Nathan sat alone at the Cafe, waiting for Abigail to join him. He was expecting to hear bad news from the Town Council meeting. If it were good news, she would have rushed to tell him. He was disappointed to think there was no money for a schoolhouse but understood the differing priorities they had to juggle.
Abigail took a seat opposite him and smiled; her lips tight.
"It's okay, Abigail. I know the answer was no."
"How?" she asked, her brow wrinkling in consternation. "I asked everyone to let me tell you."
Nathan reassured her that no one had leaked the information he had guessed. "I will think of a plan B, Abigail. 's fine. It isn't as though there is nowhere to hold school; the children can continue lessons until I work something out."
"Thank you for understanding, Nathan, and I promise to keep thinking of other ways to help." Frowning, Abigail asked Nathan, "Is there something else? You look like you have something on your mind."
"No, nothing Abigail," Nathan said with a smile. Abigail missed nothing. Nathan had been on the verge of asking her to help him set up a memorable evening for him and Elizabeth. He had changed his mind; to make it really special, he would do it all himself.
Nathan left the Cafe and went to the Mercantile; he wanted to talk to Ned about what he needed for Saturday and find out where he could find Henry Gowan. If the Town Council couldn't find the money, he would allow Henry to help them. Between him and Lee, they could watch Henry. Nathan hoped he was telling the truth; he would do anything for Elizabeth, but he wasn't sure he could make a deal with the devil.
After going to the Livery to saddle Newton, Nathan rode slowly out of Town. He knew where he could find Henry, which was close to where he was going on his rounds. He didn't want to see Henry without talking to Lee. Nathan was prepared to allow Henry to help him but wanted to ensure Lee was comfortable too. Lee's dealings with Henry had been much more volatile than he had been. If Lee was out, so was he. He trusted his friend's judgement.
Lee listened to Nathan with a healthy amount of scepticism. Henry had been a thorn in his side since his arrival in Coal Valley. He had done everything he could to prevent Lee from starting his business, throwing up roadblock after roadblock where he could. He had noticed a shift in Henry lately and had been surprised to hear he had supported Lee in his bid to bring the railway to Coal Valley. He had attempted to talk to Henry about it, but Henry constantly changed the subject when he approached him. Lee had eventually decided to leave well enough alone.
"Are you sure he is doing this for the right reasons, Nathan?"
"I think so, but like you, I am still cautious and will continue to be so."
"Well, the discounted timber and my men's and my labour are all yours. Let me draw up a contract, including Henry's commitment. If he signs it, I'll know he means what he says."
Elizabeth left home early so she could call at Abigail's and talk to her about the party for Nathan on Saturday evening. Elizabeth was excited to do this for him; she wanted him to understand what he meant to her and spoil him for once. He was constantly worrying about other people.
Elizabeth entered the Cafe via the back door to avoid getting caught up in the breakfast rush. She was pleased to find Abigail alone and quickly outlined her idea for Nathan. Abigail was delighted to be able to help, and the two planned a menu of his favourite meal. Abigail made a note to go to the Mercantile after the breakfast rush and ensure Ned had everything she needed.
Ned stared at Abigail, standing before him, rattling off a list of items she needed for Saturday. Ned was confused. Was Abigail adding to Nathan's order? It seemed a lot for two people. Maybe Nathan had changed his mind. Sighing, Ned wrote down the items Abigail read out and decided to confirm with Nathan if he still wanted his order.
Julie strolled into Town from the row house she was sharing with Rosemary. She was reading a letter from her friend Miss Barne's who had suggested several possible Doctors for Julie to contact regarding Colleen and her illness. The Doctors she suggested were those who were willing to review diagnoses based on new medical advances. Julie hadn't felt this much excitement over any previous letters.
Julie frowned as she read the paragraph which concerned Dr Pearce. He was young, touted by some members of society for his revolutionary ideas, shunned by others who disregarded his 'new-fangled' treatments. Julie read the paragraph describing his time spent with Native tribes and knew this was why he was scorned. Dr Pearce believed people would benefit from understanding non traditional treatments, blending them with traditional therapies to achieve better patient outcomes.
Julie wasn't totally naive; she knew many people resented the native tribes and were pushing for their assimilation. Julie had heard of the "Indian Act" and knew of the compulsory boarding schools for the children, but she had given them no thought as they hadn't impacted her life. According to Miss Barnes's letter, Dr Pearce's radical ideas were not only related to medicine, he also spoke at length condemning these schools, their conditions and the penalties imposed on the attendees wishing to retain their cultural heritage.
A revolutionary, Julie decided, was exactly who she needed to help Colleen. Colleen needed someone prepared to challenge traditional theories and try anything to help her friend get better. Luckily, Dr Pearce was in Hamilton, having returned from Saskatchewan, where he was endeavouring to find supporters for his cause. Dr Pearce had entry into Hamilton society by benefit of his family connections which were on his Mother's side. Mrs Pearce was a Buchanan, and her father had been a successful soldier, businessman and politician.
