Elizabeth sat on the school steps watching the kids at recess. She was eating her lunch, taking a break from the busy day so far. As she looked across the field, she saw Laura walking over. That must mean that her order arrived, which relieved Elizabeth. She had planned for this project as soon as she heard about the phone coming to Hope Valley and she wasn't sure what she would do for the rest of the afternoon if she didn't have the supplies.

"Hi Mrs. Thornton, here is the fishing line you ordered."

"Oh Laura, thank you so much for bringing this by," Elizabeth said standing and reaching for the package from Laura. "The students will really love the project for this afternoon."

Laura reached into her basket pulling out a book- Sense and Sensibility- that Elizabeth had leant her. "I wanted to return this to you too."

"You finished it already? If you liked this one, I'll have to give you another one by Jane Austen. I have a few of them at home if you want to stop by sometime."

"That would be great. I should be getting back to the mercantile." Elizabeth saw the look in Laura's face. She had always loved school and while she had graduated, Elizabeth knew that she was looking for opportunities to learn. She had asked Laura once about attending college but her father said that she was needed at home and it wasn't possible.

As Laura walked away, Elizabeth had an idea. She would have to send a telegram or maybe she could make a phone call if Ned could get the phone working. Elizabeth had heard around town this morning that a telephone representative was also on the way to Hope Valley to assist with the phone. Bill had walked into the mercantile and saw the state of the phone and decided he would need help.

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Bill was sitting in the mayor's office working on a case that had been assigned to him. He had just come back from the mercantile to tell Ned someone would be coming on the stage today to help with the telephone. As much as Bill didn't want the telephone, he could see the benefit for Hope Valley. Especially since a new Mountie had yet to be assigned to Hope Valley, it would be easier to call for help if it was needed. Bill was getting back to work when he heard his door open and looked up.

"Hello Bill, I need to talk to you. It's urgent." Rosemary said as she sat in the chair across from him.

Bill was used to Rosemary coming into his office for something "urgent". One time it had been to help with a matchmaking idea she had about Faith and Carson. The next time it was to invite him to dinner. He never knew what to expect when it came to Rosemary Coulter. "What can I help you with today Rosemary."

"I'm sure you have heard about the saloon. Have you thought about purchasing it?"

This surprised Bill, even though that was exactly what he was thinking. "I would but I can't with owning the cafe. I only have about half the money needed."

Rosemary's eyes lit up, "That's perfect!"

"How is that perfect, Rosemary? Tom isn't going to accept half the price he is asking no matter how eager he is to sell."

"Henry also said he had half the funds. You both should purchase it together!"

Bill laughed. The idea seemed crazy. "Both of us? Purchase it together?"

"Why not? Then we know someone who lives here would own it and we could use it how the town wants."

"What if Henry doesn't want to purchase it, or at least purchase it with me?" Just as soon as Bill asked the question there was a knock at the door. Rosemary was one step ahead as always. After the knock, Rosemary said "come in!" and Henry opened the door. Rosemary stood from her seat. "I will leave you two to discuss purchasing the saloon together. I hope you will make the right choice." Rosemary left both men stunned as she walked out the door and shut it behind her.

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Bill and Henry walked out of his office a short time later. They had come to a decision and wanted to see if they could talk to Tom before he made any decisions. Bill also knew the telephone representative would be arriving soon so he asked Henry to come with him to meet the stagecoach before they walked over to the saloon. Just as they walked down the center of town, they heard the stagecoach coming around the corner so both men walked to the platform. They waited for the stagecoach to stop and the door opened.

Out stepped a woman dressed in a shorter length skirt with heeled shoes. If Rosemary had been there, she would have said she was dressed in the latest fashions from the magazines she had seen from the big cities.

"Are you Judge Avery?"

"I am. And you are?"

"Fiona Miller. I am here to fix your switchboard."

"Yes, Ms. Miller. This is Henry Gowen. We can show you to the mercantile where the switchboard is so you can take a look. Ned the owner has been trying to get it working but I think he may be over his head."

"No problem. I have been doing this for some time. I will get it straightened out for you. Just point me in the direction and I can take it from here."

Bill and Henry walked Fiona to the stairs and she went in to talk to Ned. Bill and Henry continued to walk over to the saloon. It was dark inside but they did see Tom's car out front so they hoped they could find him inside. The door was unlocked so both of them walked in calling for Tom. They heard him call and found him behind the bar packing up boxes.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" Tom asked as Bill and Henry sat down on stools on either side of the bar.

Bill spoke first, "We wanted to talk to you about the two of us purchasing the saloon."

Tom looked at them and sighed, "I wish you had talked to me earlier. I got an offer this morning for 20% over my asking price. I already signed a contract to sell the saloon to a man. He should be here by the end of the week." Tom didn't say anything else and walked around the bar to take the boxes out of the car. How could this happen, Bill thought to himself, and who was this new buyer?

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Elizabeth walked into the mercantile on her way home. Laura was behind the counter and she could see a woman she didn't recognize working with Ned on the switchboard. The woman looked like she was telling what to do. She must be the telephone operator, Elizabeth thought. She moved to the counter to talk to Laura.

"Hi Laura, are there any telegrams for me today?"

"Yes, there is one. Here you go Mrs. Thornton."

Elizabeth looked down to read the message and smiled. "Laura I have great news! I know you have talked about wanting to study more so I think I have a solution. I wrote to a friend of mine and you have been accepted for a correspondence course. If you are willing, I am looking for some help to watch Jack during the day. You could work for me full-time as a nanny and have time to work on your studies while Jack naps, which is often right now. That is if that sounds like something you would like."

Laura looked shocked but then it changed to the biggest smile Elizabeth had ever seen, "Mrs. Thornton I would love to be your nanny and take the correspondence course. How can I thank you?" Laura was so grateful and went to hug her former teacher. Elizabeth knew that this was exactly what they all needed.