Nathan had told Bill he would do his rounds a little late the next morning. He wanted to make breakfast for Allie and make sure she made it to school before leaving for rounds. He wasn't sure if Allie would try the same thing two days in a row, but he wasn't willing to take a chance. It was important for Allie to go to school. She was very smart and always did well in school. At least at the beginning. Then she seemed to lose interest or the teachers would tell him that she was disruptive in class. He had a hard time believing Allie would act this way as he had always taught her to treat people respectfully. He thought maybe the teachers had a negative opinion of him as a single Mountie raising a young girl.

Bill had told him what a great teacher Elizabeth Thornton was, however Nathan knew he still didn't know her well. She also didn't know about his niece until yesterday. He hoped that she wouldn't have the same reaction to him. He would keep his guard up for now to protect his little girl.

"Uncle Nathan, why do I have to go to school? I could go on rounds with you. I promise I won't be any trouble."

"Allie, you know my job could be dangerous. Plus you love school. Your teacher is nice too."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I've talked to her before. You will have a great day. And I will be here to pick you up when school is done."

"Promise?"

Nathan didn't like to make promises because of the loss Allie had experienced in her young life. He told himself at least for today, he would try to be there for her to make it a little easier. He would go on rounds and then spend the day in the office. "I promise."Allie smiled and walked slowly to the steps of the school.

Elizabeth saw her walk up as she was standing at the top of the steps by the door. "Hi Allie, welcome!" Nathan waved from his spot a few steps away and turned towards town. It was hard to leave her, so after taking a few steps he turned back towards the schoolhouse. He saw Elizabeth take Allie's hand and walk with her into the school. The other children were walking in as well and the door shut after the last one in. Nathan looked up and said a small prayer that everything would work out for Allie and him.

––––––––

Allie went out at recess with the other children with her lunch pail and her new book that her grandmother had bought her before she got on the train to come to Hope Valley. She was too nervous on the train to read any of it so she was only a couple of chapters in. Allie walked over to a log on the side of the steps and sat down. She pulled out her book and began to read. The other children were in the field on the other side.

Elizabeth walked out about 10 minutes later after taking a quick bite of her sandwich. She loved sitting on the steps of the school watching the children play. When she walked out today she noticed Allie sitting by herself. The other children were playing in small groups like they usually did. Seeing that they were all ok, Elizabeth walked down the steps and turned to Allie.

"Hi Allie, did you want to go play with the other kids."

"No thank you." Allie looked up briefly and then went back to her book.

Elizabeth noticed the cover, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. That's one of my favorites."

Allie looked up at Elizabeth, her eyes shining, "It is?"

"Yes it is. I love books. I love how you can read a story and feel like you are apart of it."

"I love reading too." Allie smiled.

Elizabeth looked at her, "Is everything ok? The other children are very nice if you want to go meet some of them."

"No!" Allie said loudly and ran back up the stairs into the classroom. She wanted to run away but she had promised Uncle Nathan that she would go to school and stay until he came to get her at the end of the day. She saw how upset and worried he was yesterday when she had gone fishing. Allie sat down in her seat, waiting for recess to be over.

Elizabeth walked after Allie after she had gone into the classroom. Her heart hurt for the girl as Elizabeth saw her sitting in her seat staring ahead. She would need to talk to Constable Grant when he came to pick up Allie. Elizabeth wanted to help her but she needed to understand what had happened today.

––––––––––

Nathan walked towards the school seeing the other children running down the stairs. He didn't see Allie at first and then she came walking slowly out of the doors, with Elizabeth walking beside her. Allie had her head down, which Nathan knew wasn't a good sign. Elizabeth didn't look mad, in fact she had a small smile as Nathan walked past the other children to the steps.

"Hi Allie, how was your day?" Nathan asked greeting the girl first and then looking hesitantly towards Elizabeth.

"Fine," Allie replied keeping her head down.

"Constable Grant, I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes. Allie, can you wait here on the steps? You have your book right?"

Allie nodded and sat down, opening the book and beginning to read. She never looked up at her uncle which had him worried. Elizabeth motioned for Nathan to follow her inside and she shut the door behind him. Nathan walked down in the middle of the desks behind Elizabeth, with his hands in front of him. He had changed out of his Mountie uniform before coming to get Allie, wanting to head home after he picked her up. He wished he still had his uniform on so he had his hat or belt to hold on to, nervous about how this conversation would go.

When Elizabeth got to the front, she walked behind her desk. Nathan stood in front of her waiting for her to begin. "Constable Grant, I wanted to talk to you about Allie. Today at recess she was sitting alone reading. When I asked if she wanted to meet and play with the other children, she said No loudly and ran into the classroom."

"I'm sorry, I will talk to her about her behavior."

"That's not why I asked to talk to you," Elizabeth said. Nathan looked at her surprised. He has made assumptions before walking in there and he realized he didn't know what she wanted to talk to him about. "I want to help Allie in any way I can. I think she is keeping the other children at a distance on purpose."

"Why would she do that?"

"I have an idea of why. Can I ask you a question?" Elizabeth looked at Nathan as he nodded. "How long has Allie lived with you?"

Nathan looked at her. Here it was, she would blame him because he was a Mountie. "She has been with me since she was four. We have done just fine on our own." Nathan crossed his arms in front of himself, like a protective shield.

Elizabeth saw the hurt on his face, "Constable Grant, I never meant to imply anything about Allie being raised by a Mountie. I think it's great that you have each other. The reason I asked is because as a Mountie you would have had multiple posts which means Allie would have attended multiple schools, correct?"

Nathan looked at her, lowering his arms. "I guess so."

"I think the reason Allie is hesitant to make friends is that she is worried that she won't be here long enough for it to matter. If it is ok with you, I think we should bring Allie in and talk to her about what we both expect from her in school. What do you think?"

Shocked that he was being included instead of being told everything was his fault, all he could do was nod at Elizabeth and motion for her to go first as she walked back around the desk. He stood at the front of the classroom as Elizabeth went to get Allie. "Allie, can you come in and talk to us for a little bit?"

Allie came in, clutching the book in front of her. She walked over to Nathan and sat in the front row. Nathan sat next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Allie, are you worried about making friends?" Allie shrugged in response.

Elizabeth looked at both of them and smiled as she remembered something that might help, "Allie, have you ever read Emerson?"

Allie finally looked up towards her teacher, smiling but shaking her head no.

Elizabeth continued, "He is one of my favorite poets. He has a quote that says 'The only way to make a friend is to be one'. I'm sure if you let the other kids get to know you, you'd have a lot of friends."

"Really?" Allie asked, wondering if her teacher was telling the truth.

"Yes, Opal was just asking me today if I thought you would like to play. Maybe I can walk with you at recess to where Opal usually plays. How does that sound?" Allie seemed excited about that and nodded. Nathan looked at her in awe. Elizabeth was an amazing teacher, how she knew exactly what to say to get through to Allie. Nathan hoped that tomorrow would be better and Allie could make some friends.

"Allie, why don't we go home and you can help me make dinner? Can you go outside and wait for me? I just want to talk to Mrs. Thornton for a minute."

"Sure Uncle Nathan." Allie walked out and down the stairs.

"Thank you, it has been hard for Allie I know. I am grateful you are willing to help her." Nathan said.

"It is my pleasure, Constable Grant."

Nathan started to walk towards the door and he turned back, "you know, I think it's time you called me Nathan."

"Elizabeth," she said as she smiled. Nathan smiled back and walked out the door to where Allie was waiting.