did you not read the Valley Voice today?" He said with sarcasm.

"I didn't. But some of the patients that came into the clinic today did. They mentioned a few things about not wanting this Montague fellow to be involved with building the resort you have planned. Is that why you're upset? The negativity regarding this man's bid on the resort?" She asked softly.

He stood up, walked around his desk to the bar in his office and poured himself a drink. With a drink in hand, he turned back to face her. "For the people of Hope Valley, I think they thought my being governor was just about the water. As long as I stopped the water diversion project all was good in their world." He told her sarcastically as he paced around his office.

"Except as governor I have to look out for the whole territory. I made promises to the people who voted for me in good faith. I owe it to them to try to make the next four years count. But when I don't even have the support of my hometown…then how am I even remotely going to be able to accomplish anything at all?" He said as he gulped down his drink. "I never wanted to be in this position, and yet here I am." He told her forlornly.

MaKayla walked over to him, "Lucas, I'm sure that once the resort is up and running, and with all the jobs that it will create, everyone will be grateful and won't care whose money ultimately built the resort." She told him.

"I don't think so, this town has long memories. Jack Thornton has been dead for six years, and yet people still talk about him like he is still here. Hell, Elizabeth is still mourning him, when she's not chasing after Nathan. No, they don't let go of things." He sat down on the small couch in his office.

Lucas lowered his head and closed his eyes for a moment before looking over at her again. "Please forget I just said that. I'm tired and angry and it was very uncharitable of me." As he stared at her, he didn't like the look that he had put in eyes.

"MaKayla, I think it would be a good idea for you to stay at the hotel tonight. I really am in no mood for company, and the last thing I want to do is alienate you more than I already have." He said defeated.

MaKayla had seen many men feeling the way Lucas did right now and she also knew that now was not the time to try to reason with him. He needed space to think with no interference from her. She had no doubt that he wouldn't sleep and his nightmares would surface with a vengeance. But for now, she could only hope that at the start of a new dawn he would find some peace.

She went and sat next to him on the couch, "OK Lucas. I won't argue with you. Please try to get some sleep." She leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek. She left hoping come morning he would be feeling better.

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Lucas never left his office the night before. Bill walked into his office the following morning to find him sleeping with his head on the desk. Bill walked over and shook him, "Lucas, wake up."

Lucas lifted his head and looked at Bill bleary eyed. "Bill, what's going on?" He asked somewhat sleepily.

"Someone attacked Montague last night. You need to come to the infirmary with me." He told him urgently. Lucas was now fully awake and left with Bill. When they arrived outside the infirmary Henry and Nathan were waiting for them.

"I wonder if this has anything to do with the resort?" Nathan asked.

"We don't know that. Montague has a lot of enemies." Lucas told them. Just then Rosemary came running up to the men.

"I just heard. Is he alright? How bad is it?" She asked worried.

"Rosemary, this really isn't a good time." Lucas told her sharply

"He's pretty beat up. Faith kept him overnight because of a concussion. We're waiting to talk to him." Bill told her.

"Oh, my goodness. I suppose it could be worse." She said to Bill.

"It's hard to see how." Lucas said bleakly.

"Lucas!" Bill said harshly.

I'm sorry but the fact is he wouldn't be in there if Rosemary hadn't published that article." Lucas told them all bitterly

"That isn't fair and you know it." Bill told Lucas. Just then Faith came out to let them know they could see Montague. Nathan, Bill and Lucas went into the infirmary.

Henry turned to Rosemary, "Don't listen to him, Rosemary, he's just a little wound up right now. By the looks of him he didn't get much sleep last night." He told her apologetically.

"No, he's right, if I didn't publish that article, Montague may not have been attacked." She sighed and walked away.

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Once the men were inside the infirmary, Faith told them to keep their visit brief. Montague eyed the men coming over to him.

"I should have known it was a bad idea getting into business with a man that someone wants dead." Montague said looking directly at Lucas.

"You really had nothing to do with shooting the governor, did you?" Bill asked him.

"For the last time, no! Bouchard, I'm withdrawing my bid." He said without any doubt.

"Montague, there is no need to be rash." Lucas told him.

"Wait, you think you were attacked because of the resort?" Nathan asked him.

"We all know there are plenty of people in town that resent him over the water." Lucas told them.

"Someone was trying to send me a message. And I got it loud and clear. I'm out. Someone wants you dead Bouchard and I don't want to have anything to do with you, your resort or this town." He said bitterly.

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Lucas walked out of the infirmary alone and went back to his office with Montague's words echoing in his head, "I should have known better than to do business with a man that someone wants dead." Lucas sat at his desk willing himself to remember the night of the shooting, but it was all just a big jumbled puzzle that didn't make sense.

A few hours later, Henry came to see him. "I saw Montague off." He told him.

"I don't suppose there's any hope of changing his mind?" Lucas asked him dejected.

"No chance there. I mean, can you blame him. There's always the Aucoin bid." Henry told him. Lucas let out a heavy breath. "Look I have to ask, is there any possibility that Jeanette was involved in Montague's attack? Henry asked as he eyed his beleaguered friend.

