Nathan opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He had no idea what to say; his mind was still reeling from the knowledge the thief he and Gabe had been chasing for the last week was a young girl. Despite his confusion, Nathan hadn't released his grip on the young woman, which was fortunate as she took that moment to try and escape.
Nathan bit back a curse as the young woman's boot connected with his shin. He bit his bottom lip, determined not to let her see how much the well-aimed blow hurt.
"Stop it," Nathan demanded fiercely, his voice angry. "I am a Mountie, and you're under arrest." Nathan watched as her eyes widened in fear, and her struggles continued more vigorously than before. "STOP," he said firmly as he twisted his body away from her, sitting on his haunches beside her. He reached around to his back with his free hand and grabbed the rope he had stuffed in his back pocket. He freed the rope and used it to secure the girl's wrists while avoiding her attempts to kick him again.
"Tell me your name," he asked, breathless from the struggle to secure her. Nathan waited, staring at the angry young woman before him. "You can ignore me if you like, but I will find out your name when I take you back to Brookfield."
"Fine, have it your way." Nathan said when she pinched her lips together, standing he reached out to the young girl on the ground, helping her to her feet. He knew she would try and run and held firmly to the rope as she spun away from him, intending to do just that. As she reached the end of the length of rope, and without the element of surprise she had hoped for, the rope pulled taught, and she stumbled and fell to her knees.
Nathan started toward her and then paused, knowing she had to help herself up. He couldn't allow the fact that she was a woman and young to influence his behaviour toward her; the kick to his shin showed him she had no such issues with him.
"You have reached the end of the rope and my patience," Nathan informed her. "Stand up; it's a long walk back." Nathan watched as she rose to her feet, her eyes flashing with anger, her jaw clenched tight from holding back whatever she wanted to say. "Let's move," Nathan said, tipping his head, indicating she should lead. They walked on in silence.
Elizabeth sat in the wagon, anxiously waiting for Nathan's return. What if something were to happen to him? What if he was hurt already, lying there, and she didn't know? How long should she wait before going after him, and should she look herself to find Gabriel? Knowing she couldn't wait another moment without knowing, Elizabeth prepared to turn the wagon; she would head back to Brookfield and find someone to help find Nathan.
Elizabeth drove the wagon slowly, listening intently for the sound of a horse approaching. She stopped the wagon just before the bend in the road, hoping she was right, and it was Nathan and Cocoa she could hear approaching. Holding her breath, she waited, twisting the reins in her hands, her heart thumping in anticipation. Disappointment shot through her as she saw the flash of red serge and saw Gabriel riding toward her. Her initial disappointment quickly turned to fear as she wondered why Gabriel was there.
"Gabriel, what's happened? Why are you here?" Elizabeth called as soon as he was within hearing distance.
"I had a feeling Elizabeth, nothing bad," he assured her. "I just felt that I had to turn around." Gabriel twisted his head around, looking for Nathan. "Where is he?"
Elizabeth hurriedly explained what had happened and how long Nathan had been gone.
"Elizabeth, let me ride ahead and see what I can find out." Gabriel knew she wasn't happy with his suggestion, the frown on her face making it obvious, but she chose not to argue with him. "I can move faster than you and the wagon. If there is something wrong, which I doubt, I can respond more quickly if I am alone.
Elizabeth nodded reluctantly and watched as Gabriel unbuttoned his serge and handed it to her for safekeeping, not wanting the colour to give him away. "I will follow you, Gabriel; I don't intend to sit here and wait any longer than I have."
Gabriel grinned at Elizabeth; she had guessed correctly what he had been about to ask her. He wasn't surprised by her response. Even though he had only known her a short while, he knew she could be stubborn and wouldn't wait around for someone to act for her. He admired that about her.
"I am sure he and Cocoa are fine, Elizabeth," Gabriel said, smiling before turning to ride away. "See you soon," he called over his shoulder as he urged Apollo forward.
Elizabeth shook her head as Gabriel rode away, leaving her behind. She hadn't promised Gabriel she would wait, and he had said, 'See you soon', which meant he was expecting her. Right. Elizabeth didn't bother debating with herself any longer and clicked her tongue, and gently laid the reins against the horse's rump, following closely behind Gabriel.
