"Ok class, now that we have finished our math lesson for the day, I have something I need your help with," Elizabeth said to the classroom of students. All the eyes looked her way, even the few students in the back who were talking. They all were wondering what they could do to help their teacher. They all loved Mrs. Thornton.

"As you all know, we have a small library set up in the back of the classroom here. I thought it would be a wonderful idea to have a Hope Valley library where everyone could borrow books and we could have more shelves of books for you all to pick from. I hope that we could find a space big enough to have some tables where people could read as well."

The children were all excited about this idea, even the ones who didn't normally like to read. Elizabeth had set up a tiny library in the classroom with one shelf with extra books she had on hand. Some of the children who read often had gone through those books multiple times.

"Ok, ok, I can see you all are excited but we need to quiet down. Before we can plan for a library we will need to raise some money. Does anyone have any ideas?"

The students talked for close to a hour and came up with a lot of great ideas. Finally they all decided on holding a festival with booths with different activities. They could charge a small amount for each booth to raise money. Elizabeth planned to talk to Bill to plan a date for the festival and then they would work on the plans in class. She hoped that it would be successful to help get a library for the town.

––––––––

School ended and all the children ran out of the schoolhouse, excited to tell their parents about the plans for the festival. Elizabeth walked out with the children, going to talk to Bill before heading home to Jack. She had packed up her papers to grade at home rather than staying late in the schoolhouse.

Allie ran right up to Nathan who was standing there in his serge. Allie started talking all excitedly before she was close enough for Nathan to hear her. Elizabeth was walking behind Allie, laughing because she could tell how excited Allie was and the confused look on Nathan's face. Elizabeth was so happy at the difference in Allie in such a short time.

As Allie approached Nathan said, "Whoa Allie, slow down, what is going on?"

"Uncle Nathan, you won't believe it! Mrs. Thornton wants to help us get a library in Hope Valley. We are going to have a festival to try and raise money and all the kids are going to help. Opal and I are going to have a booth. We haven't decided what it will be yet. Maybe you can help us…"

"Ok Allie, breathe," Nathan chuckled. "Elizabeth, you're trying to get a library for Hope Valley?"

Elizabeth walked up to them standing there, "Yes. It's been my dream for some time to have a library in town for everyone in town. I realize it may take some time to find a space, build shelves, and have enough money to get the books. I think it is important though."

Nathan could see the look on her face when she spoke about the library. She lit up when she talked about helping her students and the same happened when she talked about something she was passionate about, like the library. Nathan thought to himself that he would do anything he could to make this dream come true for her. It was also important for Allie. Books had been something that had always been an interest for her. No matter how many times they moved, Allie always had a book with her on the travels to the new town. Colleen, Nathan's sister and Allie's mother, was like that too- she could read anywhere.

"Well, I need to go talk to Bill and see when we can have the festival in town. I will talk to you both later," Elizabeth said, waving and walking towards town.

"Uncle Nathan, will you help with the festival?"

"Yes Allie, I will help."

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Bill had easily agreed to the festival. It would be held in the center of town in two weeks. That would give everyone enough time to plan for the booths and the games. Elizabeth also hoped they could have dancing and a dinner at the end of the night. It would be a lot of work but the town was always willing to pull together. Elizabeth would tell the students so they could tell their parents. She also walked over to the mercantile to tell Florence. If anyone could get the word out, she could.

The next day, the students and Elizabeth made signs during school to announce the festival and for help needed. The signs would be placed at the cafe, mercantile, saloon, and stables. The children also sat in groups to plan the booths. Elizabeth had already talked to a few of the adults who had ideas for booths as well. Ned had suggested a strongman contest- he knew someone in Benson Hills with the tower and mallet to use for the game. Carson and Faith offered to be on hand in case they were needed for first-aid, although Elizabeth hoped that wouldn't be necessary.

It was a beautiful day in Hope Valley so Elizabeth thought it would be a perfect day to test out their plans for the festival. The children spent the afternoon practicing the games and how they would run the booths. Allie and Opal wanted to have a bake sale for their booth so they weren't able to prepare ahead of time. Elizabeth helped them make a list of people they could ask to donate baked goods for their booth. Both the girls were hoping to make their own baked goods too.

Nathan saw the children and Elizabeth in front of the school as he rode back into town from his rounds. Allie had been talking non-stop about the festival and about the plans for the library. Nathan knew how important this was so he wanted to make sure the plans for the library could move forward, no matter how the festival went. He tied up Newton to the post outside the Mountie office and walked towards Bill's office.

The door was open to the office so Nathan walked in. Bill was standing at the shelf to the side looking through one of his large law books. He looked up from the book when Nathan walked in. "Hello, what brings you to my office?"

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about something but I'd like to keep it just between us if that's ok."

"That sounds serious. Sure, what's up?"

"Elizabeth is planning for a library for the town, as I am sure you know. I want to make sure there is a library in Hope Valley."

"Isn't that why we are having the festival in a little over a week from now?"

"We are. But I want to make it a little easier for her. I mean for the town."

Bill looked at the man sitting in front of him, curious as to if there was something going on between him and the schoolteacher but he decided not to mention it for now. "What did you have in mind?"

"What spaces are available in Hope Valley that would be good for a library?"

"There aren't many empty spaces. The one I thought would be good is across the street from the Mountie office. I don't think it'll work though."

"Why not?"

"It is owned by the town. There is a cost to purchase it from the town and unfortunately I can't change that price, it was put into place before I became mayor," Bill wrote down a price on a piece of paper and pushed it towards Nathan. "Here is what it would cost to purchase that space. I think it would be more than this festival would raise, no matter how much everyone works."

Nathan looked at the piece of paper. He wasn't rich by any means, but he had money saved from the ownership of the ranch his mother still lived on as well as money he had saved over the years from his work. He had lived simply with Allie so he was able to save enough for Allie's schooling one day, a house for the future, and some extra. The extra that he had would be more than enough to cover the cost.

"And if someone wanted to purchase it and donate it for the library?"

Bill raised his eyebrows at Nathan's comment, realizing he didn't know much about Nathan's history. "We would need to complete the Bill of Sale and then the person could do whatever they wanted with it."

"This is what I would like to keep between us Bill. I will purchase the space across from the Mountie office. At the end of the festival, you can present the deed to Elizabeth to use for the library."

"Are you sure you don't want to give it to her yourself? This is a wonderful thing you are doing… for the town…" Bill smiled as he said the last part, knowing that Nathan would get his meaning.

"Yes, I want her to be able to have this. And it would be great for Allie and the other children. But I don't want anyone to feel like they owe me anything because of it."

Bill understood and respected Nathan more for it. He was truly a great man. Hopefully one day he would share with Elizabeth what he had done. She could use a man like Nathan in her life. Bill hoped they would be open to the possibility.

"We can start the paperwork now and you can wire the money when you have a chance. We will make sure this is all finalized in time," Bill shook Nathan's hand as the men got to work.