Chapter 4

Lucas braced himself waiting to hear what Edwin had to say about Jeanette's trial. "I'm listening Edwin. Has the jury reached a verdict?" Lucas asked as he closed his eyes with trepidation.

"Not exactly. Mrs. Aucoin took the stand this morning." Edwin told him.

Lucas hung his head. "How bad was it?" Lucas asked tiredly.

"She told everyone that she acted alone. That she hadn't seen you in the years preceding the crimes in question. That you had absolutely no idea what she had been doing since the last time you saw her. She went on to say that she only said those things about you because she was angry with you when you ended your courtship with her 7 years before." Edwin said happily. "She changed her plea to guilty and said that the province should be grateful to you instead of vilifying you. She was very convincing Lucas. The press is eating it up."

Lucas let out the breath he was holding. "Edwin, that is wonderful news. Thank you for letting me know. I'm glad she did the right thing." He said relieved.

"With this Aucoin mess behind you, it is imperative that you get back to the Capital and be seen. The legislature has been questioning your absence. The Chairman would like a meeting with you as soon as possible. When can I expect you?" Edwin asked expectantly.

"Yes, of course. I have not yet finalized everything regarding the National Park but I will leave on Wednesday to return to Capital City. Hopefully I can deal with this park situation from there. I will see you on Thursday." Lucas told him as he hung up the telephone. He was shocked that something had actually gone in his favor. It was nice for a change to not be the punching bag.

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The next day Edie returned to the office. "Good morning, Governor." She said brightly as she put her briefcase on her desk. She walked over to Lucas's desk and placed the map down. "I spoke with the ranchers yesterday and they were talking things over and will let me know when they make a decision regarding the other meadow." She said as cheerily as she could muster.

"Do you think they will go for it?" Lucas asked hopefully.

"I'm really not sure. They are hard to read. We shall see." She was being evasive; he could tell but for now he would not press her on the subject.

Lucas left the office and returned later holding a basket. "It's a beautiful fall day and the weather is unexpectedly warm. Let's take a horseback ride and enjoy a picnic. What do you say?" He asked with a mischievous smile as he held up the picnic basket for her to see.

"I admit that does sound like an enticing idea." She said with a soft smile. "I would like that. I can't look at these briefs any longer. Lead the way, Governor." She told him. They rode just a short distance outside of the town's main street. Lucas stopped and dismounted from his horse.

Edie followed suit. "What a stunning piece of property and so close to town." She told him as she eyed him curiously. "Do you own this land?" She asked.

"I do. At least for another day. I'm selling it, I will sign the finally papers tomorrow for the sale to go through. He told her.

"Why are you selling? It's absolutely beautiful here. I could see a house right over there." She said wistfully. "And it's so close to town, I'm sure you could have electricity here. Why don't you build yourself a house so you can stop living in the small back room at the office?" She asked curiously.

"I originally bought this land as a wedding gift for my fiancée. I did plan to build a big house here. Her son wanted a purple castle to live in. But she wanted no part of it." He said with a sad chuckle. "She wanted us to continue living in her rowhouse where she had memories with her first husband." Lucas said with a faraway look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. That must have been painful." Edie said with understanding.

Lucas laid out a blanket and took out the sandwiches he had purchased from the café as they both sat down.

"It was but I stuffed the hurt down, I tried not to let it bother me. Of course, I should have been paying more attention. It was a tell that perhaps she was questioning her wiliness to marry me. I expected her to have some jitters as the wedding drew closer but I did not expect everything to fall apart completely. Then add in her growing affection for the town Constable and you had a recipe for disaster. At least for me." He said quietly.

"I assume this is not the woman on trial right now but the school teacher, I think is what I read?" She asked questioningly.

Lucas laughed. "Let me put the record straight regarding Jeanette Aucoin. She and I did have a brief dalliance many years ago in New Orleans. She was a widow when I met her. She often talked of marriage but it was not something that I ever seriously saw happening between us. As she got more insistent that we should marry, I told her my heart was not leaning me there with her. She was hurt, but I thought she understood. We parted ways although we remained in contact from time to time. I helped her out of a bad situation once, which led to some problems for me here in Hope Valley when I first arrived. Once that was cleared up, we went our separate ways again only keeping in touch occasionally. That was as far as our personal relationship went. Unfortunately, she showed back up in Hope Valley last year causing all kinds of problems for me again. The press as usual has taken those circumstances and made up their own embellishments to sell newspapers." He told her honestly.

"And you are paying the price in public rebuke for her misdeeds that almost cost you your life." She stated calmly.

"Yes, my constituents have lost faith in me despite having achieved some successes. I have lost friends, my business, my reputation. It seems most everything that has matter to me has been taken away. When I came to Hope Valley five years ago, I was 26 years old, ready to stop and put down roots. And now all those hopes are gone and what I'm left with is mostly regret." He told her honestly.

"Lucas, surely, it's not that bad. I'm sure you still have friends here, people who respect you." She told him as she squeezed his hand for just a moment hoping to offer him some comfort.