Lucas stared at his friend, "I know her; she's a grifter. But Jeanette has always despised violence." He told him.

"If, you're sure. So, what's your next move?" Henry asked looking quizzically at Lucas

"I have no idea, Henry. I'll let you know when I know." Lucas said morosely.

"You look like hell; you might want to try to get some sleep." Henry told him and left the room.

After Henry left, Lucas sat at his desk for a long while. Finally, he placed a call to Daniel Sterling.

"Hello Daniel, It's Lucas. I'm calling to check in with you. Have you gotten any leads on who might have wanted me dead?" He asked him hopefully.

"Sorry Lucas, whoever is behind the attack on you is keeping a low profile." He told him. I've had my best men looking into it and they have come up empty. I have no evidence but something tells me we might have a dirty Mountie or two working for whoever is behind this. Can you trust the Constable in Hope Valley?" He asked.

"Nathan and I have had our problems, but I would trust the man with my life." He told him honestly.

"That's good because it may just come down to that." He said worried.

"Any new information on Jeanette Aucoin? Do you know if she has kept her nose clean these last few years since leaving the Treasury?" He held his breath waiting on his answer.

"Lucas, as best we can tell, she's moved around a lot. Making contacts mostly with rich business types, but has not been in trouble with the law anywhere that she has gone." He told him.

"Constable Grant had Clayton Pike pass through Hope Valley a few weeks back." Lucas told him. "I paid him a visit and nothing about him brought back any memories. I know in my gut he was not the one who shot me. I just wish I could remember who did pull that trigger." Lucas told him with regret.

"I promise you; your shooting is still a top priority for me. When I find out anything, I will be in touch." He told him confidently. "Lucas, one more thing, do not let your guard down." He told him firmly.

"Thank you, Daniel I won't. Lucas hung up the telephone, knowing nothing more than he did before.

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A few hours later, MaKayla showed up at Lucas's office. She knocked on his door and went right in. She didn't wait to be invited, given what she heard from Bill and Henry; Lucas was not himself.

"Hello there, governor." Lucas looked up at the sound of her voice. For just a moment MaKayla thought she saw a smile starting to form but it quickly faded.

"From what I'm told you didn't go home last night and you've been biting off anyone's head who dares to enter this room. But luckily for me, I don't scare easy." She said as she walked closer to his desk.

Lucas let out a deep sigh, "MaKayla, I really…" She cut him off.

"Lucas, I really don't want to hear any excuses. Now, you're going to come with me. We're going to go for a horseback ride. You can show me these magical hot springs you have here in Hope Valley. And governor, again, no, is not an option." She sat on the corner of his desk and folded her arms. Defying him to argue with her.

Lucas stared at her trying to gauge how serious she was. "Hmm, ok you win, I'm too tired to argue." He told her. She gave him a triumphant smile.

The two of them headed over to the livery. Lucas took her on several different paths, winding to the different springs. The warm spring breeze was a balm to his aching spirit. When they reached the springs that Lucas liked best, they stopped. MaKayla took a lunch bag out of her saddle bag. There were several Muskoka chairs scattered around the springs so they picked the ones closest to the waters. Fortunately, no one else was around today, so they had the springs all to themselves.

"I had your chef make us some sandwiches, and I brought some crackers and cheese. You have to be hungry; I don't believe you ate dinner last night and no breakfast or lunch yet today." She told him.

"I admit, I'm a little hungry. Thank you." He said as he took a sandwich from her with a slight smile.

"Do you want to talk about it?" MaKayla asked gently. Lucas did not respond. "I didn't push last night and I know things only got worse today. I don't profess to have the answers, but I'm a good listener."

"MaKayla why are you here? I'm really not worth all your time. I've become a pariah in my own town. And there is this little thing about someone wanting me dead, then add in I'm failing miserably at being governor." He said gloomily.

"Lucas do you really think me to be so shallow? I told you I don't scare easily and when I care about someone, I'm even more tenacious." She said eyeing him defiantly.

Lucas shrugged his shoulders and sighed, "No, I don't think your shallow at all. I think that when things get tough is when you shine the most. I use to think that about myself as well but lately…I don't know. I can't seem to keep my world on its axis." He told her with regret.

MaKayla knew that despite all the political setbacks, the health issues, mental and physical that Lucas was still in the fight. He just needed a victory even a small one would help boost his moral, she thought.

MaKayla gave him a bright smile. "Now problems are always best handled one by one so let's start with the one we can possibly come up with a solution for. I'm going to say that is currently this resort problem. Do you agree?" She asked him.

"Well, all respectable bidders are staying away due to slanderous lies being spread for whatever reason that the government won't play fair after the resort is built. This left me with two bidders. Montague, and you heard how that went. The last bid left in the running was submitted by Jeanette Aucoin and her associates." He told her.

"Ok, what is wrong with that bid? From what you've said before, Henry checked out Jeanette and her associates and no red flags came up. So, what am I missing?" She asked.

