There was a loud rumble off in the distance. At first Nathan thought it was thunder for an incoming storm. He looked out over the trees and there was not a cloud in the sky. Nathan had started going out on rounds on his own for the past couple of days. Bill had introduced him to the people on the outskirts of town that first day they had ridden together. Some of the people in town he had not met yet. The whispers had become less and less after the day Elizabeth Thornton had stood outside the Mountie office with him, welcoming him to town.

Nathan was riding on his horse Newton back to town. He began to think of the other day and the beautiful Elizabeth. He had tried not to think of her so much, knowing that there could be nothing between them. He had his heart broken before which made him hesitant to take a chance on something he knew was a long shot at best. Nathan had volunteered for this post when he learned of the tragedy that had taken Jack Thornton's life. He would do his job- protect the town and look after a fallen Mountie's wife and son.

The sound had gotten louder as Nathan approached the lake outside the schoolhouse. He turned in the saddle and saw a car coming fast behind him with one man in the driver's seat. Nathan pulled the horse over to the side near the dock as he was sure that the driver either did not see him or did not care that he was there. The car did not slow down and sped past heading into the center of town. Nathan jumped down from his horse after the close encounter with the car. He talked to his horse trying to calm him, taking a deep breath himself and removing his hat. As Nathan turned to tie Newton to the dock railing, he gasped, "Oh, I didn't see you there."

"Hello, Constable Grant. I sometimes walk to this dock while the children are at recess. I can still see the field where they play and it is a beautiful view from this spot isn't it?" Elizabeth said, smiling at him.

Nathan couldn't speak for a moment as he looked into Elizabeth's eyes. They looked brighter somehow with the sunlight bouncing off the lake. It was a beautiful spot, with the wind blowing through her hair and the familiar scent of lilies reaching Nathan. As Elizabeth looked at him, leaning her head, Nathan realized he hadn't responded.

"Uh, yes. Yes it is. I haven't been to this dock yet, but I see why you come here. I should be going."

As Nathan turned, Elizabeth reached out for his arm. Nathan looked down at her hand on his arm and looked up at her. The two of them were in the moment until Elizabeth dropped her hand. "Be careful, that driver was reckless the way he came into down."

Nathan put his hat on his head and tipped it towards her. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Mrs. Thornton." Nathan rode away on Newton, determined to find the driver of that car and what business he had in town

––––––––

Nathan noticed the same car sitting in front of the closed saloon. He stopped in front of the Mountie office to let Newton rest and get some water. As he was tying the reins to the post, Bill came up along side of him. "Did you hear that car come into town?"

"Hear him? I was almost run off the road. Do you know who he is."

"Not yet, why don't we go find out."

Nathan was going to argue that it was his job as the Mountie to do that, but he knew that Bill would go anyway so he figured why bother. Both of the men walked towards the car and the man standing outside of it looking through one of his bags.

"Excuse me sir, can we help you?" Nathan asked the man. He was dressed in a nice suit and tie, looking more like he would be in the city than in the streets of Hope Valley.

"Gentlemen, hello. I am here to see my saloon."

"Your saloon?" Bill said, sounding shocked.

The man held out his hand towards Bill first, then Nathan. "Lucas Bouchard, new owner of the saloon."

Bill never took his hands out of his pockets, not sure about this man standing in front of him. Nathan looked at Bill and then shook Lucas' hand. "Where do you come from Mr. Bouchard?"

"Here and there."

"You're a businessman, I assume?"

"Among other things. If you don't mind, I need to get inside. I am planning a Grand Opening for Friday night. I hope both of you can attend." Lucas found the keys and reached for one of his bags. He opened the door to the saloon and shut it behind him. Nathan thought something else was going on with Lucas Bouchard. Why would he buy a saloon in a town he had never been to and didn't know anyone?

–––––––

Rosemary came by the schoolhouse as Elizabeth was grading papers. The children had left not long before and Elizabeth was planning to get some work done before heading home. She loved her son, but it was hard to get work done at home. Rosemary walked up the aisle of the school, obviously excited about something.

"Elizabeth! Did you hear about the saloon?"

"What about it?"

"The new owner is here!"

Elizabeth thought, that must have been the man in the car. "I think I saw him drive into down earlier. He was driving very fast into town."

"I heard that the new owner is planning a Grand Opening for Friday night. I wonder how he will get everything ready that quickly."

Elizabeth wasn't concerned about the saloon. She wouldn't want to go to the opening, but she knew Rosemary would convince her to go. Elizabeth thought she would change the subject, "Rosemary, would go like to walk with me to the mercantile before I head home to Jack."