"Most of my so-called friends here have deserted me, except Henry and the Canfields. That's why I am selling this land. It's time for me to cut ties with this town and truly move on. I have never stayed in one place for so long. I stayed for Elizabeth but that reason is now gone. After I finish my mandate, I will sell the office we are sharing in town and truly wash my hands of Hope Valley." He told her earnestly.

"Lucas, you have three years left on your term. A lot can change in that amount of time. Do not be so hasty my friend." She said softly.

"Are we? Friends, I mean. You're the first person that I've really had a conversation with about how damn awful the past year has been for me personally. Not one of my supposed friends has cared to ask how I'm doing after a broken engagement, an assassination attempt that almost killed me. Most people only want to talk to me to get what they want out of me politically. I know you have a political agenda as well. But I think, at least I hope, that your motives for being my friend go beyond the needs of the Cattleman's Association." He said sincerely.

"I promise you Lucas, they do. And thank you for sharing about Mrs. Aucoin. If you'd like to talk more about your relationship with Mrs. Thornton, I would be willing to listen. I'm sorry for everything you have been through. And yes, I would very much like to be your friend." She told him with a smile.

"Good. I'd like to be your friend as well. I could use a friend to talk to again." He told her with a soft sad smile. "Let's head back to town. We both have work to do." Lucas told her as he stood up and put a hand out to help her up.

Once they were back in town, Lucas brought his horse to the livery while Edie went directly to the office. While at the livery Lucas happen upon both Nathan and Elizabeth. He normally would have turned around and walked away but unfortunately that was not possible in this case. He nodded to both of them and put his horse in his stall. The two continued to talk but in lower tones and he could only catch a word or two. Lucas was once again reminded of how much he needed to get out of this town.

As he was exiting the livery, Nathan stopped him. "Governor, I'd like to speak to you about something I heard." Nathan told him with an edge to his voice.

"Constable, I would be happy to speak with you. Please call my secretary and make an appointment." Lucas told him curtly and walked away.

"What was that about?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"Mountie business." Nathan said with same edge in his voice. He watched as Lucas walked away.

When Lucas arrived back at his office, Edie was packing up her stuff to head home. "I have some ranch duties to attend to and need to get back to the ranch before dark. Thank you for a lovely lunch and conversation today. I will see you tomorrow." She told him.

"Yes, see you tomorrow. I enjoyed our lunch as well." He told her as she walked out of the office. His run in with Elizabeth and Nathan had put him in a bad mood and he was now wondering if he had handled it the best way. Seeing Elizabeth with Nathan riled him, he was glad he could finally leave and go back to Capital City. Now that this Jeanette business was finished perhaps things would be better for him there. At least that was his hope.

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The next morning, Lucas informed Edie that he would be leaving for Capital City the next day. "I don't suppose it will be possible to have an answer from the ranchers before I leave?" He asked hopefully.

"No, I don't believe so. I told them I would check with them on Monday. I didn't know that you would leaving so soon." She told him honestly.

Lucas handed her the Benson Beagle. "Jeanette Aucoin's trial is over. She thankfully did the right thing and it appears I will be welcomed back to the Capital." He said good naturedly.

"Lucas, that is wonderful. I'm very happy for you." She told him as she quickly read over the article. "She totally exonerated you from any knowledge of her misdeeds and explained why she mislead everyone about your relationship." She told him.

"Edwin called me yesterday to tell me the good news, but I didn't want to say anything until I could see how the press would report on it. Thankfully, they went with the truth." He said with a large smile. "Could I interest you in dinner this evening. A celebration of sorts before I leave?"

"I would love too. Where would you like to go?" She asked.

"Would you be alright with going to the Queen of Hearts?" He asked with trepidation. Although he didn't own it anymore and he and Lee were on the outs, the place was the first place he ever owned that felt like home to him. He didn't know when he would return to Hope Valley and he would like one last dinner there.

"Yes, I'd be delighted. I have meetings scheduled outside the office all day. I will meet you back here at 5 o'clock, would that be good?" She asked.

"Perfect, I will see you then." Lucas told her.

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Lucas had signed the deed over on the land he had hoped to build a house for Elizabeth on. Another door closed he thought glumly. He was in his back room changing when he heard the door open. "Lucas, It's Edie. Are you here?" She called out.

"Yes, I will be right out." He told her. Lucas took one last look in the mirror and went out to the main office. As he entered, he stopped and stared at Edie. She looked lovely. Her hair was up on the sides but the rest was cascading down her back. Her dress was light blue which revealed her decolletage and the blue dress made the blue in her eyes stand out even more.

"You look lovely this evening, Miss Martell." He told her appreciatively.

"Thank you. You look handsome as usual." She said with a smile.

Lucas found himself a bit flustered. "Hmm, should we go?" He asked as he put his arm out for her to take.

As they entered the saloon, they were greeted by many of the patrons. It seemed the outcome of the trial had reached Hope Valley and people were willing to acknowledge him once again instead of snub him. A pleasant surprise, he thought.