Gabriel scanned the tree line looking for movement. He had found Cocoa, where he expected to from listening to Elizabeth, and he knew where Nathan should be. He slowed Apollo, then reined him to a complete stop, he looked up at the horizon and eventually saw movement in the trees. Narrowing his eyes, he saw his friend and smiled when he realised, he wasn't alone. Once again, Gabriel urged Apollo forward, ready to assist if needed.
As Gabriel rode closer to Nathan and his captive, it took a moment for his mind to make sense of what he was seeing. A woman. Why hadn't he contemplated the thief was a woman? Drawing closer still, he corrected himself. A young woman.
When Gabriel reached Nathan and the young woman, the two Mounties discussed the arrest and what the next steps should be. Nathan was close enough to the young woman to feel her stiffen when Gabriel suggested they take her to Benson Hills. Nathan pretended not to notice before offering to take her with them to Coal Valley; that way, he reasoned, she would be tried in a Town unaffected by her thefts, and Benson Hills was further away.
Gabriel looked at his friend and could see there was more to his offer than saving him a long trip to Benson Hills. There was no one Gabriel trusted more than Nathan, so he agreed. On the condition, he followed closely behind and was there while whoever their captive was received, Justice. Brookfield could do without him for a few days.
Once the decision was made, they quickly returned to Elizabeth. Neither Nathan nor Gabriel was surprised she was waiting close by, both knowing there was no way she would stay where they had asked her to.
Elizabeth supported Nathan's decision to transport the prisoner back to Coal Valley. Nathan insisted Elizabeth ride Cocoa for the remainder of their journey; he didn't want her close to the prisoner.
Once Elizabeth was settled on Cocoa and the young woman was secured in the Wagon, Nathan started the journey back to Coal Valley. Gabe had already left to gather what he needed to spend a few days in Coal Valley. Nathan hoped he would also take Elizabeth's suggestion to say goodbye to Lillian. The blush on his cheeks at her words made Nathan think that was already his plan.
Nathan and Elizabeth exchanged glances over the young woman's head. The moment she had taken her place beside Nathan on the wagon seat, she had put her head down and refused to look up. At one point, Elizabeth had raised an eyebrow at Nathan, cocking her head toward the young girl whose shoulders were shaking in silent sobs.
Their slow pace meant they were late arriving in Coal Valley, and they knew Gabriel hadn't had time to send a message to their families they were delayed. Safe but expected much later than planned.
"I really was expecting them home by now," Julie said to no one in particular. Colleen, Allie, and Bill were sitting at the table, having just finished dessert. Glancing at Bill, she went to speak and then hesitated; she didn't want to say what she was thinking aloud.
"I am sure they are fine, Julie. It's likely got distracted in Brookfield. I am sure neither of them was rushing back to end their holiday," Bill said kindly, understanding Julie's fears. "It's too late to send a Telegram to Gabriel, but we can do it first thing in the morning."
"But...what if they are stuck on the road somewhere, they might even be close to Coal Valley and unable to reach us."
Bill sighed and glanced at Colleen, "would you all feel better if I went and took a look?"
Julie's face lit up with a smile, and Colleen nodded.
"I would, Bill. I can go with you if you like," Colleen offered. She hadn't wanted to admit it, but she had been worried too.
"No!" Bill and Julie said at the same time.
"You stay with Allie. I will go," Julie insisted. "I don't want you outside in the night air." When Colleen would have protested, Julie interrupted her, "I know you are feeling better, and that's how I want it to stay."
Colleen frowned but didn't argue, knowing her friend meant well. "You could ask Robert to drive, not that I think anything is wrong, but you never can be too careful, it might be handy to have a Doctor around in case."
Julie stood and carried her plate to the sink, unable to look at Colleen. Was that why Colleen had wanted to go because she intended to ask Robert?
"That's a good idea, Colleen. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. We can take his car; it will be warmer for you, Julie," Bill stated.
Julie spun around. "Can't I go in the Wagon with you?" she asked, eyes wide. She was determined to avoid spending time with Robert; that way, it would be easier for her.