"Yes, let's go and then I can walk home with you."

––––––

Elizabeth and Rosemary walked into the mercantile and Bill was talking to Ned.

"He just showed up talking about the plans he has for the grand opening. We have no idea where he came from or what his job is." Bill said, not seeing them walk in.

"Hi Bill," Elizabeth said.

"Hi Ladies." Bill turned back to Ned and continued his conversation. Rosemary walked over to the switchboard to say hello to Fiona.

"Hi Rosemary, Hi Elizabeth," Fiona said.

"Hi Fiona," Elizabeth said. "How's your day going?"

"It's slow but I brought a book with me," Fiona said, holding up a copy of A Room with a View.

Rosemary asked, "Have you met the new Mountie?"

"Not yet, but I hear he is quite the dish."

"Dish?" Elizabeth said.

Fiona giggled, "It means I heard he is handsome. Clara was in here the other day and she had seen him in the cafe."

"He is handsome," Elizabeth said looking at the ground smiling.

Rosemary and Fiona both looked at Elizabeth, a little shocked. Fiona hadn't known her long, but had heard from others about her love with her late husband. Rosemary was Elizabeth's best friend and had been there for most of Elizabeth and Jack's relationship. This was the first time since Jack's death that Elizabeth had made a comment like that. Rosemary had noticed her friend's reaction when the Mountie walked into the cafe days ago and now admitting he was handsome? Rosemary remembered the letter she had given Elizabeth after Jack's death- he had asked her to open her heart again. Was Elizabeth ready to do that?

Just at that moment, the chimes above the mercantile door rang and in walked the man Elizabeth recognized from the car. He looked like the men she had known in Hamilton, the ones who thought they were above the others that they met. She couldn't hear what he was saying as he greeted Ned and Bill. Bill seemed to be trying to figure him out as well. The man's visit was short and he walked out of the door. Rosemary continued her conversation with Fiona and Elizabeth walked over to Bill.

"Is that the new saloon owner?"

"Yes. He came in asking if any deliveries arrived for him. I guess he is expecting a large amount of things in preparation for the grand opening on Friday," Bill answered her.

"I heard about that. What do you think of him, Bill?"

"I'm not sure. I feel like there are things he isn't saying. Watch out for yourself, ok Elizabeth."

"I will, thank you."

Elizabeth and Rosemary got their purchases together and started on their walk home. Elizabeth was planning to spend a quiet evening at home and Rosemary was going to make a nice dinner for her and Lee. As they got out of town, away from others who may be listening, Rosemary decided now would be a good time to talk to her friend.

"Elizabeth, have you talked to the new Mountie?" Rosemary knew that Elizabeth wanted to introduce herself but she wasn't sure if she had a chance to yet.

"I have, a couple of times now. Last week I talked to him outside of the Mountie office to apologize for running into him and welcome him to Hope Valley. I told him about when I first came to Hope Valley."

"Oh, you've told me that story. Florence gave you a hard time, didn't she?"

Elizabeth laughed, "She sure did. I thought she was going to run me out of town when she heard I was the new teacher. But eventually all the mothers accepted me and Hope Valley has truly become my home. I hope everyone in town will give Constable Grant a chance to feel welcome."

"It sounds like you had a good talk with Constable Grant," Rosemary said, trying to gauge Elizabeth's reaction.

"I did. And then there was when I talked to him today."

Rosemary was surprised. Elizabeth didn't mention seeing the constable earlier, "you saw him again today?"

"Yes. I was standing on the dock during the children's lunch break. Constable Grant came over to the dock when the car with the new saloon owner came speeding by. He got off his horse and we talked for a bit." Elizabeth smiled.

"Elizabeth…." Rosemary stopped walking in front of their houses. Elizabeth noticed after a second and stopped, looking at her friend. "Do you think there is something going on between you and the new Mountie?"

"Of course not. How could there be?"

"Are you sure? I noticed you had a reaction earlier when we were talking about him."

"No, no I can't. It's just…. I'm sorry Rosemary I need to get home to Jack, goodnight." Elizabeth started walking and went up the steps to her front door. She waved at Rosemary as she shut the door behind her. Rosemary wasn't convinced at her friend's response. It was possible that Elizabeth didn't even know if there were feelings between Elizabeth and the Mountie. Rosemary decided to let them be for now. Perhaps they all could be friends. After all, if something would happen friendship would be a great place to start.