When Calls the Heart Season 9 Episode 2: Out Like a Lamb

Lucas arrives at the row house and delivers bad news to Elizabeth: Nathan has been in an accident.

Outside the infirmary Rosemary gives Elizabeth an update that Nathan survived the night, a good sign. Bill rides by on his horse, tracking down the driver who hit Nathan to determine whether it was an accident or intentional.

Elizabeth sits by Nathan's side and tells him how worried she was about him. Nathan slowly looks at her, confused, and asks, "who are you?" before admitting he cannot keep a straight face and laughing. He does have a serious question to ask: can she check on his horse, Newton?

Meanwhile Bill arrives at the jail with news that Smith has dropped the charges, and Henry is free to go.

Mei delivers a prescription for Nathan to Faith. Faith says Nathan is lucky to have her looking out for him, and that she is lucky to have her help at the infirmary; Mei explains she would not have finished her apprenticeship under Geoffrey if she did not know how good she was at this job.

Elizabeth brings Lucas a cup of tea to thank him again for the hot air balloon ride, adding that he does not have to keep making grand gestures to show he cares. Lucas says small thoughtful gestures demonstrate the same admiration, and they kiss just as Ned makes an announcement: the mayoral results are inconclusive.

Lucas walks Elizabeth home, giving her a moment to ask whether Lucas giving up the oil business to Smith is a good idea. He says he does not have to give it up to spend more time with her and Little Jack, and assures her he is happy with his choice.

Minnie arrives at the fountain to find Cooper, who did not show up at the cafe for his spelling lesson. As Minnie takes Cooper outside, he asks an alarming question: does he have to go to church ever again?

Back at the fountain Robert offers to teach Angela how to ride a horse. Angela laughs, saying Opal told her all about his experience riding a horse, and suggests Robert learn how to ride first.

At the stable Mei gently approaches Newton as Elizabeth looks on. Elizabeth is pleasantly surprised to see Newton allow Mei to pet him.

Later Elizabeth checks in with Henry at his office, knowing he traveled a long way on his trip. He brings up that Elizabeth and Abigail write one another, and Elizabeth shares that it meant a lot to Abigail that Henry went to visit her. Elizabeth has a favor to ask: would Henry talk to her class about the importance of not fighting?

Just then Ned and Florence announce the winner of the mayoral race, and the winner is Mike Hickam.

At the cafe Minnie breaks the news to Joseph about Cooper's request not to go to church. Joseph is not sure that as pastor he can allow Cooper to skip it, and Minnie asks him to understand that not everyone is as strong in their faith as Joseph.

Elizabeth stops by the soda fountain to introduce herself to Mei, thanking her for taking care of Newton and adding that if she is that good with animals she will make friends here in Hope Valley quickly.

Lucas brings Nathan ice cream at the infirmary. Nathan appreciates the gesture and wonders whether Lucas is being nice out of guilt over how things went with Elizabeth.

Henry arrives at the schoolhouse as the children write get well cards for Nathan. He is there to tell them not to fight, because if we hurt one another we all just end up in pain, a lesson that hits home for Cooper.

As Bill admires how well Mei tends to Newton at the stables, she takes a moment to ask him for help. Bill wonders if she is in trouble; Mei says not yet, but that she would like to talk about it when she is ready.

Rosemary finds Lee at the office and asks him to consider becoming the Managing Editor of The Valley Voice. The best part, she says, is that he would report to her, the Editor-in-chief. Lee accepts the offer with a kiss.

Later in town Elizabeth catches Smith and Henry shaking hands. She is glad to see them shaking hands instead of swinging fists, and Henry admits he cannot outrun his past but can see what he can do to fix it.

On Sunday morning everyone heads to church, including Cooper, who goes along despite having asked not to. Minnie does not agree with Joseph's choice to make Cooper attend, but Joseph has other things to worry about as Robert darts by on a tandem bike with Angela enjoying the ride.

As everyone enters the church, Henry stands outside, deciding whether to go in.

The episode resolves the Season 9 premiere's cliffhanger: Nathan survived the hit-and-run and is recovering, though the driver's motive is left open, with Bill tracking him to determine whether the hit was an accident or intentional. Whether the driver is ever caught is not confirmed within the episode.

Two threads are deliberately left unresolved. First, the mayoral race is announced as inconclusive and only later called for Mike Hickam in the same episode, leaving the fallout of the contest to later episodes. Second, Mei asks Bill for help but declines to say what the trouble is, so the nature of her past and the reason she needs a lawyer remain unconfirmed.

The final image is Henry standing outside the church as the town files in, with whether he enters left unanswered.