Lucas swallowed hard, "I knew Jeanette in New Orleans. You know she was married to my best friend Matthew. When Matthew and I met Jeanette, she was a grifter. Matthew thought he could get her to turn her life around. They fell in love, married and Jeanette went straight." He paused and looked at her with a sad smile.

"Then Matthew died. She tried to keep her and Matthew's business going but without him steering the ship, she ended up with money problems. I tried to give her money, but she was angry with me over Matthew's death. So instead, she borrowed money from this not so nice New Orleans businessman and got in over her head." He paused again taking a drink before he continued.

"She was scared of Dixon and she called me to bail her out of that mess, which I did. Once that was cleaned up and Dixon was sent back to prison she wanted to return home to New Orleans. I called in a favor and got her a job with the Treasury Department. A few years later I found out she left the Treasury and I believe went back to her old way of life. Now, she shows up claiming to be all legit…again. I want to believe her, I really do. I just don't know if I can." He said with regret.

"And in your opinion not building the resort is not an option." She asked.

"The territory is facing real unemployment issues; they need new blood here in the valley communities or the water problem I was elected to fix will seem like child's play. They will end up as ghost towns despite having fixed the water problem. They want to stay small and independent but that is not sustainable long term. So which devil do I pick?" He asked with the weight of the territory on his shoulders.

"You're a gambler, which I know some people see as you being reckless. But with the success you've achieved as a gambler that tells me that you know when to hold and when to fold. Take some time, weigh all the options, listen to your gut and then you will have your answer. That is all anyone can ask of you and all you can ask of yourself." She told him with sincerity.

He smiled at her then and the smile reached all the way to his eyes. "How did you get so smart, Doc?" He asked her with a cocky grin.

She returned his smile, "we don't have our bathing costumes, but maybe we could put our feet in these healing waters. It will be relaxing." She said excitedly.

She went behind a rock and took off her shoes and stockings. Lucas rolled up his pants and took off his shoes and socks. They sat on the edge of the waters as they put their feet in.

"Oh, that does feel wonderful," she said dreamily.

Lucas turned to her, smiled and leaned in close to her. He lowered his head just enough to place a sweet kiss on her lips and quietly whisper, "I think it's just what the doctor ordered."

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Hope Valley, Alberta Canada

Thursday, May 19, 1921

"Looks like you have yourself a hundred-mile stare there." Henry told Lucas as he approached him. Lucas was sitting on the bench in front of the Queen of Hearts.

"Henry, you ever find yourself asking how you got here?" Lucas asked.

"All the time," Henry said with a chuckle.

"I was thinking about New Orleans, when I first met Jeanette."

"Everything comes at a price." Henry told him.

"I realized that and that is why I left my previous life behind me. But here's a part of that past back in my life again. The only bidder left on the resort." He said with melancholy.

"I thought you were dead set against her bid?" Henry asked confused.

"You really believe she is on the level, Henry?" Lucas asked him.

"So far as I can tell." He told him.

"Good, because she's on her way." Lucas sighed heavily.

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Later that afternoon, Jeanette came sashaying into Lucas's office.

"Jeanette, thank you for coming." Lucas told her.

"Is that the best you can do? You called me after all." She said in her sweet Louisiana accent.

"Have a seat. We have been taking a second look at your bid for the resort." He was direct with her and didn't mince words.

"I wondered if that was what this was about. After I heard about that man, Montague, being attacked." She said smugly.

"He took a battering but he'll be fine." He told her.

"Lucas, if someone is beating up people who are bidding on your resort. Perhaps I should advise my investors to pull out." She said slyly.

"We don't know that's what Montague's attack was about, so let's not be hasty, Jeanette." Lucas said coldly

"I'm all you've got left, aren't I?" She said with a hint of victory in her voice.

Lucas lowered his head; he couldn't deny that she was right. This was his last chance to secure a bidder to build the resort and she knew it.

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After agreeing to a deal, they left Lucas's office together. In the saloon, Lucas saw Lee and Bill.

"When do you plan to announce that we won the bid?" She asked Lucas with a triumphant smile.

"All in due course. It will not be until next week. Come back to Hope Valley next Thursday and I will have the papers drawn up by then and we can make an announcement that Friday. He told her.

"You use to know better than to keep a girl waiting." She said seductively.

Lee and Bill walked up to them. "Mrs. Aucoin, we haven't met, I'm Leland Coulter, mayor pro tem of Hope Valley. He told her as he held his hand out to her.

"What brings you back to town?" Bill asked

"Hopefully the governor will be making an announcement next week. Lucas, I will see you next Thursday. Gentlemen." She smiled coyly at Lucas and walked away.

"An announcement?" Bill asked.

Lee looked at Lucas with surprise. "Wait a second, is Jeanette bidding on the resort?" Lee asked Lucas.

"Listen, both of you, Jeanette and her associates have presented a viable bid. Backed by respectable investors. Thanks to Rosemary's article, Montague is out. Which of course is what you all wanted isn't it?" He gave them all a displeased look and walked away.