Elizabeth slowly lowered her cumbersome form into the chair behind her desk while her students worked quietly on their new projects. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. With only a couple months until this baby's arrival, her body was beginning to protest the long school days on her feet.

Mentally, she calculated. Only 2 more school days until Christmas break, 2 weeks to rest and celebrate the season, and then only 4 more weeks of teaching until she would step aside and allow someone else to take over until the new school year began in the Fall. Who exactly that would be was still unclear. Rosemary, Florence, or Molly? Maybe a rotating schedule?

Her contemplation was interrupted when the door of the school opened. A young man, dressed in the simple uniform of a Mountie recruit approached her desk with purpose.

"Hello, Can I help you?" Elizabeth greeted him, beginning to stand.

"Don't get up in my account, ma'am," he responded politely, noting her condition. "Inspector Grant gave me this note. He asked that I wait for your reply."

Elizabeth smiled as she took the note. She was so proud of Nathan's promotion to Inspector but she couldn't drop the flirtatious habit of calling him "Constable." She probably never would.

Unfolding the note, she read his familiar script:

Elizabeth,

This is Oliver, a new recruit I'll be training.

Is it alright if he joins us for supper tonight? I can pick up something from The Cafe if you're not up for cooking.

Awaiting your reply.

All my love and kisses,

Nathan

How did this simple correspondence feel like a secret love note? Nathan's obvious awareness and concern warmed her heart. Quickly she penned a reply agreeing to inviting the recruit for dinner and to Nathan bringing home their meal to save her from cooking.

"It's nice to meet you Oliver. I'll see you later," she said as she passed him her reply.

Elizabeth took in the caring eyes and honest face of the young man who was preparing for such an honourable career. She noted that his features would likely capture the attention of some of the older girls in her classroom. A new young man in town could certainly have an impact on hearts and friendships.

But not with her Allie. Allie was so level headed and focused, dreaming of her future and making plans. Surely, she didn't have to worry about Allie being caught up in the inevitable excitement.

Meanwhile, Allie didn't miss this exchange, her curiosity peeked wondering who had brought a note from her dad and what it could be. She watched carefully hoping to catch some detail when the young man suddenly turned and began to head for the door. The butterflies she felt as their eyes briefly met were still on her mind when the school day came to a close hours later.

Hanging back, Allie offered to walk home with her mom, hoping to maybe learn a detail or two about whoever it was that had visited their classroom, interrupting her work and her thoughts.

"We're having a guest join us for supper tonight, a new recruit your dad is training. He's bringing supper home from the cafe but the house still needs to be tidied a little," Elizabeth informed Allie as they slowly walked home, unknowingly answering Allie's unasked questions.

"I'll tidy up, mama. You just take some time to rest," Allie offered, having observed how the later stages of pregnancy were tiring.

Elizabeth awoke sometime later to the sound of laughter and conversation. She chided herself for sleeping so long. Brushing the wrinkles out of her skirt, she took a moment to check her hair before making her way downstairs.

"And you already met my wife, Elizabeth," Nathan said completing the introductions as she made it to the final step.

Oliver courteously acknowledged her, a large bag of food from the cafe still in his hand. Nathan carried another bag and a telltale box.

"Oh is that what I think it is?" Elizabeth nearly squealed.

"Of course," Nathan smirked. "I know better than to go to the cafe without getting a chocolate cake for my best girl."

Elizabeth giggled and taking his face in her hands, she pulled him down to her while his hands were otherwise occupied, rewarding him with a kiss. Suddenly, remembering their company, she pulled away and cleared her throat.

"If you're going to join us for supper, you better get used to that. They never stop," Allie informed Oliver with a laugh and playful roll of her eyes. Oliver only chuckled.

"I'll set the table," Elizabeth offered, hoping to move the conversation along.

"Oh I've already done that, mama," Allie replied, truly unfazed by the romance between her parents.

Elizabeth followed Nathan to the kitchen to help unpack supper.

"I am so embarrassed I slept that long," she whispered once they were on their own.

"Don't be, sweetheart. I'm glad you got the rest you needed," Nathan replied sincerely in a hushed voice.

"What will your new recruit think of me? Still in bed when guests arrive!" she questioned.

"Probably that it would be nice if the Mounties did assign wives after all, if they looked like you," he winked.

Elizabeth swatted his arm playfully and laughed wholeheartedly at his response.

"With all this," she placed a hand on either side of her rounded belly, "I doubt that."

"Especially with this beautiful baby on the way," Nathan replied, placing his hand over hers. He leaned into kiss her again.

"What did I tell you?" they heard Allie comment from the living room.

The family and their new recruit gathered around the table. After Nathan lead them in saying grace, they filled their plates with Minnie's good cooking.

"So Oliver, how old are you?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm 17, ma'am," he answered simply.

"Only 17? Shouldn't you still be in school?" she questioned, ever the teacher.

Nathan studied his plate intently as he pushed mashed potatoes around and around, knowing the lady he loved never gave up on a child in need of learning.

"The Mounties begin recruiting at 17. To be honest, they weren't very concerned about how much education I had completed," Oliver answered matter of factly.

"Well you'd be welcome in my class any time, Oliver," Elizabeth invited kindly. Allie could feel a blush on her cheeks that she hoped no one would notice.

"Actually, he'll be learning from me, Mrs Grant," Nathan interjected with a playful smile.

"Well maybe he can learn from both of us, Constable. If that's what he'd like, of course."

"I'd be honored, Mrs Grant. I'm not sure my schedule will allow for it though." Oliver responded politely.

Elizabeth turned to Nathan with an unspoken plea to allow this still very young man to have more time to learn before he officially stepped into his very grown up career.

"I think we could make something work. Part time maybe," Nathan offered.

"The students are working on projects that combine multiple subjects together. A lot of the work is independent. I'm sure we could arrange something," Elizabeth explained further.

"Yes, I noticed that when I dropped by today," Among other things, he thought, briefly making eye contact with Allie before focusing his attention on his scoop of carrots and turnip.

The rest of the meal and evening passed comfortably. Oliver was a nice addition around their dinner table. He was polite and mild mannered but brave enough to make a joke now and then, and always smiled easily.

After he left, Allie excused herself, explaining she was heading to bed so she could get up early to help make breakfast and lunch before school. Elizabeth sighed at the thought of another long day on her swollen, aching feet.

Nathan returned from tucking Jack into bed and settled onto the couch next to her, a plate with an extra large slice of chocolate cake and two forks in his hand.

"So what did you think of my new recruit?" Nathan asked between bites.

"He seems really nice. I think he'll make a great Mountie…especially with such a great mentor," she said with a kiss on his cheek.

"Sounds like he'll have a great teacher too," he responded, placing a chocolatey kiss on her lips.

Upstairs, Allie laid in her bed, gazing out the window at the star filled sky, her thoughts entirely occupied by one young man. There was something about him that intrigued her. Something that was quickly keeping her up at night.