"Governor, good to see you." Mike Hickam said. "Are you here for dinner?"

"Yes, if we could have a booth that would be wonderful." Lucas told him

"Of course," Mike told him as he directed him to a booth by the window. "I will send your waitress right over." He told him as he handed them menus and walked away.

Shortly after they had ordered their dinners, Nathan and Elizabeth entered the saloon. Lucas glanced over toward them and stared in dismay. "Lucas, I'm over here." Edie told him. Lucas blushed turning his attention back to her.

"Sorry. I was distracted there for a minute." He said with a disheartened chuckle.

"You were looking at that couple over there. The woman with the Mountie. Is she the woman you were engaged to?" She inquired.

"Yes. How did you know?" He asked embarrassed at being caught.

"I've seen you stare at her before. Subtly of course. I inquired as to who she was." Edie admitted to him.

"I know it's been a year and the discomfort at seeing them together should not still bother me but…if I'm honest it does." He told her with regret.

"Why do you think that is?" She asked gently.

"I guess because I still don't understand why. I really have no idea what truly went wrong. What did I do to make her pull away from me? It seemed so sudden and unexpected, at least to me. I'm trying to move on. But I will admit somedays are harder than others." He told her sincerely.

"No need to apologize Lucas. I understand." She told him.

"I've shared a lot with you. Would you like to share why your engagement ended? That is if you know why?" He asked quizzically.

"Yes. You have been very open with me. I do feel safe sharing a part of myself with you. It's actually embarrassing but I'd like to tell you. My fiancée David, we met in law school. After law school we became engaged. I was blissfully happy." She told him with a wide smile.

"We both went to clerk for a prestige law firm in Montreal. Things were wonderful for a while but then David started to change. He liked all the fancy parties and the pretty women. He liked having money and then one day, he told me that I was not a good fit for his life any longer. I wasn't rich enough, fancy or pretty enough and he ended our engagement. Although I knew things were changing between us, like you, I still did not see the end coming. Once he broke things off, I knew I couldn't stay in Montreal any longer. I came back to Uncle Ernie's ranch to lick my wounds so to speak." She told him without quite meeting his gaze.

"I'm sorry. That must have been awful for you." He told her softly.

"Well, you know how it is. Finally, I picked myself up and started to practice law again. I went to Capital City and started working for a law firm there. Unfortunately, then my aunt and uncle both become ill and passed away. I left the firm I was working for and decided to strike out on my own since I now owned a ranch." She said as she gazed into his kind eyes.

"And you continued to wear the ring to keep other man away, not wanting to face that kind of possible rejection again?" He asked gently.

"Exactly. I'm afraid in the area of dating and love my self-confidence has not yet recovered." She said sadly.

"Well, Edie Martell. Let me just tell you, your fiancée was a fool. You're beautiful inside and out." Lucas told her as he took her hand and squeezed it as she had done yesterday afternoon for him. Just then their dinners came and Lucas pulled his hand away.

Unbeknownst to him, Elizabeth had been watching them and saw their brief but tender moment. She was not sure why but seeing this moment between Lucas and this woman bothered her. "Elizabeth." Nathan said her name.

"Sorry. I was just caught up in thought." She told him.

"I saw you looking over at Lucas. Are you wondering who the woman is that he is with?" Nathan asked somewhat annoyed. He just wished Lucas Bouchard would just leave Hope Valley and stay in Capital City. His presence in town seem to draw Elizabeth's attention more and more. She seemed to be pulling away from him and he didn't know why.

"Yes, I don't recall seeing her around town until recently. Do you know who she is?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"I do. She is a lawyer for the Cattlemen's Association. I think she's working with Lucas on some issues with the National Park." Nathan told her.

"She's pretty but not quite Lucas's type. I mean I thought he would go for someone flashier. Being Governor and all." Elizabeth said with a nervous laugh.

"How about we don't talk about your former fiancée if you don't mind." Nathan said frustrated by the conversation.

After finishing their dinner Lucas and Edie walked back to their office. "Are you sure you are good to drive back to the ranch at night by yourself?" Lucas asked concerned.

"Yes, Governor. I am perfectly capable of driving myself home. Thank you for a lovely evening. Have a safe journey back to Capital City tomorrow. I will let you know as soon as I hear from the ranchers on that other meadow." Edie told him.

"I almost forgot. Here is a key to the office. I had the locks changed since Elizabeth had a key to the library at one time as well. Also, if you're working late and don't feel up to driving back to your ranch, feel free to stay in the back room." Lucas told her. He was now unsure what to do, was their dinner tonight a date or just dinner between friends. He was feeling something but he couldn't put a name to it. He let the moment pass and opened her car door as she slipped into the driver's seat. They said goodnight and Edie drove away.

Lucas watched her drive away as a smile crossed his lips. Maybe things were finally looking up for him. Dare he hope that his dark days were coming to an end. He turned to walk into his office when out of the corner of his eye; he saw Elizabeth and Nathan leave the saloon together with Nathan's arm draped over her shoulder. And just like that the sadness engulfed him once again.