"I'll ride Hero, Julie. I won't be taking the wagon."
"If Robert is taking his car, maybe you could go with him, Colleen," Julie suggested, wanting to allow her friend time to be with him outside of her treatment.
"No, you're right, Julie. I should stay here with Allie. You go."
There was no way Julie could graciously extract herself from the situation; it had been her idea to go looking for her sister after all. Colleen might be suspicious if she protested too much about spending time with Robert. Julie tried to push the two together without being obvious while distancing herself from him. It wasn't easy denying the feelings she had for him.
Julie and Bill decided to meet at the livery; Bill would call past and invite Robert along and ask him to collect Julie. Colleen would stay home and put Allie to bed. Julie left Colleen with a protesting Allie and went upstairs to fetch a coat and check her appearance - for herself, not Robert Pearce.
Julie was upstairs when she heard a car approach and then stop outside their house, surprising her with the speed Robert had arrived. Gathering her things, she hurried downstairs and opened the door before he could knock. Julie grinned at Robert's look of surprise when she swung the door back, laughing as he remained frozen in the doorway, hand still raised, ready to knock.
"Hello, Robert. You arrived quickly." Julie said, smiling at him, her eyes sparkling with laughter at his surprise. Opening the door wider, she asked, "would you like to come in?" In that moment, she forgot the promise she made to herself and allowed her delight in seeing him to show on her face.
"I...I better not." Robert stammered, "Bill made it clear he didn't want to waste any time riding out." Robert stood awkwardly in the doorway, amazed as always at the effect Julie's smile had on him. He was a grown man, not some adolescent boy who was shy around girls. He had grown out of that, or at least thought he had.
Despite his best efforts at indifference, he knew he had given himself away to Bill when he asked for his help to look for Nathan and Elizabeth. He had asked who else was going - as if that mattered. He had tried to cover his mistake by suggesting he meant Faith and her medical expertise, but Bill had seen right through him.
Bill had assured him Julie would be coming with them and accompanying him in the car, smirking as Robert blushed. Driving to collect Julie, Robert wondered if his feelings were as evident to everyone else as they were to Bill and Colleen.
When he first met Julie, he had thought the attraction was mutual, but something had changed. When he began treating Colleen, Julie had been keen to help in any way she could, but after the first couple of visits, she had become distant, almost cool toward him. When she was caught off guard like tonight when she opened the door, he saw a glimpse of something in her eyes that gave him hope he hadn't been mistaken.
Robert sat in the car next to Julie and looked at her, wanting to say something to reassure her. "I'm sure they are fine, Julie. We would have heard if there was anything truly wrong." Robert smiled at the beautiful woman beside him, pleased when she smiled back at him.
"I hope you're right; I just don't know what I would do if something happened to them." Julie's smile faded as she said, "I don't know how Nathan stood hearing Colleen is sick and may not recover."
"I am doing all I can to help her," Robert said solemnly. "She has become very dear to me, too, in the short time I have known her."
Julie felt her stomach clench, and she lowered her eyes to hide the pain in them. Colleen was dear to her, too; she was her family. "Yes, of course, she has. She is an extraordinary person," Julie stated, her face set in firm lines. "We should go."
Robert frowned; but did as she suggested, he knew Bill was waiting for them, and on the slight chance something had gone wrong, they shouldn't delay. They drove in silence until they arrived at the livery where Bill was waiting for them, mounted on Hero. Julie sat patiently as Bill and Robert discussed their route and how far they could go that evening before turning around. The men decided there was no need to call anyone else until they knew more; for now, they could manage.
Bill urged Hero forward, riding out with a lantern in hand. Although Robert could make better time in his car, the noise of the vehicle would prevent them from hearing if someone called out and destroy any potential tracks on the road. Julie watched him ride away, suddenly aware of the intimacy of their situation. Sitting beside Robert in the confines of the car, surrounded by darkness, with nothing to distract her, Julie couldn't help but wonder what could have been between them.
Nathan was unsurprised to see someone riding toward them, he knew his friends and family would be worried about them. The only mystery was how many of their friends had ridden or driven out to look for them.
