Elizabeth got to the cafe and walked up to the door. She stood there for a minute with her hand on the handle, taking a deep breath. Why did the new Mountie rattle her so much. When she ran into him in the doorway of the mercantile, she felt his strong hands on her arms and she immediately felt safe. The way his voice sounded when he called her ma'am and then stumbled over his words had caused a feeling inside that she could not recognize. She knew that she would need to find him and apologize for her quick departure earlier. For now, she would try to calm her nerves and have a nice lunch with Rosemary.

She walked into the cafe and smiled when she saw Rosemary at a table against the wall. Rosemary's back was facing the door, but when the door opened she turned and waved at Elizabeth. Rosemary gave her friend a concerned look and motioned for her to sit across from her. Elizabeth walked over and sat down, setting the napkin on her lap and looking at the menu on the table. She did not want to meet Rosemary's eyes because she had a feeling Rosemary would ask her some questions. What Elizabeth didn't know is that when she walked in, her face was flushed. Whether it was from her quick walk from the mercantile or the encounter with the new Mountie, no one could be certain.

Rosemary waited until Elizabeth looked up. "Elizabeth, are you alright?"

"Yes, Rosemary. Why do you ask?"

"I saw you outside the door standing there before you walked in here and your face is all flushed. Did something happen in town today?" Rosemary loved to gossip but she couldn't imagine what could have happened to Elizabeth to cause a reaction like this in her friend.

"I'm fine. I tried to go to the mercantile before coming here."

"Why would that have you all flustered? You go to the mercantile all the time."

"I ran into the new Mountie as I tried to walk in. I just turned around and came here."

"There is a new Mountie? Have you met him?"

Elizabeth sighed, "Not really. Bill told me yesterday that the new Mountie was here. I saw him yesterday when I was walking home and then today in front of the mercantile. I haven't introduced myself yet so I am not sure if he knows who I am."

"I'm sure Bill told him about you. At least when he explained about the town and the previous Mountie. Are you ok with a new Mountie being here?"

Just as Elizabeth was about to answer, Rosemary saw her face change. Her face began to change and she looked down. Rosemary turned and saw that Bill had walked in with another man she had never seen before. A Mountie. This must be him. Bill nodded in Rosemary's direction and the two men went to sit at a table on the opposite side of the cafe, about as far as the ladies table as you could get.

"Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth looked up, glancing over at the table where Bill and Nathan sat, before looking back at Rosemary. The men were focused on their conversation. "I knew a Mountie would be posted here eventually Rosemary. Let's just enjoy our lunch, ok?"

Rosemary let the subject drop, for now. Rosemary had a feeling that more was going on with her friend than she was saying right now. She also knew that Elizabeth sometimes had to work things through on her own before she would be able to talk about it. Maybe she would try to talk to her in a couple days. Just then, Clara came over to take their order.

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After lunch, Nathan walked over to the Mountie office with the key Bill had given him. It had been awhile since the office had been used. Since the town was fairly quiet, they hadn't needed to use the jail recently so Bill said he kept the office locked. Nathan opened the door and he knew he would have some work to do. The room was dark and there was dust covering every surface. He would need to go back to the mercantile to get some more cleaning supplies. He had already purchased some for home but this was a much bigger project than his row house would be.

Nathan locked the door and walked down the boardwalk. As he approached the mercantile he smiled as he remembered when he was here earlier. Just as quick as the thought came to him, he shook his head. He must do a better job at forgetting Elizabeth Thornton, he thought. He looked to the sky, saying a little prayer to himself, then walked into the mercantile to get his supplies.

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Elizabeth walked home after lunch to spend some time with Jack. Later in the afternoon, she asked Rosemary if she could watch Jack so she could make a quick trip to town. She had told Rosemary about her plan to invite Bill for dinner. She hoped that he hadn't already made plans. She had meant to ask him earlier but had been distracted by the events of the day. Elizabeth found Bill walking to his office and stopped him to invite him. Bill eagerly agreed and said he would stop by in a few hours. Elizabeth was about to head home when she realized there was one more thing she should do.

Elizabeth walked down the street to the Mountie office. She saw the door open so she thought the new Mountie must be inside. Bill had mentioned that he was cleaning the office today. Elizabeth had not been inside the office since Jack left on his last assignment. She had been in there so many times during their relationship, she couldn't bear to face any memories that may come up. Now, however she just saw it as another building in town. The schoolhouse held more memories for her in regard to Jack, than the Mountie office ever did.

Elizabeth took a deep breath as she got closer to the office. She noticed the man she had encountered twice before now sitting on the steps. His serge had been removed and he sat there in his henley and suspenders with a glass of water. His henley was covered in dirt. She was sure he had been working hard all day to get the office ready to work in. Had she noticed earlier how handsome he was? He was looking down but she could still remember his eyes from how close he was to her when she had run into him. Before her thoughts could get away from her, she remembered what she had come for.

"Hello."

"Oh, hi. Mrs. Thornton. Ma'am" Nathan stood up, putting the cup down and trying to brush the dirt from his shirt and hands. He walked down a step so they were standing in front of each other.

"Bill told you who I was?"

"He did. I want to offer you my sincere condolences. I never met your late husband but from everyone I have talked to he was an excellent Mountie."

"Jack was an excellent man."

"Of course. I remembered I have something for you."

"For me?" Elizabeth said as Nathan took an envelope out of his horse's saddle bag and handed it to Elizabeth. "What is it?"

"Jack's pension. When I left headquarters they asked if I would bring it."

Elizabeth smiled. She opened the envelope, and seeing the amount she gasped. "Thank you so much for bringing this. It will be a huge help."

Nathan nodded. Elizabeth looked around seeing people in the street, watching them talking. "Constable…" Elizabeth realized she didn't remember his name.

Nathan replied, "Grant. My name is Nathan Grant."

"Constable Grant. When I first came here as the teacher, the town was very skeptical of me. But soon the town and the people here realized I just wanted to help. The town is a wonderful place to live and everyone is very kind. I hope your experience here will be just as good as mine was."

"Thank you Mrs. Thornton."

"Welcome to Hope Valley." Elizabeth smiled and turned. She wanted to get home so she could finish the dinner for Bill. Nathan watched her walk away. He knew he could easily fall for her, but he wouldn't allow that to happen. He agreed with her that this town could be a wonderful place to live and he wouldn't risk that.