Julie wondered why she had never met the young Doctor Robert Pearce; sure, they must have attended at least some of the same parties or gatherings in their lives. No matter, she thought with a shrug, she would introduce herself now and ask for his help. Julie hurried to the Mercantile to reach out to Dr Pearce, glad Miss Barnes had thought to supply the details of where she could find him.
Henry looked up at the sound of hoof prints approaching his cabin. He didn't get many visitors; he snorted; he got no visitors, and he wondered at the intent of the person arriving now. Stealthily, he reached for the weapon he kept nearby wherever he was in the house. Henry approached the cabin's front window, sliding along the wall and peering through the gap in the forest green curtain, he saw the splash of red and realised it was Constable Grant.
After putting the weapon in the drawer in the desk under the window, Henry turned and walked to the front door to greet Nathan.
"Good day, Constable," Henry said mildly. "Would you like to come inside?"
"Thank you, Henry. I can't stay long." Nathan replied as he dismounted from Newton, tying him loosely to the railing of the Verandah. "I guess you know what I want to talk to you about."
"I do. I heard the outcome of the Town Council meeting."
The two men stepped inside Henry's home, and Nathan didn't bother to hide his curiosity. He was interested to see where Henry lived, knowing he was alone in this large house. As he looked around, he noted the luxurious foyer, with two large rooms off either side. A staircase led to what Nathan assumed would be living quarters, and a hallway beside it led to where the kitchen would be. The first room on the right appeared to be a library containing an office; on the left was a formal lounge room.
Both the formal living area and library were gloomy. The curtains were drawn, so little light penetrated. There was an air of melancholy about the space, and Nathan pitied Henry alone night after night. The office where Nathan assumed Henry spent his days was dim and unappealing, despite the book-lined shelves.
Henry didn't direct Nathan into either one of the front rooms, instead indicating he should follow him to the back of the house.
Nathan followed Henry through the silent home, listening to their footsteps echo off the floorboards. On the walls in the hallway were generic paintings of landscapes, only one of which Nathan recognised as the Coal Mine in Hope Valley. This one was similar in style to one he had seen in Abigail's home, and he looked closer at the signature on it, realising it had been painted by Noah Stanton, Abigail's deceased husband.
Henry saw the direction Nathan was looking and commented, "Noah Stanton painted that when he first came to work at the mine, before ... all the trouble.
Nathan looked at Henry, saw remorse in his eyes, and decided to let it drop.
Following Henry through the door into the kitchen, Nathan paused on the threshold, surprised at the difference in this room compared to the more formal areas of the home. The kitchen was warm and bright, the abundant space which covered the back of the house had a kitchen and sitting area, and Nathan knew this was where Henry spent his time.
After Henry made coffee, the two men sat and discussed the plans for the schoolhouse and Church. Nathan was impressed by the amount of thought Henry had already put into the plans for the building, considering the different needs the space would have. Nathan was quiet, allowing Henry to do most of the talking, knowing he was learning about the man as he listened to him. Nathan could see the dynamic businessman Henry had been before the outcome of the Trial found the mining company culpable. He could see the toll the decision had taken on Henry, maybe not straight away, but over time.
As Nathan rode away, he thought about conversations he needed to have with Lee, Abigail, and Elizabeth. Bill would probably be upset if he learned about it from someone else, so Nathan would tell him too. He could broach the subject with Elizabeth on their date on Saturday night. He smiled as he thought about their date, happy to have something to look forward to. His smile dropped as he thought about Henry, living in that big house all alone, shunned by everyone in Town. What did Henry have to look forward to?
"Are you almost done?" Elizabeth asked Allie, trying not to rush the child. Allie had meticulously drawn her Uncle a birthday card, which was lovely. Elizabeth had admired it for at least thirty minutes as she gently encouraged Allie to hurry. Nathan was due home from his rounds any moment, and she was still trying to keep the secret about his birthday. Elizabeth wanted Nathan to be speechless when he woke tomorrow and realised, she knew about his special day, and then, when she suggested dinner at the Cafe, he wouldn't have a clue it was a surprise party.
Elizabeth smiled to herself; planning this for Nathan had given her so much joy. He was so selfless; she wanted him to feel special every day, especially the first of his birthdays they spent together. She hadn't had time to get him much but had found a sky-blue shirt and tan suspenders in the Mercantile, which would bring out the colour of his eyes. She had sent away for several new novels she thought he would enjoy and had written up a fancy "IOU" for him to at least open on the day.
All she had to do in the morning was make a cake. Well, supervise Abigail making a cake. She wouldn't spoil Nathan's birthday by baking for him; she wanted him to enjoy it.
Sighing, she ruffled Allie's hair before leaning over and checking the progress of her card. "You will have to finish up soon, Allie. Your Uncle could be home anytime, and you want this to be a surprise, don't you?"
Allie looked up at Elizabeth and smiled, nodding vigorously. "I'm done!" she exclaimed excitedly, thrusting the card into Elizabeth's hand. "Look at it."
Elizabeth looked at the card and smiled widely, "it's wonderful, Allie", she exclaimed. The time it had taken had been worth it; Allie had drawn Nathan and Elizabeth standing side by side in the clothing they wore at their wedding. They held hands and stared into each other's eyes, and Elizabeth knew this was a moment Allie had witnessed. Seeing the drawing reminded Elizabeth of how she felt that day, and she couldn't wait for Nathan to see it too.