As they got closer, Nathan heard Bill call out to him. He could hear the sound of a vehicle approaching from behind Bill and hoped Colleen was smart enough to stay home with Allie and not be out about in the dark.
"Nathan?" Bill called out. "Is everything all right with you?"
"Bill; everything is fine, but I could use your help with transferring a prisoner to the Jail," Nathan responded, cringing when the girl beside him flinched.
"You go on holiday and bring back a prisoner?" Bill said, raising his eyebrows. "Wasn't spending time with your wife exciting enough for you, Constable?" Bill teased, winking at Elizabeth.
"Who's behind you, Bill?" Elizabeth asked, ignoring his teasing, her voice low and soft with fatigue. "Hopefully, someone with room in the car for me; I must admit, I am going to be glad to swap a car for my horse."
Bill looked at Elizabeth and grimaced; she did look tired. He knew she was a competent rider now, but she wasn't used to riding for long periods. His eyes drifted across to Nathan's prisoner, and he was surprised to see it was a young girl. Bill squinted, taking in her demeanour, and decided she was no hardened criminal, her shoulders were hunched, and her head hung over her chest. He realised she was trying to make herself look smaller; Bill also knew why Nathan hadn't thrown her in the back of the wagon. It wouldn't have been as comfortable, but he also hadn't wanted Elizabeth close to her.
"Nathan, why don't you ride Hero and lead Elizabeth's horseback? Go to the livery and settle them in and I will take the wagon to the jail and take care of the prisoner until you get there." Bill smiled at Elizabeth and answered her earlier question, "Julie and Robert are in his car; you can go back with them."
With Bill taking charge, arrangements were quickly made to do as he suggested. A relieved Elizabeth walked in slow circles, getting the feeling back into her behind and stretching her legs which had cramped from being in the stirrups. Nathan spoke quietly to Bill, sharing the small amount of information he did have on the girl. Elizabeth asked again if she needed to make a comfort stop, and the girl looked up, her jade green eyes meeting Elizabeth's for the first time. She shook her head, indicating no and shrank back into herself as Bill climbed into the wagon.
Bill noted the distance the young woman put between himself and her, her body pressed against the wagon's side, trying to get as far away from him as possible. He gritted his teeth, suspecting the reason she was so fearful of him and hoping he was wrong. He would need to ensure a female was around her, someone she might open up to. His initial thought was to have that woman be Elizabeth, but then, she was associated with Nathan. Abigail would be perfect, he decided, pleased to have an excuse to spend more time with her.
Julie and Robert rounded the bend to see Bill climbing into the wagon and Nathan gathering Hero's reins, leading him to where Elizabeth stood beside a dark brown horse. In her excitement at seeing her sister and Nathan, she started bouncing in her seat and, without thinking, reached over touched Robert's thigh, just above his knee.
"There they are, and they look fine!" she exclaimed, turning to face him, her face alight with the joy she felt.
Robert didn't respond; the shock of Julie placing her hand on his leg had rendered him speechless. His eyes flicked from her face to her hand, then back to her face, and he saw her eyes widen in horror as her mouth dropped open. He felt her hastily withdraw her hand and instantly missed their connection.
"I am so sorry, my apologies, Robert," Julie whispered, hands flying to her cheeks.
Robert couldn't stop the laughter bubbling up in his throat and exploding out of him. Julie's red cheeks, her horrified expression, had been too much for him. He was glad when Julie joined in his laughter, and their tension eased.
"Julie," Robert began, his words tentative. He knew this was probably not the right time, but it was the first time she had relaxed around him in days. "Can we talk soon? I would like to know what changed between us, Julie. I thought…well. I need to know if I did anything to upset or hurt you."
"Robert, I don't know what you mean," Julie started to say, determined not to have this conversation with him. Whatever she had been going to say next was stopped when he whispered, 'Please'.
"Fine, but not here," Julie said shortly. "Elizabeth is home, and I want to hear all about her trip."
"Tomorrow," Robert said hurriedly, "have dinner with me?"
Julie looked out the car's front window, watching as Nathan and Elizabeth approached the vehicle. Nodding, she silently agreed to his request, wishing she was strong enough to say no to him.