Elizabeth knew Nathan would treasure the card, as would she. It was worth framing, and she made a note to call into the Mercantile in the morning, after Nathan's birthday breakfast, to look for one.
Allie's eyes widened when she heard her Uncle's boots on the Verandah, his voice as he greeted Colleen, sitting out front, resting and reading her book until it was time for dinner. Leaping out of her chair, she grabbed the card from Elizabeth, rushing upstairs to stash it out of sight.
"Slow down, Allie!" Elizabeth called after her, knowing it was no use but trying anyway. She stood at the table, smoothed back her hair, and straightened her skirt. There was no time to freshen up before Nathan came inside; he wouldn't expect her to anyway. It was Friday evening, and she looked forward to relaxing at home and a more leisurely start in the morning.
Nathan stepped through the door into the house, his eyes searching for Elizabeth, his face lighting up when he saw her. He crossed the room in several long strides, hastily throwing his hat onto the sofa. Elizabeth met him halfway, and when she threw her arms around his neck, he lifted her off her feet. As he kissed her, everything else disappeared; it was just the two of them at that moment.
"I missed you," Elizabeth whispered against his lips.
"I missed you too," Nathan murmured before kissing her again. Despite wanting their outing the next day to be a surprise, he asked, "Spend the whole afternoon and evening with me tomorrow; I have it all planned."
Elizabeth froze. His plans?
"You made plans, Nathan? For tomorrow evening?" Elizabeth was curious to see if he would mention his birthday to her, sad he thought he had to make his own plans to make the day special.
"I want us to spend some time together, just us. I miss you; I miss our rides and our talks. It feels like we spend less time together now we are married than we did when we were courting." Nathan tried to keep the petulance out of his voice, not wanting to upset Elizabeth or seem ungrateful. "Don't you want that?" he asked, confused by her unenthusiastic response.
"Yes, of course I do," Elizabeth said, resting her head on his chest, unable to maintain eye contact. "I was planning a day at home tomorrow and dinner at the Cafe. Could we go riding Sunday?"
"If that's what you want, of course." Nathan tried to hide his hurt and disappointment. He had expected Elizabeth to be excited about spending time alone with him, thinking she had missed that too.
Allie bounded down the stairs and threw herself against her Uncle's leg, wrapping her arms around him and Elizabeth.
Nathan looked into his Niece's upturned, smiling face and smiled back at her. There was no way he could resist her enthusiastic greeting.
Colleen walked inside, heard her daughter run down the stairs, and laughed at the sight of Elizabeth, and Nathan wrapped in Allie's small arms. She stopped laughing when she saw their faces. Something was wrong between the couple. Looking at Elizabeth, she realised she was trying to communicate something to her.
"Allie, can you help Uncle Nathan out of his serge and then ask him to help you bring down some books," Colleen said.
"Are you tired, Colleen? Have you not wanted to go up and downstairs?" Nathan asked, his expression concerned.
"No, I'm okay, Nathan. Allie just wanted you to help her; she thinks if you help choose the books, you are more likely to read them with her," Colleen explained with a grin.
Nathan crouched down so Allie could help with his Serge and walked with her to hang it up. His uniform was heavy, and Allie struggled to carry it alone. After hanging it, she took his hand and led him upstairs.
"What is it, Elizabeth? What's wrong?" Colleen asked quietly, "You both looked miserable when I walked in."
Elizabeth quickly explained what Nathan wanted to do the next day and her worry that he would hate her plans. It was his birthday, after all, and he should be able to do what he wanted.
Colleen laughed, "Oh, Elizabeth, there are worse problems to have."
Elizabeth blushed, "I'm sorry, Colleen, you must think I am being silly."
Colleen took Elizabeth's hands and pulled her into a hug, "I don't think you are silly; I am glad you two want more time together. After the first three months with Dylan, I wanted nothing more than time away from him." Shaking her head to dispel the negative thoughts, she said, "I think there is a simple solution."
Elizabeth looked at her hopefully, "why can't I see it?"
"The two of you do need time alone. Why don't you take a few days and visit Gabriel in Brookfield? Bill will love being in charge here, and Rosemary can teach the children." Colleen hushed her when she would have spoken, "Allie and I will be fine. I will ask Julie to come and spend the time with us; that gives Rosemary a break too."
"So, you think we should go ahead with the party, and then my present to him can be the trip away. I can tell him about it tomorrow so he isn't disappointed," Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Yes," Colleen said. "If you are going to do that, you might want to find Bill and Rosemary and contact Gabriel and tell him you are coming and book a room with Ronnie at the hotel; you'll need somewhere to stay."
"Colleen, can you distract Nathan? I will run next door. I am sure Rosemary will be able to help contact everyone."
Before Colleen could answer, Elizabeth had grabbed her shawl and was out the front door, her smile bright. At least one of them was happy, now to find Nathan and distract him until the morning when the plan would be revealed.